A BIG THANK YOU!

[HurricaneMikey]

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to send out a group 'Thank You' to everyone who has contributed monetarily and otherwise to the Save Mikey fund. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel to be associated with such a great group of people who have come to my rescue in my hour of need. graemlins/nworthy.gif

So far I've raised about $630 in donations between Doug's Paypal account and my new Paypal account. I've also recieved checks in the mail this past week totalling over $400.

I *should* be getting my car back from the shop on Tuesday, and with the donations and what I still have on hand, I should have enough to cover the repair bill.

I also want to mention some of the other nice things that have come my way. First of all, a big thank-you to Ken for the book auction, and to Rambill for his generous winning bid--that will definitely help with the school tuition! I've also received a top-of-the line cigar to enjoy during the Madness, a couple of Exxon gas cards to ease the burden of the $2.25 per gallon prices here, an AMEX gift card, and a couple of very generous folks have stocked my freezer with loads of goodies from Omaha Steaks. graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

What could have been a disastrous beginning to my Vegas adventure has turned into a very good thing. I have never been the recipient of so much goodwill and generousity as has been shown to me this week, and for that I am most thankful. I have gone from the depths of despair--driving cross country and spending the miles trying to figure out how I was going to overcome the obstacles that had been thrown down in front of me, to the huge sigh of relief that comes with the knowledge that a significant burden has been lifted.

Thank you all for your kindness, generousity, happy thoughts, well-wishes, and support. It means more to me than you'll ever know.

Mikey

[Jack21]

You ain't seen nuthin' yet....for a few of us, just you wait, say....eleven days graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

J21

[blackjack]

Got that right Jack!! You should be well taken care of come next week Mikey.

I'm not sure, but I think I saw "SAVE MIKEY" on a water tower while driving home today graemlins/laughing.gif .

[RamBill]

Exactly Jack!! Wait 'til next week Mikey!!

OMAHA STEAKS?!?!?!!?!?! WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!! graemlins/drooling.gif That makes me want to shovel out my special Weber and break out the really GOOD charcoal!!!!!!! Yes, I have different grills AND charcoal that I use depending on what I'm cooking.

MIKEY PLEASE PROMISE ME YOU WON'T RUIN THOSE STEAKS BY USING (SHUDDER) PROPANE!!!!!!

[LV Terry]

Propane Rules!! graemlins/laughing.gif

That being said, I did the super manly oak logs bbq this weekend in the park for a big gathering...got home sunburned and smelling like smoke, but it's a great way spend an afternoon.

Beavis: Fire! Fire! Fire!
Butthead: huhuhuhuhuh fire is cool...

[HurricaneMikey]

Fellas...I live with chicks.

There is no BBQ in my backyard. I just brought what would fit in an 8-foot Uhaul trailer with me, and that means, clothes, books, electronics, and that's all.

I had to leave my bed behind, my floor lamp, my bookcase, my charcoal BBQ, etc! Of course the plan was to by all new stuff when I got here, but that went out the window about 80 miles outside of Nashville.

Nope, them steaks will either stay in the freezer until I find a grill, or get cooked under the gas broiler in my oven. The burgers, however, I have *no* problem cooking them on the cast iron skillet.

Mikey

[Cyndi]

I miss you MIKEY!!

You have some wonderful friends, and I am so greatful that they have been so generous towards you.

Cook a steak for me!!
Love ya,
Cyndi

[wackymama]

Hi all you T2V'ers...This is Mikey's mama giving you all a big THANK YOU for all the support you've given my boy. It's wonderful to know there are people in the world like you.
Mikey is one of a kind and I miss him, but he'll be fine in Sin City.
I hope ya'll have a grrrreat time at MM. I've heard so much about from Mikey, that I can almost visualize it....hmmmmm...is that a good thing??
I love reading all your messages...keep'um coming.

[wackymama]

Mikey, I haven't had a good breakfast since you left....

[Coaster Kikky]

Mama!! Great to meet you!

I see Mikey said this is the best way to keep tabs on him, and I think he's probably not pulling your leg.

(Mikey, don't worry, none of us are going to put *everything* in our trip reports!)

[ken2v]

Mikey, forget the broiler and leaving those steaks in the freezer too long. Just high-heat -- that's 550 for us with our ovens -- roast 'em. We cook a lot of beef this way and we have both gas and charcoal BBQs as an option.

[RamBill]

get cooked under the gas broiler NNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOO

MIKEY PLEASE at least buy a 10.00 hibachi for those steaks!! Actually, if they don't mind the smoke that cast iron skillet is a good way to cook those steaks as well.....

[ March 07, 2005, 08:15 AM: Message edited by: RamBill ]

[Coaster Kikky]

Damn, you guys are making me hungry! Good thing it's almost lunch time. Damn shame they don't sell steaks at the little deli in my building.

[HurricaneMikey]

Yeah, I'm a big fan of the cast iron skillet...it cooks the best damn grilled cheese on the planet. graemlins/biggthumpup.gif I use it for just about everything. I was thinking of cooking the pork chops on it, then putting them in a deep skillet with some cream of mushroom soup to simmer for a bit (yeah, I got porkchops too!)

Anyhow, I'm sure I'll toss a steak on there, too!

Thanks again everyone, for everything!

Mikey

[blackjack]

Originally posted by HurricaneMikey:
Fellas...I live with chicks... I had to leave my bed behindAm I the only one that wants to know??? graemlins/hehehmn.gif

[doctor_al]

Originally posted by ken2v:
Just high-heat -- that's 550 for us with our ovens :eek:
Isn't that the "Clean" setting on an electric oven?

[ March 07, 2005, 10:11 AM: Message edited by: doctor_al ]

[Pimp_N_M]

Before you throw a can of soup on your porkchops. Marinate them in a ziploc bag with pineapple juice, apple juice, salt and soy sauce. That's what I do, and I have never gotten a complaint. When you are cooking for the ladies. Microwave a little bit of honey, stir in some soy sauce and spoon it over the pork. Works everytime.

[ March 07, 2005, 10:12 AM: Message edited by: Pimp_N_M ]

[Coaster Kikky]

Pimp, that does sound good, but a bit on the salty side... I'd guess that unless you're using the low-sodium soy sauce you could do without adding salt to the concoction smile.gif

[Pimp_N_M]

Salt helps water penetrate into the meat. I meant maybe a teaspoon of salt for 4 chops.

[RamBill]

Threadjacked to Cooking ala Vegas or Strippers In The Kitchen, Makin' Bacon......

Too salty a recipe for the girls. They'll bloat and not fit into their thongs. Use low sodium Soy, forget the salt and don't bother with the cream of mushroom if you marinate. Use low sodium soup too.

[Coaster Kikky]

Originally posted by RamBill:
They'll bloat and not fit into their thongs. Thongs have spandex too! graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

... is this too much information? graemlins/ssst.gif

[RamBill]

True, but who wants to dance when they're feeling all "puffy"? graemlins/goofy.gif

[LV Terry]

What the hell is wrong with you people?

Fire

Meat

repeat as necessary.

edited to add: graemlins/jester.gif

[ March 07, 2005, 11:28 AM: Message edited by: LV Terry ]

[RamBill]

Terry, who the heck are ya, Hank Hill???? Propane, grrrrrrrr. graemlins/jester.gif

[sunni]

Welcome aboard Mikey's Mama !

sunni

[Pimp_N_M]

That isn't Hank Hill as in Henry Hill, right? Otherwise that is a serious insult.

[Billy from TX.]

Mikey,

If and when you make it back Dallas way, we have got to have a fish fry in your honor, man!

I have got a freezer full of crappie and I just got through cleaning 10 more. It might be a couple years when you can make it out this way, but let me know when and I will ice down the beer and stock up on some Captain just for you.

[Billy from TX.]

And by the way it is Hank Hill as in propane and probane accessories.

[LV Dawn]

Just to differentiate between the two, Hank Hill is the cartoon character and Henry Hill is the guy that Goodfella's was based on, the one that hacked up a few people.

[Pimp_N_M]

I was being ironical

[RamBill]

Gol' Dang it, 6 am and already that boy ain't right...

[ncgirl]

hey
im so farking hapey
drunk i lov u mikey'
....deb

[Pimp_N_M]

I concur

[HurricaneMikey]

Hey Gang--update time!

With all the generousity that has come my way since I began this little adventure, I had enough to get my car out of the shop as soon as they finished it--today. Yep, it took 'em TEN days to fix it. I musta jacked it up somethin' fierce! :eek:

And thanks to Dougie's internet snooping found me a coupon for a hundred bucks off the tranny rebuild, so I saved a little there! Only $1707 to get me back on the road again, so I was able to take the rental car back today, finally. graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

Anyhow, thanks again--I'm drivin' tangible proof of the great community spirit of this board!

Mikey

[Dougie]

I want a picture of you parking that baby at Nick Kallos' school. Perfect neighborhood, perfect ride, and PIMP DADDY MIGUEL steppin' out!

[sunni]

Mikey,
Do you think you could give us an updated ball park figure on the HM relief fund effort ? Just wondering...
Sunni

[HurricaneMikey]

Hey Sunni...

Yes, I can.

After all the donations of cash and otherwise, I received just a little over two thousand dollars worth of goodwill. graemlins/biggthumpup.gif

I think I collected about $375 that night at the Main Street Station brewpub, and luckily parlayed that into over a thousand dollars at the craps tables during the Madness. The car is fixed, I managed to get enrolled in school, I had a great time at the Madness--not short stacked at all, and I paid a few bills and stocked up supplies.

I also had two individuals tell me that if I needed anything else above and beyond, just to let them know and it was taken care of. Luckily I never had to cash those chips.

I'm not exactly comfortable yet, but at least I'm ok and not sweating about money anymore. I still get a little income from the past job, and I should get my first paycheck two weeks from tomorrow. Granted it won't be much, but at least it'll be something I've finally earned.

When I think back about all the kindness and support from everyone here, I still get a little emotional. It was truly a humbling experience. I can't thank everyone enough.

I'm a little bummed out because I had a sheet that I'd put everyone's name and donation that sent me something, and ever since that week of the Madness when I was gone for five days, I can't find it anywhere. I've torn up my room and my car and still haven't located it, and I'm truly bummed because I wanted to keep it forever...Someday when life is good and all is well, I wanted to unfold that paper, raise my glass to everyone, and appreciate just how far I've come.

Truly I am one of the richest men in Vegas. graemlins/beerchug.gif

Mikey smile.gif

[ April 07, 2005, 11:27 PM: Message edited by: HurricaneMikey ]

[Jacko]

Get rid of the Lincoln while the air shocks are holding up. $1500 a pair for those things is too much.

[sunni]

Very cool...
Thanks for the update..

sunni