Category Archives: Tony’s Posts

Finding Rest, A Sunday Reflection #sundayvibes

Rest is important to people. I am not talking about sleep here but something that is just as needed. There’s comfort and security to be found in resting.

What do you find rest in though? A cause, politics, religion, relationships, place. All of those things are a part of human existence in how we lean into them as a way to give us identity and purpose.

There are two sides to everything especially politics and we are seeing things get ugly. Relationships are a two way street. Causes are a reflection of our concerns and values. Religion is a definite sacred cow that can bring people together or separate them. Place can give us home where we find our belonging to something greater than ourselves.

Giving things a rest might help us finally have some peace so we can rest for real. Realizing what is important and focusing on that. Yes I need to take my own advice and some of you are the choir I am preaching to but you know we all need reminding of that.

Find something that gives you some rest good people. This world needs us all refreshed and ready for the days ahead.

(My priest Fr. Quinn inspired this post from his sermon on 7/5/2020)

Independence Day Tradition Watching The White House Get Blown Up

A family tradition, watching the White House get blown up in the movie “Independence Day” First year without Dad. Still Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum save the day. This movie is one of our favorites.

Hamilton The Movie, A Review

Last night I saw the movie version of the hit musical “Hamilton” and I thought it was a soaring experience. Lin-Manuel Miranda is a genius in every sense of the word. This very original presentation of the founding of America as told from the view of Alexander Hamilton who was a soldier and statesmen.

The cast of this movie including Daveed Diggs, Renee Elise Goldsbury, Phillipa Soo, Jonathan Groff, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Okieriete Onaodowan, Leslie Odom, Jr. Christopher Jackson, Anthony Ramos and many others brought inspired performances. Musicals are hard because they involve singing while moving and its almost athletic in how this cast brought the story to life.

Granted I am not feeling all that patriotic right now, so I looked at it from a story of people wanting to do something great, while struggling to do so. Seeing people of color tell the history of the beginning of this country was refreshing. Musically it was fantastic. Artistically it was top-notch.

There was triumph, tragedy and a good dose of comedy too. Any good production will have universal themes that can make one feel hopeful and even forward thinking. Really there are no spoilers to be told because the story is in history books and Hamilton follows what happened in the early days of America.

If you haven’t seen it on Disney Plus then I would encourage you to. There are many things to appreciate here. It’s very entertaining and worth three hours of your time.

My Hope For America On July 4th

This is what I want America to be. While we are at it throw in health care for all and science is valued. America doesn’t have to be great if it can be better than it is now. Wouldn’t it be nice, just saying.

Not Feeling The Flag and Fireworks Right Now

I admit patriotism is the last thing on my mind with the suffering going on. COVID and racial unrest should be dealt with. As long as people are dying and treated like second-class citizens then the promise of this nation is not being fulfilled. To me the fourth this year will just be another day.

I say this not to disparage the service of veterans but to just say that fireworks and flags aren’t what should be our focus right now.

Hang On It’s Friday

Friends it’s been a long week or so it seems. Hang in there, the weekend is at hand. Have the best day possible.