Ash Wednesday

No, this is not of picture of my head after falling off the Hopslam wagon, nor is it the latest cover from a Goth Rock Band, it's the ashes given as a sign of the cross on Ash Wednesday that officially begins the lent season. Many Christian religions observe this ritual. I woke up too late and bleary eyed and missed the first Ash Wednesday Mass; however, I have four more to choose from. You see, in the Catholic Church more Masses are given for Ash Wednesday than for Easter or Christmas. Is there a story there? I think so. It's our morbid since of self that we all too often give honor to, even when we think it is the right thing to do. Now, don't get me wrong. I have nothing against the ritual, believing rituals are necessary for us to have order. It is how we interpret the ritual and its meaning that gets so messy. Like all good Catholics I used to focus all my energy on what to give up: chocolate, beer, sex, etc...The question is, what good did that do for me, and more importantly for those around me. It is a focus of scarcity, which is truly selfish, and not one of abundance that Christ demands from us. Instead of focusing on what you can't do, give extra energy this lent to what you can do, or should do. God said he does not want sacrifice, but a contrite heart and spirit. One that is open to him, not focused on the self. I take the ashes today to remind me of how much more I should be living and not for how much closer I am to dying. So this lent, live and love. You just might be the light that is missing in this black cold darkness we call lent. Besides, the fish need a break and the beef farmers need our support.

Sir Hook "the Black Light" of Warrick

P.S. Just to clarify why Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter always seem different. It is based on the Gregorian Calendar, which is based on other ancient calendars. Easter is actually determined by two distinct occurrences that are slightly less embraced by fundamental Christians: The Spring Equinox and a Full Moon. That's right, each year Easter is selected as the Sunday of the First Full Moon after the Spring Equinox. You back up 40 days from there and the Wednesday before those 40 days is Ash Wednesday. So mankind has been celebrating this great Feast for thousands of years. Unity through Diversity!

Ringing Bell's on Fat Tuesday

Beads in one hand and a beer in another was a tactile reminder that it was time to ring in another Fat Tuesday! Sir Richard the Lionheart of Beaver Creek and your humble servant, Sir Hook of Warrick made a pilgrimage to Old Chicago, Sacred Founding Place, of our inspired and errant band. The perfect beer to Ring in this occasion is anything brewed by the Bell's Brewing Company in Kalamazoo, MI. As they say, "Inspired Brewing!"



Recently discovering their pleasures over the holiday season, I found myself staring down the barrel of a 10% limited addition "mother of all beers", the Hopslam! The name says it all, both in flavor and in results. Many beads were shared as I hopped on the hopslam wagon. Try it, you'll like it! Now, how do I get off this wagon to write about Ash Wednesday?
Sir Hook "the Slamed" of Warrick

A Knight Quits!

I woke up this morning to today’s headline screaming that a Knight Quit. More precisely, “Bob Knight Calls it Quit.”

Bobby Knight is, of course, the greatest basketball coach in the history of the world! (Did I just write that?). You can’t argue wins and losses: 902 victories, three national titles, 32-0 Season at I.U., Olympic Gold, and an unforgettable chair throw.

I’m not sure that Bobby Knight would want to be a Knight of MSA. He doesn’t seem like much of a joiner. I don’t know if he “Drinks” and, even though I have seen evidence of a terrific sense of humor, I don’t think we can exactly call him “Merry.”

But, he is a brilliant “Thinker” and Knight, like all good Knights, is a fervent reader of biographies – especially of successful men and woman.

You can say a lot about Bobby Knight, but he is a winner. Do the means justify the ends? Should I hate the sin but love the sinner? Should I judge him for his actions?

The way I see it, I cannot, as a Knight of MSA, judge him – at least until I’ve walked a mile in his sneakers (Sneakers, now there’s a word you don’t see much anymore!).

So, a toast to the Knight of College Basketball. Whether you remember him fondly as you drink your pint, or curse him “good riddance” as you piss your ale, here’s remembering the legacy of Bobby Knight.

Sir Bowie of Greenbriar