The Haywire

The Haywire

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JUNE 2004
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Howdy Folks,

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who travelled to San Francisco to help me celebrate my Masters Degree in Theology. It was a great time to catch up and create new memories, and I will look fondly upon the times we had over the week. I have recieved requests for the commencement speech I gave on behalf of the Graduate students of the College of Arts & Sciences of The University of San Fracisco, so here it is.

Father Privett, Distinguished Faculty and Staff, Fellow Graduates, and Guests:
We are called to the service of others.

I stand before you this evening as proof positive that a government and culture that applies the basic tenets of social justice can indeed provide for the disadvantaged within its midst. As a child of a single parent family who had never met his father, I could not have imagined speaking to such a distinguished audience in this capacity. Yet through Government programs such as welfare and the Foster Care System, as well as the compassion of others, my family and I were able to weather difficulties and reunite under improved conditions.

For this reason I feel compelled to make a positive impact in my community. Our University’s motto, “Educating Minds and Hearts to Change the World,” has served as inspiration to that end. Moreover, Father Privett’s vision of Praxis and Academia has lent a tangible and lasting impression to those of us here who are receiving our degrees this evening.

In one of our seminars, a Professor in our Theology Department illustrated how the perception of a Graduate Degree in Theology has been transformed. A few decades ago, he noted, it would have been common to be at a gathering, and conversation would turn to his studies. When he mentioned he was a student of Theology, the invariable reaction would be “Are you studying to be a Priest?” Or, “Oh, how interesting.”

Today, religion and spirituality are at the forefront of international dialogue, and the importance of Ecumenical discourse is amplified as we try to come to terms with increasing fundamentalism both at home and abroad. I am often asked my opinion on topical issues ranging from the latest Hollywood Blockbuster to the search for life on other planets and the scientific innovations that are helping us discover more about the universe in which we live. Well, I am no movie critic, and it is probably painfully aware to you that I am no rocket scientist. However, my time here at The University of San Francisco has uniquely equipped me to join the aforementioned ecumenical discourse. My professors in the College of Arts and Sciences have provided a traditional Liberal Arts education steeped in Philosophy, Forensics and the Historical Critical method. The University has provided the vision by which I am able to apply this knowledge as I continue to work for positive and progressive change.

USF’s commitment to social justice and ethnic and spiritual diversity makes me extremely proud. This pride is most heartfelt when I consider my affiliation with the Office of University Ministry. With the guidance of Father John Savard and his staff, I have been able to put my studies into practice, as we travel internationally to help communities in whatever way we can. In an age of increasing anti-American fervor, it has been a great honor to represent my school, city, and country in an exchange of positive and progressive solutions to problems that are realized to a disproportionate degree by our disenfranchised and marginalized brothers and sisters. It has been heartening to work with like-minded members of the Peace Corps and Jesuit Volunteers International, and I truly hope you keep in your thoughts and prayers all those around the world who dedicate their time and effort in an attempt to ease suffering.

On September 5th of last year, The University of San Francisco was honored with a visit from His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. In his call for smart brains and warm hearts, His Holiness distilled our school’s vision into a brief yet powerful proclamation: In his address, he said, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

Ladies and Gentlemen, we are called to the service of others. To different degrees we choose to, and are able to heed that call. I ask that we endeavor to serve others not simply for the benefit of those around us, but for ourselves.

Thank You.

I will be updating my site on a weekly basis from now on, and will add text below this entry as my brain sees fit. Have a great day!

Warmest Regards,

Paul

Drink of the Month: The Rubber Chicken

3 oz. Bourbon or Irish Whiskey
1 Part Limeade mix from concentrate
1 Part Ginger Ale
Ice

Mixing instructions:

Fill Mason jar with ice. Pour in Whiskey. Top with the 50/50 mix of Limeade and Ginger Ale.

I am including this drink to commemorate the 100th walk issued to Barry Bonds so far this season by the lame-ass pithchers of the National League. Drink and enjoy.

This Month's Recipe:
Catfish Banh Mi: Vietnamese Catfish Po' Boy

To my Vietnames friends on worldy Clement Street, in the heart of the Inner Richmond District of San Francisco. Ruou ngon phai co ban hien!

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups fresh lime juice
1/3 cup soy sauce
1/3 cup rice syrup (available in Asian markets), or honey
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons minced ginger
3 cups grated peeled daikon radish
3 cups grated peeled carrots
2 long French bread baguettes, about 30-inches each
5 baked catfish fillets, recipe follows
1 cup fresh cilantro, stems trimmed
3 jalapeno or serrano chile peppers, thinly sliced

Directions

In a blender, mix the lime juice, soy sauce, rice syrup, vegetable and sesame oils, garlic, and ginger on high speed for 10 seconds.

In a bowl, combine the radishes and carrots with 1/2 cup of the lime juice mixture. Toss and refrigerate for 15 minutes.

Cut each baguette in half lengthwise without cutting all the way through. Scoop out about 1/2-inch of the soft dough inside both sides of the bread. Spread each side with the lime juice mixture and top with the baked catfish. Drain the shredded vegetables and arrange on top of the fish. Lay the cilantro and peppers over the vegetables. Cover with the top piece of bread, pressing down to seal. Slice each sandwich on the bias into 2-inch thick pieces, getting about 15 mini-sandwiches per baguette.

Baked Catfish: 5 catfish fillets, halved 2 teaspoons vegetable oil 1/3 cup soy sauce 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 teaspoon ginger, minced 1 teaspoon garlic, minced 1 teaspoon lime zest Cayenne

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Rinse catfish under cold running water and pat dry. Lightly coat a large non-reactive baking dish with the vegetable oil and set aside. In a bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, garlic, lime zest, and cayenne, and stir well to mix. Lay the catfish in the prepared dish. Pour the soy sauce mixture over the fish to coat but not saturate. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Bake until the fish is tender, opaque and starts to flake with a fork, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before making the sandwiches.

Drink a bottle of Chateau Margaux Pavillon Blanc and drop me a line if you have any problems.

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JUNE 2004 Archive War Dead War Wounded

Five Good Books

Assorted White House Bullshit

Bush: A Flash in the Pan

Ronald Reagan

Ray Charles

Government Watch

The Distractions

Drink of the Month: The Rubber Chicken

This Month's Recipe: Catfish Banh Mi: Vietnamese Catfish Po' Boy

Ingredients

Directions

JUNE 2004
Archive
War Dead
War Wounded

This Month's Recipe:
Catfish Banh Mi: Vietnamese Catfish Po' Boy