Of cardinals and computers

The Cardinal arrived sometime at 11am and visited the school. I think there was a meeting with the professors and students but I missed it because the bell rang for lunch some 15 minutes earlier than usual. When I got downstairs to the refectory, almost everyone was there already - so the meeting must have taken place just before. Anyway it was embarassing because everyone started saying "Here comes the chinese". Obviously everyone else had met the cardinal except me. And the cardinal said loudly "Where is the chinese?" and the Dean called me to the head of the table to greet the cardinal. Anyway amid all the chatter and laughter, and my embarrassment for being late, I tried to do the traditional thing and kissed the cardinal's ring - over the refectory table, mind you, and almost knocked a bottle of red wine over. Aaaahhh. Then thinking I could hide away in the crowd, I realised that Marco who should have blessed the food, was missing. And everyone was waiting for lunch, and the Dean and Superior were calling loudly "Lionel start the prayers!" and I then realised why everyone was waiting for the chinese to come - they wanted to eat! Well, I couldn't stop thinking of canaries at that moment.

One reason why I was late and missed the meeting was my computer problem. The former superior arranged for a separate telephone line to my room so I can use my Video-Conferencing machine without disturbing the rest of the computers in the house. It takes up alot of space and blocks the Internet traffic in the house. So the superior suggested a separate line. But that means having to pay US$50 a month instead of the usual US$8 that other students pay for sharing the Internet line. Now I'll have to work extra hard to pay that bill. Anyway the line was not working for several weeks and the guy came over to settle the problem. Was over yesterday but could'nt solve the problem, came back today and only after a very long time, he solved it. Well he got the telephone company to solve it - they had wrongly configured my connection. Well I told the guy I'm not paying the company this month because the line was not working at all. And it was the company's fault. But you know the local logic ...........

I didn't go and buy buns at the 8th Station. That's because Fr Niccacci went out and bought some and shared it with us at the Sala Caffe. I had two! Now I feel like a canary! Fr Niccacci lives in the room next to mine and we like to banter (not half as crazy as with Fr Vincenzo because Niccacci is much older and I must keep that respectful distance). I think he'll be my moderator for my thesis. He's an expert in the hebrew language and wisdom literature.

Ok for now. Will go up to the Holy Sepulchre and pray for you now.