needs moar usage
Happy GameDay 2011, my friends
This year's dose of what has become a yearly philosophical rambling
Well, my friends, it has arrived.
I look back on seasons past and think of all those mornings I woke up too early, too excited, and too impatient for the first game. So much has changed since then. I am no longer rousing myself hung over and dehydrated; I do not have heart-cringing football food laid out for the entire day; I am not making plans with friends to sit on couches from ESPN College GameDay to TBS Pac-10 late games; and I will not end the night celebrating or drowning my sorrows in a frozen stein somewhere.
Disney's Jake and the NeverLand Pirates are holding the TV hostage as I type this. I was up before 6 and took orders for cinnamon toast and Honey Nut Cheerios. The dog has been walked, toweled off, fed, and wrestled with, perhaps not necessarily in that order. I've already punished the same kid twice for something the child already knows all too better. And I have ultimately dedicated myself to being SuperDad for the entire chunk of the day just to reserve a healthy 3:30 - 7:00pm EST block all to myself.
(Don't get me wrong, the kids will be there-- they woke up saying "What time is Michigan??"-- but their attention span will be exhausted about three seconds after Denard breaks the first of his several gazelle impersonations that are sure to take place today. There's something that tells me it's not quite fair to make young children watch every play, even if it's a Mattison defense.)
But despite all these changes in my life... and even all the changes that have befallen Fort Schembechler for the past decade and beyond... nothing has changed.
This morning, I lay in my bed like a bright-eyed, ten-year old maize-and-blue-clad dreamer, full of optimism, hope and enough anticipation to power an oil refinery. I lay there in the dark beside my beautiful wife-- who either doesn't really understand how deep all of this runs in my veins, or does and yet still manages to take me seriously anyway-- with visions of broken plays turning into 65 yard scampers, competent decision-making by the secondary, and enough blitzes to make General Patton happy all dancing inside my head. As I laid there waiting for Gameday to begin, it didn't matter who I was or everything my life has become.
There's something timeless about Michigan football, and that translates to us as well. No matter where life will take us, and no matter who we ever become, there's moments like today that serve as a constant reminder of who we really are inside, and for better or worse, what's really important to us, at least in the fall. The restless impatience we are all boiling over with this morning-- well, may it never change, despite how much any or all of us do.
We will always be men of Michigan. GO BLUE, and we'll see you on the other side tonight.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:18 AM | 
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:24 AM |
Well written. One little
Well written. One little
Well written. Loved the picture. One little note, if you reserve 3:30 - 7:00pm EST, you'll miss an hour of the game.
"Is There Anybody Out There?" Pink Floyd, The Wall.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:41 AM |
Are you predicting an
Are you predicting an
Are you predicting an Illinois type game? I don' t know if I can take that on opening day.
Look for the bare necessities
The simple bare necessities
Forget about your worries and your strife
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:48 AM |
No. Its actually EDT (not
No. Its actually EDT (not
No. Its actually EDT (not EST).
"Is There Anybody Out There?" Pink Floyd, The Wall.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:27 AM |
Outstanding.
Outstanding.
You echo my feelings on this day...except for Jake and the Neverland Pirates...Here we have Thomas the Train running non-stop.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:31 AM |
Ugh.
Ugh.
It's THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE.
/anger directed at my girlfriend, not you (she likes to annoy me by calling it "Tom the Train").
Go Blue!
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:39 AM |
You are correct sir...
You are correct sir...
...my son calls him Thomas the Train, so that is how he is known in our house.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:41 AM |
It's cool, I just thought it
It's cool, I just thought it
It's cool, I just thought it was funny. Welcome to posting on MGoBlog, by the way. It's going to be a hell of a ride these next twelve weeks.
Go Blue!
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:59 AM |
I'm in the preseason optimism
I'm in the preseason optimism
I'm in the preseason optimism mode and think you may have forgotten the B1G championship game.
"Is There Anybody Out There?" Pink Floyd, The Wall.
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:03 AM |
Actually I was just too lazy
Actually I was just too lazy
Actually I was just too lazy to count the number of weeks between OSU and a bowl game, so I just went with the regular season.
Go Blue!
September 3rd, 2011 at 2:34 PM |
Nit-picking here, but you
Nit-picking here, but you
Nit-picking here, but you forgot the bye week.
I find your lack of faith disturbing.
September 3rd, 2011 at 8:52 PM |
Nit picking your nit
Nit picking your nit
Nit picking your nit picking. Actually it is 12 weeks. Think about it this way, we play the first game at week 0, and game 2 after 1 week. So, we essentially play two games in one week (from today). So without a bye it would take 11 weeks to play 12 games. The bye makes that 12 games in 12 weeks from today.
"Is There Anybody Out There?" Pink Floyd, The Wall.
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:11 AM |
Thank you...
Thank you...
...I discovered this place last year, and MGoBlog has quickly become my favorite place on the interwebs.
I guess we'll just keep our seat belts buckled, and our tray tables in the upright position.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:34 AM |
Yeah, we watched that too
Yeah, we watched that too
They're the really useful crew?? Gimme a break-- Thomas breaks something every week. If I were Toppham Hat I'd have canned him months ago.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:42 AM |
I know, right?
I know, right?
How he puts up with all his useless crew, is beyond me.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:59 AM |
I bet it's nepotism. That's
I bet it's nepotism. That's
I bet it's nepotism. That's huge in the train industry...
"I've got an idea--an idea so smart that my head would explode if I even began to know what I'm talking about." - Peter Griffin
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:23 AM |
obviously
obviously
Just look at them. Resemble. Resemble. Resemble.
5 4 3 2 1 Touchdown!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
Touchdown Billy Taylor!
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:57 PM |
What the fuck is this diary
What the fuck is this diary
What the fuck is this diary post about again?
Special Teams means special times!
September 3rd, 2011 at 3:07 PM |
Only on a Michigan blog
Only on a Michigan blog
Will you find tangents that start discussing topics like Thomas the Tank Engine. I love it.
Thanks for the philosophy Six Zero.
Go Blue!
"That's all there is...there isn't anymore"
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:15 PM |
That's Sir Toppham Hat...
That's Sir Toppham Hat...
careful with those casual references (smile)
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:31 AM |
Love the photo
Love the photo
Love the team. Love the Coaches. Love the fans. Love the University. Go Blue.
Little different age group with my kids: COD 24/7
Time is working funny again. Greg Mattison has a phonebooth time machine he sent the secondary back to Charles Woodson's childhood in; they have emerged with ZZ Top beards, children, and skills.-BC
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:41 AM |
I'm ready to hear football.
I'm ready to hear football.
I'm ready to hear football. The buzz that builds as you approach the stadium, the band and the uncomparable sound of 100,000+ being thrilled.
This is Michigan.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:48 AM |
Wow
Wow
I am so incredibly excited. This is Christmas. What is awesome is that all of you are just as excited as I am!!!!
Well, brothers and sisters of the maize and blue nation...CHEERS! Hold it high and let's have a year to remember while we root for the greatest team on earth. It's amazing to be a part of this...
GO BLUE!
What every longshot, come from behind, underdog will tell ya is this... The other guy, may in fact, be the favorite. The odds may be stacked against you, fair enough. But what the odds don't know is...this isn't a math test.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:52 AM |
Very well written!!
Very well written!!
I don't have the young children anymore, as my son is 18 now, but I do remember those days. But, like you and probably most of us here, I can't believe the season is finally here! I am soooo ready for Michigan to touch the banner for the first time this season, and commence with dismantling WMU. Life is good!
I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:57 AM |
I am sitting in a computers
I am sitting in a computers
I am sitting in a computers class in college in Iowa, wearing a number 16 home jersey. (admittedly, it's Navarre, not Denard, I can't buy these things every year). I am in the heart of Hawkeye country, and I don't care. My kids have had their blue and yellow pompoms out for days, and knew enough laugh as little brother struggled last night.
My daughter has been sure to remind me of how many more days "'Til mecheegan, daddy!" Even better than Denarded, in my book, though it's close.
It's finally here. Hail.
September 3rd, 2011 at 9:58 AM |
"May it never change"
"May it never change"
Well done sir!
While I won't be at the game today in person, I'll sure be there with the rest of you in spirit.
GO BLUE!
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:01 AM |
Great stuff!
Great stuff!
It's funny how we all have the same Saturday morning experience at some point in our lives! My kids are in college now, but I lived those same wonderful times.
Go Blue!
Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you. -Satchel Paige
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:28 AM |
Great diary
Great diary
I am feeling very similar. Last night, instead of drinking with my buddies and talking about what needs to happen for us to win the Big Ten, I carb loaded and went to bed early. I have to be on my game today as it will be the first time toddler bluewave goes to Michigan Stadium. Last year she said "I'll go maybe when I'm older." About a month ago she said "Dada, I am old enough, take me to the football." I will miss probably more than half of the actual game and may end up only seeing a couple plays. I don't know and I don't care. I just want to make sure that young colored wave of mine leaves Michigan Stadium with a smile on her face.
"Coach, if you need one yard, I'll get you three yards. If you need five yards, I'll get you three yards." -Leroy Hoard
September 3rd, 2011 at 12:23 PM |
we (ok me) make the kids wait until old enough to hold it until halftime. they no the rules no bathroom until halftime (or between periods if it is hockey)
Michigandadof4
September 3rd, 2011 at 7:03 PM |
I gotta say,
I gotta say,
I was thinking about you when I got to the game. Took the bird (our nickname for her) to the potty before hitting the seats. I carry her like a painting to our section, get her to our spot, and in literally 84 seconds hear those words . . . "I gotta go potty." Feeling like my coffee mug would have to be corrected from "Worlds Greatest Dad" to "This Dad is Meh," I take her to the promised land. On the drive home we talked. We'll do this again, michigandadof4, but not for awhile.
"Coach, if you need one yard, I'll get you three yards. If you need five yards, I'll get you three yards." -Leroy Hoard
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:33 AM |
I'm still young enough not to
I'm still young enough not to
I'm still young enough not to have kids but this still relates to me and i'm sure every blogger here. Great post, it was hillarious, sad, and very honest..I loved it.. GO BLUE!
"This is Michigan for God sakes" -Brady Hoke
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:36 AM |
I have
I have
WTKA on the live stream.....check
door magnets on......check
Window flags.......check
tickets........check
rain gear...........check
tailgating gear.......check
preparing for memories of a lifetime.........double check
Its great to be a Michigan Wolverine......GO Blue
From the Red Cedar Message Board: "God hates us." Yes He does Lil Bro, yes he does. Everyone hates you.
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:37 AM |
Happy GameDay to you too, and
Happy GameDay to you too, and
Happy GameDay to you too, and good luck today against WMU
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:46 AM |
I sent my kid
I sent my kid
I sent my kid to her grandparents house early this mourning. This way I can watch the game with friends and not be afraid to yell at the tv.
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:47 AM |
Can't Wait.
Can't Wait.
Great post.....yeah, I have been extra-cool dad this morning too so I can actually watch the game. My wife is not a sports person, so to convince her of the overriding importance of this is difficult.
"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."
Follow the random tweets of a Michigan alum - http://twitter.com/#!/LorneEC3
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:48 AM |
Daddy,
Daddy,
is it 3:30 yet?
"I hate losing more than I like winning." - Zack
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:49 AM |
I didn't sleep well
I didn't sleep well
I didn't sleep well last night and, as I layed in the dark next to *my* beautiful wife, this haiku came to me:
Michigan scores much
Nine months of pain subside
The other guys don't score
September 3rd, 2011 at 10:58 AM |
I live here in Arlington, Tx
I live here in Arlington, Tx
I live here in Arlington, Tx so my typical game day changed as I decided to go by JerryWorld. Great crowd and energy. Several Michigan fans around. Excited about being inside as we beat Alabama next year.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:05 AM |
are you me?
are you me?
Am I you? Damn I can't wait til gametime!
Go blue!
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:14 AM |
We are
We are
WOMEN of Michigan as well. The joy never diminishes, but the roles we play in life surrounding our college game day do. Go Blue!
It's peanut butter jelly time.
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:19 AM |
Awesome
Awesome
Great read...love the art!
I've prepped my wife and three kids for a month that today is Dad's football Saturday. I usually travel to the home opener but can't this year. I didn't think it would affect me this much. My family in Michigan has been sending me tailgate pics and I've stopped looking at them.
My son plays for the Missouri Wolverines so I have his helmet sitting next to me. The family has left me alone to contemplate the awesomeness that is Michigan football. They'll join me at game time for a little and then leave me alone to talk to the TV.
Thankfully, I have MGoBlog to keep me company all day!
September 3rd, 2011 at 11:23 AM |
Maize and Blue flying on
Maize and Blue flying on
Maize and Blue flying on College Game Day.
71 degrees and sunny.
My heart is in Ann Arbor, and I am heading to LoDo's to join 300 or so fellow Michigan fans.
Life is good!
Go Blue!
"It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things"
September 3rd, 2011 at 12:29 PM |
I'm a bit verklempt
I'm a bit verklempt
Just watched the 2011 hype video. Been reading football nonstop for days as I try hopelessly to be patient for this afternoon. I am 100% unable to avoid getting teary when I see/hear/feel the band take the field. The hair on the back of my neck stands up, I get choked up, and then I start screaming for Michigan.
BRING IT ON! GO BLUE!!!
September 3rd, 2011 at 12:50 PM |
As a dad whose morning was
As a dad whose morning was
As a dad whose morning was very similar, this was just what i needed. I probably missed more games in the last two years then in the 5 previous, but hopefully I'll get to share more gamedays with my son as he gets older (unless he becomes a Gators/Noles/Canes fan like the other kids here in Central FL - can't let that happen). Good read. Thanks. Go Blue!
September 3rd, 2011 at 1:56 PM |
we need
we need
To have an over under for the number of people carried out. I'm in front of Revilli Hall and its 94F. My number is 50.
From the Red Cedar Message Board: "God hates us." Yes He does Lil Bro, yes he does. Everyone hates you.
Tremendous!
Women, Food and Michigan Football.....If God made anything better, he kept it for himself!