Friday, August 24, 2007

Varia

• Welcome to readers from "Soo City." That's Sault Sainte Marie, Ontario (or Michigan, eh?), who found this weblog from reading an editorial written by my pal Pete Vere. We go back over a decade, to the days of the CINGREG and FIAT-KNIGHT e-mail lists, where we were comrades-in-arms. The last time we spoke on the phone, we reminisced about the people we both knew. I can still remember all of us gathering at an Irish pub to argue politics and theology. Now that's my idea of a night out with the boys!

• Next weekend Sal and I will be in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, for the Johnstown FolkFest. I'm particularly looking forward to seeing Dwayne Dopsie, son of the late great "King of Zydeco" Rockin' Dopsie, and the Zydeco Hellraisers. I'm also hoping to catch Scott Miller and the Commonwealth, one of my favorites of late. Now, Johnstown has become a sort of annual pilgrimage of mine since 1989. Some years I haven't gone, but most years I have. I can't quite explain it, but something about the place makes it seem like a second home to me. Maybe it's only coincidence that my mother's mother's family (Evans) settled north of the city, in the town of Ebensburg, before moving on to Ohio. Then again, maybe not.

• Concerning the recent papal decree Summorum Pontificum, which allows greater use of the classical Roman Rite (the "Trid Mass" or "Old Latin Mass"), a number of American bishops have come out with their own statements. While some are encouraging, most can't resist the urge to put their own "spin" on it. The latest comes from Bishop Joseph V Adamec of Altoona-Johnstown. If the text that has been circulating is correct (and they did a great job burying it on the diocesan website), the good Bishop would appear to have simply made up Latin words that are not in the original text. (You know, if more people actually read the decree itself, I imagine these guys would keep their vivid imaginations in check. Then again...)

• I want a new guitar. I have a Fernandes Nomad, which is a travel-size electric model with a built-in amplifier (like the one in the picture). I want the Nomad Deluxe (the black one), which has several dozen sound pre-sets and a rhythm machine. Maybe Saint Nicholas -- you heathens call him Santa Claus -- will realize I've been a really good boy this year and bring me one.

• Today is a big day in Rome. Or at least it always has been. Sort of like "Night of the Living Dead" in the daytime. (Coincidentally, I had a dream a couple nights ago where I was attacked by a group of zombies. Naturally, I emerged victorious.) Father Zuhlsdorf explains.

• Please remember my Dad in your prayers today. He is having surgery to alleviate a recurring condition. He'll be 82 in September, and he's still holding up.

And so it goes...
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7 comments:

Brian Kopp said...

Dang! This is the first time in years that we won't be home in Johnstown for the Folk Fest.

Otherwise, I would have really liked to chat over a beer. Enjoy the Folk Fest. If you have time, don't forget to go over the Cambria City and support the real originators of Folk fest, the ethnic parishes. (Some of us locals still hold a grudge over Folk fest being moved from Cambia City to the downtown location.)

David L Alexander said...

Yeah, I know about Cambria City. The reasons for the change date back to the early years of the Festival. It would have been one of our topics, I'm sure. I proposed to JAHA that they run a shuttle bus between the two, as a gesture of goodwill. It could happen. But until it does, I visit both festivals when I'm there.

iClaudius said...

I'd go for the "Hot Rod Flame" finish on the Nomad Delux.

corrine. said...

hope your dad is ok!

David L Alexander said...

Thanks Corrine.

Dad went into surgery yesterday (Friday) afternoon. The procedure took a half hour. There were no complications. As of now (Saturday afternoon), he is alert but resting. Mom and my sisters are with him.

He'll be 82 in September, and is holding up well for a guy that age with MS. We expect him to be better off for the operation.

corrine. said...

that us awesome, does he have to stay in the hospital for a while?

David L Alexander said...

Just the weekend.