God bless you, Brother Harry

What a day.
For folks who don't go to church, what I mean may sound strange, but today was one of those services where I was touched by the music and message to the point of tears.
I was swept up in peace and just couldn't contain it.
It was pretty awesome.
Then, we received news that one of the greatest men I have ever had the joy of knowing passed away while we were in church.
He wasn't there, and there was a note in the bulletin about his health.
He has been fighting cancer and was physically dwindling away, so it wasn't a shock.
For some reason, when I read the bulletin and realized he wasn't there, I knew it was time.
And then, when I realized his family members that were there were slowly leaving one by one, and I saw tears, I knew it had happened.
Junia and I both did.
I began to cry again when the guest speaker, Pastor Walter, announced that Brother Harry had gone to be with the Lord.
Pastor Clayton said we should celebrate Brother Harry's life and celebrate how he had touched our lives.
I've known this man since I was a kid.
As my family was one of the first families to start the church, I knew Brother Harry and his family.
I've always loved them.
It's saddening that one of the great Warriors of God is gone.
One of the great and inspiring men in the church body, and in my life, is gone.
Two or three weeks ago, he approached my grandfather, who is also weak with disease, and he prayed for my grandfather.
I cried then, watching these two frail but powerful men pray together.
Fighting the emotions of sadness and wishing amazing people like them would stay and continue to existed with us, I realize they suffered and then release into what is so unknown to us is peace, whatever the extent.
As a Christian, I believe that Brother Harry has gone to Heaven.
If anyone deserves to go to Heaven, it is most certainly that man.
Still, I cry.
His family cries.
Church family members will cry.
It's all a part of life, as I've been told before.
It sucks and it doesn't.
It makes me thankful that I do believe in God.
I find peace in that death isn't the final step in our existence.

So, I pray for Brother Harry's family.
May they each find peace in this situation, through their mourning and through their being together and supporting each other.
Amen.

Theatre excitement.

Last night was the first rehearsal of the Taming of the Shrew cast.
The cast is hilarious and everyone is going to play their parts so well.

Sean Arata: Page/Joseph/Pedant
David Artrip: Player/Lucentio
Tenara Calem: Player/Tranio
Steve Emerson: Sly/Petruchio
Rudy Frias: Servant/Hortensio
Anne Grove: Player/Servant/Curtis/Widow
Harlow Keith: Huntsman/Gremio
Britt Kline: Player/Katherina
Junia Maynard: Player/Biondello/Nicholas
Tahrea Maynard: Player/Bianca
Jason Newsome: Player/Grumio
Krista Threadgill: Hostess/Handmaiden/Sugarsop
Richard Wilson: Lord/Baptista

Director: Danielle Mari
Assistant Director: Daniel Smail
Stage Manager/Production Manager: Lynn Moyer
Dramaturge: Molly St. Cyr-Reid

Performances Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, November 6-22.
I'm really pumped to get into the role of Bianca.
I like Danielle's take on this character.
Normally she's played as the sweet innocent younger sister who truly doesn't do any wrong.
My version of the role will be this girl who milks it for all its worth.
She essentially is a brat.
I think of Veruca Salt, only older and with a sex drive.
Danielle wants me to watch Gone with the Wind.
Vivien Leigh's character is supposed to give me some sort of inspiration.
Having never seen the movie, I don't know exactly what to expect but I trust Danielle's judgement.
And I like being able to see where the director is coming from.
:o)
I just can't wait to get started.



Patrick Swayze.
I pray you are in a better place.

Restaurant woes.... and a slight rant

As most people who know me... know, I work at the Tuscan Table.
Now, I like my job.
I love the folks I work with, and, for the most part, I like most of the patrons who come in and dine in our fine restaurant.
BUT, I've gotta rant about something that has been bugging me all day.
Sometimes folks (maybe someone like yourself) enter a restaurant, sit down at their table, and proceed to receive terrible service.
Or their server is just unpleasant.
Or the experience overall is unpleasant.
For whatever reason, said patron may feel the need to NOT leave a tip, or (And, personally, this is worse) they leave a PENNY.
If the server sucks or is just a total tool, that is somewhat understandable.
However, I entreat you to sit back and try and empty your mind of any negative or heated emotion long enough to try and figure out if the situation warrants NOT tipping your server.
After all, this individual does work for tips.
Maybe it wasn't their fault the food was undercooked or not cooked to your liking or even late in arriving to your table.
I'd say, speaking as a patron and not a server, if they try and make it right and appease you, leave them at least a dollar or two.
Please.
I know I said previously that I was going to rant, but it isn't specifically about the above mentioned situations.
What I want to rant about is a related topic that bristles my metaphoric haunches worse than anything else....
IF your server has done everything right, delivered your food, made sure your drinks are filled sufficiently, checked on you and your table, and you leave them NO tip, you....
You just aren't a nice person.
I can almost understand if the restaurant is packed and the server hasn't met your personal standards of table visits and drink refills, but if you are clearly one of only a handful of tables and, at the end of your visit you are sufficiently full of drink and food and you are still in a good mood, you should leave some sort of tip.
AND a penny doesn't cut it.
Once again, if you have the gall to leave a penny as a tip, just keep your copper.
It's an insult.
And it doesn't reflect on you as an individual, especially if you come in and do it more than once.
We at the Table have experienced this strange phenomenon a number of times, unfortunately.
However, this is a universal thing for any server in any restaurant.
Just... try and be kind to your server.
It'll be appreciated and reciprocated.
Please and thank you.
:o)