scenes from a local laundromat

this past weekend, our family's washing machine had a major temper tantrum and flooded all surrounding neighborhoods. since the kerrigans run about 6.5 loads of laundry per day, we weren't going to be able to survive without a washing machine over the course of this memorial day weekend. therefore, i felt "called" (as the oldest child) to pay my first ever visit to the local laundromat.

please watch this clip before reading on...

unlike jerry & george, my trip to the mansfield laundromat was fairly uneventful; however, i almost choked, when i realized how many quarters (22 = $5.50) it was going to cost in order to run a triple load! since i'm not a regular at laundromats, i have no idea if this service is overpriced or normal? to throw some bleach into the mix (luckily, i didn't make that mistake again!), i had been asked to complete some errands while the 28 minute cycle completed its work. thankfully, my laundry was still there, when i returned fifteen minutes late from my trip to Target. as i walked victoriously through our door with three sopping wet trash bags of laundry, i felt a tear stream down my face, as i wondered whether this would be my last visit to the local laundromat...

[breaking news] 

according to the repairman, who arrived this  morning, we have been running too many large loads; consequently, the drain hose pulled off the drain port and caused the second Great Flood in our basement! nevertheless, the washing machine is NOT broken (yet) and normal cycles will resume this afternoon/evening. 

don't forget your laundry detergent at home & remember that you can never over dry!
 
until the next load,
tk

soup for the soul of summer

that's right, folks! from tomorrow until the end of the summer (for me, like all you educators know, that's the beginning-to-middle of august), i will hopefully be drawing your attention to some of the more peculiar, mortifying and extraordinary elements of my summer experiences here back in new england. this should provide you with a much more in-depth look at how i'm doing and what i've been to than my usual 3-5 page tirades that may leave you wondering "when is he gonna wrap it up?" or "why doesn't he just pick up the phone and call me for goodness sake!" whatever your response may be, feel free to visit my blog frequently, once in a blue moon, or just this once. either way, i appreciate your time, comments and friendship.

take luck,
tk

*God bless this country and our global communities

the D word

i'm sure you thought you were gonna get a naughty word out of me. nice try. what this subject lines refers to is the current state of dating or lackthereof. i have had several conversations with friends about the lost art of dating and courtship. honestly, it comes as no surprise to me, as i have been working closely alongside young adults for the past seven or eight years of my life--either as a mentor, colleague, teacher or chum. from what i have witnessed, young persons would rather have a one-night stand than make themselves vulnerable than risk possibly being rejected by a close friend or complete stranger by asking them out on a date. knock, knock...is there anything more risky that having casual sex with someone whom you do not even know? sex makes promises, real promises!


this past semester, i attended a Theology on Tap event sponsored by JCU's Campus Ministry program, in which Fr. Cozzens, S.J., whom many folks (both young and old) are fond of, shared his insights about sexual activity on/off college campuses as well as the "hookup" culture. i would like to refer to you to an article entitled "Sex, lies and the hookup culture" by Donna Freitas in the fall 2008 edition of the magazine U.S. Catholic (for the full article, click here). one of the evidenced-based arguments that Freitas discusses in her article is that a majority of young adults--regardless of gender/or sexual orientation--seek "old-fashioned romance. it's talking--just talking for hours, on a pretty beach, over dinner, under a starry sky." wowzers?!? not only did this discovery knock my red socks off, but i couldn't believe what i was reading! if this is true, then let's continue tapping into this developing phenomenon, Ms. Freitas and co.


since this entry has been in draft status for a couple months now, i wanted to publish it quickly to stir up some conversation...

worth the wait

please allow me to set the scene for you...bottom of the ninth. tigers lead the tribe 6-4. one out. left-handed rusell branyan is pinch hitting for mason and has a 1-2 count on him against the tigers' shutdown closer, jose valverde.

h.paul, yi and myself have been freezin' our bottoms off for the past three hours. at this point, the stadium is about seventy five percent empty, and we have since moved closer to the field from our ticket-listed, nose bleed seats--section 570 of progressive field for those of you who are keeping track at home. after finishing our $3.50 cup of lukewarm hot chocolate, we are just about ready to chalk up another tribe lost and hit the road when...


the 1-2 pitch...a swing and a pop foul to the left (wait a minute...oh my goodness, i might have a chance at this!)

since i was a boy, i have always brought my baseball mit to every MLB game that i've attended. i figure it is always good to be prepared. you never know when you might need to use the glove. well, today, for the first time in awhile, it would be put to use.

that ball that branyan fouled back was still climbing higher and higher. as soon as i realized that this was going to be a close play in the empty seats in front of me, i sprang from my seat and quickly darted down the steps, all the while keeping a close eye on the descending baseball. not a single fan was within 20 feet of me, when the ball hit the heel of my raised mitt (and painfully the palm of my left hand) squarely and bounced onto the pavement below this empty row of seats. before the rush of kids and die-hards reached "my row," i doze on top of the baseball, before it could escape me. as i rose to my feet victoriously with this timeless token, fans behind me began "BOOing" me!?! i couldn't believe it, especially since I HAD THE BALL!soon enough, i had those same fans cheering for my dear friend, yi, because of the occasion described below.

because this was the first professional baseball game that yi had ever attended, i decided that she needed an official MLB baseball as a memento of this historic event in her life. yi now possesses the first ever foul ball that i almost caught (see margins).

they are hokies and they will prevail.

it was just three years ago (it feels like just yesterday) that members of the Virginia Tech community endured one of the worst massacres in US history. thirty-two students and faculty members were murdered by a fellow student that morning. unfortunately, the devastating effects still ring like the explosions of a firearm in the minds and hearts of so many students and staff at Tech.

WE ARE HOKIES. WE WILL PREVAIL.

on wednesday, i was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to attend a conference for ohio campus ministers down in columbus, ohio where the keynote speaker was none other than fr. john grace (director of campus ministry & chaplain of the newman ctr. at Tech). his inspiring theme was "Voices of Hope," and he shared with us personal anecdotes and insights into the challenges of coping with crises on college campuses. his thoughts and reactions to the events that occurred on April 16th 2007 reminded me of my own personal experiences of the two JCU student suicides that took place on our campus just last semester. grace spoke about the significance of the campus & extended communities that were supportive and available during this difficult time. at one point, he told us that a group of Tech students who participated in an alternative spring break encountered compassion and other individuals who are exposed to violence, hatred and injustices not just once, but daily. this, along with so much more, not only gave Tech students, but us campus ministers a lot to reflect upon.

well, i could share a lot more with regards to grace's presentation/stories, i think i will save those for later. plus, you never know when you yourself may run into him or his students one day. all things considered, i hope you will take some time this day/weekend to spend a quiet moment in prayer and thanksgiving for the reality of the paschal mystery.

through the heart of a tiger

i'm sure you have your own thoughts and opinions about tiger woods the golfer and tiger woods the husband/ father. feel free to share. for me, woods' vocations finally coalesced at yesterday's press conference (four days before he returns to "compete" in the Masters tournament in Augusta). since November, tiger has been criticized for his off-the-course legal/drug issues as well as his infidelity towards his wife, children & family. as he has pointed out so clearly, he is terribly sorry for the horrible decisions that he has made and believes that he lost his way. i believe he words are genuine. you may not. however, that's not necessarily the point. the fact of the matter is that tiger is willing to admit his heinous mistakes and rediscover those virtuous attributes that have formed him, since his childhood. my prayers go out to him and his family, because i truly hope and believe that his past sins will be forgiven (not forgotten).

many golf fans and tiger supporters are still not convinced that tiger will be the golfer of past years. frankly, how can they? he's had knee surgery, been through intensive rehab and still grieving his irresponsible & seemingly unforgivable mistakes. at the conclusion of this weekend's Masters tournament, it is highly unlikely that woods will be wearing his 5th green jacket; however, is that what viewers will be tuned into? i don't think so. each camera will be watching every swing, hole & reaction of woods. many folks, including the media, are hoping that he makes the first cut! regardless of what happens at Augusta, i am pleased to know that one of the most popular and legendary athletes in sports is willing to admit his human weaknesses and show the true colors of his fur.

wjcu radiothon 2010

by now, many of you know that i am a dj on the non-commercial, community-based radio station 88.7 fm WJCU (John Carroll University Radio). i have recently become interested in pursuing a second career in this field (in addition to my counseling career). anyways, this week (until feb 21st) is our annual radiothon in which we ask for pledges from our listerners. since WJCU is almost entirely funded by our radiothon (we do not have any corporate sponsors), this week is astronomically important to the success & future of our radio station.we have a number of renovative projects as well as some additional operating costs that are in jeopardy of being cut, if we do not reach our goal this week. please consider donating $10, $20, $50 or more to WJCU (and more importantly, to the men & women who bring you a LIVE, ecletic collection of music 24/7 to you and your radio in an age where radio has become automated and impersonal). There are certainly special premiums that serve as a "thank you" for your contribution (check out the pictures & descriptions on our website), but they are not the reason we are asking for your money. please consider making a donation because WJCU very well may be your BEST investment in 2010.

this year our group goal is $40,000. my personal goal for my Heights show (Tuesday, Feb 16th 1-3:30pm) is $300.

pledges of any amount are accepted at www.wjcu.org or you can call the station at 216.397.4438 (preferred method). if you would like to pay by check, please make your payment out to "WJCU" or "John Carroll University Radio" and send it to the mailing address below:

WJCU Radio
20700 North Park Blvd.
University Heights, OH 44118

thanks to all my (our) readers & listeners,
tommykthedijay