MGoProfile: Volume 10

Submitted by Six Zero on

Hello everyone, Six Zero here with the latest installment of: 

Photobucket

SIX QUESTIONS WITH BLUE IN SOUTH BEND

Inspired by the official site’s “Two Minute Drill” series and TomVH’s famous Q&A segments with potential recruits, this weekly feature highlights some of the more famous personalities here at MGoBlog.  Without pulling back the infamous veil of blog anonymity, we’ll get to know some of your favorite posters better and possibly shed some light on their definition of why it’s so darn Great, To Be, A Michigan Wolverine.

 PREVIOUS FEATURES:

TomVH        formerly anonymous       Misopogon       Shredder 

Mathlete      Jamiemac      Magnus       WolverineHistorian       MGoShoe

South Bend, Indiana, where both the pride of all Hibernians and the shame of NBC Sports budget specialists call home.  We’ve all suffered for our love of the maize and blue, but some do more than others, and our man Blue In South Bend is certainly a capable testimony of what some of us endure to cheer on the Wolverines.  Before we begin, I’d also like to acknowledge that any bit of pressure I felt over my vacation week (I’m looking at you, Sgt. Wolverine) was quickly tempered when Blue not only

did his part, but graciously some of mine as well.  Here’s the

exclusive MGoProfile interview:

 


 

1.     Alright, Blue, first things first—one thing I’ve noticed is that you are routinely among the quickest responders on the blog.  At the time of this writing, you’re typically among the first 8 entries of any given blog you respond to.  And that’s not a bad thing (unless we might ask your wife or g/f.)  So is it safe to say that you spend a lot of the workday connected to MGoBlog?  (Not that the rest of us don’t, naturally)

     I'd like to say that I respond quickly because I think faster than everyone else, but in reality I just spend way too much time on MGoBlog.  I'm a law student, so I spend most of my day sitting in front of a computer screen anyway.  It's way too easy to tab over to check on the status of Sean Parker or the latest on the Jihad.  So when you combine that with my instinctive need to share my opinion about absolutely everything, the result is a bunch of comments from yours truly.

     As for my wife... well, let's just say that if things ever go south in our marriage, Brian Cook may be deposed by my wife during the divorce proceedings.

 

2.      And yet no blogs.  You’re a great example of how someone can be a solid contributor without developing too much of your own content… Have you ever had the desire to start your own blog entries, and if so, what would they be about?

     I've considered developing my own content, but I've realized that I'm not really the local expert on anything.  I can speak intelligently about most things Michigan... but Magnus knows more about football, FA knows more about baseball, EVERYONE knows more about hoops, and THE KNOWLEDGE knows more about the rest of the Universe.  My areas of expertise are law and politics.  Politics, as you may have heard, is frowned upon on this here blog, and law is rarely very interesting.  Also, despite the appearance to the contrary, I usually don't have the time to develop in-depth content.  My free time comes in 2-minute spurts at random points throughout the day, and I don't have the attention span to put something comprehensive together, let alone on a regular basis.

     What I do bring to the table, I think, is the ability to remain fairly level-headed, and to further the debate when people get a little too high (OMG 13-0 TATE WINS TEH HEISMAN) or low (RR CAN'T WIN 5-7 IS UNACCEPTABLE LULZ).  Plus, someone has to post the occasional timely youtube clip or random picture of Fat Boren, so I think I have a niche.

 

3.  Now, the name… obviously you’re one of the Wolverine faithful deep in enemy territory.  Explain how that affects your life on an almost daily level, and describe your thoughts on the ND-UM rivalry as a whole.

     I sometimes feel like Jane Goodall.  The Irish allow me to live among them, and while they do not embrace me, they tolerate my presence as a sort of novelty.  Truth be told, it isn't that bad here.  I lived in East Lansing a little over 3 years after I graduated from Michigan in '05, and the Irish are far more hospitable than the Spartans.  To a certain extent, I think it reflects the different complexes of the two fan bases.  Where the Sparties evince an inferiority complex that would make Canada blush, the locals are more worried about how to defend their next National Championship.  Their concerns far exceed the Michigan game; they don't want one win, they want a dozen.  Besides that, the Irish are actually very knowledgeable, quite accommodating to visitors and opposing fans, and as supportive of their team as any fans I've encountered.  So in that respect, it's hard to generate the same hatred for the Irish as for the Spartans or Buckeyes.

Personally, I will very much miss having Charlie Weis on the opposing sideline next year, but all in all my animosity for the Irish is fairly low—I’d definitely rank them the lowest of the three primary rivalries.  What else can you tell us about the Irish fan base?

     The interesting thing about the Notre Dame fan is that he truly believes in his delusional highly optimistic take on the University, and on ND football in particular.  He really, truly believes that Notre Dame should have competed for a National Title last year, and that Charlie Weis was the ONLY reason they didn't do so.  I can't tell you how many conversations I've had with locals who think that ND's is in line for a 10-2 regular season this year, with an outside chance to go 11-1 or 12-0.  I've tried to explain the parallels between Michigan '08 and Notre Dame '10 (new coach, new system, suspect defense, replacing a multiple year starting quarterback and several offensive linemen, etc.), but they will have none of it.  The caricature we have created of the Irish isn't just based on reality.  It IS reality.

     Living in enemy territory is hard, though.  No one around here wants to talk about Michigan sports.  My wife is a Spartan, and she doesn't care much about football anyway.  MGoBlog is my one link to people who care whether Troy Woolfolk has been getting more reps at corner or safety, and whether Devin Gardner should redshirt (he should).  That, and South Bend is ungodly boring. 

 

4.  Which leads us right into our next question: What do you like to do for fun on your own time?  And, as always, can you describe the perfect meal?

     For a restaurant meal, I'd say it the Bang Bang Shrimp and Diablo Shrimp Fettuccini at Bonefish Grill.  For a home-cooked meal, my wife makes a great white chicken chili.  Either way, I have a fairly prominent sweet tooth, so desert is a necessity.

      As for my free time... thanks to this blog (damn you, Brian Cook) and my various responsibilities, I don't have all that much free time anymore.  I spend most of my day reading legal things, writing about those things, and reading some more legal things.  I'm also searching for post-graduation employment (HIRE ME PLZ... k thx), which is annoyingly time consuming and thus far unproductive.  Beyond that, I enjoy golfing, running, basketball, and most other athletic activities.  I like spending time with my wife (we just celebrated our first anniversary) and my dog.

Yes... the dog.  Your avatar definitely works—When I see one of your posts I always know it’s you without having to even read the name.  Is this your dog?  Is there a story behind your avatar?

     He isn't my dog.  I have a year-old American Bulldog named Gus, but Gus has too much self-respect to dress up in a costume just to satisfy my blogging needs.  He's great, though; I'd highly recommend the breed.  Truth be known, my avatar is just one of the first Google Image search results for "football dog."

 

5.  Can you explain why you are a Michigan fan?

     I actually grew up in a Spartan household.  Both of my parents went to State, so it's hard to say how or why I became a Michigan fan.  It may have had something to do with Tim Biakabutuka running like a possessed water buffalo against Ohio State in 1995.  I loved my four years at Michigan, and really wanted to come back for law school, though it was not to be (Demar and I are starting an "I love Michigan admissions" club.  Dues are $10, and that includes the t-shirt).  To me, Michigan has always been the total package.  First rate academics, excellent athletics, great town, great people.  That, and we control space, bitches. SPACE.

 

6.    Finally, the staple last question-- who's your all-time favorite Wolverine?

    
I don't have a single favorite.  I've always loved the workhorse running backs, so my favorites are probably Mike Hart and Chris Perry.  But after the events of a cool October evening in 2004, I will always have a soft spot for Braylon as well.  Honorable mentions goes to Phil Brabbs and Jason Avant.

/Wife in South Bend takes the computer.

     Give me back my husband, damnit.  Dinner is getting cold.  Besides, the season is still two months away.  What could you people possibly need to talk about right now?

/Blue in South Bend takes back the keyboard

Sorry about that. Guess that means it's time to go.

 


        The man’s name says it all:  Blue in South Bend.  There are several of us,

myself included, who reside behind enemy lines, and are forced to suffer for our fandom, our religious devotion to the block M, and yes, for our wardrobe.  Here in Pennsylvania it’s not so bad—at least, not until I break out anything with an #86 on it, which tends to work the more diehard Nits fan up into a seething hatred fairly quickly. (“One second,” or “Lloyd always got what we wanted from the refs,” etc.) 
Certainly South Bend has their own opinion of both Michigan and its fans, and thanks to the modern miracle of technology known as MGoProfile, we no longer have to guess.  I encourage all of you Michigan Men in unfriendly territory to stay the course, hold the line, and wear the block M cap every damn time you leave the house.  Thanks again and I’ll see you guys next week for another edition of MGoProfile!   

Comments

M-Wolverine

July 7th, 2010 at 8:57 AM ^

As for my wife... well, let's just say that if things ever go south in our marriage, Brian Cook may be deposed by my wife during the divorce proceedings.

I sometimes feel like Jane Goodall. The Irish allow me to live among them, and while they do not embrace me, they tolerate my presence as a sort of novelty.

And what's on the T-Shirt? This isn't some cross-promotion with Six Zero, is it?

JeepinBen

July 7th, 2010 at 9:08 AM ^

I can attest to the East Lansing folk not being very welcoming. When they hear that I went to Michigan... they tolerate the fandom.

Hopefully this year I can make my "BOW DOWN LITTLE BOTHER" T-shirt order from the MGoStore

As always, thanks for the profile. It's great to learn a little about the people behind the blog

Blazefire

July 7th, 2010 at 12:01 PM ^

Does anybody get the feeling that between all the engineers, law guys, business people, and various marketing, communications, and liberal arts folks on here, we have the makings of a seriously awesome corporation?

RayIsaac91

July 7th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^

I am not sure what is worse, living in enemy territory or in an area that is apathetic toward the greatest sport ever.

Good job, great series!

Sgt. Wolverine

July 7th, 2010 at 12:19 PM ^

And all because I can be unnecessarily demanding.  Now I can die happy.  Not, like, right now or anything, but eventually.

Seriously, though, another great installment of a superb series.  Many thanks for your efforts -- may all your designs be award-winning.

Fresh Meat

July 7th, 2010 at 6:32 PM ^

How dare you say its hard to live in South Bend because you don't have anyone to talk to about Michigan.  I go to the same school as you and sat next to you in several classes.  I am hurt, stunned and hurt.