Friday, 30 Mar 2007

(last update: 7:00pm)

 

After talking about the Seminary ...

(6:30pm) - TEXT: ... I have been advised it's necessary to say what that talk was about :)

I went there to discuss my employment situation with the Monsignor. Of course, everyone close to me knows that remarks have long been made to me in the course of conversation that I should check out the possibility of going to the seminary. The point being, I would say, that I'm such a nice & helpful guy with a heart dedicated to service anyway, so a life as a member of the clergy could be a good career choice.

Note that I said "the clergy" ... not *necessarily* the Catholic priesthood! LOL - there've been some mighty public problems regarding the institution. The sex abuse scandal is only one of many. In short, I personally feel that a large percentage of priests aren't even able to live their vow of chastity faithfully. That would be hypocrisy and not something I want to be involved with.

Regardless of those feelings, it's worth looking at the possibility. So where to start? Well, I needed to discuss some St. Vincent de Paul stuff with Monsignor Dillon (head of my Parish), so why not have that meeting serve double duty? Either he'll laugh me out of the office, or he'll encourage me.

Nobody better than a 60 year-old Monsignor (whom I have known for 10 years and I absolutely trust) to provide an unbiased opinion on my character and fitness for life "in the cloth."

Well, we talked about it and I have a firm endorsement towards this enterprise. He has offered to put me in contact with parties in Charlotte, NC that conduct Discernment sessions for lots of men wondering if "the big, bad priesthood" is actually a path God has set for them. Monsignor Dillon says that every archdiocese in the world is equipped to provide coaching and guidance for people considering a life in the clergy.

So I'll attend church in Charlotte, NC regularly and find out from the parish priest who to contact. Then I'll email it to Msgr. Dillon and see if he knows that person.

So that's the full story, in a rather large nutshell. I'm still looking for a job. But perhaps there's a place for me in seminary somewhere - God knows I *have to* go back to school and prove to myself (and Him as well, I suppose) that the college 1.98 GPA is not a true measure of my intellect and abilities.

More info to come later of course ... (NOTE: I did not say "shortly")

:)

Random cool Internet stuff I found:

(3:30pm) - URLs: Now that I've caught up on some email, I thought I'd share with you some of the more memorable things I've seen while checking my email, applying for jobs, and cruising around this cyber-construct called the World-Wide-Web.

Jokes:

Video:

News Articles:


And here's something random ... a new daily comic:

I've already added it to "My Links." One shot little entertainers that make you think :)


Parentswish.com : extremely moving

(1:00pm) - URL: I just watched this presentation (sent by my mother, of course) and it touched me so deeply I cried. Not with saccharine empathy, but the knowledge that if I had not seen it - I probably would have fallen into the pit whenever - GOD FORBID - my parents need my daily care:

http://parentswish.com/

In response, I'd like to simply say this to both my parents:

Thank you - and I hope in your weakest moments you'll
remember that I once said, "Whenever you ask for a helping hand to stand up or walk, I'll instead carry you on my back."

More random URLs coming shortly that you absolutely have to see ... :)


Thursday, 29 Mar 2007

(last update: 2:45pm)

Life changing - details very intermittent!

(2:20pm) - TEXT: I guess I didn't provide details quite as shortly as I expected. Of course, you likely know I had my septoplasty nasal surgery done on Wednesday the 21st, two days after the below entry. It's been a more painful recovery than I expected, I burned through the heavy-duty narcotic painkillers and now I'm just using Tylenol to help with the pressure of the swelled-up parts in my head. Feels like a massive-grade migraine headache ... bleah.

But not to worry: I shall persevere. It's manageable, and what the heck, I got the DVDs and VHS tapes to take up my time. (Read: when I'm not applying for jobs in Charlotte, NC online.)

Details of life-change

(2:45pm) - TEXT:

1. I'm moving to Charlotte, NC (cats and all!) on Mon Apr 16th.

2. I'm unemployed because I was terminated for job performance issues related to sleep apnea and the treatment for it I'm receiving. Evidently being afflicted by a medical condition isn't enough for a corporation to allow even small exceptions to The Rules.

3. I'm recovering from the surgery. Septoplasty and Turbinate Reduction. Very invasive but done on an outpatient basis anyway.

4. Massive exterior renovations on all the building in my condo complex are going to be underway this summer. Likely finished by January 2008. Therefore, I am in *no hurry* to put my condo on the market until after that.

5. A couple of friends want to move in to my condo and be renters after I move out to Charlotte on April 16. However, these are friends I've only known for six months and the addition of *landlord/tenant* business into the mix may be fatal ...
this is in progress and I'm not entirely optimistic.

Them thar's the details. I got a lot going on as you can see. With my head hurting like it is, I have been spending a lot of time resting or on the computer. Don't get out a whole lot, and as a matter of fact here's the complete listing of my outings since the surgery on Wednesday 21 March:

Mass on Sunday morning, 11:30am. (back home 1pm)

Appt. with Monsignor to discuss Seminary Monday, 10:30am. (back home 2pm)

Trivia Monday, 8:00pm. (back home 11pm)

Post-Op followup appointment Wednesday 11:00am. (back home 2pm)

That's it. Other than those times ... I've either been sleeping or watching TV. Been good to catch up on Netflix DVDs, but I can't shake the nagging guilt of *wasting time!* LOL! That should be a list for my next entry: what movies I've seen and what I thought of 'em.

OK - I got more to say but I'll leave it for later today. Gotta take a break from the PC. I'll go pick up "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" where I left off last night ;) .... !


Monday, 19 Mar 2007

(last update: 7:00pm)

Life changing - details shortly!

(4:45pm) - TEXT: It's been a while since I've posted because so much as happened since 2/20. I'm no longer working my job, and I'm moving up to Charlotte, NC, to be nearer my family.

Strangely, I've been getting a little feedback saying I'm making the wrong decision. That going back home entails running back to Mommy. That I'm throwing in the towel on life away from family.

Don't get me wrong - I love my family and would love to be living near 'em. Of course, most of the feedback I get is supportive. I'm making the right decision, I'll be successful, good luck, and stuff like that.

It may not actually be so strange. I believe I'm getting information back from people that comes from comparison to their own experiences with their own families. Who knows? I'm unemployed and looking for a new job, either here in Atlanta or in Charlotte, NC.

As you most likely expect, more info *will be coming* soon :) ...