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

Christmas Cards-Bethlehem

Bethlehem, CT Post Office.

Saturday December 14, 2013.

Like so many times in the past, I went to Bethlehem today to mail my Christmas cards.  This year I went alone. I think Richard was apprehensive about going because of the weather forecast: Winter Storm Warning! (and it did snow a bit this morning but the worst came later, at evening and during the night). 

I have been mailing my Christmas cards from Bethlehem since I don't know when (one of these days I will have to actually check my files and try to figure it out)-I think it has been every since I moved to Connecticut. I like posting them from Bethlehem because I hope it reminds people of what Christmas is really supposed to be about. I wonder how many people notice that my cards are postmarked from Bethlehem?

Each year they have a new cachet. This year's (#77) features 26 angels in the shape of a tree to honor the victims of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in nearby Newtown, Connecticut.

I also like to use the "religious" postage stamp (usually a madonna & child) to further remind people of the "true" meaning of Christmas. This year's stamp features Jan Gossaert's 1531 painting "Virgin and Child." Draped in purple and blue, the Virgin Mary supports her own head by leaning on one of her hands, an unusual pose that art historians see as a sign of sadness and contemplation. In her other hand, a curly-haired infant Jesus draped in white holds a bunch of red currants, which scholars believe are meant to foreshadow his future suffering. Gossaert's painting is currently in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. 

Every year I struggle with finding an appropriate card.  Recently so many cards are printed in China. (I won't purchase any Chinese cards because they are produced using "slave" labor plus production in China has eliminated decent paying middle-class jobs here in the USA. I don't know how anyone can morally purchase Chinese products when USA produced items are available.).

This year I tried cards designed and made by the local Catholic Worker organization. There were two (2) designs:

No Room at the Inn.

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him.

Because there was nothing inside the cards, I added an image I found on the website of the nearby Abbey of Regina Laudis (Bethlehem, CT). I went twice before Christmas to try to purchase cards made by the Abbey but each time there were nun (pun intended).

Our Lady of the Red Dress.

Addendum (1/1/2014):  As has been my practice for several years, I included a "Annual Highlight" report in most of my cards. I sent to all family members and some friends. This year I did not include a "secret message" because...frankly, I forget in the rush to complete (plus I wasn't feeling good when I was finishing up).

2013 Highlights

Links:

http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2012/12/journey-to-bethlehem.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bethlehem
http://www.clevelandart.org/art/1972.47
http://hartfordcatholicworker.org/

http://abbeyofreginalaudis.org/

IMAGINE PEACE - Remember Love

Today (December 8th) is the anniversary of the murder of John Lennon in New York City. John Lennon was one of my heroes when I was growing up. During high school (and a bit before and after) I was infatuated with all things Beatles.  While I enjoyed Paul McCartney's music more so than Lennon's, I was very influenced and inspired by John's activism, his honesty, and his struggle to find his place in the world.

John was very vocal and challenging for peace: "War is Over If You Want It!" "Give Peace a Chance." He also promoted Love: "All You Need Is Love." And despite some very public failings, he worked at his relationship with his wife, Yoko Ono, as well as promoting fatherhood.  He was not shy about admitting his sins; he was certainly not perfect.

He challenged us to discard the deification of idols (e.g., The Beatles, Lennon, Christ, Buddha, Pope, Priests, etc.) and instead to focus on the good things and work to make them a reality. Imagine.

In 1980, I was in college. The evening of Monday December 8th found me at home working on homework for chemistry lab or something. I don't remember how I heard the news, if someone called, or someone saw it reported on TV. It was late and there was little news at first. But by Tuesday morning, it was clear: John Lennon was dead!

I remember going to a candlelight vigil downtown in Public Square later that week (Tuesday?).  At the time, I worked at a record store in Parma. We sold so many copies of John&Yoko's latest album, Double Fantasy. Some stores were selling it at full price in order to maximize their profit but our store manager refused to profit over such a tragedy-we sold it at regular price.

Double Fantasy was the first album by Lennon after a 5-year hiatus as "house husband." The album was preceded by a single, "(Just Like) Starting Over" on the A-side and Yoko's "Kiss Kiss Kiss" on the B-side. Everyone at RecordRev was quite disappointed when we first heard "Starting Over." 1980 was the height of punk rock and Yoko's song seemed more in touch with the energy of punk. "Starting Over", on the other hand, sounded like a throw away version of an old rock-n-roll riff, pleasant but nothing to really grab ya.

With the death of Lennon, came the end of our hopes for the Beatles to reunite. They were the messiahs of our generation and there was so much hope that things would get better if they would reunite and capture the magic and energy of the 1960s. Now, with the death of Lennon, we were faced with having to take the responsibility on ourselves.

RIP John Lennon.

"Remember Love" is the Yoko song on the flip side of Lennon's "Give Peace A Chance" single.

Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_John_Lennon
http://www.johnlennon.com/biography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/All_You_Need_Is_Love
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_Fantasy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXwodT5ANis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Give_Peace_a_Chance
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJWLHq5CzE4