I'm back!

So, I guess I should have checked the weather after Monday, because it poured on Friday and I couldn't enjoy another fine day at the shore, but I am just happy that I did get to enjoy one beautiful afternoon. I stayed with John and Beth and cruised on down to Seaside Heights to enjoy an absolutely great day. The weather was perfect and I just got to take in the wonderful smell of salt water, fried food and suntan lotion while watching the waves break on the shore. What trip down the shore would be complete without the obligatory game of Skeeball? I am rusty in my old age and only broke 250 a couple of times. I was also trying to find a family to give my tickets to after I played, but unfortunately everyone left, so I just saved them for John and Beth... maybe they can get an eraser or a spider ring next time. They also had a remember when section in the arcade and I decided to play a round of Q*bert (I am better than this guy) and Punch-out (the original video game with the green grid boxer) before scarfing down some deep fried oreos. I am going to need to run extra hard during the upcoming semester to drop off some of those pounds :) Although I wish I could have had one more day to lay on the beach and just read or relax, because of the rain I actually had the opportunity to get some work done for the pending trip to China, visiting AAA and talking to a travel agent.

So, it is official, I will not be a Rutgers Football season ticket holder this year... unfortunately demand had far exceeded expectations and I am still on the waiting list... I guess I should have kept them when I had them before moving to Maryland, oh well, I just hope that I can get them by the time I have settled back in Jersey in two years. At least I get to see them on TV quite a bit and perhaps I will be able to get tickets to one of the games and make my way back up for a weekend.

Speaking of football, it is back! Yesterday I completed my little vacation down the shore by watching the Giants first preseason game, and boy does it look like a loooong season. I love my team in good times and bad, but when they don't tackle and look like a pee-wee team it makes it really tough to like them. Oh well, it is the first preseason game, perhaps they will get better, although I am not holding my breath on that one.

Last week, I also got the opportunity to see the latest of the Jason Bourne movies, The Bourne Ultimatum. I must sound like a broken record with all of the sequels/previous idea type movies this summer, but, again, if you enjoyed the first two you will love this one. The action is great, Matt Damon continues to prove that he is a much better actor than Ben Affleck as he concludes(?) the story written by Robert Ludlum. I think it is an excellent combination of action, thought and wit that makes these movies what they are. I just like to see the different areas that Bourne goes to, and this movie makes me want to go to Tangiers... speaking of other countries, did you ever wonder what happens in Filipino prison? or if you prefer the Sister Act Version... apparently it is a way to try to stop forming gangs within the prison and get out energy... in any case it is entertaining.

Well, this will be my last week in Jersey for a bit as I am heading down to Baltimore on Friday to prep for Orientation... it is getting to that time as I recieve more calls and emails from friends down there who haven't seen me in a while, and I am looking forward to starting off on the right foot (or the left, whichever really). I have lots to do and little time as the planning for Orientation now boils down to executing it, I just hope that the new seminarians are pleased and well informed as they start their journey at St. Mary's.

Speaking about other seminarians, I received a nice email from another seminarian, Alan Carter from LEXINGTON, Kentucky so, I guess people do read this from time to time :) (sorry about the typo and thanks to Matt for the correction). While I do not answer "Tags", just because it reminds me too much of chain letters, I am more than happy to support all seminarians and am always interested in reading others blogs... maybe I should answer the tags... well not today, this message is already long enough. Just please keep all the seminarians in your prayers as we travel back to school and start the semester within the next couple of weeks. God bless you always!

Our Moment of Zen comes from a brother seminarian who sent me this link to show us that even though everyone may think that it is difficult for a person discerning priesthood to go to the shore, it is a dangerous place for everyone. Enjoy the rest of your summer!

Can you tell it's vacation time?

Well, the blog doesn't get updated as much, I get more phone calls and emails from friends and make more myself and thoughts are drifting back towards work that needs to be done for Orientation at the Seminary (as well as the dreams of a beautiful college football season)... it can only mean it is time for vacation!!! The plans are being made slowly but surely, right now it is going to be fairly low key with time spent with friends and family. However, I am going to take a few days later this week to go down the shore and relax a bit on the warm sands while listening to the joyeous sounds of the ringing of bells and children screaming on the boardwalk and smelling the deep fried oreos which are guarenteed to take a year off of your life with every bite while scalding the roof of your mouth. mmmm.... I can taste them already.

It is also this time that my Verizon ring back tones (they play instead of you hearing ringing while Verizon tries to connect you to me) are reset and I wanted to do something a little different and change the song on a daily basis... I have a different tune for every day of the week, although I am a little upset that She's Leaving Home was not available for Wednesday's. oh well, some things are a stretch, but hey, that is part of the fun... what are you waiting for CALL ME!

OK, so I could officially tell that I am a seminarian because of what I am about to tell you I got excited about this weekend. It was the 18th Sunday of Ordinary Time which meant, that's right kiddies, TIME TO SWITCH YOUR BREVIARIES!!! Ok, I will wait for the laughter to die down now. Sorry, I get excited about the little things, and cleaning out my breviary, knowing that I will not see this volume again until after Christmas is an emotional time... actually I think it is more about thinking about the last time I used the new breviary... thinking about the prayers that were poured out, the things that I struggled with during that time and looking back at it today. Funny how things work, I know that the people in Guatemala were very deeply in my prayers the last time I used this volume, and on the same weekend that we switch, who do I have dinner with? Two of my friends from the Guatemala trip! We ate at Blue Water Seafood Company in East Brunswick which doesn't look like much from busy Route 18, but the food is excellent. Kind of middle of the road price wise, entrees are about $15-25, and the atmosphere may not be the best for some... it was quite hot and a bit noisy. Yet, we were still able to have a nice conversation and catch up a bit which was nice. If you do decide to go, just know that there is Valet parking due to the very small lot and it is BYO, so be prepared, but if you like seafood, you will enjoy the choices here. Here is a picture of Elsa, Mel and I from Guatemala :)...


So, last night, Tom Glavine finally did it, winning the 300th game of his career. Will he be the last person to do it? I think so... pitchers today just don't go that long and the ones that are close on the list may not have enough time or strength left in their arms. But, what do I know? I was planning on going to next Saturday's Mets game if he didn't win last night against the Cubs, but thanks to him I saved myself at least $40 :) Thanks Tom! I did win tickets a few weeks ago to the Tigers vs. Yankees by coming up with the answer of Sgt. Slaughter in trivia... actually our whole team just rocked that night, but the last question was worth 30 points, so I declare myself the champ (and I am humble too).

Well, that's all for now... a big thanks to Matt Hardesty for providing this wonderful Moment of Zen, he is absolutely correct that if this isn't a moment of Zen I don't know what is... well... perhaps, THIS. Always have to do one better... heck, that is why I am from Jersey. :) Pax