Sic
Sic ponders success,
which, lets face it, has everthing to do with money
Always end anything as soon after too much of it as
possible. This Sic motto has been in the family for generations. We
intend to put it on our tombstone, if we ever get a tomb. Then we plan to add,
because it sounds snappy and mysterious, Horseman, pass by.
* * *
Were not called to be successful; were called to
be faithful. This has been attributed to the late Mother Teresa, Dorothy
Day and Jacques Maritain and, for all we know, Bill Clinton.
So whats so bad about success? Wouldnt you rather be
Bill Gates or a loaded sultan of Bahrain than a poor person like yourself? And
dont tell Sic success is not about money. Just go to your Mercedes Benz
dealer, flex your moral muscle and see if itll get you a shiny new
car.
But we digress. In the go-go 90s, we need a new
inspirational motto, as in, Were not called to be successful;
were called to be thin. Or the less ambitious were
called to be unsuccessful. This Space invites all who have nothing better
to do nah, better not bother.
* * *
Sic doesnt think first grade teachers would lie, yet we get
suspicious at the answers their kids give to finish off a few proverbs:
Better be safe than ... punch a 5th grader.
You can lead a horse to water but ... how?
Dont bite the hand that ... looks dirty.
You cant teach an old dog ... math.
If you lie down with dogs, you ... will stink in the morning.
Love all, trust ... me.
A penny saved is ... not much.
When the blind lead the blind ... get out of the way.
There is no fool like ... Aunt Edie.
* * *
Dont let anyone pretend theres no weird stuff
happening for the millennium. Phenomena and things like that. If you
havent seen a UFO this year, where have you been?
We need an institute to track these crazy antics. Well call
it the Wacky Way People Are Behaving Institute. If any readers friends or
dear ones are acting paranormally, write to Sic right now.
* * *
The bad news is Dennis Rodman, basketball star with Technicolor
hair, has been dumped by the L.A. Lakers for lack of civility on and off the
court. The good news, he has agreed to write a column for NCR called
In the Pond.
* * *
Everyone remembers Plato galloping out of that cave chased by his
shadow and yelling Eureka! Cogito ergo sum and corny stuff
like that.
Which reminds Sic: Yahoo! News reports that the monks at Buddhist
Purple Lotus University in Union City say, What looks like an image of
Jesus has appeared on a bumpy concrete wall on their campus. The monks
say its a miracle and call it the mysterious face of
compassion.
* * *
When Sic recently listed some creative evaluations from the
workplace, no one cared. So here are others:
He doesnt have ulcers, but hes a carrier.
Hes been working with glue too much.
He would argue with a signpost.
He brings a lot of joy whenever he leaves the room.
He has the knack for making strangers immediately.
When his IQ reaches 50, he should sell.
Gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isnt
coming.
If he were any more stupid, hed have to be watered twice a
week.
Some drink from the fountain of knowledge; he only gargled.
* * *
The March newsletter of the Fraternal Order of St. Odo the Lesser
includes this announcement: EWTN cashes in on the cooking show mania with
its own delightful comedy. Sister Mary Ginseng stars as The Frying
Nun.
* * *
Hey, drop whatever youre doing and take another look at the
picture in the April 16 NCR of Pope John Paul putting his hand in
Cardinal Ratzingers pocket. One hopes theres some rubric or canon
covering this.
* * *
Joseph Martos has always been blessed with creative students in
his classes. The following are from recent papers:
The rich and middle class generally have fewer children than
the lover class.
I feel that if the pope does not make it into the 20th
century, there is no way he will ever make it into the 21st century.
In areas such as burials, weddings and morality, the church
should always remain an important authoritarian.
Sometimes I wish God could just send down a note to me, when
I am boggled about things.
* * *
News flash: Spokesman Joaquín Navarro-Valls has announced
that Vatican officials are forbidden to sport tattoos because of the indelible
mark.
National Catholic Reporter, April 30,
1999
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