Now THAT'S an eclipse!

Spaceweather.com has posted this pic, taken in Turkey during Wednesday's total solar eclipse:
Combining 10 different exposures, the photographer was able to show both the detail of the corona and the earthshine on the moon. Impressive.



Today was a bit discouraging, as all of the energy I had last week is now missing in action. This could be because my Internet-usage has gone up considerably this week, (though not as high as it had been). Which makes sense, seeing as how there was no blog last week. I'll have to cut myself off now for the rest of the night.

"Lord, it is well that we are here."

Occasionally while praying the Rosary, one (or more) of the Mysteries is especially insightful and moving. This happened today with the fourth Luminous Mystery, the Transfiguration. What an amazing (and very brief) glimpse of Christ's glory that must have been. Indeed, the disciples wanted to stay there with Jesus in this state for a longer time, but it was not to be. Ironically enough, I was only about halfway through this Mystery when my oil change was finished.

This Mystery seems particularly appropriate for the second half of Lent. After the Transfiguration, Jesus made his way back to Jerusalem to be crucified. His disciples received the strength, a "shot in the arm", to witness and persevere through the events that were to come. Now we are approaching the home stretch, when we will need the strength to persevere through Holy Week and Good Friday.

And just to think, this event was (and is) merely a prefigurement of the real glory.



P.S. For the first time this semester, I am completely caught up with homework. Very good feeling. Now, to avoid slipping back into computer over-usage....

Great Minds Think Alike

It's rather odd that John and I have the same layouts for our blogs. This could easily be chalked up as me copying, or lacking creativity (not that he implied that or anything). So I thought about it and decided to look up a new template, because I figured it was indeed strange. Well, after a second look-through, I have to say that this is the only format I really want. So, "Minima" it is. I'll just write this off as similar good tastes.

I have some long posts that I'd like to make, once I find the time. I'd like to give an autobiography of sorts (in segments, of course), a history of Rexel's more interesting incarnations (the mage is only the most recent entity to use this name), and a synopsis of my favorite devotion, The Divine Mercy.

Stay tuned.

"Cool!"

Ah, another wonderful Tuesday night. This is the night that I put off sleep as long as I can because I'm not thrilled about getting up at 3:30 the next morning. And if that sounds like an oxymoron, it wouldn't be the first time. Think I'll be needing some chai tomorrow.

So anyway, I'm listening to my new CD before class today while doing homework. The teacher, Mr. Rubis, walks in (who happens to be a former seminarian) and says "Hey, what'cha listening to Alan? Oh, I know. He's listening to Gregorian Chant!" Oh, the irony. After I showed him the case, he said his usual, "Cool!", and then "Well, I was pretty close!" Yeah, he's a good guy.

Adagio

It's pretty rare that I buy any music CD's. In fact, I bought none last year (excluding gift purchases). It doesn't make any sense, really. I mean, I can get the full value of a CD in one sitting, and even be doing someone else while listening. Meanwhile, I'll buy several books that just get stuck in my "yet to read" pile, which has not gotten smaller in recent memory (I'm still working on books that I started a couple of years ago). Anyway, I finally bought one called Choral Moods. The organizer of the retreat I attended at New Melleray Abbey a few weeks ago played the first track, Miserere mei, Deus, for our group early in the morning, and it hit the spot. So far, the best track is easily Samuel Barber's Agnus Dei. Think Platoon, when Willem Dafoe's character dies. Very powerful (good homework music too). I'll have to listen to it one more time before I log off tonight.



Hmmm, so many topics swirling in my head. They'll have to wait until another day, otherwise I'll run dry later.

Ack, I thought I'd never do this....

I haven't decided whether this will just be a placeholder blog for a profile and posting comments or for actual blogging. I've enjoyed reading my friend John's blog for quite some time, and I've rarely responded with comments, let alone a blog of my own. I'm a man of few words, especially if they're written, and even more so if typed. So we'll just see how things go.

So, when will the next post be? Could be anytime from tomorrow to months from now. Any bets?