Cordell J. Larkin

2012

Cordell J. Larkin — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:27:00 +0000

2011 came to a close last night and I was able to spend the whole day with my lovely wife Sara. We went to Village Inn for breakfast and spent most of the day at the movie theater, watching two movies. After the movies we picked up a pizza to bring home and cook, only later did we regret it, because we didn’t feel so hot after eating. Soon after eating and feeling a little sick, we decided to take a nap before the countdown to 2012. At midnight we kissed, toasted our glasses of sparkling apple cider, then called it quits and went to bed.

The last few months of 2011 were a little rough for us. I left for business on September 21 and didn’t return until November 21. I was able to come home for a couple of days in between to spend some short time with Sara, only to be whisked away again. During those two months I became familiar with the inside of eleven different airports in six different states: Salt Lake City, UT; Phoenix, AZ; Fresno, CA; San Francisco, CA; Oakland, CA; Reno, NV; Sea-Tac, WA; Las Vegas, NV; Ontario, CA; Sacramento, CA; Portland, OR. It was rough living on the road and missing my wife, Sara. I lived in airports, hotel rooms, rental cars, restaurants and Hobby Lobby Stores. Not the most exciting thing to do. However, it did pay off in the end with a job promotion and moving us to Everett, WA in February. A little faith, prayer, hard work and some determination will benefit us and our future as a family.

We’re excited for this new chapter and adventure that awaits us in Washington. We don’t know what the Lord has in store for us but we will go wherever and do whatever is needed. We will definitely be missing family as we leave them all behind in Utah. We hope and pray that we will find the time and means to come back often, as Utah will always be our home.

Review: All Quiet on the Western Front

Cordell J. Larkin — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 16:11:27 +0000

All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I gave “All Quiet on the Western Front” three stars out of five because I liked it but did not love it. Most of the novel reads as a journal would. Even though the sentence structure may seem very plain and simple throughout the novel it is very graphic and sometimes profound. There are moments of romantic quality as well. Although I may not agree with it being the greatest war novel of all time it does come close. Definitely a must read if you like war novels.

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Review: 1984

Cordell J. Larkin — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 15:09:57 +0000

1984 by George Orwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A little more difficult read than what I’m use to. It was hard getting past the first 85 pages and then it captured my interest a little more. I thought it very dark but well written.

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Review: Animal Farm

Cordell J. Larkin — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 23:18:13 +0000

Animal Farm by George Orwell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

To really enjoy and appreciate this novel you need to know the underlying symbolism that George Orwell was writing about. It’s definitely an easy read if you want something short and quick to read and still feel like you’ve read something worthwhile.

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Review: Cowboy Angels

Cordell J. Larkin — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:33:18 +0000

Cowboy Angels by Paul McAuley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Captivating sci-fi novel with some great and unexpected plot twists. Definitely not what I was expecting after picking it up and reading the back cover.

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Year 35

Cordell J. Larkin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 18:05:15 +0000

And it came to pass that Cordell Jeffrey Larkin entered into his 35th year of mortality upon this earthly existence. There have been many wonderful experiences and adventures along the way. Many trials has he faced during this time and acquaintances have been made with many extraordinary people. He loves each and every one of them. He misses many of them as well and wishes them the best even if they never cross paths again in this lifetime. His heart has been touched many times and even though the burdens have been great and sometimes overwhelming, there is always hope and someday there will be peace.

I love life and most of all I love all of you! Thank you!

Distant Companion

Cordell J. Larkin — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:55:42 +0000

Sitting, waiting, hoping they will come. And when they come will they pour out like a torrent? The desire is becoming an overwhelming of emotions and yet patience is prevailing. Awaiting for something to come and yet, still waiting. They use to be there always as a constant companion and now they are distant and hard to reach out and grasp. A small part of soul, missing. The aching, the longing, and almost like a desired touch. The fingers are creeping into the crevices of mind and finding nothing but mixed clutter. The response is to scream but there’s nothing but silence. Come back! Please!

Unbound but Discouraged

Cordell J. Larkin — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:49:51 +0000

Words are now an enigma. Creative ideas have been replaced by rambled discouraging thoughts and the architect is troubled. It’s as if the talent has been lost, maybe because of idleness or of wandering space. One hope and one desire, fragile as it seems, is what’s tethering the thread. Sand has scratched the eyes and parched lips are thirsting for a pouring of that crystal clear water, once again, after being deserted on an arid plain. Finding the will to persevere seems daunting but necessary. With hands unbound and agency given, the architect must begin to unravel the blueprints once more.

Gratitude for His Love

Cordell J. Larkin — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 14:42:35 +0000

I’m grateful for the Lord in my life or I wouldn’t be where I am today. I wouldn’t have such a beautiful and amazing wife if it weren’t for His love. I wouldn’t be employed and financially providing for my family. I am also grateful for the people who have so much faith in me when I don’t see my own potential. I am truly grateful to be surrounded by so many wonderful people. I love my family and all of the people I work with and meet every day. I have been truly humbled and blessed by the Lord and His love for me.

Inbox Reflection

Cordell J. Larkin — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 15:54:40 +0000

Waking up this morning, to my wife’s alarm, I wasn’t planning on spending much time at the computer keyboard. My day off from work was planned for doing something different, out of the ordinary, which, apparently, seems to not be so easy for me. I haven’t had time, or lack of stress, to do much of anything that I enjoy during the little moments of free time. Lately, it’s been surfing the web and catching up on the Tour de France. Last night, before bed, was the first time I picked up a book in a couple months. I stood at the bookshelf, beside the bed, scanning over all the books I haven’t read and finally settled on “The Journals of Lewis and Clark.” I read the beginning and then found myself tired and wanting the pillow.

This morning I got out of bed earlier than I usually do. I wanted to see my wife off to work, wish her a great day, and take a few moments on the computer to catch up on any news. I wasn’t expecting sitting at the computer writing another blog today. I haven’t written personally in a while and have been working on catching up the family blog. Today’s inspiration came from deciding to clean out my email inbox of 495 messages. Starting with the oldest email and working my way to the present was the plan of attack. Well, it was the first email that I opened, that got the memories sparked inside my little noggin. The email was dated September 7, 2004.

Things changed for a lot of Americans that fateful morning of September 11, 2001. In the aftermath each of us had our own way of fighting back and coping with the unbelievable events that took place on that day. After opening that email this morning I remembered what it was and how I got the courage to fight back, however insignificant my actions would be.

I don’t recall when the idea was planted or how it came about but I wouldn’t let this act of terrorism prevent my desire for exploration and adventure. I planned a trip to Seattle, Washington for March of 2002, six months after the attack, and the first time I would be flying in an airline, by myself, as an adult. I wouldn’t let the terrorists win and I was determined to overcome a fear they thought they had planted in all of us. We are Americans, we are free, and no one will take that away from us. We will not succumb to fear. Who did they think they were dealing with?

Anyway, this trip to Seattle would be the first of many vacations I would take that would require air travel. Three years later it would eventually lead me to planning a trip to New York City and Ground Zero. The trip was planned for the end of September 2004, only a couple weeks after the third anniversary of 9/11. I am grateful to have taken that opportunity to fly to New York and visit a place that will live forever in infamy in our minds and hearts. It was definitely the Pearl Harbor of our generation.

Ever since my first flight to Seattle, post 9/11, I have flown a half dozen times. I fought back, faced my fear, and will not be afraid to fly again. That was my little insignificant war I waged on terrorism after 9/11. I know my fellow Americans did the same or something like it to show our strength as a united group of people and that is what makes us great. Liberty is in our genetic makeup and is everyone’s God given right in this world.