Friday, July 30, 2004
today's chips were much better.
remind me never to praise Eric M. online again. in thanks to my kind words about him yesterday, he promptly dogged me out to Jerrod W., Chelsi H., and Dave R.... he's killin' me.
also, someone today mentioned the Fast Cashier. he has been gone a while and i hadn't thought about him recently. where'd you go, FC?
by the way, note that i'm 3/5 of the way there.
BURRITO COUNT: 90
BURRITOS REMAINING: 60
DAYS REMAINING IN 2004: 154
ON TRACK TO EAT: 155.38
Thursday, July 29, 2004
rough day in the office. the burrito -- along with Eric M. and Jerrod W., who joined us late -- was a nice distraction. we had a nice conversation about all sorts of things, and i enjoyed it. those two are a couple of the nicest guys i know. also both recently fathers (and, from what i can see, doing a nice job at it).
the chips tasted a bit strange today. i think it was a faint taste of cheese, but who knows. in any event, i only had a few and then abandoned them to Eric and Jerrod.
also good news: my friend Andy I. in San Antonio had a son born this morning; a month premature but Mom and baby Max are healthy and in good shape. i'm very excited for him -- he'll be a spectacular dad.
BURRITO COUNT: 89
BURRITOS REMAINING: 61
DAYS REMAINING IN 2004: 156
ON TRACK TO EAT: 155.11
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
----------Original Message-----
From: Ernst, Mark
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 10:02 AM
To:
Subject: Downtown Arena and Kansas City
Next week many of us will have the opportunity to personally impact the future of downtown Kansas City and enhance the quality of life not only in our new headquarters area, but for all Kansas City.
The proposed new arena will serve as an exciting component of an overall urban renewal program - a program that began with H&R Block's announcement last December to build our new headquarters downtown.
When we move downtown in 2006, we'll find ourselves in the heart of a dynamic, seven-block area filled with new restaurants, shops and live entertainment. It will boast a new, world-class performing arts center and a renovated and expanded Bartle Hall. It will showcase a collection of unique urban living options, from contemporary lofts to high-rise condominiums. And it could also offer a downtown arena that brings the best in sports and entertainment events right to "our own backyard."
As vice chairman of Kansas City's Civic Council, I've heard all sides of the debate regarding the arena. Let me explain why I believe the arena is good for Kansas City.
There is great community and financial support for the arena. For example:
Sprint is investing $62.5 million over 25 years - an incredible show of support by one of Kansas City's leading corporations.
The Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG) is committing $50 million toward construction costs, will manage the arena, and will guarantee operating losses, should there be any. AEG has an excellent track record, successfully managing arenas across the country, including Staples Center, the home of the Los Angeles Lakers.
Another $10 million in funding is coming from the National Association of Basketball Coaches, which wants the arena to house its new Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame.
Numerous organizations - such as the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Civic Council, the Kansas City Sports Commission, the Kansas City Area Development Council, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Hotel/Motel Association - believe the arena is good for Kansas City.
In addition, a new arena can be the stimulus for an NBA or NHL team making Kansas City its home. It will breathe life into our downtown, just as new arenas have done for St. Louis, Denver and Omaha.
Critics want you to believe that a new arena will mean higher taxes for Kansas Citians. This just isn't true. Neither property nor earnings taxes would be increased under the arena plan.
What the arena plan does propose to increase are hotel and car-rental fees. Therefore, it's not surprising that the group against the arena is led by eight car rental companies, including St. Louis-based Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Last year I told you that our decision to build our headquarters downtown was based on what's best for our associates. A dynamic, energetic and thriving downtown Kansas City would be the best possible work environment for all of us. And it would enable the company to attract and retain the best talent for today and in the future.
The proposed arena will be an important element in energizing downtown and our new corporate home. Now it's up to you. Whatever your personal point of view, I encourage all Kansas City residents to vote on August 3. It's your opportunity to shape the future of Kansas City; don't pass it up.
Mark
Thursday, July 22, 2004
July 22: 1/2 chicken, 1/2 steak, extra rice, hot salsa, chips (College Boulevard, Overland Park, Kansas)
i'm really failing miserably with this whole "writing in the blog" thing, aren't i? perhaps i'm resting too much on my laurels now that i'm a master burrito ambassador. who knows.
i will say that today, one of the burritomakers was dripping with sweat. i was a little concerned that he was dripping into the food. it was pretty hot out today, but that doesn't mean i need the added salt in my burrito!
BURRITO COUNT: 88
BURRITOS REMAINING: 62
DAYS REMAINING IN 2004: 162
ON TRACK TO EAT: 157.88
Monday, July 19, 2004
i'm back from a quick vacation. i was hoping to have a burrito while i was gone but it didn't work out. i picked this one up on the way back from the airport, snarfed it down, and tackled the huge pile waiting for me upon my return...
BURRITO COUNT: 86
BURRITOS REMAINING: 64
DAYS REMAINING IN 2004: 165
ON TRACK TO EAT: 156.60
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
it's hotter than billy hell outside. so how best to stay cool? eat hot salsa and "salivate and sweat at the same time," as the t-shirts say.
Matt W. and i went to Chipotle for a quick burrito. mine was pretty good today, although the hot salsa was a bit sharper today than i think it normally is. who knows, maybe it's the heat. all i know is i feel like somebody put me in the burrito cooker...
BURRITO COUNT: 85
BURRITOS REMAINING: 65
DAYS REMAINING IN 2004: 171
ON TRACK TO EAT: 159.54
Friday, July 09, 2004
today's burrito was disappointing. i faxed our order in and forgot to ask for hot salsa, so i used Tabasco® brand Chipotle sauce in its stead. the Tabasco® is good, but it's no hot salsa.
in the meantime, we bumped into Kori C. at lunch today. and an hour later, she called the law firm to find out what the website was. did she ask me? no. did she ask her husband, Toby? no. she asked our receptionist, who probably already thinks i'm enough of a loony as it is.
then she rings through to me and, without identifying herself or even saying hello, says, "What's your website address?" eventually i pry out of her the fact that i'm speaking to Kori C., at which time i tell her.
so then she e-mails me and says, hurry up and post today so we can continue to laugh at you. niiiiice. some people send calculators; others poetry; still others, songs. Kori? she sends nasty, bitter e-mails.
don't forget, Kori: i'm a Master Burrito Ambassador. i have diplomatic immunity.
BURRITO COUNT: 84
BURRITOS REMAINING: 66
DAYS REMAINING IN 2004: 175
ON TRACK TO EAT: 160.96
Thursday, July 08, 2004
gotta get that "on track to eat" number back up... a week away is a killer! this one was a freebie, too. i'm pretty sure i've said it before on the blog, but the best burrito is a free burrito.
speaking of which, perhaps i should get Eric Miller to play me in foosball and bet me a couple of burritos.
BURRITO COUNT: 83
BURRITOS REMAINING: 67
DAYS REMAINING IN 2004: 176
ON TRACK TO EAT: 159.88
Eric M. and i went without faxing at 12:30 pm. probably a mistake, as we had to wait quite a while. but i was able to cash in one of my freebies, which was nice.
in the meantime, special thanks to my brother, a loyal Burritoman reader, who put together an Excel spreadsheet that allows me to punch in a couple of numbers and spits out the calculations below for me. thanks, Brian!
BURRITO COUNT: 82
BURRITOS REMAINING: 68
DAYS REMAINING IN 2004: 177
ON TRACK TO EAT: 158.79
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
pathetic, really: well over a week without a burrito. what's the world coming to? i grabbed this one for dinner around 4:30 pm -- i was still hungry after a light lunch at the office. it was, as usual, heavenly.
in the meantime, and more importantly, i received from Chipotle's corporate office a framed certificate reading:
In sincere appreciation and thanks to Burritoman for your unending pursuit of the finest, freshest burrito; your recognition of what delicious food is all about; your passion for spreading the good news about Chipotle to the unenlightened; and for all those burritos you've happily eaten, we confer upon you this much-coveted award of Master Burrito Ambassador this first day of June, in the year 2004. Enough puffery. Time to eat.
and it's signed by the CEO! they also sent a Master Burrito Ambassador t-shirt, ten free burritos, and the recipe for their pork. unbelievable!
this is Burritoman, M.B.A. signing off...
p.s. we won our trial.
BURRITO COUNT: 81
BURRITOS REMAINING: 69
DAYS REMAINING IN 2004: 177
ON TRACK TO EAT: 156.86
