Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A Very Busy Year and the Start of Lent

It has been more than a month since I have written which is indicative of the busy year I am having.  Work kept me tied up most of the time during January and February.  When I arrived home in the evenings I would try to spend a little time with the family and then I had to work on a class I was taking for my Master's program.  I am trying to get ahead of the game professionally by taking some Master's classes now so it is easy to finish up before I need it in a few years time.  I have realized though that it is tough to do on sea duty, especially on a submarine.  Maybe things will go a little smoother on the carrier but probably I will need to wait until shore duty to take the bulk of the classes.

I have tried to stay on top of my reading plan.  I finished the books two and three of Stephen King's Dark Tower series.  I was a huge King fan in my younger days but have mostly outgrown his style.  I wanted to read this one last series before I call it quits.  Some people have recently recommended that I also read his book 11/22/63.  I will give it some thought but I have so many books on my too read shelf that I don't know if I will have time for it.

I finished listening to book 4 of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series and I am nearly finished with book 5 as well.  I had read these books several years ago but a friend gave me the audio books and so I listen to them on my drive to and from work each day and sometimes when I am working out.  I have enjoyed them a lot this time around as the narrators are fantastic.  Epic fantasy stuff which might not be for everyone but I have always enjoyed.

I finished Passage to Mutiny, book 9 in the Richard Bolitho series by Alexander Kent.  Fantastic naval and historical fiction here.  Many people have told me I should read Patrick O'Brian since I love Kent's work.  I haven't touched O'Brian yet but I have three of his books on my shelf.

I am in the middle of three books:  100 Things Cardinals Fans should know and do before they die, Theology of the Body for Beginners and The Tailor of Panama.  You can keep track of what I am reading with the Goodreads app on the sidebar or sending me a friend request on Goodreads.  My online friend, Webster Bull, who blogs over at Witness, call Goodreads, "The Facebook for intellectuals".

Our son David had surgery yesterday and is recovering nicely.  I have had several surgeries in my lifetime and never worried much.  It is harder when it is your children.  He was very brave though and I am very proud of him.

So today is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of the Lenten season.  The video below was a wonderful way to start my day.  Many thanks to Christopher for sharing it with me.  I have made a couple of Lenten resolutions but will hold then in pectore for the time being.

These next few weeks and months will continue to be busy for me.  I will be underway for portions of this year and out of town attending schools for other parts.  I hope that these next 40 days will help me to reset my inner life. 

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