OT: Excessive Drinking at Tailgates

Submitted by FauxMo on

Like many of you, I am sure, I drank too much from time to time when I was younger. Now that I am in my 40s - with wife, kids, job, responsibility, etc. - I am almost never do so. However, the one last place/time/event I tend to drink to excess anymore is at Michigan tailgates. I think it's the college party atmoshpere that leads me to do this, but I'm not sure. Regardless, over the last several years, literally the only time I would say I was "drunk" was standing on the golf course outside the Big House. I am not talking "puking drunk," but definitely "saying inappropriate things to undergrads" drunk, for sure. 

So my question: Is anyone else like this? What is the "cure" to this problem?? Is it crazy I am planning to tailgate less to address this problem??? 

Sincerely,

Drunk in Ann Arbor

GVSUGoBlue

August 25th, 2017 at 8:25 PM ^

College atmosphere makes you miss the old days. Getting more drunk there reminds you of those days. Nothing wrong with living it up to reminisce and enjoy your day.

Woodstock Wolverine

August 25th, 2017 at 8:35 PM ^

Not a problem. Sounds to me like you're having a good time. As long as you're not hurting people or driving than party on!!

Although, if you're dressed like your avatar then there is a problem.

The King In Yellow

August 25th, 2017 at 8:34 PM ^

Don't be weird. Make sure by the time you drive you're under the legal limit.  I dont understand why age has to restrict you having fun during our most glorious few Saturdays of the year. 

I remember my uncle went missing during a game once (before cell phones) and we could not find him anywhere. Came back to the Red Lot and there he was passed out underneath the truck (he had to be at least 40 at that time). 

LSAClassOf2000

August 25th, 2017 at 8:46 PM ^

It might be just me, but I find that while I do drink generously as well at tailgates, I really only do it for 3:30 PM or night games (most of my night game experience is NOT in Ann Arbor, of course). The reason is that I am not - nor have I ever been - a morning person even though I pretend to be one for work. Find me a pot of coffee and something not too upsetting to the stomach for breakfast and I am good for a noon game. OK, maybe a few shots are involved too. 

WichitanWolverine

August 25th, 2017 at 8:47 PM ^

Oh yeah, my buddies are going to chime in here any minute to rag on me but the drunkest I've ever been in my life was at tailgate. Not proud of it, but it's just so much damn fun you can easily get carried away.

bacon

August 25th, 2017 at 8:54 PM ^

FauxMo. People will drink, FauxMo. They'll drink at Michigan for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up onto the course not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your tailgate as innocent as children, longing for the past. "Of course, we won't mind if you drink some beer", you'll say, "It's only $20 per person". They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and beer they lack. And they'll walk out to the pickup; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the fairways, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll drink at the tailgate and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will drink FauxMo. The one constant through all the years, FauxMo, has been tailgating. Michigan has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But tailgating has marked the time. This golf course, this tailgate: it's a part of our past, FauxMo. It reminds us of all that once was good and that could be again. Oh...people will drink FauxMo. People will most definitely drink.

lmgoblue1

August 25th, 2017 at 9:53 PM ^

1 powerful rum and coke walking to the gate. That's traditional. But that's all. Or else I would miss the game. And still have to drive 150 miles home. So I have a limit.

Walter Sobchak

August 26th, 2017 at 7:06 AM ^

Is there anything else you should be doing at a Michigan Tailgate? Seriously.

And, for God's sake, learn to handle your booze.

Goggles Paisano

August 26th, 2017 at 6:35 AM ^

I come in for at least one game per year and Sunday is my one day of the year that I have a hangover.  Part of that is also because my dumb-ass best friend always insists on incorporating 101 proof Wild Turkey into the tailgate.  I think if he left that shit at home, the 1st half of the game would be a bit clearer and Sunday morning would feel a bit better.  

babarblue99

August 26th, 2017 at 11:32 AM ^

This post makes me want to slam a couple quick IPAs, followed by casually drinking Labatt Blues and playing bags for 2.5 hours while changing rock, pop and Michigan fight songs after their first 45 seconds and increasing volume slightly with each new song. I can't wait for next weekend.