SENT TO PRICELINE

I am writing with a plea. I called up at 5:30PM EST with a request that was left unresolved. I had misread the website and booked a trip without intending to. Having never used Priceline for hotels, I thought there would be another page prior to the acceptance page. I thought I would be advised of the hotel prior to the putting through of the order. I had intended to book a Disney property resort and was unsure if Priceline had that ability. Is there anything that can be done to resolve the matter? Is there a way of applying my payment to a Disney resort or taking a credit in place of booking the hotel. Please advise me what can be done because frankly I am at a lost and fear that I will never use Priceline again and will advise all that I am in contact with to never use Priceline. Given my line of work, I interact with 100s of people on an given day and hope that I can speak well of Priceline and not how I currently feel. Please let me know what can be done to resolve the matter. Thank you for your assistance.

Sincerely,

Michael Hoffman
(CONTACT INFO DELETED FOR BLOG)

(Itinerary #)

64 Inches to Freedom

Welcome back, dear friends. Mike "The Real Skinny" Hoffman is back doing what he loves. Well, after being snubbed by the lovely people at the IFOCE (Individuals For Oppression of Competitive Eaters) in regard to participation in the Nathan's Hot Dog So-called "Competition," I had the privilege of competition in a real competition. On 6/21/07, I was one of many who attended the 1st Annual Food Film Festival in Long Island City, NY. While there, I completed in an eating event that involved eating two 32 inch hot dogs provided by the wonderful people at Schnack . I don't know my official time but I came in second. First was won by Gentleman Joe Menchetti. If I was to lose to anyone, I'm glad it was him. The night was full of good food, good people, and good films.

For more information about the competition and other AICE events, please check out http://www.competitiveeaters.com.

My Voice Has Been Heard

The other day, I posted an e-mail I received regarding the last-minute revocation of my invitation by the IFOCE to the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest because of my affiliation with the AICE. Today, I discovered that my voice was heard. A passage from the e-mail was included with some comments that supported my views in the matter. It is a good feeling to know that I am not alone and am supported by my contemporaries. I repeat what I said in my response to posting to the Eatfeats.com website, "If this is what it means to be a ranked eater with the AICE, I am honored."

Here is the link to the page:

http://eatfeats.com/mike-hoffmans-rejection-letter.html

Prejudice in Competitive Eating

Here is a letter I received less than 24 hour before the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Competition. I was discriminated against because of who I associated with.

Hi Michael,

The Nathan's Famous hot dog contest is an IFOCE/MLE event. It has just recently come to my attention that you are ranked by a rival eating league and are therefore not eligible to participate in the Nathan's Famous contest, or any IFOCE or Major League Eating events. This is a long-standing, well-publicized policy. As a result, we withdraw your invitation to compete in the E. Hartford Nathan's qualifier and your standby status in the Molly Pitcher qualifier. Sorry for the late notice, and thank you for your understanding.

Best wishes and good luck.

Thanks,
Kate Westfall
Director of Operations and Client Services
International Federation of Competitive Eating
151 West 25th Street
Fourth Floor
New York NY 10001-7204
212-352-8651
Fax: 212-627-5430
E-mail: kwestfall@ifoce.com

10 Events That Come to Mind (not in any particular order)

Big News: Matt and Katie got engaged. CONGRATS, Bro. Katie, you treat him well. Looking forward to the future and being best man for the wedding. That makes four times in the bridal party (three times as best man). I guess I'm loved.

So Danielle and I were talking recently and she asked why I hadn't updated the blogs. I said that I was too busy and kind of lost interest. Well, I have a moment, but didn't feel like writing a novel like usual. If you're curious about any of the events listed below, e-mail me at michael.hoffman@gmail.com or IM me at Litbearcat.

10 or more events That Come to Mind Since the Last Blog Entry(in no particular order)

1. Saw Roger Waters (from Pink Floyd)in concert with Dad. (Dad in the audience, not
on stage)
2. Won for the 2nd year in a row the Long Island Pizza Eating Championship
3. Danielle got a job at Tiffany's
4. Gave Danielle a key to the apartment (big step)
5. Went apple picking straight from tree
6. Got a new big TV to replace the one that died after 6 months (got credit for the
broken one)
7. Went to a wedding in Miami (Jon and Simone's). The best to them.
8. Saw a concert from the Jones Beach Orchestra Section. Almost impossible and
amazing, even if it was Damian Rice and Fiona Apple.
9. Got free tickets to see Goo Goo Dolls and Counting Crows, just because Danielle
and I were sitting in the parking lot being a broke, yet cute couple.
10. Many, many Cyclone Game w/ Dad (Quality time w/ Dad that I would never pass up)
11. Mets Game w/ Adam, Debbie, and Danielle (1 actual game and 1 rained out game)
12. Suprise B-Day Party for Bill (Love ya man....in a friend way, keep your mind out
of the gutter)
13. Jonathan traveled the Mid East. Always fun reading the blog.
14. Sorry for any missed events. A lot of Danielle events were not mentioned for some sense of privacy. Other events are memorable and/or important, but just aren't coming to mind at 10:40 at night on a busy Monday. No offense.

Life keeps on going. Each day bringing newer, newer things to add to my life story. Be well and maybe the next posting won't take so long.

A Day in the Life

I've always loved that Beatles song. It starts off slow, gets fast, and then slows down just slightly. Finally, it ends totally different then the entire song. I guess that's just symbolic of life. You started off one way but, in the end, you are totally different.

It's been a month since the last update, so bare with me. I may miss some stuff. The first week in June consisted of a family vacation with someone else's family. I went with Danielle, her two sibling (Jake and Erika), her parents, and her sister's b/f (Keith) to Duck, NC in the Outbanks section of North Carolina. The trip consists of a 9 hour drive that was broken up on the way down by a night over at her uncle's. This was different than an other vacation I had ever been on because we drove, we drank together, and we separated from each other at time. I had an amazing time. It was the breather I need from life and it was so peaceful. The only problem was the road there. There was only one road. It gave me so much ROAD RAGE that I felt like the Hulk. I mean come on. If there's an empty road, why are you going 10 mph? grrrrr. Danielle said I am like all Long Island drivers because I was taken aback by the fact that the closest supermarket was 15 minutes away. She said I needed instant gratification. Damn right.

The weekend (June 15th and 16th) I spent filling my face. I participated in the Fried Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwich eating contest. The first person through 14 sandwiches was the winner. In addition, a glass of buttermilk had to be completed before you could drink water. The sandwiches were horrible. You could have hammered nails with the sandwiches. I ended up taking 6th with 7 1/2 sandwiches taking temporary residence in my stomach. Look at 6/18/06. My name is there and I'm in some of the pictures. If you look close, you can even see Danielle watching me. She's so supportive. While in NJ, I took Danielle on a half an hour trip and finally made it to Jay and Silent Bob's Secret Stash. For all who don't know, Kevin Smith, a director and comic book lover, has five movies that subtly interlock. One of the main interlocking things are the characters Jay and Silent Bob (played by Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith). For any fan of the movies, a trip to this store is like going to Graceland for an Elvis Fan. We got there just in time to see if closed. Missed it by 15 minutes. Oh well, at least I got there.

June 16th was Father's Day. Mine was in Florida with Mom visiting Aunt Mildred. Aunt Mildred is one of the most generous people I know and, at 90 years old, loves the visits. I give her a lot of credit and have to credit here with helping me get my co-op. Rather than be alone of Father's Day, I drove Danielle up to Newburgh and we celebrated it with her dad. He's a really nice guy and accepts me, unless some parents I've encountered through the years. Both Danielle's parents are really great people and that's why I don't mind making these trips. It's like go to my parent's house.

The weekend of June 23rd through 25th involved another trip to NJ and Newburgh. On the 23rd, I took Danielle to her first Everclear concert. We were front row and Art Alexakis, when disposing of a beer some idiot girl had brought on stage, nearly hit by foot with a beer bottle. I'm a huge fan, so I didn't let that take away from the show. It was in a small venue in Seaside Park, NJ and it was great sharing something I love with the person I love. The next days were filling with milestones and moving some of Danielle's stuff out of her NY apartment. It's for the better. Her boss owned the apartment and he was one of those people that sets rules against having the opposite sex over. I never understood how someone can do that for people in the mid 20s and early 30s. Her boss is an ass.

And that brings us to this last weekend. Danielle has now been here from Saturday and is not going back until Wednesday. I hate it when she leaves. The weekend was spent to going to a BBQ organized by Jeetan, a birthday night out for Lexy, and time at the rents painting my bistro set. Jeetan's BBQ contained good food that I probably could have continued eating if I was going to Lexy's b-day dinner. Lexy was my closest friend in Binghamton, so I would never want to miss her b-day. BLATANT PLUG ----> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEX!!

If you don't notice, I rarely mention the (pa)rents in my blog. That's not for any reason other than I take them as a given during my week. I always see them and always see the benefits of having them. I wouldn't be where I am without them and I'll take this moment to some them some love. BIG LOVE. Wow, can I sound more womanly? Don't think so.

Anyway, on that note, time to get the day going. It is July 4th. The Day of Independence. How fun. It's 230 year since we got independence from King George, but yet everyday we lose more and more independence under the tyranny of another King George, who got his job because of birth and sends people to die in his name. Isn't that irony, don't you think?

Be well always and don't be afraid to light some fireworks. They're only illegal because "there is no fun allowed in Walmart." (it doesn't have to make sense, it's MY blog.)

Who I am

If you know me, you know I'm many things. Amongst those, I am a hypocrite who can't be serious and rarely sticks to a point. Well, less than a month ago, I closed this thing down, but now I'm reconsidering it. Things have been happening that must be mentioned.

First, on 5/24/06, I came in second place at the Carnegie Deli Pickle Eating Contest. I ate 2.6 lbs in 5 minutes, losing to Arnie "Chowhound" Chapman by only .3 lbs. Coverage can be found on the Association of Competitive Eaters website and the New York Metro Website

Following these events (5/27/06 - 6/1/06), I spent an amazing 5 days with Danielle on Long Island. Events that can be mentioned included going to the beach and seeing the Blue Angels, movies (Over the Hedge), trips to the many malls of Long Island, and many other things.

On Thursday (6/1/06), I had the opportunity to see Pearl Jam for the second time. Bill and I ventured into the land of Evil (New Jersey) and saw an awesome concert that included My Morning Jacket (sucked) and Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam would have probably played for longer if given the chance. Damn the "No Playing Past 12AM" rule.

Set 1: Severed Hand, Corduroy, World Wide Suicide, Do The Evolution, Marker In The Sand, Given To Fly, Dissident, Even Flow, Army Reserve, Immortality, Green Disease, Not For You/(Modern Girl), Alone, Jeremy, Why Go, Life Wasted, Rearviewmirror
Encore 1: Wasted Reprise, Man Of The Hour, Come Back, Footsteps, Once, Alive
Encore 2:Last Exit, Comatose, Leatherman, Glorified G, Leash, Baba O'Riley, Indifference
Pre-Opener: You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
Accompanying Support Act: It Makes No Difference

Coming soon - A week in North Carolina with Danielle and her family (6/3/06 - 6/11/06). I've never had anyone I was with invite me on a family trip, so it is definately a nice change. Upon return they'll be more concerts, trips to the beach, and other bullshit to talk about. I probably would start adding the funny stories, but that would mean I'd have to update this things more often. HA HA HA. As always, be well.