Pet Peeves

Posted on November 13, 2008 by Jason

I don’t have many pet peeves. But I do have a few. The main one is when the waiter or waittress forgets to bring me a drink refill; I can’t stand that. I was also at a funeral once where a cell phone went off in the audience. What made it worse was that the guy answered. During the eulogy. Ridiculous. Anyway, I discovered two new pet peeves today, ones that I never knew I had. Let me explain…

  • Today I took Sunny and Jackson to a late lunch at Little Rosies. If you’ve ever been to Rosie’s, you know the place is usually packed. The lunch crowd was thinner than usual, but it was still fairly busy. I get Sunny and Jack seated at a table and I go to get our drinks. I’m standing in line to get to the fountain drink dispenser; there are probably two or three people behind me in line. The lady in front of me gets to the drink dispenser and pauses. She spends 6-8 seconds making her beverage choice, which doesn’t sound like a long time…but it really is. Especially when it comes to choosing a soft drink. I mean, try picturing yourself needing 8 seconds to choose between Mr. Pibb and Coke Classic. Doesn’t take that long, right? Anyway, no big deal. That’s not my pet peeve. My pet peeve is that after she filled up her drink, she waits for some of the fizz to go down, brings the cup to her lips, takes 4 or 5 big gulps (followed by a long, satisfied “Ahhhh…”), and then re-fills her drink. Meanwhile, the rest of us are standing there patiently waiting for her to finish. I wanted to say, “Ma’am, this isn’t a Coke commercial.” I half expected her to wipe her mouth on her sleeve and turn around and tell us all, “Now, that was REFRESHING!!!“, followed by a giant thumbs up and a wink. Cue jingle music. Anyway, that’s one new pet peeve of mine: drink dispenser discourtesy.
  • After work I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some coffee. Coffee is one of my acquired tastes from the past year and lately I’ve been consuming massive amounts of the stuff. Anyway, I get my one little container of Folger’s and make my way to the Express Check-Out line at our local supermarket. Just before I get in line, this lady zips her buggy right in front of me. Kind of rude, I think, but no big deal. That is, until I noticed the mounds and mounds of food emanating from her shopping cart. At this point, I should remind you that the Express Check-Out lane is reserved exclusively for patrons wishing to purchase 10 items or less, per the aptly positioned signage above the cash register. Does it make me a legalist that I counted the number of items this lady had? Because I did. She had no less than 31 items in her shopping cart. Who knows, she might’ve even had more; I stopped counting because I was afraid she’d see me and know what I was doing. Luckily I moved to a different, non-Express aisle and soon I was on my way. As I walked out the door, I looked over to see her pulling out a wad of coupons to give to the cashier. So, there’s another pet peeve that I didn’t know I had.

There. I feel better. Thanks for letting me vent. I guess that’s part of getting older; becoming more aware of the things that annoy you. And for the record, this is all in good fun, people. Just so you know. Taking people too seriously is another pet peeve of mine!

How about you? What are your pet peeves?

Posted in Humor, Random | 6 Comments

Reading Suggestions?

Posted on November 11, 2008 by Jason

I had a long post all made up in my head about the term “preacher’s kids” and how much I absolutely hate it and how extremely judgmental that term is and how several ministers I know have left the ministry completely because of how “church people” have treated their kids or the judgmental comments that people have made and how even when you know people are just joking, it still bothers you and how if you were a minister with kids, you’d feel the exact same way.

But I decided not to post that. At least not in its entirety. Suffice it to say, I think it’s a hurtful thing to say to somebody about their kids. And there’s no room for that kind of judgmental behavior in the Lord’s church.

But instead of posting all of that, I decided to go a different direction. 🙂

Today, I’m posting a question: what are you reading right now? I have a trip this weekend and I just finished up my last book, so I’m looking for a new read. I read a LOT of politically-themed material in the months leading up to the election, so I’m ready for something a little lighter. I’m thinking fiction. Any good titles you’ve been reading lately? If so, lay ’em on me and I’ll see if our public library might have them.

Posted in Books, Church, Kids | 7 Comments

LOST Season Five

Posted on November 11, 2008 by Jason
The return date for the best show on television has been set. Season 5 of LOST will be ushered in with a 3 hour premiere event on January 21st (one hour clip show followed by a two hour premiere). Personally, I’m glad to have the show back on Wednesdays. A friend tells me that one of the producers has been quoted as saying Season Five “is definitely going to be the strangest thing that’s ever been on network television. Ever.” Hmm…..

Posted in Television | 2 Comments

MyPod: Essential Christmas Mix

Posted on November 6, 2008 by Jason

So by now those of you who know me know that I’m something of a Christmas music connoisseur. Before I married Sunny I was pretty much an Ebeneezer Scrooge come Christmas time. Christmas music just annoyed me and I pretty much avoided getting into the Christmas spirit until about Dec. 23rd. But Sunny always gets the Christmas music out in October and somewhere along the way, I just learned to enjoy it.

For the past several years, Christmas music has become a big part of our holiday tradition. Every year, I’ll make a Christmas mix that becomes our primary listening for that holiday season. I’ve now compiled quite a catalog of Christmas tunes and I’ve come up with my Ultimate Christmas mix. I’m sure I’ll keep tweaking it every year (maybe something from the new Harry Connick Christmas disc will crack the list), but for now, this is the canonical version of my Essential Christmas music. Here are the ground rules: I limited myself to 25 songs, only one version of a particular song allowed (so no multiple versions of “Jingle Bells”, for instance), and only one song per artist (otherwise the list would be made up of 7 or 8 Elvis songs). Got it? Good.

Without further adieu, I give you Jason’s Essential Christmas Mix:

We’ve been spinning the Christmas tunes for a few weeks now, and I’ve compiled my favorite playlist. I think you can find most of these on iTunes. I limited myself to one song per artist.

  1. Christmas Time Is Here – Vince Guaraldi Trio. Over the last couple of years, this has become my favorite Christmas song. It takes me back to being a child sitting cross-legged in front of the TV watching the Charlie Brown Christmas special in footed pajamas. Nice.
  2. Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley. This is my all-time favorite song to impersonate. Rumor has it I once recorded a music video for it. I will neither confirm nor deny this.
  3. The Christmas Song – Mel Torme. Simply fine. Required listening. If you listen closely, you can hear Mel clear his throat just before he sings.
  4. Sleigh Ride – Harry Connick, Jr. I challenge you not to tap your toes to this one.
  5. White Christmas – Bing Crosby. I love me some Mele Kalikimaka but this is Bing’s best Christmas performance.
  6. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) – U2. Bono and boys rock this one out.
  7. Feliz Navidad – Jose Feliciano. Yeah its kitsch. So what. This is just pure fun. You know you like it.
  8. Adeste Fideles – Frank Sinatra. A beautiful song. A singular voice. A perfect marriage.
  9. Baby It’s Cold Outside – Dean Martin. Smooth as silk, baby. Can’t go wrong with Frank and Dino back to back.
  10. Santa Baby – Eartha Kitt & Henri Rene. Avoid the Madonna remake and go for this classier original.
  11. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Barenaked Ladies & Sarah McLachlan. In a short amount of time, this has become the signature version of this tune for me. For some reason, this song makes me want to drink coffee and wear sweaters. Weird.
  12. Santa Claus is Coming to Town – Bruce Springsteen.
  13. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – Martina McBride. You really should pick up her Christmas album. Not a bad song in the bunch, but this is the best of the lot.
  14. A Holly Jolly Christmas – Burl Ives. Burl, you’ll always be Sam the Snowman to me.
  15. The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late) – The Chipmunks. Gotta have this one for the kids. They love it. And I love that they love it.
  16. All I Want For Christmas Is You – Mariah Carey. This one’s for Sunny. I know it’s Christmas time when she starts singing this one into her hairbrush.
  17. The Little Drummer Boy – Harry Simeone Chorale.
  18. Jingle Bell Rock – Bobby Helms.
  19. Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree – Brenda Lee. A Christmas playlist would be incomplete without these three stellar tunes.
  20. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – Gene Autry. We used to listen to my sister’s vinyl LP of this holiday classic by the singing cowboy.
  21. Angels We Have Heard On High – Chris Tomlin.
  22. ‘Zat You Santa Claus? – Louis Armstrong. You’ve probably never heard this one, but it’ll make for a fun addition to your holiday music. I love imitating this song. I plan on teaching it to the kids this year.
  23. It Came Upon A Midnight Clear – Ella Fitzgerald. Come on, how can you go wrong with this one?
  24. Happy XMas (War Is Over) – John Lennon, Yoko Ono, & the Harlem Community Choir.
  25. Welcome to Our World – Chris Rice. I love songs that embrace what this season is all about: the glorious Good News of God with us! Rice’s lyrics will be rolling around my brain for the next two months, which is a good thing.

Bonus track: Winter Wonderland – Elvis Presley. I know I said only one song per artist, but I can’t keep this one off the list. It’s my favorite Christmas song and, come on, if you’re gonna bend the rules for anybody, it’s Elvis. Or Cash. So there you go.

Copies of Jason’s Essential Christmas Mix are available to family and friends for a nominal fee. Or if you just ask nicely. Happy holidays, folks!

Posted in Christmas, Music, Sunny | 10 Comments

I Thought You Had Left Me

Posted on November 5, 2008 by Jason

I remember getting lost from my Dad in Kroger’s once. We were on the cereal aisle and I was desperately lobbying for the purchase of some Cocoa Puffs. I mean, who doesn’t love the chocolatey-goodness of Cocoa Puffs, right? Well, apparently my Dad didn’t because in spite of my best argumentative efforts, he told me I didn’t need that “sugary cereal” and instead he grabbed a box of Cheerios and put them in the shopping cart. The worst part is that they weren’t even Honey Nut Cheerios; they were the nasty plain kind. “Come on, we need to pick up some milk,” he said. I was so upset at not getting my way that I pretended I didn’t hear him. “I don’t want to follow you to the milk aisle,” I think to myself. I just stood there transfixed on the box of Cocoa Puffs that I knew I couldn’t have. As an act of protest, I decided to stand there until my Dad came back to get me.

The only problem was that my Dad never turned around. He just kept walking down the aisle, made the turn toward the milk and disappeared. This really messed up my brilliantly conceived act of defiance. “He’ll come back,” I thought. So I stood there. And I waited. And I waited. Still staring at the box of Cocoa Puffs. This kid walked by, giving me a weird look. “I don’t care,” I thought. “I’m not moving. He’ll come back.”

After what seemed like an eternity, I got scared. “He didn’t really leave me, did he? No, he wouldn’t do that. My Dad loves me. Plus, Child Protective Services would throw him in jail. But still…he wouldn’t leave me, would he?” I picture my Dad arriving home without me, telling my Mom, “Well, he wanted Cocoa Puffs, so I left him at the store.” I picture my Mom shrugging her shoulders and saying, “Oh well.” I envision them renting out my room to compliant little boys who loved plain old sugarless Cheerios.

I thought about all of that and I started to cry. Not like a little tear dribbling down my cheek, either; I mean I started bawling and sobbing out loud, snot bubbles emerging from my nostrils. Another kid walked by and looked at me like I was from another planet. In my mind, I yell at him: “Leave me alone! You’re not getting my room!” In a very real way, I started to lose it.

Just then, I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see my Dad. He bent down and put his arms around me and asked “Why are you crying?”

“Because I thought you had left me.”

I’ll never forget what my Dad told me. “Jason, I would never leave you.” He told me he’d been watching me from the end of the aisle the whole time. “I was waiting for you to come look for me. You’ll never be lost if you’re with me.”

The lament rises from each of us: I thought you had left me.

And the reply comes from the great beyond: Child, you’ll never be lost if you’re with me.

Posted in Devotional | Leave a comment

She Hearts My Blog: A Tag

Posted on November 3, 2008 by Jason

So Sunny has tagged me. Something about she hearts my blog. So here goes. Oh, and I can only answer with one-word answers.

1. Where is your cell phone? Kitchen
2. Where is your significant other? Bed
3. Your hair color? Graying
4. Your mother? Compassion
5. Your father? Hero
6. Your favorite thing? Baseball
7. Your dream last night? Bizarre
8. Your dream/goal? Ballparks
9. The room you’re in? Bedroom
10. Your hobby? Reading
11. Your fear? Losing
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Graduating
13. Where were you last night? Friends
14. What you’re not? Quitter
15. One of your wish-list items? F150
16. Where you grew up? Tennessee
17. The last thing you did? Read
18. What are you wearing? Sweats
19. Your TV? Highlights
20. Your pet? Fish
21. Your computer? Temperamental
22. Your mood? Indifferent
23. Missing someone? Mom
24. Your car? Truck
25. Something you’re not wearing? Tuxedo
26. Favorite store? B&N
27. Your summer? Busy
28. Love someone? Sunny
29. Your favorite color? White
30. When is the last time you laughed? Today
31. Last time you cried? Forget

If you’re reading, consider thyself tagged.

Posted in Blogging, Random, Sunny | 2 Comments

32 Years

Posted on November 2, 2008 by Jason
On November 2, 1976, Jason Al Bybee was born at 2:27 pm. He weighed in at 7 pounds, 14 ounces, and was 21 inches long.

Today, Jason celebrates his 32nd birthday! In the words of our children, “Daddy, you’re old!”

In honor of Jason’s 32nd birthday, I wanted to share some pictures and 32 things that you may or may not know about the birthday boy!








1. Jason was born on Election Day 1976. Jimmy Carter was elected President.

2. Jason and I were born at the same hospital.

3. The same doctor delivered us both.

4. He loves the Cardinals.

5. He hopes to travel to all the Major League Baseball stadiums.

6. He can’t smell a thing! Absolutely no sense of smell!

7. He loves all kinds of music.

8. He relates life events with songs.

9. In a few years, he will start work on his Doctorate.

10. He’s an incredible father!

11. When Joshua was in the NICU, he went to the hospital every night (30 nights) at midnight to be with him.

12. His favorite meal is Pinto Beans, Cornbread, and Sweet Tea.

13. He prefers pie.

14. He reads a Bible Story to our children every night.

15. He is the best part of the kids’ day. When they hear the door open, they come running to his arms.

16. He has a passion for ministry.

17. He prefers Casa Blanca over Rosie’s.

18. He has beat me at every game of Scrabble that we have played (with the exception of the 1st game we played where I taught him how to play).

19. He is serious about his Fantasy Baseball.

20. He once worked at a movie theater in college.

21. He just now became a coffee drinker.

22. He bats left handed.

23. He gives completely of himself when he is at home.

24. He can load a car like none other.

25. He’s a book lover.

26. He loves introducing the kids to new musical artists and singing with the kids. He takes great delight when they request “his music”.

27. He loves making top ten lists of his favorites.

28. He loves watching movies.

29. His favorite show is Lost.

30. He is the best husband ever!

31. He loves God.

32. He loves his family.


Jason, I love you so much! Thank you for all that you do and all that you are. “Baby, you’re the GREATEST”!!!!
Love,
Sunny

Posted in General | 4 Comments

Thanksgiving A Month Early

Posted on October 31, 2008 by Jason

You ever have those moments where you realize just how good your life is and how much you take those good things for granted?

I had one of those moments today.

Since Sunday is considered a “work day” for me as a minister, our shepherds graciously give us a day off every Friday. I love Fridays because I can get up, eat breakfast with the kids, take Joshua and Abby Kate to school, and then spend most of the rest of the day at home with Sunny and Jackson. Today Sunny ran some errands so I stayed home with Jackson. We had such a great time; we listened to music, read books, played in the floor, ate lunch together…it was awesome.

As I was tucking him in, it just struck me how blessed I really am. God’s given me a great wife and three precious children. We’re all relatively healthy. We have food in the pantry. We have a roof over our heads. I can lay my son down for a nap and feel good about his security here in my home. I serve a great group of shepherds who care for me as a child of God, not just as an employee. My children receive godly instruction from some great Christian examples both at church and at school. As I shut the blinds in Jack’s room this afternoon to put him down for nap, I was struck by just how good my life is and how often I take those good things for granted. It’s a weird feeling, being simultaneously thankful and penitent. I wanted to jump for joy and I also wanted to weep.

I know Thanksgiving isn’t until next month; today is a different holiday altogether. But my heart can’t help but praise God for all the good things He has placed in my life. God, forgive me for ever taking these good things for granted.

Posted in Blessings, Church, Devotional, Kids, Sunny | 1 Comment

Family Pic

Posted on October 28, 2008 by Jason

The Bybee family, circa October 2008
Posted in Kids, Sunny | 1 Comment

‘Tis the Season

Posted on October 27, 2008 by Jason

So last week it was 86 degrees here. Today, it’s winter time. These arctic winds have blown in and tonight’s low is 30 degrees. So today we did something that we always do. As soon as we get a good blast of this wintry weather, Sunny and I rush to crack out the Christmas music. Usually we’ll at least restrain ourselves until after Halloween. But not this year. Tonight, I pulled out my Ultimate Christmas 2004 Compilation CD and, with Elvis singing “Blue Christmas”, we inaugurated the holiday season in the Bybee household.

Incidentally, we’re stoked about the release of the new Harry Connick Jr. Christmas album on Nov. 4th. (Seems like that date is important for some other reason, too. Hmmm….). My Christmas music addiction is an acquired taste. I used to hate Christmas music. Like I’ll-stick-a-fork-in-my-eye-if-I-hear-Feliz-Navidad-one-more-time kind of hate. But Sunny’s always loved Christmas music and she loves to get it out early. Slowly, over the years, I began to enjoy Christmas music because of how much she loved it. After I gave in, it was all over. Christmas music is usually all we listen to around here for the months of November and December. In the van tonight, the kids even got in the spirit by singing along with us. In the coming weeks, I’ll cull through 14 hours of Christmas music I have in my iTunes and I’ll be presenting my Ultimate Christmas playlist to everybody.

I know all of this makes us a family of goobers, but I don’t care. ‘Tis the season. Almost.

Posted in Christmas, Kids, Music, Sunny | 7 Comments