Introductory Miller

So I decided tonight at about 1 am to start a blog.  I don’t know what it is about me and mornings but at 1 am I like them, at 8am, not so much.  We’ve talked, and I when I say “we” I mean my wife JP and I, for months about having a blog.  I think I never really identified with a true purpose of having one.  Sure, we could’ve started one to document the beginning of our marriage, of which we just celebrated the first year anniversary three days ago.  Thank you, thank you.  But something in me didn’t really want to start one for that reason.  No offense to those out there that have a newlywed blog or a newborn blog for that matter. Chances are I’ve frequented yours many times.  It just wasn’t for me.  But now I think I want to start one, mainly because I just want to try and write.  You know, see if I’ve got what it takes.  I’ve always enjoyed writing but that enjoyment was always tempered because I’ve only experienced it out of necessity, writing for educational purposes. There are the constant rules to be followed, grammatical guidelines to adhere to, and thesis statements fully followed by a supporting argument closed by a concluding statement.  That stuff bores me and causes me to not like writing.  Like I said though, I’ve never done it for pleasure, and in case you are wondering this last paragraph has been a blast! 

Let me tell you how this started and came to fruition about ten minutes ago while I almost went to bed, had about five lines played out in my head and said “screw it dude, let’s go bowling.”  The wife and I…. (Can’t tell if I should call her ”The Wife” or JP.  Think I’ll go with JP since it’s more personal and I want her to have an identity.  Because you and I both know, this blog is going to be legendary over night and she needs her identifiable recognition.)  Anyhow, JP and I went to a marriage conference a month and a half ago for some annual marital maintenance.  No major problems, we just believe in a sophisticated system of checks and balances, much like the one set in place with our fine governmental system. 

At the conclusion of the weekend we sat down and created a goal sheet for our upcoming year.  In addition to our marital goals we were able to setup personal goals as well.   Mine is to get to the point where I’m reading two new books a month.  JP’s is to get to the point where I’m reading two new books a month.  I’m not much of a reader.  Again, it goes back to the same philosophy of being forced, that I mentioned earlier with writing.  Except with reading, often times I find it hard to enjoy.  I typically find myself sitting there reading a wonderful book that has gotten rave revues and recommendations.  Yet all the while, I just read three pages and I was thinking completely about football or something of the sort, and I couldn’t repeat one thought I just read.  Some call that A.D.D, I call it football is more captivating.  But, I told myself I wanted to read more for pleasure because I believe in it.  I believe it strengthens your mind, makes you sharper, and if reading the right stuff, it can be very informative and come in handy for your overall purpose of life. (That’s a whole nother post, and like I said this blog is going to be places so I have time)  By the way, can you believe in something yet not practice it? Random thought. Well, after a period of six weeks where I needed to sit back and soak in the brevity of my lofty goal (and a swift kick of conviction from my buddy Scott two weeks ago), I began to knock out books left and right. I’m actually serious.  I’ve read somewhere around five books in a week and a half.  For me that’s like eight gold medals in one Olympics.  I should call Kellogg’s; I hear they have a promotional opening.  What I really mean is, guess we’ll see how many books I can read in a week when football season starts back up.

Now to my point; the first three books I read of which I could not put down were the Donald Miller Trilogy, Blue Like Jazz, Through Painted Desserts, and Searching For God Knows What.  I could not stop reading them.   If you have no idea what I’m talking about, that’s completely okay, just read these books.  I recommend Searching first, by far my favorite. I read each one in two days time, which for a guy who said he wanted to read two books a month for a year, is a bit of a big deal.  They were all amazing and inspiring in so many ways.  For me, it made me want to write.  And that’s how I got here tonight at 1am.

I don’t know how many people I’ll tell that I’ve started a blog. The wife, or sorry…JP for sure, and a few close friends and family.  But I’ve never been the type to go around wanting to draw attention to my accomplishments, although it’s probably because I want attention for said accomplishments all the while trying to come across as the opposite.  It reminds me of the people who have the personality to proclaim outloud their birthday is coming up as a bit of a hint.  Some go even far as to ask what you are going to get them, even though they’ve never so much as wished you a happy birthday on yours.  I’ve never proclaimed my birthday date outloud (10/16), but I wouldn’t mind an unsuspecting gift.  Guess what I’m trying to say is, if I’ve never looked at your blog (and who are we kidding, you all have one) I don’t expect you to look at mine, but it would feel good if you did.  So, we’ll see how far word gets out that Ol’ Miller finally has a blog.  And, congrats to you for finding me!  I suppose you may enjoy it or perhaps I can be the type that garners increased viewers out of hatred, kind of like Howard Stern does.  You shouldn’t expect much other than random thoughts, an occasional laughable story about the idiocy that is my attempt to be a reputable husband, and maybe a few fun memories and such.  I suspect graphics and pics will be to a minimum as well, at least in the beginning.  Until next time, thanks for stopping by. 

Miller