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November 19th, 2011. My now wife and I were huddled up in our car, tailgating in the cold morning in a parking lot just around the corner from the Oconee River. We were talking about getting married and she was ring shopping. As I was scanning my phone, a call came through from my old college roommate.
”Hey, man. Did you hear about Glen? He’s dead.”
He was shocked. I was shocked. This wonderful human being who never went a day without a smile on his face had been hit by a wrong way driver, sending him into a coma and shortly after, his death.
He was 36. It was way too early to lose a friend. He was survived by his college girlfriend, now his wife and mother of his two kids. Memories of intramural basketball and soccer and so many late night parties at Riverbend rushed through my mind. Life was precious, I thought, and somehow seemingly more fleeting now.
It was a hell of a note. Eleven years later, the roommate who called me that day also passed away. Again, survived by his college girlfriend, who became his wife, and mother of their four kids.
Such is life, as they say, but those teens and twenties accelerated to 30s and 50s quickly. Death came too soon. I have already outlived two of my best friends, and I consider myself relatively young. As the days go by, even with a large family of my own, I can’t help but think:
The years are getting lonelier.
“Getting old leaves something to be desired.”
January 6th, 2024. The Senator had been on a four day respite, apologized for the absence of posts and mentioned there had been a medical issue, and concluded with that statement above.
Many of you who follow along here were there. You posted well wishes. Somewhere in the early morning hours at 12:45 am the next day, Ranger Russ commented.
”Get better in a hurry”.
In a little over a month, the Senator was gone. Not long after, Ranger Russ followed.
Getting old leaves something to be desired. Damn straight.
Every time there was a break in his posts, the silence was deafening. Get the Picture was my first landing page every morning before any other news source on Georgia football. I don’t quite know what it was, but his blend of snark, satire, and seriousness, along with his analysis of games and outcomes was just what the Bulldawg doctor ordered. I followed religiously for years. If I was on vacation, it would be the only thing I’d check on throughout the day. I’d email him from time to time, and when he would reply with his name, Michael, it was like I was speaking to the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, a mystic, or a prestige communication from a mythic hero or an esteemed author, like Lewis Grizzard.
Another reason I visited so often was because of the comments. I didn’t tussle much, but enjoyed putting in my two cents. From time to time I connected with Ranger Russ, and when I didn’t I’d still look for his take, usually something so obscene yet so poignantly appropriate in the moment that captures many of our feelings even if we didn’t dare express them publicly. He was a true genius of the dark arts of foul language that his comments could be preserved and taught only as an honors level language course on the North Campus in Athens. Occasionally we talked about fishing and hunting. He seemed like the kind of guy you wouldn’t mind having at hunt camp or at a tailgate, like he was a good friend you’d never met despite his somewhat sharp language.
We just completed an adventurous and interesting season, and I so desperately wished I was reading the Senator’s take on things and waiting for Ranger’s cussing to ensue rather than writing right now. A season started and ended in 2024, and without Michael’s voice, that thought returned to my head again…
The years are getting lonelier.
When I first reached out to Otis to volunteer to contribute, it wasn’t because I wanted to seek respect or become a professional blogger or to even replace the Senator. It wasn’t because I thought my insights were worthy of passing along to others. Honestly, many of my posts I might try to pen in the key of Michael, but the reason isn’t because of anything aside from this:
The years are getting lonelier.
The absence left in the wake of the Senator’s passing was surreal. It felt like I was a little lost. My honest to God daily routine and sanctuary was gone. His voice, and ours, were gone. It was our daily tailgate, our bar, our fishing spot. It’s where we got together to talk about what we love the most: Georgia football.
A lot of my posts are just kind of “hey did you see this” or “did you hear” kind of things. Something to get us talking again, to unite the brotherhood of Get the Picture again. While some of the comments are welcomed and appreciated when some of you say that a post is “Senator worthy”, I take it as high praise, but the part I appreciate more is that maybe we are getting a little closer to what normal was before February of 2024. And what I appreciate more than anything else are the comments, good or bad, because we’re all talking again, and taking the healing process day by day. And thanks to Georgia football, the Senator, and commenters like Ranger Russ and the legacy they started , we can be sure that we will continue to spin around the sun, with a common passion, as “Refugees”…together.
Thanks to all of y’all who have continued with us on this journey.
Turns out the years don’t have to be so lonely, after all.
Go ‘Dawgs.
Godspeed to Michael, Ranger Russ, and all of our friends who’ve crossed the bridge to the Promised Land. They and their voices are missed daily, but we’re all richer for knowing them and spending a little time together…while we had it.
– JP
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“As many of you, GTP was my first and eventually only stop for Georgia football analysis specifically and college football generally. I never met Michael in person, but when I read the news of his passing here, I felt like I had lost a friend. I sparred with him a few times on various topics, but his perspective was always based in rational thought even though I may have had a different opinion. This community is special to me, and I am humbled to be part of the team that tries to keep his legacy going.
“I attended the tailgate to celebrate Michael’s life before the Auburn game. His law school friends welcomed those of us who could attend as if we were his friends, too. I told everyone there who knew him how special he is to me and that he is our inspiration for how we do things. He really is the GTP Refugees content creator in perpetuity.” — EE
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“I can’t believe it’s been a year. At the same time, it feels like it’s been forever since we read a post from The Senator. Way too long. Losing him and Dickie Betts in the same year was personally difficult for me, as they were my favorites in two art forms. And if you don’t think blogging can be an art form, give it a try. I read every GTP post from Day 1, and I’m still working on my skills.
JP has been magnificent taking on the laboring oar for our group, with the rest of us filling in and commenting when we can. I feel like we got the community feel (and the purpose of GTP) back, even if we’re missing some of the wisdom.
I too had several correspondences with The Senator over the years and had planned to see him in Austin this year. He made it here in spirit, though, and brought home the win. Rest easy, Michael. Alav hashalom.”
- Dawg in Austin
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“Glory, glory to ole’ Georgia. Heroes have graced the field before you. Men with hearts, bodies and minds of which the entire Bulldog Nation can be justifiably proud. The tradition of unbridled excellence demonstrated by these individuals and many others spans more than a full century. And now a new breed of Bulldog stands ready to take the field of battle. To assume the reigns of their Georgia forebearers. To continue that tradition. Understanding that there is no tradition more worthy of envy. No institution worthy of such loyalty as the University of Georgia. As we prepare for another meeting between the hedges let all the Bulldog faithful rally behind the men who now wear the red and black with two words. Two simple words that express the sentiments of the entire Bulldog Nation…GO DAWGS!”
Rest in peace Senator. —Otis Day
Well said Gentlemen. 👏👏🙏🙏
RIP to Bluto, RangerRuss, and all of the other friends we’ve lost through the years.
We were lucky to have had them be a part of our lives and they will never be forgotten.
I am probably like many current Refugee readers, and previous GTP readers – rarely, if ever commenting, but consistently reading. I appreciate y’all taking up the mantle. You you are doing a fine job.
I had a few email exchanges with the Senator over the years, mainly about beer and, shortly before he passed, about the Creature Comforts UGA SWAG I was getting when they became the official beer in 2023. I also met him a couple of times at tailgates in the Railroad Lot. The first was one of the rare occasions when he invited his readers to drop by his tailgate to say hello. I think that happened maybe twice in all the years I was reading GTP. The second was when he plopped down his tailgate adjacent to my brother’s setup, which included one of the loudest speakers known to man, and was projecting what I knew was not in the Senator’s wheelhouse (Rap, Pop, etc.). I immediately apologized for the tailgating experience he was about to endure. He was a good sport about it.
DGD. RIP Michael
I’m so appreciative of the Senator for creating GTP. It’s been a daily reader for me since I was introduced to it years ago. I miss his writing and insight and I’m sad for everyone that it all ended too soon. I was lost for a little while until GTP Refugees led me back home. Now I’m more appreciative than ever to have this site. I check it more often than I check my email😂! Thank you so much to the originators, content creators, writers, contributors, commentators, and everyone involved in carrying this community on. God bless and Goooooooo Dawgs!
Rest in peace Senator and rest in peace Ranger. GTP has always been the LAST thing I read before I start my day. I always want something good to be the last thing before I get out in the world. Grateful for all of you. Florida can kiss my ass.
Well said all y’all. Indeed the years are getting lonelier. Having lost 3 of my 5 best friends has had me pondering that very same thing. Yet , funny connections make life interesting. I say that because when I attended the Tailgate Tribute for the Senator I realized what a small world we have. You see this group of lawyers happened to know my “Best Man” very well. in fact one of them had the handle RIPJDJ, a reference to my best man Joe David Jackson(He passed some time ago). As we chatted we connected with his wife and a whole new group of acquaintances. That is what the Senator did for all of us. CONNECT with our dawgs and our dawg friends. He always replied to our E-mails. Tributes to him.
As this day is special and our illustrious Athletic Department had a rollout of the New and Revamped GEEF Hartman Fund, I would like to propose that JP, Otis et.al. create a post of that……….They stuck it to us including JACKING up the required donation for parking and then added a $100 sneaky charge for parking. I’m wondering how many more of you are at the tipping point like I am………..
RIP Senator and Russ
Aladawg
Elberta, it was great to meet you that day!
I’m at that tipping point. The highest tier is $5000 then adding $100 parking fee, I’m assuming per game and not counting the donation for the right to get tickets and the added cost per ticket for each game. That starts to get into some serious dollars.
RIP SENATOR AND RUSS!!!
Graduated in ‘85 ad scored Section 107, Row 8, 50yd line splitting my two seats behind the visitor bench. I was set for life. Then was suddenly transferred to Texas. Suffered the 90’s from afar but kept the seats in hopes of eventually returning but wasn’t meant to be. Moved to Austin in 2000 and gave up the tickets (and cost of contributing to the Hartman fund). The way we’d been playing, didn’t seem so bad. Then Hobnail boot happened. Somehow I stumbled upon GTP as Richt was righting the ship. It was my only source of reliable and entertaining news and commentary about Georgia football. It made me feel connected again to the tailgating scene I’d been removed from for so many years, especially the GameDay commentary. So many characters! So many polar opposite points of view on the same subjects. The Senator had a unique ability to provoke, prod, provide air or simply shutdown topics. Michael gave great insights to who he was yet never fully unmasked before his audience. The site’s technology was always dated and no frills. Links to websites that long ago ceased to exist. But it was familiar and comfortable. 20ish years of being a part of this community. A heartfelt thanks to the group of editors who have rallied to sustain it and the loyal commentators whose participation keep this thing alive. I hope to be reminiscing again in another 20 years right here.
GO DAWGS!
The death of the Senator, followed 6 weeks later by Ranger Russ, depressed me deeply and changed my online connection to Georgia football. Perhaps this happened to some when Lewis Grizzard died. Others maybe felt a change when T. Kyle King stepped away from writing. I still miss Ooga, and earlier, Max Emfinger talking recruiting with Munson in the ‘80’s on WSB on Sunday nights. And Munson, my God, Munson. However, something about the Senator’s passing changed my connection in ways those earlier losses did not. I don’t know what else to say than that.
I appreciated his blog every single day. Every. Single. Day. It was smart, acerbic, blunt, funny and endlessly detested all things Auburn. I hate Auburn. I loved it all. When we finally climbed that seemingly insurmountable mountain in 2021, then reigned terror on the world in 2022, I counted myself blessed to have shared it with Get the Picture, Senator Blutarsky, Ranger Russ and so many others. So many of you.
I still read GTP Refugees every day. Stuck out here in Western Kentucky it is good to have connections to people and things that really matter. But I am less online than before, less concerned than in previous years, especially with recruiting. That’s just strange, but oh well. I am grateful for those who write for Refugees daily. You people do an outstanding job. Thank you. How in the world did the Senator do this every day? Astounding.
There is only one more thing to say to all those other fans who do not get our commitment and loyalty to Georgia, our downright dawg-cussed toughness: Out of respect for my old Elbert Country friend, the good and noble Ranger Russ, Fuck the Motherfuckers!
My biggest takeaway as occasional contributor and humble Fabris Pool commish has been amazement at the sheer volume of information and posts the good Senator provided daily for years. The man had a full time job and produced thoughtful, insightful, and flat-out-funny stuff that made all of our blessed lives as Dawg fans so much richer. Also, re: Ranger Russ, I still get a warm feeling remembering times where a comment I made at the old shop would be replied by Ranger Russ with a “My Dawg!”
Yes sir, the 3 things about GTP and GTP Refugees that stand out to me are…
-Getting an Email reply from the Senator, always happened within 5 minutes.
-Getting a ‘My Dawg’ from RangerRuss.
-Getting a ‘Post of the Day’ from EE.
Made my day every time!!
As I get older, I try to tune out the bad stuff and focus on what’s better (albeit to mixed results). GTP was good stuff. When the Senator died, I was sad and disappointed. It wasn’t just that his posts were interesting, informative and well-written. There was a real community among the commenters, something that’s not so easy to find as jobs, families and other obligations make it hard to take a breather and just shoot the shit. It was such a relief when GTPR started up. No-one can take the Senator’s place (nor RR’s, for that matter) but I’m grateful that there’s a place for us idiots to congregate. Just as GTP was the first thing I’d read in the morning, GTPR is #1 on my hit parade now.
Hard to believe a year has zoomed past already. Like others, GTP was my first read every morning and I had a sense of wandering in the wilderness until the Refugees site signaled me in the darkness. I greatly appreciate the group making all the efforts to fill the unfillable shoes of the Senator and am so happy I was able to meet them at the GTP tailgate for the Auburn game.
We were all so fortunate to have been able to experience the talents of the Senator and that he was a Georgia Bulldog. I can’t even begin to sufficiently communicate all the reasons why so I will just end with this…
Nuthin’ finer.
It was great to meet you that day!!
Heartfelt appreciation for everything you all do to keep this community going. We emulate our heroes all the time, knowing that we more than likely fall short of what we thought they could do. In the end that doesn’t matter, because we kept it going for others to follow.
So thank you. This community is the best.
Years ago my mother died on Feb 5th. I had lost people close to me as a child and even more so as an adult, but it wasn’t until the loss of my mother that I realized that every relationship here on earth has an expiration date. Losing her actually softened me a little bit from being a jaded Ahole who stoically would want to move on from emotional situations. I dwell on loss more than I used to.
The loss of Bluto and RR was a gut punch for me last year. I intentionally had to pull back from trying to make lighthearted, inappropriate comments on here. I would log on here going back as long as I can remember…when guys would race to just type “First” early in the morning. Every now and then Bluto would challenge some post I made, typically because I didn’t emote the tone I had originally intended, or because my outlandish comments warranted wrangling over.
RR was that linear character that I just couldn’t help but gravitate toward. He totally got all the crass gutter humor that I had collected from generations of men that forged pathways for all to benefit from. He was flawed, had one speed and that was wide ass open…had one direction, which was straight ahead…he was unyielding and uncompromising…which was so refreshing in a rapidly compromising world. I loved how he would “break balls” with folks on here…it made it fun. It was a rite of passage for him to do that to someone…and then when that person would give it back to him, he’d retort, “My Dawg!”
In a fucked up boomer machismo sort of way, GTP became my “happy place” for a long while…I am very grateful for Ottis, EE, and boys for keeping this going…but I’ll always remember Bluto and RR for the mark they left.
Hopefully…hint..hint.. we’ll see a post similar to this March 18th, the day we lost RangerRuss.
And those of you who knew him, we want to hear some stories about him too!!
We should all be thankful to Gotcowdog…Uncle Got was the gentleman who notified us all on RR’s passing.
Kudos to everyone. A lot of well stated and heartfelt words. I deeply miss the Senator and Ranger. The Senator and I tussled quite a few times and we were certainly were on opposite ends of the political spectrum. That didn’t change my genuine respect and fondness for him. It made my day when he found one of my comments worthy of a reply. Thanks again to all who have kept this going. You are doing good in a rough world.
Requiem in pace Senator
merci beaucoup to the new leaders of GTP as you continue to do the lawds work for Bulldawg nation
RIP Ranger too
The Tony Waller interview of The Senator on WSLS podcasts is one of my favorites. Hearing his thoughts live after following the blog for so long was pretty cool.
I had been going to his site for many years and like so many was the first thing I checked every morning. The only time I ever reached out to the Senator: I had started getting all the comments from GTP to my email and I was like WTH. When I reached out, he was very cordial, friendly and concerned. He made an attempt to fix the problem on his end and eventually the problem went away. Sure do miss his content but blessed that we now have GTPR and all you PEEPS.
Similar thing happened to me on here when I looked at the mirror site. I got an email on every single comment.
I’m not much of a coffee drinker and never really understood why folks how missed it in the morning were grumpy. Well, when GTP disappeared, I finally understood. When GTP Refuges popped up, it was like my morning routine was back to normal, and my pre noon disposition improved. To all who made that happen THANK YOU! The only downside is not having the razor-sharp intellect of The Senator and the equally razor-sharp wit of Ranger Russ. They will be forever missed.
Well said, all of you. A year has passed and I’m still not fully adjusted to the changes. It’s still nice to have a place to congregate with everyone. RIP to all our missing friends.
I found GTP through the Dawg Bone site in 08ish, I guess. (Everyone’s words today have been remarkable, but Bluto would poo-poo y’all for the sentiment and God knows what the Ranger would have to say about it. 🙂 )
It only took a couple of clicks on GTP to know that Michael had something special but it was the commentariat that sold me. I decided right away that this Gonzo bunch was waaaaay different than your average sports blog commenters and, dare I say it…? Most Dawg fans. The snark. The insults. the profanity. The ostentatious self-righteous indignance of those whose opinion isn’t shared. The heavy-handed toilet humor and above all: #FTMF.
Y’all are my people. Glad we’re still here.
If you do a post to RangeRuss’ Greatest Hits I have a story or two. That dude was a trip 😉
Now we’re talkin’ Hoss!! As colorful as RangerRuss was online, we know there are a heap of stories out there that I’m sure most here would get one hell of a kick out of reading. Since I have maybe a little pull with Otis, being a friend and half a mile neighbor, let’s abso-damn-lutely lobby for that to happen. Might even be about the time GTPR reaches 1 million blog hits. 📈
Long live the King! Rangers lead the way!
Thanks for the hard work, JP. I read the site every day. Same as before.
I don’t think it could be said any better — a legacy of a DGD.
When I first started reading this it took me back to where Ie as this time last year. It’s hard to believe it has been that long.
With this post you did what I was trying to do with a post I made on the eve of the Clemson game. You did a much better job.
Then as I kept reading I thought, “Aw shit, he’s signing off. This is his goodbye post.” I’m sure glad I was wrong.
I miss the Senator and Ranger Russ but I’m sure glad this place is here and surely appreciate the ones who are keeping it going.
Here’s to another year at Refugees and hopefully lots more after that. Go Dawgs.
I tell ya, that means a lot Mike. There’s been a few times I’ve considered hanging it up, chiefly because it’s a challenge in the offseason to come up with content and I don’t have the foggiest idea how Michael was able to create such great content and community with all the other responsibilities in life. Honestly, though, like I’ve said before, staying connected and talking is so important. I can’t find it on any other Dawg blog, and I want to keep it rolling as long as I can. Thanks for hanging in there with us through the gremlins and all. Looking forward to another year together here.
Heck JP…if you just posted a daily forum. (non-political) we’ll take care of the rest in the comments.
Not my place to advise anybody here on what to write but in the slow off-season days if there’s just nothing to write about I think most folks would understand there’s just not much. I know this is a UGA football blog but Otis had a fun one during the late spring or early summer last year when it was just dead. He had a post about idioms and we all posted some of our favorites. I really enjoyed that one and it was a fun change of pace during a time of year when there just wasn’t much to talk about in the way of football.
Either way I’m glad you didn’t decide to hang it up. I think most of us were unaware of just how remarkable the Senator’s steady and varied output was until after he was gone. Y’all are doing a fine job but the fact that there’s a team doing what one man used to do makes what he did all the more impressive. I don’t know how he did it. God bless GTP Refugees.