So, this trip to Arizona, Texas, and Oklahoma went rather well, but I was terribly exhausted from all the driving - 945 miles in one day, from Texas to Tucson.

In any case, the trip was fun, I've got about a hundred photos I could potentially put up, but I'll just give you the 85 good ones...

When I got back to my apartment last Sunday, I was too exhausted to actually do anything webby like, so I slept, which was good. The next several days were spent coding the latest web site project during the day, and studying for my Practical Liturgics course at night; the Practical Liturgics course was this past Thursday - Sunday, and involved many hours of sitting on a hard wooden pew at St. Michael's, which has helped to bring on a minor bit of exhaustion this morning. Still, I passed, and that makes me happy. Starting today, I can actually read things I want to read, and even watch TV without feeling like I'm slacking on my "duties."

Ok. 'nuff said. I'm going to catch up on every one else's blogs, and hope to have photos from the trip up soon.

Posted by Michael at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

So tomorrow, Stacia and I will be heading out of town for a while. Specifically, we're going to Texas, where I will get a chance to meet the grandparents. This'll be a good thing, since I need to get my approval rating. On the way there, we'll stop off at my sister's house and spend time with her for a night before beginning the 900 mile jaunt from Tucson to Vernon. While there, we'll also visit my friend Twilla, who lives just over the border in Oklahoma, so that Stacia can meet her. On the way home, we'll spend a whole day in Tucson with my sister before coming back to Los Angeles.

What this means to you, of course, is that there will be no blog entries for the next week. And since we know that I update every single day this could be a problem for some of you.

Right.

Anyway, I promise to have lots of photos to put up here soon.

Posted by Michael at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

This Sunday we celebrated the day of the fiftieth day after Easter, and the start of the season of Pentecost, which for the CEC is the longest season of the year. Seeing as how we are "Charismatic" in nature, it only makes sense that we would devote the largest amount of time each year to the working of the Holy Spirit in our midst.

The most important feast day in Christian thought is the Resurrection of our Lord, or Easter, at which God triumphed over evil and broke the bonds of sin forever by his rising from the dead. We celebrate this because this is what distinguishes our faith from all others - reconciliation with God (1 Cor. 15:17).

So why isn't Christmas, or Epiphany up there as the second best feast day?

Because at Pentecost, God cemented His covenant with His people, and set in motion the spreading of the Gospel to all Nations and Peoples; that's why it's often called the "Birthday" of the Church. The collects and all the readings assigned for Pentecost this year clearly show this change. Remember that the Apostles were pent-up and scared, hiding in a house in Jerusalem, just before they "were all with one accord." Then the Spirit comes upon them and BAM! Pent-upcost becomes Pentecost, and over 3000 people were baptized into the faith that day by the working of the Holy Spirit in men who were ready to accept the blessing of God's gift. Quick recap: on the day of Resurrection, God gives us life, and on the day of Pentecost, God livens us up.

I'd say that's a pretty good reason for it to be up there right after Easter.

Posted by Michael at 11:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

So today I went to Kelly Blue Book and looked up the trade-in, private party sales, and suggested retail values of my little Hyundai. I did this because I needed to find ways to save money. I've been carrying comprehensive coverage on my car, which means I have been paying about $1225/yr just to keep this car safe from the elements.

As it turns out, if I get the minimum requirements of what the state of California requires, my insurance premiums drop down to something ridiculous like $600/yr. However, if I get hit by an uninsured motorist, I get nothing. So I added on uninsured motorist, which covers up to $3500 worth of property damage to my car. According to Kelly Blue Book, my car ranges anywhere from $2525 to $4350 in value for what I would get from the insurance company. So, in other words, if I get hit by an uninsured motorist, my car gets paid for and I get medical coverage. If I hit someone, I cover their damage and medical. Needless to say, if I get hit by an insured motorist, I get paid for. And in the end, I pay only $738/yr. Sounds like a plan to me. What's even better is that at the end of the conversation, it turns out I owed only $8.25 on my policy, which I paid immediately, and now I owe nothing until September 26. That saves me a chunk of change over the next few months, since I was making payments of $155/mo.

Posted by Michael at 9:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Just so that you know I'm not red anymore...

Posted by Michael at 4:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)