Fonts

One of the things that amuses me about the computer age is that we all know what different fonts are.  I personally do not like arial narrow and get tired of Times New Roman (whatever the heck that means).

Before we all started word processing, did any of us know this stuff?  I mean, besides professional printers that is.  It tickles me.

Islam and the Church of Latter Day Saints

Let me see if I have this straight.  We had a few thousand years of Judaism and then Jesus was born and He died and rose and Christianity began.  The apostles and St. Paul went out in the world and converted thousands and thousands.  Europe, North Africa and St. Thomas made it all the way to India.

Let's fast forward to the early 7th century.  For some reason unknown to me. the prophet Mohammed claims that he was told to start this new religion.  I guess all those thousands of years were a mistake and God decided He had to start over. 

But then in the early 19th century, I guess God was not happy with either Christianity or Islam because now a new prophet arises:  Joseph Smith and we get the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Okay, so we are to believe that, after thousands of years of history, God made two mistakes: Christianity and Islam and the true religion is LDS?  How is that even possible?  God does not make mistakes.  Was He trying to fix something and it went awry?

If anyone has any answers, let me know.

On Aging

I know a few people who are really obsessed about their age.  One friend refuses to celebrate his birthday because he doesn't like the number.  My reply, "Phooey!"

We all grow older and then we die.  Some die young; some die very old.  Unfortunately, two of my brothers died, in my opinion, prematurely (one at 58 and one barely 50).  But while we are here, why not celebrate our lives?  Why dwell on something we cannot change?

I have reached the age of 61 and I can hardly fathom it.  I am in decent health and feel great.  I have many friends of all different ages from those in their 70's to young people still in college and high school.  I am loving life and am grateful for every day God gives me. 

Forever Mets

As anyone with the slightest interest in sports knows, the NY Mets are going through a really bad time.  The ownership is broke and it shows in the team's payroll.  They couldn't even keep their all-star shortstop who led the league in batting.  If the Mets don't end up in last place this coming season, it will be nothing short of a miracle.

So how come I can't wait for the season to start?  I bought a 15 game pack for next season and hope to go to even more games.  Because of religious reasons, I won't be able to go to opening day but I'll be at Citi Field soon after.

What is it about this team that has gotten under my skin?  I guess you could call in unconditional love.  No matter how bad they are, I can't give up on them.  To me, there is nothing like going to the game and hanging with my friends.  We cheer the great plays and groan at the bad.  We never boo our Metsies unless they really deserve it.

Is it because they are "lovable losers" and we can identify with them?  Is it the challenge of supporting such a team?  Or is it because when they do win, they do it in a big way?

Yes, that must be it.  I was around in 1969 and what a high that was!  In 1986, I was not living in the NY area and only got to see a sliver of that great season but have relived it on TV.  1973, 2000 and 2006 brought us to the brink but we did not go all the way.

Now, serious fans know that it will be a few years before the Mets are contenders again.  But we hang on because we know when the time comes, we will be in for the ride of our lives.

Let's Go Mets!

The One Speeders

This makes me nuts.  You are driving behind someone and they are going about 10 miles below the speed limit and there is no traffic.  Then the speed limit goes down but they still keep going at the same speed.  I don't get it.  Why don't you want to go the speed limit and then why do you think you can go above the speed limit?

This is a perfect example.  I used to drive my son back and forth to Ithaca, NY.  At one point you get off the interstate and get on a state highway.  In some spots, the speed limit is 55, then 40, then 30 in towns and then it goes up again.  I have been behind people doing 40 in the 55 zone and remain at 40 while driving through the town.  Why they don't get tickets is beyond me.  I always slowed down because I was fearful of getting stopped.

Another thing that irks me is people who drive very slowly even when there is no traffic.  A good example is a road I drive on almost daily, Bergen Blvd.  The limit is mostly 35 and sometimes 40.  Usually, there is so much traffic that 35 is impossible but occasionally not.  However, people still drive 25 when there are no cars in front of them.  What is their problem?  And no, these are not old people; just people who don't know how to drive.

The War on Pizza and Potatoes

I am so sick and tired hearing how pizza and potatoes are not good for you.  I had pizza for dinner last night and the scale was down a pound this morning.

Pizza is the perfect food:  vegetable, protein and carb.  Sure, if you sit and eat two entire pies, that's not good for you.

And the poor potato.  It must be one of the most vilified foods ever.  If you eat a potato, the most horrible things will happen to you.  Really?  Potatoes are a great food and are full of vitamins.  Recently, a new study says that potatoes do not raise the glycemic index as much as was believed.

I think the people who come up with this stuff are just miserable and want the rest of us to join them.

The New Translation

For the past several months, in the Catholic press anyway, there has been article after article on the new English translation of the Novus Order a/k/a English Mass.  Why was this necessary?  Because the last translation was horrible.  I mean, it's bad enough that the prayers are mostly banal and not uplifting but they even screwed up the translation of the ordinary of the Mass such as the Gloria and Credo.  And why?  Every Latin/English missal had the translation right there.  All they had to do was use it!  But no!  We can't use these old and beautiful translations.  They don't fit with the spirit of Vatican II.

And even when they went back to work on the rotten translation, did they even bother then to use what they already had from the old missals?  No, they did not.  Talk about reinventing the wheel. 

I know some people who are really stoked about this.  A priest I spoke to last Saturday says he "has to get through next week".  Someone else said that she will have to bring glasses with her so she read the new responses. Oh, the humanity!

But I, dear reader, will not be affected by this at all.  Why?  Because I attend the Extraordinary Form of the Mass.  Yes, there have been tweeks over the centuries but nothing dramatic.  This form uses Latin, a dead language so the meanings of the words do not change.  Sad used to mean heavy and now it means unhappy. Don't have that problem with Latin.

Also, the prayers are so much more beautiful. Here is just one Offertory prayer:

Accept, O Holy Father, Almighty and eternal God, this spotless host, which I, your unworthy servant, offer to You, my living and true God, to atone for my numberless sins, offenses and negligences; on behalf of all here present and likewise for all faithful Christians living and dead, that it may profit me and them as a means of salvation to life everlasting.

Compare that to:

Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human hands have made. It will become for us the bread of life.

So, have fun with your new translation.  I'll stick with the more beautiful and reverential Latin.

Pax vobiscum.