Only Brian!: March 2009

3.29.2009

A birthday gift I will always remember

Today is my birthday. I am 39. Birthdays naturally make you review your past and look forward to the future with hope. A year ago about 20 people were at our house watching Xavier lose to UCLA. The game was not great but everyone enjoyed the food and drink. Brian was with us and he wore the yellow cashmere sweater he had on during the victory against West Virginia (Brian for some reason wore it to honor/make fun of Bob Huggins and his terrible yellow suit) because it had “good mojo” and brought victories. Brian was telling stories and having fun. I feel bad because I told him “shut the hell up and watch the game!” He also brought food from Andy’s Mediterranean Grill and was humming while eating it. He was having fun even though our Muskies were not. Towards the end of the game he and I were talking by the sink. Brian was right next to our coffee maker near our island and was, again, eating. I was a few feet away from him and all of a sudden he remembered it was my birthday. Brian – while chewing his food – said “hey I got your birthday present“ and pulled out his wallet. I told him “put it away” and “don’t worry about it.” I still remember the look on Brian’s face. It was part surprise, hurt, and determination all rolled into one. Finally, he smiled and insisted I take his $100. Then, he said “come here." He hugged me real hard and said “you are my brother and I will always love you.” That was the last time I ever saw Brian. Best birthday gift I could ever receive.

Love you and miss you terribly Brian.

3.27.2009

House of Pain, "Jump Around"

Combining the Luck of the Irish and hip-hop was a match made in heaven for Brian. "House of Pain" played my club last night and I can guarantee you Brian would have not only been front row, but next to me in this picture. Jump Up Jump Up and Get Down!

- Craig

3.25.2009

Happy Birthday Brian, Heir to the McCormick Spice Throne

Brian's birthdays are always the best fun because I can finally flip the script and tell all the pretty girls "this is my friend Brian, heir to the McCormick Spice Throne, and it's his birthday. Nothing would make him happier than a kiss on the cheek!" Of course he turns his head in the nick of time and plants a kiss directly on their lips without fail. His timing was magnificent and the looks on their faces were absolutely priceless.

Brian, I salute you and will continue to celebrate your special day.

Wish you were here,

Craig

3.21.2009

Brian's birthday and yellow roses

Today is my brother’s birthday. He would have been 34.

These next 18 days will be especially difficult for me and my family. We cannot help but rewind those last events, conversations, XU games, dinners, and days from a year ago in our mind as April ninth looms. The date on calendar should not matter for we will always have a deep sadness about Brian’s death and wonder “what could have been?” It seems like the delicate band aids we now wear on our emotional wounds are slowly being ripped off. It still does not seem real - or fair - that they were our last interactions with Brian until we meet again.

It is difficult to do, but Brian would want us to focus on the positive. The things that made us laugh with (and at) him. God was he funny. I remember his unique laugh and loved it when he laughed so hard he cried and had trouble breathing. He would say “God that is funny. It hurts to laugh! Tito, get me a tissue!” Brian frequently made me and others laugh until it hurt.

He publically never liked to make a big deal about his birthday. But, he secretly loved it. As a family we would usually go out to dinner and eat a great meal – which he would leave right after he was done eating , stand up, announce “I gotta go,” and quickly leave the rest of us at the table on his way to another party. I am certain he could not wait to tell the ladies it was his birthday.

The most important lady in Brian's life was his mom. He loved her and always sent his mother a dozen yellow roses on his birthday. These are my mom’s favorite flowers. Brian loved to give my mom a ton of “guff” but also loved making her smile and frequently laugh.

A few months after Brian’s death we decided to utilize a medium in the hopes of contacting Brian. We were (and are) desperate to hear from him. We heard many interesting and fascinating things. Some messages did not connect and some did. One landed a direct hit. As we were winding up, my dad asked the medium “does Brian have a message for his mother?” We could tell the medium was a little puzzled with the response he received. Finally, he said “this is strange…but do yellow roses mean something? I am getting a picture of bunches and bunches of bouquets of yellow roses.”

Brian, your mom got the message then and I will always make sure she gets your birthday message from now on.

Love, your brother

P.S. You know Brian is loving it that Thad Matta just lost to Siena!

3.06.2009

Thanks for making the first annual "have a drink with Brian and 300 of his closest friends X-travaganza a rousing success!

All of the McCormick's would like to express our thanks to the entire Xavier community once again. Through your generosity we were able to raise over $3,000 for "The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund!" Very impressive and it was only our first year.

A special thanks goes out BJ and his entire team at Dana's. You guys were superb.

Thanks to Brian Hicks and everyone at Xavier Athletics for the great X gear and auction items. They were a huge hit.

Thanks to Joe Nugent, Kahn’s Krazy, and John Spencer for their wonderful donations.

Thanks to everyone who attended the "X-travangza" – especially those who travelled such long distances to honor my brother. Xavier is one big family and it seems Dana's is our living room. Your kind words, donations, and beer drinking abilities were truly awesome. It is amazing to see how Brian impacted so many people. Your stories about him warmed our hearts.

Several people asked me to post the verbiage on the commemorative cup for those of you who could not attend. Here goes:

One side had a blue "X". It said: "The first annual 'have a drink with Brian and 300 of his closest friends' X-travaganza! Below the X: "Benefitting ‘The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund’ that helps Xavier University students in financial need.”

The next side said: "If you knew Brian/Pablo you know he loved:

Beating UD in everyway possible!
Spending a lot of money and having nothing to show for it
Good times with family and friends
Xavier University
Being Irish
A great practical joke
Dana's cheesy tater tots
USA! USA! USA!
http://onlybrian.blogspot.com/

We have several left. Also, some auction items were not purchased (autographed Xavier magazine by Cage, Doellman's growth chart, & Lavender's growth chart, and David West's key chain). Please let me know if you are interested. Many people have contacted me and asked where to send a gift. Thank you! Here's how:

The Brian McCormick
Memorial Fund
C/O Xavier University
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
Or call 513-745-3314

Lastly, I would like to thank Sean Miller and our team for spanking UD real good.

For many reasons, my brother is smiling today!

Thank you and God love you all.

3.03.2009

Doowutchyalike

When the classic hip-hop group "Digital Underground" came to Cincinnati in 2000 I bet the last thing they wanted to see front row was four white, preppy dudes wearing Polo's like Brian, Ted, Adam, and I, but that's exactly what they got!

As the lights in the club dimmed a hype-man got on the mic and announced this show was being taped and segments of the concert would be available on their Live Tour DVD and online... if you didn't know, that's like saying "I Dare You" to me and Brian.

Soon classic beats start to pour out of the speakers and the four of us weasel our way to the front row on a stage that came up to our belly's. They rapped all our favorites; Doowutchyalike, Freaks of the Industry, Underwater Rhymes and we were jumping up and down like broken pogo sticks. Out of the corner we see a stage-hand run out with an armful of beers for the lead Shock G. Why on Earth he set them directly in front of us I have no idea, but we took it as an invitation. After about 30 seconds we snagged one of Shock G's Coronas and were "taking a knee" sharing in chugging it. Obviously if you're reading this you know Brian and chugging with Brian is a bunch of no fun since he holds the world record in making beers disappear down his gullet. So one beer turned to 3 then 4, but nothing, and I mean nothing, beats the look on Shock G's face when he looks down to see all his beers empty and Brian holding the last of the six-pack raising the roof with it!

Best part, Shock was cool with it and waved to his guy to bring out more! Next thing you know he's handing us beers and laughing at us through Kiss You Back. For the final tune, Humpty Dance, the band comes out with silly string and homeboy throws us a can to squirt all over the each other and the jealous crowd!

Turns out we all made it onto the website with the group saying it was the best show on tour!

Brian, you lived life to the fullest and I miss you more everyday Bro.

3.02.2009

Major props to Brian Hicks and the entire Xavier Athletic Department for their generosity and warm wishes. They provided some really cool stuff that we hope will generate a ton of interest and major bucks for Brian's memorial fund that helps XU kids in financial distress.

Bidding will start at 6 pm on Thursday, 3/5, at Dana's. It will end at 7:45 and the party will wrap up at 8. For those of you who are unable to make the event and still want to bid, contact me at mmccormick@bahl-gaynor.com indicate your desired item(s), initial bid, and max bid. If possible, I may be able to text you with 10 minutes to go and get your final price. We will accept cash or checks made out to "The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund." Finally, we reserve the right to pull an item if it does not meet its reserve price and all sales are final.

Item #1: Xavier Men's Basketball 1,000 Point Club Playing Cards/Poster. (Cards are "uncut" and suitable for framing.)