A Medley:
On this day in 1947, Kenneth Arnold reported nine unidentified flying objects, crescent-shaped craft which behaved like nothing on this earth. They moved, he said, like saucers skipping across the water.
Thus was born the modern UFO/flying saucer/alien contactee craze.
Vidi aquam egredientem de templo, a latere dextro, Alleluia
I attended the opening of the Canadian Anglican Synod last night. No, I haven't been ordained. My wife sang in the choir which they had assembled for the occasion. This, I must confess, was the only reason I sat through three hours of a service during a heat wave, surrounded by clerics-- which sounds like an experienced organized by a sadistic Dungeon Master. The music was good. Bishop Michael B. Curry delivered the sermon/homily. This is the American Episcopalian who spoke at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding. It's good to be reminded that people exist in public life who (1) speak impressively and (2) believe in something, even if it's something that I don't.
I sat behind a different bishop. Fortunately, that Right Reverend did not wear a miter, so I had little trouble seeing the front.
Et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista, salvi facti sunt,
Et dicent: Alleluia, Alleluia!
Last week I passed a day in New Hamburg, Ontario, on what was probably my last set of interviews there for the lesser-known cryptids book. These included someone who was a child when the Nith River Monster made its debut. A generation later he fabricated the 1970s model that the town incorporated for a time into local festivities. He also restored it in the present era. There's family history here: his father, a baker, made a model of dough in 1953; he, an auto body man, used other material. I also spoke with two others, including the granddaughter of the man mainly responsible for the monster's original appearance.
The local newspaper, at the time, expressed relief that at least no one had claimed to have seen a flying saucer.
We're dealing with folklore; some facts shifted with each interviewee.
Vidi aquam egredientem de templo, a latere dextro, Alleluia
Double Feature: Suburbia (1983-- Penelope Spheeris, between The Decline and Fall of Western Civilization I and Wayne's World) and Suburbia (1996-- Richard Linklater, taking a break from doing original films where a bunch of characters wander around locations, to adapt a stage play where a bunch of characters wander around locations) make an interesting double feature. Different times and budgets, but both present uneven though interesting portrayals of disaffected people. The first presents punks; the second, slackers.
Both feature cool music and beg usage of the phrase, "it was a different time."
As though ours is that much better.
The Spheeris film features a pre-Chili Peppers Flea in a key role. In this case, the Flea has a rat. He goes everywhere with his beloved pet rodent, which reminded me of my friend Eve, who went through a couple such pets in the 80s
Rats do not live long lives.
Et omnes ad quos pervenit aqua ista, salvi facti sunt
My wife remained at St. Paul's for the reception. I walked home down a street more alive with a slightly cooler night, passing patios congested with the thirsy and the intoxicated. A homeless kid slept slumped on a bench. In the darkened parking lot of the Baptist church, a group of guys and gals with Japanese bikes drank beer.
A siren sounded on the road, beside and behind me, about six blocks from home. The officer, however, was pulling over a driver, for some reason.
Et dicent: Alleluia, Alleluia!