Jinxed? The Canadian Olympics and other random thoughts...

Bear-able.
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I think the 2010 Winter Olympics might be jinxed - the weather is not cooperating, there has been one death so far, the opening ceremonies were a little 'slow', and the torch lighting malfunction didn't help matters.  (BTW - is Anne Murray really still popular in Canada?  I met her once, setting up a show for her here - years ago.)  I have to admit I liked most of the opening ceremonies however; big bears all lighted up, First Nation people finally getting their place in history, along with their wonderful myths.  That stuff was excellent.  I didn't get K.D. Lang's outfit or song - but she can sure sing - and she's really starting to look a lot like Wayne Newton.  But I digress.
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Overall, the opening ceremonies were too long and slow moving.  The pseudo religious cult aspect of all the speeches, the official "hymn" was especially mind-numbing.  Nevertheless, although parts of it were dull, the most special thing about it is the Canadian people - I love Canada.  Gorgeous country - wonderful people - I love all of my Canadian links, in fact I would like to move in with you after I become incontinent.  (Only if you drink of course.)
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Unfortunately this time around the Olympics seem to be jinxed - so don't blame me.
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Who's counting?
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See - I knew if I mentioned it I would see my 'Followers' app shrink - I lost a follower.  (They really do come and go though.)  I couldn't help but notice this morning.  Was it something I said?  Because I spare no one here.  LOL!  I don't care - I have some people registered as followers who have signed up more than once - so the count isn't accurate to begin with.  And wasn't King David punished for counting... census taking?
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BTW - The Bishops of England and Wales just came out with a pastoral explaining that the Bible is not true.  I know!  Acts of the Apostasy better get moving on this one.
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What I'm painting.
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I'm working on my 'Black Madonna' in remembrance of the victims of the Haitian earthquake and one of my black readers.  (I don't 'know' her but for some reason she reminds me of Nina on "3rd Rock From the Sun".)  A month ago, when I posted on the earthquake I mentioned I wanted to do this and some guy posted something like - "Just what they need - an icon."  Words spoken in frustration I am sure - what does one do in the face of such a catastrophe?  What do you say?  Donate money and services, yes of course - but we are all pretty much impotent to do much else?  A month later, life goes on here doesn't it - and aside from the occasional news report, how many people even think about Haiti?  So watch what you say to people in the heat of the moment - when you want to rule the world, because they may come back to you and ask what you are doing for the Haitian people today?  People move on with their lives, and rightly so.  But they also forget about prayer as a means of aid, or sacrifice and penance as a way to share - to compassionate, to participate - in their brother and sisters' suffering.
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That said, it is a joy to paint an icon again - a very prayerful experience indeed.  There is something nice about painting according to a formula as it were - no uncharted territories, painting from a prototype.  (Yes - I say painting - I find "writing" to be pretentious.  In fact, I came across a professional iconographer who seems to prefer to use the term painting as well.)
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Cape sighting.
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Fr. Z is in New Jersey and was on his way out to dinner with his host and got a flat tire - while the building he is in may be collapsing, and the heat is out in the church, Father is marshalling on.  He posts about the ordeal here, and I lifted the photo to initiate my new feature: "Cape Sightings".  I have a feeling the Fathers went out to dinner like this.