looking for land mines

It was a grueling weekend. As someone who works with Catholic youth, I was sent to a training session for child sexual abuse awareness, in the hopes of eventually training others in it also. Anyway, 8 hour sessions of horrifying anecdotes and shocking statistics pretty much did me in. My friend, who dragged me into this whole thing, said afterward, "where's the tallest building?" Indeed.

On the bright side, I got to connect with some high school principals, which resulted in some phone calls about jobs... but not teaching English. I dunno, at some point, maybe I'll just get the message that I shouldn't be doing this. I'd rather quit after having tried it, tho. Why don't people want me to teach English? I promise I won't be the *worst* teacher you've ever hired. Um, also I'm male and not Caucasian, so maybe I can help your quota out that way too. You wouldn't believe how many times my being male and not-Caucasian has been assumed as something that should help me. I dunno what to tell you, but it hasn't really worked out. But, considering my cold streak, I could probably apply to an all-Asian American Catholic boys writing school at this point, and still miss out.

Also, I don't know how I feel about this movie.

I'm a little worried at Ozzie's insistence of using the "Sunday lineup" more than once a week, the Sunday lineup being any combination of Pablo Ozuna, Alex Cintron, AND Rob Mackowiak all playing at the SAME TIME. I don't have a problem with resting your starters after a long postseason and a short offseason.

I know the Mariners and the Royals suck. I know that every day, we send out at least an average to above-average starting pitcher. I know the defense is pretty bulletproof. But really, can't the starters take turns having days off? Do I really need to see a lineup that has, consecutively, Mackowiak, Cintron, BAnderson (altho he's coming out of his slump), and Ozuna? We're playing offense 9 against 5. We don't need to sit 3 starters at once, outside of injuries. Cuz even Babe Ruth and Konerko will slump eventually, and the collective balance of the everyday starters will be necessary.

But no one, justifiably, has sorrow to spare for the defending champions, who, coming into Wed night, have the best record in the AL at 14-6. We're a long way from calling off the season.

even his mother calls him, the Edge

Episcopalians rock out to U2 Eucharist.

planning/thinking

"My favorite fruit is grapes. Because with grapes, you always get another chance. 'Cause, if you have a crappy apple or a peach, you're stuck with that crappy piece of fruit. But if you have a crappy grape, no problem - just move on to the next. 'Grapes: The Fruit of Hope.'"
-- Demetri Martin

Speaking of hope, waiting to hear back from last week's interview. It's funny to think that I drove an hour to go talk to somebody for 15 minutes. Also, trying to plan out my summer, mostly in terms of which five-day retreats I'll be helping on. Early July is the local one, late July is Toronto, and I might fly out to Washington for their camp in mid June. So, if anybody has an extra $300 lying around and willing to donate to a good cause... I think I really can help some kids out. I swear I won't pocket it and run.

This is my fifth year of doing these retreats, which is way longer than I ever envisioned doing something like this. I wasn't really the volunteering type during school, and now I'm responsible for coordinating or leading the retreats for my organization (MI Youth) for 3 states. I'm feeling a little pressure to make the most of the limited time that I have with it, because part of the basic philosophy of the youth ministry is to have "youth evangelize youth," and at some point in my mid 30s, I'm going to get a little old for it. So I see five more years of doing this sort of active participation in this ministry, so I want to do everything that I can, while I can. Plus, it's nice to feel like you can add something substantial to something worthwhile.

Contreras one-hit the Royals last night. If the pitching comes around, and the way Thome's been yeast to the offensive dough, Sox could be straight up killin' the Central.

I need... something to write.

***
The middle-aged woman plodded over to the chair, gingerly sinking into the cushioned seat. She looked intently at the magazines laid out on the table before her, and carefully picked one after shuffling through the titles. She held it in her left hand and leafed the pages with her right, sitting upright to ease the pressure off of her feet, it seemed, her short legs crossed and tucked under the seat.

She sat until the nurse called her to the desk, asking her to fill out a form. She nodded and took the clipboard. She asked me what some of the words said, not that she didn't understand, but because she couldn't quite make them out even with her glasses.

I read aloud "patient history" and she once again nodded her understanding, filling out the information as briefly and efficiently as possible.

"Did you eat when you woke up?" she asked, concerned that my habit of fasting until late in the afternoon would eventually ruin me.

I explained that I had a little cereal, just to appease her. I did, I just didn't finish the bowl.

She nodded again. "The bills you had to pay, you should send them soon."

"I know." She can never stop being a mother, checking up on everyone.

"Do you need some money? Do you have enough to pay?"

"It's ok. I have enough."

unstop the day

Decided to celebrate Easter by taking in some pop music at the Metro. Hey, you and I both know that Jesus loves a good beat to dance to.

The Editors opened up with an energetic set, although I got a little nauseous with lead singer Tom Smith's ADD/migraine stage hysterics. I'd say they're Interpol, but more light side and not quite as good. Their set was almost as long as headliner Stellastarr*. Also, it simultaenously gave and took away Jill's hope of starting a band completely composed of editorial staff. Or they at least would have to get a different name.

Stellastarr* only stuck around for 55 minutes and played all the goldies and oldies that I was looking for. Was definitely disappointed that they didn't have any new stuff to try out. That's guitarist Michael Jurin (left) and lead singer Shawn Christensen in the picture. Christensen has a great, fluttery hiccup that cuts through all the noise; it's cool that it doesn't get overpowered by the amplifiers. Bassist Amanda Tannen's sweet hollabacks got caught up in the wash, sometimes, but it could be that I was fricking deaf from being too close to the stage/speakers.


I'll admit that the real treat was being right up against Tannen's stage side.

This might be the last show for awhile. Coachella is far away, Intonation and the Pitchfork Festival conflict with volunteer commitments, and... wait, I hate outdoor festivals. The oppressive heat, the unwashed masses, port-a-potties, long lines, standing all day... Call me crazy, but I happen to like air conditioning and uncrappy acoustics. (Lollapalooza looks tempting, though. Wilco? Secret Machines? the Shins? BSS? New Pornographers? Heck, Feist?) I'll probably poop out and just go see Band of Horses in June at Scooba'z.

easter

There is only one temptation. All particular temptations are expressions of this one original or "primordial" temptation. This is the temptation to believe that the fulfillment of the desires of the human heart depends entirely on us. Dependence on another leaves us at the mercy of what we cannot control. Therefore, we are tempted to reject all forms of dependence. The most radical form of dependence is love. Therefore, the original temptation is to deny that our existence is a pure and perfect gift of an infinite Love that deserves to be loved in return. The fullest revelation that God is love is the incarnation of Christ. Therefore, the primordial temptation is to reject the incarnation and its consequences.

--Monsignor Lorenzo Albacete

good idea, bad idea

Good idea:
I was scrolling through Max's iPod, and he had a playlist for different years. He said the lists comprised of the songs that were particularly memorable to him at the time, so in essence, it was a musical autobiography.

Bad idea:
Most people don't use playlists on their iPod, simply relying on the "Shuffle Songs" feature. And end up hitting "skip" a lot, I suppose. Although they might not care enough to do even that.

Good idea:
Using your celebrity status to speak out about a problem, like JK Rowling and our "thin-obsessed" culture.

Bad idea:
Being a celebrity and talking too much about your past, like how your dad abused you. Really, you seemed totally fine to us.

Good idea:
Inside Man. Excellent acting and a serviceable script, although the conceit was visible far earlier than in most heist flicks. An enjoyable two hours.

Bad idea:
Showing up 15 minutes late to an interview. Diagonal streets are not my friends.