waaaaaay overdue for an update
Wow. Ive been away from this for a long time. I havent even been keeping up with my friends' page either, so I have little idea of whats going on. So just bear with me while I catch up. :) So where was I?
Ah, yes, when people last heard from me, I was about to go to (yes, another) wedding, this time in Ohio. I enjoyed my time out there, but it was not my best trip out there. Dont get me wrong, the Rodzianko wedding was fantastic; I really did have a great time. But I dont think I did the best job in terms of planning; ultimately, I should have rented a car. I had somehow hoped to see Fr. D_____ in Indiana, which never happened, and perhaps someplace a bit different- perhaps even a sidetrip down to Cincinnati- which also really didnt happen. No one seemed free at all during the week (understandably enough- people actually have to work!), and how much exploring can one really do on one's own?
It wasnt all disappointing in Ohio, though- I did manage to explore a bit on my own (not too much more I could do independently), it was good to see all of my friends, and most importantly, it was good to get a break! I didnt realize how much I needed one until I came back here & felt so much more relaxed.
If people haven't already checked them out, all of my Ohio pictures are now online.
In other news, two Sundays ago was St. Vladimir's Day. Not only is it my parish's patronal feast, it is also, for as long as I can remember, an annual summer ritual of sorts... summer just wasnt complete without attending St. Vladimir's Day at the Memorial Church! Unfortunately, I'd have to say this wasnt the most memorable St. Vladimir's Day. Rather, one of the worst, personally. Let me explain without sounding too "emo"...
It was a complete fiasco, to put it nicely. Most of it not very well organized, and a lot of bad luck on top of it. We always have a procession and blessing of the waters outside in a prominent place. This year, towards the end of liturgy, it began to rain. Not just sprinkles, mind you, but Indian monsoon-like rain. So the procession was canceled, and we blessed water in the middle of the church, cramped as it was. I cant even remember when such a thing happenned before. We ended up having 2 bishops, which was nice, but not nearly enough altar servers, which was not so nice. Plus, Saturday morning- the actual St. Vladimir's Day- I was informed at the last possible moment that the Metropolitan was coming, after all, and so I was late. (Sorry, living an hour from church is just getting more & more unrealistic... anyway...) I had invited several friends, one of whom came all the way out from Ohio, and none of them showed up. Not even my family showed up, and there was really no one to take pictures for me- although pictures of what, I dunno, in the end. So, sorry, everyone, nothing even to show. And after all of the running around in the altar & taking abuse from the protodeacon, there was no room in the hall for any of the servers, including me. I ended up outside, in the pouring rain, drinking a beer with some of my spiritual father's kids, who happened to be running a fund raising grill (which, due to the rain, drew a third of the people compared to the previous year). At least out of charity they gave me a kebab & a burger. It wasnt bad being with them, but getting soaked in the rain like an outcast is really not my idea of a good time, let alone my parish feast. It didnt even feel like it was MY parish feast. Oh well, perhaps Ive already emotionally removed myself as a parishioner, to an extent. For a reminder of how last year went by comparison, here are the pictures.
I have plenty more to rant about, but I'll end it here for now. Back to painting...
Ah, yes, when people last heard from me, I was about to go to (yes, another) wedding, this time in Ohio. I enjoyed my time out there, but it was not my best trip out there. Dont get me wrong, the Rodzianko wedding was fantastic; I really did have a great time. But I dont think I did the best job in terms of planning; ultimately, I should have rented a car. I had somehow hoped to see Fr. D_____ in Indiana, which never happened, and perhaps someplace a bit different- perhaps even a sidetrip down to Cincinnati- which also really didnt happen. No one seemed free at all during the week (understandably enough- people actually have to work!), and how much exploring can one really do on one's own?
It wasnt all disappointing in Ohio, though- I did manage to explore a bit on my own (not too much more I could do independently), it was good to see all of my friends, and most importantly, it was good to get a break! I didnt realize how much I needed one until I came back here & felt so much more relaxed.
If people haven't already checked them out, all of my Ohio pictures are now online.
In other news, two Sundays ago was St. Vladimir's Day. Not only is it my parish's patronal feast, it is also, for as long as I can remember, an annual summer ritual of sorts... summer just wasnt complete without attending St. Vladimir's Day at the Memorial Church! Unfortunately, I'd have to say this wasnt the most memorable St. Vladimir's Day. Rather, one of the worst, personally. Let me explain without sounding too "emo"...
It was a complete fiasco, to put it nicely. Most of it not very well organized, and a lot of bad luck on top of it. We always have a procession and blessing of the waters outside in a prominent place. This year, towards the end of liturgy, it began to rain. Not just sprinkles, mind you, but Indian monsoon-like rain. So the procession was canceled, and we blessed water in the middle of the church, cramped as it was. I cant even remember when such a thing happenned before. We ended up having 2 bishops, which was nice, but not nearly enough altar servers, which was not so nice. Plus, Saturday morning- the actual St. Vladimir's Day- I was informed at the last possible moment that the Metropolitan was coming, after all, and so I was late. (Sorry, living an hour from church is just getting more & more unrealistic... anyway...) I had invited several friends, one of whom came all the way out from Ohio, and none of them showed up. Not even my family showed up, and there was really no one to take pictures for me- although pictures of what, I dunno, in the end. So, sorry, everyone, nothing even to show. And after all of the running around in the altar & taking abuse from the protodeacon, there was no room in the hall for any of the servers, including me. I ended up outside, in the pouring rain, drinking a beer with some of my spiritual father's kids, who happened to be running a fund raising grill (which, due to the rain, drew a third of the people compared to the previous year). At least out of charity they gave me a kebab & a burger. It wasnt bad being with them, but getting soaked in the rain like an outcast is really not my idea of a good time, let alone my parish feast. It didnt even feel like it was MY parish feast. Oh well, perhaps Ive already emotionally removed myself as a parishioner, to an extent. For a reminder of how last year went by comparison, here are the pictures.
I have plenty more to rant about, but I'll end it here for now. Back to painting...