but I have often said in these here parts he is my favorite person that I have never actually met. I bet the people who do know him in real life are glad they do!
...I haven't met him other than by virtual acquaintance here, but that has been enough for me to always anticipate that he's provided something interesting and enjoyable under his handle.
Mike's been a friend and correspondent from my first days on this site (2002). I have come to know him as a fine gentleman, a generous friend, and a brilliant raconteur.
A story is illustrative: A few years ago, Jane and I were driving from Sedona, Arizona, to Palo Alto in order to visit our oldest daughter who lived there at the time. I planned our route such that we would overnight in Bakersfield where I would finally have the opportunity to meet Mike. Waiting for us in our hotel when we arrived was a care package including, among other things, a nice fleece which I wear still and all sorts of fruit juices, smoothies, and the like.
The highlight of our stay was our dinner with Mike, his lovely wife, and his beautiful daughter at Woolgrowers, a Bakersfield classic. My experience at this famous Basque restaurant prompted a craving for Basque food. I now seek these places out whenever we head west: the Star Hotel in Elko, Martin's in Winnemuca, etc. As we tuck into the lamb shanks, we think of Mike. Jane often says, "Why don't we go to Bakersfield again and see Mike."
I am lucky. I have many good friends. I have a few to whom I accord the highest praise. They are the guys who, if you found yourself in a real jam, would come. Drop everything and come. This is Mike.
An incredibly high-quality human being.
You're a real Picasso!
One of the better writers on this website.
And the type of poster that even when we disagree on a subject, he answers cordially and intelligently.
who would be nice to meet in real life. Hope your new gig is going well!
I've not met him, but would love to.
while sharing some adult beverages.
But we’ve traded emails a few times over the years. Fantastic human being.
I hope that someday I do get to meet him.
He is a talented writer, generous, devoted to his family, honest, and by
his gallant example reminds me of how I might improve.
John Vannie was the consummate host and true gentleman, making all of us visitors feel special and very welcome.
The mood before the game was quietly confident and it resulted in ND’s only 2nd (and final victory of the season, with Jimmy Clausan playing quite well.
A roar went through the stadium when it was announced that Stanford and the boys from The Farm beat the boys from South Central. It was fun listening to the SC Locker room show driving over the mountains to Bakersfield. It was joyful!!!!
It didn't make it into the posting HOF, so I can't recite it from memory, but someone, and it may have been one of you guys, made a terrific post after that game. It was about how inspiring they found it that even with ND sitting at 0-5 and at one of its lowest points, that our fans took over a decent portion of the Rose Bowl and loudly cheered the team. A line about "this is why this program will never die" or something of the sort always stuck with me.
It was our first of 3 wins. I should know - it what a great senior year football season.
and a rainstorm. It was the night of my senior homecoming dance. I kept sneaking off the dance floor because the game was on a TV by the concessions booth.
A beer sounds wonderful.
Or a double shot of Oban with a water back.
another classmate who was my next door neighbor in Stanford freeman year 1966 who I knew very well. We have shared emails as well.
I wish I knew him while we were at ND. He is a very interesting soul!
with.
Good.
Figured I’d leave it to the others to oversell him.
Me too.
(Slivovitz!)
Holy hell...
No good comes after it.
Italy practically shares a border with Croatia. A ferry from Trieste gets you to the Istrian Peninsula in under an hour.