Real Name: Gabe Semenza Member Since: September 30, 2007 Last Signed In: October 10, 2008 Profile Views: 848 Blog Views: 9228 Border Blog, Day 2: Another canvass of the Rio Grande River Border Blog, Day 1: Searching for illegal immigrants and drug smugglers FLOOD PHOTOS: What memories do you have of the 1998 flood? Wall Street woes keeping you from retirement? Missing candidates: Do you know how to find these people? Any presidential debate parties? UPDATED w/ graphic photo: Obama slurs plastered on a truck. Victoria woman hit by West Nile virus? UPDATED: Has the tiger at The Texas Zoo roared at you? Would you watch live online video of local newsmakers? September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 
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The mysterious story of Bill Payer
I talked to a Victoria woman this afternoon who said she recently witnessed a random act of kindness. She and 10 of her friends and family members were beneficiaries of this random act. After an expensive dinner at a local restaurant, the group walked to the register to divvy the bill. Then a stranger – a man in his 60s, this woman thinks – paid the hefty tab. He didn't say why. He simply paid the bill. Some in the group of 11 followed this man into the parking lot to offer him cash for his deed, but all he said was, “I got it.” Talk about paying it forward. The woman I talked to believes in Christian karma and that what goes around comes around. What do you think? I’m working on this story and would like to include other, similar acts. Do you have a similar story? Ever been the benefactor of a random act of kindness? Ever been the giver of this kindness? Thank you for your help, Gabe Semenza / Advocate public service editor 8 comments from 6 users
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posted by
TxHunter
on Jul 3, 2008 at 10:27 AM
Gabe, I don't think he would want the publicity. He usually asks the waitress for the tab and doesn't want to be identified as the one that paid their bill. He just ask the waitress to let them know that the reason that their bill was picked up was because they blessed their meal. That being said next time I see the gentleman I will ask if it is ok to let you know who he is. posted by
ToniAnne
on Jul 3, 2008 at 12:10 AM
I have been in a spot where you need a little here and there... So - while I can't afford to pay for a 10 person meal - I do what I can - because I have been the recipient of random act of kindness. I give the happy meal toy my kid doesn't want to a kid nearby who's mom couldn't afford one. I help older, disabled, or people who look to be having a hard time at the store, etc. I wish I could stop when someone has car problems, but in this day and age - it is pretty dangerous. I usually just call the VPD or SO (yeah - that is me doing it) if I think they won't or don't have any help. I do little things like that because it is nice to do... and because my mom says, "be careful of the toes you step on today, because they may be connected to the rear you have to kiss tomorrow." Haha... Also - I am from Shiner (a small town) and people there are generally nice and eager to help out with things. Maybe that has something to do with it - where you were raised? Who knows - but we need more people in the world to just start helping each other - so the government doesn't have to do so much FOR US. If everyone would just start doing what they can, when they can, it would make a world of difference. I say - we don't need politicians to tell us they will fund the next generation with easier welfare, housing, and insurance. I want politicians to preach about helping others and doing what you can - instead of expecting the government to go broke doing it for you. *steps off soapbox...* posted by
Ladyinpink
on Jul 2, 2008 at 07:34 PM
I have done small acts of kindness. Things people probably never figured out. I do believe in blessings. I do believe that when you do something good, it returns to you. God expexcts us to love our neighbor as ourselves and expects that we will do kind things without expectations of something in return. after all, didnt he die for us without expecting anything in return except for us to live like his example?
posted by
havivoca
on Jul 2, 2008 at 07:27 PM
"Christian Karma"? Karma is a Sanskirt word, that dates back to the Hindu Upanishads, maybe as much as 1,000 years before Christ, when it meant exactly the same thing it means now. The word never occurs in any version of the Bible. Why do so many people believe that all goodness stems from Christianity, and it is impossible to be a good person without Christ?
posted by
GabeSemenza
on Jul 2, 2008 at 05:01 PM
TxHunter: Can you e-mail or call me with that man's name? I want to talk to him. What a good role model, eh? My e-mail is gsemenza@vicad.com. My phone is 361-580-6519. Thanks, Gabe posted by
TxHunter
on Jul 2, 2008 at 04:57 PM
If I had to guess I would be willing to bet that the gentleman paid the bill because the group blessed their meal before they ate. I have done the same for people that bless their meal in public. I got the idea from a gentleman that does that on a regular basis and I wouldn't doubt that it was him that paid for their meal..
posted by
GabeSemenza
on Jul 2, 2008 at 03:08 PM
Very cool. Thanks for the story, romonak.
posted by
romonak
on Jul 2, 2008 at 03:04 PM
While I can't give away my identity, what I can tell you about is something that my father did not too long ago. You see he works and travels a lot. He and his girlfriend were eating at a restaurant in one of the towns that he stopped in. They got to talking to the waitress and it turns out she has run into some pretty bad luck. Her husband was in an accident and is now on disability and not mobile due to a broken leg. They have several younge children at home and the family is relying on her minimum wage income to pay the bills and put food on the table, which as it turns out, hasn't been working all that well. Apparenlty this woman touched them so much that they both went back to their cars ran to a nearby atm, pulled out $250 each, went back and handed the woman $500. I thought that was pretty great...
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