An evening with Elvis Cole and Joe Pike

I spent an evening with a couple of old friends Sunday. We havent touched base for about a year. It is always good to find out what they have been up to.

It seems I had so much catching up to do when we first made contact. Elvis Cole first told me about the Monkey's raincoat and that began a relationship that made me hang on every word he shared about him and his dear friend, Joe Pike. Even when Elvis was recovering from a gun shot wound, Pike set out on his own to help even more people, from avenging the death of a friend to looking out for the safety of someone he did not even know, and never did know much about her.

Yes, they are fictional characters from the mind and pen of Robert Crais. I found out about the books he wrote just a few years ago while in California caring for my ailing grandmother. I picked up the first book and did not stop reading until I had read the entire series plus the stand alone books he also wrote. I feel like I know the characters, although you can not get me to describe what I think they look like. When they seek out clues to solve the situation, I am right there with them. When they take a few seconds to subdue someone, I am am in awe of each punch or hold or battering. When they have cried, I have cried. I have Mr. Crais to thank for that.

After the last enstallment, I had to wait almost 13 months for the latest book. Finally, last Friday, Taken was released. I went to Costco, picked up a copy and was going to finish a book I was reading before I opened it up. I couldnt wait. I started reading, at my usual slow pace. I read until I went to bed at 9:30, turned off the light and put the book down. At 1:30 AM, I could not sleep. i had to see how the story played out. Finally, at 3:30, I finished the book, speed reading record for me, and put the book down. of course, I was so wound up I couldnt sleep the rest of the night. I have so appreciated the way the two men can show how much they love each other with very little fanfare or demonstrative outpouring of emotions. But it is there. Oh to have a friend like that.

Now, the hard part..... Waiting another 13 months to read about their next adventure.

Mark Driscoll and Ricky Gervais: Why Is Offensive an Option?

I stopped following Mark Driscoll on Facebook awhile ago. It was just too much Mark on his posts. Then, I thought, if I delete his posts maybe I should delete a few others because of the same thing. So, I did. But that is a topic for another rant of randomness.

I dont follow Ricky Gervais either. He may be a very entertaining guy. I didn't know what he was up to until I saw the commercials and interviews leading up to the Golden Globes, a program I don't follow either. But I was intrigued by statments he made concerning how offensive he was going to try to be. My first thought was if you need to ask how offensive you can be, then you probably have gone too far already. But, I could be wrong.

I heard a few comments about his performance. He wasn't very good because he wasn't offensive enough. Oh my.

Mark Driscoll may be a gifted preacher, a man solid in his beliefs, a good leader and someday, may be a well-quoted teacher. However, I don't hear about him unless he offends someone. I don't mean offending a non-believer because he mentions Jesus. I mean offends the very same people who, apparently believe the same as him.

In entertainment where many people listen to you and take in what you say and mega-churches with great multi-media means for many people to listen to you and take in what you say, why is being controversial and offensive worn as a badge of courage?

Of course, I could be wrong.