Catholicism, Wow!

While I don't feel that going to church every Sunday is enough to make one a good person, I do feel like less of a good person for having not been to church in a long time. While it can't make up for months of absence, I had told myself that I was going to go to church on Easter Sunday no matter what. I told my family I was going to go, and they told me to have fun but that nobody else would be going with me. I was fine with that, having been to church by myself before. It wasn't the ideal, but I was still going to go.

Well, while out with The Captain last night, he convinced me to join his family at Mass this morning. He said that after sticking with my abdication from pop through Lent, I might as well finish it going to a Catholic church for Easter. I was game, and so this morning I went to my first Mass.

In many respects, it really was not that different from a Protestant service. The building was very similar to my own church, the most notable differences being the holy water and pews. Some of the hymns were most likely being sung at the same time just down the street at my church, and many of the responses were the same. That is, until we got to Communion.

Not being baptized or confirmed in the Catholic Church, I knew I'd be sitting the actual sacrament out. But even knowing that, it was a bit overwhelming to see everyone around me quoting the long and numerous responses during the Eucharist. So I sat there, watching a few others doing the same.

I may or may not actually be a better person for going this morning, but I still feel good for having gone. I had not realized that Easter marks the first day of the new year for the Church, but I can understand why. There seems to be a renewed sense of hope and possibility in the air, and I thank God for that.

The (latest) one that got away...

I got out of work at 9:00 Saturday night, and found a voicemail from my brother waiting for me. Having kicked off the festivities earlier in the evening, he was calling to tell me he was having a party at his house in East Lansing. Not having anything to do that night, or the next day, I figured I might as well just hop in the car and go.

As far as house parties go, it was a good show. Not too many random undesirables that you feel crowded, but more than enough people to make things worthwhile. In addition to my brother I chatted with a few other guys I knew, and it was a good time. At some point, as more people showed up, I somehow managed to strike up a conversation with a stunning girl who had caught my attention the moment she arrived. I had just started my third Guinness, which I guess is just enough to get me loosened up without yet hinting at the unfortunate specter of Drunk Brad.

Right off the bat it becomes known that this girl is an alumnus as well, and so I feel absolutely no trepidation about flirting with her. I was able to keep her engaged without saying anything stupid, doing anything awkward, and did not otherwise bore her or embarrass myself. I even have independent confirmation that she did, in fact, seem interested in me.

And just as suddenly and inexplicably as our conversation began, it ended. The police had made a brief appearance outside, the keg ran out, and apparently the group she came with was moving on to greener pastures. Just as I realized she was leaving, she was already gone. Did I have a chance and miss it? Was the opportunity never really there? Did I miss my cue to formally propose a one night stand? How does one negotiate "going somewhere more private" when you don't have a place of your own to go?

Comments?
- Malis, stop snickering.
- Jon, play 6 degrees and figure out who that girl was.
- Watergirl, as the only female who I know reads this blog, your perspective is always appreciated.

Change of Plans

The future seems so much easier when it's in front of you instead of all around you. During my student teaching, I thought I'd just fall into a job at Saline High School. I was liked there, another social studies teacher was retiring, and they were opening a new school in the fall. It seemed easy. After I graduated, I fell into a long term substitute gig at Plymouth High School, which again promised me there would be openings in the fall. I had two schools all lined up, and I wasn't worried. Sure, I still sent out a resume here and there, but I didn't expect any trouble.

Come the end of August, my phone wasn't ringing. All those throw-away applications I had sent out just in case became all the hope I had to cling to, and that eventually faded. Which brought me back home, to the life you all have read about here for many months.

I did not send any resumes out of state last summer. I wanted to stay in Michigan, and I refused to entertain other possibilities. After accepting the reality of Michigan's economy, I started to allow for the possibility of moving to another state to enter my plans. Taking a look at the map, I picked a few states that I thought I would feel at home in, and starting looking towards them for the fall.

And now, the focus has shifted again.

With The Captain taking a job in a suburb about an hour south of Chicago, I am now hoping to be a resident of Illinois in a few months. It's got all the Midwestern charm that I love. It's got about a dozen schools within spitting distance. I'd have a roommate to help (well, it's more like I'd be helping him) cut down on the cost of living, and to stave off isolation and boredom.

What does the future hold? If all goes well, a teaching job in DuPage County, Illinois. I've got paperwork being processed by the State of Illinois, and a job fair down there to look forward to in a few weeks. Tomorrow I'm picking up a copy of the Chicago Tribune because it's supposed to have their annual Educator Job section in it.

I won't take things so lightly this time around. If you're a principal within 100 miles of Lilse, IL, expect a letter from me. Maybe two. And a phone call. Maybe a fax. E-mail. Carrier pigeon. Singing telegram. Skywriting. And my personal favorite, a horse's head in your bed.

Dressin' Sharp

I love wearing a suit.

West Ottawa's in-house job fair was this Saturday, and such on occasion warrants wearing my suit. I don't get a chance to wear it that often, but I wish I did. Aside from looking professional and all that, I just feel more confident while I'm wearing it. With all the job fairs coming up in April, I should get some more chances to do so. If I had a picture, I'd post it up here. But trust me when I say, I clean up good.

Did I Miss Something?

So, after all the months of people talking about how great Napoleon Dynamite is, I finally got a hold of it watched it.

What a piece of shit.

I can't stand to even look at the guy who plays Napoleon. I hated every single one of the actors in the movie. I wanted to stop watching after about half an hour, but suffered through it. I want that hour and 35 minutes of my life back.

If someone can please explain to me what it was I was supposed to appreciate about this movie, please let me know.