Written by Keri, 1/7/2009
The truth about Mike. This is what I know.
I have known Mike for almost 20 years. I met him on an overnight biology field trip my sophomore year in high school. He was only a freshman but he had tons of confidence and personality for days.
And that was the beginning of a long beautiful friendship. I guess I can say that I was the one who put the final boot in his a*$ to write a blog. I always thought he had something to say and has a good way of saying it. Not everyone is a softie, intelligent, thoughtful wordsmith with a mouthful of verbal diarrhea. With the final push came my fancy TAM title “Chief Artistic Consultant”. The pay is paltry, but I love the pro bono work. Having Mike as my boss is an absolute honor.
Here are a few fun facts about Mike, if you haven’t been paying attention:
Everything I learned about humanity, I learned from Mike.
Mike LOVES Burlington: Or as he calls it, Pleasantville. Burlington was very good to Mike, and he gave back 110% as always.
If you want the fruit to fall, you have to shake the tree. Mike is PERSISTENT. Whatever he sets out to do he does it. He wanted to be a member of Sons of Sam Horn so he borderline harassed the moderator until he was admitted to the elitist club. And look at how lucky SoSH was to get him. He got involved, met people, forged lifelong bonds, organized events and became a moderator himself. Good move on both ends.
Mike and Jon Lester have the same birthday. He loves Lester for every reason he should, overcoming cancer and the no-hitter for starters but he REALLY loves the fact that the have the same birthday. (So do Katie Couric and Nicolas Cage)
Mike knows a ton about sports, any sport. He has seen in person an enormous number of monumental events. He has been to the Greatest Show on Turf/Pats upset against the Rams, Sox 2007 World Series, Ohio State’s 2002 national championship victory, C’s 17th Championship and raising of the banner, Sox ring ceremonies, Opening Days, B’s playoff game 7’s, Celtics playoffs…..And this is just off the top of my head.
He still has a whole bunch of notes we sent each other….Notes!
Mike taught me how to drive a standard.
Mike plays the sax.
He originally wanted to be class president just so he could make a speech at graduation. He really hates organizing reunions. (Bait and switch?)
He thoroughly appreciates a woman’s beauty. He gravitates toward the eight plusses.
Mike loves his family. More than anyone I know.
I REALLY hated the blog entry where Mike said that he died. He played me. I cried my eyes out; I called my husband at work and announced that Mike was gone. It was incredibly traumatic.
I was there when Mike starred as Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, when he played Lazar Wolf in Fiddler on the Roof, when he received his Eagle Scout badge and when he made his commencement speech at graduation. Procrastination is the thief of time.
I am happy to say that I influenced Mike to watch Love Actually, Beautiful Girls, and It’s a Wonderful Life. They are three classic movies that I knew that he would love. I dig how in tune he is with his sensitive side.
Mike hates strip clubs because he feels bad for the girls dancing.
Mike misses Tiger (his “ex-dog” as Mike says) so much and should probably get a stepbrother for him.
Mike loves his friends. All of them. If you are a lifelong, midway, or just met him last month, you are all held in the same regard. He will make time for you, he wants to learn from you, he wants you to be friends for life.
Mike hates golf.
He uses the word “fabulous” way too much.
He lives 5 houses down from me yet I rarely see him. 
He waited out in terrible weather for hours to hear Bill Clinton’s speak on the campaign trail. And he actually petitioned our Senators and Representatives for a chance to attend Obama’s inauguration. He read Obama’s book, “The Audacity of Hope,” a while ago.
Mike LOVES Juno. I have no idea why. Seriously. Predictable and not enough Michael Cera (George Michael from Arrested Development).
Mike loves life: He is hands down, MOST positive person I know and possibly on the planet. Sometimes ad nauseum. He is a self-proclaimed Pollyanna but I read his blog because I like to hear what’s right in the world. It’s never gloom and doom with him. About anything.