A "Life is Short, Think Nice Things" Thread

Submitted by turd ferguson on

This is my attempt to bury some of my lingering bitterness from Saturday.  Feel free to join me if you think it’d be therapeutic or to ignore me if it’s too “Kumbaya” for your tastes or you aren’t ready.

Something nice about Michigan:

Although it’s hard to see this in the immediate aftermath of a tough loss, I honestly think the long-term outlook for Michigan football is better, not worse, because of Saturday.  Part of that is having an emotional game to rally around, but more than that, I’m blown away by the integrity displayed by our coaches and players this weekend.  They were remarkably composed on the field and gracious in defeat, refusing chance after chance to take the bait from an MSU player or reporter.  I think we’ll be very proud of how this program operates for the foreseeable future, and this integrity will help on the field through both recruiting and building camaraderie and trust.

Also, I was thinking about how emotionally many of us reacted to the cheap shots on our players, and it speaks to how highly we think of these kids.  Honestly, when I see Denard’s head being twisted like that, it feels like someone’s hurting my friend, brother, or cousin, and I react accordingly.  Like usual, we’re fortunate to have such a great group of kids representing us.

Something nice about Michigan State (bonus points):

I’ve been rambling about the nature of rivalries for a few weeks now (http://mgoblog.com/diaries/typology-college-rivalries), but there’s something about the Michigan-MSU rivalry, structurally, that bothers me.  It bothered me when Michigan was dominant and it bothers me now.  Many of us interact daily with family, friends, and coworkers with MSU blood, and this rivalry generates unnecessary tension between great, smart people on each side of it.  My life would be much worse without the Sparties I care about, and I suspect that’s true for many of you, too.  Unfortunately, this game often brings out the worst in us in a very targeted way.

(As for Ohio State, though, screw the bastards.)

Something nice about Mark Dantonio (mega bonus points):

Okay, I’m stretching the limits of my kindness here, but I actually like that Dantonio so openly embraces the importance of the Michigan game.  There’s something honest and respectable about saying “this is far and away the most important game of our season” when it clearly isn’t for one’s opponent.  Part of me hopes that OSU comes after him just because I think he’d add even more life and passion to that rivalry.

Something nice about MGoBlog:

Without having a community of passionate fans to celebrate and mourn with after Michigan games, I’d think I’d honestly push a few of my family and friends to weigh the costs and benefits of murder-suicide.  Neurotic as you all are, I appreciate you.

nyc_wolverines

October 18th, 2011 at 2:05 AM ^

How bout this...

Since Brandon is enjoying destroying the sacred cloth that is the standard Michigan uniform, I hope his small ego is getting the stroking he believes it deserves... After all, surprising players with alternate unis is a move that only someone who wants complete program control would do...

Lampuki22

October 18th, 2011 at 1:56 AM ^

As Narduzzi and Dantonio were working these MSU lads into a lather these past two weeks did they announce pregame movie as they had for prior games? I dont recall it being mentioned.

Chunks the Hobo

October 18th, 2011 at 2:17 AM ^

Yes, they watched "Giorno di Borsa Doccia," a forgotten gem of Italian cinema directed by famed auteur Marco d'Antonio and starring Tommaso Gholstonioni. D'Antonio is credited with pioneering the "Douchebag" school of film, and this particular effort is considered his magnum opus. It should be noted they watched the fully restored original print, not the Americanized and edited version, re-titled "STAEE" for a U.S. audience.

ClearEyesFullHart

October 18th, 2011 at 5:02 AM ^

     I hold myself accountable that I aimed low enough in my career path that I come into contact with multiple spartans on a daily basis.  That's on me.

     I cannot find a lot of positives in walking around with this feeling in my guts for two weeks.  I cannot imagine how the players feel.

     I guess if you want a positive...as I get older, time seems to move faster.   The last three years passed in a heartbeat.  In another heartbeat Michigan will have most likely choked the last gasp out of MSU with targeted recruiting.

     I find myself falling into the sour grapes camp where I want to point out that MSU doesn't care what kind of human garbage they put on the sidelines or in those unifoms.  But yeah, its sour grapes.  And that human garbage is better at football than our guys, so what does that say about us?

     I'm sorry, I just realized I dont have a point.

     Bleh.       

In reply to by ClearEyesFullHart

Mitch Cumstein

October 18th, 2011 at 8:30 AM ^

"I hold myself accountable that I aimed low enough in my career path that I come into contact with multiple spartans on a daily basis.  That's on me."

 

OK that made me laugh

LSAClassOf2000

October 18th, 2011 at 5:53 AM ^

Something nice about Michigan:

We have a great school with analumni association that has global reach and influence and could, upon Brian's orders, take over the planet.

Something nice about Michigan State:

I'll give it to them - it's a decent-looking campus when the smoke and haze clear out on rare occasions. 

Something nice about Mark Dantonio:

There are plenty of maxillofacial surgeons in the Ann Arbor area that could fix that face.

Something nice about MGoBlog:

We have earned our rightful place as a go-to source  for all things Michigan. 

Erik_in_Dayton

October 18th, 2011 at 9:05 AM ^

Innumerable things can be said about Michigan, but I'll mention the incoming recruiting class.  It is cause for well-grounded optimism. 

As for MSU, I'll always give Dantonio credit for turning them from almost constant underachiever into a pretty good team.  I'm leaving out a lot of other commentary about them for the sake of sticking with the theme of this thread. 

Feat of Clay

October 18th, 2011 at 9:50 AM ^

MSU

Although the MSU football team has proven to have a few too many jackholes in its ranks, we've certainly seen that their band is classy.  And overall as an institution MSU has lately been a very good partner with U-M in academic, research, and service endeavors. 

bryemye

October 18th, 2011 at 12:36 PM ^

Michigan: an institution that puts out lots of great young people, does great research and other work for the benefit of the world, and remains one of my favorite places/things.

MSU: their campus can be pretty.

Dantonio: a man who has managed to stamp his personal mark onto every program he's been at, including msu.

mgoblog: a wonderful community with a wonderful leader in Brian who has helped me to cope and stay attached to the program through some rough times.