Good-byes

Bad news. Michael's computer crashed and everything on it was lost. We tried to recover what we could, that is why it's been so long without an update, but there was nothing we could do. Because of this, we have decided to let this site go. We won't delete the site, but we won't be posting anymore.

To those of you who knew Michael and continued to follow this blog, thank you. Your caring and understanding helped us through a difficult time. We wish you all the best and hope that your lives continue to be filled with love and happiness.

Blessings be upon you and may you always walk with sun in your hearts.

Gayle.

For the music lover

Another of Mike's creations. Sung to the tune of "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing"



You've got a face like a train wreckI try to stop can't look away
You bat your eyes and I'm falling
Got my head hanging in the bowl
My head starts to spin you know
Here come the heaves you know

You make me feel like puking
I'm gonna puke the night away
You make me feel like puking
I'm gonna puke the night away
You make me feel like puking
I feel like puking puking puke the night away
I feel like puking puking ugh

Heaving at four in the morning
Can't take no more no no no no no
Just go away and turn off the light
Cause I can't take no more now
You've got a smell I see
I'm already down on my knees

You make me feel like puking
I'm gonna puke the night away
You make me feel like puking
I'm gonna puke the night away
You make me feel like puking
I feel like puking puking puke the night away
I feel like puking puking

I'm so damn tired
I wish I'd just expire

You make me feel like puking
I'm gonna puke the night away
You make me feel like puking
I'm gonna puke the night away
You make me feel like puking
I feel like puking puking puke the night away
I feel like puking puking puke the night away
I feel like puking puking puke the night away
I feel like puking puking ugh

Someone give me a potion
I want to crawl out the door
Non-stop dizzying motion
I just can't take anymore
And if you try to stay
I'll puke my life away

You make me feel like puking
I gonna puke my life away
You make me feel like puking
I gonna puke my life away
You make me feel like puking
I gonna puke my life away
I feel
You make me feel like puking


James

Favorite cook-off

One of Mike's favorite foods was chili. This was also one of his favorite chili jokes.

The Chili Cook-off
Recently I was honored to be selected as an Outstanding Famous Celebrity in my Community to be a judge at a chili cook-off because no one else wanted to do it. Also the original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking directions to the beer wagon when the call came. I was assured by the other two judges that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted this as being one of those burdens you endure when you're an Internet writer and therefore known and adored by all. Here are the scorecards from the event:

Chili # 1: Mike's Maniac Mobster Monster Chili
JUDGE ONE: A little too heavy on tomato. Amusing kick.
JUDGE TWO: Nice, smooth tomato flavor Very mild.
CAMERON: Holy smokes, what is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway with it. Took me two beers to put the flames out. Hope that's the worst one. These people are crazy.

Chili # 2: Arthur's Afterburner Chili
JUDGE ONE: Smoky (barbecue?) with a hint of pork. Slight Jalapeno tang.
JUDGE TWO: Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.
CAMERON: Keep this out of reach of children! I'm not sure what I am supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. Shoved my way to the front of the beer line. The barmaid looks like a professional wrestler after a bad night. She was so irritated over my gagging sounds that the snake tattoo under her eye started to twitch. She has arms like Popeye and a face like Winston Churchill. I will NOT pick a fight with her.

Chili # 3: Fred's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili
JUDGE ONE: Excellent firehouse chili! Great kick. Needs more beans.
JUDGE TWO: A beanless chili, a bit salty, good use of red peppers.
CAMERON: This has got to be a joke. Call the EPA, I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been sneezing Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now and got out of my way so I could make it to the beer wagon. Barmaid pounded me on the back; now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. She said her friends call her "Sally." Probably behind her back they call her "Forklift."

Chili # 4: Bubba's Black Magic
JUDGE ONE: Black bean chili with almost no spice. Disappointing.
JUDGE TWO: A hint of lime in the black beans. Good side dish for fish or other mild foods, not much of a chili.
CAMERON: I felt something scraping across my tongue but was unable to taste it. Sally was standing behind me with fresh refills so I wouldn't have to dash over to see her. When she winked at me her snake sort of coiled and uncoiled--it's kinda cute.

Chili # 5: Linda's Legal Lip Remover
JUDGE ONE: Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground adding considerable kick. Very impressive.
JUDGE TWO: Chili using shredded beef; could use more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.
CAMERON: My ears are ringing and I can no longer focus my eyes. I belched and four people in front of me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed hurt when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally saved my tongue by pouring beer directly on it from a pitcher. Sort of irritates me that one of the other judges asked me to stop screaming.

Chili # 6: Vera's Very Vegetarian Variety
JUDGE ONE: Thin yet bold vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spice and peppers.
JUDGE TWO: The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.
CAMERON: My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous flames. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except Sally. I asked if she wants to go dancing later.

Chili # 7: Susan's Screaming Sensation Chili
JUDGE ONE: A mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.
JUDGE TWO: Ho Hum, tastes as if the chef threw in canned chili peppers at the last moment. I should note that I am a bit worried about Judge Number 3, he appears to be in a bit of distress.
CAMERON: You could put a hand grenade in my mouth and pull the pin and I wouldn't feel it. I've lost the sight in one eye and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My clothes are covered with chili which slid unnoticed out of my mouth at some point. Good, at autopsy they'll know what killed me. Go Sally, save yourself before it's too late. Tell our children I'm sorry I was not there to conceive them. I've decided to stop breathing, it's too painful and I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air I'll just let it in through the hole in my stomach. Call the X-Files people and tell them I've found a super nova on my tongue.

Chili # 8: Helen's Mount Saint Chili
JUDGE ONE: This final entry is a good, balanced chili, neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge Number 3 fell and pulled the chili pot on top of himself.
JUDGE TWO: A perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili, safe for all, not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.
CAMERON: Momma?

Swimming

This is a post that Mike never published. It was completed and in a folder marked “to post” along with several others. I'm not sure what order they were written in, but I decided to post this one first. ~ James.


Ever make a comment jokingly and then realize that you would actually do what ever it was if you had the chance. Well, maybe not exactly what you said, but something similar or in the same spirit.

I left a comment on someones journal the other day about swimming across the ocean. After thinking about it I realized that, while not the best swimmer in the world, I would be tempted to travel across the ocean to meet someone. If it were not for the fact that I am a pretty big coward when it comes to meeting other people, especially people that I might like, I could have a really good social life. I guess I'm just too used to being alone.

Oh, well. The romantic side rears its head and is swiftly beat back down like an errant mole. Whack!!

After discussing what to do at some length, we have decided to use this space to post Michael's various writings. Whether they are past entries from his former journal or things that he did as his personal writings.

We all agree that it is the most fitting use of this site, and it would seem that many of you agree. Hopefully this will help some of you get to know him a little better, some of us have learned a few things that we did not know either.

Blessings be upon you and may you always walk with sun in your hearts.


Gayle.

It seems like there is more bad news every time one of us comes here to up date. This time it's not too bad.

We were out of the country for a while tending to business and last requests. There was a not so last minute change to the place we went to scatter Michael's ashes. James thought that instead of just spreading them at sea, we should actually go scuba diving and placed them in a specific spot.

Well, that's what we did, and James managed to get an ear infection as a result of the dive. He is still sick and says it's Michael's way of getting back at him for changing the plans a little. Good thing it is one of Michael's favorite spots or James would have gotten shellfish poisoning or something else like that.

That explains some of the time with no updates. We still have not decided what to do with the blog, it is something that we have kind of avoided to be honest. When James is up and about and feeling well we will be discussing what to do. We want to let you know how much it has meant to us that you have continued checking in to find out what has been happening. In doing so you have, in a way, blessed us and honor Michael's memory. Without having meet him in person you still became his friends.

Blessings be upon you and may you always walk with sun in your hearts.


Gayle.

In Memoria

On Wednesday there is going to be a small service for Mike. After that we will be going on a cruise on the Pacific in order to fulfill Mike's final wishes. A thousand miles away from any land we will scatter his ashes at sea along with one white rose.

We have discussed what we might do with this blog. He gave us permission to do what we want with it, but we aren't sure what would be appropriate. We have considered doing the following:

*Posting a farewell message and then leaving it as it is.

*Periodically posting some of his writing.

*Posting our memories and other things about Mike as kind of an ongoing remembrance.

Because he chose to share his thoughts and life with you, we would like for you to let us know what you would like to see happen with this blog. If you prefer any of the ideas we have, or if you have any other ideas or thoughts, we would appreciate hearing them.

Mike touched more people than he thought, and we believe that those he touched should help us decide how to honor his memory.

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