Stephen's First Look...November 7, 2004

Now being sure that she liked what she saw on the other end of 10,000 miles of fiber optic cable, Joni decided to take an immeasureable risk and send Stephen a picture of her veryownself from her trip to Ireland. So, she picked out the best pictures from her trip, took a deep breath, and sent them along the lines and waited to see what would happen... Below is Joni's email to Stephen, and the photos she sent him of her trip...


"Hey Stephen,

It always cracks me up that today is tomorrow for you, and that right now, you're probably curled up at home with pizza and whiskey, watching the news, or listening to the science programs on the radio, and here I am, having just gotten up and checking email before getting ready to go to Mass at some point during the day.

Thanks for the pictures, I love them! It is only appropos that the Che-Lover IS on the Far-Left, I suppose he would like a Scooby Snack? (If you know what I mean... You know, the whole theory that the whole SCooby Doo gang was a bunch of drug-crazed hippies. Like Scooby and Shaggy were always stoned, since they were always hungry, etc. etc.?) Wow, Canberra looks like an incredible place from up where you were. I think it's a great idea for whoever designed the War Memorial to have those boys forever looking at all that they sacrificed to protect and defend. I think it's kind of like how they purposfully placed all the tombstones at Arlington National Cemetery in formation, so that no matter which angle you look at it from, it looks like all these markers (men) are still standing in formation, ready for whatever orders they may get. I loved that about that place. How there is this incredibly sacred feel to the grounds, and to the house itself.

O.K. - I am sending you some of the photos from my Ireland adventure. There is a picture from the cemetery at the Rock of Cashel, looking down on the plain of Tipperary, one of this cool flagstone arch I took because the stones were so small (none were thicker than 1 to 2 inches, except the keystone, which might have been 4 or 5 inches wide) and yet this arch, and this similarly constructed abbey are still standing after nearly 1,000 years. So amazing! Also, another photo I took thinking you might be interested is of this marker in the Cobh Heritage Center, regarding a priest who made the trek to Van Deimen's Island to minister to his flock there. Finally, there's me, getting good and fired up at the prospect of attending the medieval banquet in the BUnratty castle, also attached. Anyway, there's plenty more pictures, including some from the Guiness storehouse, just dripping with historic machinery, if you're interested.

Finally, if we ever do exchange snail mail, I picked up the geneaology brochure at Cobh, the info you gave me on Catherine Falvey was not enough to fill out the form and have a reasonable expectation of getting any complete info on her. I brought back the form to get to you somehow, so that you could head to your parents' with it and fill it out right and proper. Also, I picked up another brochure for a similar service in County Clare. I figure I'll finish reading that Keneally book and send it all to you, along with a cd of the pictures from my trip.

Thanks so so so much for the article on Mooronification, I printed it out and brought it to Angie and Frank last night. We all laughed heartily! Thanks!! To return the favor somewhat, let me introduce you to Scrappleface.com, the best CONSERVATIVE satire site out there. here's one of my very recent favs, http://www.scrappleface.com/MT/archives/001913.html headline: Bush Swats Kofi Annan With Rolled Up Newspaper - Yes, it's exactly what you think. Enjoy!

Have a great day, and be happy, too!
- joni"