Reading // Realizations

Reading
I’ve been reading a lot lately. In the last month I’ve gotten through 3 books: Pride and Prejudice, Call of the Wild, and about 20 minutes ago I finished the Hobbit. All of these books were actually a good read; even though P&P took me almost 6 months to actually get around to finishing, it was still good. I don’t know if this is because they were legitimately good books, or if I’m just excited by the fact that I finished 3 books in the last month (my average before was MAYBE 3 in a year). Regardless, I’m starting the Hitchhiker’s Guide in a day or two, maybe even tonight, who knows.

Realizations
I’ve found myself thinking a lot these past few months I’ve been living out in San Pedro. I’ve been thinking about the human condition, our frailty, what it means to actually be human. Maybe not the funnest thoughts to dwell on, but I’ve come to know myself more this way; which introspection, I believe, is a good thing.

Get to it

I actually need to sit down and get to writing, some one hold me to it!

Forever & Long Beach

I know it’s been ages (read: forever) since I’ve posted anything; I suppose an update is in order (again, for my non-existent readers). I’ll try to keep this organized and fairly brief.

Army Part 1
For three weeks after my last post, I pretty much went through hell. Most of what happened will be kept for another post (if I get around to it), but suffice it to say that this period really sucked and I will do whatever I can to not go through it again.

Bar Tending
Before I left for the three weeks of training, my friend Jeff and I signed up for some bar tending classes since we we’re both poor and pretty much jobless. It was a two week course, and now we’re both pretty decent on mixing drinks. Any takers?
Army Part 2
The last day of the three week training session mentioned in part 1, I put my self on a list for a possible change of duty station/activation/whatever you wanna call it. I didn’t think I’d get it specifically because I was the last on the list and I was led to believe there’d only be around 3 people from my unit going. About a week or so after this, I got a phone call saying my name came back as one that was going on this mission. To assuage any thoughts/fears that my non-existent readers may be having, it’s not overseas, it’s to Long Beach, CA. Yes, you read that right, Long Beach. THE BEACH. Sounds like a pretty nice gig, won’t find out if it’s actually a nice gig until I get there, as I’m certain that scheduling is gonna suck for the first month or so.

Long Beach
After my two week bar tending class, I headed out to Long Beach and started my hunt for Red October, I mean, for an apartment. Found a few I liked in a decent area of LB, but I’ll have to make a few more trips out there before my start date, but after my orders are cut.

Orders
So far, orders for Long Beach haven’t been finalized. This won’t happen until everyone’s paperwork is in. I’m still currently waiting on my blood tests to get back before I can move forward with all of this. Hopefully this happens soon. In fact, I think I’m going to call the doc once I’m done with this post!

Fin
That pretty much sums everything up. With any luck I’ll be able to post more now that classes are done, and I’m pretty much sitting around waiting.

Projects

Ok, so this is just a general update for my non-existent readers as to the happenings of my current projects.

AskMike: Stopped development. Moved in another direction: http://arscatholic.com

CatholicsConfess.it: Broke with IE9, at least on my system. So I’m gonna have to redo the interface with IE6+ in mind.

IrregardlessThoughts: Still publishing content. Slacked during this past weekend. New post from me set to come out in a day. After that, however, my writing will be dormant for 3 weeks for training.

 

5 Things Every Catholic Should Do [Every Day]

1. Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

As a serious Catholic, if we truly believe what the Church teaches about the Holy Mass, then why on earth would we not try to attend every day? The saints attended Mass as often as possible. The little old ladies attend Holy Mass every day. Even “the Angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass” (St. Augustine). This is the surest sign that one is trying to be a saint, so let’s get to it.

2. Adoration

Another thing we as serious Catholics (as opposed to cafeteria Catholics) should do each and every day is visit Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. Ideally, we’d see Him for an hour, however, in today’s culture that may not necessarily be plausible. Simply 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, whatever it may be, is definitely better than nothing! Just be consistent. It’s precisely when we don’t feel like going that it means the most to Our Lord.

3. Rosary

I’m pretty certain this one is self-explanatory. Every day.

4. Sacrifice

This particular one may seem a little obvious as well, but I think I can offer a little bit more insight. As we all know, sacrifice can be something we give up, but it can also be something we do. For instance, hate working out? Then go for a jog. Offer it up to God. Offer it for a particular intention. It does wonders!

5. Read

Last but certainly not least, reading; this is the best way to form ourselves. Even as little as 15 minutes a day is good. By the end of the month, you’ll have gotten through a few books at least!

Remember, consistency is key!

Originally published at Journey of a Catholic Nerd Writer.

New Project: Irregardless Thoughts

Irregardless Thoughts Logo

Me and a rag-tag team of about 5 other guys have gotten together to write about random stuff that we like. There’s no real set topic for it, or even a niche we’re catering to; unless you count us as our own niche, lol.

Irregardless, the site is here: http://irregardlessthoughts.com

It’s supposed to be a little bit funny at times, and serious at others, and downright retarded when the times demand it. Feedback is encouraged!

Also, there’s something else in the works as my guest blogger noted in the last entry. But, it’s still coming together, and is probably a week or so out. I’ll keep my non-existent readers updated as it progresses.

Guest Blogger: Emmy Cecilia on Me Being a Lazy Bum

Hey everyone. This is Emmy Cecilia from Journey of a Catholic Nerd Writer. My good buddy Andrew is being a lazy bum so I’m here writing this post for him. I don’t exactly know what to write but he usually keeps his posts short and sweet so I’ll try. Key word is “try.”

Hmm… I guess I should let y’all know that Andrew’s a pretty awesome guy. No, he did not pay me for saying this (but he should). I’m so proud of his site, CatholicsConfess.It, which I’ve written about on my own blog. Hope y’all are using it regularly because I think it‘s slightly more helpful than the Confessions apps I‘ve used via iPod touch/iPhone. How’s that for endorsement, Andrew? lol. I will bug him to update this blog more regularly because I think he has some good things to say… when he’s not being lazy. We also have something coming up soon but y’all will have to wait to see just what it is. Yeah, I guess you’ll have to come back and check this blog more often.

Wow, I write a lot. I’ll try to end it soon. Just wanted to say, despite the teasing and the banter between us, I think Andrew’s a real stand up guy and a real gentleman. I’m blessed to consider him a friend (and have him as an occasional lunch buddy) and I look forward to seeing what he’ll write in the future.

Anyway, I will stop now because I’ll either continue gushing or I’ll start teasing him mercilessly and I prefer to do that in private. lol. Hope you guys check his blog more often. Oh, and if he doesn’t, please feel free to let me know. I‘ll make sure he does.

And now to your regularly scheduled posts.

- Emmy Cecilia

Thoughts as of Late

Ever trying to find a new source of income, my friend and I have recently gone about trying to brainstorm various ideas to accomplish this end; so far to no avail. The only reasonable thoughts we’ve had so far have been to start a blog (sort of like this one, except less personal, and with more authors), and to become strippers. Since neither of us have any experience in the latter (not to mention possible moral implications), we opted for the former.

Thus far, only one bump… the name. We haven’t figured out what we’d call this. We’ve thought of 8BitOps, TwoBitOperations, FiveThought, FiveForThought, Area00110011. So far, they all pretty much suck, and none of the corresponding 5 members can agree on any one name. I’m thinking perhaps that democracy is a complete and utter failure, and that picking one and using tyrannical rule to enforce said name is going to be my last resort.

Any thoughts and/or recommendations for names would be great!

Good News and Bad News

Good News: Just broke the 200lbs barrier! Just weighed myself and it showed 199.5! This is exciting news for me; I’ve reached my first goal! Granted, it took 3 months, but whatever, no matter. Next goal is 185. Only 14lbs to go!

Bad News: Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) tomorrow. Sorry, I mean, Army Physical Readiness Test, apparently they renamed it since we last took it. o.O I’m REALLY hoping I can pass the 2 mile, that’s the only part I’m worried about.

ILike[M]Ike Design

I’ve spent the last day or so working up a new design for a friend of mine. He always said that if he ran for president, he’d go with the same slogan as Ike, except, for Mike. “I Like Ike”

I thought about it for awhile, then went and scoured the internet for I Like Ike buttons (hence the last post), and then moved onto the general design. It all kinda turned out very patriotic, which I happen to be, so no problems there. Once I figure out how to transfer PSD to HTML, I’ll probably release it for whoever wants it.

As for now, you can just bask in it’s amazing-ness.

“I am America, and so can you!”