I'm still alive

Happy February, folks. Sorry for the lack of blogging. I've had a quiet and uneventful 2008 so far - I just haven't had much to say lately.

Let's look at the good and the bad, shall we.

Bad news :-(

• The Maple Leafs are in the basement of the NHL standings.
• I'm not completely healthy (physically) - haven't been for 10 years.
  
• I still can't get a driver's license yet.

Good news :-)

• I live in an incredibly awesome country with the basic necessities of life.
• I got to see Kathy & Gonzo's little one recently.
• My job is going great (despite the 1 hour commute).
  
• I've got some incredibly awesome friends. (Like you, for instance.)
• God cared enough to save my bacon - and one day, I'll get to hang out with Him forever.
• Oh yeah ... and I'm alive (hence my blog title).
  

Gotta be content - all the time. I'll be honest - I'm still working on that, and I gotta quit complaining.

Sorry guys - I just wanted to "lay it all on the table," you know.

This is Andrew.
Over and out.

Catholic Encouragement

Today, I'm on the Midland bus, thinking that my problems are too immense. I will admit - there are times when I dwell more on the negatives than the positives.

Remember - I'm on the bus.

Cue in this message on the billboard of Jean Vanier Catholic School:

Remember that the problems ahead of you are

never as great as The Power above you

I pass by this school every day on the way to work.

God has perfect timing!

Time

The Trinity is often an incomprehensible reality that will be fully understood when we get to heaven. But (while we're still here), I want to bounce this idea off you guys. I heard once that we can untangle the Trinity by drawing some parallels with TIME.

Time has 3 unique components (or dimensions): past, present, and future. They all serve different roles. But they coexist to create the timeline. It's impossible to live without all three.

We can't live without the past - otherwise we wouldn't have any memory of what has already happened to us, and to the world; no opportunity to rejoice in our successes, learn from our failures, and make life-long friends. (For example, we can say, "I've been a Christian for 10 years" because we remember the past 10 years.)

We can't live without the present, because the present is ... NOW! If there is no "now", then what is the present?

And if there is no future, then there will be no present or no past. So whatever happens 10 minutes from now is the future. Exactly 10 minutes from now, it will be the present. 11 (or more) minutes from now, it will be past, since it has already occurred.

Past, present, and future - they are all measured the same way (seconds, minutes, etc.), but they each have their specific role! The Trinity is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - they all have the same divine attributes, but they exist as 3 distinct persons with unique roles.

By all means, let me know if my extrapolation of this analogy is any closer to connecting the dots on the Trinity.

Happy Thanksgiving

Hey friends,

Just want to wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving, and I thank God for each and every one of you because you're all terrific friends.

Have a great long weekend, and don't eat too much turkey (this coming from an Italian).

Baby Oil = No blood = AWESOME SHAVE!

Who says baby oil is just for babies?

It's often said that, "it's all about technique" when shaving. Well - to avoid all the nicks and cuts I get when shaving - I've recently attempted an peculiar technique ... shaving with baby oil. (This is advice I took from a fellow Italian buddy who experienced the same problem.)

I continue to use shaving cream on my face, but I soak my razor (the incredible Schick Quattro) in baby oil before using it. This seriously works magical wonders that a guy would never have thought possible.

Side Note: The Schick Quattro must have been invented by an Italian. (I don't have to translate "Quattro" for you guys, do I?)

Star Trek - I'VE GOT IT ALL!

For my birthday, I got the ENTIRE DVD SERIES of Star Trek, The Next Generation (TNG). There are 120 episodes in total. I also have all four TNG movies which contain the same cast of characters as the series - by far the most popular Star Trek crew!

This calls for a "Star Trek Night" at my house! Seriously, there are some episodes that I think non-Trekkie's would enjoy.

Anyone?

50 cents

Recently...

As I was leaving work, I stepped into the elevator and found 50 cents just sitting on the floor (with no one else inside). I took the 2 quarters and thought nothing more of it.

Until...

I was taking the Midland bus home ON THE SAME DAY, and a passenger (around my age) enters the bus and drops $2.25 into the fare box, not knowing the one-time fare is $2.75.

Do the math, my friends. The difference is 50 cents!! Apparently he had no more money on him. I just happened to be sitting at the front of the jam-packed bus when I heard the driver say to him, "You just wasted $2.25". Immediately, I thought of the 50 cents I had found earlier. So I gave the guy my 2 quarters to prevent any further altercation.

I love how God works.

Shortly after this incident, I was thinking of the popular chorus, "Blessed be Your name". The lyrics, "He gives and takes away" came to mind! I found 50 cents in an elevator ("He gives"), and then used that 50 cents to help someone else. ("...and takes away")