Friday, December 19, 2008

Random Randomness

Hey, friends. I'm sitting in a rocking chair in the Charlotte airport. "Why aren't you efficiently boarding your flight, Travis?" you may ask. Well, all I can tell you is that I want to speak a blessing over the lovely understaffed US Airways folks here at this very busy holiday airport. Apparently making sure I make it to PA to be sufficiently showered, ironed and with a warmed-up voice was not on the Homeland Security checklist this morning in Charlotte. Fine. I can dig it.

Translation: I missed my flight. Hopping on a later one.

But all is not lost. This is starting to look like a blessing in disguise. A special thanks to the nice Charlotte airport for getting all Cracker Barrel on us and providing some down-home chillaxin while I wait 4 1/2 hours for my flight.



Live music, too!



And I knew that God was totally in on it when I turned around and saw this right behind my Cracker Barrel chair:



God always provides the power we need.

OK. So I am going to work a little while I sit and listen and watch and chill. But first, some random things I need to share:

1. I left out a funny tidbit about my shirt and tie adventure at the Crystal Cathedral weekend. When I was at Wal-Mart (at 1am, by way of a cab), the lady that was ringing up my order asked to see my I.D. Looking at it, she said,"Woah! You look a lot younger here."

Thank you. Thank you very much.

2. Last night, I had a concert at Mt. Vernon Baptist Church in Boone, NC (we had a great time, by the way. Thanks, Boone friends!). I had a time in the concert where I began to share about Compassion International (we had 26 kids sponsored). I made a comment something to the effect of how odd it is that these kids are in such poverty, while we have no trouble plopping down 4 bucks for a stinkin' cup of Starbucks coffee (and let me tell you, I include myself in that. I'm holding one as we speak). Anyway, note to self: be mindful of who might be in your audience, like a coffee lover, or maybe a very sensitive consumer, or...I don't know...maybe the SOUTHEAST REGIONAL MANAGER OF STARBUCKS.

Thank you, and Merry Christmas.

3. I'm still waiting on Cindy or Shaun to have an off night vocally on this tour. So far, no wrong notes. Zero bad notes out of about 4,000,000. Those cats can sing. I LOVE to sing with them.

4. Angela is packing up the kids and all of Christmas, and driving to meet me on our last night of the tour in Kingsport, TN on Sunday. My wife is Wonder Woman. She has not just held the fort down while I've been on this Christmas tour; she has built the fort, decorated the fort, furnished the fort, BEEN the fort. My baby is amazing.

5. I have a new addiction: Pathwords. It's a game on facebook. I can't stop.

6. I have an incessant need to constantly talk trash. I don't know why. Even when I have nothing at stake. I will open my mouth and start throwing down trash talk just to start obnoxious conversation with people.

7. Although I am behind Bigmama's Pathwords score, I am totally beating Boomama and Boodaddy.

8. The piano player here in the airport is playing "O Christmas Tree" right this second. And Ooo! Verse two is in minor. It's a scary tree.

Actually, he is doing a nice job, and his playing is making it very festive. Except that he just stopped in the middle of the song to answer his cell phone.

Happy weekend to you...

47 comments:

Joanne : The Simple Wife said...

San Antonio airport had rocking chairs too--very nice.

And remember Underoos? Your Wonder Woman comment made me think of them. I had them. My poor husband was scarred as a child though, because of Batman or Superman, his Nana bought him AQUAMAN. Poor baby.

Anyway, they do make Wonder Woman underoos for grownups still--I've seen them on Amazon. Just in case you need another gift for Angela.

And now I think I've crossed some invisible lines, so I'd better just stop and say "Merry Christmas" and "Have a Safe Flight."

And I'm totally going to check out that game on Facebook, because my FB addiction really needs one more element to it.

Joanne

Jean Taylor said...

Well, Travis, I am one those waiting for your arrival. Sooooo looking forward to hearing you, Shaun and Cindy tonight. You can warm up your voice with the piano player while he is on his cell phone. :D Please stop by the cafe in the church and have my daughter (Joanie) make you a very delicious, almost, starbucks latte.
jeannie

Anonymous said...

We are praying for your safe arrival in Camp Hill with bated breath! Looking forward to singing with you as part of the choir.
Tucked Behind the Cross,
Deb Noll

Mary said...

Whenever I need a good laugh, I come to your blog and you never disappoint! LOL

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha!! That is hilarious! Mom and I were cracking up about the Starbucks regional Manager! We enjoyed singing with you last night!!

Sitesx6 said...

Do the people around you at the airport think you are a wack-job for taking a picture of your rocking chair? :)

Safe Travels.

PS I'm laughing loud at the fact that the piano guy stopped in the middle and answered his PHONE. Nice!

Three Fold Cord said...

Oh my goodness- I CANNOT believe the Regional manager was there. How did he introduce himself??

Your wife is sure to be amazing if she has done without her man this long. She obviously knows her God and has drawn on Him.

As for the piano player that just p/u his cell phone- you should just belt out the last of the song and show him you don't need no stinkin' piano player, because you are trashtalkin, starbucks drinkin, rockin chair rockin', compassion kids supporter!!

ocean mommy said...

Did he really stop in the middle of a song to answer his phone???? And I have to know...does he have a tip jar on the piano?

Cool rocking chair....if you have to wait..that's the way to do it. :)

Have a great concert!

Praying that the rest of the trip is uneventful!!!

stephanie

knowamy said...

Thanks for the laughs (Starbucks Manager) and have a safe flight!

Anonymous said...

Dream come true to have you guys come to Camp Hill tonight! What an honor and a blessing. We've been praying for you all week for safe travels.

BTW- Don't pay any attention to the 3rd row tonight though...I think they put your CD in the food processor and snorted it! I'll be the one in the choir in the black outfit...

CANT WAIT CANT WAIT CANT WAIT !!!!!

Jenny said...

I would have to agree whole heartedly that Ang pretty much rocks. Love her to death!!!! Glad the Christmas tour is doing great. Hope to see all of you soon.

lavonda said...

We went to visit a friend's church years ago -- it was a new church, just starting up -- and don't you know, her pastor answered his cell phone in the middle of his sermon.

Yikes.

Don't know what ever happened with that church... we never went back.

Yay for you having fun waiting... I love people watching!

Profbaugh said...

Travis,

Who says you can't get quality music, while sitting in a rocking chair, typing away on a computer, which is plugged in behind the rocking chair in an airport? Never would have "thunk" it. Nope. Not I.

Take good care my friend. May you once again bring glory to His kingdom with this Christmas tour. Have a very Merry Christmas, Travis.

Much love and joy,
~Cheryl

Deidre said...

I'm just trying to picture you getting out of your rocking chair to take a picture. NOT weird, at all!

Picked up my tickets to see you, Cindy and Shaun tomorrow night in Hickory! Can't wait!! My 7 year old is out-of-control excited!

Praying for safe travels, Travis.

Kelly S. said...

The Starbucks thing is a hoot!
So bummed that I can't be in Kingsport to see you...and Wonder Woman. I will be praying for the whole family to have safe travels.

Merry Christmas

Holly said...

Ahh, thank you for the scary tree comment. That made this told Mama laugh. And I think I do look as old in my pictures as I do in person, so be thankful for good pictures. And wasn't it like 11 pm or something (but felt like 1 am)??

Bless your dear wife, Angela!! I am praying for your family!

Sarah said...

AHAHAHAHA!! Starbucks. It's still true. And most of us are guilty.

Can't get enough Facebook.

I love the Charlotte airport!

Brian Megilligan said...

And that's the problem with those piano players. No sense of propriety at ALL! Sheesh.

Fran said...

Happy weekend Travis and team!! Love the randomness via airport location. Airports are the best spots to take all sorts of info in.

I'm not able to break 450 on pathwords. I'm thinking I may need to read more. And, they aren't taking some of the words that I KNOW are words. ;)

Have fun.
Love,
Fran

Jane said...

Travis, I just discovered your amazing voice this week over here in England. I found your fabulous album Ring The Bells on iTunes whilst randomly searching Christmas music and love your voice and choice of music so much! And you're a Christian too so I sought out your blog. Wow. What a week! Jane x

Timothy Hill said...

BooMama failed to mention the name of the word game in her post, so I'm glad you titled the addiction. I considered doing O Christmas Tree in our student ministry this past week, but I decided to stick to less weird songs such as Deck the Halls and The 12 Days of Christmas. lol.

Cindy said...

You always make me laugh! Not at you, but with you. And aren't you glad that the airports have brought in rocking chairs to enhance our waiting time. And music! Next thing you know, they will install cots for catnaps.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Cindy

Cindy said...

P.S. I forgot to tell you how much I have enjoyed "Ring the Bells."

Cindy

Leah Adams said...

Travis,

I just have to tell you how much I L-O-V-E, L-O-V-E "Jesus Saves" on the Christmas CD. It is my new favorite "Travis" song sliding in just behind, "In Christ Alone". I'm thinking it will have to be a regular on the circuit!! It has such a message, just like "In Christ Alone".

Rocking chairs in an airport!! The folks at Atlanta's airport haven't stepped up to that level, I feel sure, although it has been a couple of months since I flew.

Hope you, your Wonder Woman and the kiddies ahve a Merry Christmas!

Leah

Anonymous said...

I am cracking up reading this. I'll have to check out the word game on Facebook!!!!! ...like I NEED to actually spend any more time on the computer!!!!

Anonymous said...

Hey, I know how you feel. Over the summer I slept on a cot in O'hare and spent a stranded day in London. Finally, got to Nairobi only three days late! Hope you made it. Merry Christmas.

boomama said...

I love it when you're all Christ-like.

Thumpety thump thump upside your head.

Yup yup.

;-)

Dionna said...

hmmm - I'll have to check out pathwords. Now you have me curious. :)

Jennifer said...

I can so relate to your driver's license incident. When I lived in Thailand, I had to have my visa renewed a few times. One of the times I handed my passport to the Thai lady behind the counter (and remember that the Thai people are known for being TINY). She looked at my picture, looked at me and then, I'm NOT kidding, puffed out her cheeks and made arms motions to convey the point that I had gained weight since the picture was taken. Seriously? My plan for this next passport photo is to gain a bunch of weight and then lose it so we won't have a repeat of that. :-)

Merry Christmas!

For Over 29 Years... said...

Okay totally have to go check out that game on facebook now. BTW can we be facebook friends?

Beth said...

I'll be in the Charlotte airport tomorrow night! I hope I don't see the piano player....don't think I could pass by without cracking up!

BTW, We really enjoyed the concert last Sunday at First Baptist in Jax.

Merry Christmas to you & yours,
Beth

P.S. I'm the crazy woman who introduced herself to you as "Beth from NC."

Emily said...

You crack me up....!!

Donna Dear said...

i do agree with you - charlotte airport is great. i like the overlook to the piano player. we had a 3 or 4 hour layover there and saw winona judd.

pathwords and geochallenge - totally addicting

Sharon said...

The Walmart clerk's I.D. comment and the guy stopping to answer his cell phone in the middle of his song made me laugh out loud! SO FUNNY!!!

Your entire Christmas CD rocks! Our two young daughters LOVE the Frosty song on track #5 -- they make us play it OVER and OVER and OVER again! I think we've heard you sing that at least one hundred times now! My favorites are "Ring the Bells" and "Jesus Saves."

Anyway, thanks for all the laughs! Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless!

Cheri said...

Thank you for the song "Jesus Saves" on your Christmas album. I am a self described "Bah Humbug" type of person and I have been in tears since I listened to the words of this song. I so needed a touch of God (and a little Christmas Spirit) and this song did it! A close second favorite is "In the First Light."
Thanks Travis for this beautiful album!

Amy Kaylor Photography said...

Being the wife of a US Airways pilot, I was happy to hear you missed your flight and it wasn't cancelled. I pray for cancelled flights (sometimes) as I want my man home just as much as people want to get to their destinations. I know, it's a sickness, so I apologize now if you ever miss a gig because of my answered prayers! Still blasting your CD in our sleigh and the girls love Oh Holy Night!!

Deidre said...

What an amazing night of worship last night in Hickory! I loved every moment of it! You had me at "Ring the Bells" .. HA!

Seriously, when it came to Praise the King, Jesus Saves and In Christ Alone, I thought I may run :) God is SO good!

Thank you for allowing God to SHINE through you and your music. We are all better for it :) My daughter sings your songs all the time and thought it was the coolest.night.ever. (It was great to meet you, too!).

Merry Christmas, Travis!

Rachel said...

sounds like I need to try pathwords...or maybe not...

Tiffani said...

holy cow..this is hysterical!!! I love your randomness!

When are you coming to Atlanta area again??

Anonymous said...

Hi Travis ,

I do love a good laugh but to balance me out , God also gave me a more serious personality.
After reading about your shirt & tie trip , .... I just now watched the Crystal Cathedral online and saw/heard you sing. You were the epitome of Grace and charm , and of a servant of God with an AMAZING voice ! I just love and appreciate you . ( And I'm pretty sure I'm old enough to be your mother ! )
Most of my relatives live in TN ( some of them Franklin ) so maybe I'll just see ya around in a few days. Merry Christmas to you Angie and kids . In the Love of Jesus ,
I am ,

Yours , Elizabeth

Dana said...

Travis, Travis, Travis....You seriously crack me up! Somewhere between the Starbucks manager and the minor O Christmas Tree, I got a stomach ache laughing.

And props to you for honoring your wife!!! You are indeed a very wise man!

Hope you and yours have a wonderful Christmas!!

Cole Forehand said...

IM GAINING....YES!!!!!!!!

Elaine Johnson said...

okay..so I'm not so much a faithful blogger but you know I drop by now and then to see what's happenin' You just helped me take my competitiveness up a notch. I'd love to challenge you Travis to Pathwords. I happen to be addicted as well. ahem. carpal tunnel and all from mad-clickin'

1330 is my score, my friend. beat that...or, eh..maybe you already have. I'd like to see. I'll add you as a friend on FB and we'll go head to head. yes??

Anonymous said...

Just when you think no one is looking......someone's bloggin' about ya right behind the Cracker Barrel chair.....

poor piano guy.....it was probably someone callin' him to inform him a guy is typing about him on a blog site...:)

Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family! Wisemen still seek Him and praise their wives.

Just doin' the church planting thang in small town America with my family,
TK

katiegfromtennessee said...

Hey Travis, wow, yeah, He does provide the rocking chair and the power!:) Merry Christmas and New Year to you:)

katiegfromtennessee

Jackie said...

I just bumped my Pathwords score from 810 to a less pathetic 830. Sigh. It is an addiction.

Anonymous said...

this blog CRACKS ME UP!