The First Day of the Rest of My Life

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Alright, time to answer some questions while I'm still coherent...

1. What do you think is the biggest tension between Catholicism and mid-20's culture, and how do you deal with it?

Kind of funny, seeing as how I'm helping to run a lecture series starting tomorrow aimed at "young adults" (18-30s). Personally, I believe it's the difference between the timeless/antiquated beliefs of the Church, and how they collide with the beliefs of the average American twentysomething. "Why can't women be priests?" and "Why can't I have sex or live with someone before marrige?" seem to be the most popular questions/protests I hear from the demographic. I think the Church can do a better job of addressing the needs of the group, as well as addressing the questions that people like me want answers to. At my church, our youth group was a great place for me to develop my faith during high school. I doubt I'd be the person I was today if not for the opportunities I had there. Since then, (and since college) I've found myself wanting. The young adults group we have is a start, but more can be done. What exactly that is, I don't know.

2. If one place in the US had to be wiped off of the map (City-sized area), what place should it be?

Northern Kentucky. Long story.

3. What irrational fear do you have?

Death. I mean, most people fear it in general, but I do it a lot more often than I should. Also, I have a bad fear of heights.

4. What do you think (if you think about this) about US/ Mexican history w/r/t the southwest and San Antonio?

Seeing how where I'm sitting WAS Mexico at one point in time, history has a lot to do with how the city sells itself now. No less than five different missions (The Alamo being one of them) are historical landmarks here. (Sadly, most, if not all of them, are located within a stone's throw of a fast food joint, but that's another story.) My great-grandfather (Grandpa Nacho) came over here in the 1900s.

People here see Mexico now as kind of a needed irritant. Some people talk about the evils of illegal immigration, but the housing boom that has gone on in the north and west parts of town probably wouldn't happen if not for brown people in pickup trucks. Well-to-do Mexicans (yes, they do exist) come here during Easter to drop lots of cash in the two high-end malls here, but act like jackasses in the process. I know, I've had to deal with them back when I was selling computers. (Apparently, no one believes in the concept of "price tags.")

5. Favorite ice cream flavor. (answered before #4)

Ben and Jerry's Chocolate Fudge Brownie.

Labels:

Taken from pico dulce's LJ:

The instructions:
1. Leave me a comment saying, "I would like you to ask me questions even though you are not Katie Couric."
2. I respond by asking you five questions. You will answer them, because you like answering questions (and because I don't know some of you that well).
3. You will update your blog/LJ with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

Coming later today, my responses to pico's queries. But now, if you'll excuse me, I must have ashes applied to my head.

Labels:

Tuesday, February 20, 2007

39 minutes left of sinning until April, and I'm blogging. I hope you people are happy.

It's Fat Tuesday time (or, as I refer to it, "Tuesday.") With Lent coming tomorrow, I've come up with what I'm giving up. I'm actually giving up two things, one is a public sacrifice, another, a more personal one. Of course, that means I'll be sharing both with you, the anonymous blog-reader.

The public sacrifice is fast food. A friend helped me come up with the idea (while dining at Chili's, ironically). I figure it's a way to help me save money, eat better, and sacrifice something that's been weighing me down (literally).

The private sacrifice? Porn. I don't know how, but I've become quite the porn fiend these last few months. Don't know if it's a direct effect of not dating lately, or if it's a cause of the dating drought, but the images aren't really helping me in my faith walk. (Especially hard to walk when one's tent is pitched.)

So far, I've told a few people about the fast food thing, but have only shared the porn sacrifice with one person. I plan to keep that ratio the same. If you'll excuse me, I've got some videos to watch during the next 31 minutes...

Labels:

Sunday, February 18, 2007

Well, that's 30 minutes I'll never get back.

After building up some curiosity after seeing a clip online (either curiosity or schadenfreude, I couldn't decide which), I decided to check out the premiere of Fox News Channel's "The 1/2 Hour News Hour" tonight. My decision was made a bit easier when I saw it was halftime of the All-Star Game.

First off, before I delve into my review, a quick spotlight on my politics. While describing myself as "left-of-center," my presidential voting record may show otherwise. (Dole, Nader, W; one of those was a protest vote.) I'm not a huge follower of politics or political humor, don't watch "The Daily Show" or "The Colbert Report" too often. So I say the following as about with as little bias as one can have in reviewing such things.

Worst. Satire. Ever.

I didn't think that the "BO Magazine" bit that I saw would be one of the gems of the show, but it ended up being exactly that. Don't get me wrong, I did find myself having a slight chuckle at times (blaming Britney Spears going commando on global warming was okay), but I found myself cringing more times than not. The running Ed Begley Jr. gag got old real quick. Some people are already in love with this show because they finally believe their getting equal time. All I can say is if the right is putting their hope in this to be their chance to throw stones at the "elites," good luck.

I must give props to Fox for the idea. With everyone else satirizing the news, why not have a news network do it as well? It'd be nice if it were actually funny, but the idea is good.

One last thing: apparently the intro with "President" Rush Limbaugh and "Vice President" Ann Coulter is going to be a running gag throughout the show. I don't know if the producer of this show (who also produces "24") is just in love with these two people or what, but that idea needs to end quickly.

P.S. Memo to Leyla (aka #13 from "Deal or No Deal"): if you REALLY wanted to be on an unfunny show, couldn't you have just gone next door and been on "Studio 60"?

Labels:

Wednesday, February 14, 2007



Oddly enough, this pretty much defines what my view on this day is all about...

This morning, I was so ready to rant on this blog. I counted out the number of times I was going to use the word "fuck," I had cute phrases I was gonna use ("fuck you spending money on flowers while people go hungry"); I was ready to throw down some rage.

Then, on the way into work, my phone rang.

"Hi Greg, it's G. I'm glad I caught you, just wanted to wish you a Happy Valentine's Day."

Damnit. Even when she's nice to me, she pisses me off.

Today was a weird day. Work was okay, even though more than a few people were out. Why today and not tomorrow, I don't know. A desk neighbor of mine got flowers from her hubby, it was her anniversary today. True to guy-form, I found myself looking at them a bit longingly, almost wishing someone would get ME flowers. (Don't laugh, it's happened before.)

I've had a love/hate relationship with this day since I was in middle school. Back in college, I would send anyone and everyone I knew flowers, from across campus to across the country. Lately, I've not bought flowers for anyone in quite some time (even though I actually have money to do so now). But today was a day to observe, share in other people's happiness while trying to contain my apathy. Don't get me wrong, as much as I hate the commercialization of another Catholic feast day, I'd love to participate in bringing a smile to another's face, be it through cards, candy or flowers.

Anyway, hope everyone had an above-average Wednesday.

Labels: ,

Saturday, February 10, 2007

Another Saturday, another marathon session of sitting in my place doing not much of anything.

Not to say I did absolutely nothing. I picked up a bit. And, by "picked up," I mean transfer clutter from my living room to my computer room and do a load of laundry. I did see part of Barack Obama's hat toss. (Still waiting till I hear more substantive stuff from him until I fall in love, unlike some people.) I did go out and get some fried chicken for lunch.

Mostly, today was a day to sit, relax and contemplate. About what, you ask?

Same thing I usually think of: relationships.

A couple of weeks ago, as I was about to fall asleep, I looked over at the other side of my bed, and began feeling a bit lonely. Now, it's not like I was wanting a bed buddy right then and there (though, I wouldn't protest if one came along). Just a feeling of having someone around, of having some form of contact, sexual or otherwise.

Today, I think I may have figured out what may be to blame: my past, or more accurately, my willingness to relive it. Too often, I find myself dwelling on things in the past: the Great Christmas Debacle, the Valentine's Day date from last year who forgot about our dinner, too many stories that begin with "One time, my ex and I..."

Others seem to be getting into the coupled-up craze lately. Sandra's got herself a man, PG's got an out-of-town dude, and a friend of mine and a co-worker I introduced her to are talking about getting married in March. (For the record, they met this past December.)

Yes, these feelings are a bit heightened due to Valentine's being just around the corner. But I'm trying to not have them be such a large part of my thought process. I did cancel my match.com membership (due to expire on 2-14-07, appropriately).

In lieu of a proper ending to this post, I give you the first segment of the first episode of "Deal or No Deal: Canada."

Labels:

Thursday, February 08, 2007

"Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley said women who sniffed a chemical found in male sweat experienced elevated levels of an important hormone, along with higher sexual arousal, faster heart rate and other effects."

I think I'm gonna make more of an effort to start going to the gym regularly again.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

(from a myspace bulletin posted by me the other day...)

"Going 2 vegas n may wanna join us?"

This text message was on my phone yesterday afternoon sent from a friend of mine. This friend invited me to come along with her, her boyfriend, her boyfriend's brother, and her boyfriend's brother's girlfriend to spend some time in Sin City. I shared with her my excitement in being a 5th wheel.

"Bring some1 if u like," she texted back.

So this is where you come in. If you're interested in tagging along with me for some gambling, drinking and shows, drop me a line. At this point, the plans are still (I assume) soft, but I'd be glad to have some company.

Labels: