Casual Dating

Dr. Gregory Popcak mentioned the dating hierarchy in his most recent Family Foundations article and it conveniently matched the one which I discovered in college: casual dating, exclusive dating, engagement, and marriage. It seemed eminently logical to me, once I started thinking things through instead of following what felt good.

I loved casual dating a lot. Hanging out with a girl with no commitment to future dates, just a chance to get to know a fellow human being, was a great experience to develop important marriage skills like friendship, communication, and listening. The girls I dated seemed to react to this in odd ways. One treated it like an interview and started firing questions. Another was almost mute as if she was waiting for the other shoe to drop. I can only guess that they assumed I would try to get myself invited to their rooms or something. Dates ending at the door to the dorm are the best for personal growth. Friendships can develop and last beyond these dates.

Exclusive dating was awesome once it followed the previous step. It indicated an increasing commitment to one woman. In the past when I jumped right to this step, it was forced and fake, as if I were acting a part. Once it followed casual dating, the work of breaking off ties to casual dates further emphasized the commitment to one woman.

Engagement was the most confusing since there were certain traditions to follow for the proposal but nothing besides Pre-Cana and wedding planning beyond that day. Fortunately, I was bright enough to realize that I better make this future marriage work and devoured relationship books by Gary Smiley and John Grey. I wish I'd known about Dr. Popcak back then.

Marriage at the end of this chain was spectacular because I spent years committing myself to it. It was a culmination of practice, study, and ultimately sacrament, since the grace of the Lord flowed into me to further perfect my love so that I can make a better gift of myself to my bride.

Thanks for the support Dr. Popcak.

Primary Search

I found out that the PA primaries were to occur on Tuesday at 11pm the night before. A twenty minute web search got me all of the state-wide information, and the endorsements. At least the information is making it to the web and becoming more accessible.

When I got to the polls, I was number 98 for the day at 1pm. That is a sad turn-out. I'm betting I could get myself elected next year. Watch out Jury Commissioner!

The Blogger Who Wasn't There

This story demonstrates yet another reason why I distrust the traditional media. However I completely trust blogs. I take that back, I trust blogs as much as I trust people. I try to assess their character and I take to heart exactly as much as I assess to be true. However, the 24 hours news cycle and the need for sensationalism to draw crowds and sell advertising have corrupted much of the free press, not to mention the regurgitation of AP stories making the news totally homogeneous and uninformative. I'm hoping that the success of smaller local papers, like The Bulletin, will lead the future. I think it might, if the government doesn't "bail out" newspapers. Hmmm.... the government spending scads of money and getting control over some portion of the press. I wonder if there would be an uproar if a Republican President tried to pull that off?

Nah, I must be a right-wing conspiracy theorist. If I exist at all! Wuuuaahhhhaaaahhaaaa!

"Is this your first?"

We've been getting that question a lot lately since we've been privileged to attend a few social events without the kids. The reactions to our answer exactly characterize the difficulties that the pro-life movement faces. Everyone has been bright and smiley while asking the question, but as soon as we say, "No we have two at home," their faces drop faster than the market after a stimulus package. We've even been treated to marital disputes, "I want another but my husband says no way." I'm expecting someone from the Voluntary Extinction Movement to club me over the head next time.

I'm starting to grasp the snarky responses that big families have built up over the years. Perhaps I am not ready to be a good witness to the Gospel of Life, but so far I have refrained from saying, "No. Now where did I leave those other kids?" so maybe there is hope for me yet.

Featured Author

Ellen Hrkach has been interviewed at Time with Tannia and covers lots of my favorite topics: NFP, books, entrepreneurship, and marriage. Maybe one day she can guide me through writing a novel, especially if I keep buttering her up with free links and reviews and advertising...

Subsidiarity in Practice

I hope to dwell more on this topic as I consider small businesses, the economy, and Catholicism. Actually, I better read more about the topic before I open my yap. But here is a Sardonic Catholic Dad with less compunction.

Conveniently, here is the Curt Jester with some actual research on sudsidiarity. It is my sincere prayer that this idea be embraced by all members of society and we get back to doing the work that needs to be done, instead of buying the Homer Simpson campaign promise, "Can't someone else do it?"

At Least I Can Advertise

I just realized that I haven't posted for almost two weeks, sorry for that, dear reader. Now that I am posting, I only have a few minutes to get out the word about the King of Prussia 10 Miler. My parish is sponsoring a ten mile race through King of Prussia. It is a challenging course, since King of Prussia is almost as hilly as Manayunk. The Knights will be there to support it, and my business will be there to sponsor it. So come and run or, if your are in shape like me, walk the 1 mile fun run or the 5K but whatever you do, please visit the sponsors who make the day a success!

Prime Reading

Book Review of Numbers Up by Kevin Clark


Impulse buying at the C.H.A.P.L.E.T. homeschooling conference led me to buy this novel which is clearly a Catholic response to the work of the infamous Dan Brown. The murder victim even wrote the name "DAN" in his own blood, instead of writing an intricate serious of impossible clues like in The DaVinci code. The two victims characterize the difference between the books. Numbers Up is straightforward, plausible, and concise whereas The DaVinci Code is obtuse, incredulous and verbose. Following the detective work of Paul Ondracek, into the murder of a famous mathematician, was a thrilling yet all to brief adventure involving many of the intellectual challenges of the modern era. At the end, I only wished for another hundred pages.

Big surprise

Well, Arlen Specter has finally announced that he is a Democrat. I am soooooo surprised. I do appreciate his work on the Senate Judiciary Committee but I don't know of any other accomplishment that was actually helpful to advancing culture. Of course, I take great affront with him putting down Rick Santorum who saved his bacon in the primary against Toomey. But he has been in the Senate since I was an embryo, I would be tempted to vote against him just because incumbents are annoying.

The guy looks worse than Strom Thurman ever did; he looks like the undead or a ghost.

....or maybe a spectre! (rimshot)

Too Long

Wow! I can't believe that I haven't written in so long. Thanks to all my trusty followers who have been checking in to look for something new, especially if you use Google Reader. My dearest has found a spectacular article at First Things which neatly summarizes the point of this blog.

As a wise woman once sang, "Children are our future." The first world has a rapidly declining population of children with a consequential lack of labor. In short, there are too many savers competing for too few investments so the returns are dropping like stones. Read the whole thing.

I offer a shower of thanks to Robert Kiyosaki for teaching me that my house is not an investment. I am also grateful to have chosen a home-based business which will help the elderly, instead of choosing real estate as my primary investment.

On the other side of the tomb

Lent was especially beneficial and a rather easy spiritual practice this year. I toned my Lenten practices down this year, to the dismay of my more dedicated friends, because I wanted to actually carry them through the entire Lenten season and make a gift of myself to the Lord instead of failing miserably after two weeks. It was very rewarding and humbling to pass on my small gift to the Lord whereas my past failures are only humbling. Perhaps I haven't learned the humility lesson yet, as I blog about my exploits, but it was a great gift from God to learn a different lesson for a change even if it ultimately turned out to be a painful one.

The lesson this time around was, "Easy Lent, hard Easter". The Octave of Easter was exceedingly difficult because joy would not come. My job was torturous, life was hectic, my civil leaders were ignorant if not downright malicious and I was a regular Mr. Grumpypants. My understanding of joy has deepened to the realization that joy should be present at all times. No matter if the situation is a happy one or a sad one, whether it is a beautiful Vigil Mass at my parish or watching the government destroy the future of my children and grandchildren, joy should be lived because the Lord of All has conquered death and He welcomes us into His eternal abode.

Working on an Easter post...

Until then, read my humble Magyar.

I am a Free Press

Since the major media outlets have not picked up on the protests surrounding tomorrow's tax deadline, I will report them here.

The TEA parties are actual grassroots protesters who detest the wasteful government spending in recent memory. Like me, they are frustrated with the massive bailout that was hurriedly passed by this Democratic House and President. Like me, they are also frustrated with the gigantic bailout passed by the previous presidential administration which opened the floodgates to the socialization of the banking system. In short, we know that we can spend our money better than the government. For example, I am trying to start my own business and potentially invest in real estate, while keeping my 401k growing. Any money the government gives me, goes to these ends. Instead, the government doesn't even trust me with an $800 stimulus all in one shot so they disburse it throughout the year.

So much for middle class support that was repeatedly promised in the campaign.

Rejoice, He is Risen!

What a blessed Triduum! We made it to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. I'm lovin' our parish even if the liturgies still couldn't adhere to all of the rubrics (Is it so hard to find 12 men to get their feet washed?). Due to our participation as teachers in RCIA, I had a small connection to the newly baptized and confirmed. The reborn always fill me with hope and give me a chance to repeatedly quote Chesterton. "Here comes everybody."

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Perfect Weather

Stunningly, the weather forecast was correct and it is a rainy, dreary Holy Saturday. Fortunately, I think that is the best way to commemorate this day in the tomb with Christ. I had a moderately successful Lent, although I picked rather small sacrifices; I gained more spiritual insight than the Lents where I tried to do everything. I believe I offered Christ the best I could and it was humbling to realize how little I can offer. I know the Lord appreciates any gifts, just like I appreciate my girls' clearing of the dinner table, no matter how much of their drinks they spill on the way into the kitchen.

My weather forecast for tomorrow....Sonrise! (rimshot)

I know, its a terrible joke but who can resist?

No Pics here!

The Joy of Catholicism
A book review of "Holy Sex - A Catholic Guide to Toe-Curling, Mind-Blowing Infallible Loving"
by Dr. Gregory Popcak

I was intensely curious about this book, not only because of the edgy title, but because of a sincere desire to help devoted Catholics have excellent marital relations. Dr. Popcak covers the subject well, answering most reasonable questions and concerns about moral, marital intimacy along with some outliers. He gives a few examples of conflicts and how they can influence a couple's attitudes and feelings in regard to the most intimate aspect of their relationship. That is when the book is at its best, sharing real stories of practicing Catholics. The "Catechism" side, if you will. Unfortunately, the "Joy of Sex" side is a bit too explicit for my taste, though I imagine it is vastly more modest than anything in the Relationship section of my local Barnes & Noble. For a difficult subject, Dr. Popcak did a good job but this still isn't quite the book I was hoping to find. However, I gained enough valuable insight to have no doubt that his next book will make it to my shelf.

Contract with Catholicism

Always glad to cheer for someone who just finished the toughest swim in the world. The Tiber is a difficult river to swim; there are rapids, rocks, and a dizzying array of voices encouraging you in both directions. However, given the general decline of Christianity in America, it's good to see transfusions of new blood into the Body of Christ.

My Heroes

Although Heroes has been somewhat disappointing in its predictable plot lines (X-Men, anyone?), I still find myself hooked. Partially this is due to the fact that the Heroes often have some questions about God and argue about the issues a bit. Also, lines like this will keep me watching:

"You're not a hero, you're just a politician."

In an era when people seem to be getting more and more prone to idolatry of the government or certain leaders, it's great for a prime time show to rip the mask off this lunacy.

Reporting on Ourselves

Since the media feel free to ignore massive national protests, we have to record and distribute ourselves. Check out Thine Eyes for a promo of a DVD on the March for Life. Tell me if you see me, I'm the one in the fedora.

Prediction: Media are Fools

I'm writing this at 8:30AM to contain my prediction that the news media have been fooled by a "virus" that is supposed to shut down the Internet today. I wish they would do research and learn what a "prank" is. I couldn't believe their coverage last night. But kudos to whoever thought that this type of juvenile joke would still garner attention. Sometimes, I just love pranksters for point out society's idiocy.