I just want everything. Is that too much to ask?
I’ve become unhappy at my parish. Mostly, I guess I feel unappreciated. But also, there just doesn’t feel like there is much of a community there; at least not like a community I hope for. There were two things that happened earlier this year that pushed me over the edge.
First, the absence of vision when it comes to music ministry became unmistakably apparent. Rather than schedule any of the current musicians, those with long, demonstrable connection to the parish for Masses during Lent and Easter, the powers that be asked a group from a neighboring parish to come in and do their own thing, completely divorced from what the assembly is used to.
Second, the Knights wanted to do something nice for the parish. At the beginning of June, we put on a free spaghetti dinner for anyone who wanted to come. We took sign-ups for two weeks prior to the event so that we’d know how much food to purchase and prepare. We had over 200 people indicate they were coming. Less than 100 showed up. I like to think of myself as a resilient person; not flexible really, but enduring. This ‘community’ response may have broken me. Yes, yes, we learned a lesson. People don’t value that which is free. Several months later, the parish put on a dinner that cost $25/person. 250 people attended.
So I feel like I’ve pretty much given up on the parish. There’s only so much knocking my head against the wall that I can take.
But deep down at the heart of it all, it’s the music that I most care about.
I realize that I can be a pretty particular sort of person. At least when I really care about something. I suppose that’s how one can tell if I truly care: how fussy I am about the thing.
Anyway, I’m looking for what might be a bit of a unicorn. I want to be a part of a parish that is warm & welcoming, has a music program that I can be a part of, preferably bilingual, is committed to forming/maintaining a community, with an active Knights council, where I can feel needed. Also, must be near to Ellen’s parents. We will want to find a permanent home within 15-20 minutes of their place in West Salem. As far as music itself, I still want this.
I’ve looked at Queen of Peace, St Joseph’s, & St Vincent de Paul in Salem; St Patrick’s in Independence; St Philip’s in Dallas; Immaculate Conception in Stayton; even St Mary’s in Albany. Some of these places come close, but none is quite right.
Finally, I must acknowledge that perhaps the most likely reading of this whole affair is that I am meant to learn humility. Gads! what a bitter pill.
John Sheahan & Eamonn Campbell – Irish Washerwoman
I love this jig, but it seems not so popular among my seisiún friends. Oh well.
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Caladh Nua – The Humours Of Ballyloughlan/Whelan’s jig/the Gravel Walk
I’ve never seen anyone play fiddle left-handed before.
I smell like smoke
Got up at 6 AM this morning when I received a phone call from Jose asking about how to unlock the gate behind the community center. Too damn early! By 7 AM, I was down there to help get the day going. The bbqing and sales went well; at one point I even had to go get 50 more lbs of meat. Even with that, we ran out after the noon Mass. So sorry 2:00 Mass.
In the middle of it all, I had to step away and do the music for the 10 AM. You know what? I fricking rock at leading music for Mass. Mike is a way better guitarist than me, but I kick ass at leading.
Went for my run tonight. Was a bit harder than I’d like. Part of the problem his how arid the weather is. It gets difficult to breathe as my throat dries out. Despite my poverty, I’ll have to see about getting a hydration belt or something. Carp.
Remember albums?
Today, I list 5 of my favorite albums of all time. Of course, these days, albums are somewhat anachronistic, so this list will be heavily weighted towards the past.
So, in no particular order:
- Some Great Reward – Depeche Mode
This was the first DM album I ever heard and to me, it is the peak of the ‘sound’ that I like most from them. Not every song is the greatest, but the album as a whole is so significant in the development of my musical aesthetic. - The Joshua Tree – U2
U2 was on my musical radar before this album, but this is the point at which the band became mega-stars. So many good songs and some of my favorites aren’t even the ones that were released as singles. - 2.0 – Garbage
I’m not a big fan of a lot of the music from the 90s, but this album was really solid. It’s one that I could happily put on and listen to in its entirety. - Abba Gold – Abba
Scoff all you like, there is not one dud among all the songs on this album. - Stunt – Barenaked Ladies
Like Some Great Reward above, this album marks my first real introduction to the band. I’d heard other songs before this, but it was during their tour for this album that I first saw the band perform. So much fracking fun at that concert! I didn’t appreciate the band before I saw them live. Since that first time, I’ve seen them perform another 6-8 times. Love them!
What are some of your favorite albums of all time?
Kiss them for me
Had a rather rough time sleeping last night. Probably too much caffeine last evening. We’ll see how it goes tonight. But, my tossing and turning did have one positive result, I was able to get up a little early. I made it in to work at 7:30 instead of 8.
I’m not sure what’s going on. When I am actually running, I don’t enjoy it. But between times, I think about it a lot and eagerly look forward to the next run. What the heck is that about? I got a couple of friends to sign up on mapmyrun.com so they can track their progress. I like encouraging each other. Today was a rest day so no running, but I did walk a mile and a half at lunch.
Tonight I spent my time leveling my hunter to 44. He’s moving right along. I hope it will only be two more weeks until he is high enough to replace my captain in the Monday night group.
I should be getting my cello back tomorrow. As much as I’d prefer not to do so, I’m going to try to sell it. I’d like to get $450 for it. Know anyone who’d like to buy a cello?
Choir practice
Went to Choir Practice at Our Lady of Fatima tonight. The rehearsal was for the Mass of the Oils on Thursday. The music is mostly the same as the past several years; functional, pretty (maybe), but not terribly fun. Rehearsal was… difficult. Most of the choir was from OLF as was the director. But there were several of us from other parishes too. So we had a combination of over-familiarity on the part of the OLF folks, and under-familiarity for the rest of us. Add to it that another music director from another parish was there, and he had trouble not directing. And the organist must be new because he had a lot of trouble following the director. Just ugh.
Oh well, Mass is on Thursday and then it will all be over.
