I've been making videos with my new flip video camera.  They are basically a day in the life kind of videos featuring appearances in Serbia, Prague, and Vegas.  Definately check them out and let me know what you think.

Mizfits, I've been hearing a lot of news about twitter.com so I decided to check it out.  I'm not sure what the craz is just yet but I imagine in a couple of days I will figure it out. 
If you'd like to find me my user name is mikethemiz.  Enjoy tweeting.
 
Miz

As always for New Year's my friends and I pick a city to all meet up and party like rockstars.  Past years we have been to NYC, New Orleans, Vegas, Vail, and Miami.  All have been insane and usually the only way we remember New Year's Eve is through pictures and piecing together the night.  This year we decided to do Chicago.  I wasn't excited about it because I can't stand being in cold weather during New Year's.  Sorry, I like being at a beach or in a pool during New Year's. 
 
I arrived the day of New Year's Eve and all 15 of us were ready to take Chi town down.  We started at my friend, Tom's place which we decided that pre gaming was a must.  Now I can't drink like I used to.  God, I sound like my dad but it's the truth.  I used to drink all day and night and not feel the effects.  Nowadays, I actually have to be careful or I will be out of commision for days.  After a couple drinks we went to a hotspot called Manner where they gave us an amazing table with as many bottles as we could handle.  This club obviously didn't know who they were dealing with.  After 5 jagerbombs (jagerbombs, jagerbombs, jaberbombs) the New Year arrived.  We popped the cork and drank champaigne like p diddy. 
 
We left around two to head to Rhino where we sat by the open bar in the kitchen, very VIP sounding I know, until around 5am.  The best is I barely remember any of this and when my friends told me how mean I was to everyone I didn't remember.  I get very mouthy when I drink (shocking right)  I have no filter and say whatever's on my mind even if it doesn't make sense.  I was told we were about to get kicked out because I was such a jerk but we were leaving anyway. 
 
We got home and had a deep dish chicago pizza and went to bed around 7am.  Happy New Year!!! 
 
It's funny every New Year's is different but always have great stories and memories.  If you have a good close group of friends you should try all meeting up in a city that you rarely visit and take the town down.  Best part is you probably won't be back for long enough so they won't really remember what you did.  My New Year's resolution???  To make my way to the Top of WWE.  I don't think 2009 is ready.  Be Jealous!!!  

Iraq 2008

Every year WWE has a trip to Iraq (Tribute to the Troops) to entertain the soldiers who are fighting for our country.  This year I was asked if I wanted to join the group and without hesitation I was in.  My main reason for going was a couple of years ago one of my high school friends got shot and died while active in Iraq serving his country.  I wanted to see how he lived and get a small taste of what life is like out there.  It's truely an honor to go to Iraq and entertain the soldiers who risk their lives everyday, who have families at home waiting for them to come home safely, hoping they never get that dreaded phone call.  These people are heroes and I wanted to pump up their morale and thank them for their services.

The trip started in Washington DC at night where we boarded an Air Force Cargo Plane...Yeah, no Continental's or American Airlines here.  We had an 8 hour flight to Germany then another 8 hour flight to Baghdad, Iraq.  Talk about a long trip. 

We arrived in Baghdad and it was still night, with the time change nobody knew what day or time it was.  When we found out, luckily, it was 3am and my group had to get up at 6am to visit 4 US Marine Camps.  Sleeps overrated.

3 hours later we were getting ready to go to Camp Gannon.  My favorite part was how we got to Camp Gannon. Via Ospree aka new age, awesome, helicopter.  It's insane.  We had about 50 lbs of gear including the heaviest bulletproof vest and helmet ever which each soldier has to have on while on duty.  They also get a gun which I didn't get.  BOO!!! 

Gannon was a really small camp with about 200 US Marine soliders.  They didn't have running water.  Yes you heard me correctly.  Imagine living without running water for 6 months to a year.  They go to the bathroom in tubes and if it's a number 2 they use a wagbag which is basically a garbage bag they put under a toilet seat then they take the bag to a field and burn it.  Talking to the Marines I found out that there's nothing to do besides work out, sleep, and work.  Looking around I could understand why....sand as far as the eye could see.  Nothing else.  I can see how morale could be down.  Boredom. 

Next up was Camp Korean Village where they had running water...never thought I'd be so happy to hear that.  We did a meet and greet.  During this meet and greet one of my favorite stories was.  A soldier said he didn't know what to get his son for his 10th birthday which he's missing.  He thought the best gift was to video us wishing him a happy birthday.  So we played with it and he was really happy.  That's what it's all about smiles on people's faces.

Camp Rahwa and Ramadi were pretty much the same thing.  Ramadi had a huge stage where we signed autographs.  The soldiers were going nuts there were hundreds of them.  We had a dance contest with Alicia and an Army Soldier which was hilarious.  We ended up sleeping in Ramadi at around midnight.  So in the first day we went from 6am to 11pm visiting 4 different camps. 

The next morning started at 6am and we ate chow (that's what they call eating) then we were off to the next camps: TQ, Bahrea, and Cupcake (as they called it)  They said it's the best place to be because nothing happens there.  Gotta love that.

On our last day we performed the show and I have to say it was incredible.  I went to the gym 4 hours before the show and saw the line.  I'm talking at least a thousand soldiers waiting that early. 

To perform for the troops and show our support was amazing.  To see the posters saying "I'm okay", "I love you ____", and Happy Birthday____"  was so cool to see.  After the show we went out in the crowd and met and took pictures with everyone. 

All in all this was an eye opening experience.  I only knew what I saw on the news about what was going on in Iraq but seeing it first hand was above and beyond.  What these troops go through, how they put their lives on the line everyday is truly heroic.  The stories I heard made me realize how lucky I am to have these people fighting for my freedom.  One soldier missed the birth of his granddaughter another said he had a 2 and 3 year old daughters and has seen them 5 months of their lives when I asked why do you do it.  They both said the same thing because I want their to be peace so they don't have to go through this.  I was wowed.  To all the Troops thank you for protecting our country and putting your life on the line for my and everyone's freedom.  I hope going out there made the morale better and let you know that what you are doing will never go unnoticed.  I wish you all well and get home soon safely.

The Miz    

 

This Halloween instead of going to the playboy mansion or dressing in a costume and going to LA parties I was invited to Delaware to hunt ghosts. (Yes I said that correctly)  Without hesitation I was on a flight to an Island where a Haunted Civil War Fort in Delaware City, Delaware lies to be on the Halloween Live show of Ghosthunters.  I was really excited.  Normally, I pay money to go into a fake haunted house where people are painted and wear masks to try to scare me but now i'm getting the real thing. 

I was introduced to all the TAPS crew (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) including the stars of Ghosthunters Jason and Grant who were really cool and down to earth.  I drove with them to the fort and they told me all about ghosthunters.  I didn't realize what a big cult following this show has until we got to the ferry to take us over to the Haunted Fort.  There were i'd say about 100 people waiting to meet all the TAPS crew.  It reminded me of how WWE fans wait at airports and hotels just to get a picture.  All the TAPS crew were very gracious to their fans. 

I couldn't believe that Ghosthunters was going to have a 7 hour live show hunting ghosts on Halloween and I was going to be apart of it.  I was teamed up with Kristen and Joe and we were given the Barracks to start with.  As we entered the room it was very dark and spooky.  I asked a lot of questions to Kristen and Joe because I wanted to learn exactly what they do plus I wanted to see a ghost as well as know the best tips on finding one.  They told me to ask questions like "if you are in the room make a noise."  Then out of no where Joe's video camera died.  Wierd stuff huh?  They said it could be from a ghost trying to drain the power so it can communicate.  So we were off to a good start. 

However, after an hour of searching, standing, and asking questions and no encounters we went to the Mess Hall where the last time they were there Joe heard a ghost say "show some respect."  I thought, "sweet" this is the spot to hear or see something.  They told me that in this room people have seen a women come out of the closet and clean the mantle then leave.  This is called a residual ghost where it doesn't interact with you.  An intellectual ghost does talk and can actually touch you.  Yeah I'm learning son. 

Nothing happened in the Mess Hall so we went up to bedrooms remember its dark as hell in these rooms and it's haunted on Halloween so it has that spooky feeling about it roaming through the rooms. 

After 5 hours, 3 different room we went to the 4th and final for me the kitchen.  I was getting irritated.  I didn't see or hear anything yet.  Kristen and Joe said it happens all the time sometimes personalities are too strong (a nice way of calling me conceeded...thanks haha) and it scares the ghost.  I said if I was a ghost especially a civil war ghost I wouldn't be afraid.  They said actually that's a technique to call out ghosts and try to make them mad.  So..... me being me I started yelling at the ghost to come out, hit me, yell at me.  If your a soldier act like one I'm invading your house and you're doing nothing.  Then Kristen said she felt something tug on her shirt.  I asked "are you kidding" and I looked at her face and she wasn't.  I didn't see it which made me mad because I wanted the experience.  Then I heard that something happened in another room that we haven't been in.  I said let's go there and the production told me that I was done then thanked me.  It was only 12:30am and the show wasn't over till 2am.  I was like hold on we have an hour and a half I want to go to the room with the ghosts.  They said no all the guests are done and the ghosthunters are just going to hunt.  I understood it was their show so I thanked them and sadly walked back to the trailer.

While watching the monitor in the trailer I noticed that all the other guests were still in there and that I was the only one back in the trailer.  That's when I named myself the worst ghosthunter ever.  I didn't think I was bad but they wrapped me early for some reason.  Was I too loud?  Was I too much?  What the hell.  Plus my friends were texting me throughout the show like dude why aren't you on it more.  I was like I don't know.  They said every time I was on I was funny and entertaining.  Maybe that was the bad part.  I don't know and I probably will never know.

I just got done watching the parts that I was in (gotta love youtube) and I think I figured it out.  I talk way too much...haha.  I looked at it and was like shut up and look for ghosts already.  No wonder I didn't see or hear any ghosts I was talking too much wish one of my friends would of buzzed me on that.  All well you live and you learn.     

One thing was for sure I had a blast.  Just wished I could have seen a ghost.  I never seen a Ghosthunters episode but experiencing the show from the inside was truly an honor and I will now be tivoing it.  Thank you to the entire TAPS crew especially Jason, Grant, Kristen, and Joe as well as the production. 

Yours truely, 

The Worst Ghosthunter ever!!!!!   

I went to the party of all parties....Mid Summer Night Dreams Playboy Mansion party. Only the elite get invited and this is my 3rd time... How awesome is that?  I love my life.  This was the first time I acutally had a real friend going as well, Mark Long (Road Rules tools).

So I called Mark while in the shuttle (everyone takes a shuttle to the mansion) and said I need a Jack and Diet (listen when you wrestle and your shirt is off you go for diet) when I arrive.  While on the shuttle I met a girl that I made out with the first time I went to Las Vegas.  I didn't remember I know it was true cause Elka was there along with a bunch of people from battle of the seasons in 02..she named things that happened.  Awesome start.  Not only that but as soon as I walked off the shuttle bus Mark was there with my drink.

Now we are not first timers so we chilled and met peps that are fun to hang with...no one u'd know.  I did see my favorite on last comic standing, Jeff Dye, who was really cool little pissed that he's dating Sara playmate of the year 07.  Good for him and her hopfully it'll be all good.  You never know in this life she coulda got a waiter from sattle ranch.  Wow I'm a hater.

Back to me cause I love talking about me.  I didn't really see any celebs at this one which I normally do.  I had the most fun out of all the mansion parties I do know that this wasn't the best one though.

I did have an after party which I brought 3 girls n me n mark thought it would be great right....wrong...A 2 girl fight broke out.  Awesome I would think but it was my place.  I had to separate.  Two playmates fighting sounds great but in my brand new condo screw that.  I know I suck whatever I love my life a party with half naked women like 10s.  I had fun...I mean how many peps can say I went into the grotto and.....well can't talk about that...be jealous.

I'm finally back to going to concerts again.  I remember when I was living in Cleveland my friends and I would go to at least one concert a week.  It was so much fun: Seeing our favorite bands, hanging with high school friends (people who've known you forever), some of my best memories were from those concerts. 

Two weeks ago I went to see my favorite band for the week Bullet for my Valentine at The Wiltern.  The Wiltern has become one of my favorite spots to see a concerts.  It's a lot of standing room enough for nice sized pits, however if you feel like chilling and watching just go to the back and you can still see everything.  I started out in the pit and I'm starting to think i'm getting to old for pits.  I look at the pit now and it's really young.  Hell, I remember owning those bad boys but now I will get in one and a minute into the song I'm huffing and puffing.  Either I'm getting old or just way out of shape.  Lately, when I go I'd rather watch the band play then spend the entire time in the pit like I used to do.  Since I started playing the guitar I love watching the guitarist to see which cords they use for the songs so I can try to play it.  Only problem is if you ever watched Bullet they are fast and amazing.  I suck...haha. 

It's funny, they are my favorite band but I have to say there is nothing special about their concert.  A couple parts stood out but you can tell these guys are musicians before any theatrics.  I enjoy both.  There was a cool part when both guitarist and the bassist got up on the platform and started bobbing in rythem.  Really cool scene not as cool as Avenged's left handed/ right handed guitar duo but really cool. 

The next concert I went to was a surprise to everyone.  I went to T mobile's Tony Hawk party in Hollywood and Stone Temple Pilots made a special appearance and played all their songs.  Yes, the Original STP Scott Weiland and all.  Let me say you want to see someone who can lead a crowd, whose a complete rockstar, It's Fu(King Scott Weiland.  I was a fan back in the 90's, not a huge fan but if a song came on i'd listen to it, know the words, nothing special.  After seeing them in concert now I'm a fan.  He sang every note perfectly and knew exactly how to entertain while being larger than life.  It was insane. 

Finally, a couple days ago I saw my old roomate who just got signed, Mandi Perkins, at her record release party.  If you like a girl who rocks yet knows who to speak to you with her lyrics I'd recommend her CD.  She's really come to her own. I remember her first concert like 5 years ago at 14 Below in Santa Monica now she played a packed house at the Viper Room and I had a blast.  She shared the bill with one of my friends bands, Resident Hero, this three piece took control and really did a great job. 

God I love being back on the concert scene.  I'm so used to the club atmosphere that I forgot how great the people are at rock concerts.  Until the next one be good.  Be bad.  BE MIZ!!!!  

This was my first time going to E3 in Los Angeles, which for those that don't know is a big video game conference where you get to preview all the new video games coming out.  I was there to promote Smackdown vs. Raw 2009 which for the first time The Miz will be featured in.  That's right Mizfits you can finally be The Miz in the game and have me beat everyone just like in real life. 

Everyone told me this year's E3 was totally different.  I guess the previous years everyone was competing to have the best boothe.  Some games would bring bands and have concerts, Tony Hawk would have a ramp and skate board which I think is awesome but they said things were getting out of hand so this year they made all the video games equal not who can spend the most money.  In my opinion "booooo"  I liked to be entertained.

We got there early and the interviews started.  First, was G4 and that was cool just a little short for my taste.  The next was for LiveWire which we had a blast with.  Since Miz and Morrison are such pranksters we called Zach Ryder and basically cut promos on how bad we are gonna beat them at Great American Bash.  Very funny in my book.  We did so many of these TV sit down interviews that it's hard to remember all of them.  Another was gamestop where we sat in makeup chairs and did an interview.  We thought it was funny plus we are so secure with ourselves that only real men wear makeup.  Check it out you'll see.  We were all over the place.

We actually decided to do a Dirt Sheet on the whole experience which will be coming in the next weeks.  It'll be as all our dirt sheets (on wwe.com) are...a must see.  Here's a couple words about it.  A man...a wii cheerleading game....need I say more.

As for sampling the new up and coming games.  I got to play a couple.  I didn't see any new ones.  Just updated versions of the rest.  Obviously the game to get is smackdown vs. Raw 2009 because well I'm in it.  Ha.  I'm excited I mean how many times in your life have you ever had a video game character made after you.  Talk about bad ass. 

Good times great fun at E3.

Who remembers the bad ass Tom Green Show back in the MTV days?  I do, because it was one of my favorite shows.  Tom was an originator of messing with his parents, making his cohosts lives a living hell from all that he'd do to them, and pranking as many people as possible.  So when John Morrison and I got a call asking if we'd like to be on Tom Green's web show which he films at his house you know we were all in. 

I watched some of Tom's previous web shows just to see if it was still the same type of show he used to do in the MTV days.  While watching I found out that guests bring him stuff to sell on Ebay so he can make money for the show.  I've been moving for the past week so I've got a lot of junk I was gonna give to good will but decided to take it all to Tom's house and make him some money.  I included a fuzz buster, cd player (who uses those anymore), autographed MTV Inferno 2 check, Xbox games I got for free, ect.  Basically, crap I didn't want.  Tom loved the stuff hopfully it'll make some money for the show. 

The setting for the show is so interesting because it's set in Tom's real life living room.  His entire house is set up for the show.  I love that he has bleechers in his living room for fans to sit which usually end up being the guests friends or in our case our publicist and limo drivers.  It's hilarious I wish I woulda known because I know my friends woulda been down to watch the show.   

We bs'd for a bit then started the show.  Most shows have an entire production crew.  Tom on the otherhand has one guy working 5 cameras and the board.  So awesome.  The show flew by and was so much fun.  We made prank phone calls, checked out popular web shows on youtube (the dirt sheet being the best), and mainly just messed around.  I'd have to say the highlight for me was when Tom called Hornswoggle whom we are fighting at Night of Champions and cut a promo (talking smack) on him while wearing the wwe tag team titles. If you didn't get to see this show go to www.tomgreen.com and check it out.  It's a definate must see.

I want say thank you to Tom Green it was truly an honor being on your show.  It's funny how one minute I'm watching the Tom Green show on MTV and a couple years later I'm actually on the show.  Yeah I'm awesome.  Be Jealous.

I’ve been wanting to see Bullet for my Valentine ever since I bought The Poison CD in Europe while on a WWE European tour.  This was about 8 months ago and I still have not put The Poison or Scream Ready Aim down.  So when I heard they were doing a United States tour I had to find out when they’d be in my area.  Seeing that I travel so much it’s hard to see my favorite bands these days.  Lucky for me they were going to be in Orlando, Fl the same time I was going to be there for Wrestlemania.  It was perfect. 

Then the Tuesday before I was going to be in Orlando I got news that I had an appearance the same day and time as the concert.  Granted I love appearances but talk about bad timing.  So I went on Bullet’s Myspace and tried to figure out if they were anywhere near where I was going to be on any other days.  They were in Long Beach, CA the same time I was going to be in Europe so that was a No and they were in Tampa, Fl the day before which sucked.  I saw that the day I was leaving for Orlando, which was a Wednesday, the tour would be in Miami, Fl.  Miami is about 4 hours from Orlando and I was landing in Orlando at 5.  I tried calling everywhere to find out the set times of the bands so I wouldn’t miss them.  Couldn’t find anyone who knew but they did say they had to be done by 11.  I thought if I was down their by 830 there was no way i’d miss them. 

So I got off the flight, got my rental car, and sped down to Miami by myself just to see Bullet for my Valentine.  How spontaneous am I?  Now Atreyu and Avenged Sevenfold were on the card as well which I thought cool but Bullet is who I wanted to see.  So 4 hours later it was 845 I thought there’s no way I missed them.  Driving up I could hear the bands playing and it didn’t sound like Bullet so I thought I’m in.  Got to Will Call and they told me I just missed them.  I swear my stomach sank and instantly ruined my good mood.  How much does this suck?  I said screw it and went in and saw Atreyu whom I’ve only heard one song.  The fans seemed to like them but I just wasn’t in the mood.  Avenged came on and I have to say they really impressed me.  Musically, they were at the top of their game.  I liked them better live then on their CD.  I did feel the guitarists and the singer were fighting for all the attention.  The singer was amazing as well as the guitarists.  They were srheading together.  One was left handed and the other right so it was a really cool visual. 

I left the concert early, being the dad, wanting to beat traffic out plus I had a 4 hour drive home.  The story doesn’t end there. 

One of my friends was working with Rockstar and she said that on Friday in Orlando Bullet would be going on at 7 which meant I could see them because my appearance wasn’t till 9. 

Friday came I went with the Rockstar people and got to see my favorite band for the first time.  They were amazing.  They reminded me of a young Metallica.  Hell, the singer and guitarist both had cut off T’s of Metallica.  Even though they were awesome they didn’t play half the songs I wanted to hear.  Not even "All these things I hate" which is one of their most popular songs.  They kinda stuck to all the heavy stuff.  I really wanted to hear The End, Curses, Heart Bursts into Fire, and Forever and Always.  I wish they could of played an hour set.  It’s almost like I want to see them again to hear the songs I didn’t get to see.  Have you ever went to a concert and the band doesn’t play the song you wanted to hear.  Kinda pisses you off doesn’t it.  But it’s all good they’re awesome. 

So after a 4 hour drive to Miami missing them and driving back really pissed everything seemed to work out.  I have never done so much work to see a band.  It’s amazing what people will do to see someone play.  Definatley see this concert all the bands are very talented.  Thanks for the Rockstar peps for the hookup.