OT: Family Responsibilities Preventing a Michigan Experience

Submitted by readyourguard on

I am up, in the man-cave, drinking coffee, reading MGoBlog, watching videos of Michigan and ND, with the Big Ten Network on the big screen.  I am prepared for one of the most memorable college football lineups in recent memory.

Suddenly, I hear the unmistakable sound of my wife walking upstairs in dress shoes (we have hard wood floors and there's no way to NOT notice when someone is wearing hard heeled shoes up there).  I think to myself, "Why would she be wearing shoes at 9am on a Satruday?  She's not going anywhere."

Now my blood pressure starts to rise as she opens the door to the basement and begins to descend into my lair.  WTF is going ON?  She NEVER comes down here.  She hates it down here. 

She turns the corner and say, "We have to leave about 9:30"

"LEAVE?  LEAVE FOR WHAT?"

She answers "Kelly (our 14 year old/freshman) has a volleyball tournament down in Carelton"

"WWWWWWWWHHHHHHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa????"

These tournament last all day.  They begin with a round robin and then conclude with a single elimation playoff.  This thing is going on well into the game. 

Now, I love my kids more than anything in the world.  My daughter is my heart.  No matter what, I will support her and put her first and foremost.  I will proudly sit in the stands for her freshman high school volleyball tournament and forego watching the games on tv.  BUT, just in the event I have to run out and get gas or run to the store or suddenly need a breath of fresh air........are there any Michigan Football themed bars/sports bars down in Carleton?

EDIT:  OH, and I almost forgot a significantly crappy coincidence.  My kids attend Notre Dame Prep High School, and I coach football there.  Everyonewill be wearing Notre Dame stuff.  Hahaha!  How much does that suck?

1464

September 11th, 2010 at 9:35 AM ^

What you should have done was drink beer this morning until you were an incoherent mess.  That way, you'd fit in with the other long distance tailgaters, and your wife would have made you stay home.  It was the coffee that did ya in...

SanFrancisco_W…

September 11th, 2010 at 10:33 AM ^

As a UM fan in Ohio, I love the term "distance tailgater." I rolled over this morning at 7AM and downloaded the Marching Band's CD on my iPhone...I then proceeded to listen to it in full, in bed.  I then rolled out of bed, showered, and I'm now a few beverages deep.  Today is a huge day for Michigan football, and I'm celebrating it until I physically can't anymore!  GO BLUE!

hockeyguy9125

September 11th, 2010 at 9:39 AM ^

I think it would be a smart purchase for the future. It would be a good move for situations like this.

One other thing. Why is your wife wearing dress shoes to a volleyball tournament?

formerlyanonymous

September 11th, 2010 at 9:40 AM ^

You're a horrible person. You've had a kid presumably 15-16 years, and the first thing you think about when presented with supporting her is "son of a [long unnecessary ellipsis], I'm going to miss the Michigan game"?

/hung-over-rant-that-i-don't-really-mean-but-still-kind-of-do

formerlyanonymous

September 11th, 2010 at 9:54 AM ^

Negative. I totally understand actually, it was just the first thing to pop into my head. I  put the tag thing on the end just because I understand that after having kids, one would presumably feel that way. I meant no insult, and I was hoping the tag at the end would clear that up. Apparently brain no work hungover this much.

TIMMMAAY

September 11th, 2010 at 10:14 AM ^

Kinda figured, no offense intended. It's just that once you're a parent you end up sacrificing SO MUCH OF EVERYTHING for their well being (which is as it should be), that sometimes you just think "ok, I'm doing this for me", but even then you usually end up compromising. I don't know if that makes sense or not, I'm a little buzzed this morning.

UMich87

September 11th, 2010 at 9:50 AM ^

If the OP's wife is anything like mine (and I love my wife dearly), I get briefed on Saturday morning on what my schedule will be.  Sometimes it can be a shock -- particularly if you are geared up on coffee, MGoBlog and football videos -- to find you have new orders for the day.  Doesn't mean he is a horrible person because it looks like he clearly knows the right thing to do.  Just the shock of having the Michigan game he geared up for all week crossed of the schedule.

MichFan1997

September 11th, 2010 at 9:45 AM ^

I agree with a poster above. GET SLINGBOX. That way you can watch not just Michigan, but all those other great games today. I feel for you man, but I hope your girls team can at least pull out some wins for you today.

Steve in PA

September 11th, 2010 at 9:46 AM ^

Sometimes a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do and if you are married and have kids that age you know what I mean.  But, I'm typing this and changing the browser tab everytime my wife walks by...just in case.

mrlmichael

September 11th, 2010 at 9:54 AM ^

I told my wife all week. Its Michigan/Notre Dame week, I'm not doing anything this Saturday. Then, just a bit ago, she says "You ready to go to my sisters house for dinner and stuff". I said no, shes mad, Im happy. GO BLUE!!



Seriously though, I feel your pain. You should invest in a slingbox or something. I understand its your girl though. Hopefully she plays well for you today.

Blue Ninja

September 11th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^

Unfortunately for me I have to work. SInce I work evenings I'll be there an hour before kickoff. We have tv's in the break rooms but with the Buckeyes playing at the same time its unlikely I get to watch much if any of the game since I live in Ohio and all the idiots will be watching them.

Thankfully I have an iphone so I can keep up with the score.

MGoKalamazoo

September 11th, 2010 at 10:41 AM ^

I feel the OP's pain. I get to go hangout with my fiance's parents in Indiana, just south of Indianapolis (I live in Louisville). I agreed to do so since my lovely wife-to-be allowed me to mold last Saturday around the UConn game (we usually visit her family before our date night activities).. Her parents are masters of the early morning, her dad is a 3:30 am regular, so I figured we would be up there around 9, hangout, eat, shop and do whatever while getting out of there around 2-3 and listening to the game on the radio. Last night my fiance said "Is 4 a good time to meet them?" Damn.

For those who won't be around a TV, radio or a smart phone, I have a phone number that I call to get scores. 1-800-555-8355.  Say Sports. College Football. Michigan and you can get the score, who has the ball, where they have the ball and what time is left of whatever quarter the game is in.

TESOE

September 11th, 2010 at 10:38 AM ^

he may be wearing green, blue or gold...not a problem....sit next to this guy...just remember to cheer at the correct time.

Per above...you need to get the technology...don't think about getting a better passdown...this problem is inevitable...suck it up.