Sometimes I get myself into things because of things people know I can do. This past week I got a call asking me to do sound for wedding at the West Middlesex Presbyterian Church. Originally, I was going to say know. I ended up saying I would do it. I wasn’t doing much anyway Saturday so that I would be in the area if Dad needed something. I went to the rehearsal Thursday night. It wasn’t much of a rehearsal as the wedding party showed up 45 minutes late. They didn’t have the music or anything, a fact that would turn into a theme. Pastor and I talked on Saturday as we waited for the bride to arrive with the music and program/bulletin. How do you wing a wedding when you are in someone else’s church? Neither he or I go there. I knew a little about the church from working with their dinner theater group, but where do you come up with music etc.
The bride finally arrived. She had burnt her music to a DVD. DVDs won’t play in standard CD players. I was handed a three CD set of wedding music and told play whatever I want except the Wedding March because that was to be used when she was coming down the aisle. Pastor and I went through the program and discussed where he normally liked to have music. I selected a couple songs on the fly and jotted them down where he said they should go. The wedding went off well for being finalized at the last minute. The bride was happy with everything.
After the wedding, I went home and crashed for a bit. I’ve been having some extra pains down my legs since I carried the air conditioners up and down the steps the other day. It has been very difficult to get to sleep. I probably aggravated everything more today. I have had a set of driving lights since Christmas. I needed to get them on the truck. The temperature was cool this morning so I took a stab at it. They came out well but I am already feeling it in my back. Pills before bed… Maybe even some ice.
Saturday night I went to Rick White’s bachelor party. Lots of good food. Chicken on the spit. Mmmmmm. I stayed till around Midnight. I had ridden the bike since the evening temps were comfortable. The ride home was a wee bit cooler. I had taken a little heavier jacket. I was very glad of that. I’m sure the cold damp air didn’t help my back any. Oh well, Can’t stay inside all the time.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve noticed certain things bug the heck out of me and other things that used to torque my chain don’t matter. Bigotry is one thing that I have less and less tolerance for. People are people to me. Black, White, Hispanic, Gay, Straight, or whatever label you want to put on someone means little to me anymore. My personal experience has led me to believe that as long as someone doesn’t force their beliefs on me then that’s cool. I read someone’s post this weekend about their son finding out his friend was gay and how well he handled it. How else is he supposed to handle it. If the person is truely your friend, his/her differences don’t matter. There is no instruction manual that says “If you don’t believe the way I do you are not my friend”. We are all different and its those differences that make us who we are.
That being said, I’ve heard some things come out of my own family’s mouths that just boggle my mind. You have never spent time with a black person or a gay person if your first word out of your mouth is some stereotypical slang or derogatory remark. I have many friends that come from all walks of life. I’ve been treated better by most of them than by the “White” race that I am apart of. If I’m stepping on toes, I’m sorry. I have gotten up and walked away from conversations of that type over and over… Twice this weekend. I may come from a backwoods area of Pennsylvania but that by no means gives anyone the right to be rude or ignorant just because that’s how things used to be. We don’t live in that world anymore. I may not believe in certain lifestyles or people’s beliefs but I have grown enough in myself to realize that doesn’t make them some evil monster that should be feared or put down.
I was asked this weekend what church I attend. I told the person that I don’t attend any Church because the Church itself became the stumbling block to my faith. I still have faith and believe but I’m not going to let a group of people in some building make me feel uncomfortable for being there. Your Church Family is supposed to be the one place you feel loved no matter what happens or where you are in life. When that place becomes intolerant, then it is hypocritical and not where I’d prefer to be. The Bible says we should have love one for another and they know we are christians by our love. I don’t know where it says you should ostracize someone because they don’t want to sing the same hymns as you or paint the church their favorite color. Ok.. End of Rant.
I think its time to take a couple pills and head off to the land of knod. Here’s to a great week… ummmm… yeah…
See ya!
~Cappy