G M O and Associates - Garrick O'Blogger

Joaquin Phoenix is My Man

2009-02-17T00:41:00.004-05:00

I already liked Joaquin before and always enjoyed his brother's work but what he is doing right now has skyrocketed him into Fave 5 territory.

You are by now correctly guessing that I think his new bizarre persona is a big act for his personal "documentary" that is being filmed by Casey Affleck. I think he is pulling the wool over our eyes and I am going to sit back and enjoy the ride.

If you saw his recent Late Show interview then you know of which I speak. It was wild and wacky fun and Letterman was clearly in on the joke. It reminded me of the sort of crazy stuff Crispin Glover would do on the show in the 80s.

Think about it: this guy has pulled off a lot of acting roles. Am I to believe he can almost perfectly mimic Johnny Cash but the best he can muster in a rap performance is falling off a stage?

Only time will tell but I am eagerly anticipating the 2010 release of the film, be I right or wrong.

The Difference Between Men and Women - Part 1 in an 82 Part Series

2007-12-25T01:54:00.000-05:00

Men will often resort to sports analogies when having discussions with each other on the topic of dating.

Women will not.

This has been Part 1 in an 82 part series on "The Difference Between Men and Women."

The Return of the Blog and Gordy Dark

2007-07-12T22:32:00.000-05:00

After a 3 month hiatus I now announce my return. In the next few weeks I plan to blog at least twice.

Consider this blog #1. My only goal is to announce and welcome the exciting return of Adam "Gordy" Dark to the Atlanta area.

That's right, ladies. Adam will soon be finished with Lifeway and will be back in the A in early August. THE LEGEND OF ADAM DARK continues in full force right in your neighborhood, which for those of you in Marietta will mean right in your back yard.

Up next: Jimmy Drew - Fashion Legend and why you should care about the poor. I'll save you 2,500 words - God does.

Random Potentially Helpful Post...

2007-04-16T00:07:00.000-05:00

I decided to toss the contents of an e-mail on here that I wrote to my friends on "The Forum," an e-mail group I am in. This is from March 4th. There was a discussion going on about a bunch of different topics, including the resurrection, the authority of Scripture and how it relates to feeling/experiencing God and whether or not Jesus was attracted to women. I jumped in and knocked out a little response. Jill Sims thought it was helpful so maybe you will, too. It's in quotes below. Also, I should say that I haven't read what I wrote since early March. I suppose I probably still agree with everything I wrote but I'm too lazy to review it.

Any thoughts, Kelli? You know I have a complicated syntax.

"There are really too many things going on at once here. Issues like creation, Noah's Ark, Yam Suph are things that can be studied and understood in a non-fundamentalist way. Genre of writing is important to consider but doesn't mean the events didn't happen. Either way, the resurrection was what started this whole thing and that's a pretty non-compromisable point if you're going to be a Christian. If it didn't happen, we are still followers of Christ but we're just another religion with a book we claim is from God.

Scripture is God-breathed and there is a sense that God guided the development of the 66 books compiled into a closed canon that we now consider the authority and final check point for our faith.

Interpretation is the goal of exegesis and I don't see any problem with this not always being an easy process. Augustine said of scripture that there is enough easy stuff for all to understand and enough tough stuff to keep the brightest scholars wrestling for decades. One of my NT professors said that exegesis requires more spiritual maturity than just about anything because of the humility and high calling of the task. While translation is not perfect, read the preface sometime to your Bibles on how they were interpreted. This isn't something done by one person overnight. God can honor and use faithful scholars for the understanding of Scripture by all and His Spirit ( i.e. still God - try deconstructing God - the Trinity makes it tough) can guide and instruct those reading the words whether or not they are fluent in Hebrew, Greek or Aramaic.

Regarding "feeling," I think Christian is trying to discuss conversion. There are human emotions associated with everything we do on earth and God's work in a person's life is one of those areas. However, feelings are not authoritative like core truth. I think, all in all, it's a bit more of a fluid process than one preceding the other. As a clarifying point, the Bible presents conversion (born again) as flowing out of repentance and faith in the person and work of Christ - God became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). It's a journey that begins with being made right in God's eyes that may not begin with overwhelming "feeling" but there will be plenty of feelings along the way as you are made whole in Christ. Salvation is a healing process and means you are part of a new kingdom.

Final note: let's not make the same mistake we make with pastors when talking about seminarians. People who go there are, well, people. Andrew, James-Michael, Greg, whoever - we aren't magical beings. We're people. A good seminary, by my estimation, is not just an academic institution. It should be a place that strives to be a fairly comprehensive but non-exhaustive (we're always in school) training ground for those who sense God's call to fill an office of ministry and/or leadership in His kingdom.

By that measure, plenty of people who go to seminary are not called. Some are. Some just aren't sure. Perhaps one of the reasons people are led astray at some of the more academic focused seminaries is because the seminary has long since lost its mission to do what God wants it to do.

Christ, in the great mystery of fully man/fully God, probably saw the aesthetic beauty of a woman but viewed her as God's (His!) creation not to be lusted after but seen as a daughter/potential daughter in His kingdom. God (Him!) created sexuality to be fulfilling and properly experienced in the bond of marriage. Christ would have fully exemplified these tenets in His sinless life, not lusting sexually after a woman in singleness and properly honoring her beauty as a complement to man.

Maybe it's a cultural thing, but I'm willing to bet Christ didn't have much struggle with lust regarding a woman's ankles."

Brief Reflections

2007-04-08T19:24:00.000-05:00

1. For reasons not interesting enough to post here, I have been without cell phone for the past 2 days. In some ways, it has been a refreshing "out of pocket" break from the norm. All that to say, I haven't been ignoring you if you've tried to call me the past two days.

2. I haven't yet claimed a tree, but I echo Annie's sentiment on the new Riverstone building. My prayer is that of the staff - that the church won't settle into a "we're another nice church in the area" mold. It'll be tempting. It'll be easy. Let's be dangerous. Let's be adventurous. Let's keep Community Transformation as the mission before us. Really, let's let God be God through seasons both good and challenging. Everything else will flow from this wellspring. I just wrote wellspring.

3. I've been doing a lot of reflection lately on a variety of life issues. One of these involves where I was a year ago and where I am today. A year ago, I was still at Asbury Seminary going through an unprecedented amount and series of life challenges. I was returning from the Russ Mills wedding where I had an amazingly fun time with great friends old and new (A Night to Remember!!!). I was gearing up for a graduation and move that was both desired yet kind of sad as another life chapter was closing behind me.

I now find myself back in Atlanta. I've come a long way but also feel like I'm just now finally finding my place back home. The transition out of seminary is one difficult to explain so I won't try. I guess it's just good to be home. As much as I feel that I'm kind of at a plateau spot at the moment, which is mildly frustrating, I can't complain. God is good.

And I almost forgot...SAN DIMAS HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL RULES!!!

Spring is Upon Us

2007-03-24T15:37:00.000-05:00

I'm kicking back, listening to some Interpol and enjoying the weather. If talking about the weather on a day like this is wrong, then I don't want to be right.

Shortest blog ever. Off to do some yard work. Next: Mate finding advice from a former professor that you won't want to miss. Almost as simple as looking under your pillow!

Soul Train and a Romantic Comedy Idea

2007-03-18T02:47:00.000-05:00

I was excited tonight when I discovered a local TV station is showing vintage episodes of "Soul Train" Saturdays at 1 AM.

It may surprise you to learn this was one of my favorite shows growing up as a kid in Florida. It was always the fitting conclusion to a morning of cartoon watching and signaled another Saturday morning was near its end.

I have no idea what this says about my character so it isn't really a good answer to a cell group ice breaker question. Just thought I'd throw it out there.

Other programs or movies you may be surprised to know I enjoy are (but certainly not limited to): Anne of Green Gables, Bridge to Terabithia (haven't seen the new one) and Legally Blonde I and II. I also saw an episode of Gilmore Girls once and thought it was surprisingly well done.

As a side and final note, I've always secretly wanted to write a romantic comedy because I don't think it would be that difficult and I could write sappy things for my own personal enjoyment like, "I think our love can do anything we want it to" and "I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly" or even "What do you want to be married to me for, anyhow? So I can kiss you anytime I want." It would also make theatres full of grown women weep and I could take the cash I make from the royalties and use it for missions work and church planting.

Now that I think about it, I've found a solid premise for such a film. It comes from an Annie Downs quote I saw on Caren Dilts's Facebook profile. The verbatim cut and paste version is, "Why don't we just wake up the day we turn 21 with our husband's name underneath our pillow? Why doesn't God think that's a good idea?" Seriously - this could be developed into at least 95 minutes of romantic comedy heaven. There are so many ways this could be taken and they could actually be fairly thought provoking, unlike several romantic comedies I won't name.

For example, is this something someone would ultimately really want? Would it ruin the romance, mystery and fun of meeting someone and having it develop through whatever trials and fun times God may allow? What if it's a name of someone the girl has never heard of? What if it is the name of someone the girl at first doesn't really want to be with or has objections to? What would knowing anything about our future do to our present? Why DOESN'T God think that's a good idea? Again, a lot of potential here. I could easily fit in a line like, "I learned love isn't meant to be lived just around the corner when it's right in front of me today" or "Some pillows weren't meant to be turned over." Ok, that last line sucks but you get the point.

I really don't know how I went from Soul Train to this.

I'm Still Alive and I'm Lovin' the Weather

2007-03-11T23:44:00.000-05:00

Thank you to Tatum and Nellie for posting feedback that lets me know someone, anyone, actually looks at this blog. They have been the wind beneath my blog wings, or something like that. Katie B gets a third place nod although I'm only evaluating by people who provide on-blog feedback. Are there any frequent readers I don't know about? Mike Collins? Adam Dark? Atlanta Thrashers defender Garnet Exelby?

In preliminary answer to this question, Tatum needs to know there is no shame in being a fan. There are teeming 10's and 15's of you out there, secretly reading even these very words. You know who you are. Seriously. You are receiving an early summer tan from the warm glow of the computer screen. You won't be looked down upon should you choose to reveal yourself.

Now that I think about it, though, perhaps I need to do some kind of sports piece to increase my male readership. For some reason my readership appears to be more female dominated than the student body at the University of Georgia, which was recently in the 55/45 range. It's not quite at chick flick attendance level but it's getting dangerously close. Maybe putting out word that I like Hugh Grant movies was not the best idea. Seriously, I'm dangerous. I really am. I'll get in a knife fight at a moments notice.

So, where have I been? Let's just say it's been an odd month of helping the company with reverse shifts. I've got one more week of this, though, and will emerge a new man. It'll be a springtime blog wonderland.

Speaking of spring: I'm really, really excited about the return of awesome weather even in light of the fact that this was about the most mild winter I've ever experienced. I am a very nostalgiac person when it comes to weather - I can feel the weather in an emotional way that floods my mind with a steady stream of memories. Sometimes it hits all at once, with a bunch of snapshots of past experiences popping up in my mind that coorelate to the season at hand. These are memories both good and bad but all in all it's just good to sit and soak up the sun. All the more easy with Sheryl Crowe's hit song of the same lyric playing in the distance. Not that this is currently happening but you get the point.

It also motivates me to get out and do more. When the weather is nice I feel like I'm missing something. Matt said this evening, "Today was one of those days I wish I had a woman to take to the park." Well said, Matt. You'll get to that park someday.

So, I'm around. I'm enjoying the promise of spring and the ability to kick winter to the cold curb. Here comes the sun. Here comes the shorts and sandals. And, to a lesser extent, here come the blogs.

Stick around and read away. If you don't, watch out. I might challenge you to a knife fight.

Quick Hit - Just a Thought

2007-02-18T00:51:00.000-05:00

Blog 3 in a 3 part, Saturday night blog extravaganza. Make sure to scroll down and enjoy posts 2 and 1!!!

I had this thought/line of thinking today while watching a film on TBS. Not sure what specifically triggered this, but here we go. Note that I am certainly guilty of the following.

Why is it that Christians will so often act odd/mad/offended/whatever adjective you want to use when another Christian in their presence says something slightly off color...

...but then have no problem watching a movie that contains material that is often both much more crude and much more frequently used?

Just to clarify: I do believe, as Christians, that we are to pursue holiness. That is not really what is in question here. Rather, I am simply considering what may be an interesting double standard in how we respond to something we didn't intend to hear versus something much worse that we actually allow ourselves to take in.

I have more thoughts on this but for now I'll just toss this to the masses for consideration.

When You Feel 1 Foot Tall...

2007-02-17T23:18:00.000-05:00

BLOG 2 in a 3 part, Saturday night blog extravaganza...

What do you do when you have one of those "I feel about a foot tall" moments in life? We've all been there - the times when you do something unintentionally that still makes you look and feel pretty terrible. I'm not specifically referring to sin here but rather those life moments when your human ability to do something kind of stupid comes to the forefront.

Trust me, I've been there many times in my 27 years. Recently, I had a "moment like this" (the opposite of that experienced by Kelly Clarkson) while playing a silly, multi-sport hybrid game called Whirleyball. If you've never heard of this, it basically consists of riding around in bumper cars and throwing a softball sized whiffle ball into a hole with a shortened Jai-Alai stick. If you don't know what Jai-Alai is, I don't know what else to tell you. We're already in a pretty obscure realm of sports here.

Anyway, since we were in bumper cars there was some bumping to be expected. I highlight SOME. At one point, a particular girl (who might be reading this if her back is healed) had a beat on the ball while heading towards a corner of the Whirleyball "rink." Seeing my chance to swoop in and play some defense, I slithered full speed ahead behind her towards the corner, the rest of the players approaching from a distance. I'm sure you see where this is going.

In a clash of perfect momentum that would make any high school Honors Physics teacher proud, my cart violently hurtled this girl's cart into the wall as she flailed helplessly like a crash test dummy. The look on her face was something along the lines of, "I don't know whether to be completely ticked off right now or just plain shocked." It was at that moment that I felt about 1/6th of my usual height, which is taller than 1/6th of most people's heights but pretty small nonetheless. Getting out of the cart and calling it a night was a serious option. This is to be expected, though, since I had just done something that was about one step removed from accidentally tackling a girl like a linebacker in a friendly game of Thanksgiving Day church youth group touch football.

Thankfully, we moved forward with the game and I was able to at least take momentary solace in the fact that her spinal cord did not dislodge from her back. Oddly enough, I scored the winning points as time expired but that's not really the point.

So, again, I ask: What do you do when you feel one foot tall? This is clearly just one example of this type of situation but a pretty good one. Just to get the "whirleyball" rolling, here is what I do. I'm open to new ideas.

One thing that helps is to laugh. No, I don't mean right at the moment. That's kind of difficult to accomplish when you feel pretty bad and several people are looking at you, mouths agape in general horror or with the thought (verbalized or not) of, "What's wrong with you?!" Seriously, though - seeing the humour or light side in our most unsmooth, poorly executed moments can give proper perspective to our imperfect human reality in light of God's amazing and eternal power, perfection and love. Easier said than done, but it's good to remember.

This reveals what I believe is the most important lesson: that God cares about you just as much in those dumb moments as He does in your good and triumphant moments. "How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And this is what we are!" (1 John 3:1a; NIV). I wonder how my life would be different if I were to consistently meditate on and apply this truth in all its implications that God really does LOVE me. How many things would not matter so much, even those moments that seem to matter so much?

To review and conclude: "...I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation [including those 1 foot tall moments], will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39). May you persevere through the good and bad life has to offer this side of eternity through the Lord's awesome love for YOU.

Sleeping Valentine's Day Away

2007-02-17T21:31:00.000-05:00

BLOG 1 in a 3 part Saturday night blogging extravaganza. See above for BLOG 2!!!

NOTE: For the sake of brevity and to appear more cool to the kids, I will henceforth refer to Valentine's Day as "V-Day."

I apologize to those of you who were waiting for the promised "V-Day (TBA)" post. To pay you back, I now offer an explanation and a blogging trifecta - three posts in one night!!!

Some of you know that I am working midnight to 8 AM plus some morning sales time this month (and this month only) and hence typically spend Monday through Friday in bed while most people are awake. I am not often running at 100 percent because of this freakish night bat schedule and it prevents me from sitting down and blogging as often as I'd like or consistently feeling like a normal human being.

So, the above title is not meant to indicate some depressed single state but rather simply my present schedule. I actually didn't even make it home until around 1 PM Wednesday. While at the store, I had one of those, "Why don't I buy some flowers and anonymously stick them on some girl's vehicle while she's at work" moments. Hey - it's V-Day. Got to find ways to spread the sweet, sweet love. As The Kite is fond of saying, "I like love." However, this *semi-altruistic line of thinking was replaced seconds later by, "Wait, I haven't slept since 5:30 PM yesterday." Even the romantic vibes of V-Day couldn't beat much needed sleep, somehow granting legitimacy to Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs.

All that to say: I hope each of you had a nice V-Day or at least didn't feel too sad about not having anyone to give you gifts. I speak here specifically to the single women. I guess I'm trying to find a balance between John Eldredge's "Wild at Heart" and Stu Weber's lesser known "Tender Warrior," although they probably aren't in conflict.

One final thought. I was talking to a couple of married men recently and found it humorous how they both heard this line from their wives: "Oh, I don't want anything for V-Day." I laughed and told one guy, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned...or a woman who doesn't get anything from her significant other for V-Day." Ok, so I didn't actually say "V-Day" but you get the point. Mark Nysewander found it funny and if it's good enough for him, it's good enough for me.

*I realize any cool points I gained by saying "V-Day" were quickly lost by writing "semi-altruistic."

IKEA

2007-02-12T06:21:00.000-05:00

Since I've placed a Katie B imposed moratorium on posts referencing Katie B, I'm going to take the next few writings in a different direction. So...

I visited IKEA for the first time Saturday night. I did this alone. I survived yet I'm just now regaining full use of my senses and ability to actually think and compose sentences longer than three words. Here is a brief reflection on my trip to this disorienting labyrinth of Scandinavian modern style furniture and accessories.

I knew I was in for something unique when I parked in an underground garage and saw droves of people with glazed over looks in their eyes being fed back into this area via a massive, multi-level conveyor belt. Something about this seemed creepily futuristic yet sort of like the way cattle are fed through machines on their way to our dinner and lunch tables. This is not any less unsettling, even if it does not seem futuristic. However, I forged ahead as nothing could shake my determination to get a $50 bookcase, not even the possibility of being brainwashed by some Swedish furniture magnate named Erik, Jorgen or Thorbjorn.

Also interesting was that one of the first things a person encounters when entering IKEA is their IKEA Cafe. I was glad to see someone is finally servicing the "Swedish Meatball/Put It Together Yourself Home Decoration Niche" that has far too long been under serviced in our country. Capitalism demands this need be filled, even if you have to bus your own table.

Anyway, I gathered myself and began to follow the pathway that leads through a variety of showrooms, complete with furniture and design ideas. This was actually fairly easy to follow although I kept wishing there was a tram we could ride on, sort of like one of the rides at Epcot Center I used to frequent as a child in sunny Florida. I figure if you're going to have a giant conveyor belt, cafe and pathway through a maze of various terrains you may as well go all the way with the thing and get a tram with a video of some popular Norwegian entertainment icon giving safety rules at the beginning. Then again, as is often the case, maybe that's just me.

On a side note, someone could reach half the population of Atlanta for Christ in one evening at IKEA because I'm fairly certain they were all there.

When all was said and done, I made it out of IKEA with a Billy bookcase, a magazine organizer for my desk and 42 seasonal pie scented candles for $0.99. I'll give you 10 seasonal pie scented candles as a prize if you can guess which item was the impulse buy in the check out line.

I hope you enjoyed this IKEA memoir. It was an experience I really should only have taken with the nurture and support of a young female companion but I'm glad I built up my IKEA immune system for future visits.

On to the next post: Valentine's Day (TBA)!!!

Quick Hit - 2 Dating Rules

2007-02-08T05:15:00.000-05:00

Here are two rules for dating I follow pretty strictly:

1. Don't date a girl taller than me.

2. Never, ever date a girl with a "Yield to the Princess" sticker on her car. Just a really bad idea for a variety of reasons.

And no, I don't have a problem treating a young lady like a princess. I just...

...I should probably just stop.

The Adam Darkwood Conspiracy Depth Chart

2007-02-07T05:18:00.001-05:00

I am writing in a state of sleepless near delirium as I work day 3 of a 20 day (4 week) night shift stint to help unroll a new account at my company. I thought I might toss out a post to please the 3-6 loyal readers and 2-3 female stalkers I have already secured after my first two ramblings. I figure I just called China - why not blog for a bit. My goal for this third post is to be mildly unfocused yet still strangely entertaining as I write stuff that I'm sure to slightly regret when I come to my senses tomorrow. C'est la vie.

The Adam Darkwood Conspiracy is a band name I came up with for Athens music legend Derek "Catfish" McTavish a year or two ago in honor of Adam Dark. Something you should know about Adam Dark is that he is one of the top 3 guys in his singles ministry at Second Baptist Church (not to be confused with 1st or 3rd) in Springfield, Missouri.

Anyway, I was able to have an unexpected visit with Mr. Dark this evening. While talking about recent life ongoings, Adam said, "Seriously, Garrick, it's great to have a couple of girls on the depth chart again." One can easily surmise that those two girls probably wouldn't be completely pleased to learn they are on a "depth chart" as if they are QB's for UGA football. Then again, it is Adam Dark. This is the guy that grandmothers and sisters throughout Marietta are trying to set up with Katie B so perhaps it wouldn't be so bad for these lucky, lovely young ladies.

For those wondering if I have a depth chart, the answer is not exactly although I bet this blog would get more hits if I started putting things like that on here. It would certainly expedite the process of clearing up my romantic life. Any girl on the chart, even if it ran four deep, could simply respond in my blog comments section regarding how she felt about her status. For example, she might write, "I'm not really interested in being first string and I'd like to transfer to another school" or "I'm sitting at number two but would really like more playing time - please consider announcing me as the starter this week." So simple yet so highly unrealistic and unromantic. It's probably just easier to go the "You've Got Mail" route.

Garrick: "Don't cry, Shopgirl. Don't cry."
Girl at Top of Depth Chart: "I wanted it to be you. I wanted it to be you so badly."

Remember that anything I just wrote cannot be used against me as I have the "I haven't slept since 5:30 PM" card to throw down.

To whet your appetite, here are a few blog topics I have in the hopper: Some thoughts on diversions and Blaise Pascal, Valentine's Day (TBA) and why I do not want to go into politics. Stay tuned.

It's Time - Part Two (You Can Stalk Me)

2007-02-04T21:34:00.001-05:00

A few more things to know as I begin:

1. To those that say, "You just made a purpose statement for a freaking blog," I present my desire for excellence in my pursuits big and small. No, this doesn't mean I sit there and think, "Wow, I'm really doing this excellently" when heating up some Beanee-Weenee's for a late night dinner-snack. It just means I don't see the reason to do a half-aced job on something even if I think it's only a moderately worthy pursuit.

2. To The Forum: I'm not walking away from you. I originated the thing and I see it as serving a different niche in my life that can complement the blog rather than compete with it. You still have my undivided love and nurture.

3. Q: Why "G M O and Associates" and who are they?! A: An associate is one who joins or connects with another in partnership and purpose (even friendship), often to accomplish something. I find myself in a lot of associate situations these days. My FT job enables me to use a network of chauffeured ground transportation and I also have a desire to be part of the affiliation of churches which will flow out of Riverstone: A Wesleyan Fellowship Church. I love the idea of joining together with like-minded people to get things done.

As a Christian, I am part of the Body of Christ. It's a pretty awesome association and while the term "association" doesn't really do it justice, it gets the ball rolling. So - anyone reading this is welcome to associate with me and I with you on our journey with the Lord through life and to especially see community and life transformation. Even if you're not a Christian, we can associate in friendship and connection on a variety of levels as we go through this life one step at a time.

4. Finally, this blog is the perfect place for any young ladies interested in getting to know me a little better to stalk me in a perfectly acceptable manner. So please, stalk on. Don't be afraid. I may be freakishly tall but I don't intend to intimidate.

And yes, that was meant to be funny. I mean, you know, sort of. Just don't call me and breathe over the phone line or be waiting in a dark corner of my room when I come home from work. Candace Curry would definitely frown upon those methods as they DO NOT maintain healthy boundaries.

That's all for now. Congratulations if you made it this far. You're truly an Associate.

P.S. Really cool to hear the Colts praise God in victory and sound like they truly mean it. I've always liked Coach Dungy and am glad to see him get this win. Also glad to see Peyton get the big one. Great QB, likeable guy and top notch (hilarious) commercial actor.

Prince also shredded tonight.

It's Time - Part One (The Vision)

2007-02-04T20:51:00.000-05:00

In the book "Captivating" by John and Stasi Eldredge, they posit that a major part of a women's heart is the desire to have a beauty all her own to unveil. In a connection that is admittedly a bit tenuous, I am finally responding to my innate desire to have a BLOG all my own to unveil.

I have had a large number of people throughout the years encourage me to write, from my parents to high school English teachers all the way through college, seminary and the present. God truly knows that I've done my fair share of school-related writing and seriously wacky e-mail posting to my friends at The Forum (you know who you are). Recently, several have expressed an interest in reading my blog if I ever started one.

I was on the edge, ready to leap but still holding on loosely until I saw that Michael Mozley has a blog. It was time to let go. It was time to create a blog with the writing style of a less emotional Annie Downs. IT IS TIME. Let the blog journey begin.

I conclude Part One of these introductory posts with my blog purpose/vision statement:

"The purpose of G M O and Associates - Garrick O'Blogger is to entertain, inspire, enjoy, educate, illustrate, illuminate and post irrelevant thoughts on a variety of God, life and mind-inspired topics so that I might glorify God to the best of my ability."

As well, like Rev. Mozley, this might serve as a prime spot to post thoughts that would probably serve me well in sermons or teachings but would otherwise be lost if I didn't record them.

Also, an underlying goal is to keep this from being a diary but rather something 5, 10 or 15 people might actually want to check out on occasion. More in Part Two...