The Mike Committee

Mika from the Warehouse

2009-09-02T10:43:00.000-07:00

Close enough to "Mike," meet Mika from Warehouse 13. OK, so this is a smart woman with issues. But then again, Mike is constantly surrounded by smart women with issues (sometimes known as "workwives"?).

With not much on network TV, this basic cable show "Warehouse 13" definitely seems worthwhile watching. At least until "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" returns.

WikiMike

2009-01-10T15:26:00.000-08:00

If Mikes have a blog, surely they have a Wikipedia entry!

The entry:

Mike may refer to:
abbreviation of Microphone
abbreviation of Michael
middle Linebacker in American Football
Mike (Coronation Street), fictional character in the British soap opera Coronation Street

A linebacker is a Mike? I'll need one of you more sports-saavy Mikes to confirm. I have a feeling this was entered by some smarmy, chuckling kid --name: Mike--who is a linebacker for his grade-school team. I can see him sitting at his computer, typing in his erroneous entry, so pleased with himself. Before this turns into another anti-Wikipedia diatribe, I'd better hedge: OR maybe the linebacker position is also referred to as the "Mike."

Check it out for yourself at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike

A Mike in the Cabinet

2008-12-29T14:45:00.000-08:00

President-elect Barack Obama makes a wise move (or is it a wise non-move?) in keeping Michael Chertoff in his post as Director of Homeland Security. Chertoff is already advising Obama not to rush to close Guantanamo Bay, citing the difficulties of trying detainees in stateside civil courts.

Chertoff, described by some as a neo-con, had more than a hand in the Patriot Act, and is a vigilant supporter of hard-nosed immigration reforms.

Another Mike, Conservative blogger Michelle Malkin, writes: "A look at Chertoff's strong, aggressive record and statements on homeland security shows that Chertoff supports the kind of hard-headed, threat-profiling measures and immigration enforcement opposed by the anti-profiling zealots."

While happy that Chertoff will stay, this Mike predicts Chertoff will resign by July 1 in frustration.

What?!!!!!!!!!!!

2008-11-03T08:18:00.001-08:00

Daniel? The most popular name in NYC?

Unseating the popularity of Michael?

According to the UPI: "NEW YORK, Oct. 23 (UPI) -- The New York City Health Department says Daniel is the most popular name for newborn boys in the city, unseating Michael for the first time since 1956."

Check out this "Odd News."

OK, but does Daniel have a committee?

Day Follows Knight

2008-10-17T11:37:00.000-07:00

Mikey Day

Is this the face of a funny man? He appeared on the Kath and Kim show out of nowhere, if you ask me. But the Nick Cannon fan I know says he's a riot.

The official bio says: Day can be seen on the Damon Wayans sketch comedy show for Showtime, "The Underground", as well as being one of the stars of "Wild N Out" and the VH1 MOW, "Totally Awesome". The youngest groundling ever, Mikey has been compared to Jim Carey and other comedy greats.

He's a Groundling?

Michael Knight Returns

2008-10-10T09:43:00.000-07:00

Too much election coverage! Time for a little pure escapism on The Mike Committee.

Luckily, we are just in time to see the new manifestation of Michael Knight and his talking car KITT. This is not your David Hasselhoff version. There is an intriguing backstory that will need to unravel.

KITT is driven by Michael Tracer this time [played by actor, Justin Bruening], a hero who has gaps in his memory of his past which link him to a mysterious organization, and which has erased his recollection of the past relationship he had with a sexy co-star. Things get heated up in more ways than one.

But because of his past, Michael Tracer has to be killed off, to prevent those in his past from seeking him. Redux Michael Knight. But it's still all about the car, isn't it?!

OK, so it's all pure fantasy crap, but it's a lot better than watching McCain circling Obama all evening.

http://www.nbc.com/Knight_Rider/

Michelle Malkin

2008-09-21T16:48:00.000-07:00

Recently I discovered that our Michelle is not the only "Alex P. Keaton" type conservative that goes by the name of "Michelle." You ought to check out this Michelle: http://michellemalkin.com/

Here's her Bio (From Wikipedia):

Malkin was born in Philadelphia to Filipino parents, Dr. Apolo and Rafaela Maglalang, in 1970.[3] Her parents had immigrated to the United States earlier that year.[3] Her father, a doctor, had entered the United States on a work visa.[3] Her maternal grandfather fought under General Douglas MacArthur.[4] She grew up in Absecon, New Jersey,[5] and attended Holy Spirit High School.[3] She graduated from Oberlin College, which she describes as a "radically left-wing, liberal arts college."[6] In 1993, she married Jesse Malkin, a Rhodes Scholar. As of 2004, Jesse, a former economist for the RAND Corporation [7], stays home and raises their two children.[8]

Let's not start a feud here on the Mike Committee over who's to blame for the worst disaster on Wall Street since the Great Depression, but I think the facts speak for themselves. Just glad we didn't get talked into privatizing our Social Security accounts.

Also here's a nomination for a new Mike Committee person of distinction. [No, not another vote for Pamela Anderson. . .]

Featuring Michelle Obama:

Won't she be a great First Lady? I think she has Jackie O kind of feel, but not a trophy wife aura. What's not to like?

Strong Mikes

2008-08-13T05:48:00.000-07:00

Two Mikes are making frequent headlines this week:

Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Georgia, who is currently dealing with some unwelcome Russian guests at the independant-breakaway state he leads.

AND....

Michael Phelps, who as of this posting, has collected 11 Gold Medals for swimming the length of the pool faster than anyone else in the world.

Let's all go for a dip

2008-07-21T16:54:00.000-07:00

Because Mikes rule, even in the pool--

If you are watching the Olympic pools, look out for Michael Phelps. The new Mark Spitz?

http://www.michaelphelps.com/2004/english.html

Mike the Man

2008-07-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

How do you define what makes a real Mike? Is it just a name, or is there more to it?

Do tattoos and leather make the man?

For your consideration: Brett Michaels

Senator Mike

2008-05-14T18:47:00.000-07:00

Well, not anymore, Michelle. Sorry to say.

But as we watch in disgust and confusion as the senate of our great institution grows ever more pointless, let me offer this link as at least one piece of evidence that I am not the crappiest of representatives:

http://crapo.senate.gov/

You just can't make this stuff up.

Perhaps I will re-kindle my interest in Elizabethan drama, and compose an autobiographical memoir in iambic pentameter.

In other sad news, the kid who uses my name for his middle name "walked" this past weekend, so he has his Master's just like dad.

= Refrigerator Art

Michael Wesch

2008-04-15T07:04:00.000-07:00

Everybody in college needs to watch this video by Michael Wesch, Kansas State:

Especially professors.

Take me out to the ballgame, Mike...

2008-04-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

We're a week into baseball/softball season, which means this Mike is pumped! I've watched all but one televised Indians game, two Mud Hens games (buying tickets for the season today), and four of my daughter's varsity softball games. I've also been following the Tigers and hoping that their 0-7 losing streak continues, being mortal enemies of the Tribe (and hence, me).

And here in the magical world of the Internet, I've been reading about other Mikes and their fascination with America's game:

Baseball Mike: This blog hasn't been updated since 2006, but it does have some interesting live links to other baseball info.
Mikes Baseball Rants: Blogger Mike Carminati shares his much-revered thoughts, and like Baseball Mike, generous links to other baseball blogs and websites.
Mike's Baseball Cards and Autographs: This blog lists all the cards that this Mike has collected with John Hancocks...
Mike's Baseball for Windows ReplayEncyclopedia: A catalog site presented by Mike Mitchim of Jonesboro, Georgia, who is among many who replay past seasons in baseball through special Windows software.
Mike's Baseball Books: Bookseller Mike Wikham offers baseball texts and memorablia for sale.
Mike and Mike's Baseball Picks: Mike Golic hits a grand-slam double with me for predicting Cleveland will top the AL Central, grab the pennant,and finally bag a World Series. Greeny goes with the Tigers for division title, but puts his money on the Mariners as the best in baseball this year.

Mike Tastes a Rainbow

2008-03-13T07:41:00.000-07:00

Michael Sheridan of New Haven, CT., who was suspended and stripped of his Student Council post for purchasing a bag of Skittles from a friend at school, has been exonerated. Read the story here.

Candy has been banned at the school since 2003 as part of a health/wellness policy.

Suspension and removal from office are punishments way above and beyond ridiculous, though I recall that Skittles could be used as a weapon when I was in school and a friend thought it funny to pelt me in the back with them (and Resses Pieces) in American Literature class.

Had Michael not been cleared in what CNN calls a "candy caper," the Mike Committee would have worked (with Amnesty International, the ACLU, and the MARS company which makes the bite-sized confection) to right this grave wrong.

Cultural Repository

2008-02-29T06:35:00.000-08:00

Of course, we Michaels are cultured. But why didn't anyone think of this sooner? A website demonstrating that MICHAEL is the epitome of culture--at least in Europe.

Here's the link: http://www.michael-culture.org/en/home

And here's the description:

"Explore the European digital cultural heritage

Through the multilingual MICHAEL service you can find and explore digital collections from museums, archives, libraries and other cultural institutions from across France, Italy and the United Kingdom. Whether you are interested in art or archaeology, family history or planning holidays, the Romans or modern History, MICHAEL can show you what is available."

You gotta love that!

Simply Red

2007-12-23T11:54:00.000-08:00

Mick Hucknail, of Simply Red, posts his Christmas greetings at this link: http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9591895330

And here's a Christmas star for the holiday:

Michael & Christmas

2007-12-09T16:44:00.000-08:00

It is the Christmas Season and I thought I'd locate something that links Michaels and Christmas through the magic of Internet search engines.
Here's what I found

People by the name of Michael Christmas:

A tribute to 21-year-old PFC Michael Christmas, killed in action in Quang Ngai, South Vietnam, in 1969, just over a month after beginning his service.
The Portfolio page of Michael Christmas Photography.

People by the name of Michael with Christmas CDS:

Michael Martin Murphey (Didn't he sing that '70's tearjerker Wildfire?)
Michael Buble. He's a Sinatra sound-a-like...
Michael McDonald. The Doobie Brothers' signature voice.

Michael Miscellany:

A Christmas Story by four-year-old Michael.
Another Story by now seven-year-old Michael.
A Christmas Greeting from Michael, stationed at Petawawe.
A Michael proposing to his girlfriend at a Christmas Parade.
Michael's Christmas Commercial and Residential Decorating Service.
St. Michael's Christmas Mass Schedule.

Michael Bumple

2007-10-31T07:46:00.000-07:00

According to George Newlin's book, Everyone in Dickens, volume 1, the only character in a Dickens novel with the name Michael is Michael Bumple.

Mike in the Middle

2007-10-21T05:49:00.000-07:00

I awoke this morning curious about Michael as a middle name...how many people carry our moniker tucked neatly between their first and last names?

The Internet did not solve this mystery, but as usual, provided some interesting middle name information to share.

Consider these Mikes:

Mike Nesmith, the Monkees guitarist who always wore a knit cap;
Michael Stipe, REM's frontman;
Mike Stanton, the Cincinnatti Reds relief pitcher,
and author Michael Crichton, best known for penning Jurrassic Park and creating the TV-series ER....

What have they in common? Michael is their MIDDLE name that they obviously prefer over their given labels: Robert Nesmith, John Stipe, William Stanton, and John Crichton.

Further shuffling through pages and pages of searches unearthed this Middle-Name gem:
Michael J. Fox's middle name is ANDREW. He replaced the "A" with a "J" to avoid the certain, yet tacky, teen-mag headlines: "Michael is A Fox."

And finally, according to a post in Lycos IQ, Mike Myers, the murderous character of Halloween fame, was given the middle name Audrey...well no wonder!

You Need a Mike

2007-10-17T10:53:00.000-07:00

On this site, you can listen to stories: http://thestorytellersblog.blogspot.com/ It is an audioblog. But you need a mike if you want to contribute.

Ouch!

2007-10-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

Heel spurs!

Someone told me the long trek across campus from the distant parking lot to University Hall would be healthful for me. They forgot to mention the need for appropriate shoes.

[New use for this blog--complaining about health issues?]

Rhetorically Speaking

2007-10-02T15:01:00.001-07:00

Because we probably won't find any Michaels among the ancient Greek philosophers, let me offer Michel de Montaigne as the founding Mike for our rhetorical branch. Afterall, what is a blog, if not an essay* at explaining the world?

* ETYMOLOGY:
French essai, trial, attempt, from Old French, from essayer, to attempt, from Vulgar Latin *exagire, to weigh out, from Late Latin exagium, a weighing : Latin ex-, ex- + Latin agere, to drive; see ag- in Appendix I. V., from Middle English assaien, from Old French assaer, assaier, variant of essayer.

Recent Meeting Minutes---Just Resting Peaceably

2007-09-25T07:41:00.000-07:00

Friday, Suzanne joined us for the weekly meeting of the Mikes. She shared her perspective on wayward students, in particular one using the F-word to describe her college course. Mike added his insights on students with recent "family funeral" excuses. He was on his way to meet with students that day. He had a fair amount of scepticism about the funeral excuses and noted that he wondered if students ever felt a backlash of guilt when a genuine passing occured. I find that if you "accept" an excuse from one student, invariably there is a rash of similar tragedies with the remainder of students. Human nature, or just the games students play?

Curious phenomenon to note: For the tech writing class assignment about writing sentence definitions, I found students logging in to Wikipedia to find definitions. Is it that hard to think up a sentence definition on your own?

The El in the Mike

2007-09-02T19:21:00.000-07:00

While thinking about the "el" at the end of Michael, which I am sure you know stands for "God" in the ancient Hebrew, I started to compile a list of other el derived names:

Ishmael
Raphael
Gabriel
Daniel
Samuel
Lemuel
Ezekiel

[or Elijah, with the el up front]

But this led me to think about other sets of names with identical endings--for instance the "ards":

Richard
Bernard
Leonard
Howard

and the "alds":

Donald
Ronald
Reginald

The Ards and the Alds seem to be British or maybe Anglo-Saxon--like the "berts"

Robert
Hubert
Egbert

But I can't really say what those other endings signify.

I just know that the el in Mike means "God." In the Arabic languages, "el" turns to "al" as in Allah. So that we can cite a lot of el or al followed-by-a-hyphen names.

What about the "elle" in Michelle, (and Estelle and Rochelle) which seems to be a feminine diminutive. Does it perhaps mean "goddess"?

New News on the Committee

2007-08-18T11:40:00.000-07:00

The Miggy page seems to be gone, but updates on reader questions to that blogger can now be found at http://www.michaelpraciti.com/ With a new title, "The Worthless Weekly" resembles a brief newspaper of outdated information. Still to come, the answer to the question, "why do I blog?"

Mickey Z (The Cool Observer) http://www.mickeyz.net/ appears to also be an entry in Wikipedia--prompting me to wonder, what would it take to offer myself as a Wikipedia entry. Would anyone want to know the facts and stuff of the many individual, but as yet anonymous Mikes?

Or in other words, what does it take to consider yourself newsworthy? blogworthy? wiki-worthy?

Minutes for the latest Mike Committee meeting, (it is a meeting whenever two or more Mikes pass in the corridor), dated Friday, August 17. Sad news of the loss of a beloved family pet was rudely interrupted by the she-Mike who was too far off to hear. Meeting adjourned abruptly over her objections about parliamentery proceedings. Suggestion was entered to visit the Mike blog and update.

Morning Person?

2007-07-02T09:06:00.000-07:00

Are you a morning person?

Clearly, Mikes are morning persons--you can find them on the radio:

http://espnradio.espn.go.com/espnradio/show?showId=mikeandmike

http://www.mikeinthemorning.com/

http://www.mandjshow.com/

Personally, I am not a Mike or anything, until that first cup of coffee.

College by Mike!

2007-05-15T09:47:00.000-07:00

What is it like to go to a college named after Mike?

Check out this site for the blogs written by students at Saint Michael's College in Vermont:

http://www.smcvt.edu/blogs/default.asp

I wonder how many students there are named Michael or Michelle? Wouldn't that be the ultimate marketing strategy for college admission. Who was it that said all college brochures eventually resemble small New England colleges.

This picture is the librarian at SMC. Her name is Michele McCaffrey. Coincidence? Here's the spotlight info on her:

Michele McCaffrey

Title: Reference and Instruction Librarian

Education: B.A., M.L.S. Indiana University;
M.A. Middlebury College

Areas of Expertise/Research Interests:
Research methods and strategies; Italian

Testimonial: It would be impossible to be
bored on this campus.

What do you like about Saint Michael's students? Their curiosity and desire to learn. They seem to appreciate the help they receive at the reference desk and when they articulate
this to me I feel like I’ve made a positive difference in their academic
experience. Sometimes we get to be friends as well.

What is your favorite class to teach, and why? I teach Research in an Electronic Environment. The class varies depending on the students’ backgrounds and interests. It is such a good
foundation course for the whole college experience at Saint Michael's and I
enjoy seeing students acquire new skills and become more independent and able
learners and researchers.

OK, so post any names of other colleges named after Michaels, if you can find them.

Michelles in Music

2007-04-30T11:15:00.000-07:00

We've been ignoring our feminine side, so today's post centers on Michelles in music.
Of course, the Michelle theme song, appropriately entitled Michelle, is perhaps the most famous Michelle in music.

There is also Michelle Shocked, and Michelle Branch.
Can you think of any others?

Rising to Power?

2007-04-24T10:09:00.000-07:00

We are making progress in our goals--this time in running for Faculty Senate. As our union rep. says," I would recommend voting only for the 'two Michaels,' so our vote will have more impact." Three Michaels on the ballot include two from the non-tenure ranks.

Advice from a Michael on the committee was shared at a recent mailbox room meeting: "Be careful what you wish for . . . " Well, as one of the Michaels in question, I knew what he was referring to, but certainly didn't want to abandon the goal. Knowing the likely consequences shouldn't be reason not to try--which is to say that becoming Senator Mike would only have a statutory effect for those in the second tier.

Nevertheless, the long term effect for the next generation could be fruitful. So I must pioneer.

Michael, you maniac!

2007-04-17T05:54:00.000-07:00

Today is the birthday of Michael Sembello, best and perhaps only known for his 15-minutes of fame as the writer and performer of the 1983 song, "Maniac," aka the theme from the movie Flashdance.

The Oscar-nominated musician is a member of Stevie Wonder's band, and has worked with Sting, The Temptations, Art Garfunkel, to name a few. He lists the soundtrack of Gremlins in his credits.

Appleseed Musings

2007-04-02T17:55:00.000-07:00

Michael Pollan describes the character of Johnny Appleseed in one of his many books. Pollan's gift for journalisic integrity paints a clear picture of the vagabond who is credited with spreading apple trees throughout the Ohio valley.

So if we can speculate on Thoreau's blogging habits, we should also muse on the kinds of postings this more local hero might have produced. Or perhaps not have posted. He seems to have been a person of few words and great wanderings. Perhaps he is the inspiration for those who lurk about the blog world, silently observing.

April showers

Nature is most evident as a force in April. So figures like Appleseed and Thoreau, bowing to the power of nature, lead us to wonder about the landscapes we live in. Should they be well-tended like golf courses? Or allowed to grow weedily? Is a field of green improved by planting a baseball field in its midst? The same must be asked about the blogs we make. How should we tend them?

Are these blogs written for spectators, lurkers, or wanderers? That seems to be the question I come across frequently when I wander through the blogscape. Bloggers who question why they blog and if they have a duty to keep it going.

Thoreau's Blog

2007-03-28T12:32:00.000-07:00

An eminent member of the committee has speculated about Henry David Thoreau, if he had owned a cell phone. I can imagine that Ralph Waldo Emerson and Nathaniel Hawthorne might be in his calling circle, and Herman Melville as well. (Walt Whitman? He might already have a pretty big circle.)

So, let's start a new feature on the Mike Committee blog. What would Thoreau's blog be like? I imagine it this way:

Solitude at Walden

I came to the woods to be with Nature and to blog the nature of Nature and drink in the full nature of the Blog. So thankful was I that Walden was pristine in its Nature and yet capable of wireless connection. Truly, 'though a man march to the beat of a different drummer, still his connection to the world must be interoperable, platform compatible and cable ready. Like the birds of the air, he neither wants for companionship nor misses it if his blog also flies through the sphere and is looked upon by generous hearts akin to his.

When I return to my blog I find that visitors have been there and left their cards, either a bunch of flowers, or a wreath of evergreen, or a name in pencil on a yellow walnut leaf or a comment in the post it box. They who come rarely to the blogs take some little piece of my mind into their hands to play with by the way, on which they rant, either intentionally or accidentally . . .

03/28/1845

. . . and so on as you can imagine.

Meeting Minutes

2007-03-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

At today's casual meeting of the Mikes in the department hallway, membership for Dan, whose confirmation name is Mike, was voted and accepted by unanimous voice vote.

In other business, discussion of the 30 articles in the recent U.S. News magazine issue resulted in pointed comments on the amazing ways that other countries have bested the U.S.A.

Mike pointed out that the Japanese have an amazing toilet with specifically individualized features for cleanliness sold for thousands of dollars and yet remained popular on the market.

In Europe, Mike added, an experiment in removing all traffic signs, signals and street lines resulted "counter-intuitively" in a reduction in traffic accidents and problems.

Mike also noted that Finland has the highest marks when it comes to education, with specially noteworthy record of the smallest differential between the highest and lowest students.

Here's more:

How They Do It Better
By U.S. News Staff
Special Report: 30 Valuable Lessons That Americans Can Learn From the Rest of the World
Europe: Giving Drivers the Benefit of the Doubt
Germany, Netherlands: Making the Streets Safer for Cycling
Dominican Republic: Where Ballplayers Are Born and Made
Colombia: All Aboard South America's Upper-Class Bus
Finland: Sticking It to the Scofflaw
Europe: Flying on the Cheap
Japan, South Korea: Want a Drink? Pay With Your Phone
France: Talking Is a World-Class Sport
Japan: Even the Toilet Is High-Tech
Australia: Protection From the Sun
Afghanistan: Honored to Be Your Host
Japan: Skimpy Portions and Satisfied Stomachs
Netherlands: Below Sea Level? No Problem
Finland: The Secret to Smarter Schools
Germany: Novel Aides for the Aged
Sweden: Straight Facts About the Birds and Bees
Italy: Food Not as Fuel but as a Way of Life
Taiwan: The Afternoon Nap Attack
Japan: Communing Through Cleaning
Netherlands: Abuse as a Disease, Not a Crime
Singapore: When You Litter, You Pay
Norway: Getting Paid for Parenting
Europe: Holes That Make for Better Roads
Bhutan: Smoke-Free at the Top of the World
Iceland: Pristine Reputation for Government
United Kingdom: Finding Yourself (and the World) in a Year
Europe: Cities With a Heart
Denmark: Energy Efficiency From the Wind
United Kingdom: Free Health Coverage for All
Japan: More Stressed, but Still Safer

Read and enjoy!

Mountains, not Molehills

2007-03-06T06:58:00.000-08:00

The holy Mount Michel in France stands, towers that is, over the landscape to symbolize the rising of Mikes around the world.

So it is interesting to note that religious experiences always seem to be associated with rising and height. At least this landmark is. What would possess the architects to go to the trouble of building at such a high altitude? Isn't there a little fear left over from the Tower of Babel in this ancient project?

Or do Mikes just need a high pulpit to make our case before the world?

"No More Mike"

2007-02-21T10:48:00.001-08:00

I did a search on Technorati for any blogs with the word Mike in them. I found this gem, written by Portia on LiveJournal just 17-minutes ago. Let's call it Scorned by Mike.

Technorati is a webstie that catalogs about 70 million blogs. You can use the page to compile and access all your favorites, or simply search to find out "WHo is saying what, right now," which is the subhead on Technorati's main page.

When I searched for "Mike," my results page came up with this text:

Do you know something about Mike?
Write a quick explanation of the buzz around Mike. We call these explanations WTFs, and the best explanation (you can vote!) will show up at the top of this page. Let millions of other people benefit from your genius, no blog required.
Write a WTF about Mike »
Write a WTF about anything »
Hmmmm...It is tempting. ...If any of you Mikes out there care to try....

"No More Mike"

2007-02-21T10:48:00.000-08:00

Birthday Mike

2007-01-19T08:00:00.000-08:00

We have a birthday on the MIKE COMMITTEE!
I baked you a virtual cake. Enjoy!

This Mike shares his birthday with another Mike--Michael Crawford of Phantom of the Opera fame, AND:

Writers Edgar Allen Poe and John LeCarre
the Islamic prophet, Mohammed, born way back in 570AD
James Watt, inventor of the steam engine,
Comedians Paul Rodriguez, Ish Kabibble,Chris Kattan
Jean Stapelton and Jeanne Kilpatrick,
Actors Tippi Hendren, Katey Sagal, Desi Arnez Jr., Alyssa Milano, Jake Gyllenhaal
Musicians: Dolly Parton and Robert Palmer
Artist Thomas Kinkaide, painter of light.

The Mike committee located two poems on the subject of birthdays; however, neither really expressed the spirit of this special day. I just didn't think this Mike would appreciate the poem, "On his 75th birthday..." The ending is kind of, oh, final.

So, I turn to the poetry of the masses, the punk-pop song "Happy Birthday" performed by Altered Images way back in the glorious 1980s, when you were a lot younger than you are now.

Happy birthday! Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday ! Happy Birthday!
If they were me, if they were me,
and I were you. and I were you.
If you were me and I were you I'd have a happy birthday, a happy birthday.

Further Evidence

2007-01-10T07:12:00.000-08:00

Further and conclusive evidence that Mikes everywhere are destined to be superior college instructors is provided in the Toledo Blade article from this morning about former Republican Senator from Ohio, Mike DeWine. He will be teaching college courses.

See the article at: http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070110/NEWS21/701100406/-1/NEWS

Add him to the Mike Committee and inform him of the next meeting time! ("The more we stick together . . . ")

Goodbye, Mike...

2006-12-23T06:47:00.000-08:00

Mike Evans, who played Lionel Jefferson on All in the Family and its spinoff, The Jeffersons, has moved on up to the deluxe apartment in the sky...succumbing to throat cancer at the age of 57.

Evans also co-created and co-wrote Good Times (1974-1979), the first television series with an all-black cast that catapulted Jimmie Walker and his signature exclamation "Di-No-Mite!" to fame.

It is always a sad day when we lose a Mike.

Mike & Mike for Mikes

2006-12-22T19:36:00.000-08:00

If your ears aren't busy anytime from 6am-10 am weekday mornings, tune in to Mike&Mike in the Morning on ESPN Radio.

Hosts Mike Golic and Mike Greenberg are entertaining as an odd couple covering every angle of the sports world. The burly Golic, a former college and pro football player, and Greenburg, a narcissistic and nerdish Felix-type, banter and bicker, chat and chuckle their way through the four-hour program.

The show draws plenty of listeners looking for early-morning laughs. It is broadcast on over
400 stations nationwide--check out a the weblink above for a station near you. We Toledo Mikes tune our AM dials to 1470.

A Mike Holiday Greeting

2006-12-17T12:49:00.000-08:00

We on the Mike Committee are so bogged down with pre-holiday committee work that we haven't had much time to consider the annual committee Christmas greeting.

Many thanks to Linda Uhrella, who did the work for us! Linda, who is regretably not a Mike, is a Michael Bolton fan skilled in digital-image manipulation. She created three pages of Christmas cards bearing the images of her dream Mike, and posted them to a photo card page for all to enjoy and distribute at their whim.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Mike Committee!

More Mike Buys

2006-12-11T13:54:00.000-08:00

One of the Mikes needs a Mike shirt--I linked images to a previous post, and neglected to link the store. So, I am searching. Searching. Searching. Finding more Mike merchandise than I'd ever thought possible....

Here are Michelle's picks for hot Mike Holiday Stuff:

A must have for any Mike: The I don't wanna, I don't hafta, I'm Mike T-shirt (From "What on Earth," $24.95).
The Cowboy Mike Wooden Nickel ($5.00)
The Cowboy Mike Kerchief or T-shirt ($7.50 & $15.00)
The Mike Jones T-shirt ($15.95)
Mike Moscow T-shirts ($22)
I heart Mike Seaver T-shirts ($19.50)
Mikey Rules T-shirt

The Opposite of Mike Buys

2006-12-05T08:30:00.000-08:00

The official snack food seller for Mikes everywhere, or ought to be, Mike-sells. They are the best potato chips in the world, according to people who do random surveys of potato-chip eating: http://www.taquitos.net/snacks.php?snack_code=452

Here is the perfect antidote to that Christmas pressure to buy presents for everyone else. Buy something you can consume yourself. Let them get their own bag. [Or t-shirt or whatever.]

If you like popcorn, but not the part that gets stuck in your teeth, try the Mike-Sells Puffcorn Delites. Or if you are on a diet, you can just read a little about the history of the potato chip:

http://www.mike-sells.com/history/

Or play the games they have provided at their website.

Something for the Mike in your life...

2006-12-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

The giving and gifting season is upon us, and about to slap us into
reality as we countdown the days left to circle the sharking lots,
brave the crowds, agonize over the choices, meander through the lines of sour-faced, weary shoppers to the cashier who will, as an agent of the store we are in, drain our checking accounts or boost our debt.

But enough of the negativity--it's almost Christmas! And as the famed The Office character Michael Scott reminds us in last season's heart-warming Christmas episode, "Presents are the best way to show someone how much you care. It is like this tangible thing that you can point to and say 'Hey, man, I love you this many dollars-worth.' "

So, fellow MIkes, make sure you are taken care of. Start with some monogrammed Mike gear like these items that I found while making my list. They seem to borrow on the NIKE logo, which could be breaking interpol, and interstate counterfeit merchandise laws; However, if those special people who you'll share your Christmas list with aren't willing to risk a few days in jail or a fine, it may be time to consider how much they really do care, if at all...

Mike in the News

2006-11-28T06:36:00.000-08:00

By now everyone has heard about, witnesssed, watched, and commented on Michael Richards' raging lambast of two black hecklers in a comedy club audience.

Richards, best known for his role as the wirey-haired Cosmo Kramer on the long-lived sitcom Seinfeld, microphone in hand, used the "n-word" with the -er ending, lending it expletive status.

The Mike Committee hopes that the negative press generated by this Mike's angry response doesn't reflect poorly on Mikes, Michels, Michaels, Mitches, Mickeys, Micks, Miguels, Mikels, Michelles, Micheles, et al...

On the other hand, Richards has handled this with class, as much as is possible. Black community leaders like the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, usually quick to levy heavily publicized criticism, have responded fairly and reasonably, save a ridiculous Jackson-instigated boycott of last week's Seinfeld DVD release.

Richards' sincere apology and willingness to take responsibility seems to have opened a dialogue about the uses of the word...... Just yesterday, African-American comedians and leaders held a press conference in which they asked musicians, movie studios, and actors to stop using the derogatory term...with both the "er" and "a" endings.

A Pause for Thanksgiving

2006-11-27T12:10:00.000-08:00

We on the Mike Committee took a Thanksgiving respite from our harried committee work to enjoy the comforts of food, family and frantic prepartions for Christmas, which is just glorious four weeks away. As Mikes, we have much to be grateful for:

1) Our namesake who slayed Satan, or depending on which account you read or piece of artwork you view, the dragon, or Satan manifest as the dragon. Without him taking out the bad guys, it'd be a whole lot hotter, OJ would never get his book past the front door of a publishing house, and socialism would reign.

2) The Beatles--without them and the tune Michelle that my mother first heard on the radio in December 1965 and decided to brand me with, I and 1 gagillion other females would never BE Mikes, since the song resulted in a boom of little "Ma Belles."

3) Life cereal stopped running those commercials about 15 years ago, "He likes it; Hey, Mikey!"

4) Other Mikes on the committee--add the things you are thankful for here...

Michaels of Minor Renown

2006-11-21T11:59:00.000-08:00

While this blog is really filling up with famous and important Michaels, it also has a little room for some of those of medium importance, hasn't it?

This nominee has the most unusual designation as a "tub-thumper" which I will let you figure out by visiting the website: http://thumpingthetub.blogspot.com/ This Michael is from Scotland, so his words must be imagined with a Scottish burrrr.

In the meantime, we are open to nominations for the minor division of notable Michaels.

Mike's Knockers

2006-11-15T07:01:00.000-08:00

It is always good to read about a Michael who is accomplished in some special area. Thanks to the website Michelle posted below, I was able to identify the Michael with the best knockers. I think you will appreciate them also. Contact him at: http://www.architecturaldepot.com/c/door-knockers/Door+Knockers.htm

You will be pleased with this Michael's talents.

The Mike Committee: Arts and Crafts Movement

2006-11-14T14:47:00.000-08:00

The Mike Committee: Arts and Crafts Movementhttp://www.micheals.com

Arts and Crafts Movement

2006-11-14T13:28:00.000-08:00

This seems like the time of year to choose a patron retail store. Only 9 more days to the biggest shopping day of the year. What color Xmas tree will Michaels feature this year?
I can think of no other organization which has honored our name as prominently. We must all agree to meet there soon.

Musical Mike...er....Mick?

2006-11-07T07:39:00.000-08:00

Mike proposes that we award our next Mike of Note award to a poet. I opened up the memory vaults and can't recall a noteable poet by the name of Mike, nor an "un"noteable poet by the name of Mike, for that matter. I then flipped through every page of every book of poetry I own--nada. I searched the Internet...specifically poets.org, and found a few Mikes, read a few poems which really didn't move me in any way.

So, I turn to music, and name Mick Jagger as "Mike of Note." Enjoy the poetry of
MONKEY MAN I'm a fleabit peanut monkey All my friends are junkies That's not really true
I'm a cold Italian pizza I could use a lemon squeezer What you do?
But I've been bit and I've been tossed around By every she-rat in this town Have you, babe?
Well, I am just a monkey man I'm glad you are a monkey woman too
I was bitten by a boar I was gouged and I was gored But I pulled on through
Yes, I'm a sack of broken eggs I always have an unmade bed Don't you?
Well, I hope we're not too messianic Or a trifle too satanic We love to play the blues
Well I am just a monkey man I'm glad you are a monkey, monkey womanMonkey woman too, babe!
I'm a monkey! I'm a monkey! I'm a monkey man! I'm a monkey man! I'm a monkey! I'm a monkey! I'm a monkey! I'm a monkey!Monkey! monkey! monkey!.......

OPEN MIKE?

2006-11-03T07:29:00.000-08:00

The missing thing in this blog seems to be the poetry medium. But I'm afraid poetry in our times seems to be that new thing the "open mic" poetry-thon. Is it really poetry if it is spontaneously pronounced on the spot just like those TV shows where the teams compete by talking trash?

I think we need to make a call here for poets--especially Mike poets--if you can find them. But published poets only please.

Who will be the Michael Poet Laureate?

Happy Halloween, Michaels!

2006-10-31T06:35:00.000-08:00

Rather than the predictable All Hallows Eve "Mike" tribute to the costume of Michael Myers, the slasher character from Halloween, The Mike Committee honors an equally menacing Mike this Halloween--Michael Knight of the '80s smash-drama and adventure series Knight Rider.

Anybody can be a Mike for a day with this winning wig/leather jacket combo, available for $29.99 plus s&h from 80s costumes . It might be too late to get your hands on this costume this year, but make a note of it for next year. If your parents didn't name you Mike, you may want to pick one up during the post-holiday clearance, and impress your friends year-round.

All Saints

2006-10-29T09:10:00.000-08:00

November 1 is the feast of All Saints, so it looks like another good opportunity to celebrate the patron saint. Does anyone have any special plans to celebrate Mike-ness on that day? Perhaps just a day of scarfing down chocolates? [Or hopefully, eating Ikes and Mikes you got from Halloween?]

A Notable Mike

2006-10-26T06:59:00.000-07:00

The decision to name Emmy-Award-winning actress Michael Learned as our first "Notable Mike" is inspired by friend and colleague Laura Keller, who lives her life by the lessons of the television series, The Waltons.

Learned starred as matriarch Olivia Walton from 1972-1979, and garnered three Emmys for the role.

For the last several years, this Mike has been busy working on soap operas "One Life to Live, and "All My Children."Her many acting credits include episodes of "Murder, She Wrote," and "Law& Order." Long before she uttered her first "Good night, John Boy," Michael worked on Gunsmoke and the short-lived, coronor-crime drama Wojeck. Catch her on this season's episodes of Scrubs, where she currently plays the role of Mrs. Wilks.

Crowd Control

2006-10-19T11:43:00.000-07:00

As a long-time bearer of the name, Michael, it has been my common experience in public places to hear my name (that it to say the name "Michael" or "Mike") called out at a distance to attract someone's attention. Under such circumstances, in which it is likely that there may be more than one "Mike" I usually don't respond unless I am sure I can recognize the voice calling out. Is that rude?

I think I learned this behavior as a young child. When I heard my name called out in school, I would turn toward the caller, just like all the other Mikes in the room. This makes a kind of meerkat choreography, which is a little embarassing when it turns out that some other Michael is being summoned.

I wonder if there is a coping system that can be used in crowd situations to avoid shunning friends and associates, but to avoid the problem of responding without being recognized.

Great Scott!

2006-10-12T15:31:00.000-07:00

Of course I noticed that Anna Nicole Smith's former attorney has the same name as Steve Carrell's character on The Office.

The name is quite common. I went to high school with a Michael Scott, who did jail time for beating his girlfriend's child to death. My husband went to school with a Michael Scott who was a local concert promoter. A Google search turned up a Michael Scott who is an artist, a Michael Scott who is a professor of computer science at Rochester University, a Michael Scott who has his own porn page (note:I did not link that one here--find it on your own, perverts), and Michael Scott , an Irish author with a well developed website. My favorite: the Michael Scott of the Michael Scott Yogurt Shop Murders.

Official Snack of Mikes Everywhere

2006-10-12T15:26:00.000-07:00

I'm sure Ikes everywhere love them, too. Do they have a blog?

Another Mike of Integrity

2006-10-12T15:19:00.000-07:00

Anna Nicole Smith's attorney, Michael Scott, refuses to continue representing her. Read all about it here.

Micheal Jackson Faces

2006-10-05T15:04:00.000-07:00


Don't you wish he'd changed his name to the artist formerly known as Michael Jackson? This video is evidence that not all Mikes are wanted on the Mike Committee.

Mike Defeats Satan

2006-10-05T09:41:00.000-07:00

I like this depiction of Mike slaying evil a bit more than the previous. For starters, this one looks more like all of the Mikes I know, and no animals or fictional creatures are harmed in the making of this painting.

A New Patron?

2006-10-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

Good questions, Mike P! (Does the P stand for "participation"?)
But, I really can't think of a more fitting Michael to serve as our namesake. I tried....Michael Jordan? Lorne Micheals? Michael Collins? Michael Moore? Michael Palin? Mikey from the Life Cereal commercials? Michael Jackson? Michael Faraday(who invented the electric motor...) Michael Graves (The designer whose fine workmanship can be found at your friendly neighborhood Target store)? Michael Caine? Michael Bolton? Michael Myers (the character from the Halloween movies)?
Who could be a more fitting representative than the super-human, super-hero, UBER-archangel Mike, who defeats evil? So, he's tainted. What Mike among us is not?

2006-10-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

MikeP said...
Hey! I have been thinking about this whole Michaelmas situation and the legacy of Michaels all named after a christian saint who is actually a non-human superbeing, described as both "god-like" and the premiere defender against any being that would try to usurp the role of God.So in the whole pantheon of Catholic saints is there not one being named Michael, born of human parents, who went around doing good deeds and performing miracles?You know what can happen to fictionalized saints--do you remember when St. Christopher was demoted. It's just not the same driving around with a Mr. Christopher medallion in the car.So hey. Can we get a new patron saint or what?

Celebrate!

2006-09-29T05:22:00.000-07:00

If your name is Michael--and if you are bothering to read this it likely is--HAPPY NAMESDAY! Today is the feast day of St. Michael, our namesake. In Catholic cultures, the namesday (which does not always correspond with the saint's feast-day) a is celebrated with the same importance as the birthday.

Since your family and friends are unaware, and probably aren't throwing you a surprise namesday party, you'll have to take charge and do something special for yourself--YOU ARE WORTH IT; you are a Mike. Treat yourself to a nice dinner, or splurge on a gift...something you wouldn't ordinarily buy for yourself. Me? I am going to The Who concert tonight in Detroit. While there are, unfortunately, no Mikes performing with the band, other Mikes are attending the concert, and we will all be celebrating together.

Name Wizard

2006-09-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

I'll bet all of you on the Mike Committee have at one time or another pondered, "How popular is my name? How has that popularity changed over time?"
Wonder no more. Check out the Name Wizard. Type in any name and chart its popularity by the decades. Of course, you will first be typing in MICHAEL or MICHELLE. Try MICH--it gauges the name Michelle with Michael.
If you don't want to look at names, just look at the pretty colors.

Welcome!

2006-09-26T21:35:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Web World of the Mike Committee, which I invited myself into after Mike P. told me about the secret alliance he formed with Mikes H and H in and near the mailroom on September 25.

I think the reason for this blog is obvious to those Mikes who know me best--It is 12:34 am. I have been grading papers since 4:30 pm. I have three left, which I can't bear to read, since I have this blog that you wanted me to work on so that we can further our mission of world domination.

Michelle (Mike La Femme) D.