Normalcy

The Way of the World

Easter Sunday marks the beginning of Eastertide, a period lasting 50 days and culminating in Pentecost (which occurs this year on May 15).

During the Easter celebrations, we are reminded many times of Jesus's statement that His kingdom is "not of this world" (John 18:36). It is a comforting thought, given the screwed-up state of the world in which we presently live...




For instance, asshat Donald Trump is threatening a lawsuit over the process by which the Louisiana GOP awards its delegates to the Republican National Convention, black-eyed skank Hillary Clinton is about to be questioned by Federal prosecutors over her illegal email shenanigans, a suicide bombing in Pakistan targeted Christians celebrating Easter, and (in a development that surprised maybe five or six people), Fidel Castro repaid President Obama's historic (and entirely too friendly) visit to Cuba by publishing a harsh criticism of Obama's speech. And that's just this morning's headlines.

Fortunately for me, I can still cheer myself up with some Easter candy for awhile yet...

"There isn't enough chocolate in the world to disguise how messed up you bipeds are."

No, there really isn't...

More Madness

I didn't write much about it because I was so focused on the Easter Triduum, but of course the NCAA Tournament's Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight games were played beginning last Thursday night and finishing up yesterday evening.




It wasn't a terrible weekend for the Catholic institutions that were still playing in the tournament. Gonzaga lost a close one to Syracuse in the Sweet 16, but since Syracuse made it to the Final Four there is no shame in that.

Notre Dame reached the Elite Eight, and gave No. 1 seed North Carolina a decent game, but eventually their lack of size did them in.

The best result, for me, was the Elite Eight game between Villanova and Kansas. The Wildcats prevailed 64-59, and the only thing sweeter than seeing a Catholic institution in the Final Four was watching them get there by beating No. 1 overall seed Kansas, the team I love to hate.

I made my coffee on Easter Sunday morning from Jayhawk tears, and it tasted great!

On the secular side, Iowa State lost their Sweet Sixteen game to Virginia, but they had a fine season and played to their seed, going 2-1 in the tournament. Great job, Cyclones!

"Why haven't you said anything about..."

I told you, I am not writing about your team again until their season concludes, which
it hasn't yet...in the meantime...

When Motivational Clichés Collide

From the droll comic strip Dilbert, by Scott Adams (currently on vacation), which you should read every day, as I do.

Until Next Time...

This week's Music Recommendation is the new album from my hero Joe Bonamassa.
It is his first album of new material since 2014's Different Shades of Blue, so fans like me have been eagerly awaiting its release.

As he did with that previous album, Joe went to Nashville and worked with songwriters there to come up with the new material. The album was recorded last summer during a break in Joe's hectic tour schedule.

The sound is what Joe himself describes as a "power quartet": guitar, bass, and two drummers. Quite a change of pace from his previous recordings, and one which lends the music a lot of punch.



I'm enjoying all of the new stuff, of course, but at the moment it looks like "No Good Place for the Lonely" is going to be my favorite track.

In a little over a month I'll have the opportunity to hear some of the new material live, as Joe will be appearing at the Holland Performing Arts Center in Omaha on May 4. Really looking forward to that, as it has been a couple of years since Joe visited my neck of the woods...

Today's send-off is the official video for "Drive," the first single release from the album (which is available as a free download here). Enjoy...