Wages
The other day I was speaking to one of the partners at my firm who was trying to convince me to dictate my work into a "dictophone." (It's a handy little device that allows you to speak your letters and other documents into existence. The legal assistants listen to the little tapes and type it out for you) I had insisted on typing out my documents myself, to save time. He told me that it was ok to record it and then let the paralegals type it. I told him that it technicallly didn't save any time. So then he said, "But their time isn't worth as much as yours." I was silent. I pondered a bit, and then said,
"So I really am being paid just to think, eh?"
And he replied, "Yup. Isn't that why you want to be a lawyer?"
Yes, indeed. Scary. I'm getting paid for my thoughts. They'd better be good.
The Bus
I take the bus back and forth to work every day. I'm usually the only person in a suit. This evening a young man struck up a conversation with me - he wanted to know what I was reading. I handed him my copy of the latest
First Things issue and he read half of the first article on the Terri Schiavo case. When I told him that the magazine was about religion in the public life, he said he was very interested. I ended up giving him a card so that he could subscribe to it. It was cool. He asked where I was from. When I told him that I was from Canada he was aghast and pulled out a bus ticket from his back pocket and showed it to me. Printed in bold letters were the words, "Detroit to Toronto." He smiled, said he was going to Toronto to find work and asked me if I knew any great jobs there. Regretfully, I said, I've been in the States for 6 years and have no idea.
The encounter lasted about 15 minutes. It was a good 15 minutes - like touching Christ's beauty for a brief moment in time. It's amazing what a random conversation can do to your day - it was like my guardian angel just decided to take human form for a second and show me an eternity of friendship in Christ. Maybe that's too dramatic. But it was cool. One small connection and a glimpse of God's glory. That's it.
Text of the President's Speech at Calvin
Go
here to read President Bush's speech that he gave to the Calvin graduating class of 2005. Somebody's speech writer did his research, because there's even a joke in there about a very popular Calvin English professor.
B16 to Canada?
That's what
they're reporting, at least. Cardinal Ouellet in Quebec City said that he spoke with the Holy Father in Rome last month and the Pope told him that he would be in Canada in 2008 for the Eucharistic Congress, "God willing."
This is good - Canada needs as much help as it can get.
Calvin College Professors Embarrass Themselves
Check out
www.mirrorofjustice.com for a story on the professors at Calvin College (my alma mater) who are protesting their 2005 Commencement speaker - the President of the United States! They've written a letter and everything, stating that they think his policies are inconsistent with the Christian vision.
I don't like some of his policies either, but the fact is, he's done nothing inconsistent with the teachings of the Christian Reformed fatih. There's a difference between protesting because the commencement speaker acts contrary to the very mission of a university and protesting because you disagree with some of his policies. Give me a break. 70% of the student body at Calvin College voted for Bush in the last election.
My brother is graduating from Calvin on Saturday, and you can bet I'm going to be there! No protests here!
Pope's Homily at Cathedral
Here's the Pope's
first homily from the Cathedral in Rome. (scroll down a bit)
Great Canadian Catholic Author
Michael D. O'Brien lives about an hour from my home in Canada. He's the great novelist who wrote
Fr. Elijah and a host of other Catholic novels. Check out
this article about him. And if you haven't read any of his books, it isn't too late to start. You'll get sucked in, I promise!
There is Hope! (I knew it)
Check out
this article in the U.S. News and World Report, that documents the rising trend of orthodoxy in my generation. At least they're admitting it! Yay for the children of the baby boomers!
Today's younger generation sees how disappointed and sad their parents are because of the sexual revolution and liberalism in general. The answer? Turn back to orthodoxy and get the happiness your parents couldn't offer you with the secular salvation of their generation.
It's Back!!
The
same-sex marriage legislation was debated today, and a second reading is scheduled for tomorrow at 5:00. The liberal government is trying to force it through before an election is called.
Trouble in the ranks
Parliament resumes this coming week, and I think there's going to be an election called. MPs have already started "unofficial campaigns." I hope the Canadian people are finally fed up with the scandal that is the Liberal government. I'm ready to vote!
Check out
this article in the National Post.
