First, THE miracle play of the game (Manning escapes the sack, fires to Tyree):
And then, Manning to Plax = victory!!
Wow. Just, wow.
Yips! from Robbo: Yes, but let us now praise famous men of the Giants D as well, who took apart the vaunted Pats O-line and knocked Tom Brady on his head all evening.
Skeletar a/k/a Maria Shriver endorsed Obama. Via Drudge. Another member of the extended Kennedy clan has endorsed Obama while none, other than Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, has endorsed SWMNBNM. Wonder why . . .
1
The Kennedy clan has Camelot immunity at the democrat tribal council. All others, whose loyality is suspect, will be purged if SWMNBN wins the nomination....
Posted by: kmr at February 04, 2008 10:10 AM (DHej7)
Woooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
BTW - most popular commercial in Orgle Manor? The screaming squirrel.........
Yips! from Gary:
Speechless. Exhausted and speechless.
The Dark Lord has been thrown down!! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!
When asked about his early exit off the field with .01 seconds of regulation left on the clock, Darth Belichick didn't have a lot to say:
In his opening statement, he said: "Congratulations to the Giants. They made some plays there at the end and we didn't. It's disappointing."
He then repeated eight different variations of that statement. The smug look that has helped make him one of the great villains in sports was on display, but his mind wasn't. It was like the questions weren't even registering.
Seriously, though, a great game by the Giants; they certainly earned it. Eli is becoming a force to be reckoned with.
Posted by: The Abbot at February 04, 2008 07:25 AM (QBuXz)
4
The screaming squirrel was the best but an Honorable Mention goes to the Budweiser commercial with the Clydesdale working out to the "Rocky" tune.
Posted by: LMC at February 04, 2008 07:33 AM (W54Wt)
5
Best ads: the Clydesdale working out and the FedEx giant carrier pigeons.
Belichick was probably working out how to prove that his offensive line was paid off by the other side. Brady was sacked six times, hit after the throw at least a dozen times, and pressured on every single passing down. And this after the offensive line protected him almost perfectly all season. Looks like evidence of cheating to me.
Posted by: wolfwalker at February 04, 2008 01:07 PM (ImKBy)
6
This almost makes up for the Yankees losing. Hot diggity. For once in a long time the game was much better than the commercials.
Posted by: rbj at February 04, 2008 01:44 PM (UgG6+)
I had the opportunity to meet the lovely and talented Jordana of Curmudgeonry yesterday afternoon as she and her family stopped off in Dee Cee before heading over the hills and far away. I'm happy to report that she is precisely as interesting in person as you would imagine if you read her blog on any kind of a regular basis. Further, the way in which she and her husband seem to maintain such a sense of good-natured calm in the face of all the different things they're juggling is quite awe-inspiring. And as for their kids - they're all perfectly charming.
We only got to chat over coffee and wander about Olde Towne Alexadria for an hour or two, but it was a very pleasant time.
Yip! Yip!
At least until later in the Spring from me.
When you become a troll on your own blog, it's time for a break.
But I'll leave you with this:
(The only Giants I'll be rooting for today)
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot Yips! from Robbo: Criminey! Me and my big mouth.
As someone for whom John McCain was way down on the list of preferred candidates (just over Huckabee) I can certainly understand why so many pundits, bloggers, etc. are very frustrated and disappointed that it's looking more and more like McCain will be the nominee. But this is just bizarre. I give you, Ann Coulter:
I'm sure most readers have already seen it but it bears watching again. Ann Coulter often says or writes things both controversial and outrageous because she knows its entertaining (which, arguably, she is). In this case I really believe she's saying something controversial and outrageous because she thinks she's being influential (which, she definitely is not). In fact, she really is holding herself up for ridicule here.
I mean, when you give an opportunity for Alan Colmes to actually be funny at your expense you can rest assured you've probably gone off the deep end.
I always held a firm belief that when all was said and done the majority of the GOP voters would not choose John McCain as their nominee. Clearly now I understand that this preconception was grossly exaggerated by the "conservative" media (and, yes, I include the blogosphere here).
Now, as I've said I am still rooting for Romney to do well on Thunderdome Tuesday and I'm not at the point where I've come to happy to accept the idea that McCain will win the nomination (which is the relationship argument equivalent of "I'm still not talking to you") but I am clear-thinking enough to recognize that John McCain should send Ann Coulter an early Valentine's gift of a dozen - no, several dozen - roses.
This kind of mass hysteria will only drive voters currently on the fence into the McCain camp. I will admit, though, that this is really a fascinating process to watch.
For those who want to read someone who pulls NO punches about the current "McCain Derangement Syndrome", Rachel Lucas' recent post is a must-read (content warning, Rachel is very much a potty-mouth - though she (like Robert DiNero) has evolved it to an art form.
1
This latest side-show of hers blossomed out of a pretty tame opinion piece on her anncoulter dot com site. Two points she makes are really the substance. The rest has just been added for hyperbole, which is her icing on the cake schtick.
First (and main) point: "With Hillary, we'll get the same ruinous liberal policies with none of the responsibility."
Okay, so maybe the blame game is not that important but the lady hava point.
Second point: "At least under President Hillary, Republicans in Congress would know that they're supposed to fight back. When President McCain proposes the same ideas -- tax hikes, liberal judges and Social Security for illegals -- Republicans in Congress will support "our" president -- just as they supported, if only briefly, Bush's great ideas on amnesty and Harriet Miers."
Admit it, this is pretty plausible.
That said, the whole "we have 3 days to save the Republic!" doesn't help her case, but it gets her on Teevee.
Posted by: Monica at February 02, 2008 04:42 PM (HXHW+)
2
With Ann, it's all about Ann. She'll say anything to get attention.
She may even believe what she's saying. I think that at some level, her mind works this way: if it gets her attention, why then it must be true.
To a lesser extent, I think that's true of Malkin, too. She believes in herself a might too much.
I'm in agreement with Rachel on this one, even though I think she blogs like she has Tourette's syndrome. I mean, she could certainly dial down the profanity a notch and lose none of her effectiveness.
I'm not in love with McCain, either. But I don't want to return to 1970s levels of taxation and have to wait for six months in line at the DMV if I need an arthroscopy, or pay for other people's abortions -- which you know will be a central part of that whole system.
I also don't want to give Gitmo detainees O.J.'s defense team on the taxpayer dime, and I don't want to retreat from the Middle East. The world is a far more savage place without us in it.
Posted by: The Abbot at February 04, 2008 09:50 AM (b1/bF)
3
This kind of mass hysteria will only drive voters currently on the fence into the McCain camp.
Did it for me. I have nothing against Romney, he's a rather dull technocrat without ideological baggage of any sort, but I now have a deep seated animosity towards his supporters.
Posted by: chuck at February 05, 2008 09:28 PM (kdDQF)
I need a new pair of running shoes. The pair I currently have not only no longer give me any support, they are now actively conspiring to cripple me. Why? Well, as it suddenly occured to me again today, I originally bought them shortly after the eldest Llama-ette was born. Seeing that her tenth birthday is next month, you can begin to understand the problem. (I've never done a lot of running, and there are long stretches within that span when I didn't run at all. Even so, ten years is ten years.)
Why didn't I buy a new pair earlier? Well, I've thought about it every now and then but each time my Scots blood has protested that I dinna have nay cause ta be spendin' me haird-earned shillins on sech fripperies, d'ye ken? Hoots! Toots! Now, however, I think I've reached the point where my inner kirk elder will give me a pass.
So - anybody out there have any particular suggestions about makes and models? I have small feet, ridiculously high arches and shot-to-hell-by-rowing knees. When in training, I average about 15 miles per week, almost all of it on a treadmill. (I'd like to do more outside work, however.)
Any tips would be appreciated.
1
Roggo, I would recommend Avia as I also have high arches. It would also be worth your time to go to a store and have an expert look at your stride...I have a slight prolate (my foot turns in) which makes it necessary to have a shoe with some ankle support. Also, 15 miles a week may be ok with cross trainers which I prefer as they have more cushion. Any more than that and you want to go strict running shoe. Replace every 6 months or so at that rate Dude!!!!
Hope this helps : ) God I am pitiful to be posting on a Friday night!!!
Posted by: m at February 01, 2008 06:18 PM (W54Wt)
Posted by: The Abbot at February 01, 2008 06:37 PM (QBuXz)
4
After decades with Nike Pegasus shoes, I've gone to their MaxAir Trail cross country shoe. The sole is made of more durable material so it doesn't wear down as fast, and it has a stone shield in there, in case you step on a rock (I run before dawn in the dark much of the year).
I only run from March to November, four to eight miles per day, and this is the first shoe that has lasted an entire season for me. It's not cushy though, so your knees might not like it. I have God's own knees, even in my fifties.
Posted by: Angus Dei at February 01, 2008 06:59 PM (UxpP3)
5
Though no one would EVER call me a runner, New Balance supports my high arches and also helps to keep my feel from rolling inward.
Posted by: Lynellen at February 01, 2008 07:45 PM (bDn6U)
6
I'm not a runner, nor do I play one on tv, but my niece, who is a pediatric OT, swears by New Balance. She too says, go to the store and have the expert uniformed attendants look at your foot, why you want the shoes, etc., and have them suggest the best pair for you.
Let us know how this works out! You may be an inspiration to us all.
Posted by: keysunset at February 02, 2008 08:10 AM (et6My)
Okay, it's been called Super-Duper Tuesday, Nuclear Tuesday, Mega-Tuesday and others. I've even referred to it as Armaggedon Tuesday.
But none of them really seems to fit. Until now.
Therefore, I declare this February 5th - "Thunderdome Tuesday"
Two men enter, one man leaves.
That is [not] all.
UPDATE:
Actually I was thinking Romney/McCain but The Abbot has struck upon pure genius. Steve-O! Time to fire up the photoshop on this one, adding the faces of Bubba and SWMNBN:
Who Run Bartertown?
UPDATE DEUX:
Thanks to Sarah G. for pshop.
If you listen carefully you can hear her voice "Who Run Bartertown?!?"
1
A good analogy. I would wax profound on the topic of Hillary Clinton as "Master" and Bill Clinton as "Blaster", methane as the source of their power while simultaneously serving as a metaphor for both our decayed political discourse and our terrible dependence on fossil fuels, and of all of us as the band of children that the flawed hero Mad Mac will lead into a post-apocalyptic green Paradise, but, well, I'm at work.
Someone's running Barter Town, and it ain't me.
Posted by: The Abbot at February 01, 2008 03:01 PM (b1/bF)
2
We in New Orleans prefer to call it what it is...
Mardi Gras
Posted by: Jason at February 01, 2008 10:53 PM (gHYcc)
Uh, oh. I think I'm going to have to see this (when Netflix gets it) if for no other reason than to stand agog at just what Kevin Sorbo has been reduced to doing in order to make a buck:
Then again, I might not. I actually rented Epic Movie from Netflix some months back, but mailed it back without running it off out of a pure sense of shameful foolishness at having actually ordered it.
(Yes, my posting today seems to be running a brain-wrenching slalom. Think it's painful? Just imagine what it must be like to live like this.)
1
The Young Master made me take him to see this. He thought it was funny. It had some moments, but was mostly poorly conceived and executed attempts at bathroom humor, neither particularly funny nor particularly clever. Put another way, the acting highlights of the film were delivered by Carmen Electra. Abandon all hope, ye who enter...
It's a curious thing which I still haven't really figured out yet, but the fact of the matter is that while I listen to a fairly broad range of composers and styles on a regular basis, when it comes to actually tickling the ivories myself I have for about a year now had virtually no interest whatever in playing the musick of anyone other than J.S. Bach.
Oh, on occasion I'll flip through one of my books of Mozart or Haydn or Handel. And sometimes I'll go even further afield (the other evening I had a sudden urge to play "Barafostus' Dream" by Thomas Tompkins, one of my favorite Elizabethan pieces). But I always wind up gravitating back to old Johann Sebastian. Go figure. (I've more or less dropped playing Beethoven. His musick seems increasingly vulgar to me. Again, go figure.)
I was messing about today with Bach's Keyboard Partitas, a couple of which I can play at least well enough to amuse myself. Two of my favorite dances are the opening Preambulum from Partita No. 5 in G major:
and the opening Toccata from the Partita No. 6 in e minor:
These two dances are polar opposites of each other in terms of character. The Preambulum is a delightful little romp - even its name has a geniality about it, suggesting a playful walkabout with no particular purpose other than the sheer exercise of it. The dance is full of stops and starts, fun hand-crossings and periodic outbursts of joyful energy. I always finish (at least when I hit a sufficient percentage of correct notes) with a smile.
Contrast that with the the e minor Toccata. Truth be told, I generally skip over the introductory chords because at least on a piano they sound too soppy. But there's nothing at all soppy about the fugal development of the main body. It has a somber and melancholy relentlessness that seizes you emotionally and just keeps squeezing. I am literally drained when done playing it and indeed, it is the only piece of musick I can think of that has ever caused me to tear up at the keyboard.
In his dedication, Bach said of the six Keyboard Partitas that they were "Composed for Music Lovers, to Refresh their Spirits." I think by "refresh" Bach had in mind something close to the modern concept of "working out". My spirits certainly feel like they've been to the gym after going through these pieces.
I do play only one Beethoven arrangement in my set, however. But then, I'm a guitarist. Bunches of Bach, though, of course.
(The online entity also known as Hucbald for musical purposes, Now The Beef of God for political rantings).
Posted by: Angus Dei at February 01, 2008 07:12 PM (UxpP3)
2
Do you ever play the Allemande from the 4th partita? It is perhaps the pinnacle of the entire set.
Posted by: TAFKAQ at February 01, 2008 07:44 PM (q3uUh)
3
I've tried it casually a couple times but for some reason all those triplets throw me. I'll have to listen to it more closely and then take a more focused crack at it.
Posted by: Robbo the LB at February 01, 2008 08:38 PM (QvCTU)
4
The extremely long lines and repeated suspensions allow梕ven demand梐 very leisurely andante. And the final cadences of each half are among the sweetest in all Bach's keyboard music. I trust your efforts will be repaid handsomely.
Posted by: TAFKAQ at February 01, 2008 09:17 PM (q3uUh)
Gratuitous Domestic Observation - Pop Culchah Edition
I hope and pray that Miley Cyrus doesn't go south like so many other young stars seem to, because it's going to be a black day at Orgle Manor if Hanna Montana ever gets struck from the Llama-ettes' list of approved viewing and/or listening. (I mention this today because the eldest gel has managed to snag an invitation to go and see the latest movie release this weekend.)
We're hoping the trump card this time is the fact that her father Billy Ray is so heavily involved in what she does.
UPDATE: Wow, it's quiet today. Would I garner any more attention if I were to say, since this is a Cyrus Family post, that I never have understood why so many people seem to think "Achy Breaky Heart" is so terrible? Really, it's a dumb song, but fun.
1
There's something unsettling about this phenomenon of these young teen stars. I think our culture is creating starlets younger and younger, and disposing of them faster and faster. I don't think I've ever seen Hanna Montana/Miley Cyrus in anything other than commercials, but I hear stories from friends with children about $500 being shelled out for tickets, etc. and a number of thoughts go through my head -- the unslakable greed of the Disney corporation, the promotion of an unrealistic image of life for young girls, etc.
I won't yet deploy the word 'evil', but there is a suspicion in the back of my mind that this stuff is somehow unwholesome.
I only hope unlike Britney Sears or Lindsay Lohan, this girl isn't destroyed by all of this.
Posted by: The Abbot at February 01, 2008 09:49 AM (b1/bF)
2
Hmm
"virtually no interest whatever in playing the musick of anyone other than J.S. Bach" and
"why so many people seem to think "Achy Breaky Heart" is so terrible? Really, it's a dumb song, but fun"
The same person? er, llama? I guess Achy Breaky is less obnoxious than the Macarena or any disco tune. But then again, neither of my left feet has any interest in dancing in any form.
Posted by: rbj at February 01, 2008 01:41 PM (mV7xf)
3
When I hear "Achy Breaky Heart", I have the sudden urge to stick an ice pick in my ears, repeatedly.
Posted by: stillers at February 02, 2008 03:54 AM (blNMI)
4
I think "Achy, Breaky Heart" is fun too. Yes definitely not on the (rock)classics list, but I don't have to change the radio station when it comes on.
I hope, as you, she doesn't follow the same path as the other young stars you mentioned.
Posted by: keysunset at February 02, 2008 08:16 AM (et6My)
A.J. Jacobs at Esquire spent a year living Biblically. He discovered that the Bible is such an unexpectedly practical resource for daily living, he now writes a humorous column called Ask the Bible.
Clicketh this link my children to read and learn how to live.
Democrats say McCain nearly abandoned GOP. Yeah, we already suspected this. But, man, can't the Dems show enough restraint to keep their powder dry or is this an effort to hurt him on Tuesday?
For what it's worth, I don't put it past him but it's really a "he said, he said" thing here with McCain v. a bunch of Democrats. Whom to believe? I think I'll actually give McCain the benefit of the doubt when it comes to the details. Dems ought to be careful not to overplay their hand here.
Two Cheers For The Great Commonwealth of Virginny!
The Legislature moves toward putting the final nail in the coffin of the so-called abusive-driving fees:
RICHMOND, Jan. 30 -- The Virginia Senate unanimously approved repealing the state's controversial abusive-driving fees Wednesday and agreed to give refunds to anyone who has begun paying the fees.
The bill now goes to the House, which also has approved a measure to repeal the fees.
Under a compromise between Senate Democrats and Republicans, the fees on misdemeanor and felony driving offenses would be repealed as soon as Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) signed the measure.
To address the fees being paid in annual installments over three years, the Senate bill orders the state comptroller to issue refunds. But to be eligible, people would have to go to the court where they were convicted and fill out a form requesting that a judge clear their name.
"This is a clean repeal bill. The burden is on us," said Sen. J. Chapman Petersen (D-Fairfax), who worked with Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle (R-Virginia Beach) on the compromise.
Both parties had been pushing to quickly approve legislation to repeal the fees, which range from $750 to $3,000.
Of course, it was a horse's-assed move to institute the fees to begin with. Not only were Virginians enraged by the possibility of getting clocked with a thousand dollar speeding ticket at the whim of some trooper, they were doubly enraged by the fact that the fee was not applicable to out-of-state drivers. The roar of public opposition was heard in Richmond even above the sound of all the calculators being punched by lawmakers eager to figure out how much loot they were going to haul in by means of the scheme.
UPDATE: Speaking of such things, along I-95 somewhere down in North Carolina, there used to be a South of the Border billboard that read, "No, Virginia, 95 Is Not The Speed Limit!" that made me smile whenever I saw it. Anybody know if it's still there?
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Having just driven by every blessed one of those Pedro signs - twice! - I did not see it. However, I'll admit to the fact that they always seem to blur together in my mind.
Posted by: beth at February 01, 2008 07:37 AM (7XWn4)
One of our readers dropped a very nice little note into the Tasty Bits (TM) Mail Sack this afternoon. Along with welcoming me into HMC and comparing notes on the reading of Narnia stories to children, she also informed me that she and her husband had started doing some research on MacArthur, not satisfied with the way Ken Burns apparently treats him in his latest teevee series (none of which I've seen). She asked me if I could recommend any good biographical material on the man.
Well, as I replied, I'm really not much use here, other than to note that MacArthur and I share the same birthday. William Manchester's American Caesar immediately springs to mind, but I can only recommend it on the author's general reputation, not having read it myself. And perhaps because as a kid I thought the ships and planes were much more interesting, my knowledge of the Pacific Theatre in WWII is much greater in terms of sea-borne leaders like Nimitz, Halsey and Fletcher than it is of Mac.
Anyhoo, I said that I would throw the question open to you lot. Any recommendations will, of course, be greatly appreciated (by both of us).
Yip! Yip!
I SHALL RETURN YIPS from Steve-O: Definitely American Caesar. Also, you can't go wrong with MacArthur's memoirs Reminisences written in the 1950s, keeping in mind how egotistical and self-serving an example of the genre they are. But a good read nonetheless, particularly when juxtaposed with Omar Bradley's memoirs A Soldier's Story.
Posted by: The Abbot at January 31, 2008 04:44 PM (b1/bF)
3
Max Hastings book on the Koean War, discusses his role in the conflict and what led him to be sacked by Truman. Im my opinion, the US Army's performance under MacArthur was an embarrasment. He was an egomanical jerk, who at various times possessed the drive and cunning to pull of some amazing feats (Inchon).
Posted by: oclarki at January 31, 2008 05:06 PM (otsZj)
4
If you confine your research to a single work, I would also recommend AMERICAN CAESAR. I would consider it the best single source. It is well researched and William Manchester who authored the work was a Marine Infantryman during WWII. He was severly wounded on Okinawa. His approach to the work is both personal and academic.
Posted by: Tbird at February 02, 2008 11:45 AM (nLJn9)
5
Geoffrey Perret also wrote a very good and balanced bio of MacArthur. Together with Wm Manchester's American Caesar you can get a good look at a flawed, yet highly competent and capable military leader. He suffered a lot of bad press through the years; especially from people like Ken Burns, who draws only on the Truman camps view of Korea.
Read MacArthur's testimony to Congress after his recall in 1951 when he tells Congress that while they dither "the dust of Korea is being settled with American blood."
Posted by: Phil at February 05, 2008 01:58 PM (Hmx6G)
It is interesting how the party establishment of the GOP is lining up behind McCain at the same time that their counterparts among the Dems seem to be shying away from SWMNBN. Do they smell enough blood in the water to feel comfortable enough to try and exorcise themselves of the she-devil? If she wins there will be hell to pay.
1
Am I the only who finds it amusing that the GOP has scored a triple-play of fictional war-mongers: Rambo, Terminator, and Chuck Norris.
I suppose if anyone knows the fictional-war script down it's the GOP.
Posted by: Horace P Manure at January 31, 2008 05:11 PM (fZJlj)
2
If HRC wins the nomination, there will a ruthless purge of the those in the Democrat party whose loyality to SWMNBN is suspect. It will rival Stalin's purges in its scope, without the firing squads.
Posted by: kmr at January 31, 2008 06:22 PM (3i2Pe)
Another Year, Another Round of Gratuitous Babe Postings
Happy Birthday to the lovely and talented Minnie Driver, born this day in 1970 in London.
I know nothing of her musickal career and I don't think I could name a single film I've seen her in other than Grosse Point Blank, but nonetheless I find Miss Driver to be quite easy on the eyes. Further, she possesses at least an air of intelligence, a trait absent from so many of today's Hollywood types.
1
You really should see An Ideal Husband then. She's in it, and is wonderful. But I enjoyed the movie overall and thought it was quite well done.
I also actually really enjoyed her in Return to Me, David Duchovony not withstanding.
Posted by: beth at January 31, 2008 01:05 PM (7XWn4)
2
Glancing over the resume, I see she's also in Ella Enchanted. The gels have a copy of this, although I've never seen it.
Posted by: Robbo the LB at January 31, 2008 01:16 PM (C31gH)
3
If I'm not mistaken, she's also the love interest in Good Will Hunting, which contains almost as many bad parodies of Boston accents as The Departed (which she's not in), but not nearly so much cathartic violence to wash it down with.
Posted by: The Abbot at January 31, 2008 04:47 PM (b1/bF)
I'm teaching Intro American this semester quite differently: I've gone completely over the edge using YouTube and web visuals in class, and am having a lot of fun.
Today we said goodbye to Rudy, and so dissected his campaign strategy. While doing so, I cued up these two videos to play at the same time.
This website is actually quite invaluable for lecturing on American political history, and fun to play with. Long time LLama buddy TDP I can see losing a whole afternoon to it.
Posted by: Steve-O at January 31, 2008 02:49 PM (Dee2a)
4
cool site, but i was puzzled to see that Perot and Nader didn't show up in the prior elections section. The maps just excluded them, I guess because they got no electoral votes. But popular votes they did get, and that can impact electoral obviously.
Overall, though, its a candy store. Thanks for link.
Posted by: tdp at January 31, 2008 08:20 PM (7CsBg)
I don't want to start another bar brawl around here, but I should warn all of our readers that what with Lent about to start, the number of GSTT posts is likely to spike significantly, as ol' Robbo strikes out in earnest for the Roman shore.
My little RCIA group has a pre-Lenten retreat scheduled for Saturday at which I gather we will be getting the "time to fish or cut bait" lecture. I'm happy to report that apart from a couple of people who had no real intention of joining up to begin with (one is already a member of one of the Eastern Churches and the other will probably come in next year), I believe everybody else in my squad will be going through with it. Indeed, after an amazingly good lecture last evening on the Spiritual Life by a Jesuit-trained Extremely Smart Guy, I think the general mood of the group can be summarized as excitement with even a touch of impatience. (I know that's the way I feel.)
Anyhoo, as Johnny Olson used to say on "The Price Is Right," "Heeeeere we goooooooo!!!"
UPDATE: BTW, it certainly won't be the last time, but let me just send out thanks to all of you who have patiently (I hope) watched this little religious drama unfold here at teh Butchers' Shop. I am deeply grateful for all your comments and links of inquiry and support (published and otherwise) and I also appreciate those civil and respectful notes of opposition which have floated in from time to time.
I think I owe especial thanks to Mrs. P and Father M over at Patum Peperium, as well as to our pal The Abbot for supplying what physicists call the energy of activation necessary to finally get my inert backside moving into the River. I'm not sure how Rome will divvy up the frequent flier miles award on your Vatican Visa Cards, but send along the appropriate paperwork and I'll be happy to sign it.
Yip! Yip! Yip!
UPDATE DEUX: Also BTW, on my reading list for Lent is Chesterton's work on St. Thomas Aquinas, The Dumb Ox. Not that there's any comparison whatsoever, but it occurs to me that if ever I get around to writing an autobiography, The Dumb Llama has a nice ring to it.
1
Jesuits are a mixed bag. I've been roasting one over at my place over his endorsement of Barack Obama, Servant of Moloch, and on the ever popular issue of women's ordination. (There's nothing like roast Jesuit -- ask the Hurons). But then you encounter the Edward Oakes and the Avery Cardinal Dulles variety of Jesuit -- old school -- and you begin to think "the Jesuits -- they ain't so bad."
My dad was Jesuit-educated by the old school type at Fairfield, back in the 1950s. He used to wax profound on the subject of the demise of the Jesuit order.
Personally, I think the order has been too badly penetrated/ compromised by liberation-theologian and "we-are-church" types and I think it probably needs to be suppressed. They say Paul VI and JP II came close on a couple of occasions.
For all his flaws, Malachi Martin's book on the Jesuits is excellent, and gives a good summary of the order's history and subsequent slide into apostasy.
Posted by: The Abbot at January 31, 2008 11:31 AM (b1/bF)
2
As for helping you, Robbo, my understanding is that I won't receive any payment now, but on my deathbed, I'll receive total consciousness.
So I got that going for me.
I am, of course, referencing this:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=RnHaTlI1p7o
Posted by: The Abbot at January 31, 2008 11:42 AM (b1/bF)
Posted by: Steve-O at January 31, 2008 01:11 PM (Dee2a)
4
Abbot, Fairfield in the 1950's? Then he was fortunate not only to go to a good school, he got to watch Frank Gifford practice with the Giants. Fairfield was their practice field back in those days. Now that was an education.
Posted by: Mrs. Peperium at January 31, 2008 04:10 PM (FGxlQ)
5
By the way Robbo, thanks but I really, honestly, haven't a clue what for...
Posted by: Mrs. Peperium at January 31, 2008 04:11 PM (FGxlQ)
6
I believe my Dad graduated in 1953, so he may have been too early to see Gifford. I know he and my uncle (his younger brother was a year or two behind him at Fairfield) used to go down to New York on the train quite often.
Both my Dad and my uncle played basketball (they both ran about 6'4"/240, which was big enough in those days) though I don't know if they made varsity. I will attest my father could set a pick with the best of them, and had a pretty good set shot.
Posted by: The Abbot at January 31, 2008 04:58 PM (b1/bF)
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Fairfield was known for fielding excellent basketball teams. I think I may have even gone to watch games there. I know the Jesuits there were once old school because they invited me to cotillions. I recently came across an invitation in a box of old things. But my true affiliation with Fairfield was that I was a mother's helper all through high school for two little girls who lived in one of those huge old clapboard colonials on Round Hill Road (near the old school theater) with those terrific ancient stone walls surrounding it. I used to take the girls across the street to play on the fold football field and roll down the hills in to leaf piles. Fun, fun memories.
As for hoping the train, that would have been a piece of cake as the station is within walking distance.
Posted by: Mrs. Peperium at January 31, 2008 06:11 PM (zJ6Ve)
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The Dumb Ox. What a wonderful little book. Chesterton's bio of St. Francis of Assisi is also a gem.
Posted by: Christine at February 01, 2008 01:20 PM (8Khvy)
and the opening Toccata from the Partita No. 6 in e minor:
These two dances are polar opposites of each other in terms of character. The Preambulum is a delightful little romp - even its name has a geniality about it, suggesting a playful walkabout with no particular purpose other than the sheer exercise of it. The dance is full of stops and starts, fun hand-crossings and periodic outbursts of joyful energy. I always finish (at least when I hit a sufficient percentage of correct notes) with a smile.
Contrast that with the the e minor Toccata. Truth be told, I generally skip over the introductory chords because at least on a piano they sound too soppy. But there's nothing at all soppy about the fugal development of the main body. It has a somber and melancholy relentlessness that seizes you emotionally and just keeps squeezing. I am literally drained when done playing it and indeed, it is the only piece of musick I can think of that has ever caused me to tear up at the keyboard.
In his dedication, Bach said of the six Keyboard Partitas that they were "Composed for Music Lovers, to Refresh their Spirits." I think by "refresh" Bach had in mind something close to the modern concept of "working out". My spirits certainly feel like they've been to the gym after going through these pieces.
