A brief note of update: I continue to work on my dissertation and, in my estimation, it is going well. In a few weeks, I'm going to the Lake District for a friend's birthday, so, you will have to wait for more pictures. And now, the real subject.
It can come as no surprise to most of you, but I really enjoy storytelling. Although I am not particularly talented at telling straightforward stories (at least of my own), I still enjoy telling them. When I was in seventh grade, we had a storytelling unit. And, despite the fact I hated public speaking, based on my recitation, my teacher suggested I join the speech team. I did not. But, as I have grown up, I have realized I've essentially become a storyteller. I'm sure I've said it before, but history is essentially stories. There is no absolute truth in the past but there is a greater truth that transcends fact. (I apologize, I'm slipping into my dissertation topic.) Historical stories tell us where we came from and who we are. But so do other stories--what is popular and what is not, when it is popular, and even how the stories are told.
Every form of media tells a story. Nothing tells "Just the facts, ma'am." (Which, interestingly enough, was not the phrasing from Dragnet, but is often attributed to Joe Friday.) Everything, essentially is a story. Even "facts," which I will admit exist, tell the story of the people who value them and "discover" them.
And, now, my point. Storytelling is fascinating. In true academic fashion, I will now illustrate with examples. My examples could easily come from history. But, as I find storytelling in new media complex in a different way, and historical narrative consumes much of my time, I will find new examples.
I started thinking about this topic earlier this week when I began watching Fraggle Rock. Fraggle Rock is a Jim Henson show from the 80's with Muppets. I had watched some episodes over last summer while babysitting. However, starting from the beginning brought to light more interesting ideas. Aside from the philosophical tangents some of the Fraggles engage in (Boober most notably), most of the characters reflect Western society. There are probably better written and more indepth ideas about this, but I want to give my thoughts. In the first episode, we are given a look at the composition of Fraggle society (and that of the Doozers and Gorgs). According to the Fraggles, their society is the best and Doozers exist solely for their benefit, without merit given to their existence. According to the Doozers, the Fraggles are, essentially, silly creatures.
What is your point you say. My point is, even in fictional children's television, societies value origin stories. They create an "Us" and a "Them"--where "Us" is better than "Them." The show tells stories that teach kids, and adults, something. But the lessons it teaches are unassuming.
A second example, from newer new media. Roughly two years ago, I was introduced to a YouTube series called "The Lizzie Bennet Diaries" (LBD). As you may suspect, this is a retelling of Pride and Prejudice. It is reimagined as a video blog (vlog) and many situations are translated to the 21st century. Some background: I first attempted reading Pride and Prejudice when I was 12; a year later, I actually completed it. Since then, it has been one of my favorites. Back to the recent past. The LBD captivated me. The characterization and the situations I could relate to. The creators aimed to tell the story in a new way--to appeal to a new audience. A second series, "Emma Approved," does the same thing with Emma. I disliked the book, although I've only read it once. But I find myself slightly more attached to this updated version.
I will admit, there is something that does not translate completely from the page to the screen, but we all know that. My point with this example is the flexibility of storytelling. As technology changes and time move swiftly on, stories that were engaging and captivating hundreds of years ago can still engage and captivate, even if they need tweaking.
A final example, to round out my study. I have taken up listening to MPR online as I fall asleep. Every Saturday, instead of "All Things Considered," I generally end up listening to at least part of "A Prairie Home Companion." Of course, I know about the program, and I appreciate "Lake Wobegon" but, as my parents are not overly fond of the program, I've never really listened to it. During my Easter Pilgrimage to the south this year, one of my friends mentioned having heard and enjoyed the program. I was astonished. Of course, people in the States know of Garrison Keillor, but a Scot? Strange. So we asked other members of our group. One of the chaplains had heard of the show, but no one else. Then, last night, when I was out with a few friends (one of whom was leaving today), another of the chaplains mentioned it. (This is the Catholic chaplain--at least until Autumn term starts.) He said he enjoyed it and, despite being Catholic, a Carmelite friar, and a priest, said he could happily be the Lutheran pastor there. And so, I learned the power of fictional Lake Wobegon and the stories about it to traverse the globe.
My British friends, and their knowledge of Keillor's show, have shown me the power a good storyteller has. Not a completely new point, but a significant one. Compelling stories, no matter their veracity, when told by a compelling teller, have no bounds.
And so, my dear friends, in my own convoluted way, we arrive back at my thesis: stories are fascinating. They may not provide "incontrovertible, testable, repeatable proof" that science may have, but they provide us something else. Something slightly more transcendental. And, as we continue to find new ways to tell stories, we will learn more about ourselves.
Some final notes:
1. Fraggle Rock has a lot of distressing stereotypes. It is truly a show of the 80s. However, that does not detract from the enjoyment it provides--although it can. How can a show with lines such as "I am a quivering collection of the worst and least helpful emotions" and "It takes a brave Fraggle to admit he's a worthless coward" not be entertaining?
2. For those of you interested: the LBD is available in may places now, but I found a playlist of all the videos relevant on YouTube. Simply search the name, and start at the beginning of the playlist with 160 videos. It is a bit a of a time commitment, although you can watching it twice a week at they originally aired, it will take about a year though. I rewatched it last weekend. It was great. "Emma Approved" is almost finished but is slightly shorter than the LBD. There is a tangent series to the LBD called "Welcome to Sanditon," which is not as good as the other two, but still enjoyable. Last note here, starting in August, the same company that makes/made those three series, in conjunction with a part of PBS, is starting a show called "Frankenstein, M.D."
3. Finally, the quote in my conclusion, is from a song called "I Love Science" by Hank Green. You can listen here. I quite enjoy it and thought I'd share.
I've finished now. I just wanted to share some of my thoughts, again. I hope summer is treating you all well!
Friday, July 25, 2014
Monday, July 14, 2014
July Update
Since the end of term, most of my time has been devoted to my dissertation, which is going well. The exhibition I helped research for my placement opened 28 June and it is amazing. I've been through it three times, partly because it's so good, partly because it is one of my case studies. I've also been back to Manchester and the Imperial War Museum North for more research. I have a draft due 1 August and, at this point, I have almost enough words--I'll see how many I have after I finish the boatload of editing that I have to do.
There's the work update. Now for the fun stuff!
Last weekend, the Tour de France had its Grand Départ in Yorkshire. The second day started in York proper. I went with some of my friends to see it relatively near the start. There was a parade before, so I got a parade just a couple days after the 4th. I also got the best free thing from the parade: special edition Yorkshire Tea (or as it says on the box: Thé). Those of you who don't drink tea or who've never had Yorkshire Tea, you won't understand. Do not fear, I'm sure I'll make some of you taste it eventually.
Yesterday (13 July), in addition to watching the World Cup final at a friends house with some of her family (same friend who I spent Christmas and Easter with). It was super fun and Germany won, which is always nice. Earlier in the day, after church, I went with her, her family, and some other friends to see the York Mystery Plays.
The Mystery Plays originated in Medieval times and are organized by the Guilds. There are historically many more than the 12 included yesterday. The plays are on wagons and depict various biblical scenes, interpreted by each group. The stories from yesterday are: Creation (days 1-5), the Fall, the Shepherd nativity bit, the Massacre of the Innocents, the Baptism of Jesus, the adulterous woman and the raising of Lazarus, the Entry to Jerusalem, Christ before Annas and Caiaphas, the Crucifixion and Death of Christ, the Harrowing of Hell, the Resurrection, and the Last Judgement. If you want to know more about the plays, here is the link.
And now, pictures!
The start of the parade, a Visit Yorkshire truck. Y for Yorkshire!
A float for juice. It was weird.
Yay for free tea!
Yes, that is a giant bottle of wine on top of a car.
And they're off! The first cyclists.
The middle of the peloton.
The support cars, each had multiple bikes and wheels on top. There are three in this picture and there were at least four times that.
The first of the Plays, Creation.
The Fall, featuring Adam, Eve, God, and Satan (the serpent was a hand puppet--it was great).
One of the shepherds and a sheep.
The beginning of the Massacre of the Innocents.
The baptism of Jesus.
The adulterous woman. Jesus is writing on the float.
Jesus' entry to Jerusalem.
Before Annas and Caiaphas.
The Crucifixion.
The Harrowing of Hell.
The Resurrection--featuring all the Marys, but no Jesus.
The Steampunk Last Judgement. I really enjoyed this one, although at this point we'd been there almost six hours.
A final picture: the Imperial War Museum North. I took this as I was returning to the tram station in MediaCity UK. It's a really cool building set on the quay system in Manchester.
Whew, that was a lot of pictures! I hope all of you are having fantastic summers!
There's the work update. Now for the fun stuff!
Last weekend, the Tour de France had its Grand Départ in Yorkshire. The second day started in York proper. I went with some of my friends to see it relatively near the start. There was a parade before, so I got a parade just a couple days after the 4th. I also got the best free thing from the parade: special edition Yorkshire Tea (or as it says on the box: Thé). Those of you who don't drink tea or who've never had Yorkshire Tea, you won't understand. Do not fear, I'm sure I'll make some of you taste it eventually.
Yesterday (13 July), in addition to watching the World Cup final at a friends house with some of her family (same friend who I spent Christmas and Easter with). It was super fun and Germany won, which is always nice. Earlier in the day, after church, I went with her, her family, and some other friends to see the York Mystery Plays.
The Mystery Plays originated in Medieval times and are organized by the Guilds. There are historically many more than the 12 included yesterday. The plays are on wagons and depict various biblical scenes, interpreted by each group. The stories from yesterday are: Creation (days 1-5), the Fall, the Shepherd nativity bit, the Massacre of the Innocents, the Baptism of Jesus, the adulterous woman and the raising of Lazarus, the Entry to Jerusalem, Christ before Annas and Caiaphas, the Crucifixion and Death of Christ, the Harrowing of Hell, the Resurrection, and the Last Judgement. If you want to know more about the plays, here is the link.
And now, pictures!
Whew, that was a lot of pictures! I hope all of you are having fantastic summers!
Sunday, June 22, 2014
A Bit of Spontaneity
I compose this blog as I sit, drying, recovering, from a spontaneous water fight at the last chaplaincy BBQ of the year. Today marks the start of the last week of the academic year here at York. All/most the undergrads are leaving this week for the year. Originally, we were only going to trow water at one of the CaSSoc presidents, but that did not last very long. So, most of us ended the year soaking wet. It was amazingly fun. And it is part of the reason I am now writing this.
Earlier in the afternoon, I was discussing blogging. I said that I probably wouldn't blog for a while because not much was going on. Just like the impromptu water fight, I decided to write a bit. I also decided to reflect a bit--motivated by the end of the year, the homily from mass, and another friend's blog. (It's called Trowels and Tribulations, and it is great.)
Today is the feast of Corpus Christi. The conclusion of today's homily had two parts. First, in Catholicism, religion and faith are not simply individual matters--me and my relationship with Jesus my saviour--they are communal concerns--either we all go together or we go not at all. This is an idea I love. The second part was on the nature of goodbyes. We never truly say goodbye forever, just goodbye for now. So, while I will inevitably be sad (as I am a bit now), I can be happy that I will see the people I've grown to love here again. Be that in a few months, a few years, or when neither (none?) of us are alive. (That got a bit out of hand, sorry.)
My friend's blog today was about history and the strange dichotomy between permanence and impermanence. Not to spoil it, but he's doing an archaeology dig in Israel--where stuff is really old. I've thought about the same issues that he talks about. How do we mentally handle living in places where there are things built hundreds (or thousands) of years ago, while we happily walk around with cell phones and iPods? Those societies, which are for many people (especially Americans), only accessible through books, though they can sometimes manifest themselves in physical traces. When we find them as physical things, must confront something, but I have never found a truly satisfying word for what it is. At some point, we will not be here, but some of our stuff will be. That's a strange thought, but it deserves to be thought about.
Transitions are painful. That will never change. On a personal level, leaving somewhere and starting something new is tough--it's a feeling that I've almost become accustomed to. On a societal level, transitions are no less painful but they take longer to occur. I am no longer confident I understand my point, so I'll concluded with one thought. The Disney movie "Meet the Robinsons" (which if you haven't seen, you need to) has a theme based on a Disney quote: "Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new thing, because we're curious... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." OK, I lied, two thoughts. A second Disney movie quote, from "The Incredibles," "I never look back, darling! It distracts from the now." And so, as we all move forward, let us not forget to live in the present.
Earlier in the afternoon, I was discussing blogging. I said that I probably wouldn't blog for a while because not much was going on. Just like the impromptu water fight, I decided to write a bit. I also decided to reflect a bit--motivated by the end of the year, the homily from mass, and another friend's blog. (It's called Trowels and Tribulations, and it is great.)
Today is the feast of Corpus Christi. The conclusion of today's homily had two parts. First, in Catholicism, religion and faith are not simply individual matters--me and my relationship with Jesus my saviour--they are communal concerns--either we all go together or we go not at all. This is an idea I love. The second part was on the nature of goodbyes. We never truly say goodbye forever, just goodbye for now. So, while I will inevitably be sad (as I am a bit now), I can be happy that I will see the people I've grown to love here again. Be that in a few months, a few years, or when neither (none?) of us are alive. (That got a bit out of hand, sorry.)
My friend's blog today was about history and the strange dichotomy between permanence and impermanence. Not to spoil it, but he's doing an archaeology dig in Israel--where stuff is really old. I've thought about the same issues that he talks about. How do we mentally handle living in places where there are things built hundreds (or thousands) of years ago, while we happily walk around with cell phones and iPods? Those societies, which are for many people (especially Americans), only accessible through books, though they can sometimes manifest themselves in physical traces. When we find them as physical things, must confront something, but I have never found a truly satisfying word for what it is. At some point, we will not be here, but some of our stuff will be. That's a strange thought, but it deserves to be thought about.
Transitions are painful. That will never change. On a personal level, leaving somewhere and starting something new is tough--it's a feeling that I've almost become accustomed to. On a societal level, transitions are no less painful but they take longer to occur. I am no longer confident I understand my point, so I'll concluded with one thought. The Disney movie "Meet the Robinsons" (which if you haven't seen, you need to) has a theme based on a Disney quote: "Around here, however, we don't look backwards for very long. We keep moving forward, opening up new doors and doing new thing, because we're curious... and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." OK, I lied, two thoughts. A second Disney movie quote, from "The Incredibles," "I never look back, darling! It distracts from the now." And so, as we all move forward, let us not forget to live in the present.
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Summer Week 8
Hello all! Happy June!
Since my last post, I've been been to Manchester, London, and the Yorkshire Dales. But before all of that (including pictures), a work update. My dissertation has been coming along, I might even go so far as to say nicely. I was in Manchester for research at the Imperial War Museum North. I've been doing a bit of writing and I've had a couple supervisor meetings. Before my next meeting in about 3 weeks, I have to send my supervisor a draft of what I have so far. Which means I get to spend the next week reading, writing, and sorting out what I have already written. It should be fun.
This past week has been a bit hectic. It started last Sunday with the graduation mass and BBQ. It was a lot of fun, but I got a bit sunburned. So I'm rocking a bit of a farmer's tan.
Then on Wednesday I went to London with some friends. We were supposed to be on the 8:56 am train, but that one got cancelled due to a fault on the train, so we ended up on the next one (roughly 9:30). Most of us ended up sitting in between the cars by the doors, luggage rack, and toilet. After we got to King's Cross and had a quick lunch, we went to the British Museum. (Basically, the world's largest collection of found and stolen stuff.) It was really cool. We saw pretty much everything and were looking at the gift shop when one of my friends and I realized we hadn't seen the Rosetta Stone or the Elgin Marbles (at the museum, they are the Parthenon Marbles). The rest of the group gave us 15 minutes to see them. Luckily, we found them immediately. They were really cool. After the British Museum, we went to the Science Museum. It was also cool, a few of us spent about half the time we were there in the children's section. By the time we left to go eat dinner, all 10 of us were suffering museum fatigue. We returned to York on a 9 pm train.
Thursday was the CaSSoc end of term/year meal. It was an occasion for some of us to dress up and go out to a fancy dinner. We started with a reception at the chaplaincy and then headed into town. One of the guys wore a top hat, which ended up being handed around so everyone could try it on.
Saturday, CaSSoc (a small group of us) went out to the Dales, near Middlesmoor, to visit one of the biology faculty's sheep. It's a special kind that is generally found in Cumbria. It was a lot of fun. I got to feed a couple and got a lot of pictures of the sheep and the Dales.
That's it for my incredibly busy week. Term ends for the undergrads in two weeks, so that'll be sad. But, now I've got some pictures to share.
This is from the top of the Minster tower on Ascension day (there was a service with free food after).
Again, town from the top of the Minster.
The British Museum!
The Rosetta Stone.
The Parthenon Marbles.
Stop being existential museum! I don't know who I am.
Me in the top hat at the end of the year meal.
Welcome to the Yorkshire Dales!
Baby sheep in a fence!
I fed a sheep! Actually, I just dropped the food this time. The second time I fed one, no one took a picture. And the third time, the picture I have doesn't have me in it.
That's all I have this week!
Since my last post, I've been been to Manchester, London, and the Yorkshire Dales. But before all of that (including pictures), a work update. My dissertation has been coming along, I might even go so far as to say nicely. I was in Manchester for research at the Imperial War Museum North. I've been doing a bit of writing and I've had a couple supervisor meetings. Before my next meeting in about 3 weeks, I have to send my supervisor a draft of what I have so far. Which means I get to spend the next week reading, writing, and sorting out what I have already written. It should be fun.
This past week has been a bit hectic. It started last Sunday with the graduation mass and BBQ. It was a lot of fun, but I got a bit sunburned. So I'm rocking a bit of a farmer's tan.
Then on Wednesday I went to London with some friends. We were supposed to be on the 8:56 am train, but that one got cancelled due to a fault on the train, so we ended up on the next one (roughly 9:30). Most of us ended up sitting in between the cars by the doors, luggage rack, and toilet. After we got to King's Cross and had a quick lunch, we went to the British Museum. (Basically, the world's largest collection of found and stolen stuff.) It was really cool. We saw pretty much everything and were looking at the gift shop when one of my friends and I realized we hadn't seen the Rosetta Stone or the Elgin Marbles (at the museum, they are the Parthenon Marbles). The rest of the group gave us 15 minutes to see them. Luckily, we found them immediately. They were really cool. After the British Museum, we went to the Science Museum. It was also cool, a few of us spent about half the time we were there in the children's section. By the time we left to go eat dinner, all 10 of us were suffering museum fatigue. We returned to York on a 9 pm train.
Thursday was the CaSSoc end of term/year meal. It was an occasion for some of us to dress up and go out to a fancy dinner. We started with a reception at the chaplaincy and then headed into town. One of the guys wore a top hat, which ended up being handed around so everyone could try it on.
Saturday, CaSSoc (a small group of us) went out to the Dales, near Middlesmoor, to visit one of the biology faculty's sheep. It's a special kind that is generally found in Cumbria. It was a lot of fun. I got to feed a couple and got a lot of pictures of the sheep and the Dales.
That's it for my incredibly busy week. Term ends for the undergrads in two weeks, so that'll be sad. But, now I've got some pictures to share.
That's all I have this week!
Sunday, May 25, 2014
BA + 1
This date (25 May) marks the one year anniversary of my graduation from Augie! Woohoo!
In the past year, I've, obviously, graduated from college and started (and am over half done with) a Master's degree. I can't believe it's been a year since I was at Augie. The time has passed swiftly. The four years I spend in SuFu were, for the most part, fantastic. I made awesome friends and learned a lot about academic stuff but also myself. I was exposed to people that I agreed with and people I didn't. I managed to live away from my parents. I was able to spend a spring break in Germany and a semester in Washington, D.C. I was shaped by amazing professors. Most of these experiences are common for American college students and thousands of us graduate every year.
But, as a personal accomplishment, graduating college is significant for every individual. It marks the culmination of, roughly, 17 years of work. It is also an accomplishment that many people (counting cumulatively) have never had the opportunity to do.
Augie was the best possible choice for me, just as York was the best choice this year.
And now, a few pictures!
Senior year Icepocalypse and the damage between East and the Commons.
The online announcement of MDFL honors and the title of my paper (although I ended up with a different title).
In the past year, I've, obviously, graduated from college and started (and am over half done with) a Master's degree. I can't believe it's been a year since I was at Augie. The time has passed swiftly. The four years I spend in SuFu were, for the most part, fantastic. I made awesome friends and learned a lot about academic stuff but also myself. I was exposed to people that I agreed with and people I didn't. I managed to live away from my parents. I was able to spend a spring break in Germany and a semester in Washington, D.C. I was shaped by amazing professors. Most of these experiences are common for American college students and thousands of us graduate every year.
But, as a personal accomplishment, graduating college is significant for every individual. It marks the culmination of, roughly, 17 years of work. It is also an accomplishment that many people (counting cumulatively) have never had the opportunity to do.
Augie was the best possible choice for me, just as York was the best choice this year.
And now, a few pictures!
From sophomore year, we have the time my flour-filled stress balloon popped all over my desk as I was studying for finals.
And finally, one of the final pictures I took at Augie. Ole in the beautiful sunshine.
That's all for this time folks! And remember, it's a GREAT day to be a Viking!
Thursday, May 15, 2014
Stories and Pictures
I debated writing this post about narratives. In the end, I decided not too, simply because I could not align my thoughts in a particularly coherent way. Most of the reading I've been doing recently has been about the construction of historical narratives, so stories and their functions have been on my mind. It is very interesting to think about and also important. Stories help us understand and order the world around us--they are necessary to society. That's about as far as I've gotten in my thinking (without going into the details of historical methodology, the meaning of truth, and the implications of multiple narratives).
Unfortunately, that also serves as my update to my life in York. I spend the vast majority of my time at the Catholic chaplaincy reading, taking notes, and doing a bit of writing about my reading. In all, it is nice but not exciting. In a few weeks I'm going to Manchester to visit the Imperial War Museum North for my dissertation, so I'm looking forward to that.
In honor of throwback Thursday, I'm going to post some of my favorite pictures (that are on this computer) and tell you why I like them!
This is a picture of my dad at the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland in 2010. In general, pictures of my father are hard to come by, and they generally have him looking rather blank. I like this one because it captures him in his natural habitat: somewhere pretty awesome with us and him behind a camera. It also has a bit of a meta feel to it.
This is another picture from Ireland in 2010, although I'm not sure where this is. I like how the hole in the stone work functions as a window to the landscape beyond. And, though the landscape would still be visible without the structure, it is made different by being framed.
This is the Lincoln Memorial and the Reflecting Pool in Washington, D.C. in 2010. I like this one because it has the reflection of Lincoln Memorial at sunset.
The statue in this picture is the Minnesota monument at Gettysburg. I took this when we were there in 2010. The sun and shadow reflect, I think, the nature of Gettysburg in general. It also is a bit artsy which is always cool.
The South Dakota Badlands--the best Badlands.
The sunset over the southern Minnesota farmlands.
The falls of Sioux Falls.
Another picture from the Mall in D.C., this time from 2012. I framed this one especially to get Jefferson in profile.
This is from our trip to New York for New Year's Eve 2012/2013. The building on the left (the full building, not the one blocked by the sign) is the site of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire in 1911. In one of my classes (titled The Clash of Class and Capital) we discussed the fire a lot. Seeing the building was one of the highlights of the trip. I went with my dad and as soon as we turned the corner, I knew which building it was. I know, I'm a history nerd. Whatever.
And, last but not least. My diploma from Augie. I'm approaching the one year anniversary of my graduation (reflections on which will be the topic of an upcoming post). Much hard work, effort, and time went into that sheet of paper, but what I got out of the experience was wonderful.
That's all this time dear friends! I hope everybody is having a wonderful spring!
Unfortunately, that also serves as my update to my life in York. I spend the vast majority of my time at the Catholic chaplaincy reading, taking notes, and doing a bit of writing about my reading. In all, it is nice but not exciting. In a few weeks I'm going to Manchester to visit the Imperial War Museum North for my dissertation, so I'm looking forward to that.
In honor of throwback Thursday, I'm going to post some of my favorite pictures (that are on this computer) and tell you why I like them!
That's all this time dear friends! I hope everybody is having a wonderful spring!
Thursday, April 24, 2014
End of Break/ Easter
Summer term has started friends, which means it's time for an update on the the rest of break. Most of the rest of break I spent working on an essay for my placement, mostly in the library. Super cool, I know. But, during Holy Week (aka, the last week of break) I spent most of my time either waiting to go to sleep, waiting to go to church, or in church.
For the first time in my life, I went to every Holy Week service--Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. For those of you counting, that added up to roughly 7 hours in actual service time. As my Scottish friend said, "the ultimate test of Catholic stamina". I enjoyed my week.
Here are some highlights. On Thursday, I helped wash feet (in the loosest definition possible). My friends and I were volunteered by the priest (it's not like we could say no). On Friday, I learned that Brits don't really understand how to zipper lines (possibly from the lack of driving). On Saturday, I went to Ampleforth Abbey (Benedictines) with my Scottish friend and her family for the Vigil. It was really cool and they sung some of the Old Testament readings, but they only did 5 of the 7. On Sunday, I spent most of the day with my Scottish friend's family and it was a lot of fun. (Spending both Christmas and Easter with family, although not my own, has been some of my favorite time during breaks.)
Now for the actual topic. After Mass on Thursday, we (the friends I went with and I) didn't leave immediately. We stayed and, well, I thought, but I'm not sure what they did. I realize that I could have been praying, but instead I thought about the nature of religion. This year has been really good for me to understand things about life I hadn't thought about. After attending Catholic school for 13 years and an ELCA affiliated school for 4, I thought I had the religion stuff covered. As happens, I was wrong.
So, Thursday evening, I returned to one of my ongoing trains of thought: the ridiculous idea of religion. There's part of me that distrusts organized religion--studying history has taught me much about the terrible things people have done in the name of religion and God. But another part of me thinks religion can be a force for good--again, a lesson from history. This is where Easter comes in. Christianity, when it started, wasn't the coolest thing around. So, why would people believe? If they knew they would suffer, why would they subject themselves to it? It seems, to me, to be almost crazy. For some people, I'm sure, this is why they believe. I don't know if that fully explains anything for me. It is troubling, for me, that the initial Christians could be "True Believers"-- not because of what they believed but because of the following 2,000 years of "True Believers" of all sorts. (A secondary topic, that like many things, is not very pleasant.)
So far, I've been dwelling on Christianity in general. Catholicism, I've realized, offers something else. Community, or as my 9th grade Church History teacher called it "koinonia", is central to Catholicism. I didn't really understand it until this year. My main social activity here is with the Catholic Students' Society. Without these people, I'd have no friends and be absolutely miserable. Because of the religion I was raised in, I was able to find people I could identify with and a place to go. Mass is said the same everywhere (in the vernacular, I know, but it's the same). So, while I was thinking about the nature of religion after Mass on Holy Thursday, I was sitting between two friends I wouldn't have met without religion, in a place I wouldn't be without the same people.
I'm not sure I had a point to all of this. But I do, in a way. I enjoy thinking about big ideas. It's why I like history. It's why I'm focusing on postmodernism for my dissertation. And that's the point. Big questions and ideas do not need answers.
This was long and moderately convoluted, so here's a picture. Its a "throwback Thursday" of me with my grandparents at my First Communion.
For the first time in my life, I went to every Holy Week service--Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, and Easter Sunday. For those of you counting, that added up to roughly 7 hours in actual service time. As my Scottish friend said, "the ultimate test of Catholic stamina". I enjoyed my week.
Here are some highlights. On Thursday, I helped wash feet (in the loosest definition possible). My friends and I were volunteered by the priest (it's not like we could say no). On Friday, I learned that Brits don't really understand how to zipper lines (possibly from the lack of driving). On Saturday, I went to Ampleforth Abbey (Benedictines) with my Scottish friend and her family for the Vigil. It was really cool and they sung some of the Old Testament readings, but they only did 5 of the 7. On Sunday, I spent most of the day with my Scottish friend's family and it was a lot of fun. (Spending both Christmas and Easter with family, although not my own, has been some of my favorite time during breaks.)
Now for the actual topic. After Mass on Thursday, we (the friends I went with and I) didn't leave immediately. We stayed and, well, I thought, but I'm not sure what they did. I realize that I could have been praying, but instead I thought about the nature of religion. This year has been really good for me to understand things about life I hadn't thought about. After attending Catholic school for 13 years and an ELCA affiliated school for 4, I thought I had the religion stuff covered. As happens, I was wrong.
So, Thursday evening, I returned to one of my ongoing trains of thought: the ridiculous idea of religion. There's part of me that distrusts organized religion--studying history has taught me much about the terrible things people have done in the name of religion and God. But another part of me thinks religion can be a force for good--again, a lesson from history. This is where Easter comes in. Christianity, when it started, wasn't the coolest thing around. So, why would people believe? If they knew they would suffer, why would they subject themselves to it? It seems, to me, to be almost crazy. For some people, I'm sure, this is why they believe. I don't know if that fully explains anything for me. It is troubling, for me, that the initial Christians could be "True Believers"-- not because of what they believed but because of the following 2,000 years of "True Believers" of all sorts. (A secondary topic, that like many things, is not very pleasant.)
So far, I've been dwelling on Christianity in general. Catholicism, I've realized, offers something else. Community, or as my 9th grade Church History teacher called it "koinonia", is central to Catholicism. I didn't really understand it until this year. My main social activity here is with the Catholic Students' Society. Without these people, I'd have no friends and be absolutely miserable. Because of the religion I was raised in, I was able to find people I could identify with and a place to go. Mass is said the same everywhere (in the vernacular, I know, but it's the same). So, while I was thinking about the nature of religion after Mass on Holy Thursday, I was sitting between two friends I wouldn't have met without religion, in a place I wouldn't be without the same people.
I'm not sure I had a point to all of this. But I do, in a way. I enjoy thinking about big ideas. It's why I like history. It's why I'm focusing on postmodernism for my dissertation. And that's the point. Big questions and ideas do not need answers.
This was long and moderately convoluted, so here's a picture. Its a "throwback Thursday" of me with my grandparents at my First Communion.
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