[GoodGrief]

Just wanted to send my sincerest regrets for not being able to attend the Cardboard get-together and assorted pre-game festivities. Mrs. GoodGrief and I are flying back on NYE from visiting family in Chicago, so we're gonna miss out on all that good stuff. One of the highlights of my Orange Bowl experience was the Cardboard get-together that Garvin organized at the something-street diner in Miami. Admittedly, much of the reason for that was because they served a milkshake into which they blended a whole slice of apple pie. But second only to that milkshake was the really fun opportunity to finally attach faces to Cardboard handles that I knew so well.

Garvin sent me a sweet note about my upcoming absence from Cardboard festivities for the second year in a row in which the phrase "traitorous *****" and "force you to live under a bridge" were used. I almost teared up. And it reminded me of one of the highlights of my honeymoon in Australia last year: watching the Fiesta Bowl with my best friend in a Sydney sports bar while my newlywed wife went shopping. Ahh, Norman Rockwell couldn't have painted a more idyllic honeymoon scene. Umm, if she reads this I may need to go live under a bridge.

Just as another reminisce, I remember somebody pointing out David Marrero's parents at the Miami get-together, and I remember not knowing what to say, so I didn't say anything to them at all. After it was all over, naturally I realized the right thing to say which was, "We were fortunate to have your son play for us, and I'm glad he chose us over Notre Dame. I'm sorry that he didn't get a fair chance from Walt Harris, but I wish him the best at SJSU and beyond." As often happens, I think of the right thing after it's too late ("Jerkstore!")

Anyway, have a great time! And yes, Din Tai Fung for juicy pork&crab potstickers. Pay attention to the instructions on how to eat them or else you'll boil your mouth. Also, if you get a chance, blend a slice of apple pie into a milkshake.

[GoodGrief]

Just wanted to send my sincerest regrets for not being able to attend the Cardboard get-together and assorted pre-game festivities. Mrs. GoodGrief and I are flying back on NYE from visiting family in Chicago, so we're gonna miss out on all that good stuff. One of the highlights of my Orange Bowl experience was the Cardboard get-together that Garvin organized at the something-street diner in Miami. Admittedly, much of the reason for that was because they served a milkshake into which they blended a whole slice of apple pie. But second only to that milkshake was the really fun opportunity to finally attach faces to Cardboard handles that I knew so well.

Garvin sent me a sweet note about my upcoming absence from Cardboard festivities for the second year in a row in which the phrase "traitorous *****" and "force you to live under a bridge" were used. I almost teared up. And it reminded me of one of the highlights of my honeymoon in Australia last year: watching the Fiesta Bowl with my best friend in a Sydney sports bar while my newlywed wife went shopping. Ahh, Norman Rockwell couldn't have painted a more idyllic honeymoon scene. Umm, if she reads this I may need to go live under a bridge.

Just as another reminisce, I remember somebody pointing out David Marrero's parents at the Miami get-together, and I remember not knowing what to say, so I didn't say anything to them at all. After it was all over, naturally I realized the right thing to say which was, "We were fortunate to have your son play for us, and I'm glad he chose us over Notre Dame. I'm sorry that he didn't get a fair chance from Walt Harris, but I wish him the best at SJSU and beyond." As often happens, I think of the right thing after it's too late ("Jerkstore!")

Anyway, have a great time! And yes, Din Tai Fung for juicy pork&crab potstickers. Pay attention to the instructions on how to eat them or else you'll boil your mouth. Also, if you get a chance, blend a slice of apple pie into a milkshake.