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Monday, March 31, 2008
Macon & Atlanta
What a couple of days!
1 Sunday morning service
1 Parade
2 Concerts
7+ hours on a bus
65,000 calories eaten per bandsmen (slight exaggeration)
Sunday morning at Atlanta Temple Corps, we were warmly welcomed by the corps officer and had a chance to look around the corps building, impressive! They even have a fancy coffee machine for everyone to use, which is always on free vend, hopefully this is an idea Capt. Hill will take back to the TAB.
The band played quite a few pieces in the morning meeting, which where all well received and I'm sure that the congregation found them a helpful aid to worship. Meredith, and Derek Flinn also gave their testimonies in music. Capt Dusty preached on being "People of Proclamation" which if you haven't realized is the theme of our tour.
After the meeting we had a quick getaway to be at our next venue Macon, where we would be participating in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. This parade was fun and we where well received by the folks, and also gave the local SA good exposure.
After the parade we were off for some food, and we were in for a treat! BBQ and it was good, nothing more really to say about that. We got back to the training school fairly early so most of us got an early night.
Monday was to be a busy day. back to Macon (1.5 hrs) for a 'open air' concert for the ribbon cutting of the Cherry Blossom Festival. It was COLD! The powers that be made the desicion to wear our tour jackets which are quite a bit thicker that our festival tunics, some wore those under the jackets, it really was chilly. After all the dignitaries said a few words each we played the National Anthem then on to our concert which the warmed the souls of the listeners if not their bodies. We met a very pink poodle in Macon, Barbara found out the she had to get her roots done every 4 - 5 weeks (the poodle not Barbara).
On the way back to Atlanta we made a stop for food, we were advised by Bernie to try out 5 Guy's burger joint, he said it could compete with In 'N' Out. After eating the heart attack in a bun, I have to say the burger it was very good, but maybe not quite at the standard of our beloved In 'N' Out.
The evening concert at Atlanta Temple in the evening was well attended by the locals. The band played very well, Mr James Allen brought the house down with his piano solo (Standing O) he really did a great job. I pray that the congregation had a clear understanding that this was not a performance but an act of worship, for our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
-Matt
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Satuday, March 29, 2008--Houston to Atlanta
The day began in Houston, with a trip to the Johnson Space Center. It’s the same Houston that’s referred to in the quote “Houston, looks like we’ve got a problem here.” They opened the museum early for us and gave us a private showing of their introductory film about manned space flight. It was really nice of them, but I suspect that they started to regret the decision when Russ Prince, the first into the theater, rushed to the front—just near the screen—and stood behind a lectern emblazoned with the seal of the President of the United States. Acting as if he were delivering a speech, he began shouting and pounding on the lectern—this nearly gave our very kind tour guide a heart attack.
Perhaps the velvet ropes surrounding the lectern should have been a clue to its significance, but the lectern’s status as the museum’s prized possession soon became clear as the film opened with footage of John F. Kennedy—yes, that John F. Kennedy—delivering the well know line, “We choose to go to the moon, and the other thing*, because they are difficult…” In the footage, the lectern was clearly visible and the narrator said, “We are extremely proud to have this very lectern as one of the prized pieces in our collection," while a spotlight highlighted the actual lectern for a brief moment.
So congrats go to Russ Prince—the only man to deliver a speech at that lectern since President Kennedy.
As soon as the guards had taken Russ to a holding area which we have heard is located in a place they called “Gitmo(?),” the rest of the tour was fantastic. The highlight was perhaps the vast geekiness displayed by the usually ultra-cool John Docter. His knowledge of the space program was truly impressive. We are all hoping to add him to a trivial pursuit team some day.
The tour ended in a huge metal hanger that was at least 500 feet long and 100 feet tall. In it was an actual Saturn V rocket—the one that was scheduled to take Apollo 18 to the moon. My earliest memories are of watching men walk on the moon in black and white—I think it’s because the TV was in black and white—but to see that unbelievable machine there was really an awesome experience.
Oh—We did actually play a concert there as well—a noontime performance in the food court area. I don’t think that the assembled crowd of tourists there really knew what hit them, but on the balance, they did seem to enjoy it. We even sold a few CD’s.
Then it was quickly off to the Bush Intercontinental Airport for dinner and a flight to Atlanta. The best part of the flight was flying through a line of thunderstorms. Those of us who have flown frequently were used to this, but the younger ones in the group let out a few shrieks as lightning flashed around the plane.
Upon arrival in Atlanta, we were met by Bernie Dake and several assorted DMD’s. Also meeting us was our bus driver, Carlton. He has the distinct honor of being with us from Saturday evening, all the way through our Thursday morning departure from Charlotte NC.
Please pray for him.
More later.
Jeff Curnow
*Oh—if anyone knows what “the other thing” that Kennedy was talking about in that speech was, let us know…..
Friday, March 28, 2008
Things are going well in Pasadena!
(Texas, that is...)
Well "howdy y'all", apparently that is how you greet folks in these parts of the world.
Just to let you know we're are having a great time so far, and I expect that to continue. The people have been so welcoming and they are all feeding us well. We might all have to order new uniforms when we come back, I have a feeling that the food of the south may put a few pounds on each of us.
The concert went well last night in Pasadena, TX. The Space Center was great, and our flight was okay and we haven't lost any baggage, long may that continue.
We arrived to a stormy and wet Atlanta, but we hope that will clear up for the parade tomorrow.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support!
The TAB Band
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
PROCLAMATION TOUR
Tour Itinerary
- March 28 & 29 - Houston, Texas
- March 30 & 31 - Atlanta & Macon, Georgia
- April 1 - Chattanooga, Tennesse
- April 2 - Charlotte, North Carolina
- April 3 & 4 - Orlando, Florida
- April 5 & 6 - Clearwater, Florida
