I couldn't remember what happened that I wanted to blog about so I had to pray to St. Anthony to help me find the thought, though it probably was a St. Jude case. Anwho, the incident came back to my conscious mind...from where, who knows? Yesterday at the nursing home I witnessed my first anointing of the sick while able to hear a polka being played on the radio nearby. We had gone to the lady's room and it was only until the anointing was half over that I realized that my mind's foot was taping along to the polka in the next room. I couldn't help but smile and continue enjoying the polka while the anointing concluded.

Posted by Big Mike at 11:14 PM CDT

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Mood:  happy

The long awaited sequel has now arrived. Well not just yet, but this Spring. The second installment to a trilogy based on a trilogy already shown in Japan. The Ring 2. Now for those of you who haven't heard of this ring, especially you girls, the movie is not about an engagement or a wedding ring. It is a suspenseful and scary movie. I liken its frightfulness to The Exorcist. It is nothing like a Freddy or Jason slasher movie. Check out its website and a trailer, the link is in the bottom left of the static.

http://www.ring2-themovie.com/

Furthermore, I am doubly stoked tonight , because I will soon watch the Japanese version of the first movie, Ringu...of course on DVD so it will have English subtitles.

Posted by Big Mike at 11:13 PM CDT

Updated: Monday, 25 October 2004 11:24 PM CDT

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I went last night to the movies and saw The Forgotten with my buddy Fr. Rodney. It was a wonderful movie that had us on the edge of our seat as it continually surprised us with sudden events that no one was expecting...you have to go see it to understand what I mean. After the movie, Fr. Rodney and I talked about our take on the movie. One of his observations stuck with me and even brought a new dimension to the movie. The movie is primarily about a lady who is looking for her missing son and though others say he never existed she knows he did. Fr. Rodney's commented that it was amazing that this movie slipped under the radar of Planned Parenthood, because of its pro-life aspects. I highly recommend going to see it!

Posted by Big Mike at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 25 October 2004 11:08 PM CDT

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Mood:  party time!

This weekend I went to the Bocktober Fest with a priest friend of mine--you've met him, Fr. Rodney from Midland--and my brother, Troy. It was a wonderful fun-filled afternoon and night. We met up with two friends of Fr. Rodney and mine, Kim Patek and Lisa Stock (sp?), both Shinerites now living in Victoria. Kim kept the "party" going as she tried to trip every single person that passed by her. Surprisingly, no one turned to hit her, but those that she actually succeeded in tripping turned and excused themselves for tripping over her as if it were their fault.

The afternoon did start off a little scary, because my name wasn't on the list. You see, I was one of the lucky people to receive a V.I.P. pass, which entitled me to access a special area where the beer ran FREEly and the dinner for that matter. We will get to this later in the story. When I got to the table where the V.I.P.'s checked in they informed me that my name wasn't on the list. I thought that my address may have been put as Shiner so I calmly told the gentleman that though my driver's license said Palacios, I was probably the Michael from Shiner. He replied that there was no Michael Rother on the list. Panic began to rush through my body; however, I had the presence of mind to think that my name may have been put under Fr. Bob's and quickly told them so. When they, evidently people not from Shiner, finally found his name under "Kn" not "N," my name wasn't there but there was a two next to his name meaning he had a guest...me. They asked where Fr. Bob was, which sent more panic through my body because he had already come and gone and we didn't know that I was "his guest." Lady luck did smile upon me though because they did remember him, how I don't know, and allowed me a coveted V.I.P. bracelet to adorn my wrist.

Now in the venue, I set out to find the rest of the gang not stopping for a free beer just yet, because what I thought was the beer line was too long. Finally, together and after all the "Oh, your special, Mr. V.I.P." comments we sat down to begin our afternoon of music, beer, fun, food, and fellowship. The music was at the perfect level that facilitated conversation as we listened. This changed when the band I think was the best came on stage. "Staind" rock the stage up and down with the speaker volume magically raised to a level to wake the dead who happened to be laying "at rest" a short two minute stroll away. Though the music was wonderful, we could no longer relax and joke with each other, we had to resort to yelling at each other...surprisingly I was not horse the next day.

Even if I did have a V.I.P. bracelet, I didn't want to appear snobbish so I minimized my trips to the "special area;" however, I did us it much of the night for the shorter port-a-potty lines. Every time I used my "water park bracelet" that said Shiner Bock on it, I would get a beer while I waited in line and then another to bring back to the group for a lucky friend. My first trip I also wanted to share my spoils with the rest of the group so I smuggled some brisket out for the guys to scarf down. I figured I may have the bracelet, but unlike Biblo and his precious ring, I was willing to share the powers and the benefits presented by my preciousss. The fest ended with a good time had by all as we watched the fireworks show from Kim's sister's van window as she drove us home safely.

Posted by Big Mike at 12:01 AM CDT

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Well today I started moving into my office. The office for our Coordinator of Religious Education was just finished and ready for her to move in (it lacked wiring up until last week). I immediately put up my computer so that I could have music/movies for the rest of the move. Yet, I am not left alone, because business is going on as usual and father or the secretary keep coming in and handing me stuff to look over that will help in desire to get a feel of running a parish. I just hope that the papers don't get lost on what was originally my desk and is now my catch all for stuff that I don't have a place for...yet. We will see how the rest of the move goes, but overall I am happy to finally be in a permanent place temporarily.

Posted by Big Mike at 12:01 AM CDT

Updated: Tuesday, 12 October 2004 11:46 AM CDT

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Sunday Night

As I was entering Shiner tonight while returning from playing basketball in Hallettsville with Fr. Bryan and some of his youth, I did pay close enough attention to the sign warning me of the speed limit reduction. I had my cruise control set at 65 (or there abouts) as I quickly approached the 55 speed limit sign. Out of sheer reaction and remembrance of a my warning (receive about a month back) my foot hit the breaks slowing me down to about 60 mph as I passed the sign. I quickly took a look in my rear view mirror and only saw a car quite a ways behind me. I didn't get much farther when I saw red and blue flashing lights in my rear view mirror. Disgusted, I slowed down and pulled over, while simultaneously griping that I couldn't believe my "luck"...this was happening again and I was only going about 5 over this time. I figured my one time warning had been given to me and that this time the officer was looking for a ticket. But to my pleasant surprise, the cruiser sped past me as I guided my truck onto the shoulder just one block from the church and home. Breathing a sigh of relief, I eased back onto the highway and turned toward the parking lot, thinking I had seen the last of the policeman.

But low-and-behold he reappeared just moments later with his lights flashing outside my office window; however, this time it was to pull someone over. I don't know the details of what is going down, but two cars are stopped, besides the police cruiser, on the street facing the church and another cruiser just pulled up. This second one looks to be a state trooper (black car). For those who haven't gotten it yet, I have purposefully changed to present tense because it is going on right now and every so often I sneak a peek but can't see jack squat but an officer every now and again walking back to his cruiser. I guess I will have to put my ear to the ground and listen to the gossip. You know...small town...people talk.

Posted by Big Mike at 11:50 PM CDT

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And you thought sandpaper for toilet paper was rough.
http://www.rock103.com/crew/pics/?pow=042704

The new kiddie ride at Six Flags, "Extreme Training Wheels"
http://www.rock103.com/crew/pics/?pow=092004

Posted by Big Mike at 4:38 PM CDT

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I have to give kudos to the Shiner High football team. Something that people don't see much anymore during funeral processions is people pulling over on the side of the road in reverence for the deceased and the family. The other day I helped father with a funeral for a parishioner whose family is from out of town. They promptly sent a thank you to the rectory which informed me of how the Shinerites have taken it a step further. The funeral procession from the church to the cemetery goes right by the football practice field, where upon seeing the procession, the football team stopped practice and took a knee until all cars passed by. This impressed me much, which is why I share it with you.

Posted by Big Mike at 12:01 AM CDT

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This morning I did something I never in a million years thought I, Michael John Rother of Palacios, would ever be doing. If you had told me back at the end of my high school years, as I was receiving the coveted "John Philip Sousa Award," I would not have believed you. Yet, I was asked, with no coersion on my part, to play band director for a morning for the two junior high and one high school band. I had the power, not the ear, but the power none the less. It was interesting being up on the conductors podium listening to the WHOLE band, something I had never done as a member. It was amazing the things you could hear. They would drag in spots or play the wrong thing and I could acutually pick it out. I even had the lingo of a band director, talking about breathing properly, warming up the instrument, watching the conductor. I even tried my hand at imagery to help the kids better picture what they were doing, or should be doing. I had a ball and think the kids may have learned something...there is an off chance that I was able to teach them something. The last thing that surprised me was that my nerves were calm overall will a slight sense of nervousness even once in a while. I guess the next venue for me to conduct in is Carnegie Hall.

Posted by Big Mike at 1:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 4 October 2004 5:46 PM CDT

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I had only one item of my weekend in College Station "set in stone" as they say. I was going to the 100th year celebration gala for St. Mary's Catholic Center. The place that deepened my faith and further opened my ears to God's call. I also had the esteemed pleasure of digging through the archives earlier this year to research St. Mary's rich history for an American Catholicism history paper. It was an enjoyable and educational 6 hours of digging. I was happy this weekend to be attending the gala in celebration of a place that had given me so much. An added bonus would be to see a "sister" of mine that I hadn't seen in almost the 5 years since I graduated, especially since she join the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (a.k.a the Nashville Dominicans since that is where the mother house is). The evening turned out to be very enjoyable as the great Msgr. Elmer (the first resident priest), a married couple, and Sis. Mary Rebecca (known previously as Grace) each gave a talk of their perception of St. Mary's and what it has meant to them.

The second thing I wanted to do was attend the game, but was unsure of how I was going to do it. I didn't have a ticket. However, like they say, trust in the Lord and he will provide. Low and behold, Saturday morning as Troy, Blaise, and I were returning from bike riding (the same trail as last time) my friend's parents called me to inform me of an extra ticket. The conversation went something like this...

"Howdy!" "Hello, Michael? This is Janet Piwonka. I don't know where you are right now, but we will have an extra ticket to the A&M game tonight." (At first, I was thinking she was going to say that the ticket was for the show in Houston, because I have been to the theater with them before. When she said A&M game, my heart leaped for joy. I WAS GOING TO THE GAME!) "As a matter of fact Mrs. Piwonka, I am in College Station as we speak, and would love to go to the game. I had actually hoped to."...

For those that didn't see the game on the channel famous for its football coverage, TBS, it was AWESOME. It was a great win for the Aggies and the defense is looking more like Wrecking Crew material, but will have to prove themselves further before I start calling them the Wrecking Crew again. The team looked good and we will see how they looked when the conference games start up, minus the Baylor game for obvious reasons.

P.S. If you want to see the promised pictures of my trip to College Station at the end of my CPE, the pictures are now posted with the story. Monday, 23 August.

Posted by Big Mike at 1:01 AM CDT

Updated: Monday, 4 October 2004 5:48 PM CDT

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