[significant pause]

Some good news. And I can't believe that I failed to mention my St. Patrick's Day fun. Not only did I get to share corned beef with my darlings (mother and other), but I also rode in a St. Patrick's Day parade for the first time ever. Sort of! I rode in the cab of the truck which sailed along carrying Atlantic Highlands councilmen Lou Fligor, Kim Spatola, Carl Nolan and Pete Doyle. I also saw -- and heard -- the most bagpipers I've heard since I attended the Nova Scotia Tattoo. Happy belated St. Patrick's Day!

Feed my blog! I, of course, failed to mention a Southeastern Pennsylvania political event I attended recently: the March 15 Swann/Matthews reception in West Conshohocken. A number of Montco regulars were among the more-than-respectably-sized crowd that swarmed the candidates. I even asked for a grip & grin with the candidate. I'll freely admit he looks better than I. He also comes across as a soft-spoken guy who can get his message across. I continue to like him as a candidate, and I'm sure he's got what it takes to be an excellent governor. And, those of you who read me who also pray, please say a quick one for me. I've been looking for work since November, and have been out of work since just before my birthday. I'm getting a fair number of interviews: What I need is to seal the deal with someone. If I'm lucky I'll get benefits, but what I really need to do is to contribute to this marvelous American marketplace and to bring in some money.

If there's a more perfect love poem than this, I have yet to read it -- or write it.

fwiw

Sorry I missed this one: a Philadelphia area Lincoln Day dinner In attendance? According to a friend who was there, Zimmerman Treichel, Gale, Specter, Santorum, Matthews and Swann gave good face. Apparently some guy running against Treichel was also there. There are doubtless dozens of omissions in that tiny list, there were sins of omission by some politicos -- and there was an Iverson sighting at the afterparty.

Pittsburgh wins again -- Looks like former Steeler Lynn Swann will stand as the Republican candidate in the upcoming Pennsylvania gubernatorial race. Party leaders and committemen are apparently convinced of both his substance and his charisma, and I believe they should be. Most people I've spoken to seem enthusiastic, and all agree that he at least has a shot at replacing Rendell. It will take a concerted effort from all corners of the party -- and, of course, Swann and his political team -- to turn a shot at victory into the taste of victory. May the best man win!

Glad I missed it? The news - as usual - gets a little too "real."

Bob & Doug (I *swear* a CNN reporter in theater called them that -- on the air) both have head injuries. Woodruff has had shrapnel removed form his head and neck. They are described as "seriously injured," but stable. Take a moment to think about & wish well all casualties and hostages everywhere.

This, too. I mean, what the?? Pray for all the servicemen, journalists and others in war zones. Pray for our troops' success and speedy return home to the arms of those who love them, those who miss them. Pray for justice and for peace. And that's enough earnestness and enough religion for any Sunday!

What the?

A tiny, unassigned little opinion piece on Supreme Court judicial nominee Samuel Alito: Leave the Man Alone Already Somebody would probably have to comb private records to determine whether I ever managed to become an official, card-carrying member of the Young Republicans. Over the years they've sure seemed to be nice folks. I've certainly attended (and plan to continue to enjoy) lots of YR events and meetings. And I remain proud of the affiliation on my voters card -- particularly considering the GOP's big tent that officially enfolds people of all hue and creed who share a common outlook. Even an engenue understands that lawmakers sometimes feel compelled to employ obstructionist tactics when they have philosophical objections to candidates. However, bipartisanship is not a four-letter word, and bashing is outre. The quizmasters on Capitol Hill should stop letting party politics get in the way of the business of the nation.

More inevitability? For, I'd say, two years I've largely posted to this blog when I felt guilty of neglecting it and when I had experienced something noteworthy. Today, after the tv woke me up -- a fairly common occurrence given my prediliction for watching late night tv -- I watched a few news items in a row on CBS that seemed, well, blogworthy. Is the news improving, courtesy of Bob Schieffer? Am I enjoying thinking about the news again? Or are my creative juices slowly thawing? Is it possible that all three are happening? -------------- I'm semi-publicly giving myself three assignments, which I'm hopeful I'll revisit in future posts. If you stop back, I don't know if you'll find just writing and thinking exercises, reporting or analysis. I hope you'll find poetry, preferably just on the final item. (1) the interview Schieffer (?) did with the Ohio bishop who says he was abused by Roman Catholic clergy (2) the disabled veteran who just had plastic surgery to replace half his skull after he ran into an IED in Iraq (3) a more conventional love poem -------------- Another little bit of praise for tv: If I can find the listings for "Classic Arts Showcase" on WHYY, I may try to occasionally wake up early some days to exercise in front of the tube before work. It's that good!

Speaking of love monkey ... I do not endorse this link, but I think it's very funny!

The author of "Love Monkey" told me that I "had to" read his novel. I suspect all authors of books (and particularly those of books about to be rather successful) feel that way. Given the subject matter, I put this on my list of books to buy for cash at a real, live bookstore rather than through amazon.com. And I didn't get to it ... yet. Now that it's been adapted for tv, I suppose I'll have to read up to see what all the fuss is about.

OK. It was inevitable. I have written my first poem in years, my first love poem in recent memory. And, brace yourself, I'm going to inflict it on you: My heart is broken open wide.

Even as I type, I'm listening to a Web-based recording of the music from Queenship of Mary's lovely, prayerful Advent Evensong. It was a simple and dramatic evening of music and readings. I feel tremendously lucky (OK, blessed!) to be able to partake of fellowship with such talented and kind folks. If you're dying to hear what it was like, email me and I'll send you the file. It's not massive, but it'll take a minute or two to download.

I guess things weren't "flowing" as well as I was told by my now-former boss. My job search is officially on, and getting into full swing. Feel free to let me know if you know of someone who might benefit from having someone like me (link to follow) on their team.

The world is poorer for the loss of David L. Kurtz. I join his family, friends and admirers in grief at his passing. Mr. Kurtz was the father-in-law of a school chum of mine who is, herself, a beautiful soul. I was informed and educated more than a little bit by this obituary that appeared in The Philadelphia Inquirer. In recent years, I've developed a keener feel for the fact that writing obituaries well is a beautiful art. It mitigates our sorrow and chronicles our times.

Did I mention that Atlantic Highlands has a new Councilman-elect? Or how very proud I am of him???