Change the Tape

Our hotel has taped music in the public rooms which I am in quite a bit because that is where the Wi-Fi hot spots are located. One tape has looped so many times that I am loopy. Old standards played on a mournful, pitiful clarinet loop over and over again and that clarinet just goes on and on then on some more.

Last Friday evening, two other guests were moved to act. The elder of the two women, who looks for all the world like every-body's first grade teacher, sought the manager. When he arrived she told him straight away, "Relegate that tape to the bin!" Off he went and off it went. Thanks be to God.

When I was member of the Presiding Bishop Ed Browning's staff, one year we did a series of in-depth diocesan visits and one of the many visits was to the Diocese of Quincy.

That was the first time I heard the mantra from a mournful clarinet like voice saying you have to feel my pain. That was twelve years ago. At several subsequent General Conventions and at the last one in Columbus, I heard the mantra again. And again. That tape has been looping for twelve years that I know of and even as recently as yesterday during the meetings by Province, TEC bishops were ask to feel his pain yet again. I don't think he has the market on pain. At this Lambeth Conference, I know he doesn't have the market on pain.

It's time to change the tape. Where is that little English woman when I need her.