Fishing and Tommy Boy

Patrick, my dad and I just got back from Canada on a fishing trip.  As you can see, Patrick is turning out to be quite the fisherman.  (He caught the biggest fish only 10 minutes after arriving at the camp!) 

 

I could not help remembering the many fishing trips we all took with Brian.  We were fortunate to go to many places and occasionally caught some big fish.  (We usually just drank beer, told lies and had a blast everywhere we went.) After one Costa Rica trip, Brian asked to see my carry-on bag after we cleared customs.  He quickly rifled through stuff and pulled out the airplane’s life preserver that I thought was under my seat!  (Brian placed it in my bag without my knowledge.) He simply said “thanks.”  I was dumbfounded and said “Hey!  I could have been busted! I think that is a felony.”  Brian mumbled “Umm…yeah… maybe…but, you didn’t get caught and it would have been great to see your reaction if you did.”   I was speechless for one of the few times in my life. 

 

I later learned Brian pulled out the life preserver at a Xavier party.  He told me it was just like the pre-flight safety announcement scene in “Tommy Boy” where Chris Farley opened the preserver and almost choked.  Brian said it was just like the movie as the preserver nearly choked him as it inflated!  He laughingly told me he struggled to find a fork – so he could stab it several times – in order to breathe.   Brian also thought it was funny the FAA would probably get a notice that a life preserver, previously on a plane from Costa Rica, would suddenly go off at 2 AM in Cincinnati, Ohio.  He laughed thinking about some FAA nerd trying to figure it out.

 

 

As the title of the blog says….”Only Brian!”   

Brian and Andy from Andy's Mediterranean Grille

 

I heard from Andy Hajjar recently. You may know him from “Andy’s Mediterranean Grille.”  (http://www.andyskabob.com/index.html) Brian lived close by and loved to eat there on a regular basis. (Brian – as a true gourmand -  probably ate at Andy’s more than he dined at his own house!)  Brian soon became fast friends with Andy and the entire restaurant staff.  He would frequently go out on the town with them.  Brian would especially delight in telling me stories about his exploits and fun times he often had with Andy.  

 

Andy’s kind note stated he “could not believe it has been five years” and how he “really missed him.”  He encouraged us to stop by (we will!) and remembered Brian’s “favorite beer was Almaza” how he used to eat “Tawook Kabob.”

 

Thank you Andy for remembering Brian and for being his friend.  I think it is great that Brian is still loved and missed by so many people.  I also think it is perfect that Brian is also remembered by Andy for what he would love to eat and drink! 

 

I can hear him humming now as he ate the Tawook Kabob!

XU Grad’s June 6th Book Signing At Dana’s – Also a Fundraiser for Brian McCormick’s (Pablo) Memorial Fund

Ashley (Kuehner) Scribner is a 2002 Xavier graduate.  Her brother Aaron used to get in trouble with Brian.  Ashley and her husband (Curtis - also a XU grad) recently published a children's book called "Findlay: A Cincinnati Pig Tale."  It is now on Amazon (click here) and will hit bookshelves shortly.

 

The Scribners are having a book signing on June sixth at Dana's.  They will graciously give a portion of every book sold that night to Brian's Memorial Fund.  This fund - thanks to support from the Xavier Community - has kept over 70 XU kids in school.

 

Please stop by Dana's on June sixth and support these wonderfully kind and creative Xavier graduates.  In addition, you get to drink beer and help Pablo keep more Xavier students in school. 

 

THANK you to Ashley, Curtis and BJ for their amazing generosity and kindness.  These are the people - and the reasons - why Xavier is special and UD is not.

 

God Bless you and yours.  The McCormick Family. 

Caroline's First Communion & Justin

Caroline had her first communion today. She looked beautiful and we had enough food to feed an army - three of them! It was great having the entire family over to our house. Family gatherings are a superb time to meet, tell stories, laugh and appreciate how blessed we are.

 

Justin had the story of the day. He went to the University of Dayton's graduation earlier today to celebrate Jenny's sister's graduation. UD allowed text messages to be displayed on the score board like "Congratulations Billy" or "Way to go Jane." Justin, in Brian's honor, tried to text: "GO XU!" "Xavier rules. UD sucks. Love, Pablo."

 

Amazingly, "THE MAN" in charge refused to post them after numerous attempts. Imagine why?

 

Susan and I thank everyone for help celebrating a big day in Caroline’s life.  Also, take care and God Bless Jenny and Justin on the newest journey in your lives.     

Five years

Today, it is the five year anniversary of Brian’s death.  Anniversaries are usually good things.  This is, of course, not one of those days any of us are fond of remembering.  The world sure has changed.  We have too.  Older, grayer and just different is how things are with me now with my only brother gone.  I catch looks of him in smiles from Patrick.  I see that “look” in Caroline when he was trying to get away with something.  I think about Brian daily.  Sometimes at the oddest moments and often I just laugh out loud of some of the crap he pulled. 

One of the greatest Brian stories ever occurred when he was on a cruise with his group of friends.  There was a couple from New Jersey that Brian instantly disliked.  From my understanding, the feeling was mutual.  Well, on the last night of the cruise, Brian went up to the couple and said: “I am sorry we did not get along on the trip.  How about I make it up to you?  I already talked to the captain and told him your dinner is on me.”  Then, Brian walked away.

The New Jersey couple could hardly believe their luck.  Brian told me he watched them order lobster, steak, champagne, multiple desserts, etc.  They were running up a huge tab like Tony Soprano!  After they had their fill, the couple walked away from the table.  The captain said: “What are you doing?”  The NJ guy said: “It’s OK.  Brian McCormick told me he talked to you about paying my dinner bill.”  The captain said: “Brian McCormick told me no such thing.” 

Brian told me you could literally see steam coming out of the New Jersey guy’s ears, nose and mouth.  He was so angry and had to pay a whopper of a bill!

The next day Brian saw the couple in customs.  He said: “How was dinner?”  Brian told me he could not stop laughing because they guy let out a string of curse words that are still probably floating over the Caribbean. 

You see, Brian was so freaking funny AND smart at the same time!  He KNEW the NJ guy would try and take advantage of the situation and run up Brian’s supposed tab.  He KNEW he could not help himself and would delight in “sticking it to McCormick” all the while he was actually sticking “it” to himself. 

 

All the McCormick’s delight in telling that story about Brian because EVERYONE says it is great.  It personifies Brian; funny, smart and wickedly clever. Not a bad way to be described if you think of it. 

 

These April days are the toughest.   They are not easy years later and I still catch myself reaching for the phone to call him.  I often wonder what he would have done.  How he would have handled something and what he would become. 

 

I find great solace in his Memorial fund.  This fund was his idea.  Helping 70 Xavier students stay in school (so far) is a powerful legacy for Brian that I am determined to keep going.  I like to think he helps us – and those needy XU kids – in little ways.  (I feel his has helped me in numerous ways.)  God knows, we could use all the help we can get! 

 

Remember Brian with a smile today.  Also remember him the next time you see a guy from New Jersey with an attitude – and hope he was the guy Brian “got” at dinner!

 

Love you and miss you Brian! 

A late Christmas card produces a smile!

Dear Mr. McCormick:

I apologize deeply for the late thank you note.  I hope that I did not come off as ungrateful because that is the complete opposite of what I am.  Your blessing could not have come at a better time.  Just when I thought that I would have to leave school because of finances, you made it possible for me to stay.  I cannot say to you enough, how much of a blessing you were.  I’m really sorry for the late thank you, but life has been happening, yet this is no excuse.  Right before school started in August, my family went through a very tough patch.  But, thank you for keeping the dream alive for another semester because, I was discouraged as the funds I needed for school were no longer available.  I thought I would not be able to attend Xavier.  But, God made it happen.  My mom is trying to pay tuition by herself and worries she will not be able to make ends meet.  I really enjoy school and my first semester GPA was 3.0.  This should have been better, but I was a little distracted and could have tried harder also.  But, I want you to know that you are an angel and will have a special place in Heaven.  I once watched a show where a man died and came back.  He saw God and was asked “what good have you done in your life?”  He could not answer.  But, when that day comes, you can proudly say “I helped ______ ______ stay in school.”  I thank you so very much!  As you can see, the card was supposed to be sent around Christmas, oops!  I hope your family’s holidays were awesome and full of memories. 

Sincerely,

Name withheld

** Your kind note is appreciated.  However, I am not an angle - and none of the McCormicks' are!  Please remember all contributions to Brian's fund are from the McCormick family, Brian's friends and the Xavier Nation.  Best, MM **

Great time last night!

 

Thanks for everyone coming to Dana's and celebrating Brian.  Everyone had a great time and it felt like Brian was with us.  We especially appreciate the effort from all of Brian's friends and family from out of town.  Wish the score could have been different!  Thanks to BJ and everyone at Dana's too. 

Love, the McCormicks

2/23/13: "Beers for Brian" 12-2 PM @ Dana's

I am looking forward to seeing everyone there. It is always a great time to remember Brian and have some fun. Remember, seek me out and you "shall be rewarded!" Take care and God bless you and yours. Matt　 

Brian/Pablo and the XU/UD game

Brian’s “feelings” towards the University of Dayton are well known and will be dissected by fans and scholars for years to come.  He was one of Xavier University’s biggest fans and his nom de guerre on the XU message boards was “Pablo.”  Brian loved beating UD.  He especially delighted in irritating the “Flyer Faithful” whenever possible and they absolutely despised “Pablo.”  Brian pushed – and exceeded – normal fan boundaries through his numerous “provocative” posts, his epic live rant on WHIO 1290 “Flyer Feedback” and making watermelons forever associated with the University of Dayton. 

We decided not to hold a fund raiser for Brian’s memorial fund at XU prior to the UD game this year as the game was on a Wednesday and at 9 PM.  This is the first time since 2008 we have not held an event.  (I understand many of Brian’s buddies are going to Dana’s at noon on 2/23/13 prior to the 2 PM VCU game.  We are not conducting a fund raiser at that time and are contemplating new ways to honor Brian and raise more jack. All are welcome and people may still donate directly to XU in his name at anytime.  I encourage anyone who knew Brian to seek me out as you will be “rewarded!”)

The McCormick’s went to Dana’s prior to the UD game to have “Pablo’s cheesy tater tots, a burger and beer.  Though we did not discuss it, it was also partly to think of Brian, honor him in our own way and think of him as we know he would be exactly at this spot if he was physically with us. 

As I have discussed before, Brian seems to make his presence known to us in mysterious ways.  Some may call them coincidences - I call it “really cool.”  Case in point, while we were at dinner Susan received an email from Barnum & Bailey circus addressed to Brian McCormick.  Brian took Patrick, Susan and I to the circus at the UD Arena when Patrick was five.  What are the odds that Susan would get an email addressed to Brian, while at Dana’s an hour before the XU/UD game?   

 

Here is another example; the game was really close and there was less than a minute to play.  I silently prayed to Brian “c’mon Brian, help your boys out.  They really need some help.”  Take a look at the video below.  Number 15 shot a deep three.  It went a close as possible to going in and then suddenly it popped out.  XU got the rebound, got fouled/made some free throws and the game was over.  This video does not do this shot justice.  Our seats are right in line with the basket and I absolutely thought that three-pointer was in and yet it was not.  Many people said it was "divine influence."  Brian was not divine - but he could and did "influence" many people and things!  Maybe even this shot?

http://www.daytondailynews.com/videos/news/final-seconds-of-ud-xavier/vpbNn/

One day I will ask Brian did he do this stuff.  Knowing Brian, he will take complete credit and even make up some things too.  Either way, both experiences made us feel that Brian is with us.  Lastly, thanks Pablo!  It is so sweet to beat UD! 

Two more students stay at Xavier thanks to you!

 

Dear Mr. McCormick:

I just wanted to give you special thanks for helping me with my college tuition.  It means soooo much to me that there are people out there who are still able to give back to educate the young. With that money, I was able to complete the rest of my semester with a 3.0 GPA.  Now I am able to complete my last two semesters of college and graduate.  I wouldn’t be able to do this without your help.  You have inspired me to do the same when I get out of school. I want to give back to less fortunate college students like you did for me.  I will never forget the blessing you have given me.  Thank you again and happy holidays!

 

Name withheld

 

Dear McCormick Family:

 

Thank you for your generosity.  I received $1,000 from the Brian McCormick Fund to help me with my tuition here at Xavier University for the fall semester of 2012.  Thanks to your help.  I will now be able to complete my sophomore year as a pre-med student.  I aspire to be a pediatrician and you helped me on my journey to reach my goal. Thank you!  I hope you have a wonderful new year! 

 

Sincerely,

Name withheld