Reflection #33 (Only 1043 to go!): Odds-and-Ends

     This past Friday, March 2, I was at the Ignatius Law Luncheon, an event that I always enjoy. Frank Raispis and I represented the old-timers among Ignatius personnel.  According to John Tracy, he's getting pretty close to joining our ranks. (Welcome, John! Ahh, the golden years. You’ll love it. Bring a lot of Advil with you.)
     I was able to chat with so many folks, mostly former students...too many to name, but always up-lifting to hear about their lives.  There were several who were running for “judgeships”. (I hope that’s the right word.) I highly recommend that any Ignatians who are in the law profession come to the Law Luncheon, at least to check it out, and see what the association has to offer.
     Going to these events with Raispis is always fun/interesting.  There were actually people lined up to say, "Hi!" to him.  I'm proud to call him my friend.  At the same time, it gives me the sense of what it must be like to be invisible.  To use an old line, if Frank were standing on the balcony next to the Pope, I'm pretty sure a lot of people would be saying, "Who's that guy standing next to Frank?"
     During Father Caruso's short talk, he encouraged the group to come to "Gloriam 2012", this year's fund-raiser.  Happily, yesterday the notice came out announcing that the event is sold out.
     That brings me to my second point. (or is it my 3rd?)    In my last blog, I pointed out two reunions that centered around the years that these alumni were students.  However, besides the Law Association, there are at least two other groups of Ignatians who are connected professionally.  There is also the Business Society which has their luncheon in November (tentatively November 2^nd this year) and the women’s society which is a professional networking group.
     These subsets of alumni give everyone an opportunity to stay involved with, and even take advantage of, the school community. If anyone is interested in getting more information about any of the groups, or what other groups might be available, contact Sean MacCready, the Alumni Director at Ignatius.

     Finally, my wife prompted me to write the following item...much against my better judgment:
     I trust that you all know that the Pythagorean Theorem says, "In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides."
     In the pre-Columbian days of North America, the native Americans had their own version of that famous theorem. Based on the legend from one of the tribes, three Indian women were about to give birth. It was believed that if a baby was born on the pelt of an animal, the child would grow to possess the good qualities of that animal.
     When the first woman's time had come, her husband went out into the wilds and slew a mountain lion, and, on that skin, a baby boy was born. When the second wife's time had come, her husband slew a mountain tiger, and his wife had a son.
     When the third woman's time came, her husband slew a mountain hippopotamus and brought back its skin. On that skin, twin sons were born.
     The Indians came to understand that “The squaw of the hippopotamus is equal to the sons of the squaws of the other two hides     (Get it?  The square of the hypotenuse equals the sum of the squares of the other two sides.)     That’s all for now folks; I’ll be here all week. Oh, ya! I apologize in advance to all Native Americans for the last item, and for all of the times that I told that story in class. ”.