Sorry I'm late with these.

New Year Resolutions.

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I'm going to lose weight, get a hair transplant, a nose job, an eye lift, and breast reduction surgery.

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I'm going to find a way to be always drunk without weight gain.

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I'm going to start an online talk show called "Up Your Street" - after I heal from the surgery of course.

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I'm going to finish my tell-all book about my life, including details of my torrid affair with Gilbert Gottfried.

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I'm going to sell my Mercedes and buy a Honda - out of concern for the poor who have to take the bus.

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And most importantly, I will never tell a lie again - ever.

Eat dung...

Remember the controversy over the "Dung Madonna" shown at the Brooklyn Museum a few years ago?
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For the most part, the only thing most Catholic defenders knew about the painting is what media reported... And all they needed to hear was an image of Mary was covered in elephant-dung - then it hit the fan. Everyone went ballistic, even the pro-abortion Catholic mayor registered his protest - No doubt with an eye to the Catholic vote down the road.

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As is usually the case, the controversy quickly died down. Although today I have to wonder if the same people would get all bent out of shape over this news; "Out of food, Zimbabweans eating cow dung"? I find that revolting.
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Our Lady, Protectress of the Poor and Starving, pray for us.

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Image: Ethiopian Madonna, 17th century. I removed the Dung Madonna from the original post so as not to offend anyone or show any disrespect to Our Lady - I replaced it with this detail of an Ethiopian icon. However, I personally found the original image interesting and inoffensive, noting similarities with more primitive images of the Virgin painted centuries ago. But more importantly, in light of recent news from Zimbabwe, the controversial image took on greater significance for me today.

Lagerfeld lets the fur fly.

"The animals would eat us if we didn't kill them." Karl Lagerfeld

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Brains and talent, a good combination for someone who looks like Michael Jackson's mortician. In an interview, German born fashion designer for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld, discusses wearing fur and eating meat.

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"Animals should be killed "nicely" if at all possible, said Lagerfeld, who admitted to being queasy about eating meat.

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"I can hardly eat meat because it has to look like something what it was not when it was alive," he said.

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He concluded: "In a meat-eating world, wearing leather for shoes and clothes and even handbags, the discussion of fur is childish." - Telegraph

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When is the last time baby seals, little foxes, and minks attacked people? For me the problem of wearing fur is the problem of cruelty as well as harvesting animals simply to satisfy vanity and greed. Lagerfeld should be reminded that the market for fur grows proportionately as designers use (misuse) it. Inciting countries such as China to skin dogs and cats alive to supply fur to the clothing industry.

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On size 0 models.

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In an interview on the Radio 4 Today programme, Lagerfeld also said the issue of size zero models was insignificant compared to the "zillions" of fat people.

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But he said: "In France there are, I think, less than one per cent of people who are too skinny.

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"There are nearly 30 per cent of young people who are too fat. So let's take care of the zillions of the too fat before we talk about the percentage that's left." - Telegraph

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Lagerfeld's take on the recession.

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In further questions Lagerfeld said he viewed the global recession as "more like a cleaning up."
"It was too rotten anyway, so it had to be cleaned up," he said. - Telegraph

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Someone needs a makeover.

Doubt

Well Barbara hasn't bothered to review the film yet, even though she gets all the new releases sent to her, so I had to look elsewhere for an opinion, and I found a wonderful review at Architect Design. He loved it.

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I finally saw the film yesterday. I have to admit I found it rather tedious to sit through for the first half - the story only picks up steam as we become more involved in the crux of the matter: Is the priest a pederast or is he simply a progressive, compassionate associate-pastor whose responsibility happens to be the altar boys and the parochial school attached to the parish? To be sure, both Philip Seymour Hoffman and Meryl Streep play their roles beautifully.

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In fact, Streep's Sr. Aloysius is so good, on first take, her apparent lack of empathy makes her entirely uninteresting, albeit the plot seeks to demonstrate the mean nun syndrome through her character. It rings true, don't get me wrong. However, watch her closely; as superior of the community, she discreetly reveals genuine charity and concern for the women under her charge - that sort of sensibility is often an indication of sanctity in the common life. On the other hand, I'm convinced Aloysius' preference for no nonsense, severe discipline as regards students was simply the way things were done in those days - not just in parochial schools either. Public schools could be just as severe - slaps and punches, slams up against lockers, or paddles in gym, not withholding. (I attended both private and public schools - so I know.) Sr. Aloysius was tough, and though it sounds sentimental - an emotion she evidently had little tolerance for - she really cared for the school children, although she knew from experience how manipulative students could be.

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I think to really understand Sr. Aloysius, one should recall Sr. Vauzou from "The Song of Bernadette" - without giving away the ending - the viewer will thus understand Streep's character - not confusing her final confession with the conclusion non-religious people might assume regarding the issue of doubt.

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At first the film is deceptive in its portrayal of a type of religious monotony frequently associated with conservative Catholicism - which may account for my initial boredom - although I found that the story, along with the superb acting, continued to captivate my imagination hours after viewing it. In my opinion, the film does a fair job in capturing the mood of the Catholic Church in America at the time. But since I was rather bored in the beginning, I occupied myself with picking out styling mistakes - a few of which I couldn't wait to comment on.

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For instance, Hoffman's Fr. Flynn wears vestments that probably were not around at the time - too modern - but even if they had been around - the stole would never have been worn on the outside. In addition, Fr. Flynn's alb was definitely a modern alb - I doubt it was even available back then. He also uses a modern breviary - you can see he has the contemporary Liturgy of the Hours - something that did not exist at the time. Also, I doubt the tabernacle in the church would not have been veiled in the manner shown - with some odd handkerchief thing laying over the top. It would have been veiled in liturgical colors to match the priests vestments.

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Then we watch Sr. Aloysius slapping kids on the back of the head at Sunday Mass. Nuns did do that - but only at school Masses - the daily Mass before classes began. Sundays the kids would have been with their family and the nuns would be up front in the first pew, sitting together as a community. That stuff never happened at Sunday Mass unless a fervent parishioner took it upon herself to correct stray children misbehaving. Another detail I found interesting is when Aloysius makes a subtle complaint about how cumbersome the habits were. Not more than a year or two later, the sisters were out of the traditional habit and into skirts and blouses. But who could fault them for that, the Seton habits were farmer-in-the-dell ugly.

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As for the school culture, in one scene the girls and boys are shown dancing together during music class in the auditorium. The song was Eydie Gorme singing, "Blame it on the Bossa Nova". That would never have happened in Sr. Aloyisius' school - they may have danced the Virginia Reel - but never the Bossa Nova - the "dance of love". Although the song did offer a momentary break in the somber tone of the film - for a moment.

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All in all, the film is fairly accurate as regards Catholic culture of the time, and it never impressed me as being the least bit anti-Catholic, as some people feared. Critics have suggested the ending leaves the viewer in doubt - not so much. I know what happened - most Catholics will too.

Rudi and Peggy

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Peggy Moffit was one of the most famous fashion models in the 1960's. She was best known as fashion designer Rudi Gernreich's lead mannequin and muse. She epitomized the '60's look, sensationalizing the label when she modelled Gernreich's topless swim suit. The suit wouldn't even raise an eyebrow today - as it was, the piece was unattractively asexual - much like Moffit's look - not that she was unattractive - her look was decidedly asexual. I believe the era pioneered much of the gender-neutral trends, both in fashion and politics, we have lived with since; although, I would guess Chanel initiated gender-neutral fashion long before the 1960's, when she introduced pants for women.

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Miss Moffit, who turns 70 this year, was also a collaborator in Gernreich's designs, and retained label and design rights to the firm after the designer's death.

What I did for New Years Eve.

I got all dressed up again and went out night-clubbing.

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I am laughing so hard - I did not do that! I just love the photo however - and so does Mrs. Parkes.

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This is what I really did. I went to the vigil Mass for the Octave of Christmas. Then I went grocery shopping because Lund's was open until midnight. After that I went to Target and bought some movies. I came home and watched one of them, The Queen, showcasing Helen Mirren's astonishing portrayal of Her Majesty. I had never seen the film before, except for trailers and clips amid interviews. I'm a johnny-come-lately as the film was released a couple of years ago, but who cares.

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I know some of the British did not appreciate the public outcry for honors to be shown Princess Diana by the Royals, but these folks were very much in the minority. (I'm quite sure Mrs. Boggle had some problems with it.) I followed all the events surrounding the death of Princess Diana rather closely; I too was angry with the Queen for her silence and indifference to what was going on outside Buckingham Palace, indeed around the globe. Yet when she turned up outside the palace to review the floral tributes and acknowledge the massive crowds of her subjects, I distinctly recall my immediate change of heart towards her, saying, "That's all you had to do dear - just show up."

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I repeated those words during the film last night.

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The film treated Her Majesty quite well, and Tony Blair was also shown in a better light than what my opinion of him happens to be today. The bad guys in the film turned out to be the consort, Prince Philip, and Mrs Blair - I have a particular dislike for Mrs. B. Prince Charles came off a bit of a weakling - but hopefully he will never be King. I think the Queen Mum would have played better with Joan Plowright in the role, but it is over and done with.

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My favorite scene? The Queen's encounter with the stag - although I'm sure if that incident had really happened, Her Majesty would have shot it.

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Happy New Year everyone.

Failed to notice.

Or take seriously.
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Since the demolition of AR2, I haven't really posted a great deal of serious stuff, things like massacres and terrorist attacks and other assorted "little murders" - like dad coming over for Christmas dressed like Santa, killing the family and torching the in-laws house. (Yes, the holidays can be stressful.)
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It isn't that I failed to note these things, I just didn't know how to respond to them, one can become a bit numb to such events occurring in rapid succession, as they are wont to do lately. It is less a problem of apathy as it is shell-shock, at least in my case.
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For instance, I found it absolutely incredible, astonishing, shocking - what have you - that the world went into fits of horror over the terrorist attacks in Mumbai, yet said nary a word about the Hindu-extremist terrorist attacks on Christians elsewhere in India. Just so, the media ignores the recent massacre of Christians a day or two ago in the Congo. It seems the only black people media is interested in is the Obama family and Barry's abs, or Oprah who just can't manage to keep the weight off, God bless her generous little heart.
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Don't get me started on the Israeli war against Hamas. It is certainly being reported, but not as accurately as it could be, and some important players seem to be missing from the public eye while all of it has been unfolding: Bush and Obama. Obviously, the U.S. has no clear leader in this time of transition - so it could be an excellent moment for Russia to emerge as the new global power, what with their warships trawling around America's seas.
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But back to the Israelis and the Arabs - neither one of them give a damn about the Palestinian Christians - in fact, Hamas just re-instituted crucifixion for capital crimes - that kinda, sorta carries a message about Christendom, don't you agree? And don't forget they started the current conflict over Christmas - no significance in that, I'm sure. I'm not pretending to put forth any political analysis here, but it seems to me many people are not paying attention to what is going on - and they should be. Below is an excerpt from Caroline Glick's column, "The 'realist' fantasy" - a good read if you are interested in world peace and that kind of crap:
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Hamas's endorsement of nailing enemies of Islam to crosses came at the same time it renewed its jihad. Here, too, Hamas wanted to make sure that Christians didn't feel neglected as its fighters launched missiles at Jewish day care centers and schools. So on Wednesday, Hamas lobbed a mortar shell at the Erez crossing point into Israel just as a group of Gazan Christians were standing on line waiting to travel to Bethlehem for Christmas. - Jerusalem Post
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Oh. Happy New Year.

Nicely put.

What painters do...

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I’m not an abstractionist. I’m not interested in the relationship of color or form or anything else. I’m interested only in expressing basic human emotions: tragedy, ecstasy, doom, and so on. - Mark Rothko

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And something I do as well...

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Whether I'm painting or not, I have this overweening interest in humanity. Even if I'm not working, I'm still analyzing people. - Alice Neel

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So my point is...

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I simply attempt to document what I see and experience, and if I am lucky, someone may call it art. - Terrance J. Nelson

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Image: Mark Rothko

Charity

Telling the truth.

What really happened to Abbey-Roads2.

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I was dropped - cut off - eliminated - kicked out. All because of the following post:

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I’ve had it!

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I’m switching back to Blogger - this site is far too much trouble. Please visit Abbey-Roads and add it to your blogroll if you like what I write. I was going to wait until after Christmas - but I can’t even post on this site any longer. I try to publish what I write and lose half the text. I’m outta here… nothing works here! (Wow! - Maybe this is what they wanted?!)

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Whatever - I’ll leave the site up for awhile - at least until my Neo-Counter account expires.

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Truth be told, the administrator of stblogs.com was offended by that post - which I thoughtlessly wrote out of frustration because of the problems I was experiencing. He was especially insulted with my last line: "I own the banner here, as well as the content - so watch out." He took it as a legal threat - it wasn't.

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The very sad thing about all of this is that I lost my work. That said, I realize it was my own fault. At least I learned a very important lesson, I do not own anything, so no one needs to watch out.

Tony Blair, Syncretist

"Faith is vital to understand the Middle East."

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Ah. Tony Blair.

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"I regularly read the Koran, practically every day," Blair told an interviewer. He said the Prophet Mohammed had been "an enormously civilizing force." - Source

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I just love British comedy, although Basil Faulty remains my favorite character.

Fourth Day of Christmas: Inaccuracies

The Twelve Days of Christmas.

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Liturgically the whole concept of the 12 days has been screwed up, pretty much because Epiphany is kept on the second Sunday after Christmas. Today is the 4th day in my calculations, although others would say it is the 3rd. I calculate from Christmas Day to January 5th, which I observe as 12th Night - January 6th being Epiphany. I'm probably wrong.

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Anyway. The Twelve Days of Christmas is one Christmas carol I do not like. There happens to be some debate concerning the origins of the song as well as its meaning. Some people say it was used as a way to catechize during the English Reformation, when Catholics were persecuted. As if the Protestants couldn't hear the singing, much less understand the meaning of the song - since they kept the same fundamentals of the faith.

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No, I think the song developed as a means to remind Catholics, and sympathetic members of the Church of England, that Christmas is not just a day, but lasts for twelve days. Liturgically there always has been the Octave, the eight days following, while the 4 days leading up to Epiphany equalled the full twelve days. But I'm getting over my head here.

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My point is this. In Cromwell's England, Christmas was for the most part banned, and if it was celebrated at all, it was done so privately, and it would probably not go beyond the day itself - just like modern times. Therefore, I believe the song was composed to encourage people to continue the tradition of celebrating Christmas for the full 12 days - even if everyone was saying the day after Christmas, "Whew! I'm glad that is over!"

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Ho, ho, ho!

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For more information on the Twelve Days of Christmas, click here.

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Did Oliver Cromwell personally ban Christmass in England? Click here to find out.

BU - 8

The last part is the best.

Third day of Christmas. Christmas cards and greetings.

Happy Holidays.

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I still have cards to send - I usually send to the very, very Catholic after Christmas, as well as to those I hope would be Catholic. A card "after it's all over" can be a good reminder it is not. In addition, I'm picking out my cards for next year, it is always a good idea to buy the cards for next year when they are marked down from this year - that is, if you care to send the very best without spending a great deal. I'm one of those who consider Christmas cards a little gift.

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Seasons Greetings.

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I also enjoy ruffling the feathers of the very, very pious when it comes to Christmas greetings. If one sends a card, as I will do, with the printed greeting that doesn't mention Christmas, yet happens to be wonderful Christmas art - or not - what prevents the sender from writing, "Merry Christmas" with a little note and their signature? Just so, when a person wishes you a friendly, "Happy Holidays", why on earth would you shout back for all to hear, "Merry Christmas!" Or, "I celebrate Christmas!" How rude is that. Someone was kind enough to greet you and wish you well, and yet your ego has to assert itself and call attention to your wonderful Christmas spirit. A quiet smile, and a sincere "Merry Christmas" would be the kindest response.

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Happy Hanukkah.

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This morning I read on another blog the writer's boast how, after making the declaration of "Merry Christmas" for all to hear in response to a "Happy Holidays" greeting, the obviously very young man turned to wish the Jewish woman behind him, "Happy Hanukkah" after she informed him she doesn't celebrate Christmas. Thus after he wished her "HH" she responded, "And what do you know about Hanukkah?". Rising to the challenge, the very well-educated, albeit very young man, made it clear to the woman that he knew everything about it from his Catholic bible. (Many Jews are not even religious, nor do they actually celebrate Hanukkah.)

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Isn't that special. I'll bet everyone in hearing distance was dying to convert to Roman Catholicism and were filled with the infectious Christmas spirit that the very rude, very young man exhibited.

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Yeah, so Happy Kwanza while you're at it.

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LOL!

Ripped jeans and Fr. Corapi.

This really isn't Corapi - but it sort of looks like him - what he'd look like if he remained in Hollywood maybe...
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Image from the Sartorialist - who got it out of GQ. The Sartorialist has a great new format - much larger photos.

It was bound to happen.

The Rabbit's Christmas party has begun.

Seriously. I have so much food outside in the garden, everyone is eating; the voles, the mice, the squirrels, and of course the birds, and Mrs. Rabbit is out there now.

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As for me, I will actually be visiting my sister's house this weekend to see my brother Tim who is here from Germany. It promises to be very fun. I haven't seen any of them in years.

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Update: I guess I was just pretending.

The Second Day of Christmas

The Feast of Stephen.

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For most non-Catholics, I expect the feast of Stephen is only a line from a Christmas carol, "Good King Wenceslaus", yet for Roman Catholics, it is much more than that. Immediately after the joyful birth of Christ, the feast of the holy proto-martyr Stephen is celebrated. The deacon St. Stephen was put to death by stoning, as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles. Though the heavens were opened and St. Stephen was consoled and strengthened by the vision of Christ in glory, the martyr's passion and death has much to teach us.

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While the Christian is taken up in the joy and glory associated with the commemoration of the birth of Jesus, one may be assured one will also experience many of the same woes the rest of men encounter, which happen to be the effects of original sin. What is more, the Christian, trained in the way of penance and mortification, will not be surprised as they see fulfilled in their lifetime these words; "You will be hated by all because of my name, but whoever endures to the end will be saved." - Matthew 10:22

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Art: St. Stephen Martyr, from Sub Tuum, the monastery blog by Br. Stephen. Please visit his site to read about his clothing in the monastic habit, and to get a glimpse of Christmas in a monastery.

Christ Mass at the Cathedral of St. Paul

Details.

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Fr. Adams was the celebrant for the Mass at mid-day. He is one of the finest young priests I have ever met. Really. He is awesome.

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The Rector, Fr. Joseph Johnson is too. The Cathedral has taken on a new aura... there seems to be an 'odor of sanctity' unlike ever before. I'm not exaggerating.

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I arrived early for Mass, entering the Cathedral by the side door. I looked towards the back and noticed hundreds of lights draping Our Lady of Victory Chapel. As I moved closer, the display became more intriguing. Finally, standing in front of St. Joseph's chapel, I looked across, the impression was heavenly, it reminded me of Christmas in Rome, or Naples. The entire chapel was draped and festooned with antique gold and white sheer fabric. Magnificent runs of what appeared to be silk illusion, with lights sprinkled through the cascades. (I apologize that I do not have any photos yet.)

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The crowds of families obstructed my view of the actual creche. Finally I got near enough to sneak into the side of the chapel, hidden behind the great columns and lighted birch tree branches the size of trees. The roof of the creche was laden with a large cascade of white and red Peruvian roses falling from the gable down each side. The same roses were arranged in huge bouquets on either side of the creche. In the background loomed the beautiful marble statue of Our Lady of Victory, and above her crown was the star of Bethlehem, while the extravagantly tented fabric streamed down to enclose the entire tableaux.

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I do not even do it justice trying to describe it here - it must be seen in person. If you live in the Twin City area, you should make the pilgrimage to venerate the Holy Infant in this sumptuous setting which so glorifies the Incarnation. It is the finest Nativity I have ever seen in this region.

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A visit to the St. Joseph chapel is rewarded with lovely displays of flowers and roses - designed and donated by the same person who donated her time, money, and talent to construct the beautiful presepe for Our Lady's chapel... the very talented designer, Anne Marie Hanson. God reward her for such a lovely Christmas gift to the Cathedral. By her generosity, those who visit the chapel get a little glimpse of heaven in these dark days, while her art lifts the poor in spirit above the worries and cares of the world.

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The sanctuary itself is magnificently decorated as well, all in red, with more lights adding sparkle to the festal processional banners. Yet there is another detail, perhaps taken for granted by many. The Father Rector has taken care that all of the altars throughout the immense Cathedral are properly covered in altar cloths, and for Christmas, every altar is illuminated with candles, three on either side of the tabernacle, glowing and warming a pilgrim's heart.

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I have never experienced the Cathedral in such a manner before... It is such a holy place. That's all I really wanted to say.

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Visit the Cathedral website: http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/

Merry Christmas

Did anyone watch the Holy Father's Midnight Mass?

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As the Pope processed to the Nativity after Mass, a man in red jumped the barricade and rushed the Pope. Security was able to restrain him, it appeared the man was knocked to the floor. The Holy Father looked startled for a brief moment, standing back a bit. (Story here.) A spokesman for the Vatican said the man appeared to pose no danger and was probably overly enthusiastic in his efforts to greet the Holy Father. I wonder.
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Praying for the Holy Father.

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God bless all of you, and thanks for your friendship and support. Wishing all of you a wonderful twelve days of Christmas.