I barely remember "Old Yeller". I couldn't tell you much of anything about most of the movie. But the ending is forever seared into my consciousness. I saw it when I was about 9. I hated that movie. It made me cry at a time that crying was NOT cool. And it wasn't fair that the dog had to die at the end, and the boy had to do it. But you know what? The dog had to be put down.
OK, now that I've drawn out the setup way too much, let's relate it back to this blog.
The blog has to be put down.
It's served me well. It's a good old blog. It's loyal. I can leave it abandoned for weeks on end and I come back here and it's still there, wagging its tail.
OK, enough with the analogy. Back in '03, when I started this blog, it was fun. I didn't start it as a career move. Heck, I didn't even put it out there who was running the blog for the first several months. I didn't really publicize it, but it got out there, and it evolved into an unofficial
Third Day weblog. Then we started an "official"
Third Day Weblog and I wasn't sure what to do with "This Guy Falls Down". I just kept plugging along.
Meanwhile the whole scene changed. Over the years, blogging got more popular, and became a part of a bigger movement called "social media". Blogging grew up, but "this guy" stayed the same. While that's charming on a certain level, it bores me to no end. And if you're bored, it's time to either change your circumstances or change yourself.
So I'm going to change. I'm going to take this blog out back and - KAPLOW! - do what needed to be done a long time ago.
But I don't think I'll cry too much. There's nothing to take the sting away from losing a pet like a new puppy. I bet that kid in Old Yeller even got a new dog out of it when the dust settled.
I think I'll just start a new blog. Details to come...
The Xbox 360 harbors a customized IBM Power PC CPU with three processing cores with 3.2 GHz power. <a href="http://olref.300mb.info/index.html">Laptop acer</a>
Posted by: Mutswentstete | January 19, 2009 at 11:21 AM
It's too bad the name has to go down with the blog. I think it's my favorite blog name yet. I hope to find your wit someplace else then. Oh, and you had to bring up Old Yeller. I saw a commercial for it (yes, really) recently and it brought a lump to my throat. There are a few movies you never see more than once (like Schindler's List & Sophie's Choice) and that's one of them.
Thanks for the good read. See you at a spring concert!
Posted by: Diane | January 01, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Looking forward to What's Next!
Posted by: Mike Morrell | December 30, 2008 at 08:28 PM
Here's to the old and let's ring in the new. Hopefully someone has talked to you about the benefits of WordPress over Typepad though. Hint. Hint! =)
Posted by: bnpositive | December 28, 2008 at 11:44 PM
Your blog has been awesome-- kind of sad to see it go! Kind of sad to see that dog go too, but it had rabies and that's an incurable disease and well.... I don't really know where I'm going with this...your blog will be missed (sob, sniff, sniff-- dude, I need a tissue), and I really look forward to whatever you decide to post in the future -- Really interesting analogy-- a dog and a blog.
Posted by: Sabrina | December 27, 2008 at 08:57 PM
Buh-bye! It's been great!
Posted by: Melinda | December 20, 2008 at 11:10 PM
Well I'll be sad to see it go. But I guess change is coming to America... in more ways than one :-)
Posted by: JanetRN | December 20, 2008 at 10:30 PM
I, too, will be sad to see this blog go. It is always a highlight of my day whenever you write something. Refardless of what the subject is you put your own little personal touch on what you write and make it interesting for all. As far as my own life, I would have never dreamed I would have gotten so hooked on all the neat online stuff you've showed us. Twitter is just awesome and I have made so many cool friends through it. My beloved Tumblr (lame as it may be)is the closest I come to a journal so for that I say thank you!
I do hope you keep the SRC around. If you really feel sad you can go back and check to see who you owe prizes too! Think "Cooter" and it will jog your memory!
Posted by: Dawnifer Gomer | December 19, 2008 at 08:11 PM
There's nothing that helps getting interested in blogging again like starting a new blog.
Thanks for letting us keep up, Mark. Looking for you in the PNW some time soon.
Posted by: Rick | December 19, 2008 at 06:58 PM
Thanks for the good times. I will miss the blog.
Posted by: Scot | December 19, 2008 at 03:42 PM
I just want to Thank you- this blog was the first blog I ever read. Didn't even know what a blog was until ... what... late 2003 or so. So thank you- I actually dedicated my blog to you when I created mine. Anyway- its been great- thanks!
Posted by: Dee | December 19, 2008 at 03:29 PM
I'm a little sad that you are getting rid of this blog, but I think I understand. I'm in the middle of some major life changes, which I don't like at all, but unfortunately, are necessary.
I have good memories of your blog. I found it from a link on another blog. I had no idea who you were, wasn't familiar with Third Day, but I loved the name "This Guy Falls Down." I knew I had to follow you when you said that you liked the Sammy Hagar years of Van Halen and that one of your memories involved listening to "Rhinestone Cowboy." I sing that song when I'm blue. Besides you, I don't know anyone anywhere near my age that has heard of the song.
I really enjoyed the Summer Reading Club. It helped to keep me sane during some rough times. I had forgotten how easy it is to be engrossed in a good story.
Overall, I've enjoyed seeing the world through your eyes. It's been a fun ride. I wish you luck on your next adventure.
Posted by: Lori | December 19, 2008 at 01:53 PM
Call me old-fashioned, but I still have my blog. Twitter is great, but one liners are insufficient. :)
I might cry just like the end of the movie, IF you don't start something new. LOL But I am always looking forward to what you have to say.
God's blessings, and Merry Christmas!
--Melanie
Posted by: Melanie | December 19, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Well, though I don't comment here, I follow this blog. Thank you for keeping it all these years. I've gotten some great book reccommendations from you! Will follow you in the other spots while waiting for the next big thing.
Posted by: doodah | December 19, 2008 at 12:04 PM
I've enjoyed this ride. Will be around wherever you decide to pop up again.
But as Traci mentioned...you left the Bookclub souls in the lurch...man we worked hard this past summer trying to read and write reviews...can't I get a concert ticket or something for it??? ;)
Posted by: Wendy | December 19, 2008 at 10:16 AM
So "This Guy" has "Falls Down" for good. R.I.P
Posted by: Michele | December 19, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Blogs are like our scrapbooks, aren't they. Very hard to do away with.
Posted by: Pixie Wildflower | December 19, 2008 at 09:16 AM
It takes a brave man to do the right thing and embrace change. I walk to the edge of the stage and in the way you have done so many times before, I salute you.
Posted by: Corrine | December 19, 2008 at 08:47 AM
Man, I have been coming here since '03, so if you do put 'er down, it will be a sad day!
Posted by: Adam Riggins | December 19, 2008 at 08:45 AM
Might as well. Blogging is hard work. I have wanted to start one up for a while now but I just can't bring myself to do it. Here's an idea. Why just do a photo blog. Take photos w/ your phone and upload them straight to your new blog. No explanation or text. Just photos and comments. Hey I think I'll do that. It's my idea. You can't have it. J/K.
BTW: The 1 and only time that I saw you guys live was in 1996 at Atlanta fest. That first album was huge! I mean finally Christian music had their own Hootie and the Blow Fish. J/K. Your music has been inspirational in my life. Thank you for making it.
Posted by: eric darnell | December 19, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Well, this is a fine time to pull the plug! I just found the blog...believe it or not, not because of the Third Day thing, either (though I do have at least one of the albums!).
I think I found it through a comment you made on twitter about a band that I also liked. Weird how the whole social media thing works, isn't it?
That being said, it doesn't seem like too many blogs have a long life. They serve their purpose and the authors move on.
Looking forward to what you come up with next.
Posted by: Gregg | December 19, 2008 at 08:40 AM
Bro, you got me started on typepad (over 4 yrs). Thanks! I too almost pulled the plug a month or so ago. Actually I was going to transfer it over to another service provider, but once I made the change, I just couldn't do it. Haha, that sounds so sad:-)
With Posterous, Twitter, etc., I'm too in a season of change. One that has me thinking about dropping all of it honestly. I'm sure I'll keep plugging along though, just at a slower pace.
I become bored with almost everything, which is something that I've been workin on. Time for me to change too.
Peace!
Posted by: Kenny | December 19, 2008 at 08:38 AM