Saturday, September 8, 2012

Apartment Hunt Fails, Catholic Church, and Big Sisters


I think I'm blogging more lately because it makes me feel connected to people far away. So, feel free to talk back!

Well, I visited my first potential apartment on Friday afternoon. Not good. The place was clean as promised, but I realized that it was clean because there was barely anything in the whole place. Empty apartments are undeniably easier to keep clean. Next, it was apparent that there was a lot of pot smoking going on in the apartment, a claim that was verified by one of the roommates telling me that the other two (one in his 50s) occasionally smoked pot on the couch while watching TV. I could tell that living there would be like living in (metaphorically) a dementor's kiss, my soul slowly fading away like smoke dissipating in the air (pun intended). So, Monday I have another interview to live in a mother-in-law apartment, which seems like it could be just what the doctor ordered. I'll let you know either way.

Tonight I was working on my sermon and decided to take a break by going to the local Catholic Church for their 4 o'clock Saturday mass. When I got to the church, I entered in a side door by the parking lot, only to find that I had entered into the sanctuary between the cantor and the altar as the priest was processing in. I tried to just sit in the front row there, but I think I had 200 pairs of eyes on me, so I slowly moonwalked out and, fighting the urge to just leave, came in through the back door. A general trend I've noticed in my sporadic visits to Catholic churches is that they pray prayers too fast and sing hymns too slow. "Faith of our Fathers" and "Holy God We Praise Thy Name" each could have been sung almost twice as fast, and the Nicene Creed was recited at a speed only comfortable for an auctioneer. Also, whenever I go up for communion and cross my arms over my chest so they don't serve me communion, you can always sense that second of confusion on the part of (usually) the priest before he figures out what I'm doing.

Both of my sisters have been putting on some serious poundage...


Almost time for an intervention. (I can only be happy for my sisters backhandedly, apparently).

So, I haven't had cable in about five years, so my current house (the Bouris's) does, and I've noticed a few things:
1. I do enjoy going to bed watching SportsCenter. There's something about hearing those groupings of three notes (do-do-do; do-do-do) that just seems right. If only I was in Minnesota to watch some Twins/Wild games.
2. DVR is amazing. I know, I know, welcome to 2007, but it's the first time I've really experienced it for myself.
3."Big Bang Theory" is my new favorite sitcom (again, 2007). It's never been on Netflix streaming or Hulu, so this is my first time really watching it.
4. There still isn't much that is worth watching.

This makes me sound like I haven't done anything but watch TV, but I've read two books, 10 articles, and written a rough draft of a sermon. So don't worry; I'm not slacking.

Anyway, tomorrow is my first Sunday participating in worship at Trinity, so I'm looking forward to that. Plus, they're having a potluck brunch for rally Sunday! They must have known I was coming! Next week is my first sermon, so you should come. Now, to enjoy the rest of my Saturday evening. I'm thinking of doing a Saturday evening-Sunday evening sabbath during school here. We'll see how it shapes up.

2 comments:

  1. love your catholic church musings. love your blog.

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  2. Ugh, I've typed this comment three times on my phone, but it wouldnt' let me post it. It's not really worth typing a fourth time, but I will anyway:

    I was in our room waiting for Lilia to go to sleep when I read this, and I laughed out loud reading about you walking in to the church-oops! Is that what you're supposed to do if you're not Catholic? Cross your arms? I wouldn't know, since I usually take it anyway, in protest. You know, just one way I express my spiritual maturity. But for real, is that what you're supposed to do?

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