I'm Fine, The Board is (temporarily) Broken, What's in your Cup/BBQ Plate?
Mates,
I've been away, but I have gotten a number of texts and emails so I thought I'd check in tonight. I did check headlines from time to time and read the 'mental health' thread the other day. Worried about some of you. Hang in there, 11/4 will get here sooner than you know.
1. I'm fine, the family is fine, farm is fine, my other work is fine, I'm told that a number of you have inquired and I'm flattered that you all would even notice I haven't posted since last month, much less ask or say anything about it. Lots of football stuff has gone on with the kids, but of course their respective seasons got stomped out 2 weeks ago.
2. Too Toxic. I applaud Brian's wisdom in generally prohibiting politics on the board. That said, some politics made sense in March and April, was probably actually healthy. It long ago turned into a cess pool though, and I think when I saw Nittany get neg-banged for a post where he bared his soul about a buddy of his that lost his job due to Covid, had money trouble, fell into despair and ultimately took his own life, well that tore it for me. That was disgraceful.
There are many folks here who pretty reasonably can converse with different view points. I bet I could have a very worthwhile conversation with, say, Sopwith for instance. Probably with Hatter, too, though there'd be a bunch more 4 letter words said. It's when folks go over the top with the name calling and false condescension that gets my goat. You know those same folks would never, ever, have the guts to say those things to anyone's face. And you know with 100% certainty the folks with the most poison political takes are directly proportional to the train wrecks their lives are, and inversely related to the size of their privates.
3. Worthwhile People On This List. There are so many people on this list that I would love to meet in person, see at a game, have them visit the farm, shake their hand. Very worthwhile people. I have had the pleasure of meeting or knowing a number of you, and would say this: If we had political discourse in our threads like we knew that the person we're responding to was or would be sitting in our living room then 99% of the rancor would go out of the discussion and solutions would exponentially be promoted. That ought to be the rule here.
4. What's in Your Cup/On Your BBQ There is about a 90% that at some later point there will be a splash of red pop in a coffee cup in front of me. We will be BBQ'ing ribs tonight. What about you, and how are you doing?
I'll leave you with this video, I guarantee you will like it or I will refund your money. It might start with an ad you can skip in 5 seconds. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEc1m-r_0gM
Blessings to you all,
XM
August 28th, 2020 at 5:42 PM ^
Nice to hear from you XM. My in-laws are in town to meet our new son so I’ve got Widowmaker Ecstasy of Gold in my cup until a bit later when I go for something stronger.
August 28th, 2020 at 5:56 PM ^
congrats on new baby. that is a big, big deal. brave enough to post a picture?
August 28th, 2020 at 7:00 PM ^
Congratulations on your new MGoBaby, Mgotri!
August 28th, 2020 at 5:47 PM ^
He's alive!
....
.....
Moving on.
August 28th, 2020 at 5:49 PM ^
Good shit, Jed! (I mean, XM lol)
Sorry about your boys and the loss of their season (among other things). I enjoy your stories about their athletic endeavors and their real experiences with recruiting. I'd be curious to learn more about how this has changed for them with everything shut down your way.
As of now, full go down here in Ohio. First game tomorrow at 10am.
Wish all of our kids had the same opportunities.
August 28th, 2020 at 6:01 PM ^
our 2021 son got what i would term the best possible call he could get from one of his two favorite offers, from the head coach. they'd already offered him, which was great, but the coach said basically, mail me your transcripts, i will walk them to admissions, there is another guy we offered for your position but you are a guaranteed 'take'. more to it than that, but was very happy for that son.
still want to get him with northwestern, who have shown signif interest but that got stopped when their camp was cancelled and now the season. same with michigan - i know harbaugh well enough to ask him to take a look at that son if we were at a camp with him but of course michigan cancelled their camp also. not saying the 2021 son would get offers, but it's reasonably likely with a normal recruiting year and his physical stature changing that more could develop. probably never find out.
August 28th, 2020 at 6:06 PM ^
"probably never find out"
That, right there, is sad. So many opportunities lost.
Thank you for the detailed update!
August 28th, 2020 at 6:27 PM ^
I understand your being bummed about NW. Their athletic campus is stunning (their stadium could use about 20 mil though ... and retire the PA announcer “Move - Those- Chains!” after every wildcat first down). How about PWO at Michigan? I know a free ride at div 3 is very enticing for your wallet, but running down the tunnel on Saturday and an M degree is 2/3rds of this boards fantasy. You know Jimmy and I know MattyD and coach McDaniels ... we can make it happen
August 28th, 2020 at 8:55 PM ^
D III doesn't offer scholarships.
NW is where my oldest brother played, who also happens to be this son's godfather. love that school.
August 28th, 2020 at 9:58 PM ^
Always the academic scholarships at DIII that generally get granted to athletes. That's how a couple of my friends got Wabash almost completely paid for. I had a couple of those offers from DIII as well. I'm assuming that hasn't changed much in the last 20+ years.
August 29th, 2020 at 7:04 PM ^
Agreed. I could have (read: should have) taken an "Academic Scholarship" from some DII and DIII schools which would have essentially been a full ride as a Football Player.
But, I rolled the Dice and walked on at the University of Toledo. Regrets? Plenty.
August 28th, 2020 at 9:00 PM ^
Sorry to read this sadness, but with any luck and hope he'll get his shot next year. Maybe a spring camp? Good luck to the boy!
August 28th, 2020 at 9:06 PM ^
trying to put it in perspective, it's not that kind of sad. and he does have some great scholarship offers from some schools he really likes so the 'worst case' is still pretty tremendously good.
i am not aware of any spring camps though. and i wonder if nick saban will be proven true when he says any kind of spring college football season will be played by JV players since the starters will have the NFL (and by analogy, college scholarships for the high school kids) in their very near future and won't want to risk injury.
August 29th, 2020 at 10:10 AM ^
Wishing all the best for your boys XM. A crazy time this is. It really is so sad to see so much cancelled due to COVID. I totally understand closing stadiums / not having large crowds, but don't understand shutting down the season. These kids (HS and college) are going to lose so much.
180,000 have lost their lives due to COVID. We have a population of 328,000,000. Thus far, the chances of dying from COVID is way less than 1%, and the chances of dying from COVID as a healthy athlete aged 18-22 is even far less. I don't understand why keeping the players in a bubble, continuing all the other preventative measures (mask, hand sanitizer, monitoring, etc) isn't the most appropriate option. Even when the vast majority of players seem to want such an outcome.
August 28th, 2020 at 5:51 PM ^
- Glad to hear everything is fine
- Agreed
- Double Agreed
- Great Lakes Oktoberfest is finally out yay!
Thanks for the video, nice to see Joe Namath can be sober at some point .
Thanks for checking in XM!
August 28th, 2020 at 6:01 PM ^
Is GL Oktoberfest good? I like the Dortmunder a lot but otherwise their stuff is mediocre compared to what I can regularly get around Cleveland.
Mastheads pumpkin beer came out and I can’t wait to try it but I just can’t do pumpkin until the weather changes
August 28th, 2020 at 6:42 PM ^
I love it but I am so ready to leave the summer shanty/hoppy season, of course it all subjective. I like it better than other fall beers like Sam Adams octoberfest...but I still enjoy those as well.
August 28th, 2020 at 6:53 PM ^
Ok I’ll try it out. Not a fan at all of Sam Adams Oktoberfest. Not a fan of many of them actually but I’m a bit of a traditionalist. Bells is OK. I like Paulaner / Augustiner / Hacker Pschorr
August 28th, 2020 at 7:28 PM ^
New Glarus Staghorn Octoberfest will change your life, but you have to go to WI to get it.
August 28th, 2020 at 7:40 PM ^
Took a job interview in Madison best to get some Spotted Cow. Maybe it’s time to release the CV again
August 28th, 2020 at 11:46 PM ^
If you can find 3 Floyds Oktoberfest, grab some of that stuff. Very good. They are distributing beyond IN and IL these days.
August 29th, 2020 at 6:31 AM ^
Oktoberfests... mmmm... I am lucky enough to still be a band nerd as I end my 40's (just turned 49). I play in a band that plays Oktoberfests (when there are some, sigh). The local brands are decent, but nothing beats an excellent German Oktoberfest. I love Paulaner myself. I also really enjoy Warsteiner as well! Of course the Warsteiner Dunkel and the Kostritzer Swarzbier are among my faves as well!
The Warsteiner Dunkel was in my glass last night.
August 28th, 2020 at 5:51 PM ^
Glad you're doing well XM!
As a coach, I feel for your sons. Fingers crossed the MHSAA gets the spring season figured out.
Throwing brisket on the smoker tomorrow and will be enjoying some bourbon tonight and tomorrow. Probably will have the remaining pour of the Blantons I got for my birthday, and maybe some Elijah Craig.
August 28th, 2020 at 6:01 PM ^
I am quite frankly devastated for a lot of local athletes not getting a chance this fall.
We live on the border in Ohio, but have tons of family and friends just over the line in the Temperance Michigan area - including some high level multi-sport athletes who won't get a chance to show out.
Many likely won't even wait around for Spring Football (as one sport adversely affected) - as schools will push for commitments...not quite sure how this affects NSD either.
August 28th, 2020 at 7:02 PM ^
This definitely puts Michigan athletes at a disadvantage who had collegiate hopes. I'm just as sad and concerned for the kids who only have this season left in their football careers (as I'm sure you and most everyone else is). If we can make this Spring Season jive, then it's better than nothing, but anyone who thinks it will be the same as fall is fooling themselves. Just trying to stay positive for the kids, because there's an awful lot of negative in their lives right now.
August 28th, 2020 at 5:54 PM ^
So excited to hear from you.
August 28th, 2020 at 6:04 PM ^
maybe, but this was what the meter said...
August 28th, 2020 at 6:13 PM ^
No sarcasm here. Glad all is well.
August 28th, 2020 at 9:35 PM ^
thanks man
August 28th, 2020 at 10:28 PM ^
Anytime. You would laugh: took my kids fishing for the first time, I couldn’t catch a cold.
August 29th, 2020 at 10:17 AM ^
read: took my kids fishing.
everything else, including any fish, is just gravy. also, i have fished with some of the most skillful fishermen you could find on our planet and even they get skunked once in a while.
where were you fishing and was it for any particular type of fish, or just a live one?
August 29th, 2020 at 3:50 PM ^
Fishing for anything. I have no knowledge and skill. Like you said, just fishing to spend more time with my son and the family.
Although, there is spot near Del Mar that is attracting yellowtail due to the currents and temperature increase.
August 28th, 2020 at 5:54 PM ^
We've all been getting our asses eaten as of late.
August 28th, 2020 at 6:21 PM ^
Except for Jessica Alba . . . for reasons (Faux Mo will have to explain).
August 28th, 2020 at 10:46 PM ^
Is her asshole bleached?
August 28th, 2020 at 5:56 PM ^
Point no. 3 about civility. +1000
August 28th, 2020 at 6:00 PM ^
Bacon wrapped pork tenderloin on the grill and Centennial IPA in the glass.
Go Blue and have a great weekend!
August 28th, 2020 at 6:42 PM ^
Nice! I did a 14 hr pork butt the other day and had a 6 of Centennial plus a few left over two hearteds as well as a couple cups of coffee ?
August 28th, 2020 at 6:03 PM ^
Welcome back sir! As far as 1-3 go I concur whole heartedly with your eloquence . No 4 has me baffled on the food front so maybe hit Main St A2. Cheap gin and tonic while I work on the kitchen in the sweltering miasma that is our house
August 28th, 2020 at 6:13 PM ^
And you know with 100% certainty the folks with the most poison political takes are directly proportional to the train wrecks their lives are, and inversely related to the size of their privates.
lol
August 28th, 2020 at 10:02 PM ^
I guess "most poison political takes" only refers to stuff he disagrees with.
August 28th, 2020 at 10:10 PM ^
truly, no. i enjoy the different ideas. it's the expression in terms or tones that should get someone knocked out (if done in person) that i disdain.
August 28th, 2020 at 6:09 PM ^
Glad to hear things are going well X
Got home from work and slammed a PBR and now drinking some Paulaner and reminiscing about my time at Oktoberfest. Got so hammered in the Paulaner tent I almost missed the last train back to Austria.
Have some Fatheads Bumble Berry on deck and of course, more PBR
August 28th, 2020 at 6:13 PM ^
Bring some wholesomeness to the masses!
Drinking Red Stag & Coke Zero, with a side of Labatt's.
Dinner was thinly sliced mesquite smoked turkey over Wonder Bread & Bob Evans Mashed Potatoes smothered in a pouch of gravy.
I know, I know, my dinner was well preserved... But it was cheap & delicious, & I am happy!
August 28th, 2020 at 6:16 PM ^
1) Family is great.
2) Too toxic. Yes, politics and religion can be left at the door and unspoken on a sports blog.
3) Many interesting people on the board to meet in person, others not so much.
4) Bourbon, this time Old Forester “Statesman.”
5) An addition to your list, the B1G has been an embarrassment throughout the process. Sad to say Delaney would have handled this so much better. Was there really a meeting today to discuss November football? Debatable. A subcommittee at best that will recommend options to the AD’s and up the chain to the Presidents and Chancellors. Nothing concrete. A lot of options and wishful thinking.
Wishing you well XM!
August 28th, 2020 at 6:54 PM ^
Thanks big fella.
August 28th, 2020 at 6:23 PM ^
Glad to hear you are doing well. Just finished some burgers on the grill. My wife doctors them up with BBQ sauce chopped onion and some spices. They always turn out moist and delicious. Enjoyed a couple Spotted Cow beers my brother got me on his fishing trip to MN. Pretty content right now. Maybe a little bourbon later?.
Have a great weekend everyone.
GO BLUE!!!
August 28th, 2020 at 6:25 PM ^
Stay safe. Glad all's well.