Blog Archives - The Land of the Weird

The Land of the Weird

The Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Father Roger's Last Mass at OLoPH)

6/30/2019

Today's mass was a little emotional for me as it was the last mass for Father Roger as pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. He and his fellow oblates are leaving Alaska, as their order is shifting its focus. Our new pastor is supposed to arrive this coming Friday.

I have felt quite fortunate to have Fr. Roger as the leader of our religious community. He is an extremely approachable person and his homilies have continually spoken to me in ways that not all homilies do. He continually emphasizes the love that God shares with us and the love that we should share with one another.

Today, he told us about how Jesus isn't one to call down fire and brimstone on those who do not follow His teachings. His disciples, like us, want to see people punished for ignoring or scorning God, but Jesus is about love. The suffering felt by so many is not a punishment from God, but rather the lack of God in their lives. That chosen separation of creation from its Creator tears at the very fabric of our souls. Meanwhile, Jesus is there, ready to mend any ills from the separation.

I am going to miss Fr. Roger, Fr. Tom, and Fr. Ron. I hope that their next endeavors bring them fulfillment and joy. Our new pastor has some great shoes to fill.

Jury Duty

6/29/2019

I received a reminder that I will need to call in tomorrow evening to see if or when I will have to report for jury duty this week. This is my first time getting a jury duty summons here in Alaska. I only have a couple of time that I had to call in in Michigan, and only one time that I had to report. Here, I understand, the summons can be a bit more frequent.

I'm both interested and concerned about serving on a jury. I would like to see the legal process actually play out. Thus far, all I have to go by are a couple of tours of court houses, my single day of summons (where I was the first juror removed from two cases), and what I have seen on news shows and documentaries. I don't count my television and movie experience; although, I'm certain that Night Court was probably fairly close to the truth.

I'm also a little concerned because I will be gone the week following--something that I noted when I filled out my summons. Hopefully, that doesn't cause problem with when the trials are set up. I'd rather not differ the jury duty to a month when I have school.

Red Sun

6/28/2019

The smoke cloud from the Swan Lake fire has become a continual eyesore in more ways than one. In the mornings, our house has had the lingering scent of the forest fire's smoke. This morning, it was particularly, eye-wateringly, strong, prompting us to close our windows until it was warm enough outside to float the smoke and dust higher in the air.

The sun's rays through this give an other-worldly cast to everything around, reminding me a bit of sci-fi movies set on Mars. I'm certain that Superman would be concerned with the current shade of the sun. I really feel for those firefighters and emergency services workers who are deeper in the fumes of this fire. Thankfully, the air is relatively clear during the day.

We took a couple of hours to go to a friend's house that was beyond the reach of this malignant cloud. The boys had the opportunity to swim and kayak for a while. It wasn't until we returned home that I remembered the smoke that was hanging out above us.

I'm praying for a change in weather patterns that can help give some reprieve from this dark cloud.

Being Educated

6/27/2019

Recently, someone made a comment to me along the lines of "Do you think that having a degree means that you know more than me?" As I was trying to be politic, I made some sort of reference to different people being better than one another in different fields--which is true. What I wanted to say was, "YES! That's literally what having a higher degree means! I have worked for years towards learning more in my subject area than the average person, and I persevered through multiple hardships in accredited programs to receive these degrees which explicitly state that I know more than you in these topics."

Unfortunately, as my degrees are in English, History, Education, and Technology, it seems that every moron with an opinion believes that their limited knowledge base makes their opinions on those matters equal to my own. This sort of false equivalence has led to all sorts of issues in our society (such as flat-world believers). I have seen this especially in education, and in the debate about education in our nation and in the states where I have lived.

I'm not saying that other people do not have anything to contribute. I'm not saying that I know more about every subject (even within education) than people with less experience in the area. What I'm saying is that I've read literally thousands of studies from a wide variety of methodologies concerning numerous programs, issues, and controversies in the field of education, with a particular focus on the way technology has affected students, teachers, and schools. I have spent hundreds of hours correlating trends, and analyzing conflicting data. Don't bring me your five-minute Google search like a proud puppy and think you can go toe-to-toe with me.

... It's probably good that I went with my original response.

Praying for Rain

6/26/2019

I know that there are people who like their summers crispy hot, but I am not one of them. I continually take offense at weathermen who refer to sunny days as "perfect weather." Sure, I don't want to have my outdoor activities drowned out day after day (I had enough of that in Juneau), but I would like some precipitation from time to time. I intentionally did not choose to live in or near a desert.

Thus, I have not been that pleased by the weather reports as of late. Considering the massive fire that intermittently blocks passage through the peninsula, my concerns about our current dry spell have gone beyond my own comfort and have branched into the area of public safety. Instead, it looks like we will soon be seeing more sun and temperatures reaching into the eighties.

I don't mean to rain on anyone's parades, but I would like to see some clouds in my sky that aren't just plumes from the fire.

MCU Phase 2

6/25/2019

Tomorrow's Marvel Movie Marathon will include the first three movies of Phase 2 in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Iron Man 3 (an underappreciated movie), Thor: The Dark World (arguably worst movie in the entire MCU), and Captain America: Winter Soldier (one of my all-time favorite movies, MCU or not). The following Wednesday, July 3rd, will continue the run with Guardians of the Galaxy (which I usually rank as my favorite movie of all time), Avengers: Age of Ultron (another low point for the MCU despite the wonderful voice of James Spader), and Ant-Man (with the golden gems of Paul Rudd, Michael Pena, and Evangeline Lilly--also the most kid-friendly of any of the movies). Wow (that's a lot of parentheses)!

An interesting note about all of the Phase 2 movies is that due to Kevin Feige's (the main architect of all of the MCU) interest in Star Wars, at least one character loses a hand or an arm at some point in each of the six movies (although the bit in Ant-Man is hard to catch if you don't know to look for it). This is an intentional tribute to Luke losing his hand in The Empire Strikes Back, the second (and arguably best) Star Wars movie.

As normal, my intention is to start the marathon at 1pm and finish by around 8pm (assuming I didn't screw up the math again). A word of caution: I am still hacking and sniffling a bit and Connor has complained of a sore throat. That said, we'll have the windows open and the fans on (which we would need to do anyway considering the projected temperature tomorrow).

The tentative schedule is as follows:
June 26:
1:00 PM - 3:10 PM Iron Man 3 (2h 10m)
3:15 PM - 5:07 PM Thor: The Dark World (1h 52m)
5:25 PM - 7:41 PM Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2h 16m)

July 3:
1:00 PM - 3:02 PM Guardians of the Galaxy (2h 2m)
3:05 PM - 5:27 PM Avengers: Age of Ultron (2h 22m)
5:45 PM - 7:43 PM Ant-Man (1h 58m)

Camp Lessons Learned

6/24/2019

While I did have one two-hour session of leadership training during camp, I did not have much of formal instruction while I was at camp with Connor. That did not stop me from learning valuable lessons for the next time that I go camping. There are certainly a number of takeaways that I ... took ... away ... from the experience.

One was to bring a roll of toilet paper on any travel trip. In truth, the toilet paper at camp was nicer than any of the toilet paper that I encountered during my Kansas City trip, but that is part of the lesson. It hadn't really occurred to me before that I might be more comfortable (even in a high-end hotel) if I bring the toilet paper that I am accustomed to using. It also would have helped once my nose started running, as those handy packs of tissues run out in no time flat.

I need to bring my Emergen-C packets with me. They don't take up much space, and I am certain that they could have lessened the duration and ferocity of the illness I am currently working through. I brought my other medicines; I should have packed them away too.

A foam camp pad is not enough cushion for me to sleep. Thankfully, one of the other leaders had a spare air pad that he let me use. Even then, the solution was not perfect, but it was certainly better than with just one.

I MUST bring a hat with a brim. I had fully intended to bring a hat, but forgot it in the last moment. Not only is it necessary when the sun is out, but having a hat with visor can also help keep my hood from my rain jacket from continually falling in front of my face. I've never been a fan of wearing hats (with the exception of the short-lived sideway painter's hat phase I went through in the late Eighties), but with my thinning hair, I need to better protect my scalp.

I should also bring my fleece hat. Not only would it keep my head warmer at night, I could pull it over my ears to keep the continual drone of insect wings from buzzing me awake. Using my second sweatshirt was not as comfortable.

There was more that I learned, but I feel that these are some of the more practical issues which will help me when I take Rowen to his summer camp in a couple of weeks.

The Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ [controversial/political]

6/23/2019

In today's Gospel, Jesus and his disciples are faced with a multitude who have come to see and hear Him. His disciples are concerned about taking care of so many people and suggest to Him that they send the crowd away so that others can feed them. Jesus' response? "Give them some food yourselves."

They wanted to turn the desperate away, but Jesus had them be the servants that He was training them to be. He did not send the hungry people back to their homes ... He did not lock them in detention centers (a pretty name for concentration camps).

When the disciples complained that they did not have enough to support so many people, Jesus insisted that they share what they had anyway. Not only were they able to feed all of crowd, but they had substantially more in the end than what they started with. Today's homily talked about how tithing ten percent of all income seems difficult, but that God will find a way to make it work. So is it also true with the resources of our great nation. Doing the right thing will make our society better and will bring the abundance that will lead us to even greater heights.

Don't trust those who tell you that we don't have enough to share. Don't trust the for-profit institutions that are making money off of the suffering of refugees. Trust Jesus who tells us that by feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, and bringing comfort to the oppressed, we are feeding, clothing, and comforting Him.

Coming Home Again

6/22/2019

Today was a LONG day! We woke up at 6:30 so a couple of the Scout and leaders who had the earlier flight could get their stuff out to the trail for the side-by-side to pick up, and for them to get on the trail as it was a mile and a half hike to get to the bus pickup lot. The rest of us finished packing up and cleaned the camp before heading to the main camp for our final flag ceremony and breakfast. I was again exhausted due to my sinus issues and sore throat; however this was the first night that I didn’t have to use a second sweatshirt as a blanket and that I didn’t keep waking up due to sore shoulders or hips. I must have been getting used to the conditions (or was just really tired).

We returned to camp to discover that the bags from our early leavers were never picked up (which caused a great deal of frustration and anger). Thankfully, most of us had additional free checked bags that we could take due to being in the 49er club. We also thought that three troops were expected to pack in on only one bus, but thankfully a second bus arrived (both were late) and the bus was not as crowded as feared.

Another bit of confusion made it so one of our leaders almost wasn’t allowed on the flight. Thankfully, they were able to get him on through standby. Our airplane ended up being delayed due to crew scheduling, making for an uncomfortably crowded wait in the airport. Connor and I went to order some food when we were told that it would be another half hour, but just after we ordered, they started boarding. I was glad that the boarding took long enough for us to get our sandwich.

With my sinuses plugged, I ended up with clogged ears (which are still clogged) during the flight. Also, my side of the plane (starboard) did not have power to charge our devices for the first half of the flight. I like to think that it was my call to the flight attendant that led them to fixing the issue. Otherwise, the flight was fine.

We arrived in Anchorage and then had to wait for two of our leaders to go pick up the van for our trip back. One of them has a kind sister-in-law who provided sandwiches and snacks for our return trip. Thankfully the roads were not closed due to construction or the forest fire. We finally got home around 8 pm.

I am exhausted and ready for bed. Trevor hopes that I am feeling well enough to sing at church tomorrow, but we will have to see. It is good to be home.

Juneau - Day 7

6/21/2019

After a rotten night of sleeping, and just before my alarm was to go off, I heard a familiar voice outside our cabin. Connor had made it through his ordeal and was back with the troop. According to his instructors, it took him a long time (over an hour) to get his fire burning, but he persevered. They also remarked that he was one of the first to get his shelter up (and farther away from everyone than the other scouts) and was the first asleep.

Considering that one scout washed out entirely and several others older than Connor had to be calmed down—one that didn’t sleep at all out of concern of wild animals—I am quite impressed with how he performed. Meanwhile, he is eager to take this knowledge home. He wants us to go camping where he can start a fire (although with perhaps a bit more than flint and a knife), and he wants to spend the night in the fort (shelter) he built on our property. He does have some ideas about how to improve it.

We finished his morning class with meeting more rank requirements, including identifying the parts of a kayak and a canoe. From there, Connor was eager to talk with his wilderness survival instructor to complete the final verbal test about what to do in an emergency. At that point, the day was ours.

I’ve been feeling progressively more miserable. I really should have brought my Emergen-C with me like I did in Kansas City. Connor hung out with me, as he was also feeling tired, and—after packing for our flight tomorrow—we spent a while playing board games.

The night ended with the camp skits which were all entertaining. We don’t have a very early morning, but we still have a great deal to pick up in camp. Tomorrow’s trips should be interesting. I’m especially hoping that the highway heading home will be open considering the forest fire that has been raging near it.

Juneau - Day 6

6/20/2019

After getting back to camp last night, we celebrated one of our Scouts’ birthdays with frosting filled Oreos and smashed thin King Dongs. However, the real excitement came shortly after lights out when we were informed that a bear was in the vicinity. While I was not consciously afraid of an encounter, my subconscious had me startling awake at the slightest noise for the first half of the night (my Fitbit can corroborate this).

Despite not having the best sleep, and waking with a sore throat, I was not that tired this morning. The skies were completely clear, allowing a full view of the mountains that had been eluding us so far. It has stayed clear through the day and looks to do so until we leave. The downside is that the bugs (including clouds of horseflies) came out with the sun.

Our first half of the day was spent on a five mile hike where the Scouts practiced their orienteering skills. My favorite sight (and site) was the “tunnel of trees” that rivals some of the greatest cathedrals. Unfortunately, my iPhone can’t seem to capture the lighting of the scenes here at camp. This is also true for some of the moss-covered rocks that stand along the trail and our campsite.

Our main focus after that was preparing for Connor’s trip. He’s still really concerned about building a fire, but my concern has significantly dropped as we’ve had over a day to dry out. We spent a while hanging out after his bag of items was approved and before they left for the trip. I don’t know what to do with myself now that he’s away.

Our evening meal was hobo dinners and Dutch oven cherry upside-down cake, cooked on the coals of our campfire. Connor’s dinner will be similar, except that he will have to make the fire to cook the dinner, and he will have cookies so no one has to pack out a 12 pound Dutch oven. Ours was tasty; I hope his is too.

Juneau - Day 5

6/19/2019

It stopped raining early in the night. I don’t know if it was because of that or because I’m getting used to sleeping on a pad, but I slept better last night than I have since we got here (It’s still not anything close to how well I can sleep at home). The better sleep as well as the mostly clear weather has made today go more smoothly than the previous days.

A good deal of the day was focused on Connor building his fire starting skills. It’s is still his primary worry for tomorrow’s main test for wilderness survival. As we seem to be drying out, and getting a bit warmer, I am increasingly confident that he will do fine.

He must bring the following on his test: a sleeping bag, knife, water bottle, flashlight, rain gear, and bug spray.

He can bring as much of the following (natural only, no manufactured chemicals) that can fit in a can: twine, tinder bundle, and a fire starter.

He is also nearly finished with the first of his two woodworking projects and later got to work on earning a fingerprinting merit badge. All told, he’s been pretty busy.

Juneau - Day 4

6/19/2019

The only thing worse than a nighttime nature call that requires a walk through the dark, cold woods to end in a smelly latrine, is the same nature call while it is raining. Unfortunately, I received that nature call three times last night (at least I’m staying hydrated). This led to me being more tired today than I have yet been.

Damping my mood more was yet another day of rain. That’s the problem with camping in a rain forest. Thankfully it lightened up towards the end of the day to the point that I could actually see some of the nearby mountains.

Connor is excited for his wilderness survival merit badge. He spent a lot of his free time gathering materials from the forest that he can use to start his fire (which he needs to start without using a lighter). He’s more concerned about building his fire than he is about spending a night in the shelter he has to build ... although, he is a little concerned about that too.

Connor also had his second visit to the medic in as many days for some small cuts due to his use of his new knife. I’m hoping it will be the last.

Juneau - Day 3

6/17/2019

Today has been quite wet. We had a couple hours of sun in the middle of the day, but that was just to toy with us. Again, I am thankful for my waterproofed boots.

The staff here is friendly and entertaining. Connor’s morning class is focused on earning rank requirements to move scouts up to the First Class rank. Today’s tasks included knife, axe, hatchet, and saw usage with fire-building (in pouring rain) in the evening.

Connor also has merit badge classes on wood working and wilderness survival. The later was quite interesting, including this information which I feel apply to a broader set of emergencies than just those that happen in the wilderness:

Primary causes of emergencies:
1. Failure to plan
2. Poor leadership
3. Poor physical condition
4. Unexpected conditions or terrain

Hopefully the rain is not as pervasive tomorrow.