Merry Christmas!

Celebrating Christmas in a grand style, internationally acclaimed sand artist, Sudarsan Pattnaik, has erected a 35 feet high sand sculpture of Jesus Christ in the scenic beach of Puri, Odisha, India expecting to set a new world record.

The 75 feet wide sculpture of Jesus was made in just 3 days before the Christmas Eve using at least 1000 tons of sand in. Pattnaik was assisted by 25 students in his project.

Pattnaik, who holds seven other records in sand art, said that he had approached the Limca Book of Records this time to break his own record of making 22 feet tall sculpture of Jesus in 2011.

“This is our attempt for creating the eighth world record and hence we requested Limca Book of Records to make a note of it. The existing record was of a 22 feet tall Jesus, but we crafted a 35 feet high sand Jesus, this time. Tourists can see the world’s biggest sand Jesus here at Puri Beach during Christmas,” he said.

Meanwhile, tourists from across the world thronged the beach for a glimpse of the marvelous structure.

A European tourist, Annie James, said that she had seen nothing of this sort ever before, anywhere in the world.

“I have never seen anything like it in my life, anywhere in the world. It’s really special. Puri has a tremendous piece of art here in the beach and I understand that it is something for which Puri is very famous for. So it’s wonderful to see this, a tremendous piece of sculpture here in the beach during Christmas holiday celebrations,” she said.

This was Pattnaik’s gift to the tourists visiting Puri during the ongoing Christmas holidays.

Many westerners and people from the hills and northern India visit Puri at this time of the year as temperatures remain pleasant here.

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sudarshan_Pattnaik
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puri
http://www.limcabookofrecords.in/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puri_Beach
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas

'Twas the night before....

Christmas tree at the office building.

'Twas the night before Christmas...3 years ago that I started this blog. I was inspired by blogs by a nephew and niece. In addition to documenting highlights of what was happening in my life I hoped to increase communication with members of my family: siblings, parents, children, uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends. In that sense it was a HUGE failure.

Obviously no one cares. And that is a symptom of what is wrong with our society today. No one cares about anyone else. Everyone is too busy with their own life. You're on your own.  Even my nephew and niece got tired of blogging and stopped. What's the point about trumpeting how holy you are if no one is paying attention (except a skeptic old relative).

You might think there would be a difference between those who call themselves Christians and those who could care less about God or religion. Nope. I guess all that stuff about loving your neighbor doesn't include taking a few moments on the web to see what is going on (unless it's Facebook). I guess the Christians don't realize (or care about) the kind of witness they are presenting. That only demonstrates the depth of their Christianity (no diving allowed). So it's not surprising at the state of things today. Was that an iceberg we just hit?

Thanks to those who have checked out this blog (once in a while at least). I'll keep pedaling on. Your apathy is not a roadblock to my trek.

12/29/2013 Addendum:  This year I sent over 50 Christmas cards but as of yesterday (Saturday 12/28, 3 days after xmas) only received 13 (!). Thanks for your consideration.

This lack of response is crushingly depressing. It is a heartless act that witnesses to the selfishness and inconsideration of our society today. It is particularly disappointing that so many family members have stopped the common courtesy of sharing at least an annual card/greeting.  The message I am receiving from this noncommunication is that I am not worthy of their time. If we have such a lack of respect and decency for our family, than what does the future for our country hold?

Out of 11 siblings and my mom, I only received 3 cards. I fared a bit better with uncles and aunts, hearing from 3 of the 4 sets (the "missing" set always sends a card with a hand written note in January). My uncle who was my confirmation sponsor disappeared from my life a couple years ago when he suddenly divorced my aunt.

Out of all my cousins, I heard from one.  Out of my adult nephews and nieces, I heard from none (these are the good RCs). Out of Lynn's family, I got 1 card.

Most of the cards I sent are unchanged from previous years. This is the 2nd year I have been at this address too. Technology is no excuse. F(acebook) you!

I did receive an email from one of my brothers but it would be something of a stretch to call it Christmas greetings. One of my sisters (who did not send a card) did call me Christmas night. But that's it.

I realize I am whining about this (and no one obviously cares). Christmas-time has long been a frustrating time for me due to the overwhelming greed, materialism, and consumerism.  My stubborn German genes will likely propel me to continue sending annual cards in the future in hopes of preserving a sense of family. Apparently, this is a value that no longer has much currency. What is the matter with us? May God have mercy on us.

Links:
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2010/12/birthing.html
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-cards-bethlehem.html

The Hound

Richard was quite involved with this play from start to finish. He got involved in the striking the set from the previous play and stayed on to help with construction of the set for this one (if you look at the pictures from the theater website, he takes credit for painting a lot of the design on the floor). He received two credits in the program for Scenic Crew and Back Stage Crew.  During the show his responsibilities involved prop management and assisting the actors with costume changes (in the blink of an eye).

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most celebrated Sherlock Holmes story gets a gloriously funny makeover in “The Hound of the Baskervilles.” When Sir Charles Baskerville is found dead on his estate with a look of terror still etched on his face and the paw prints of a gigantic hound beside his body, the great detective Sherlock Holmes is summoned from Baker Street with Dr. Watson in tow to unravel the mysteries surrounding his death and investigate the ancient curse of the Hound of the Baskervilles.  Three (3) male actors play all the characters.

I ended up seeing the play the evening of Saturday 12/14/2013. Because the play was scheduled during the middle of a winter storm warning, only about 30-some people showed up. Fortunately, I got a comp ticket. The show must go on.

The show ran from December 4th through the 22nd, Wednesday through Sunday. Did I mention this was volunteer work for Richard?

Links:
http://www.playhouseonpark.org/pop/20132014Season/mainstageseries_hound.html

written W01/01/2014