Angels in America, Part I, Millenium Approaches
Nancy and I met up with Karina and Jennifer and friends Keith and Jeff for dinner at the Newman Center. I inquired about Mass intentions for the Oratory.
Nancy and I watched Angels in America, Part I, Millenium Approaches tonight. We agreed that the script, casting, acting, and special effects were top-notch. Nancy and I agreed that we would watch the second part of the series.
Labels: dining, Faith, Mass, Pittsburgh, prayer, theater
Activities this Week
Monday, I went to Bible study with Fr. Mike at the Oratory. Jennifer from the MPH program was there, and we read and discussed to Galatians 2:11.
Wednesday Dad and I babysat in the evening for Beatrice and Solomon until the intermission of the play William and Marissa went.
Thursday I had physical therapy, and choir practice afterwards. Mom and Dad dropped me off, and picked me up, too.
Today I had an appointment in Monroeville, during which Dad and Mom met the PA and doctor. After, Mom and I got supplies at Michael's Craft store, too. We had homemade lo mein for lunch. I just watched "Leopards take Manhattan," on On Demand cable television, about a youth percussion group from Louisville Kentucky that travels to a jazz educators' conference in NYC.
In a few hours Nancy C. from choir and I will watch Angels in America (Part I) at the Charity Randall theatre on campus.
Labels: Beatrice, children, Choir, exercise, Faith, health, music, niece and nephew, pain, rosary, school, theater, TV
Mardi Gras 2009
Yesterday was Mardi Gras. I started the day by lectoring, with Fr. Donald Breier officiating at the Mass, Matt as the altar server, and Don providing music ministry at the von Beckerath, with a portable sound pack and microphone ("We are not worthy!") I arrived soon after Matt did, and I commented that the kneelers and chair for us on the altar seemed rather austere ("It's all a day early!" I exclaimed.) This was due to the fact that the altar marble was being waxed and polished recently: The regular kneelers, chairs, ambo, flower urns, and Oriental rugs were tucked away for the cleaning.
After Mass, I told Fr. Breier that I would like to look at the stone in the floor of the altar...I went and looked at the reddish marble-like stone in the center of the altar, as well as the Irish black/(red/green) marble with white inclusions of shells. He joined me in peering at the stone. I noted the shells visible in the Galway marble, "It's amazing the work God does."
I picked up some medical records in Shadyside that morning, went grocery shopping at Trader Joe's, then went to two medical appointments (with lunch in between), and physical therapy. I saw my friend Doreen again, headed home where Mom and Dad were at the end of preparing dinner for Tina and Larry's arrival. I joined them for a delicious dinner of sinigang, broiled grouper, and veggies.
Maureen and I decided to go out for Mardi Gras--we went to Panera, where she had a sweet orange icing scone, and I had an Asiago cheese bagel.
Dad's Birthday Celebration, Continued
Yesterday (Sunday) Mom, Dad, William, Marissa, Beatrice, Solomon, and I celebrated Dad's birthday at the Japanese sushi buffet restaurant. Beatrice remembered the cookies and ice cream there! We all enjoyed dining, and some of the restaurant staff sang "Happy Birthday" with us, and the kids helped Lolo blow out the candle. Beatrice showed us various ASL signs and fingerspelled Mama, Daddy, etc. Dad showed her various ASL letters, and she called them out. Likewise, we called out letters and she spelled them for us. Solomon enjoyed eating tempura chicken and fruit, then played "Where's Solomon?" (a.k.a peek-a-boo) with us.
Mom, Dad, and I Found our way to Fox Chapel, where we met up with Tita Tina and Leila to make arrangements for a CME event they are sponsoring.
Labels: Birthday, dining, family, friends, ice cream, meeting, niece and nephew
Finished Grading Midterms
I finished grading midterms at 21:46 today. I just need to tally, calculate, and record grades. It seems as if most of the students did fine. Makes it all worthwhile for staying in last night, today, and tonight.
Labels: biology, excited, Pittsburgh, school, teaching, tests, work
Dad's Birthday-78th February 2009
I will take Dad and Mom out to lunch tomorrow at the Chinese restaurant on Baum Boulevard for Dad's birthday tomorrow.
We'll have fun!
Labels: Birthday, dining, family
PSO Music Director's Talk, 19 February 2009
I went to a talk by the PSO music director today after physical therapy. Some various concepts Honeck presented during his talk:
[It takes] courage [to be faithful],
"I choose to be either hot or cold [in my faith life]....I like hot soups, so.."
He stated that he is fortunate in his position at the PSO, as he has the opportunity to pray for ~20 minutes before a performance with other musicians.
Sacraments are important to him and his family: Penance, and especially the Eucharist..."you can pray and sing in your home, but you cannot receive the Eucharist: [That is a good reason to go to Church.]"
He has a healthy respect for Maria.
He cannot imagine a "life without belief---no."
In response to questions:
Even if you spend one minute per day in prayer in Church, or in Eucharistic Adoration, [it is still a regular meeting with God], it is still a step-by-step process [as opposed to a sudden event to build one's faith].
Even "Mother Teresa had a forty-year darkness."
"Trust God will do things for me...will take care of me."
"One gets dressed [in an outwardly fashion] for [the concert]...in tuxedo, tails, shoes, etc. [Why not] get dressed for God [in an inner way]?"
"Put God in the middle of your life, then you will have everything."
Has he experienced persecution due to his faith?
Those with different, opposing views "don't accept [my views], but in [their] inner heart, they accept it."
He spoke of John Paul II meeting Kissinger.
He addressed a scientific study on music that heals better [Bach and Mozart]...and pondered whether there is a music that "doesn't heal, [as] many young people are depressed."
When asked about pieces he likes, he mentioned that it is difficult to answer that question, but that Mozart, Mahler's 2nd, Strauss Valses, and Bach and Mozart [were moving].
In short, a fascinating program.
Don and I chatted before and after the program, and we saw Fabiola, Karina, and Kristen there, too.
Labels: Church, Faith, Honeck, international culture, Mahler, Mozart, music, philosophical, PSO
Olly olly Oxen Free---All come Home
Mom and Dad are back in the Burgh after coordinating the latest PAMS medical mission. They left a week earlier than the rest of the medical mission attendees to act as liaisons for the trip. The medical mission itself lasted a week, and then they spent a week visiting with family as well as a side trip to Vietnam.
It's so good to have them home again.
Labels: family, home, medical mission, organizing, Philippines, Pittsburgh, volunteering
Jewelry makings, Renee and Belinda T's farewell party
Saturday, Karina and I made a trip to Waterfront Mall to the craft store there. We got beads and other jewelry-making supplies.
I got a nap in during the afternoon and plenty of grading.
~~~~~
Sunday after singing in choir Nancy C. and I met up with Karina to attend Renee and Belinda's farewell party in the basement of the Cathedral. It was a pleasant surprise to see Rocco there. Then we headed out to watch a movie at the Newman Center. No dice. So we went to get my car, follow Nancy home, and watch at her home. The "Millionaire" movie was a bad copy, so we opted for a nice music DVD of Milli Vanilli classical musicians in period costume. On Karina's help, I put together a charm bracelet of charms given to me by my parents two years ago, as well as charms I had purchased from Kaufmann's department store. What a lovely bracelet it made. We chatted with Nancy and her husband Tom, and we enjoyed a spinach paneer dish, gulab rogan josh, and grilled lamb chops at an Indian restaurant near Nancy's home.
Labels: biology, Choir, Ireland, jewelry, St. Paul Cathedral, surprise, work
Happy Valentines Day
to yinz!
Labels: love
Nifty Gullifty's Friday the 13th of February 2009
Went to Gullifty's last night after Don's concert to enjoy food, fellowship, and jazz. Karina, Maureen, Nancy, and I had a great time. Maureen and I split an order of Pulled Pork nachos. I had a drink which was, to put it mildly, "weak." I explained the problem to the waitress, and she righted the problem. The jazz was played by a different group than our last visit.
Stopped in to Eat N Park for cookies--smiley Valentines cookies for Beata and Solomon. "Ask and you shall receive," Nancy intoned, when I asked about the cookie coupon usage.
Nancy reminded me of my "Lucky Friday the 13th" day so far: My Scrunchi at physical therapy, my pina colada drink, and my current cookie question. And yes, three times were a charm!
Labels: Beatrice, dining, ice cream, music, niece and nephew, organ, St. Paul Cathedral, surprise
Don @ the (Newly Restored) Organ
After teaching yesterday morning, and administrative work with Mayte, and after physical therapy with Cara, I met up with Karina, Maureen, and Christina for Friday fellowship at the Newman Center. We met Dorothy, Karina's friend from the Pathology department at UPMC. After many announcements, I drove the crowd (sans Dorothy) to St. Paul Cathedral...We spotted Don in the parking lot, too, and chatted ever-so-briefly.
As part of the Cathedral Concert Series, Don Fellows presented A Recital Demonstrating the Newly Restored Cathedral Organ last night. Because we were one of the last loft-bound seating groups, we sat in the westernmost part of the loft. I took some photos during the lecture/demo, which included the specifications of the 1962 Rudolf von Beckerath Organ. It is restored as close to the original intentions of the organ builder: "This organ is, musically speaking, in completely original condition," as George Taylor, of Taylor & Boody, the restoring firm, wrote.
Don spoke about the capabilities and restoration of the organ before the pieces in the program, and spoke about the organ after the program:
Petite Suite ~ Introduction, Intermezzo, Finale (Gerald Bales, 1919-2002)
Chaconne in E minor (Dietrich Buxtehude, 1637-1707)
Variations on a Dance Theme ~ Balletto del granduca (J.P. Sweelinck 1562-1621)
Vivace, from Trio Sonata VI for Organ, BWV #530 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, BWV #543 (J.S. Bach)
Chorale #3 in A Minor (Cesar Franck, 1822-1890)
Cantilena from Sonata #11, Opus 148 (J. Rheinberger, 1839-1901)
Finale from Symphony I for Organ (Louis Vierne, 1870-1937)
~~~~~
Don introduced us to the various pipes in the organ, by describing them verbally, visually with a laser pointer, and aurally by hearing the sets of pipes. He talked about the eight-foot pipes when describing what we would hear during the first Bach piece:
Great - Principal 8 foot
Ruckpositiv -
Quintadena 8 foot
Rohrflote 8 foot
Blockflote 8 foot
Pedal - Octave 8 foot
~~~
He described the Principal pipes, which "are like the strings, [the backbone of the orchestra,] the meat and potatoes" of the orchestra; before he played the second Bach piece.
~~~
Before my favorite piece of the evening (the Rheinberger), he spoke of using the two quietest sets of pipes:
Great - Koppelqedackt 8 foot
and
Pedal - Subbasse 16 foot
Don spoke of the desire of Paul Koch (a previous music director) to include the Koppelqedackt in the design of the organ.
~~~~~
Don spoke of how some of the original mostly-zinc pipes were replaced with more tin-bearing pipes, and how the foot of many pipes were enforced with copper. The rest of the pipes were cleaned, grind, washed, and lacquered to prevent oxidation. He also spoke about the how some of the cases bearing the organ pipes were reinforced with a thick layer of plywood at the back to enhance the original intentions about voicing that von Beckerath had---to improve the overall tone of the instrument. Some of the pipes (up to 600 pounds of metal each) were causing undue vibrations in the organ case during play.
All in all, a wonderfully informative concert, brilliantly, emotively played pieces. The evening at the Cathedral concluded with saying hello to Linda O, a cantor, Charles and Susan (who has a new cat, Moses's sis/friend), Dan, Fred, (both formerly of choir), and other choristers. Also saw Joe and Tina there.
Four of us headed to Gullifty's for a snack and jazz after the performance: Maureen, Karina, Nancy, and I...I drove.
Labels: cat, music, organ, St. Paul Cathedral, voice
Lunch with Beatrice and Solomon
Thursday after work William, Marissa, Beata, Solomon, and I dined at People's Indian buffet in Bloomfield near the new Children's Hospital. We had fun, enjoyed our meal as well as dessert...
Beata said, "I want dessert."
Her daddy stated, "That is dessert. Rice pudding is dessert."
(she was referring to the fried milk dough balls in honey syrup--gulab jamun, which she saw me eating with my rice pudding)
Since we didn't want her in sugar orbit, we enjoyed rice pudding together.
Beata joyfully danced in the restaurant...
"Beata, here is not the place for dancing, as there are [people] carrying hot food," her parents reminded.
What a nice treat after a long morning at work.
~~~~~
Stopped by the Thomas Merton Center on the way back to the car. It was great to meet the three staff and "Lemon" the doggie there.
Labels: Beatrice, dance, dining, dog, family, international culture, niece and nephew, Peace
No More...
No More...
ballet en pointe (what's new?)
aikido
rockclimbing
ice skating
roller blading
bicycling on city streets
horseback riding
downhill skiing
Can still...
walk
talk (that's for sure!)
carry a stick
Will be able to (after my next surgery)...
run
maybe even hurdle again!
do certain stretches again.
We'll see about...
playing the violin!
I wrote to my friend about a fortnight ago my thoughts:
Sometimes I think of things I used to do in my "former life" which I cannot now do....downhill skiing, rockclimbing, ice skating, running distances, etc. I haven't been able to do these things recently because of the pain, anyway. But part of growing is letting go of those things that may keep me from my focus that I need to focus on NOW.
Labels: accessibility, dance, exercise, friends, light, list, love, pain, philosophical, surgery, swim, talent, thankfulness, walking
Actually, on my day off...
...my day began with a fire alarm going off. I arose early and then chose to stay away from the building, despite it's being a false alarm.
~~~~~
The meeting tonight was for lectors, lead by Fr. Andrew. We began with a reading from John, which I read. We heard ideas and dicta from various sources about reading the Word of God, including the Catholic Church Catechism on Sacred Scripture, Dei Verbum (Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from 18 November 1965, and a book entitled Messengers of God's Word (from the Do's and Don'ts section).
We were reminded that we were proclaiming God's Word; that God is speaking through us, and not to go too fast; that we are to understand the Word through brief study of the Scripture (commentaries or websites) and that Pope Benedict's encyclical Sacrament of Charity states that in the celebration of Mass, that reading the Scripture is a way of unifying with the Eucharist.
Part of practicing the reading is to pronounce it out loud (including the difficult parts of the passages); to BREATHE; and it is okay to be afraid----a holy fear.
It was nice to see my lector friends and to chat after the meeting with them and with Fr. Andrew.
Labels: alarm, lector, meeting, read, St. Paul Cathedral
Clean, Strong, Straight Teeth
Today I lectored on the memorial of St. Scholastica. I particularly liked the reading from Genesis. Fr. Breier celebrated the Mass, Matt served, and Don provided music ministry from the loft. It rained this morning.
After catching some breakfast from the William Pitt Union student cafeteria, I attended a presentation for Helping Distressed Students sponsored by the campus Counseling Center and the Student Affairs Division. After presenting Counseling Center intake and outtake data, issues related to student behavior, the Student Code of Conduct, and strategies to best help students were raised. Questions were fielded at the end. Dawn, a counselor from the center, offered to email me the PowerPoint presentation afterwards. I chatted briefly after the talk with the advisor seated behind me and with James Cox, the Director of the Counseling Center.
After lunch, I took my antibiotic therapy before heading to the dentist's office. L, my dental hygienist, and Dr. D, my dentist, were pleased with the condition of my teeth and gums. My teeth were declared clean, strong, and straight. I did a little shopping and picked up a menu for a restaurant before heading home.
Time for some organizing of my paperwork, and some grading (after dinner, I say).
Tonight's meetings will end as my day began---with a lector meeting at St. Paul Cathedral.
Labels: accessibility, biology, cleaning, dining, lector, Mass, read, school, shopping, St. Paul Cathedral, surgery, teeth, walking, weather, work
I went for a walk in the weather....
I went for a walk in the weather this morning before work. The day started out about mid-20s Fahrenheit, and went to about mid-40s Fahrenheit. It was sunny throughout the day.
I walked back after picking up my antibiotic therapy for my teeth cleaning tomorrow (as I have had a hip replacement, this is in order). I took about a mile walk home, then took a nap, went to work, prepared for class, had a light sushi lunch, and taught for most of the afternoon.
I'm waiting to hear from Gloria regarding when we will have dinner---these are her last few days in Pittsburgh...
Gloria and I ended up having a late tea/dessert with a large pineapple coconut muffin and chatting about jobs, former jobs, job hunting, and the South. I will miss her on my riser in choir.
Labels: Carnegie, children, cold, dining, international culture, library, museum, music, surgery, teeth, walking, weather, work
Mister Rogers' Neighborhood Music
How can we NOT LOVE mister Rogers' neighborhood? And for those of us who grew up on it, THE MUSIC....simply written and sung by Fred Rogers himself on the show, and gently and beautifully embellished by Johnny Costa, the jazz pianist.
One of my very first jobs in Pittsburgh was at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum, where the touring exhibit Mister Rogers' Neighborhood originated while I was on staff. A player piano sat in the corner, playing the improvisations on Fred's tunes. A special treat would be when Joe Negri and his jazz combo would play for a special event, Mr. McFeely would visit with children on the trolley, or the sudden hush when the man himself, Mr. Rogers, would visit with the children after attending a meeting with administrators.
Which brings me to yesterday...and the fun, musical times we spent with Maggie and Chuck at Lisa and Ken's home.
All these wonderful people...I feel honored to have spent time with each and every one of these talented, gifted, and truly nice individuals from the Mister Rogers show.
Labels: Choir, dreams, friends, museum, music, niece and nephew, opera, Pittsburgh, thankfulness, work
Music @ Duquesne University
After singing at noon Mass in the choir, I met up with Maureen and Karina and we went to Buca di Beppo restaurant in Station Square to meet Fabiola for lunch before the next in the series "The French Seasons": Toot Suite. Fabiola's graduate advisor, David Allen Wehr, was playing Debussy's Preludes, Book One. He played the sometimes contrasting movements in a painterly fashion.
Next, his friend, Joe Utterback, played piano improvisations on "The Summer Knows" (from Summer of '42) and on "Autumn Leaves" (by J. Kosma).
At intermission I purchased a Blues and Ballads CD by Joe, and we gently sat down to the second half of the program, which started out with three pieces by Michel Legrand, performed by MoJo (Maureen Budway, vocals, and Joe at piano).
"What Are You Doing the Rest of your Life?"
"His Eyes, Her Eyes"
"Watch What Happens"
Maureen, Karina, and I were particularly taken by the last piece in the sung set---it was from the movie "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg," which we found enchanting.
The last piece was Bolling's Toot Suite for Trumpet and Jazz Trio, with
Sean Jones, trumpet,
Joe Utterback, jazz piano
Bill Purse, bass guitar
Billy Kuhn, drums
We enjoyed the company of various folk at the reception, and I enjoyed meeting and greeting most of the performers after the concert. I also chatted at length with Dan, a former chorister, who is now busy with projects.
Labels: Choir, dining, Duquesne U, international culture, Mass, music, singing, St. Paul Cathedral
Playin' (and Singin')
I graded papers yesterday, and asked William if I could stop by their home yesterday afternoon. He dialed, and Beata said, "Do you want to play with us?" I went to their home and she danced in circles like an ice skater; we learned some sign language.
William asked me if I had taught her the sign for helicopter...."Yes, but I had only signed it once at your house." They had been trying to figure out where she had learned it, as it was in none of the books, William and Marissa hadn't taught her, and Beata was signing helicopter.
We held the kids up in the air, causing great delight, and then Beata and I played "Go Fish." We had dinner of quiche ("Gimme a quiche,...gimme a hug"), veggies, and rice. Solomon, in his inimitable style, vocalized happiness as he consumed his meal.
~~~~~
Later, after six o'clock Mass, I met up with Don to drive chez Lisa and Ken's for a Folk Music Mass sing-a-long. The ride up we discussed prayer and vocations. The guitars were tuned up, the kitchen table was slowly being unloaded of desserts, the choristers were ready, and we were joined by friends of Ken and Lisa, Nancy & Ronald and Chuck & Maggie (our only stars of the evening, as the sky was warmer and overcast). The ride back we discussed Don's introduction to the organ.
Labels: biology, dance, dining, friends, languages, Mass, music, prayer, school, surprise, TV, work
Girl's Night Out
Last night I met Maureen and Karina at the afternoon Mass at the Newman Center. We committed to Eucharistic Adoration before and after this First Friday Mass. Nancy, Fabiola, and Fabiola's friend joined our group after Mass. We all enjoyed dinner and fellowship, and an after-dinner talk and Powerpoint presentation by Matt with Christina. The talk focussed on Chesterton & Wotyla's lives and philosophies. We had a good chat with Christina after the talk. What a lovely evening with the ladies.
Labels: Church, Faith, friends, Mass, Pittsburgh, politics
Before the Steelers Parade
Before the Steelers Parade downtown at the Point, I walked out to Fifth Avenue about 11:25am. At the bus stops, every bus heading downtown was packed with humanity. A motorcycle police-escorted set of buses heading in the opposite direction had several "decoy" buses in the convoy, and one bus which most likely held the Steelers. My physical therapist and I discussed what I had observed about the buses later today.
Renee and I lunched together, and we enjoyed each other's company, especially since she will have a new job next week downtown.
Today I signed up for a health club (the same one Mom and Dad belong to). I'm really excited about using the heated pool and taking chair yoga!
I also ran some errands in Squirrel Hill.
Labels: diocese of Pittsburgh, excited, exercise, health, Pittsburgh, Point, pool, Superbowl, thankfulness, water exercise, Zubik
Post-game Superbowl XLIII 2009
Waow! We all got to the third quarter, and thought it was in the bag, when the Cardinals made a touchdown...with 2:36 on the clock, it was down to the wire. Santonio Holmes really pulled it off with less than 40 seconds on the clock. Then the next thing we knew, we were six-times Superbowl champions. (We won the six-pack)
Until half-past midnight there was honking and celebrations audible from my home's sheltered window, and WPXI's Peggy Finnegan was still covering the celebrations on the streets of Oakland and the South Side well into the night. Pittsburgh Public Schools and a number of other private schools started two hours later today. We take our football seriously in this town.
Labels: celebration, games, Pittsburgh, school, Superbowl, TV
Ground Hog Day 2009; Clean Coal
So I awoke, tuned into the radio (which described the Steelers win last night), and soon after there was a live broadcast from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania....during which the Ground Hog (a.k.a. Ground Pig) noted that the Steelers had won (again), and that he saw his shadow, indicating six more weeks of winter.
Check out this website out for a quiz on Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog.
~~~~~
I had received a mass email encouraging President Obama to not focus on "clean coal." Note that coal CAN be burned cleanly, if the proper scrubber technology is utilized (such as developed by Dave, the husband of a friend). This reduces acid rain.
Labels: cold, email, EPA, international culture, Pittsburgh, rain, science, seasons, Superbowl, weather, Wellesley
I hear and see
Celebration of Steeler Nation just outside the window....
Labels: games Superbowl, Pittsburgh, sports
Superbowl XLIII
Saw:
The President talk before the game
The singing of "America the Beautiful" and the national anthem
the coin toss
the longest play (~100 yards) in Superbowl history
Now, it's half time time (17 to 7)---time for Bruce Springsteen
Labels: games, Pittsburgh, Superbowl
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle B = SUPERBOWL XLIII SUNDAY!
Today at noon Mass Fr. Breier mentioned Superbowl issues. Several of us in the choir and many in the congregation sported NFL-licensed Steelers wear. We were warned by Don and Fr. Breier for moderation in celebration...don't get "out of control."
A little over a week ago, there was a small wooden lemonade-stand near a construction site. Young students were asking the Steelers for autographs there.
Nancy and I headed to Union Grill for lunch, finding that it was closed. We then shopped at the museum stores and ate at the Fossil Fuels cafeteria. I found a nice gift for Joyce at the museum stores. Nancy collects pressed pennies, and we had our picture taken by the entomologic Superbowl XXXXIII sign w/ the expired, stuffed cardinals.
I will spend the Superbowl with William, Marissa, and their family.
Labels: Carnegie, celebration, Church, Curb Your Enthusiasm, dining, friends, gift, museum, Pittsburgh, Superbowl
