I did something really clever in preparation for Holy Week.  I read Perelandra.

It wasn't on purpose.  What was on purpose was listening to Handel's Messiah during Holy Week, as that oratorio was written for Easter (not Christmas), and anyway, every time someone started quoting Messianic passages (in church or online or wherever), I could only ( Read more... )

We like justice.  We like rules.  We like to draw lines between things ( Read more... )

You know, of all the Christian holidays, Palm Sunday strikes me as being a bit weird.  I mean, yes, I know it's the start of Holy Week, and the beginning of the end of Jesus' pre-death ministry, but I don't quite get why churches celebrate it with such enthusiasm.  Yes, Jesus was riding into Jerusalem in a happy impromptu processional, with people ( Read more... )

There's a part in The Lord of the Rings that always seems a bit weird to me.  Not because it doesn't fit the story - it totally fits the story - but it also threatens to derail the plot.  It's in The Fellowship of the Ring, when our intrepid heroes have found their way completely blocked by a snowstorm on Caradhras.  They retreat, find their way to ( Read more... )

It's a bit late an' all... and I haven't much to say... been a long day, which started at 5:30AM, because I was in the Easter choir again this year, and had to be at church from 7AM on through 12:20PM...

Still.  HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

HE IS RISEN!  HE IS RISEN INDEED!

Little short Easter story to begin with: Daniel and Lisa had bought Toby these little Koosh chicks, three for a dollar, and lo and behold, they quickly became his favorite toys.  He had two of them with him when they were at the parents' on Sunday.  Dad was on the floor with Toby, playing with him, his chicks, and a little plastic robot we've had ( Read more... )

Had the day off today.  It's a rare Good Friday that doesn't fall during Quarter End, which means that usually we only get a half day.  But today was a whole day off, and I did a bit of shopping.  Actually tried on dresses for the first time in years - the only dresses I've worn since my first or second year of college were choir uniforms.  And ( Read more... )

A bit of what went on at my parents' house yesterday:

Toby: [takes apart a toy car and refuses to put it back together]
Me: He's a deconstructivist.
David: No, he's a nihilist.
Me: Toby, are you a nihilist?
Toby: [giggling] No!  I'm a boyMet Daniel and Lisa's new little yorkie dog.  Named Daisy.  I was worried it'd be one of those overexcitable ( Read more... )

I am sick and weak and burned and cold and all my blood has run out.  I am decayed, I am dying.  The wind blows and it blows through me.  The storm rages and I am tossed about.  My voice is dead, I gasp on air, and fumes blacken my lungs ( Read more... )

Experienced my first fast yesterday. Not really sure it's something that would benefit me greatly: apparently, bereft of food, I just nap a lot and think really confused thoughts. Cutting myself off from books/media/internet however, is far more beneficial and interesting ( Read more... )