Tour of Homes

On Saturday I went on a Tour of Homes to benefit the Evansville Philharmonic. The tour focused on the Lincolnshire area of town. Most of the homes had the same style of Tudoresque architecture I think it was the interior design that really set the homes apart.
The tour also included St. Benedict's Cathedral and rectory as well as a high school and the Islamic center. I think the Islamic center was included mainly to help inform the community about what Muslims believe. I don't think I'd be wrong in saying that most Evansvillians are quite ignorant about the religion and are ok with that.
I was in a group with some older ladies who really tried to seem interested in what the guide was saying. He showed us the prayer positions and the Koran and which way Mecca was. He did say that if you prayed at the center you got "27 extra credit points as a Muslim for doing so." I think that was the amount of EC but it might've been some other unexpected number.
At first, I thought the number was supposed to be a joke to help us relate to the importance of praying with other Muslims. So I chuckled politely. In hindsight, I'm not sure if it was a joke though. No one else laughed.

Darkness

In the ISS department downstairs (they refer to it as the "lower level" but those above ground know it as the "basement.") they have no overhead lights. You walk down and each little cubicle has a desk lamp and a working computer, but thats it. I wondered if the upper management was trying to give them a hint, but no, just a power outtage.
One employee has a large cutout moon and stars hanging from the ceiling above her cube and I enjoyed the irony.
I always get confused about irony. Is that irony? Is having the last name Stoner and being an ardent anti-drug advocate irony? I do know that ironical is not a word. Of this, I am certain.
On a completely different note, the tax refund came through yesterday. So now the house insurance, my trip to Colorado, and lots of Dark Lord will be paid for. wooooohoooooo!

You Know Things Are Bad When....

You start entertaining the idea of maybe, possibly injuring yourself to avoid the exhausting boredom that is another day at my job. As in, oops, I twisted my ankle on the way to the copier.

Brewgrill.com

I'm really excited to be testing recipes for brewgrill. Definitely check out the site and maybe a marinade, too.
Last Friday I was in the car with Craig (little brother from Big Bros/Big Sis) and he asks how they pick a new pope. I knew it has to do with the cardinals choosing but had no idea it was such a secretive process. Very interesting.
www.catholic-pages.com/pope/election.asp

The Pope

I know why there is such sadness about the Pope dying. As a non-Catholic, I am saddened by others' grief, and wonder what His Holiness feels about nearing the end of his time on earth. I imagine that getting to be with God in the closest proximity possible would be extremely exciting. I also imagine that there would be a feeling of nervousness, after all he is aware of his humanity. I wonder if, being the Pope and all, the burden to communicate God's messages becomes frustrating.

When I first started thinking about this topic, the was no doubt that the Pope is closer to God than anyone else. But does being the spiritual leader of over 1 billion people automatically mean that? I'm sure many people would like to think that. The thought is very comforting, after all. Are there levels of being close to God that come with obedience and living according to His will?

When I think of spiritual leaders, I think of my Grandma and Pastor Randy. They seem to have a peace that surpasses understanding.

Something else I was thinking about was the gift of prophecy. I've never been taught about that subject. Is it a gift that one might have but would ignore unless you were raised in a Pentacostal church?
I got to thinking about this because of my Wednesday night visit to a Foursquare church. The guest speaker said he didn't believe that Mary was a virgin. But thats not part of church doctrine, according to foursquare.org

I'm kind of rambling, but its fun. :)