True Confession ... of the Project Runway Variety

Yes, it's true ... I have been known to watch Project Runway.  And Project Runway Allstars.  It all started when I was introduced to this variety of reality show by a friend on vacation.  Before I knew it, I was watching it on the internet the day after it aired on cable tv.  For one thing, the Sisters I was living with would not have gotten the show.  For another, we did not have expanded cable.  So, in a way, until now when I'm broadcasting this news on the blog, my Project Runway habit has been a private one.

As anyone who observes my fashion sense knows, I don't watch it for the latest trends in fashion. Truth be told, most of what I see I would never wear even if it came in my size.  Most of it I am often surprised anyone would wear.  Then again, my own fashion sense is pretty simple.  After 8 years in religious life, I try to dress simply as our Constitutions say.  Granted, I go in for the more styley version of simple whenever my thrift store shopping allows, but it is always simple.  Comfort is also important.  I also own a lot of black even though my community does not wear a religious habit.

But I digress.  Why do I watch the Project Runway family of shows?  It's the same reason why I've also been know to watch cooking contest shows.  I love watching the creativity of the folks on the show.  They are given a challenge, often a very difficult or even absurd challenge, a small window of time and a limited amount of resources.  Yet what they discover, the obstacles and creative work arounds, the accidental discoveries, the mistakes, the opportunities are really in many ways what life is all about.

It's become a bit of a cliche and even a tag line for a travel industry commercial, but often times in life we are called not to do the stupendous or to give up, but rather, to make it work.  There's a good life lesson there I think.  While it may be as far from reality as 99.99999% of the "reality" tv that is out there, it is entertaining and celebrates the creativity of the human spirit.  In the grand scheme of things and given what else masquerades as acceptable entertainment in this world, that's a good thing in my book.

On that note .... time to catch up on the latest episode of Project Runway Allstars.

"I guess I have to accept I'm a functional Roman Catholic"

Thanks to some Facebook friends for pointing out this awesome clip from Stephen Colbert about his Catholic Bender, aka Holy Week. I must say that on Monday I was filled with joy but a little "hung over" from all the awesome Catholic mojo myself. One thing I love about him is how he takes something that is so authentically part of himself, his inner Catholic-Church-Geek, and turns it into humor that is genuinely funny. As someone commented on James Martin's Facebook Page link to this clip, "I know this sounds bad but it makes being Catholic kind of cool."

Fun Nun on TV

Last January I was blessed to be able to gather for a weekend in Florida with other young women religious sponsored by Giving Voice. One of those in attendance kept joking that it was the "Young Nuns" convention - a la the moving "Young Guns."

One of the amazing women I met there was Sister Katy Lafond, a School Sister of St Francis. Katy has a blog of her own, and this "One Fun Nun" was just interviewed by her local tv news. The interview is GREAT! Katy is an awesome representative of what I hope/think is the future of religious life. Go watch the video! (hint ... after you click on the link, click on the box under Katy's picture that says "Video")

Forest of Dean

Those of you who have read HP 7 will understand why I was excited by this bit on BBC 2's Autumnwatch this evening: "tracking down an elusive animal in the Forest of Dean."

Yes ... the Forest of Dean! (Don't click this hyperlink if you for some reason care about HP and haven't yet read HP7 - it will spoil the fun).

They had beautiful shots of said forest as well as of the wild boar that have apparently returned there after being extinct for hundreds of years.

Life's simple pleasures ... it brought a smile to my face to think of Harry & Hermione having to not only look out for you know who's followers, but wild boar to boot. Not that I wish them any harm mind you, but it just made (what is admittedly an entirely fictional) "it" more real.

hello

Still here. Feeling a bit under the weather with a cold that won't go away - I think it's the combined effect of being in a new country with all new germs, working with homeless folks who are out in the elements and as such often coughing & sneezing, and being busier than I'd been the previous year. The end result is some coughing & sneezing myself. I also seem to be losing my voice! I did manage to make my way to see a doctor today - I need to be careful with my asthma - and am on medication and taking it easy.

Other than that little snafu, all is well! Autumn is here. The weather is cooler and the trees are changing color and/or dropping leaves. It's also a bit wet and dreary here like Portland, so I'm actually feeling quite at home.

On the TV front, I watched "Strictly Come Dancing" - the original BBC version of our "Dancing with the Stars." I missed my NJ housemates who I always watched that show with. I also caught a bit of Michael Palin's (of Monty Python fame) New Europe - a great show where he travels around countries that were once behind the Iron Curtain. I don't usually watch much tv, but figured it's part of the rest regimen!

Hope all is well in your respective necks of the woods. For me, it's back to my comfy bed and Harry Potter 7 on CD!

random thoughts

Random Thought #1 - This weekend I will have been in London a whole month! Which means I'm 1/3 through this experience. Where has the time gone???

Random Thought #2 - My work experience at the day centre has helped me to realize that part of my call is to empower people to find their best self, to call forth their gifts, and to help them find their own path to sufficiency. Now this isn't easy and I'm only part of the equation, but something tells me this is part of what I'm supposed to do ministry wise. It's all part of putting that particular puzzle together.

Random Thought #3 - My provincial is coming to visit tomorrow, on her way to a Congregation Council meeting. It will be good to see her and touch base, as always. I'm going to find my way to Heathrow by the Underground which will be an experience in itself.

Random Thought #4 - One major point of this time of intensive ministry/community experience is to begin to navigate the path of integrating ministry, community life, and prayer. It's a delicate balance to be sure! I'm finding that it's a challenge to make time for prayer - particularly after the intensive time for prayer I've had this past year. But I'm also finding that in contrast to my work-a-day life prior to entering the community, I crave prayer time so much more that I am more motivated to not just "fit it in," but to make it a key part of my day. I'm also finding that my prayer time is linked to my ministry. As our Constitutions say, "prayer leads us to action, while action leads us to pray."

Random Though #5 - I need to bring this post to a close as it's almost time for BBC's The Restaurant. I have become addicted to this show during my short time here in London. It's a stupid reality tv show ... and yet, I love it. As one of the Sisters here said, "It really brings out all of your emotions." I think she watches it to see my reactions!

Since 1972

I haven't watched the Price is Right in ages, but when I was in kindergarden it played a big role for me. I was enrolled in the afternoon kindergarden. In the morning I'd play, then my mom would make my lunch, we'd watch Bob Barker on the Price is Right, and when it was over it was time to drive to school.

Years later I'd often hear those familiar sounds when I was in high school. We had to walk by the convent doors on our way to the lunch room (the provincial house was next door). The Sisters would usually be watching the Price is Right.

After 35 years, Bob's decided it is time to step on down. He's been doing the show as long as I've been alive (I turn 35 this summer). No wonder he's ready for a break.

tv moment

Once upon a time, my bloggy confessionaly, I was addicted to Law & Order. I know I'm not alone. The reasons are many and various, but basically it's a show that's interesting and engaging, but you don't have to watch from week to week. Each show is its own little drama ... and, it's on ALL the time. Honestly. If you have cable tv - which I did at the time - you can watch L&O all night every night of the week in its various forms on multiple stations. Don't like one L&O, switch the channel and it will be on in another flavor.

My addiction was broken when I cancelled my cable tv in an effort to simplify my life. Of course, now I'm living in a convent which has sattelite tv. I've managed to avoid a relapse, but I have been known on ocassion to plop down in front of the tv and if nothing worth watching is on I will think of finding a L&O rerun before I think of turning the tv off to go read a good book.

I know I'm not really over my addiction because of the BRIEF heart moment that my heart stopped when I read this headline in the WaPo: Thompson Run Could Trigger Equal Time Rule. Well, actually, it was the teaser headline on the WaPo main page that said "Run Could Stop Law & Order Reruns."

(In case you too are addicted to L&O, don't worry. It's not that ALL reruns would be cancelled, just the ones with Fred as DA.)

By the way, I've been working through lots of unbloggables. Hope to have a few more meaningful and spiritual posts up soon!