UGGH.

I don't like how this came out. Actually, it's not even close to being done yet, but still....... I've been working on it for five or six days, yet it looks so messy. Some of the lines are off, and the window is done wrong. The hair isn't blended, and I don't know what to do with the cabinets under the counter. (The plain white unfinished area.)
I'll try to smooth it out.
*Tries to find white pencil.*

Compare and contrast.

The second is the sketch copy, which is supposed to be my bad copy. The first was done on manga paper, and it's supposed to be my good copy. You can see that the manga paper makes colors look brighter, but the sketch book paper absorbs colors better so skin tones blend better.I've been working on this one piece of art for five days, longer than any other thing I've done, and I have more pages like this to do. D;
I promise, you'll not see of these two again till I start writing the actual pages.

A modern hymn.

Sung to the tune Thaxted, written by Holst. It's one of my favorite hymn tunes, but we American Catholics have a rather trite hymn text for the same tune. (Actually, it's good as far as modern hymns go.) Whether appropriate or not, here's a different text.
I'm sure some smart person will realise where the text is taken from.

THOU art God, we praise thee,
we acknowledge thee the Lord.
Thou the Father everlasting,
by all the earth adored!
To thee doth cry the angels,
the heav'ns and pow'rs therein.
To thy laud do cry the cherabim,
and six-winged seraphim.
Crying "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Sabaoth
Of thy glory are filled the heavens
and earth doth raise the post."

Thy Princes, the Apostles,
the Prophets of thy word,
the army of thy martyrs,
All to thy praise do yearn.
And through the world thy Church
her Lord doth ever own:
Father of infinite majesty
Thy true and only Son
The Holy Ghost the Comforter
Thou, God, who ever reigns:
Immortal, invisible
Ever wise, ever the same!

(Insert choral verse here:)

Thou Christ, Thou King of Glory,
Thou everlasting Son
Who for man's deliverance
Spurned not the Virgin's womb.
And Death's sharpness overcoming
heaven's gates did open wide
to all thy faithful christian sons
who by thy Love abide.
Thou sittest at God's right hand
In the glory of the Lord
Thou shalt come, and judging all men
Shall give them faith's reward.

(Insert full organ and choir+congregation:)

Pray we therefore, Help thy servants,
Whom thy precious blood redeemed.
With thy Saints, we pray thee, number them,
The great souls and the least.
O Lord, save thy people,
Thine heritage do bless,
In thy mercy do uplift them ,
who doth thy name confess.
Day by day, we magnify thee,
Worship thee world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us
this day without sin.

(Insert treble descant:)

O Lord, we beg thy mercy,
let it lighten upon us,
let us never be counfounded
for in thee we put our trust!
Benediction, praise, and power,
ever to the be addressed,
One Majesty, One Deity,
Co-equal three confessed!
To thee, God Unbegotten
And Sole-Begotten Son,
Blessed Spirit from them proceeding!
To God all praise be done!

(Insert wonderful ten-minute long improvised organ postlude with 8' Tuba Magnas and 32' Contre-Bombardes.)

I like it. I think it has some bad ryme here and there, and some imperfect grammar, but I like it. [/Grammar Nazi.]

Evolution of a drawing. (Continuing.)

Sketch.

Ink the sketch.

Color the peoplez with marker.

Color the Background.

This of course, isn't my good copy of this drawing. Actually, it might end up to be my good copy. I forgot that the colors look different on the paper I use for my sketch book and manga paper, so I tried to start coloring my good copy, using light peach as a base color.
Well, he came out Orange.
Orange.
Orange?
Orange.
Orange?!
Orange!!
Actually, when it's scanned, it doesn't look quite as orange as in real life. Anyway, the one guy has a best friend named Betty (Not my choice of name, by the way) who secretly does some work in ballistics for a drug lord. Yes, a drug lord. With drugs. You should get where this series is going.

A musical Offering.

In honor of the Assumption: Bach's fugue on the Magnificat, BWV 733.

After hearing it, I recognise it as the unidentified piece played by my parish's organist last year on Sept 24th.

Picture.

Like I said on my deviantART account, I'm going to draw a manga. I'm drawing the character pages now. ( I've only come up with three characters so far, two of which are pictured above.) That, of course, Is'nt my original. I never ink or color my originals until after I've made a copy. I ink and color that one first, as a practice. I'll give you names, plotlines, and more character pages by Tuesday at the earliest.

*EDIT*
Darn. The two brothers are supposed be giving each other a fist-bump, but it looks like they're
holding hands. Why do I have to be so terrible at drawing hands?`And feet? I can draw hands that look like feet, but I can't draw feet. Even If I try to draw hands, expecting them to look like feet. Sometimes I think that God gave people fingers to show artists their limits.

Someone gets it.

"You see, "instruction," according to the mind of the Council, is the essential key to "participation;" one cannot possibly hope to penetrate the sacred Mysteries in such way as to actively participate in them without first comprehending, to the extent that it is possible, what is taking place. "

And:

"To the Council Fathers, fostering active participation among the laity meant providing the "liturgical instruction" necessary in order for the "faithful to take part in the sacred liturgy fully aware of what they are doing." (cf SC 11)'

There's a lot of work to be done. Pastors of souls, do your job! Go write or find an explanation of the mass and leave it in the parish bulletin!

Whole article.

And could someone tell me what it is with progressives and their language? Do they take some sort of sick pleasure in gang-raping rules of grammar to death? I mean, they don't use any articles. ( "Being church", "Being Eucharist"). In fact, that's still not right, because I don't think you can use all adjectives as stand-alone nouns. Like S.Thomas Aquinas says, adjectives like "red" are descriptive qualities. You can't see, or touch, or experience "red' by itself. They're trying to use "Red" like they could. Not to mention, I've noticed that David Haas has a problem with splitting infinitives. (i.e. , he does it.)
[/Grammar Nazi]

Vigil of the Assumption

The Dormition of the Holy Theotokos , attributed To S.John the apostle, but probably 5th century devotional literature.

And I found all the chant I needed. Also, my little home altar is decorated rather elaborately with flowers and candles. Maybe I'll put a pic up later.

So which one of you nice people with a car....

...Is going to give me a ride to this? The one in Merchanville? Hmm? If you give me ride, I'll let you borrow my copy of Lodewidck de Vocht's Missa in Honerem Sancti Ioseph. ( A hard to find, yet wonderful piece of early twentieth century choral music for double choir.) Or I'll make you a free piece of art. I'm back to doing hand illuminations.

Stupid Computer!

I've been trying for days to read the actual health care bill, because you can't always trust what you hear your opponents or even those on your side say about it. (Misinformation and hyperbole abound on both sides.) First I had to find it online. I did, and it was in a PDF. No problem. Or so I thought. Literally every time I've tried to read it, Firefox crashes. It seems as if there's some sort of trouble with Adobe right now.
That said, Nickie Goomba Has a synopsis of what's in it with a link to the bill. After reading it, it makes you really want to read the bill even more so that I could have context-quoted proof of everything listed, to dispel the false truths that the government is't trying to take over, or at least regulate health care. Rather, they claim that they're just trying to offer an alternative for those who need it. A simple option for the public. It is'nt so, and some of them must know it.

Assumpta est Maria in Caelum...

I have plans to sing the office of the Assumption this Saturday, meaning that as usual, I'll have to go around and do a search to find the various antiphons for the offices. Second vespers has everything from the 62' breviary, and both lauds and vespers have parts of said breviary in their offices. At least the hymns at lauds and vespers have the same tune. It shouldn't take me long , as I've finished writing out first vespers. The only problem I'll have is that the first antiphon of lauds isn't exactly anywhere in the old breviary, and there's nothing like the last.

*Dies repeatedly.*

Those who know me that my two all time favoutite composeres are Bach and Charles Marie Widor.
Well, imagine my surprise when looking for a recording of Widor's Marche Pontificale, I found a user who's uploaded nearly 80 vidoes of various movements of Widor's symphonies, played on Cavaille-Coll organs. Anyone in the know knows that most organist, myself included*, would have no qualms with killing a couple of people for a few hours free time on a Cavaille-Coll.( I'm lucky though, as the parish closest to mine has an organ built in 1894 with several ranks purportedly made by Cavaille-Coll. I don't know if it's true, but the 8' and 4' flutes have his characteristic sound, as do the 8' principals, and 8' Trompette.)
That said, I'll give you the pick of the litter.

Finale from Symphony no.8

Marche from symphony no. 3

Prelude from symphony no.2

Marche Pontificale (From symphony no.1)

Prelude from symphony no.8

Adagio from symphony no.5

Allegro vivace from symphony no.5

Look through their channel for more good music!

I did'nt hear that , right?

Watching Nanci Pelosi talking about how the Dems expect to finance their health care reform bill. She said that they would try to squeeze (emphasis hers) as much money out of savings as possible, and the difference could be gotten by taxing private insurance companies, and if that was'nt enough, levying another tax on on what will be deemed to be surplus income. (What is is now, $100.000 a year now?)
Now, do you see what I think there should be serious discussion as to whether or not the Liberal Dems are honestly trying to get rid of private insurance? Not only does their bill make provision to severely limit it's application, but now they want to tax private insurance companies as punishment (And, yes, speaker Pelosi stressed that it was a punishment imposed on them for screwing Americans over) for the simple fact that they exist?It's almost as if the current administration wants to tax their enemies out of existence. When are these people going to get it through their heads that restrictions and taxation does not encourage competition? They're all but scaring companies out of the market. When are they going to get it through their heads that it's not proper to punish people for doing their jobs?
It appears to me that their whole economic theory is based on the premises that no one person should ever make large amounts of money, and that if anyone does, it is the State's right to forcibly take their money from them and apply it to whatever the State wants money for. The State right now wants, no , rather, it needs your money. And if you are'nt going to give freely, then they've decided that that have a right to your property, and they'll take it from you as they need it.
Pelosi and her crew seem to see all their enemies, whether they be private companies that might compete with their State Care, or people who disagre with their philosophy of life by making money, they see them all as cash-cows for the government to milk and take from to fund all it's pet projects, whether be benificial to the American people or not.
This sounds so ridiculous, that I can only assume that in the rush to clean up for my father's visit, I missed two or so paragraphs on her speech .
I certainly did'nt really hear Speaker Pelosi suggest that.
If so, I have a second reason not to like her.

Thanks Mom, thanks a lot.

I was trying to watch Cspan on Thursday evening, watching what I suppose was a Republican senator from Iowa speaking at length about the proposed Public Option* I say trying, becasue my mother was with me and found it unspeakably boring. So much so, that every 20 seconds like clockwork, she cried "Joey! This is BORING! Turn the channel! I want to watch House of Payne!" I, however, found it quite exciting to say the least, which should show how much my interest in politics has grown in leaps and bounds. ( A year ago, watching two hours of C-SPAN would've been a parent-imposed punishment.) The man, whose name exscapes me** Brought out quite a few goood points. He gave some good charts and projections, but what really would've caught anyone's, and I do mean anyone's attention were his stories and anecdotes.
Hearing document cases about places using similar or somewhat similar single-payer healthcare systems, that getting surgeries for things such as hip replacements, knee replaces, and other reconstructive surgery could take months to a year is scary. When I heard his story about the man who literally tore up his knee playing sports, and did'nt get any kind of surgery until nearly a year to the day after the event (six months to get permission from the government to get the surgery, and then six months after he finally got permission waiting on a list) I could'nt help but fell a chill.
It's no secret that I'm Extremely accident prone***. In 2007, I made a visit to the emergency room for a serious injury at least once a month. Last year I did better, going only once every two months, but could it be possible that someone like me could be waiting in a long queque after a third-degree burn to the foot, or an infected wound, or something of the sort? Would my injuries begin to pile up? Will I be waiting in several lines for several injuries gotten over several months, just waiting to get a procedure approved by the government?
How about, Instead of waiting in America's line, I'll go get my surgery done in another country, Like the senator said many Canadians do? What about invasive surgeries? Will you be in line for eight months for a new liver while yours is failing or completely failed, while you wait for the state to give you permission to get a transplant? The cynic in me wonders is women will have to wait for months to get their abortions approved, while the state bureaucrats stall and a baby is born alive? (But considering the Obama cabinet's obvious support for abortion, I would'nt be surprised if all abortions were given the go-ahead. This is assuming that the state recognizes abortion and contraception as healthcare.)
If I'm lucky enough to have private insurance, assuming that there are'nt too many regulations on whether or not the state says I can have it, these could be dealt with. Assuming that you get to live. There's a highly unlikely rumour that provision is given for older and terminally ill patients to be asked about how they want to be euthanised. Yup, state-sanctioned euthenasia, just like in the good ol' days.
I hope this is scaring you. I really do. I hope you're scared witless****. Because these situations are at least possible, if not likely, in the light of other countries' experiences.
We thought we were just overreacting when we said that the state wanted to control your life. Turns out, that part may not be a rumour, but a real posibility.
Unfortunately, I did'nt get to see the end of the debate. I'm such a momma's boy that I gave into my mother's pleading and turned the channel. So instead of watching an exciting debate about a bill that could change our country for good, I watched re-run's of a somewhat boring sitcom.

*As the man said, for some reason, the incumbents won't let us call it State-run insurance. That's being considered a profane word.

**If you watched it, or know who it was, please tell me. I'd like to know more, possibly watch the rest.

*** So much so, that my school's guidance counselor thought that I was a Cutter and wanted to know why I was self-mutilating. Seriously. Dude thought I was crazy or something.

****In lieu of another, more Profane word.

Aside, I highly reccomend Mr. Black's book on the American Eugenics movement. Well researched, light on polemics, good logic. I used it as the primary source of my information for my term paper last year. (Which I got an extremely high grade on.)

August is the month...

....Of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in the older Roman Calendar celebrated on August 22nd. In the Modern Roman kalendar, It's celebrated on a much older date (the Saturday after the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.)
From S.Joseph's Manual of prayers:

AS the adorable Heart of Jesus was formed in the chaste womb of the Blessed Virgin and of her blood and substance, so we cannot in a more proper and agreeable manner show our devotion to the Sacred Heart of the Son, than by dedicating some part of the said devotion to the Immaculate Heart of the Mother. For you have two hearts here united, in the most strict alliance, and tender conformity of sentiments, so that it is not in nature to please the one, without making yourself agreeable to the other, and pleasing to both. Go then, devout client, to the Heart of Jesus, but let your way be through the Heart of Mary. The sword of grief which pierced her soul opens you a passage ; enter by the wound which love has made; advance to the Heart of Jesus, and rest there even to death itself. Presume not to separate and divide two objects so intimately one, or united together; but ask in all your exigencies from the Heart of Jesus, and ask this redress through the Heart of Mary.

This form and method of devotion is the doctrine and the very spirit of God's Church ; it is what she teaches us in the unanimous voice and practice of the faithful, who will by no means that Jesus and Mary should be separated from each other in our prayers,praises, and affections.This consideration has engaged the sovereign pontiffs and head pastors of the Church to give the selfsame sanction to the pious practices instituted in honor of the sacred Heart of Mary as they give to those of the adorable Heart of Jesus, both within their proper limits. They both have equally their feasts and solemnities, both their associations, and those, too, equally enriched with the treasures of the Church, under the liberal dispensation of its governors. Many are the pious and virtuous souls who have drawn most signal fruit and advantages from these devotions.

Let us love and honor these two hearts so intimately united ; let us go to the Father through the Heart of Jesus; let us go to the Son through the Heart of Mary. Let us render to God the Father, through the Heart of Jesus, what we owe to his infinite goodness and justice ; and let us render to God the Son, through the Heart of Mary, what we owe to his mercy, and for all his beneftts to us. We shall obtain everything from the Father and the Holy Ghost through the Heart of Jesus, and we shall obtain every thing from the Son through the Heart of Mary. It is customary with many pious persons to dedicate the first Saturday in the month to the particular honor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, as the first Friday is devoted to the Sacred Heart of Jesus. To this end they hear Mass, and make a spiritual communion, if they cannot communicate sacramentally, to thank God for all the graces he has bestowed upon Mary, and for the tender affection with which he has filled her heart towards us. In the evening they visit some church or altar dedicated to the blessed Virgin ; or, if that be impossible, they pay a visit to her image in their own house, or elsewhere.

(Who types Google Books' plaintext books? a three month old retarded monkey on crack? So many errors!)