Brian, the Maisonette and the Viking helmet

Brian would have been 35 today. It is tough to imagine him getting older. In my mind (and many others) Brian never viewed himself as an adult. He thought – and often acted – like a “big kid.” Man, he would have hated getting grey hair and would have joked that he “needed a new rug.”

One of Brian’s best birthdays was 14 years ago when he turned 21. My parents had treated me and several of my friends to a great dinner at The Precinct when I turned 21. (We had a great time and Brian ordered a “Tanqueray and Tonic” like a pro even though he was only 16.) Brian, naturally, wanted a similar experience and upped the ante by requesting we go to the Maisonette. At the time, the Maisonette was the best restaurant in Cincinnati and maintained a five star Mobil ranking longer than any other restaurant in the US. In short, it was the best of the best.

Brian invited several of his friends. There were so many of us, we had to use the upstairs party room (near the flags in the photo) that was used by then President Clinton for a fund raiser only one hour before our dinner. We had a sublime meal filled with great conversation and laughter. Brian got mad at me when I asked one of his lady friends “what the hell are you going to do with a French degree?” I honestly do not know if he ever forgave me for “embarrassing him like that?” (Did Brian really, ever, get embarrassed?) Brain played the role of host, court jester, and practically licked his plate after devouring all the great food. He was humming and in his glory.

The funniest thing of the evening occurred when we were leaving. My parents, Susan, and I watched Brian’s friends pile in his blue/green Saturn POS. They were dressed to the nines, just ate at one of the nation’s best restaurants and acting cool. They pulled away and we followed. We noticed Brian had several things on the back “deck” of his Saturn’s rear window. The most prominent object was a rather large, plastic Viking helmet with horns.

We burst out loud at the contrast between a person who could eat at the Maisonette and also wear a Viking helmet with horns. I doubt the valets saw many Viking helmets and exactly zero other Maisonette patrons had similar headgear! This memory personifies Brian to me. Humor was always in his mind no matter what he was doing and that he was his own person.

It is tough to believe where we were 14 years ago. What a great memory. What a great brother.

Happy birthday Brian!

Help our Muskies and our nation today!

ST. PATRICK'S DAY

As you very well know St. Patrick's Day was Brian's absolute favorite holiday and we celebrated the event with Irish Pride every year. In college, Brian would spring for a box of cheap champagne and we'd have the best house party on campus. After graduation we made road-trips to Chicago to party for the weekend in the Windy-City with our fellow XU grads Johnny Personette and Dan Brice for four years straight and those times were the most memorable (probably for the lack of cheap champagne.) This holiday is always tough on all of us because it reminds us of Brian and the joy he brought to all who knew him.
Last night in memory of my best friend Brian Dargin McCormick, I dedicated a toast to him on stage during break for our sold out Sublime tribute band concert. 1300 people all joined me in pouring out a sip of drink for our friends and family that are no longer with us and we will continue to love and miss very much.

Nags Head Trip

A few photos from a family trip to Nags Head celebrating Joanna's graduation from college.

I think it's one of the very rare photos of Brian outdoors with his shirt off working on what Matt likes to call his "savage Irish tan."

Patrick's Baptism

These are some pictures I found of Brian and the McCormicks at Patrick's Baptism. Notice Brian's ever-present goofy grin.

I remember he arranged for a bagpiper to play as the family walked out of the church. Nice memories.

Brian and Wesley Snipes

Somehow I started thinking about Wesley Snipes today and remembered Brian’s hilarious post on Xavier hoops about Snipes.

Brian and I loved "New Jack City" and watched it a thousand times. We would dissect the plot and discussed the inner meaning of what “bust a cap on the mowat” meant? (We think it involves champagne).

Brian also believed Wesley Snipes should have received an Academy Award for his nuanced performance as drug king pin Nino Brown.

Check out Brian’s wit and laugh at his “logic:”

The greatest actor of our age

Snipes has played more roles in the modern age than any other actor, if I am wrong let me know who has been in the same/more roles.

Football player

Basketball player

Baseball player

Boxer

Prison Boxing Champ

Drug Kingpin

Ex-Drug Dealer

Transvestite

Vampire

Jazz musician

Cop

Ex-Cop

Federal Marshal

Thief

CIA Agent

Ex-CIA Agent

United Nations secret agent

Secret Service Agent

Construction worker

Architect

Dancer (Michael Jackson "Bad" video)

Soldier

Ambulance Driver

Only Brian would think this deep about Wesley Snipes, take the time to research his roles, and post it on a Xavier message board. Yep, that is why we love him and miss his crazy, off the wall stuff that only he could pull off.

You're missed Brian

Another note of thanks

These notes never get old. In fact, they make my day!

Dear Mr. McCormick:

I recently received some of the Brian McCormick funds to help pay my tuition. Without this aid I would have been unable to pay my bills as I am solely supporting myself through school. I cannot begin to express my appreciation to you for supplying this fund in honor of your brother. Thank you so very much.

Sincerely,

Name Withheld

** You are most welcome. The Brian McCormick Memorial Fund is supplied by all of the McCormick's (not just me) and our family/friends. This type of fund was Brian's idea. We are just making his dream - and yours - a reality. Best, Matt **

"May God continue to use the generosity of Brian’s legacy to change lives in the same way you have changed mine."

What a great belated Christmas gift!  It appears the gift was received in December and the thank you note was delayed.  Letters like these define why Brian’s fund exists.  You know God has some serious plans for this young lady.

Dear McCormick Family:

May apologies for the tardiness of this note. I found it between the seats in my car. I thought I had mailed it with some other things. While, these sentiments are very much delayed, I assure you that they are still accurate and sincere. Your blessing is very much alive and will be in my heart and my prayers.

Sincerely,

Name withheld

Dear McCormick Family:

Merry Christmas! I hope that this card finds you well and anticipating a joyful holiday season. Thank you so much for a very unexpected gift from Xavier’s McCormick Memorial Fund. My family is referring to your gift as “my Christmas miracle” and there has never been a truer statement.

I look forward to the day when God allows me to express my gratitude by “paying it forward” by being a blessing to someone else to the same magnitude that you have blessed me. Your gift has enabled me to pay rent and buy Christmas presents for my brother and sister.

May God continue to use the generosity of Brian’s legacy to change lives in the same way you have changed mine.

My sincerest gratitude,

Name withheld

Prayer request for a friend of Brian and the McCormicks

The McCormick Family is asking The Xavier Nation to pray for one of their daughters who needs our help.

Rosellen Creighton is a dear friend of our family and is loved by my brother Brian (who really appreciated those sweet NCAA seats in Nashville). She is a huge supporter of Xavier and helped make our University what it is today. Her, and the Sisters of Mercy, are asking all of us to pray to Catherine McAuley for a miracle cure for Rosellen.

Please read her letter and pray the prayer below to Catherine McAuley for Rosellen. Think of it as a “three-fer”; Rosellen gets cured, Catherine McAuley becomes a Saint, and the Sisters are happy. Does anyone want mad Nuns? I don’t!

I know the Xavier “family” will help our own once again. This is why the Xavier Nation is truly great!

Thank you & God Bless you, Rosellen Creighton, and all fans of Xavier University!

Time to step it up Brian!

MM

Dearest Friends:

I desperately need your help. As we skip along life’s path, we occasionally trip over a pebble, or sometimes a large rock. Usually we fall, get up and get on with our journey with a minor scrape and sometimes stitches. Unfortunately, I have slammed into (as my grandchildren would say) a “ginormous” boulder.

For the past year and a half I could tell my body was not feeling like my body. After many tests and doctors’ visits I have been diagnosed with “upper motor neuron” disease…which qualifies as Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS. It is incurable and there are no effective treatments. Life as I have known it has drastically changed.

My professors, mentors and friends from Edgecliff College, The Religious Sisters of Mercy, have presented me with something that is doable. Their founder, the Venerable Catherine McAuley, needs a miracle to be considered for Beatification – on her way to Sainthood. I want to be her miracle. I have enclosed information about Catherine McAuley and a prayer. Please open the card to the 8 x 10 size. This is where the prayer is. Please pray for my cure. Help me soar over this “ginormous” boulder.

Thank you all for your prayers. I appreciate every one!

Love, Rosellen

PRAYER FOR THE SICK
God of Love and Mercy
You inspired Catherine McAuley
To serve your Son
By responding to the needs of the sick,
We ask that through her prayers
You reach out with your healing prayers
You reach out with your healing love
And restore
ROSELLEN CREIGHTON
To full health,
We ask this in complete confidence
Through Jesus Christ, Your Son.
Amen.
Venerable Catherine Pray for us.

Brian would love this video

HIGH-FIVE SUPER BOWL! - watch more funny videos

I recently saw this video and I can promise you Brian would love it.