a daiye in the sun

I don't remember what I was going to add to that last post, so let's move on. Two job interviews this week: one very promising (and I really hope it works out) and one not as much. In addition, Chris Ellswood -- a friend of the Nol's -- could potentially come through for me with something. I'm very ansy and anxious to start working, so here's to hoping something turns up soon.

I love fall. I love it. I love the crisp, gray days that we had earlier this week and I love the crisp, sunny day we're having today. The leaves are beginning to change and the smell of burning firewood is beginning to fill the air.* It's beautiful.

It's also football weather. Tomorrow I head back to South Bend for a big game against Purdue. I don't really like the term "must-win" -- I don't always know what it's supposed to mean -- but in the realm of must-win games for the Irish this season, this one ranks near the top. Go Irish!

It's also See's Candies weather. No, seriously, gourmet lollypops aren't for the summertime. Only fall and winter. Just ask the wine taster in Kerrytown. Damn I wish I had one right about now. A gourmet lollypop, that is, not a wine taster.

In conclusion, and in summary, I love this weather. Lastly, congrats to anyone who may or may not have recently purchased iToys. Enjoy them, don't paint them.

Cuidate.

* Though admittedly I've been lighting patio fires at the house all summer.

Camp Fires Ignite

Well, it's been a few days, so there are a few things of interest to share. Here goes.

Happy Birthday Dad!

The end of my week was filled with highs and lows. The highs included booking two job interviews for next week; the lows included a 24 hour battle with what was either a GI Virus or a case of moderate food poisoning. The jury's still out on the culprit.

Despite the fact that I opted not to go to South Bend my weekend, along with my rebound from said illness, was marinaded in the sweet glaze of Zoolander, Big Boy's Eats, and thrift store shopping. Add a ridiculous tailgate and a Michigan game for extra flavor. The only weak moment here was the coffee at BB's, which by all other accounts has been quite satisfactory. Where did we go wrong, Big Boy? It used to be you and me and your coffee in this crazy world.

I will definitely be at next week's ND game versus Purdue. I hate you, Purdue!

Hmm, there are more but Richard and Mary are on their way over so I better wrap this up for now and continue later. Let me just say, lastly, that Flavor Flav is my hero.

Food For Thought

I've always wondered what the hell makes a graham cracker a graham cracker. Does graham mean anything? What the hell does it take for a cracker to be graham? Earlier today I grew restless. I wanted answers. Here's what I found:

G. David Graham was born August 6, 1883 to Gertrude and Bertrude Graham in a small town outside Birmingham, Alabama. As a child, G. David was used to getting into all sorts of trouble. At the age of five, in a legendary case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, he was found trying to stuff a nearby companion into a hollow tree stump about 2 feet high, "just to see if he would fit." Also found in the stump were nearly a dozen pork sausages, rancid, Bertrude's missing spectacles, and a dead field mouse. In school G. David only excelled at making enemies. Sighting experiments in gravity, he would often be found hiding in trees, defecating upon passers by.

G. David's childhood was troubled indeed. So far reaching did his reputation become that his name began to assume everyday roles in the English language; much to the dismay of Gertrude and Bertrude, the name "Graham" became synonymous with trouble, with social exclusion. "Do what I say or you'll end up Graham," parents would tell their kids. It was a dark time for the Graham family name.

And so, years later, a cracker was born into the world. This cracker, however, did not fit the mold that had been formed over the years by its predecessors. It was oddly shaped and colored. It tasted delightful when sandwiching chocolate and marshmallow. It was the outcast of the cracker world, and it didn't take long before it was known as the Graham Cracker.

And that is the story of how the legend of G. David Graham survived through the ages to leave a lasting mark on the world of crackers as we know it. Gertrude and Bertrude may not have been proud of their son's actions, but at least they can rest in the comfort that for as long as there are crackers in this world their name will be known, loved , and s'mored.

Note: the above information is 100% factual and can be found here

...but he wants to be a paperback writer.

As Ivan winds down, Jeanne and Karl grow. No matter, they're too small and far away to worry about. For now. I was greatly amused to learn that in some areas of Michigan the local weathermen find it insightful to superimpose satellite imagery of the hurricanes over various areas of the mitten state. "Here's what Ivan would look like if it were centered over Clare; now here's Charlevoix," for example. Awesome.

Now that the WSOP Main Event has aired to completion, I must turn my attention to CPS. Sneaks and I are determined to get a weekly game going. Anyone want it? If hold'em is not your game, how about 9-ball?

And so ends another boring post. Until next time...

Ivan The Terrible

That's right, it's my turn to mention Hurricane Ivan. I was not around for Camille or Betsy, but growing up in south louisiana does not allow for a hurricane season to pass without hearing their tales. The only real taste of the season I ever got was Andrew in 92 which, though terribly destructive as well as being the most expensive natural disaster in US history, was in other ways nothing by comparison. It is pretty safe at this point to assume that new orleans will not get the worst of the storm - and thankfully the people of florida are not having to endure a third hurricane in one month. In that sense, my thoughts turn to the mississippi and alabama gulf coasts; they face destruction that could rival that of Camille's. But new orleans is certainly not out of harms way. Regardless of what kind of storm passes through, flooding becomes a huge issue, as a large portion of the city is built below sea level. The city has been evacuated, and I'm thankful that Deuze and most of my family members have left, but there are those who simply cannot leave. NPR did a piece today in which one such story was told. Listen to it here (real player) or here (windows media).

As the final hours wind down before he hits the coast, I find myself checking the national hurricane center hourly for updates. This whole thing is crazy. So for now, I think I'll go for a run and clear my head. I hate to admit it, but the weather in southeast michigan is mockingly beautiful today. Wish you were here, as they say. Cuidate.

wowwie wow wow

What a weekend! It's hard to believe so much can occur between Friday and Sunday afternoons. There really is nothing like a game weekend in South Bend. Nothing at all. Highlights include:

~ Legies
~ Post Rallies at BDowling's apt.
~ Trumpets
~ Corby's with Slobs, Taylor, Fullback and Erik (what a group!)
~ Picture time at the bar -- 5x7's for lyfe!
~ Burger King staying open until 3:30
~ Damn, this burp tastes like _____
~ O'Neill Boys
~ Shotgunning
~ Weatherman SPO welcoming all to sunny SB
~ Some people drive Buick LeSabres and other people _____ _____
~ Dan Block's game day outfit
~ Playing cups with CWhite2, DP, Gino, Faye, and Jenna
~ Showering, napping, etc. in Cavanaugh -- thanks Erin
~ Breakfast at Jim's

And that about sums up my weekend. It was great to see everyone, and now it pains me to have to resume my job hunt. Blah.

For now, Mic "Don't worry I lived in O'Neill I can fix this...*poke* *poke* *poke*" Vat signing off.

you're a leonard cohen song

I'm working on about 3 hours of sleep, so I'm not sure if this will make sense. See, I tried to fall asleep last night around 2, but was quite unsuccessful. So instead I rode the gin and televizle train til about 4:30. Did you know it is still possible to find reruns of Wings if you stay up late enough? That was a pleasant enough surprise around 3:30. Apparently that show, like a keg full of the elevensies, will never die.

In a few hours I depart for South Bend. I can't wait...so many people will be around for the game (which at this point is the most irrelevant ingredient of the weekend):

O'Neill
336 minus one
Band Folk
The Backer

Wow, I should just leave now. Hmm, this is a lame post. Only 3 hours, what do you want from me? I'll leave by posing this question: what is it about the portable copper fire bowl that makes it so remarkable? Discuss.

Cuidate.

digiwhatie?

First things first. I just had an online chat with my old friend Beverly, and I thought I'd share it with the world. Here goes (I'm in the blue):

nite ho?
heyyy
hiiii
whats up
nothing much. i was thinking of making a dfilm tonight.
ooooh you should what will it be about?
i dont know! i need a funny topic. oh, here's one: i was watching "Bands Reunite" on Vh1 and they were trying (unsuccessfully) to reunite NKOTB and JMAC was one of the ones who said no apparently he's too cool to reunite with jordan, donnie, and those other two. but it's like, "helloooo, what have you done that's so great lately?" "i mean, besides wearing all blue and seatbelt buckles "
good point! that's funny that you saw that i don't have vh1 anymore and it's sad
jmac was kind of an ass about it, too grrrrr
oh not cool
he definitely does NOT have me laughing, kid
me no likey the negative attitude no way! that bastard!
jmac forgot that NKOTB was real. i thought i told him.
even on oprah!
exactomundo!
oh yeah! i forgot about my plan to use that more often
i'm here for ya
thank thanks
it's how i do it
hey actually i have to run - watching sex and the city with my roomie - so i'll talk to you later on tonight or something
ahhh, yeah cool talk to you slashie see you soon
ok PEACE!
bieye lslevs
byeeeeeeeeeeee

So, after rereading that I realize it's only funny to me and maybe the other members of the 336Comedy Troop. But that's ok. In other news I've found myself, over the past few days, particularly drawn to the musical stylings of Little Strong Bad. No, wait, I mean Randy Newman. Yes. Good old Randy. I've listened to him off-and-on over the past 3 or 4 years, and I find that my interest grows stronger with each reoccurrance. Though my mom might disapprove, how can I not feel a connection with the guy who wrote such songs as

"Short People" - sadly, his only real pop-culture hit, and
"Birmingham" ?

Another beautiful song of his is called, "Marie" if you ever want to check it out. Or perhaps you would enjoy his comedic yet poignant geopolitical musings in "The Great Nations of Europe"?
Well, I've said enough about Randy for one day.

And on that note I'll sign off. I might head into Ann Arbor tonight to hang out with Joe and Khachik. Haven't seen them in a while; should be good times. Cuidate.

ps if you're wondering what a dfilm is, find out here and have the time of your life

Some things never get old.

Especially giant cowboy boots with dollar signs on them. In the past few minutes I've watched three old homestarrunner cartoons that are a must-see for all. If you've seen them before, watch them again; if not, what the hayell are you waiting for?! All of these fall under the category, "Powered by the Cheat." They're silly and ridiculous, but I cannot deny that they make me laugh immensely. Enjoy.

Crazy Cartoon
Mile
New Boots

Mim's the word

For the past few days one thing has haunted me. One question has driven me. One idea has consumed me.

When you think of cookie perfection, what comes to mind?

There, I said it.

*******************

It all started when I was a senior at Notre Dame. Elizabeth introduced me to a confection so magnificant it could only be called Famous Dave's Famous Kahlua and Coffee Cookie Delight (FDFKaCCD, for short). Now, I realize that FDFKaCCD is quite a moniker, but just wait 'til you taste these little babies. They'll change your life!

*******************

And so, for the past 3 years FDFKaCCDs have shaped the ways in which I view the world around me. And like a good attitude, or a really strong tea, the powers of the FDFKaCCD are contagious. I can't even begin to count the number of times people would say to me, "Mike, how's about you whip me up a batch of them FDFKaCCDs." Or, "Mike, your FDFKaCCDs are like little pieces of heaven. With chocolate chips." Or, "Mike, I've heard a lot about your FDFKaCCDs, but I'm just not sure if they're right for me. Can you tell me more?"

I've made FDFKaCCDs with all kinds of ingredient variations. I've used butter, I've used margarine, I've used apple butter. I've measured ingredients, I've not measured ingredients. I've done it all. But no matter what happens, the FDFKaCCDs never fail to please.

Except when Clairesja and SteVat make them.

So earlier this week Clairesja and I "whipped up a batch of them FDFKaCCDs," as they say. It was like watching her open her eyes for the first time. I almost wept it was so beautiful. Almost. Thank you, FDFKaCCDs, for being just a little piece of heaven. With chocolate chips.

Have you been touched by a FDFKaCCD?