Tuesday, February 28, 2006

What kind of President would YOU make?

I found this over at Jess' journal - much fun :)

What sort of world leader would you be?

You would make a great PRESIDENT.

You like the idea of having the population controlling its government. You feel you are here to serve the people and have their best interests and the country's at heart. However, corruption is rife - and so is discontent. You are getting sick and fed up of protesters rallying around you - pelting you with eggs. You have become the butt of jokes on national TV and those grey hairs are starting to show. Perhaps you should rule a little more firmly?

Personality Test Results

Click Here to Take This Quiz
Brought to you by YouThink.com quizzes and personality tests.

Johari Window

SO cool - I got this from Rach's site. She is a fabulous woman who I hope to become fast friends with! Please check it out and see what you think! I've pasted some html below so you can get a feel for what you'll do!

Charley

http://kevan.org/johari?name=CDittric77

Monday, February 27, 2006

Last Friday's Friday Five

As promised - last Friday's Friday Five (can you guess who submitted the questions?). If you play, post a linkback to your journal in the comments!:

1 - Describe the shoes that you wearing right now? (If none, then think of the shoes you would put on if you had to leave the house right this instant.) 

Prolly my sneaks - simple, yet effective. White, with blue and gray stripes and a cool cushy soul thing that 'distributes weight as you move' or some such nonsense.

2 - Where did you get them? How much did they cost you? What made you buy them? 

Ah, the beauty of X-mas gifts from family :) 

3 - Did this particular pair require you to "break them in?"

Still in process. Now and again they are a bit stiff.

4 - Do your shoes match your outfit, or your belt, or are you just a mumbo jumbo mix of a fashion statement? 

I actually didn't get out of my pj's today - so no :)

5 - Who is more shoe obsessed, you or your partner? What makes you think that?

We each are in different ways - i'm a shoe snot, she's a shoe junkie.

MU-hahahahahahahahaha

Because I'm too sad to post details yet:

You Are 62% Evil

You are very evil. And you're too evil to care.

Those who love you probably also fear you. A lot.
How Evil Are You?

Sunday, February 26, 2006

Wisdom

My posts on this weekend, as well as the (late) Friday Five, will come Monday.

This weekend my spiritual director, the Reverend Philip DeChico, died unexpectedly.

More than my spiritual standard and a true example of holiness, he was my father more than ever as my family has fallen apart.

He had the most infectious laugh. I love him so much and my heart bleeds for the loss of him.

Charley

Friday, February 24, 2006

Search Retreat

Hi Gang,

The Friday Five is written and will make a return, but unfortuantely I'm late - and my wife will kill me. I am supposed to be ten miles from here, right now, at the location of a retreat for young adults, of which my wife and I are the married couple.

I will keep a paper journal over the weekend, and share that with you upon my return - I'm not sure of internet access there.

The Friday Five will go up as well - though maybe not until Sunday night.

I feel much better - thanks for the well wishes and the prayers. I love you guys. I mean that.

Charley

Sunday, February 19, 2006

Dog

Sick as a dog and winding up the day tired and cranky.

Work tomorrow is not likely. There is nothing quite like dripping boogers, sticky phlegm, and a hacking cough to make your day complete.

NyQuil is my saving grace.

Sorry folks - no reflection today. I didn't even get daily prayer done!

Tales of Pathetic Attachment to Personal Technology

Scalzi wants us to confess our techno-heroin. It's against my will, but I'll do it!

I HATE when my wife wants to use my laptop. I feel like I need to call her an infidel and tell her to back off!

It's not a pretty scene :)

The Saturday Six

Some traditions are worth keeping. The Saturday Six, from Patrick's Weekender:

1. Take this test: Out of three tries, what is the shortest time in seconds that you can type the alphabet? (Round to two or three decimal places.)

5.52 - wooot!

2. If you could have a vacation home anywhere, what location would you choose and why?

London - because living in a city is more tolerable when it's not your own country.

3. What room of your home could most use an organizational expert?

How about the whole apartment. I suck at organizing.

4. Take this quiz (if you haven't already!): What temperment are you? (Thanks to Barb!)

You Have a Choleric Temperament

You are a person of great enthusiasm - easily excited by many things.
Unsatisfied by the ordinary, you are reaching for an epic, extraordinary life.
You want the best. The best life. The best love. The best reputation.

You posses a sharp and keen intellect. Your mind is your primary weapon.
Strong willed, nothing can keep you down. Your energy can break down any wall.
You're an instantly passionate person - and this passion gives you an intoxicating power over others.

At your worst, you are a narcissist. Full of yourself and even proud of your faults.
Stubborn and opinionated, you know what you think is right. End of discussion.
A bit of a misanthrope, you often see others as weak, ignorant, and inferior.
What Temperment Are You?  

5. What kind of merchandise was sold at the last "going out of businesses" sale you attended? Did you buy anything?   I think it was at one of the outlet stores near us, and it was a kitchen supply store - how i love them - but no, I didn't buy anything.

6. Without naming names, what's the most annoying thing about your neighbors?  

All the ridiculous things they put on their house for EVERY HOLIDAY

Friday, February 17, 2006

What does your heart say?

Your Candy Heart Says
"Hug Me"


A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out.
Your heart is open to where ever love takes you!

Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out

Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking

What turns you off: fighting and conflict

Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love
What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

P.S. SIGN MY MAP

BAD ASS KITTY.

Amanda, at HEY, I'M COUNTRY is in a bit of a mood today (shhh - I didn't tell you that), but she did have a fun meme about pets. Check it out :).

1. How many pets do you have currently have?
     Two - both cats.
2. Pets name (s)?
     Ulysses (male), Shiloh (lady)
3. Age & weight?
     Uly is six and Shi-Shi is five. Shi is a healthy 13 lbs and change. Uly is a fat 17. Chubb.
4. Female or Male?
     see above :)
5. What breed?
     Uly is your standard black, but Shiloh is a muted calico.
6. Favorite Place to sleep?
     Shi sleeps at my feet, Uly sleeps on the couch. During the day they sleep in their cat's cubes
7. Pet's Favorite Food?
     They both get special food. Poor Uly has bladder issues (blockage) and shi shi is such a skimpy eater we have to get her the fat people food.
8. Pet's Favorite Fun activity?
     sleeping :)
9. Is your pet well behaved?
     Yep. They are more like dog than cats!
10. Cutest trick they do?
     Shiloh plays catch (literally, like a dog). Ulysses understands the laws of physics and can empty those self-dispensing water bowls in a matter of minutes by using his weight and puncturing holes for oxygen.
11. Who's their fav person in your house?
     Uly is all about whomever is laying on the couch. Shi Shi is mine in the morning, and Jillian's at night.
12. Inside or outside? 
     Both inside. Too much nasty stuff out there.
13. If small, do you dress them up?
     collars only.
14. Enjoy baths & grooming? 
     they love grooming, hate bathing.
15. How many pets have passed over that you hold a spot in your heart?
     Mr. D, my first dog (a golden retriever - I was six), Dieter, my second dog (a dachshund - I was 19), and Jackson (my second cat - I was 22).
16. Who is the one pet that will always be that "special one"?
     Ulysses.

LOVE (part 2)

I saw this absolutely fabulous entry on love over at A Ticket to Ride - it proves that the ultimate success to marriage is that your wife looks fabulous even if she looks like a truck. Amen. :)

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

A silent reminder

There is an email in my inbox, now near to the bottom, from my mother. I don't know how to answer her message. Before the holidays, when I revealed my post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, etc., to them, the response invalidated my own statements.

While I know their fear and distrust yields this behavior, my mother continues to pressure me.

And so I try to ignore her message. But it sits, seething in my inbox. The sight of her name, all in lower-case, starts to send fear into my heart. What to say next? Why even say anything? Is there a point to it?

I can feel my fear and hurt rising, and then, if I stew long enough, my anger boils over.

I saw this today, in James 1: 19-27:

Know this, my dear brothers and sisters:
everyone should be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger
for anger does not accomplish
the righteousness of God.
Therefore, put away all filth and evil excess
and humbly welcome the word that has been planted in you
and is able to save your souls.

I have a choice. I will reply to her within a week, and I will put away my anger and resentment. I will respond with respect, humility, and truth.

I do not need to be manipulated by invisible demons and size 12 arial font.

I wonder how frequently we temper our wills to be better people. I do not think we can do that alone; our will is too weak. We need the help and love of others, and in faith we can find peace and happiness. I say strive for wisdom and patience and walk with others on their journey and we will all benefit!

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Do still not understand?

It has been  a stressful morning here at work. Our office is terribly behind its fundraising goal, and increasing pressure from more carnivorous animals on the food chain to pick up the pace.

I do not want to be the gazelle that lags behind.

Tedious meetings about our new web page as well, its soft launch, hard launch, and content management system. I am slightly miffed that we were told to hold for months, and now we are rushed to conclusion.

~~~

There are times I feel dim-. The struggle to do right is near impossible sometimes. There is confusion, misdirection and fear driving us to false conclusions and poor decisions. I think in these tiresome times we lose sight of the forest through the trees. Mark says, in 8:14-21:

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Jesus enjoined them, "Watch out, guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod." They concluded among themselves that it was because they had no bread. When he became aware of this he said to them, "Why do you conclude that it is because you have no bread? Do you not yet understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and not see, ears and not hear? And do you not remember, when I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many wicker baskets full of fragments you picked up?" They answered him, "Twelve." "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many full baskets of fragments did you pick up?" They answered, "Seven." He said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

Sometimes I don't understand, I think. My tiny mind is only capable of so much, and let's be honest - when faced with accepting difficult truths, it's a heckuva lot easier to look for the obvious logical answer, than the one harder to perceive. So many of us are so afraid, of so many things, real and imagined. We must see that we will always be provided for if we listen to the right people, live justly, strive for honesty and morality. We do not need to be afraid.

Today's word of the day and quote come from myCatholic.org:

fallacy (noun)
an error in fact or logic
~~
The proof of love is in the works. Where love exists, it works great things. But when it ceases to act, it ceases to exist.
– Pope St. Gregory the Great

Sunday, February 12, 2006

An Apology

Dear Friends,

I am sorry. Many readers and friends have long expressed their concern over my health and well-being, and I know many have kept me in their prayers during my unexplained silence. For that I am grateful.

I know that much of my emerging now from a long and trying winter is due not just to their prayers, but also their persistence. In one hand I come with apologies, and in the other I come with thanks.

I have decided to resume posting and an online presence because, most of all, to be loved is to love. So many have reached out to support me and I chose to ignore and resist their kindness and comforts. I have too much pride. I am too selfish, at times.

I will endeavor to be a better friend. I have no excuse for letting my pride separate me from those most supportive of, and worried about, me.  

In hope of offering some recounting of my story these many months, I will say only that I entered a long depression after the New Year. During this time I lost the support of my family, what little number of them attempted to understand my illness. That rejection lays heavy on my heart even  now, and my response up until now consisted of flight and fear. I hid from every setting that reminded me of my struggle - this journal, my faith, my group and even my therapist. The resulting stress on my physical, emotional and mental health has been my own doing, and its significance is my own fault.

I have learned my lesson and apologize sincerely. I hope to make amends to each of you. To those who have left this small space, or those who do not return, I wish I could offer some consolation. I wish you all well.

As for my return, I ask only a favor - if you are willing to have your journal posted in my links, please leave a comment with a link. I will update that list and pare down those that have left during my chosen absence.

It is good to be here.

In faith and sincere apology, I remain, in hope and good will, your friend,

Charley 

 
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