Episode 55: Return of the Mack...

Oh hey guys! I know I've gained a few twitter followers and Facebook friends since my last post, so welcome to my blog. Feel free to root around and enjoy some of MvW's earlier offerings, might I recommend avoiding 2013, as it gets a little dark. I'm going to avoid making promises to keep up with this thing, but I will say, that when I have something to write, I will. Also, every month I'll still be writing Minch's Pop Tarts for Maglomaniac which I love doing. Rather than reading over the same "7 things 90's kids will remember." horseshit from Buzzfeed, give Maglomaniac a daily perusing. I mean seriously Buzzfeed, we get it God Dammit, they don't make French Toast Crunch anymore, I don't need 300 articles to remind me. If people cared about French Toast Crunch, they would have bought French Toast Crunch, and then French Toast Crunch would still exist. Pepsi Blue on the other hand...

The one thing I knew was going to be a topic when I finally got back to writing this would be my time at Allstate. What I struggled with, is how I could convey that my time there wasn't easy but still make damn sure it was evident how much I appreciated the opportunity, and how much I loved the office I worked for, and every person in it. Finally, a proper analogy dawned on me. My time at Allstate was the equivalent of Shaquille O'Neal playing Hockey.

Stop it Spex, it was the only photo I could find...

Yes, Shaq playing hockey. Shaq's a great athlete, hockey's a great sport, but it's just not a match. Hell, you can even put Shaq on a great team, with an excellent coach, but it's all for naught when Shaq dumps it as soon as his feet hit the ice, or rifles a slap shot into the concession stand, or other sports analogy that symbolizes how mediocre I was. Truth is, I was on a great team, with a great coach, and my year there was a necessary and important one. I believe that there's no version of this story that had me going directly from Movie House: The Original Series to Movie House: The Next Generation. Allstate had to happen, and I am eternally grateful that it did.

How is Movie House 2.0 you ask? Well given their well advertised blogging policy, (Movie House 1.0 probably had one to but you know...FART NOISE) I will simply state that it is going very very well. Sure, it took me a little while to transition from one company's rules to another company's rules (For instance, believe it or not, you are NOT allowed to punch customers at the new Movie House. I learned that the hard way) but after half a year, I feel like I'm in the pocket, and to be honest, I'm pretty damn happy. If only there was a picture that could accurately showcase that I have honestly let go of 12 years of Movie House 1.0 bitterness...

Jesus Facebook, some of you acted like I posed with Hugo Chavez or Kim Jung Un. Some even thought I had returned to THAT Movie House. No, I posted it because this Movie House run is different. The long standing feud is over, and I walked away from it having learned a lot about myself, and who I want to be as a manager. Yes, I posted it for that reason, and not because someone with authority at MH 2.0 put me up to it, no sir, no way.

So, with me at peace with my working situation, what the shit do I write about now? Does Minch vs the World become about fitness, and my attempt to get back to my old fighting weight? Well, I have bought some new gym shoes, gym shorts, and an iPod, and the pristine condition those three items are in tells a story. Is it going to be about trying to get a podcast started? Truth is, I know a couple of fellas who are waiting to hear that we're getting the band back together. Could be, if I ever figure out how to turn on microphones. Perhaps I'll sell my soul to the content devil, and write "32 Things About Space Jam that will Blow Your Mind" or "Here's what Disney Princesses Would Look Like If They Were On The Show Matlock."

 I guess when I figure that out, you'll be the first to know...

Minch

(...and because I know the title of this episode put this song in your head, here's my gift to you)

        

Episode 53: One More Time

Sit down internets, I have something to tell you...

Granted this is an unusual time to break out a blog, especially since the last one was before the holidays, but this isn't an ordinary day. This is the eve of final shift at Allstate Insurance. Yes, you read that right. No, I wasn't fired (why does everyone keep asking that?), my new job starts Saturday, but before I get into where that is, I'll start with how it came to be...

After a particularly busy year end over at Allstate, I decided to take a couple of days to put my feet up, basically a long weekend. Save a trip to Buffalo to gorge myself on Duff's wings and watch the Sabres lose, I didn't really have any plans in place. Within those days, I started binging on movies. Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Her, Nebraska, Gravity, but you should know about that from reading this month's edition of Minch's Pop Tarts!  

So when I got the invite from Tanski to go see the new Jack Ryan movie at Tinseltown I was just about movied out, but hell, we were going to the bar after so, who am I to complain? But a funny thing happened on the way to bar. Before the movie began, we had a conversation with the GM of Tinseltown, a long conversation, a long conversation that turned into a conversation scheduled for another date, which turned into yet another conversation, which became an offer. An offer I decided, I couldn't refuse.

Ladies and gentlemen, Mike Minch is returning to the movie theater business!!!

This decision didn't come easily. I wasn't looking for a new job. I don't want to go from holding on to the same gig for almost 13 years to becoming a journeyman who only stays at a job for a year and change like a difficult to employ Incredible Hulk. The thing I kept coming back to is the idea of trying the movie business one more time. It was, after all, a job that I was pretty damn good at, and when not bogged down by...well you know, I really enjoyed.

This is not just me returning back from whence I came, this is Tinseltown. This is me, after a long and storied career at WCW, getting the call up to the WWF, The Show, The Big League, Other Sports Analogy!

While my time at Allstate wasn't terribly long, it certainly was memorable. I had a hell of a boss, and a crew of coworkers who I consider dear friends. And I'm not just blowing smoke, my boss is a guy who, upon finding out I had just broke up with Samantha  came right into my office and talked to me about it, offering advice and genuinely caring about the situation. A hell of a guy. It's not easy to walk away from a boss like that.

So why am I? Realistically, because I believe this job will make me happy. Not "solve all life's problems, and achieve Nirvana happy," no one's job can do that, but happy. It's an opportunity to engage with people who have come to my place of business, not to report an accident, not to argue over a bill, but to be entertained. An opportunity to do it all again, but this time, do it right. Also, if this leads to me getting a job running a theater in sunny Florida, well then that's an added bonus.

This time, it'll be different, because this time, I'm Batman not because I need to be, but because I choose to be. Now, HIT MY MUSIC!!!

Happy Valentines Day,
Minch   

Episode 52: It's A Marshmallow World

So there I was, standing in the middle of One Nightclub, drinking like my life was a lyric in a Ke$ha song. For every shot of Jack Daniels, there was a shot of Jamesons, and for every shot of Jamesons there was a barely conscious check of Facebook. But this story really isn't about One itself, or the ill fated aftermath (Spoiler Alert: I threw up.) It's about how I ended up there, and that story begins on Blackout Wednesday.

Like the Blackout Wednesdays (for those of you new to the bit, this is the night before Thanksgiving, a celebrated drinking night) before, I celebrated the holiday at Paddy's. This year was different. The moment I walked in and saw the obvious fire code violation that was the crowd inside, I immediately thought to myself, "Why did I do this?" There was booze at home, a TV I could hear, and no line at the shithouse. It took me about 20 minutes to find where my friends had posted up. My friends were the saving grace of the evening. Their company was great, but it would have been virtually anywhere. As my car service picked me up I was haunted by by the thought "Have I gotten too old for Blackout Wednesday?"

Come to think of it, I haven't really seen much of the old gang in general. This was likely due to BS reasons like, "Having a family" or "Working Two Jobs" or "Being a Person." All that time that used to be spent raising hell at Paddy's has been replaced by sitting home and watching TV. Sidenote: after my TV broke a few months ago, there's been a TV treaty with the rest of the house. In post Red Sox Playoffs America, one Bills game watched in the living room equals 10 episodes of "Criminal Minds." I shouldn't have brokered out that deal while drunk.

Back on point, I was bound and determined to not let myself feel old at the age of 30. Maybe every night can't be a $150 Paddy's night that ends in a slurred karaoke rendition of "Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced," but that doesn't mean I can't go do things! Things! I love things! I'm going to go do more things!

So Thanksgiving night, when my cousin-in-law (the reigning governor of Rochester sports) and my uncle invited me to a preseason Knighthawks lacrosse game, I thought to myself, "Yes! This is a thing! I will do this! I will go out and be a person, and enjoy this thing!" I haven't been to a lacrosse game in nearly twenty years, and I've heard that the crowd for them is nuts, so why the hell not!

Cut to this past Saturday, there I am enjoying lacrosse and beer and social conversation like a real human being. That's when the Knighthawks promotional team ran "The Kiss Cam" on the jumbotron.

When telling this story to others in person, I turn this part into a game of "Guess What Happens Next" but in the interest of getting to the point, in a jam packed Blue Cross Arena, who should they fixate the camera on, despite astronomical odds? Yep, you guessed it...

Samantha  and my replacement, who obliged, given the reason the camera was on them. Now I don't know if this was my direct replacement (certainly not my business) but in any event, he is a gentleman who holds a position that I once held. The Doug Marrone to my Chan Gailey if you will. If this had been written into a romantic comedy, likely starring Katharine Heigl, I would have called bullshit, but this was no movie.

I turned to my Uncle to see if that just happened or if I had just hallucinated it, and that's when he fessed up, "Yeah, I saw her when we came in. Thought we'd be able to dodge her, you want a beer?"

I wanted 12.

The worse part about a situation, (other than the fact that the odds are so against it happening that when it happens it seems like you're directly getting the finger from God or Santa Claus or Jeff Bridges from Tron,) is that there is no one to be mad or upset at. I don't own the Blue Cross Arena, though I'm told I may have drunkenly stammered on about the forthcoming, "Battle for the BCA" but to say things like that while sober is crazy person talk. That night I was left with few options.  This was one of them...

When I got back home, my sister and her friends were getting ready to go out. Naturally, courtesy of "The Fran-icrat and Chronicle" everyone was made aware of the situation, so when I shouted out, "Where we going?!?!"  and took a pull from my bottle of Kentucky Gentleman, there was a sense of discomfort in the room.

"We're going to One. Do you want to..."

"I'LL BE IN THE CAR!"

...and that's how it happened. The lesson here is, um. I'm sure it's something about having a better system for handling adversity. I don't tell this story to elicit sympathy (can't emphasize that enough), or to display any sense of pride in my actions. In fact, kids don't try that at home, but rather, it's a story that needs to be told. Jesus, this got heavy. Cue a funny picture!!!

The best.

 Hey, did you guys read my new Christmas article on Maglomaniac yet? No? Well what they hell are you waiting for? Also, check their store and new smart phone app. These guys are great to me, and you should be great to them in turn.

We'll talk before Christmas, so enjoy your shopping!!!

Minch

Episode 51: Fifty First Episodes

So this is what it's like to be a deadbeat dad of blog. In my defense, I was only gone for four months, and I can explain everything. No really, I will right now. So what do you say, can you forgive me...

Come on Lindsey, come on and forgive me...

                                                                           ...

Alright! Good Enough!!!

Hey thanks guys, now like a true deadbeat, I promise to take you all out for ice cream! Alright now on with the Blogging!

There's no real playbook for how to deal with life's occasional bad bounces and dipshittery.

(Oh God, this is going to be about the breakup? That was like ten years ago! Better cue up Jumper by Third Eye Blind)

Slow down, first off, that's a great song so feel free to cue it up. Secondly, it's not all about that, need proof?

Classic.

Shortly after the break up I embarked on "The Mike Minch: Hey Everybody, Sorry I Haven't Around For A While / Yes, I'm Still Alive Tour 2013" Here's a pic from the tour...

 

 Fun things kind of just flooded the market upon my entrance into single hood: Bachelor Parties, Weddings, hell Topeck and I got lost and almost murdered in Toronto (I'm not legally allowed to tell that story until I know more about statute of limitation on Canadian Laws) Eventually though, the calendar clears out and you are left looking to fill time that otherwise would have been occupied. 

 

Now there are a world of things you can do in this situation to fill said time. You can start a new hobby, like basket weaving or Crystal Meth. Perhaps take up an old hobby you had lost track of, like binge drinking or Crystal Meth. For me, I delved head first into the Red Sox 2013 season. 

 

 

It's no secret that my baseball watching skyrocketed 157% post break up. After watching that many games, I had a feeling this team was special. That's not just hindsight, go check my twitter feed mid summer, (@mrminch) I'd try to get a screen cap of a few of my tweets predicting their success, but my 4 year old cell phone takes a literal shit when I even try to send a text message. And sweet Jesus, when the post season started, the world revolved around those games to a degree that wouldn't have been acceptable had I still been in a relationship. 

 

All important events within the past month are framed with playoff baseball in the background. My aunt's wedding was during the ALDS against the (God Damned) Rays. The night we went out to O'Cals for my sister's birthday was the night the Sox punched their ticket to the World Series. Yes, through the pushing and shoving of the 804 douchebags shoehorned into the place, we got to watch Shane Victorino's game winning grand slam. The obstruction call World Series game was during a Halloween party. Hey speaking of Halloween, in case you missed it, I had a hell of a costume this year. 

 

 

If you don't know who this is, just know I'm ashamed of you, but I'm here to teach. I dressed as Buffalo Sabres hall of fame play by play announcer Rick Jeanneret. 

 

and if you need an explanation why someone would want to be him for Halloween, I'm double ashamed, but this should help.

     

Hopefully you have learned something today. Back to baseball.

So obviously, this turned out to be a hell of a year to follow the Red Sox as closely as I did. If you aren't blinded by your hate for the team, the same way I am towards the (God Damned) Tampa Bay Rays, it really is a great baseball story. Worst to first, a team that one year ago was mired in an ocean of doo doo butter, was able to turn it all around. Wait a minute, there's an analogy in there somewhere, if I can just put my finger on it...somehow...make...that...applicable...to everyday life...Wait, I got it!

***FART NOISE***

Well, if I'm going to give credit where credit is due, I should mention my coworker, supervisor, and friend Sean here. With as long as it has been since my last post, I was kind of considering either packing it up or taking this in a different direction. Hell, the original draft of this episode was written a month ago and was basically "Hey, everything sucks, but the Red Sox are good." Naturally, I scrapped it on concerns that it was overly emo and douchey. Sean, decided he was going to pester the shit out me until I wrote a new one, and here we are.  Until next time...

Minch

Don't forget to check out Minch's Pop Tarts every month!!!!!

 Spoiler Alert, there will be no ice cream.

Episode 50: Guess Who's Back...Back Again.

 

Oh hey everybody. Thanks for coming back, I know it's been awhile. You should take a seat, I have something to tell you...

...Okay here goes.

You see, sometimes life works in a funny way, not funny "Ha Ha" but more like Adam Sandler funny, you know, not very funny at all, in fact kinda sad. 

Dammit, let me start over. 

Sometimes, things that were once great, like Pepsi Blue and "The Cowboys of Moo Mesa" have to end. Much like both of those great things, my relationship with Sam has also ended. I will offer no specifics on the situation, other than that very fact, although if you take me to the bar and buy me a couple of bourbons, I'll likely spin you a yarn. There's more...

In the break up, Samantha  was awarded half of this blog. According to the judge, she gets the odd number episodes, and I get the evens.

It was important to me to address this in a dignified manner. To end with my head held high, not with my ass dragging on the carpet. For as the great Ernest Hemingway once wrote...

Oh yeah! That's right Movie from 14 years ago! I am, aren't I?! Free Agency! Now accepting offers...

No, not really. I think it might be time to start focusing on rebuilding the franchise, you know start by chiseling the dust off of my gym membership, saving money and finding an apartment. Things that got put on the back burner because Samantha didn't seem to mind.

Most importantly, I have emerged from this break up, perfectly fine. Not a single scratch of emotional and/or mental damage. Don't believe me, let's all have a sing along to my new favorite song...

Let's talk about something else...

The Minchmobile. The old girl and I have had a rough year. A busted tire, a busted gas valve that made it smell like gas when I turned on the heat. And that was before the real problems started. You remember the last episode 7 months ago when I told you about how my car would stall when in reverse? No? Well that happened. Also it got worse.

After the first time it stalled when I was moving forward, I decided screw it and brought it back to Goodyear. Why do I keep bringing it there, because they were dumb enough to give me a credit card. They replaced the battery and cleaned out the gas line or something, I don't know, and assured me this would fix it.

Cut to a few days after I came back from Florida, a trip I may one day have the inner strength to write about, but certainly not now, and the damn thing stalls out going forward and the Engine light goes on.

Son of a God Damn.

So with what little credit left I had on the Goodyear card, I brought it back yesterday. I gasped as the phone rang while I was at work. I was greeted by the soothing tone of the mustachioed customer service manager, I mean it, there has never been a calmer voice that has delivered me more terrible news. He told me that they cleaned out the air flow sensor (that's a thing? Jesus, I don't know cars) and it was working fine. They wouldn't charge me for the work, but eventually I would have to buy a new one. When I picked up the car I signed a receipt that TOTAL: $0.00!!!!!!

...and then it stalled in the parking lot.

"That'll be $200, please."

Dammit.

I have dropped well over $1500 (on credit) on this damn car this year alone, and the next time something like this happens, I have a plan...

Right off a bridge...

Well that's it for me. Stay tuned for Episode 51 which I'm told is going to compare the differences between Les Miserables the play and the movie.

Honestly, now I'm going to have some time on my hands, so I'd like to start doing this again. So let's kick it off by sharing it on your Facepages, and InstaTwitters, but not Vine. I still don't really know what the hell vine is supposed to be...

Minch
  

Episode 49: Blame Canada!

It all started during our last work meeting, when someone made the genius (and handsome) suggestion that we start a cycle to give everyone an opportunity to have a full weekend off. You see, the new gig is open on Saturday, but getting out a 6-7 beats the piss out of getting out at 1-2am. When turned out I was going to be off this past weekend, I decided it was time for a mini trip. Sam and I were going to the Happiest Place on Earth...

Niagara Falls!!!

Did you stay on the American or Canadian Side? 

That's not a serious question, is it? The American side consists of one nice casino and what looks like a post apocalyptic wasteland. No we stayed in the thick of the touristy splendor that is the Canadian Side of the falls. It had been awhile since my last trip, let's have a look...

The weird part is that this is in front of Sundowners.

The plan was set. After I got out of work on Friday, we'd drive up and have a fun filled weekend. Lets set the mood...

 Naturally, as we were pulling out of the driveway, the Minchmobile (which had been inspected days prior) stalled. We gave the old girl a few test runs, and decided to play it safe and take Sam's car, a 2004 Grand Dam...I know right? Aww!!! Side note, my car is till doing that occasionally when I put it into reverse, is that bad?

We finally arrived at our destination, The Double Tree Inn. We were given our keys, and our complimentary cookies....apparently that's a thing. Before we were able to head to our room we had to solve one little problem...

"Your Credit Card has been declined sir."

--Well of course it has, it doesn't have a red cent, Canadian or American on it. Here's my debit card.

"I'm afraid this card has been declined as well." He said as he snatched back his cookies.

...shit!

Sam tried her card, which was also declined. I had mixed emotions about that. On one hand, shit, where are we going to stay? On the other, this no longer a Minch exclusive eff up. This is where my super power came into play...

Binge Drinking Whiskey? 

No, better. Knowing a guy. Using Double Tree's ill obtained WiFi, I contacted former Movie House manager and current bank employee, Fronzie, and asked for help. He directed me to the Fraud line who fixed everything. Apparently, I need to warn the bank before I leave the country...Obama's America!!! That said, for helping to save the trip, Fronzie gets a salute...

Thanks buddy.

That was a lot to have to deal with in a single day, so we decided to lay low night one, just grab something to eat and head back. Unfortunately, we made another fatal error, relying on my sense of direction. We unintentionally added 20 minutes to our walk, through an unlit park. Day one was a good day.

We both went into this trip with expectations. Sam let me know her plan early on, obtain a Canadian Candy Bar not available in the States: Coffee Crisp. The difference between Sam and I is that when she has an objective, she researches, plans, uses strategery. That's not to say my method of throwing shit against the wall doesn't work too. Sam found a wholesaler that sold Coffee Crisp, and we got up bright and early to get it. Small detail, it was in the heart of the Canadian Ghetto...yep, apparently that's a thing too. I'm not 100% sure but I think it was where the movie, "The Mist" was filmed...

Please note the rusty sign and abandoned School Bus.

Here are some fun facts about Cash and Carry: The music on the PA system is staticy and the cast of "The Hills Have Eyes" work there. I've never been much for the whole, "What if the Zombie Apocalypse really happened?" crowd, (mostly because I'm an adult) but if in fact it were to happen, this would be the starting point. All that aside, we accomplished our mission...

Side note: What the hell is with Canadians and Ketchup Chips?

After escaping Cash and Carry, we dug right into some some of the Clifton Hill attractions, I mean we did stop at a buffet for breakfast before that, but who needs to hear about diarrhea. We did the Skywheel and the Maid of the Mist...

Yes, a Dodgers hat. Sometimes I like to go incognito...

It was shortly after this I made a grave realization, The Toronto Maple Leafs playoff game was that night and I was in enemy territory. What made it worse was that they won. Leafs fans are known for being insufferable assholes. But I'm sure that's just the bitter opinion of a fan of a divisional rival, and there isn't any type of proof I can provide backing that up...

Asshole.

I had a mission on this trip too, finally try Poutine. Poutine is a Canadian dish with french fries, cheese curds, and brown gravy. On our final day, I got my wish...

They may have screwed up bacon, but they got this right...

 I also got to cross something else off my food bucket list, shwarma! How did a middle eastern dish like shwarma find it's way on to said list in the first place? The answer isn't at all nerdy...

Sam and I ate at Casablanca, a middle eastern restaurant and hookah bar. (No, I couldn't get Sam to try a hookah.) I went with a shwarma sammy, and it was pretty great. Like any douche, I took to Twitter to tell everybody about trying it. My favorite response came from my dear friend.arch enemy @Nicknewt

"Robert Downey, Jr. and Chris Evans just high-fived. Chris Hemsworth crossed his arms, threw his head back, and let out a laugh."

Ha, we're nerds.

The Falls area is known for having a bunch of kitschy shops: Hershey Store, Coca Cola Store, a WWE store, and an MGM Studios store. I wanted to stop by the last one just to see what was left. I assumed it would just be a poster of a guy shrugging with the caption, "We still do Bond movies. That makes us relevant...right?"

What they did have was something that would shake the foundation of the entire trip...CUSTOM MADE BOBBLE HEAD DOLLS!!! Fun fact: I have always wanted an action figure crafted in my likeness, something like this was just close enough. On the other hand it cost $145, and my car stalled out before we left...might have to look into that. After a great deal of thought and discussion, I made the reasonable decision, and bought the bobble head!!!! I know I spoiled this on Facebook, but they sent me the first shots of the mold of my dome last night!!!!!

That worker earned every bit of the three cents an hour she's paid.

  
We ended our last day with a trip through Lewiston, where Sam's father grew up. After the kitsch and flashiness of Clifton Hill, it was nice to walk through an adorable little town...Also we had frozen custard.

It started out chaotic, but the trip was great time. Though I admit, seeing 19 year olds running around drinking makes me feel older than dirt. Speaking of which, this might have been the first Niagara Falls trip where I didn't end up blackout drunk...Progress.

That's all for me. I have to go buy Fran a Mother's Day present, though I'm seriously considering wrapping up Daisy the Dog.

Minch

Episode 48: The MinchDay 2013 Saga!

Let me start by saying, one blog entry every couple months is NOT okay. The only reason I've been able to keep up with my Eat Your Serial entries is because I signed a 48 page contract that apparently had a clause stating that if I miss an entry, they have a legal right to cut off one of my toes. That said, I'm here now and I want to talk about one of my favorite subjects in the world, my birthday...

The plan was simple. You guys remember how I used Twitter to invite Zooey Deschanel to my birthday last year, right? Well, I had my doubts that Sam would be crazy about trying that one again, but I still liked the concept of inviting someone awesome to come out drinking. At the time, Bill Murray was filming a movie so I set my sights a little more reasonably: Sabres Play by Play man Rick Jeanneret. There was not game on my birthday, so It was completely plausible that I could convince a 70 year old man to travel an hour and a half to a bar and celebrate the birthday of someone he's never met. Before I had the chance to unleash this genius plan, I was Out-Minched on MinchDay...

This is going to come out bad: I forget 78% of the things my Mom tells me about. Amongst those things, was a reminder to try and get out early one Saturday for my Aunt and Uncle's Surprise 30th Wedding Anniversary. I feel like Fran was starting to gather that this event was fading in and out of my conscious memory, because she later told me that since my father was my uncle's best man, they wanted me to do a little mock renewal ceremony. For an attention grabbing wise ass like your truly, I had no problem doing it. This was also a chance to introduce Sam to the extended members of my family. I was going to play the numbers game, by law of averages she couldn't find ALL of them offensive...could she?

So work arrangements were made, and a brief joke littered renewal ceremony was crafted. During my break that day, I swung by the house to pick up a change of clothes only to find Sam all alone...at Fran's house...making bread dip...and acting suspicious. I admit that was a little bit of a "Wait a minute" moment, and I proceeded to tease Sam that I was on to the "Surprise Party" but shortly after I stopped by Dennis' house and his general disinterest in the event and how long it was going to last, brought me right back down to Earth.

After getting out of work late, I was in full fledged panic mode that I was going to be the one that ruined the surprise for my aunt and uncle. I picked up Sam and raced to the lodge. As I headed for the door, I felt a sad about the non existent surprise 30th birthday I had cooked up in my head...

Yes, they even got Thomas Vanek to show up.

Fran had cooked the whole thing up. Months of planning and prepping had led to a moment that I can really only describe as, "delightfully overwhelming." Friends, Family, Presents, Cake, and a Keg, all there for me. The Birthday King had been out birthday-ed.

This pic is one Batman "POW!" graphic away from looking like I hit Sam.

I get how newlyweds can be too busy to drink at their own reception. That's not too suggest that I didn't drink...oh sweet baby Jesus did I drink, but I found I was too overwhelmed to eat. Well, that and I had Wendy's for lunch. I didn't even have a slice of my sexy cake.

But Fran's most sinister plot was yet to come that evening. She planned out a comedy roast for me, featuring the comedy stylings of Nate, Rector, and Maslyn brothers. Here's a few of the more hurtful lines.

Fran: This party would have been much easier to plan if you hadn't moved back home at 30.

Nate: Your Godson Charley wrote you a card, it says, "Uncle Mike you toot too much" and Henry wrote, "You're on the naughty list." 

Maslyn: Mike's sister Kristin is here (audience gasps) Kristin used to hate me because 10 years ago I jokingly said she had a low IQ. We started getting along after the state proved I was right. 

Other Maslyn: I had a bunch of jokes about Minch's girlfriend until I got here and found out she was real.

Rector: You are fatter than you were when I started this sentence. 

Needless to say I am mad at all of them and haven't spoken to any of them since.

All in all, it was an amazing night that went by too fast. I can't begin to explain out appreciative I am for all the effort that went into it, most of all by Fran. Although deep down I know it was all just a plot to rob me of the ability to make jokes about how Dennis is the favorite son. Even if that was the case,  it was damn sure worth it. But that wasn't the last of the MinchDay surprises.

The night before my actual birthday, Sam seemed just as eager to give me my gift as I was to get it. As I opened my eyes and saw what she had handed me, I could see why...

Holy Crap! Holy Crap! Holy Crap!

ALL THREE TALKING RICK JEANNERET BOTTLE OPENERS!!!! Just like the thing I talked about seven years ago when I posted my last blog! It's official, I'm on the clock to do something equally amazing for her birthday. At least I have until October...or is it September...August? Shit.

The last several episodes I have referred to my birthday this year as "MinchDay 2013: Taking it Down a Notch." It's kind of funny that it wound up being one hell of a spectacle, and not even because of anything I did!

Switching gears, I want to close by once again declaring my love for the city of Boston. I was absolutely sickened by the events during the Boston Marathon. In honor of it, I end with what I'll call "The Ed Heyman (Just a) Quick Story of the Day"

We were in Boston a few years ago and while the girls were shopping, Dennis, Jeremy, and I were having a few Sam Adam Boston Brick Red Ales at the Black Rose and watching the Red Sox game. In the game, Mike Lowell went up to bat after being benched several games. Mike was the World Series MVP in 2007 and getting up their in years. Out of love and respect for what he had done for the franchise, the crowd at Fenway, as well as the crowd at the Black Rose gave him a crazy ovation. He responded by crushing out a two run home run and both places went bonkers. A great memory from a great city.

Yes, that's my shoulder...

Continue to "B Strong" Boston, and with a great deal of love, respect, and a desire to return to normalcy I say, God Bless America, Go Sox, and Screw the Damn Bruins...

Minch