Saturday we headed up to Cleveland for my friend Bob's wedding. The ceremony was a Catholic one, so it was rather lengthy, but the experience was interesting. I'm interested in Catholics in the same way I'm interested in the occult or paranormal. Bob held that big goofy grin of his for the duration. There wasn't a happier person in the room besides Lynn, who was also ear-to-ear. They were meant to be.
The reception was held later that evening at the Donauschwaben German Cultural Center. The place was huge, but the guests adequately filled it. They have a ton of friends and family between the two of them. I was happy to finally introduce Bob to Danielle. We are so much alike, he and I. The DJ was crazy and hilarious. He had props for every music theme, ie. cowboy hats for country, white feather boas with blinking lights, jackets for Grease--and he went around the dancefloor passing them out as he went. I'd really like to get his info so I can book him for my own big day. There was an open bar, chicken cordon bleu and roast beef for dinner, streudel and excellent wedding cake for dessert. The whole event was fantastic. Congratulations Bob & Lynn!
On Sunday, we went to Crocker Park in Westlake. Man, that place is awesome. I'd have to use words like eloquent, intricate, immaculate, and extravagant to describe it. I mean, I've seen quite a few malls in my travels, but this one was whoa. Everything was shining, sparkling, bright, and colorful. Every inch of the place was detailed. I'm talking about down to the grout between the tiles in the men's bathroom--and that's not an exaggeration. There were giant planters with colorful plants every few feet, the buildings were embossed and decorated tastefully... ok, you get the picture. My two favorite stops were at Urban Outfitters and The Cheesecake Factory. First time in both of those, and I'd go back in a heartbeat if gas wasn't so expensive.
Oh, yeah, and there's that school thing.
I got this at Urban Outfitters:
Yes, it is a penguin-shaped stainless steel cocktail shaker, and yes, it is awesome. I know you're jealous.
-w00t-
2 comments:
Interested in Catholics in the same way as the occult or the paranormal? Ouch. I suppose I should be offended in some way, though I can understand the perspective. I suppose I'm interested in people in general in the same way as a scientist who studies animals.
First, let me say this:
perhaps I did bait the post's phrasing subconsciously to invoke a response.
Now that that's over with, no offense was meant. I probably know alot less than I think about Catholicism. My interest comes mainly from books and movies (ie. End of Days, Ninth Gate, Emily Rose, etc.) I like to read about ceremonies and rituals, and think about the psychological effects they have on the participants and/or "audience". It seems to me that the Catholic archetype is very superstitious and brings the ultimate battles of good and evil down to earth.
I have always found the idea of saints and and religious artifacts to bear the trademarks of myth and legend. Yeah, they're fun to make movies about and write about, but believe in them? People get caught up in all the drama, and forget about the true tenants of Christianity.
I mean, the symbols of Catholicism, as far as I can tell, are the crucifix with Jesus nailed to it, and the Virgin Mary. Ummm... you guys do know he is risen, right? Try concentrating on his life and teachings instead of his death. He sacrificed himself to ensure his teachings lived on--in that way, he died for our sins. We study them so that we might know Him. And the Virgin Mary? She was Jesus' mom. She was a means for him to be brought into this world. So why hang pictures of her all over the place? Why pray to her? God was her protector, and He is ours. Stop worshipping the Virgin Mary and the crucifix.
I remember reading about a supposed piece of the "True Cross" being sold on eBay for like $1,000. Even if it was a piece of the cross, do you really believe it holds some kind of power? Alot of people worship these talismans in the same ways that people worship money (or the golden calf?) And what is this about? "...the Roman Catholic Church allows the sale of relics as long as it's clear that the container is for sale and the relic is a 'gift.'"
I've even heard that a piece of a saint is buried beneath every church that bears his/her name. Seriously. Who goes around chopping up saints and spreading their body parts all over the globe? I mean, saints are supposed to have done great things with their lives, right? I'd think that if anyone deserves a proper burial, it'd be them.
</soapbox>
Please correct me if I'm wrong.
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