OT: Arnold Classic, Columbus Ohio

Do you even lift?

I can almost guarantee it. I was born at St. Joes in Ann Arbor, family moved here when I was 4 months old...never had a problem and every singe one of our cars is plastered with UM stuff. If your car gets vandalized it is due to the fact that place the convention is held is right next to "The Bottoms," probably the worst area in the city. I can almost assure you that people from the area walk the lots looking for cars to break into, whether or not they succeed I cannot say. I would take all valuables out of your vehicles, or put them well out of sight. 

I will say, other than the constant draft of suckeye unintelligence that runs through the city...I love Columbus. Probably the cleanest city and one of the most friendly cities out of all the others I have visited. You may get a little harassment by an ohio fan if you wear some UM gear, but unless they are one of the rabid morons it will be all in good fun.

the only good thing to ever come out of Columbus (well, and Trey Burke, and a few other players)

Have fun!

Seriously, I wouldnt worry about it. I am at OSU for medical school and my wife and I have not had any problems related to michigan since we moved here three years ago. However, if you leave your wallet/anything valuable in the open obviously you're leaving yourself open to have a bad night. But even then its a slim chance something happens.

If you want any food reccomendations, I'd be happy to give some. Enjoy the Arnold and take your time. Too many people rush through it for the supplements that they don't realy enjoy the experience. 

If you want to get to the ON or Bodybuilding.com Booths....get there early and make a dash straight to them because the lines get very loooooooooooooooooong.

Both UM alum.   She used to stress out when my car laden with block M's would be left out on the street, but nothing ever happened.   Only occasional snide remarks from neighbors.  This was in the 90's when we repeatedly steamrolled over highly ranked John Cooper teams, so maybe that had something to do with my vehicle leaving C-bus unscathed.    I've gone there over 20-30 times with nothing horrible happening.

I think you should at least wear a Charlie Bauman jersey to the show and around ColumbASS.

I taught at OSU for a semester last year and parked on campus. Worst I got was the occasional "UM SUX" or "GO BUCKS" written in the dust layer of my car / windshield. I have actually had more problems at the Columbus airport parking lots or gas stations with dickheads yelling stuff to me than vandalism to my car. Signature block story not withstanding.

I go down there and attend something at the convention center around mid to late January every year and I've never had a problem.

Especially when you're there for an event at the convention center, most of the people around you aren't from around town anyway and probably aren't OSU crazies. Obviously there is always some risk, but I'd say its pretty low; no more likely to happen than if you drove around any other Big Ten town with Michigan stuff.

I think most of the stories that go around come from football games. When I go down there for The Game, I am extra careful, because all the crazies ARE in town at that point and you are going right into the eye of the storm. For that you would want to take every necessary precaution and avoid any unnecessary risk, but for a convention, you'll be fine.

and I read above that you're going to bite the bullet and drive the fiance's car, which is the safest option.  I've been to C-bus enough times, sporting UM gear and not had any problems but all it takes is one asshole to ruin an otherwise fun trip. 

Short story:  I went there last summer for a charity golf tournament my wife's family plays in every year and it was right around the time of all the ohio players getting arrested for fights in bars and such.  I wore my Maize and Blue proudly and when I got some hell for it from a number of people, my standard response was "I wore this so no one would mistake me as an ohio football player and arrest me."  Most took it well, though. 

I've lived in Columbus for the past 9 years, and for the most part, it is good natured ribbing.  However, I would never put anything on my car or wear Michigan gear to a restaurant.  Aside from drunks flexing for their boys, anyone that would do something dispicable wouldn't do it to your face.  Like I said, most people are cool, but it only takes one coward to key a car or put some "fromunda" cheese on your steak.  That being said, the Convention Center and Arena district is a great place to hang out.  The Arnold is a cool event and great for people watching.  Be sure to check out the North Market and tsio campus is a short drive up High Street if you want to see what people not smart enough to get into Michigan look like.  Go Blue and keep Louisville weird!

I've lived in Columbus my whole life and I'd say you should be alright.  You'll be in the downtown/Arean district/Short North area.  There are a lot of great restaurants and little art galleries in the Short Nort.  Not to mention the Norht Market as mentioned above.  Good food and bars in the Areana district.  If you are a hockey fan there is a good hockey bar there that my friend owns called the R-Bar (shameless plug). Just north of there is the osu campus, so I would try to avoid that.  I've never been to the Arnold Classic but I'm sure with all the people coming in from all over, wearing your Michigan stuff you'll be fine.  I wear mine all over and no one really says anything.  Can't say the same holds true once some of the schmucks get some alcohol in them.  But I'm sure that holds true most places.  Also, since it's not football season, most of the people just don't care especially since they are fairweather basketball fans.  It's really not a bad city if you exclude osu.  Hope you enjoy yourself.