Rainy Day in Kirksville

Yesterday I drove over to Kirksville to visit with , , JoAnn, Mary and Jess. We went out to supper with Bettie (Newman Director) which was fun. Afterwards we rented and watched Dogma. Tom ()and I also got them to play FLUXX. I don't think Jess liked FLUXX too much, but JoAnn seems to like it.

We also debated the potential options for holding hands with a significant other with JoAnn and Mary modeling for us. Tom and I have learned that the traditional arm over the back at the movies is not preferred. Maybe we'll get to test this theory someday soon, but we need to find nice women first.

Today I'm going to an Omicron Delta Kappa dedication on the Quad with my brother (Deana). Judging by the weather I think we'll be inside instead of at the garden that they're dedicating. After that's over I'm going to head back to Jacksonville. I wanted to stay for Coffee House and Mass tomorrow morning, but my boss informs me that I'm going to be going to St. Louis Sunday night so I need to get home, pack and sleep.

I miss college at times. I try to come back over here and recapture some of the past, but the past is past and all I get is a faded reflection. Maybe it's the rain, but I'm in a reflective mood this morning. I'm ready to move on to the next thing. I've gotten my career established, but at night when I come home, there is still a big empty. I'm ready to fall in love, get married and start a family. I know that God will get me where I need to be, but sometimes I wish I could speed up his timeline a bit. Perhaps part of it is me not being assertive and going after things so I pray God will give me the strength and courage to recognize and pursue true love when he gives me the gift.

For those of you that actually made it this far, thanks for listening.

Lyrical Thought #17

Bright College Days
Tom Lehrer


Thank you, for my first encore I'd like to turn to a type of song that people like myself find ourselves subjected to with increasing frequency as time goes on, and that is the college alma mater. You'll find yourself at a reunion of grads, and old undergrads, and eh... somebody will start proking out one of these things and everyone will gradually join in. Each in his own key, of course. Until the place is just soggy with nostalgia. Well, a typical such song might be called Bright College Days, and might go like this.

Bright college days, oh, carefree days that fly,
To thee we sing with our glasses raised on high.
Let's drink a toast as each of us recalls
Ivy-covered professors in ivy-covered halls.

Turn on the spigot,
Pour the beer and swig it,
And gaudeamus igit-ur.

Here's to parties we tossed,
To the games that we lost,
We shall claim that we won them some day.

To the girls young and sweet,
To the spacious back seat
Of our roommate's beat up Chevrolet.

To the beer and benzedrine,
To the way that the dean
Tried so hard to be pals with us all.

To excuses we fibbed,
To the papers we cribbed
From the genius who lived down the hall.

To the tables down at Morey's (wherever that may be)
Let us drink a toast to all we love the best.
We will sleep through all the lectures,
And cheat on the exams,
And we'll pass, and be forgotten with the rest.

Oh, soon we'll be out amid the cold world's strife.
Soon we'll be sliding down the razor blade of life.

Ready?


But as we go our sordid sep'rate ways,
We shall ne'er forget thee, thou golden college days.

Hearts full of youth,
Hearts full of truth,
Six parts gin to one part vermouth.

Prayer Request

Sometimes you know what you should do to figure something out, but you're scared of what might happen, or more likely scared of the crazy scenarios you've dreamed up. Normally when there is something that I need to do, I do it, but when women are involved, I freeze up. I guess what I'm praying for right now is the knowledge to know what to do, the courage to do it and the understanding to know why.

Quote of the Moment

I am nothing special; just a common man with common thoughts, and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten. But in one respect I have succeeded as gloriously as anyone who's ever lived: I've loved another with all my heart and soul; and to me, this has always been enough. -- Noah (James Garner) in The Notebook

Jesuit Cardinal Shocks Vatican with Comments

An Italian Cardinal has come out on a few bioethical issues with some interesting ideas.

CSS, Firefox and IE

GRRR I hate Microsoft. I'm working on a new website for my parish (http://www.oursaviourparish.org) and it looks fine in Firefox. IE however doesn't like rendering it correctly. I'm not doing anything special, just standard HTML and CSS.

Cool Weekend

Other than the fact that the Cubbies only took 1 of 3 from the Cardinals this weekend, it was a pretty cool weekend. This really cool person named JoAnn from Truman came up to help me wish a Happy 22nd Birthday. Boy and he thought that him and I were just going to watch the Cubs and Cards play. Muhaha! It was a fun time watching the game, talking, playing Fluxx and then watching Madagascar (gotta love those penguins).

Sunday Tom and I ended up going out golfing... or at least that's what we called it. More seasoned golfers probably called it comical! Oh well for the most part we got the balls into the cup eventually.


The really cool part is that next weekend is shaping up to be really fun too. I'm headed up to Truman (possibly with ) to hang out with JoAnn, and others. I'm also going up to attend the Omicron Delta Kappa dedication of a garden in honor of former Truman President Magruder.

Well I'd better wrap this up and get back to work. :-)

People of Influence Installment 4

Joann J. Knappmeyer

SPRINGFIELD - Joann J. Knappmeyer, 72, of Springfield died Sunday, April 16, 2006, at her home.

She was born May 22, 1933, in Petersburg, the daughter of Samuel and Carrie Hamilton Caswell. She married Al J. Knappmeyer in 1951 in Springfield.

Mrs. Knappmeyer was a homemaker and served as a Girl Scout leader for many years. She also volunteered at many places, including Springfield Manor Nursing Home and McClernand School.

Survivors: husband, Al; four sons, Joseph (wife, Kristy) Knappmeyer of Sherman, Samuel (wife, Rozanne) and Frank Knappmeyer, both of Springfield, and Daniel (wife, Michele) Knappmeyer of New Berlin; two daughters, Michelle Travis of Springfield and Dianna (husband, Michael) Ollis of Omaha, Neb.; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two brothers; and two sisters.

Services: 1 p.m. Thursday, Bisch and Son Funeral Home, the Rev. Tom Holinga officiating. Burial: Oak Ridge Cemetery.


Joann was my Scoutmaster's wife. I knew her through scouting. I could see how much she loved Mr. Knappmeyer and how that love and support helped him to be the best Scoutmaster he could be for us. Godspeed Joann.

Obituary of Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, 33, of Nazareth, died Friday on Mount Calvary,
also known as Golgotha, the place of the skull. Betrayed by
the apostle Judas, Jesus was crucified by the Romans, by order
of the Ruler Pontius Pilate. The causes of death were
crucifixion, extreme exhaustion, severe torture, and loss of blood.

Jesus Christ, a descendant of Abraham, was a member of the
house of David. He was the Son of the late Joseph, a carpenter
of Nazareth, and Mary, His devoted Mother. Jesus was born
in a stable in the city of Bethlehem, Judea. He is survived
by His mother Mary, His faithful Apostles, numerous disciples,
and many other followers.

Jesus was self educated and spent most of his adult life
working as a Carpenter and a Teacher. Jesus also occasionally
worked as a Medical Doctor and it is reported that he healed
many patients. Up until the time of His death, Jesus was
teaching and sharing the Good News, healing the sick,
touching the lonely, feeding the hungry, and helping the poor.

Jesus was most noted for telling parables about His Father`s
Kingdom and performing miracles, such as feeding over 5,000
people with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and
healing a man who was born blind. On the day before His
death, He held a Last Supper celebrating the Passover Feast,
at which He foretold His death.

The body was quickly buried in a stone grave, which was
donated by Joseph of Arimathea, a loyal friend of the family.
By order of Pontius Pilate, a boulder was rolled in
front of the tomb. Roman soldiers were put on guard.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that everyone
try to live as Jesus did. Donations may be sent to anyone in need.

Author unknown

Guitar

Some of you know that I've been learning guitar for almost a year now. Man have I gotten an understanding for how much work goes into it. Being a trumpet player I'm used to one melody line and only three valves worth of fingerings. I am finally getting close to somethings that sound like recognizable song.

Easter Vigil Mass

Well all my fears were alleved and we had an awesome Easter Vigil Mass. For me the high point came from a little girl. She was being baptised tonight and as Father poured the water over her, she smiled a huge smile from ear to ear. The joy she showed was infectous and pretty soon the entire congregation was echoing her smile.

As we went through the Mass I couldn't help but think about the Easter Vigil Masses from my past. Like how beautifully Terry used to sing the Exsultet at St. James. And the times when Leah and I would help Fr. Bill at his parish in Memphis, MO. They were so thrilled to have music for their worship.

The one thing that struck me odd tonight was the lack of people. We had a very large group of RCIA related people, but other than that there were very few parishioners. It's said that people shy away mainly because "it's too long" or "it's too late". What an amazing liturgy that they miss and it only happens once a year.

St. Cecilia... Pray for Us

We had our final choir practice for Holy Week tonight. Right now it feels like I'm on a runaway train with the probability of a crash high. For the most important Mass of the year, I feel we're putting less planning into it than we do an ordinary Sunday. :-(

Holy Week ABC's

Although things are not perfect

Because of trial or pain

Continue in thanksgiving

Do not begin to blame

Even when the times are hard

Fierce winds are bound to blow

God is forever able

Hold on to what you know

Imagine life without His love

Joy would cease to be

Keep thanking Him for all the things

Love imparts to thee

Move out of "Camp Complaining"

No weapon that is known

On earth can yield the power

Praise can do alone

Quit looking at the future

Redeem the time at hand

Start every day with worship

To "thank" is a command

Until we see Him coming

Victorious in the sky

We'll run the race with gratitude

Xalting God most high

Yes, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...

Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!

We're Number One!

Yes Matt, I know it's early, but I can still be happy.

Team W L PCT GB
Chi Cubs 4 1 .800 -
Houston 5 2 .714 -
Milwaukee 5 2 .714 -
Cincinnati 4 2 .667 0.5
St. Louis 4 3 .571 1.0
Pittsburgh 1 7 .125 4.5

Sweep!!!

Go Cubs Go!

Personality

Advanced Global Personality Test Results Extraversion |||||||||||||||| 70% Stability |||||||||| 33% Orderliness |||||||||||||| 53% Accommodation |||||||||||||||||| 76% Interdependence |||||||||||| 50% Intellectual |||||||||||||||| 70% Mystical || 10% Artistic |||||| 30% Religious |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Hedonism |||||||||| 36% Materialism |||||||||||||| 56% Narcissism |||||||||||| 50% Adventurousness |||||| 23% Work ethicbyte228 |||||||||||||||| 70% Self absorbed |||||||||||| 50% Conflict seeking |||||||||||||||||||| 83% Need to dominate |||||||||||| 50% Romantic |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Avoidant |||||| 30% Anti-authority |||||||||| 36% Wealth || 10% Dependency |||||||||||||| 56% Change averse |||||||||||| 50% Cautiousness |||||||||||| 50% Individuality |||||||||||| 43% Sexuality |||||||||||||||| 63% Peter pan complex |||||| 30% Physical security |||||||||||||||||||| 90% Physical Fitness || 10% Histrionic |||||||||||| 50% Paranoia |||||||||||| 43% Vanity |||||| 30% Hypersensitivity |||||||||||||||||||| 83% Female cliche |||||||||| 36%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Lyrical Thought 16

I've always wanted to adapt this for use on Palm Sunday in a Catholic church. :-)

Jesus Christ Superstar
Artist: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Song: HOSANNA
CROWD

Hosanna
Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
Hey Sanna Hosanna
Hey JC, JC won't you smile at me?
Sanna Hosanna
Hey Superstar

CAIAPHAS

Tell the rabble to be quiet, we anticipate a riot.
This common crowd, is much too loud.
Tell the mob who sing your song that they are fools and they are wrong.
They are a curse. They should disperse.

CROWD

Hosanna
Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
Hey Sanna Hosanna
Hey JC, JC you're alright by me
Sanna Hosanna
Hey Superstar

JESUS

Why waste your breath moaning at the crowd?
Nothing can be done to stop the shouting.
If every tongue were stilled
The noise would still continue.
The rocks and stone themselves would start to sing:

CROWD AND JESUS

Hosanna
Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
Hey Sanna Hosanna

CROWD (alone)

Hey JC, JC won't you fight for me?
Sanna Hosanna Hey Superstar

JESUS

Sing me your songs,
But not for me alone.
Sing out for yourselves,
For you are bless-ed.
There is not one of you
Who can not win the kingdom.
The slow, the suffering,
The quick, the dead.

CROWD and JESUS

Hosanna
Hey Sanna Sanna Sanna Hosanna
Hey Sanna Hosanna

CROWD (alone)

Hey JC, JC won't you die for me?
Sanna Hosanna Hey Superstar

Hey Hey!

Cubs Win! Ok so I admit with 3 errors it wasn't pretty, but a win is a win, especially when it's over the Cardinals!

Movie Madness

Place an X next to the movies that you've seen.
At the end, tabulate the number of movies total that you've seen.

*********************************************************************************************************
You've seen up to 10 of these --- You know, "Moving Pictures?" Rent a movie sometime loser!

You've seen up to 20 of these --- Either you have shitty taste or you're a cheap skate!!

You've seen up to 30 of these --- You need to run to the nearest Blockbuster, you're missing out!!!

You've seen up to 50 of these --- Expand your horizons, Try a new genre once in a while!

You've seen up to 70 of these --- You don't watch much, but you've seen some good films in your time.

You've seen up to 90 of these --- You are a genuine movie nerd, but you've missed some gems. Rent tonight!

You've seen up to 100 of these --- You are a professional movie nerd! (No, that shouldn't be a compliment.)

You've seen up to 130 of these --- Everyone needs a hobby but you take being a movie nerd to a scary level.

You've seen up to 150 of these --- You make Ebert and Roper look like amateurs. Read a book loser!!


( ) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
( ) Boondock Saints
( ) The Mexican
( ) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
(x) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 5

( ) The Princess Bride
( ) AnchorMan: The Legend of Ron Burgandy
( ) Napoleon Dynamite
( ) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
(x) Anger Management
(x) 50 First Dates
Total: 2

( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
(x) American Pie
(x)American Pie 2
(x) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total: 3

(x) Harry Potter
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil
( ) Resident Evil 2
(x) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch.
( ) Lilo & Stitch 2: Stitch has a Glitch
Total: 6


(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
( ) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) White Chicks
( ) Butterfly Effect
( ) Thirteen Going on 30
( ) I, Robot
Total: 2

( ) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
( ) A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
( ) Never Been Kissed
(x) Meet The Parents
(x) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
Total: 2

( ) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
( ) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumb & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
Total: 1

( ) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
( ) Practical Magic
(x) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
( ) From Hell
( ) Hellboy
( ) Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
( ) The Whole Nine Yards
Total: 3

( ) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of chucky
( ) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
( ) Nightmare on Elm Street
(x) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
Total: 1

( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
( ) se7en
( ) Ocean's Eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
( ) Identity
( ) Lone Star
(x) Bedazzled
( ) Predator
( ) Predator II
TOTAL: 1

(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
(x) E.T.
( ) Children of the Corn
(x) My Boss' Daughter
( ) Maid in Manhattan
( ) Frailty
Total: 3

( ) Best Bet
(x) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
( ) Ever After
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
Total: 2

( ) X-Men
( ) X2
( ) Spider-Man
( ) Spider-Man 2
( ) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
(x) Catch Me If You Can
( ) The Others
( ) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
Total: 1

( ) Swimfan
( ) Miracle
( ) Old School
( ) The Notebook
(x) K-Pax
(x) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
( ) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
( ) Walk to Remember
( ) Boogeyman
Total: 3

( ) Hitch
( ) The Fifth Element
(x) Star Wars Episode I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Episode II Attack of The Clones
(x) Star Wars Episode III Revenge of The Sith
(x) Star Wars Episode IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Episode VI Return of The Jedi
(x) Troop Beverly Hills
( ) Swimming with Sharks
Total: 7

(x) Air Force One
( ) For Richer or Poorer
( ) Trainspotting
( ) People Under the Stairs
( ) Blue Velvet
(x) Sound of Music
(x)Parent Trap
( ) Parent Trap Re-make
( ) The Birds
(x) The Terminator
(x) Terminator-2
(x) T-3
Total: 6

( ) Empire Records
( ) SLC Punk
( ) Meet Joe Black
( ) Nightmare Before Christmas
( ) The Silence of the Lambs
( ) Sleepy Hollow
( ) I Heart Huckabees
( ) 24 Hour Party People
( ) Blood In Blood Out
Total: 0

( ) Thirteen
( ) Manic
( ) American History X
( ) Deep Blue Sea
( ) George of the Jungle
(x) Canadian Bacon
( ) Big Black Titties
( ) How High
( ) The Jacket
( ) My litte pony 1986
Total: 1

( ) Road to perdition
(x) Jesus Christ Superstar
(x) Rent
( ) Mulan
( ) Mulan 2
(x) Lion king
( ) Lion King 2
( ) Legally blonde
( ) Legally blonde 2
(x) Pink Panther- original
Total: 4


Total: 53


Man I beat , I'm sad.

Come Holy Spirit Come

Wow, ok so last night I went to the parish retreat night two which was on the Gift of God's Grace. During the night we had a reconcilliation service. As I was preparing to go to the priest, I was thinking of what really had been keeping me away from God. Mostly it seems to be stubborness to accept God's plan when it doesn't mesh with what I had planned. Ok so I definitely did not expect to be in Jacksonville, IL and single at this point in my life. I talked to Father about it and mentioned that I really wish I could figure out more of the why's. Well after the service I went to the school gym for the cookies and punch reception and ran into a couple in their 50's. The gentleman had been one of the speakers last night at the retreat and I noticed that he had a very good singing voice. Being ever the choir recruiter... especially for men, I went up and told him I thought he should join us for choir. He told me that he would, but that music would have to change first. I asked him what he meant and he started talking about how the parish needed more praiseful music and more modern music. Some bystanders (also older, well than me) heard him talking and came by to agree. I've been saying this for years, but I always figured I was just a very vocal minority. It seems that there might be more of an undercurrent than I thought. I encouraged them all to come talk to the music director about it. I'm beginning to think I've found my next goal from God. Rejuvinate Our Saviour's liturgical music. Eek I hope he helps me a lot.

Rock Paper Scissor

Yanked from JoAnn from Truman's IM Away message...

"I understand that Scissors can beat Paper, and I get how Rock can beat Scissors, but there's no way Paper can beat Rock. Paper is supposed to "wrap around" Rock, rendering it immobile? Why the hell can't paper do this to Scissors? Screw scissors, why can't paper do this to people? Why aren't sheets of notebook paper constantly suffocating students as they attempt to take notes in class? I'll tell you why- BECAUSE PAPER CAN'T BEAT ANYBODY! A rock could tear that shit up in 2 seconds. When I play rock/paper/scissors, I always choose Rock. Then when somebody claims to have beaten me with their Paper, I punch them in the face with my already clenched fist and say, "Oh shit, I'm sorry. I thought paper would protect you... jerk."

Hey Hey, Holy Mackerel, No Doubt About It, the Cubs are on Their Way!!!

Ah spring, robins chirping, coeds sunbathing, and baseball!!! As a Cubs fan, the spring is almost always my favorite season. Now of course I'm always hoping that they'll make Fall memorable, but for now let me bask in the newly green grass at Wrigley as the vines renew their climb up the hollowed walls of Wrigley.

Go Cubs Go!!!

April Fools

April Fool
deanster	TPs your head.
lunadepapel	eggs your kidneys.
umrguy42	buys you a Russian Bride.
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