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Long day of work, notable for it's lack of register shift and my extreme thirst. My hands are shaking, so I wonder if I'm coming down with something.

Went to my boss's Halloween party for a little while after work. I wasn't planning on going, but with the time change and all it seemed worthwhile. Ate delicious brownies and couscous, talked with various Half Price Book people. It was nice.

Called the police on my neighbors, who are so damn loud. I can hear the country music over my shower, every word clear as a cow bell beside the annoying laugh of sorority girls.

saints

Very nice Mass this morning, and RCIA session afterwards. We talked of prayer and saints and ate baklava. Something decadent about baklava for breakfast. In our little group discussions we talked of people in our lives who are saints in one way or another, and the people who led us to God through their actions. I shared stories of Patrick and his dedication to his difficult work, and how someone who outwardly might appear as something else is underneath quite a good person. After the session Steve came up to me and remembered how he had once servec as a Eucharistic minister when Patrick came up to the altar. He said he felt such a peace, such a strong sense communion in that moment that it still strikes him. "Like looking at Christ, " he said.

Our concluding service was for remembering the dead. Debra led us through a sort of prayer-visualization exercise that I found fantastic. One of my few genuinely prayerful and centered moments. Because this time I did see Him, and I did feel Him walking with me. I said thank you to my grandfather this morning, and it was hard to leave him. But I know now that it is okay, that he is okay, that he doesn't hurt anymore and he knows how much I love him.

We wrote their names in the parish book of the dead, and lit candles. Debra had us each take a prayer card of a different saint, and this week we are supposed to find out about these saints, pray and think about their lives. I have St. John Bosco, because it occured to me I have so many prayer cards of saints yet none of them men.

So this week I will read about St. John Bosco and talk to him in my prayers. Perhaps he will go fishing with my grandfather in heaven.

dinner

My mother made steaks for us, with mushrooms and green onions. It's been a good day for food. We sat around and talked a little, I played with the puppy. While I was throwing the tennis ball, our little orange cat leaped out of the tree and landed right on the dog. He likes the tennis ball too.