the pattyo

***Not a Man of Stature

You know how Jesus is usually a hunk in movies?

Well, not according to Isaiah 52:2. So what if they used a plain, average looking Jesus? Would we all be as thrilled to watch that movie?

Isaiah 52:2
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,

nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

***Pink Hair

… is honest.

I just had to write that. :-)

(If you don’t get what I’m saying email me and ask me to elaborate!)

***No Poetry

I simply haven’t written a word for ages. Was it just a passing phase? I wonder.

But why think about this now? Well … I was going through old email messages and came across one I wrote for my poetry group (which I can’t even attend these days — no time!). It was written a while back, and even then I wasn’t writing!

The page is blank, as is my mind.
I have no thoughts, nowhere to find
a metaphor or simile –
I can’t behave responsibly!
So please forgive my lack of voice.
It’s not my fault; I have no choice.
And now I think I’ll go to bed
to rest my body, get my head
in shape for yet another day
when maybe I’ll have things to say.

Ah well. Maybe the poetry bug will bite again. Ya never know!

***Some People

… get excited about the silliest things!

From Kelsey’s site:
2:13pm – I found my chapstick.
Wheeeeeee!!
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***Today

Opera San Jose had second oboe auditions today. I was so nervous about this whole thing. Several friends of mine were auditioning. How does one choose between friends? So I was bound and determined (and I prayed) to be fair and honest and choose the best player.

… who just happend to be my friend and colleague Pam Hakl!

So there ya go. Sometimes things work well.

At the same time I hurt for the others. Especially those I saw face to face, when the screen came down, and those I really care for who didn’t make it that far.

Auditions are horrendous things for those auditioning, but they are also very difficult for those of us who have to make the decision.

I’m just pleased that I really was able to put my heart aside and use my ears. That was a relief.

***Nope. Not Yet.

I’ve still not put together anything terribly coherent about The Passion. So you’ll have to put up with me as I ramble.

The first reason I will give for not seeing the film is that it is simply too violent, from all I have heard and read. I don’t need to see torture in order to believe that Jesus died a horrible death. I don’t think it would make me believe in him more, and I know it wouldn’t cause me to believe in him more. I also don’t believe it will change a doubter’s mind unless that mind was changed by God.

I also wonder about why this movie dwells on Jesus’ death, and nothing else. Why not his teachings? Why not the resurrection? Without the resurrection it is a tragedy. With the resurrection it is a miracle and speaks of redemption.

I hear that there are Biblical inaccuracies, and I wonder about that. It does deal with the Catholic church view, so perhaps that’s why it differs from what some of us believe, but I still have to read about all that — I’ve been too busy!

I hear some say that it is antisemitic. I don’t know, since I’ve not seen it. I’ve heard Gibson say it is not. I’ve heard him say that he included HIS hand in the film, nailing Jesus to the cross. He said something about how we all nailed Jesus to the cross. I used to feel this way too. But, if that’s the case, doesn’t that give us power over God? Doesn’t that take it all from God the Father and place it in our hands? I don’t believe Jesus was being obedient to us (even if the song “Above All” implies that we were the center of Jesus’ attention). I believe Jesus was being obedient to the Father. The Father required his death, and he obeyed.

Do I know why God did it this way? Sure don’t. I would have done otherwise.

I’m not God.

I’ll think more on this. (When I coudln’t sleep at 5:30 this morning I was writing my thoughts out in my mind, but of course now that I have access to a keyboard I am not doing nearly as well at clarity and/or depth.) I’ll be back.

(pause)

Or maybe I won’t. Maybe that’s enough on this one.

Oh, except to say that if Christians would get as jazzed about feeding the hungry and clothing the poor as they seem to be about spending $10 on this movie, think of the things that could get done!

And that just might touch others in a more tangible way.

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***No, I won’t be seeing that movie

Why? You’ll have to wait for my complete answer later, as I have places to go, people to see, things to do … and not much time to spare. But I’ve never seen a Mel Gibson movie and this new hit of his won’t be getting any of my money either.

But … for those of you who are planning to see it I say “Read the book. It’s better.”

Even without seeing the movie I can guarantee that. So at least read the book FIRST! (Try the Gospel of Mark. It’s short. You can handle it. Really. Then, if you are adventurous, read all the Gospels.)

So stay tuned for my post on why I won’t be seeing The Passion, even while I believe the Bible.
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***Formulas

I don’t like ‘em. And Christians these days seem to be latching on to formulas. To me it doesn’t make sense.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about you don’t attend church. So this particular blog is just a waste of your precious time. But for those of you who go to a worship service I’d bet, although I’m opposed to any sort of betting (and gambling too!) so I speak metaphorically, you immediately know what I’m talking about!

A few years back it was The Prayer of Jabez, a book ghost written by one person, but carrying the popular name of another writer and speaker (later the book included the ghost writer’s name as well).

Yes, Christians use ghost writers, just like the rest of the world. (Forget “be in the world but not of it” as we are more “of the world but not in it” these days.)

What? You thought that all the popular preachers of today wrote their own books? Think again!

What? Sounds a bit dishonest? Well, yeah … it does to me, too. But Clancy doesn’t write all of his books either, and we like to be “of the world” sometimes.

Hmmmm. I’m sounding bitter. Let me pause a moment and restart …

. . . .

Okay. All better.

So what don’t I like about formulaic Christian books? First of all, I’m not sure they are necessarily “Christian” … nor do I like the word “Christian” used as an adjective. I like it better as a noun.

Second, they don’t always work.

40 days to this and 40 days to that isn’t gonna cut it all the time.

Third, I think we are asked to have faith and I think all these self-help books take the focus away from God and put it on us.

And fourth (I promise I’ll stop soon with my little rant!), I think there are some unanswerable questions. I do believe there are some mysteries we won’t understand in this lifetime.

And don’t you wonder, sometimes, about the people who wound up in horrible situations — perhaps even looking death head-on — who had been reading The Prayer of Jabez and truly believing that if they prayed that prayer each morning it would all go well for them. What must they have thought as they lay dying? Wlel, at least I wonder that.

Not that dying is the end of all things for a Christian. Not at all! It is the beginning of Life, and while I don’t look forward to the act of dying, I look forward to the act of Living, if you know what I mean!

Mostly I know these things:
Jesus said to his followers, of which I am one, “you will have trouble in this life” and he was and is right.
and
I am to “do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly before my God.”

I obviously haven’t succeeded in that second sentence all that often. But that is a goal.

And it works for me.

… rant over … I don’t usually talk about my faith here, as I think it makes some uncomfortable. But that’s stilly, isn’t it, since my readership conists of probably two people besides yours truly!
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***Back!

It appears that Dan has fixed our server problems! At least everything just worked like it is supposed to; I received only one copy of each email message. My sites appear when I go to them.

And things are even working quickly.

So yay … and thanks Dan!

***Fall

I wrote about my fall at my oboe site, so I won’t go into it here. But I’m still a bit sore. Ah well.

***Auditions

I also wrote about the Opera San Jose oboe auditions at my other site. It’s so weird to think that from next September on there will always be two oboes in the pit! I’ve been “single” so long (aside from those few operas where they hire two players). I’m looking forward to it.

At the same time, I’m going to miss the intimacy of our little theater (the reason we get to add the second oboe is because of our move into a theater that is twice as large). We are close to the audience. They come talk to us, and some of us know some of them by name.

The change will probably take some getting used to.
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***March 5 and April 5

Important days.

Know why?

You should!

April 12 is an important day as well.

Yes, indeed.

Here’s a hint.
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***Email Woes

So any email that gets sent to the “planet” gets sent over and over … and over … and over ….

Well, you get the idea. If you write via our planetmitchell address the message just keeps a’comin’. But I don’t keep a’readin’. Still, it’s frustrating … and even more frustrating for Dan who gets to figure out what the heck is wrong! (Sorry, Dan.)

***Jameson

The kids will be coming home today. It’ll be great to have him back home. I’ve missed that guy! Of course I’m sure the thought of school being near won’t bring a smile to his face, but having him come in the door will bring a smile to mine!

***Why Write Here?

I get maybe a couple of hits to this site from readers. I really say nothing that interests folks. So why do I write?

Just self-indulgence, really! Yep.

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***And He’s Off!

Jameson just left for his snow trip. Four days. In the snow.With friends. Without his parents.

Poor guy.

Meanwhile it’s cleaning time for me! I can’t believe how easily a house gets messy. Ah well. It bothers only me, so at least no one is really unhappy if I let it get this way.

Well, except it bothers me. So of course I’d better do something about it.

and so …

The right moment for starting on your next job is not tomorrow or next week; it is instanter, or in the American idiom, ‘right now.’

-Arnold Toynbee

I’m going to start cleaning … right now!
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***Harvard Schmarvard

I’m glad our kids don’t go there. Who needs THIS?!

Call me old fashioned, but I think this is disgusting. (sigh)

***Um … Yeah … Okay …

An amorous Italian who laid claim to the world record for non-stop kissing had to receive oxygen after his 31-hour 18-minute St Valentine’s marathon.

Read all about it.

***Happy Update

Kelsey called this afternoon, after I wrote the little bit down below this. It was great to hear her voice. We couldn’t talk for long, but it was enough to make this mom very happy!

***Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today is the day when you have that excuse to buy someone flowers for a whole lot more money than you will pay next Monday. Ready for the challenge?

***Some People

I was driving to the club today, to get my little bit of exercise in. Just out of the garage and stopping at the first light, I looked in my rearview mirror. Behind me was a car with an older woman with a dog in her lap. I can never figure out how these people can drive with dogs in their laps. It seems unsafe, for one thing, and just uncomfortable for another. The woman’s dog was sticking its head out the window. Thankfully, though, he had his goggles on.

Yep. The dog was wearing goggles.

Good doggie.

(But did he have his seatbelt on? I don’t think so!)

When I got to the club I checked in and, as I always do, asked for “a locker and a towel please.” Normally there’s a youngish looking man or two behind the counter, but today there was a youngish looking woman there. She was, I’m sure, young enough to be my daughter. She handed me my towel and locker key and said “There you go, sweetie.”

Now I can come to two conclusions:

1) I look to be about her age and she sees us as buddies.

2) I look ancient and she is talking to me as if I’m her grandmother. Or great-grandmother.

Okay … more conclusions, really:

3) She was talking down to me.

4) She hates me.

5) I am so old I don’t remember, but she and I have been friends for years.

Anyway, unless it’s #1, I’m not feeling all that great about being called sweetie. When I returned my key she called me sweetie again.

Do you think she really meant sweaty? I had showered, but … well … maybe …?

***Kelsey, I Miss You!

Kelsey has been in New Orleans since Wednesday. I’ve not heard a word. I realize that’s as it should be; she is a big girl and she doesn’t need to call her mommy. But it sure is weird to be out of communcation. Still, I have a feeling this is good for the both of us!

But, Kelsey, if you’re reading: I increased the weight on nearly every machine over this past week! So THERE!!
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***Credit where credit is due

I neglected to thank and credit Chuck Sigars for the article on 9/11. I found that link at his site.

So there you go. Now you know.

And you all thought I was industrious and found this information myself, didn’t you?

Or not.

***Lincoln Mock Trial
is in session. They are doing great! Jameson has been the cameraman for the trials. I am hoping they win County this year. Time will tell … but they do look good! GO LINCOLN!

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