The Musical Priest

It's 4:30 in the morning and I can't sleep. I ran 18-miles yesterday in just over 2:46 minutes (just over 9-minute miles). It's the furthest I've ever run but, surprisingly, I'm not in a terrible amount of pain. The first 15 miles, in fact, went faster than I've ever done them before. It was the last 3 miles that really killed me. I guess this is why it takes a long time to train for a marathon! Still have five weeks to go, so I'm hoping to get my times down below 9-minute miles in order that I finish the marathon in under four hours.   An email I received a few minutes ago has inspired this post. A man from California, having found my tin whistle videos, wrote asking "whether you memorize the music you play or have you reached the point where you simply 'play by ear'?" The Irish musical tradition is aural, that is, related to hearing. The long-standing custom is that one who wishes to learn Irish music does so by sitting with and playing w...

A continuation in the series! Here you can see Jake Martin, SJ.

I recognize that I've been very quiet these last few weeks. Please indulge me for just a bit longer: I finished my last paper for my English course yesterday and I'm about to commence writing my last substantive paper for the semester. I have a few short 2-3 page papers to write but, as the end of the semester draws near, the end is in sight. Within the next few weeks, many pieces will be in place. I will learn during the first week of April where I'll be teaching next year. I'll be in the midst of preparing for my comprehensive oral examination in philosophy (the dreaded De U ).  I have a few things I'd like to write, but right now I need to stay focused on the tasks at hand. I'm also still trying to sort out what I'm going to do this summer, a question that is also consuming quite a bit of my time!  Stay tuned!

Drew Marquard, SJ, was kind enough to edit this video so that I could get it posted on the internet. This is one clip of the show Matt Malone, SJ, Justin Stoney, and I performed this past Saturday night. If you are interested in purchasing a DVD of the entire show (for only $10.00!), the end of the clip contains ordering information.

Remember: these are meant to be lighthearted!

The fourth in the series, this one stars: Yours Truly!

Just a quick update: I returned last night from Cincinnati where I had a great day at Saint Xavier High School (go Bombers!). Both the Jesuit and school communities were gracious and welcoming and I had a very fine visit at the school. I have today free (to do homework) and then I interview at Saint Ignatius High School (Cleveland) tomorrow morning. I return to New York City tomorrow night and I've class all day on Thursday. On Friday, if the rumors are true, I'll be treated to a U2 concert at Fordham University! It's been a whirlwind travel schedule since Thursday, so I'm grateful to be sitting at the Rocky River Bruegger's Bagels in my favorite booth, sipping delicious coffee out of my travel mug and relaxing. One final note: Faith & Begorra! An Evening of Irish Music... and a Few Surprises Starring: Matt Malone, S.J. Ryan Duns, S.J. Justin Stoney Saturday, March 14, 2009 6:00 p.m. Don't Tell Mama Cabaret Theatre 343 West 46th Street New York, NY MAKE YOUR...

Just over a week ago, a federal study on dieting was released. In an age of ballooning obesity, the study set out to discover the best diet solutions: low carb? high protein? low fat? a mix of the three? What the study confirms, really, should not be shocking: the only way to achieve sustained weight loss is to cut calories. Balancing one's diet and moderating one's caloric intake, is far more successful when it comes to losing and maintaining one's weight. Other types of dieting (Atkins, South Beach, etc.) work for only a short period of time and are good for only as long as one adheres rigidly to them; the moment one begins to drift from the diet, the pounds begin to return. As a former Weight Watcher (a program I swear by), this comes as no surprise. As a teenager, Weight Watchers helped me to learn how  to eat. At some point in my young life, I had developed very bad eating habits and, through the Weight Watchers program, I entered into a permanent re-orientation of my ...