Governmental Priorities

Here is an interesting article I found on CNN's website:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/14/extremism.report/

Basically, it says that everyone should watch out for right-wing extremist groups, especially with the election of the first African-American president who happens to be left-leaning.

Two points:
1. Doesn't the government need to worry about a lot more important issues than the Republican Party?
2. You will notice that the Department of Homeland Security never released any documents like this during the eight years George W. Bush was in office despite the rediculous anti-Bush sentiment that went throughout the country.

(* )<

One of those Days

Everybody has them, of course. Just one of those days. It began well, you know, a normal day and such. But the evening destroyed my mood.

I had dinner amongst the company of an "ex" of sorts; those of you who know the story know the story. Anyone else, contact me personally and I'll say it. But, bottom line is that it became awkward and it was not my fault. I guess I obviously cannot understand why people must choose to act the way they act, and I also suppose I am no better because I am writing about it rather than dealing with it. But, whatever. It's the way to go.

Then there is this new girl in my life. She is quite pretty and obviously intelligent, but all I have done thus far is prove to her that I'm a complete idiot. I suppose time will tell whether or not this will happen. But after the affairs of my heart over the last year, I could really use a break from the bad luck.

I promise you all this will not become whiny.

-fishy

An Easter Reflection

For me, religion as a whole has revived over the past few years of my life, especially since I began school at The U. I don't know why; all I know is I'm really glad it happened. This Easter was definitely the one that sticks out in my life as being the one to remember, and it wasn't because my dad's roast beef was awesome. Nor was it because my uncle and his family came out and we had an absolute blast. It was because of the hour and a half I spent inside my church this morning.

I backtrack a few days. This year was the first time I decided to attend the celebrations on Holy Thursday and Good Friday. I also had the pleasure of attending these services with my friend and fellow jazz band trombonist. The celebrations were awesome and, what added to it even more was the fact that I assisted in each of them. For Holy Thursday, I presented the Holy Chrism to the congregation as Deacon John and Father Simon read scripture. For Good Friday, I carried the cross to the altar and stood there with 20 others holding it up for a good half hour while the entire congregation kissed it. Yes it was heavy, but so what. Then, today, to see the entire community come together and celebrate what some may consider to be the very reason why our religion exists was unbelievable. The extent to which the community prepared moved me. It also, of course, got me thinking about my eighth grade class.

Here we go again. In two weeks, another set of the confirmed will be sent out into the world as adults in the eyes of Christianity. Every year, all I hear is complaining because "none of the children really care and will not set foot back into the church unless they are forced to." But, I have good reason to think that will not happen with this year's class. Half of the confirmation class was present at either or both of the masses I attended during Holy Week. (I am sorry, I was out of town for the Vigil.) It was great to see and reassuring because I remember how I was at that age - you could not PAY me to attend any mass other than those I was forced to attend. Two weeks from Wednesday is the celebration and I have a feeling that I may have watery eyes again this year.

Welcome to the Fish Blog!

Hey all,

I've never really tried this blogging thing before but I figure that enough people I know have blogs, so I may as well join the party and see if this works. I am going to use this space to comment on things that go on in my life that I feel are worth mentioning. Anyone is welcome to read it and I do appreciate anyone who does take the time to care about what may be going on in my life.

With that said, I am a person who constantly has things going on. Some things which I will discuss on here are: how to survive a 22-credit semester, my sixth graders, my eighth graders, politics (AH!), and the general goings-on of everyday life.

I do wish to make this blog anonymous for, among others, professional reasons. However, you all can know that I am a 19-year old sophomore at the University of Scranton, studying Elementary Education, Special Education, and Mathematics. I am also a member of the University's Honors Program and I practically live in the music department. I'm currently single with an annoying "love life," which is in quotes because it's funny at times to even say that a love life of mine exists. It also is often a source of stress which may be vented about multiple times on here.

Well, I invite anyone who is interested to check back often and check out any new posts. You can subscribe to my blog (if that is possible) and comment on anything and everything. I'm an idiot, so I will say that any comment that I find offensive towards anyone who may read will be personally deleted - I don't play the douche game.

Until later, take it easy!

- Fishy