Back Like Backstreet, Except I Left
So: I'm back. It might be a little slow today as I attempt to catch up on almost two weeks of happenings and assimilate them into coherent thought. But it might not.
First, though: massive thanks to UMHoops, Varsity Blue, The Wolverine Liberation Army, Yost Built, The Hoover Street Rag, MVictors, Diarist Jamiemac, and longtime commenter and general blog affiliate Colin for picking up the slack and then some in my absence. I hope you found a couple other blogs to read during our painful separation. Also, Tom Van Haaren turned in an MGoBlog first by breaking the commitment of OH WR Jerald Robinson.
A common question: where was I? This, hopefully, will reveal all.
You will note that guy's slammin', laser-enhanced Michigan hat:
A second commonly-fielded question isn't actually a question, it's "you can't ever do this again," which sentiment I appreciate. This was long and ill-timed and next time someone asks if I can evaporate for almost two weeks in February I'll say "uh… no". HOWEVA, this was also the first time in over four years that I'd taken more than a weekday away from the blog outside of the annual Christmas break. I'll probably do it again at some point. But in summer.
Also appreciated is the flood of donations that came in when the WLA browbeat y'all. I was sitting in a McDonald's in Aswan—free internet!—the last time I got my email and was stunned, flattered, and then a little bit suspicious of the tide. Many thanks to everyone who chipped in.
As a reward for tolerating my absence, here's a list of all the things you can't take on Egyptian planes, including "spear," "weapons for killing cattle," "spiral taking away instrument for cork plug," and, bizarrely, "roller skating shoes." (click for big; well worth it):
Now, on with the show.
February 16th, 2009 at 11:54 AM ^
plz put laser hat in mgostore
February 16th, 2009 at 11:56 AM ^
Pyramids at Giza, eh? Do any of the camel rides over there, Brian?
The tourist-harassing merchant; the staple of every third world country.
February 16th, 2009 at 4:13 PM ^
Like New York City?
Interestingly, the average life expectancy of an adult black male in Harlem is lower than a man's in Burma
February 16th, 2009 at 11:58 AM ^
Brian is home! When you were gone Paul and Tim from VB took us to get ice cream and Dylan rented movies for us and WLA touched me somewhere I haven't been touched before...
Fun times had by all!
February 16th, 2009 at 12:04 PM ^
is that the sudo name that dex uses when he does illegal things now? blame it on the collective eh?
February 16th, 2009 at 12:04 PM ^
We all missed you Brian, hope you had a good trip
February 16th, 2009 at 12:12 PM ^
I must have hat.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:14 PM ^
I especially wanted my ice axe on a trip to Egypt.
I hope you bought something from the laser-M-hat dude, especially after your Paypal windfall.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:16 PM ^
Brian Cook takes pictures of Egyptian street vendors
February 16th, 2009 at 12:17 PM ^
"An Arrow" - so you can take a quiverful or something?
Welcome back, Brian!
February 16th, 2009 at 12:18 PM ^
Did you happen to visit any other countries in the vicinity? I've been thinking about a trip to Israel but obviously have some concerns at the moment.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:22 PM ^
they were all messing up the house, and i told them to clean it, and they didn't. then wla came over....
and tim and paul wouldn't let me try any of the ice cream! but then craven gave me a picture of some ice cream and it was all better.
...Back to seriousness: it's great to have you back. hope you enjoyed Egypt!
February 16th, 2009 at 12:25 PM ^
is the top-ranked 4-star run-pass QB out of Cairo Nasser High. Runs a 8.9 40-cubit time. Rumor is he can throw a ball to the top of the pyramid from atop a sprinting camel. He's concerned about the cold weather in Ann Arbor, though. At the in-home visit, RR told his mom "Ma'am, those are the best falafels I've ever had on a recruiting trip."
February 16th, 2009 at 12:27 PM ^
Never will I use the term "corkscrew" again
February 16th, 2009 at 12:35 PM ^
Someone told the translator that was called a "corkscrew" and he said, "What, you think I'm stupid? Who are you with the single-entendres, Craven Morehead? You're trying to get me to put something obscene on our official signs!"
February 16th, 2009 at 2:09 PM ^
I once heard them page "Fanny Pfister" over the loudspeaker at Metro.
February 16th, 2009 at 12:48 PM ^
Because some of the students used to refer to North Campus as "butt fucking egypt" I'm trying to figure out if Mgoblog was really in Egypt...or just on North Campus. Somehow, I wouldn't really be surprised if they built some pyramids up there.
February 16th, 2009 at 1:11 PM ^
I would have been tempted to buy an overpriced tshirt from the man just because of the hat he was wearing.
February 16th, 2009 at 2:10 PM ^
they spit.
February 16th, 2009 at 3:15 PM ^
Welcome back Kotter, er, um Brian.
As-Salāmu `Alaykum
February 16th, 2009 at 4:10 PM ^
Now you can relax and never be asked for bahksheesh again.
Strangely enough, your post reminded me of my visit to Luxor Temple a few years back. Our old, four-toothed Egyptian tour guide was sporting a block M baseball cap. No laser etching though.
February 16th, 2009 at 4:40 PM ^
The Egypt Guy in the Michigan looks stunningly like Heisman Trophy winner, SB MVP and ESPN football guru Desmond Howard.
February 16th, 2009 at 6:57 PM ^
Pistols
Pistols for Air Pressure
-All pistols
Electrocuting Pistols
Lighter with the shape of a pistol
February 16th, 2009 at 7:19 PM ^
I can see where you might want any or all of those pistol-like objects in Egypt, but an ICE AXE?? For what? Chipped ice for blender drinks?
February 16th, 2009 at 7:54 PM ^
We just missed each other; Fess up - how many papyrus paintings did you buy?
They didn’t get the memo on sexual harassment; either that or I am supposed to be appreciative that I am worth 5 camels (Seriously).
Other than that, awesome history, great food, and friendly (other than the adolescent idiots) natives. And yeah.. I never heard the word decommit for 2 weeks.
February 16th, 2009 at 9:53 PM ^
Your rather transparent cover story only confirms the real purpose of your absence.
Dr. Zahi Hawass granted you access to the Hall of Records underneath the right paw of the Great Sphinx after which you went directly to Rennes-le-Chateau prior to being surreptitiously escorted back to Ann Arbor by Jack Bauer.
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