Been away for awhile.  Have u missed me?   I don't know if I'll resume this blog but you can check out my writing at www.t2themike.com or www.rsnsports.com

Hope all is well

13 years of marriage......I am a lucky man 8-4-13

       August 5th, 2000 I married Joan McKown and I am still honored and humbled to call her my wife. It's not always been easy but it has been very fulfilling and she has made me a better person in many ways. In fact, without her I don't know where I would be 

     Some of the things that have made our nuptials successful are the previously mentioned Etch-a-sketch practice,  the fact we don't keep score on issues, and maybe the biggest reason of all is that I try to improve as a husband every day.   I sometimes say that I want to make all the other girls jealous, let me explain that.   I know I'm not a trophy husband and I have no problem living with that but what I mean when I say make other girls  jealous is in the way I treat her.  I want them going home thinking boy I wish my guy treated me the way he treats her. Opening doors, taking her hand and dancing a few steps to a song on the PA in public or expressing my love for her to our server at a restaurant 

     My life has taken many turns.  I can say that the day I met Joan was a turning point to which I am forever grateful. She loves me for me and nothing else.  A few years ago I almost lost her.  She was so sick that she was unconscious for 10 days and the Drs would only guarantee she would live for one hour at a time.  She was swollen twice her body size and was almost unrecognizable.  I spent most of 29 days with her at the hospital even sleeping on the floor several nights at the beginning when she was so critically ill.   I don't know what I would have done if she had not made it.  It was truly a miracle from God.  It put so many things in perspective about life on Earth.  

     Guys, if you have a woman you love don't hesitate to tell her,  to kiss her in public and walk with her hand in hand.  It's not a sin to let her be right about something even though that might not have been the way you would have done it.  Show her respect and treat her as if this might be the last day you get to give her a hug or call her by her nickname

    Boo, I love you with all my heart.  Thank you for making me a better man and for being my best friend.  Thank you for allowing me to be me and thank you for saying I Do thirteen years ago

I love you,

Michael

Been away for awhile August 4th, 2013

     Folks, I've been away from my blog for awhile but I am looking forward to being back on a regular basis

     Funny thing.....in recent days I've been asked by two longtime friends about writing a book. It's something I've always wanted to do but just am not confident enough to pull it off

   I have been lucky enough to meet lots of important people especially in the world of sports and have some decent stories to tell.  What do you think?  Should I attempt it?   The jury is still out

   Monday will be my 13th wedding anniversary to my sweet wife Joan. I can honestly say she is what keeps me going in this crappy world. I love her with all my heart and she loves me.  

      Tim Asbury, lifelong best friend, just got engaged.  Timmy, I can only hope you can be as happy on your marriage as I am.  It's not always easy but we have the "etch a-sketch rule".  When we have a bad day or a conversation leads us down a path to a argument we reserve the right to call etch-a-sketch , shake our heads just like you would the game and start over.  It sounds silly but it's worked all these years

     It's been almost two years since we lost my father, with a new football season approaching I cannot help but have memories of him.  He never missed a game and rarely missed a practice.  I owe all my accomplishments on the football field to my parents and in particular my dad.  It also causes a different type of relationship.  One in which a misses tackle or block can cause words to be exchanged. A very complex relationship to say the least

    Parents of kids playing sports.......it's a fine line between hoping for the best for your child and living the game thru your child

   Until next time, feel free to comment or ask questions and take the time to say a little prayer for my friend Tim as he embarks on a path of matrimony    Tim is a good man that deserves to be loved for I assure you that he has love to give

Mickey

My opinion, nothing more or less

In the near future I will again start posting some blogs that I hope you enjoy reading. If you don't, that's absolutely fine. I promise. Feel free to ask my opinion on subjects and I will do my best to answer them

Again, it's my opinion. Nothing more and nothing less. Respect it for what it is


Mike

Memorial Day Thanks

Before I ever knew him I lost a Uncle on February 8th, 1968 at the Seige if Khe Sahn. Darrell Dunlap served with India Company of the 26th Marines. A few years ago I sent a email to the web site for the 26th Marines asking if anyone had any information on my Uncle Darrell Dunlap and was surprised to be answered by his commanding officer Captain Dabney.

Captain Dabney informed me that Darrell was killed by a North Vietnamese mortar shell while selflessly helping to load a injured marine on a evacuation helicopter. I cherish that email response as I had never knew what had actually happened

My father was also a victim of the Vietnam war. Although Bosain Mate Michael V Dunlap Sr lived long after his two terms of the Vietnam war had ended you can be sure that he was a casualty in every sense of the word

While I am probably best known for my athletic achievements , I would have not attained the awards I achieved without the push of my dad. Thanks Dad.

My father instilled in us pride in our country and the flag that is still present today. If I see a Veteran wearing a hat or shirt identifying him as such, I go out of my way to thank him for his service

I've often said one of my biggest regrets is not serving my country but I tried and was told I at 300 pounds I was to heavy yet I was in great shape and only had a 38 inch waist

To all Veterans I want to say a sincere thank you for your service and sacrifice and we must all remember that some men come home with scars you cannot see.......

Thank you Veterans

Sincerely
Michael V Dunlap II

Turning the tide on the cable guy

Today I had a appointment with the cable company. Of course I got the standard " we will be there sometime between 1-4pm". You would think they could narrow this time frame down.

Anyway, the technician showed up at 3:52pm, just inside the specified window. After the installation and leaving my house, I got a call from the before mentioned cable guy. Seemed he had left a tool at my house. He wanted to know if he could swing by and pick it up. I said sure, tomorrow between 1-4 should work, see you then !!!

My current status

As many of you know I write a sports column for RSN sports and I also write my own personal blog which this is

I've had several questions asked as to why I don't put out a regular scheduled blog entry. I don't know, I guess I just go with the feeling when it hits me

It seems there are lots of personal funny incidents surrounding my youth so if you would like to hear a story about one of them send me a note

mike.dunlap@casinternet.net

Talk to you soon