Out of Gas is unique in the sense that it’s told in anachronistic order. I’ll start with what I call “present day”: The episode starts out with shots of an empty Serenity, which already tells the audience that something is wrong. Just as we start to wonder where everyone was, we see Captain Mal Reynolds collapsing onto the floor of the cargo hold. The episode then flashes back to the crew of Serenity sharing funny stories around the dinner table... Read more
In the world of fandoms, there is something called OTP also known as One True Pairing. It basically means “the relationship that fans of a show love the most.” In the Bible, there are many beautiful relationships. My OTP is Joseph and Mary I only gained a devotion to the Holy Family recently, but I would sometimes talk on Tumblr with other Catholics about what Joseph and Mary’s life could’ve been like. These speculations are called “headcanon.” An example from a... Read more
Inspired by my friends from The New Catholic Generation, who collaborated on this awesome video: From the desire of acting out on my feelings, deliver me O Lord From the desire of using the internet as a safety blanket, deliver me O Lord From the desire of rambling about shows not on TV anymore, deliver me O Lord From the desire to dominate conversations, deliver me O Lord From the desire to talk badly of others behind their backs,... Read more
Every Browncoat worth their salt knows the story of the man they call Jayne, but what they don’t realize is that the moral of the story involves learning about idolatry and how broken Bibles can fix people. The crew of Serenity goes to a far off moon called Canton to make a deal. Jayne is a bit more paranoid this time around because he went to Canton before and believes that there are people there that have a bad history... Read more
JMJ Serving a retreat can be just as much an emotional rollercoaster as being on a retreat. You’re being asked to serve on a really big level. And it takes a lot out of you, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. I brought two sets of prayers with me to the retreat: one was the series of meditations for the renewal of my Marian Consecration and the other was a small book of prayers dedicated to St. Joseph, since I was in... Read more
These are two poems I wrote during my first time staffing Bayou Awakening. Think of it as a “before” and “after” of what it means to learn humility. Like Water Dripping Running Flowing Giving life yet getting nothing I am poured out into an unknown place Not raging Not calm Now flowing A river constantly running Like water, I am unseen I am giving, yet I receive nothing And I’m not sure where I’m going I want to... Read more
A lot of comedy and drama relies on poor communication. It dates back to the old “Who’s On First” joke from Abbott and Costello. “Our Mrs. Reynolds” starts out with the classic marriage misunderstanding. While staying on a planet called Triumph, Captain Mal receives a flower crown and shares a dance with a local girl named Saffron only to find out later that he participated in a marriage ceremony. (You wanna know why it takes Catholics long to get married?... Read more
The episode starts out with a flashback to River and Simon’s childhood and then goes back to present-day River who is having a mental breakdown. The crew of Serenity plans on selling off the cows they smuggled from the previous episode. Mal tells Simon and River to take a walk around the town away from the deal-making point. They go into a shop where Inara and Kaylee are looking around. Simon snaps at Kaylee about being out in a backwater... Read more
I’ve been going to retreats since my college days. I’m currently on staff for a young adult retreat that starts tomorrow. So, in honor of Bayou Awakening 24, I present to you a playlist of songs that basically describe what a retreat attendant basically goes through, or at least how I feel before, during, and after. There are two kinds of retreaters, I think. The ones who can’t wait to go and the ones who are reluctant to go, but... Read more
I feel really uncomfortable labeling myself a feminist. As I stated yesterday, I call myself a “gender equalist.” I have a lot of issues with feminism as it is defined by the secular mainstream media and how it’s defined by the majority of Tumblr. Let’s explore the pros and cons of this label. DISCLAIMER: I’m going to be painting in broad strokes here, so forgive me for not going into too much detail. Pros: The dictionary defines feminism thusly: 1) the... Read more
Monique Ocampo Writes
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