MattBlerg

198 posts
Email: [email protected] Twitters: @MattBlerg

QOTD: What Are You Giving Up For Lent?

Lent CTMardi Gras is a time to party and Lent is the solemn time leading up to Easter. Being a Catholic, it’s always been my practice to give up something for Lent. In my adult years it’s been buying shoes or clothes or not shopping at all, red meat or my time. The last few years I’ve said I would go to daily mass once a week and do Stations of the Cross throughout Lent.

As I have been searching for a new church to call home since I moved back to New Orleans, I think I’m going to spend some time parish-hopping during Lent and hope I find the church that’s right for me. It may not be “giving something up” per se, but I am using this time to do some reflection to figure out what parish is right for me.

What about you? What are you giving up for Lent? Continue reading →

The First Holiday Without

black and white wreathMy grandmother passed away in April of this year and this is my first holiday season without her. I feel very lucky that she was a part of my life for nearly 29 years. Having eight kids and a husband did not stop her from getting her master’s degree and having a career. I hope to end up being half the woman she was.

Almost needless today, with her passing the dynamic of my family has changed and it is something that I can’t ignore this Christmas. A year ago, my parents and I were deciding whose side of the family to see first and who we would eat with – a discussion that came along with every big holiday. During the summer my dad had to move my other grandmother (his mom) to an assisted living facility because she has severe arthritis and it was effecting her mobility. Not good since she lived alone. This year we are inviting our smaller family over to my parents house. Continue reading →

If I Never Would Have…

There are plenty of times in your life when there’s a fork in the road and you wonder “would would have happened if I went the other way?” I often wonder what my life would be like if I stayed in San Antonio for college instead of moving to New Orleans. I think I’d have continued to work in retail, continued living with my parents and generally, would not have learned how to exist on my own. Continue reading →

Chicago Playing Chicken with Chick-fil-A

In 2011, Chick-fil-A opened their first location in the city of Chicago (three other locations were opened in the Chicago suburbs in late 2010/early 2011) and found much success near the city’s famed Magnificent Mile despite being closed on Sundays. Looking to expand their presence in the Chicago area, they petitioned 1st Ward Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno for a permit to build in his Logan Square neighborhood. Despite the additional revenue that the fast food restaurant will bring to the neighborhood, Alderman Moreno is looking to block the permit that would allow Chick-fil-A to build in Logan Square. Continue reading →

Mad Men Open Thread: Season 5 Episode 13 Finale

Well, here we are at the end of season 5. It feels like we just started this journey. I just want to say thank you to everyone for coming by every week with their comments. It’s been great sharing this season with you! Can’t wait for season 6!

Be sure to check out the previews for this week’s episode.

WARNING: THE REST OF THIS POST WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS. DO NOT COME IN HERE IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED. Continue reading →

Today is National Running Day!

What is  National Running Day you ask?

From the National Running Day website:

“National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. Wherever we are and whomever we’re with, we run—fast or slow, alone or with others, all over town or just around the block. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.” Continue reading →

Mad Men Post-Mortem: Commissions and Fees

Let’s discuss what happened on Mad Men last night shall we? Fresh off last week’s pretty depressing and squeamish episode, we can hope for something not as serious right? Come in here and share you thoughts and links about this week’s episode.

WARNING: THIS POST WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS ABOUT LAST NIGHT’S EPISODE. IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED, I SUGGEST YOU STAY OUT OF HERE. Continue reading →

QOTD: Would you rather be hot or cold?

Aku-Aku has started quite the discussion in the Open Thread this morning with his talk of humidity. Weather is a huge part of how much you like where you live. In Chicago, everyone (well, most people I know anyway) hates their life for the 4-6 months of winter. However, summer is so awesome here Chicagoans almost forget how much the winter sucks. We spend as much time outside as possible and just plain love it.
Continue reading →