Friday Random Top Ten

Hi folks.
I am still alive, yet still in pain. Something's moving around in there. Just when I was beginning to think the pain might be muscular, stuff moves. At least I'm getting a chance to rest, except for the constant visits to See A Man About A Dog, what wit all dat wattah.

The Diocese of Panama is having its Diocesan Convention this week in Colón, and normally I'm right in the middle of everything, but I'm not taking any long bus rides to Colón. I did put together the bulletin for Sunday's Convention Closing Eucharist and have assembled the book for lections and the Altar Book while I was at it, but I'm not sure if I'll be there for the service.

Thanks for all you prayers and kind messages.

And now, Random Friday Top Ten!

Ya pushes "shuffle" and ya takes yer chances...

1. Blue Chair Elvis Costello and the Attractions
2. Number Three They Might Be Giants
3. Bad Connection Yaz
4. Black Mountain Blues Janis Joplin
5. Vergine saggia, e del bel numer'una (Palestrina) The Hilliard Ensemble
6. Rock Around the Clock Tenpole Tudor
7. Credo (Deprez) Theatre Of Voices
8. Do Anything You Wanna Do Eddie and the Hot Rods
9. Boarded Up XTC
10. Out Of The Blue Roxy Music

Three songs with the word blue, and I like the fact that a "blue" song opens and closes the list. And a visit from Tenpole Tudor is always welcome.

This, Too, Shall Pass...

and I hope it does so soon.

It's not a backache, it's kidney stones.
Lotsa wattah fah me.

One Day A Year

The Preznit pretends that he believes in the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Dream.
I don't think she's buying what ever he's selling.

Photo nicked from www.bartcop.com

When the Blogroll is Called Up Yonder...

The following blogs will be there!



So, sporadic Dance Party Commenter jonnieb has a blog, Here Still Running, and will be added to the blogroll. I realize that I am WAY BEHIND on updating the blogroll, and I realize that most of you already read these blogs, but We Must Keep Current. All the following blogs which I read at least once a week, are hereby added:

Tengrain’s Mock, Paper, Scissors

themethatisme conscientisation

The Fabulous PJ's pj’s pointless blog

Kirkepiscatiod

Blogula Rasa

Desert’s Child

The Gods Must Be Crazy

Ormonde Plater’s Through The Dust

Father Jones’ Anglican Centrist

Kirstin’s Barefoot and Laughing

AND DON'T FORGET: The World of Doorman-Priest
!

Padre says, "Check 'em out!"

This post has been visited by the Alter Guild

Proud To Be An 'Murican

Ya know, back in the '90's, we called this "Working Like A Jamaican© "In Living Color."

And while we're discussing idjits, how about THIS photo

www.seedsofdoubt.com



This post has been visited by the Alter Guild

Birthday Of The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Friday Red Mr. Peanut Bank and Gallito Mescalito Blogging

Red Mr. Peanut Bank Well, Gallito Mescalito. Christmas is over, the neighborhood lights are down, and before we know it, Lent will be here.
So strange, just a couple of weeks ago it was Christmas and now there is no sign of its presence at all.
Gallito Mescalito ¿Shriek? ¡SHRIEK!
Red Mr. Peanut Bank Oh my! You're right!



Gallito Mescalito ¡shriek!
Red Mr. Peanut Bank Yes, that's much better. I wonder if there are another decorations still about?


Gallito Mescalito ¡Shrieky shrieky shriek!
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love Hi boys!
Red Mr. Peanut Bank Well hello Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love! How are you?
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love I'm fine, thanks. You know, I'm sure there are some Christmas decorations around the house
Gallito Mescalito ¿Shriek?
Red Mr. Peanut Bank No, I think that backdrop was a fluke.
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love Well, let's go see.



Gallito Mescalito ¡SHRIEK!
Red Mr. Peanut Bank That's right. The tree was right here and now it's gone.
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love Well, I'm pretty sure there are still decorations or Christmasy things in the Family Room. Padre's too blind and self-absorbed to see them and the Lovely Mona is too busy with school work to notice them.
Gallito Mescalito ¡Shriek!
Red Mr. Peanut Bank Yes. Let's go check it out.



Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love Oh my! The Telly-tubbies are still in their Christmas Pageant costumes!
Gallito Mescalito ¡SHRIEK!
Telly Tubbies Jingo beyohs! Jingo beyohs! Jingo beyohs! Jingo beyohs!
Red Mr. Peanut Bank Now Telly Tubbies, Christmas is over. You need to take off those wings and stop singing Christmas carols.
Telly Tubbies Jingo beyohs not kismis song, it be wintah song! Not kismis, wintah!
Red Mr. Peanut Bank Well it's Summer time here, not winter, so no more winter songs or Christmas songs. You should really be working on your songs and dances and float for Carnaval.
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love That's right, tubbies; you should be working on your Carnaval act!
Telly Tubbies Caownabal! Caownabal! Big Hug!!!



Santa Claus Yikes! I hope they don't notice me. I don't want to go back into that box for another year! Maybe if I sit still they won't notice.
Gallito Mescalito, off camera ¡¡SSHHRRRRIIIEEEEEEKKKK!!
Santa Claus Oh, crap!



Gallito Mescalito ¡Shrieky shrieky shriek!
Santa Claus I know, but I thought if I sat here quietly I wouldn't have to go into that box. You know, one year I sat out here until April, when Padre finally noticed I was here.
Gallito Mescalito ¡SHRIEK!
Santa Claus Well, how do you know I don't have some great Carnaval moves?
Gallito Mescalito ¡SHRIEK!
Santa Claus Oh, okay. Crap!



Gallito Mescalito ¿Shriek?
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love Well, I guess it's a Lenten decoration. I really think Lenten decorations goes against the idea of Lent.
Gallito Mescalito ¡Shriek!
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love I think we should ask Red Mr. Peanut Bank



Gallito Mescalito ¿Shriek?
Red Mr. Peanut Bank Actually, I've never heard of such a thing. It seems to go against the idea of Lent.
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love That's what I told him. Actually, it looks like more of a Maundy Thursday decoration.
Gallito Mescalito ¡Shriek!
Red Mr. Peanut Bank No, Gallito Mescalito, there is no such thing as Holy Week decorations. In fact, we cover everything up that week. Get with the program!
Gallito Mescalito ¡SHRIEK!
Red Mr. Peanut Bank I think we should be working on our Carnaval routines.
Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love I agree. Come on, Gallito Mescalito. I'll teach you some steps I learned from Sandra Sandoval.
Gallito Mescalito ¿Shriek? ¡SHRIEK!



Señorita Chompita Wiggletail You know, folks, Red Mr. Peanut Bank and Miss Egyptian Hippo of Love are right; you have only eighteen days left to over indulge in everything you're thinking of denying yourself during Lent. AND you have a mere fourteen days to work out your Carnaval routines. So get movin'!!
Oh, and Gallito Mescalito and his "Lenten Decorations" idea is just nuts!

Well, you can't hit them all out of the park! There is a writer's strike, ya know!
The Lovely Mona wants to go on record as saying "Santa shouldn't say 'crap.' He should say 'ding-dang-dongy-dong' or 'Oh Blitzer!' but never 'crap!'"

Final Campamento Photos

So, Saturday was my final day, as I had to get back to Panamá for Sunday. I presided at the Eucharist in la Capilla and then the Lovely Mona arrived to take me home.


There are a lot of these spiny trees out by the Dining Hall. I have no idea what kind of trees they are.

Trees without thorns

The Altar in la Capilla

Counselors and Campistas from San Cristóbal with the Lovely Mona and Padre Mickey

Friday Random Top Ten

Ya pushes "shuffle" and ya takes yer chances....

1. Tubas In The Moonlight Bonzo Dog Do Dah Band
2. Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio? ¡RAMONES!
3. Cut My Hair The Who
4. When It Hurts So Bad Lauryn Hill
5. Chance Meeting Roxy Music
6. Third Eye Black Eyed Peas
7. Lord, I Trust Thee Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
8. Back In The U.S.S.R. The Beatles
9. 1921 The Who
10. I Believe The Buzzcocks

Well, that was a great start! I loves me that tuba solo. Two appearances by the Who, and both tracks are from Rock Operas or Concept Albums, whatever ya wantsta call 'em. What ever happened to Lauryn Hill? That album was about the only thing one heard that year! Good noisy guitar solo by Our Boy Phil in Chance Meeting. But nothing, nothing, tops I Believe.

The lyrics:

In these times of contention it's not my intention to make things plain
I'm looking through mirrors to catch the reflection that can't be mine
I'm losing control now I'll just have to slow down a thought or two
I can't feel the future and I'm not even certain that there is a past

I believe in the worker's revolution
And I believe in the final solution
I believe in
I believe in
I believe in the shape of things to come
And I believe in I'm not the only one
Yes I believe in
I believe in

When I poison my system I take thoughts and twist them into shapes
I'm reaching my nadir and I haven't an idea of what to do
I'm painting by numbers but can't find the colours that fill you in
I'm not even knowing if I'm coming or going if to end or begin

I believe in the immaculate conception
And I believe in the resurrection
And I believe in
I believe in
I believe in the elixir of youth
And I believe in the absolute truth
Yes I believe in
I believe in

There is no love in this world anymore
There is no love in this world anymore

I've fallen from favour while trying to savour experience
I'm seeing things clearly but it has quite nearly blown my mind
It's the aim of existence to offer resistance to the flow of time
Everything is and that is why it is will be the line

I believe in perpetual motion
And I believe in perfect devotion
I believe in
I believe in
I believe in the things I've never had
I believe in my Mum and my Dad
And I believe in
I believe in

There is no love in this world anymore
There is no love in this world anymore

I'm skippin' the pages of a book that takes ages for the foreword to end
Triangular cover concealing another aspect from view
My relative motion is just an illusion from stopping too fast
The essence of being these feelings I'm feeling I just want them to last

I believe in original sin
And I believe what I believe in
Yes I believe in
I believe in
I believe in the web of fate
And I believe in I'm going to be late
So I'll be leavin'
What I believe in

There is no love in this world anymore
There is no love in this world anymore
There is no love in this world anymore
There is no love in this world anymore
There is no love in this world anymore
There is no love in this world anymore
There is no love in this world anymore
There is no love in this world anymore

¡Verdad!

Feast of Anthony of Egypt, Abbot

St. Anthony was one of the first Christian monks and developed the monastic tradition in Christianity. What we know about him comes from The Life of St. Anthony by Athanasius, the Patriarch of Alexandria.

Anthony was born in the middle of the third century. around the year 251. to wealthy Christian parents. He had a younger sister. When he was twenty years-old his parents died and he and his sister inherited quite a lot of land. Anthony was a little troubled by this wealth and had been thinking about the Apostles and how they gave up everything to follow Jesus. Six months after his parents’ deaths he went to church and arrived as the gospel was being read. It was the story of the Rich Young Man, and he heard Jesus tell the young man “If you would be perfect, go sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.” Anthony took this gospel message seriously and actually went and gave most of his land to the villagers and sold his possessions, giving the money to the poor. Not long later, he heard the passage: “Do not be anxious about tomorrow” and sold the rest of his possessions, put his sister into a Christian Community of Dedicated Virgins, and went to the edge of the village to live the life of an anchorite. Anchorites were people who withdrew from the world to live solitary lives of silence, prayer, meditation and mortification. In those days anchorites lived along on the edges of towns. Much later, anchorites were closed into cells to spend their lives in prayer, and many times the cells were attached to churches. To live alone on the edge of the village was unusual, but Anthony later moved farther away from the village and lived in a tomb away from everyone. It was here that he had his first encounters with demons who would appear as wild beasts and beat him,
at times leaving him near death.


After fifteen years living on the edge of town in the tomb, he decided to withdraw completely, crossing the Nile and into the mountains where he found an abandoned fort. To live in the wilderness away from everyone, leaving civilization behind was like moving to the moon would be nowadays. He lived away from humanity, in the fort, for some twenty years. Pilgrims would come to see him but he avoided them. Some hermits came and lived in the caves around the fort, and eventually a community of hermits had developed, and they requested Anthony to come guide them in the spiritual life. He finally came out of seclusion around the year 305 and, according to Athanasius, people were amazed that he didn’t look any different than he had when he had left the village twenty years earlier, “vigorous in body and mind.” He worked with this colony which had formed around him, developing a spiritual community and developing a rule of life. He did this for about six years and then decided to withdraw again. This became a kind of cycle for Anthony; I don't know if he would just get fed-up with the people around him or if he was seeking a deeper experience of God, but he would live in community for a few years, then withdraw to the wilderness deeper and deeper each time, and, after several years of seclusion, return to civilization for a few years, eventually withdrawing once again. He withdrew to a mountain between the Red Sea and the Nile where a monastery in his name still stands. In the year 321 he came out of the desert and into Alexandria to help encourage and strengthen the martyrs of Maximinus’ persecution, and once again around the year 350 to preach against the Arians. According to Athanasius, Anthony was 105 years old when he died, and Jerome places his death around the year 357.

The form of monasticism developed by Anthony was dominant in Northern Egypt, while that of his disciple Pachomius was the form preferred in the South. He wasn’t a great organizer like Pachomius; he concentrated on getting a group of people living in separate caves and cells to work together. Athanasius describes the first monastery there in the mountains as follows:
Their cells like tents were filled with singing, fasting, praying, and working that they might give alms, and having love an peace with one another.

That’s what was most important to Anthony, that the brothers live together in love and unity, and not be fighting or in spiritual competition. Anthony took the gospel message seriously and lived a life which is a model for those called to solitary meditation. He didn’t want to draw attention to himself, and he had his burial place kept a secret so that it would not become a place of pilgrimage, remaining solitary in death just as he had in life.

Campamento Verano Part IV

I thought that you might be interested in these photos of what I call ciudades de las hormigas or "ant cities". These are the mounds in which the leaf-cutter ants live. When we first got to Panama, we lived in the former Canal Zone in the little town of Paraíso. We were down the street from the Canal and right next to the tropical forest. At first I loved seeing those leaf-cutter ants; it was like living in a National Geographic special. But once I tried to plant lettuce and tomatoes and some papaya and our little leaf-cutter friends carried them all off into the forest, well, I lost my fascination with the little devils. As you can see, we have three different ant cities at camp. Sometimes they climb on your feet and chew on your toes. Annoying, but not dangerous.



Ciudades de las Hormigas


So, the theme for the third day was "Mundo y Dilemas." We concentrated on actions and consequences and decision making. In the afternoon we were visited by a team who spoke with the youth about SIDA or AIDS. In the evening, we decided to hold chapel outside in a ranchito. Then, off to dinner.

After dinner was the Camp Party. I only stayed for part of it, as I had been told by the staff that the entire camp was going to get up early and watch the sunrise, followed by a Holy Eucharist in the chapel. I watched the dance contest at the party and then returned to my cabin to get some sleep. I heard the campistas returning to their cabins around 1:30 am. My alarm went off at 5:00 am, but I decided to stay in bed until I heard the bell, as I had my doubts about campistas watching the sunrise when they went to bed so late. I awoke again around 6:20 am, and there had been no bell. I saw Nelsito around 7:00 am, and he said the staff decided that the campistas would watch the sunrise the next day.

Here are the photos.



Charla de SIDA

This is Vamela. She is four years old. Her Mom and Uncle are the Camp Cooks. She asked me to take this photo. She is a very happy little girl. She likes to help me set-up the chapel for services. I also have to watch her every minute as she likes to take the camera out of its case.

Chapel in the Ranchito




Waiting to get into the Dining Hall. This evening one had to give the name of a person in the Bible to enter the Dining Hall. First I said "Methuselah" but they didn't know who he was, so I named Melchizidek. According to the menu, the dinner was "hamburguesas con papas fritas." They were not beef hamburgers; they were hamburguesa de pollo and hamburguesa de chorizo. Now, I don't mind chickenburgers, but a burger made of sausage was something new to me. I didn't die of a heart attack, so I guess they're okay.

Kids be eatin' hamburguesas de chorizo y pollo

Dish washers, take 1

Dish washers, take 2. The Young Lady requested a second take

LA FIESTA
Girls along one wall

Boys along another wall

Here is some mingling

Victor amuses the troops

Amigas

More boys along the wall

Dancin'!

The Dance Competition Contestants

Team 1

Team 2

Team 3

Team 4

Team 5

Team 6

And then Padre was off to a book and bed. Boring Old Fart!