On Topic: Today would have been our first game. How you coping?
Damn, my son just said to me, 'Dad I wish Michigan was playing.'
It just dawned on me that today was our first game and that I would have been there. It would have been his first live Michigan game. I had only been waiting for this game for about 3 years! It's only a 3 hour drive from Portland. I would have shelled out for the best seats available, would have done the hotel thing and the tailgate party thing.....I may drive junk cars but do it up in these situations
I literally just decided I'm flying back for our next home game and I'm taking my 16 year son. See you guys on the golf course.
With no AAU basketball and no Michigan football, I've been seriously upgrading my mancave as a stress reliever from my job.
You guys back there in Michigan are mostly opened up... Despite less cases here in Oregon we don't have in person school or high school sports.
How are you guys coping?
September 5th, 2020 at 4:53 PM ^
Was doing fine until you reminded me. Thanks!
September 5th, 2020 at 4:57 PM ^
sorry dude! I must have been coping well because I forgot today was our first game.
too soon!
September 5th, 2020 at 4:53 PM ^
Well I mowed my law, watched the Marshall game, played with my daughter, and cried for 17 minutes. So I guess I’m doing fine.
okay I lied I’m dying inside.
September 5th, 2020 at 4:59 PM ^
the next actual game will be better than ever.... it will be like that first beer after you've haven't had one in a week
September 5th, 2020 at 5:28 PM ^
You go more than 2 days without drinking? Grow up.
just kidding, yeah the next time Michigan plays it’ll be like Christmas times 10.
September 5th, 2020 at 4:56 PM ^
I’m watching football to cope
September 5th, 2020 at 5:03 PM ^
it's been NBA playoffs in between bouts of digging and hauling rocks for me
September 5th, 2020 at 5:59 PM ^
The slate of games today is pure awful. Football on TV today is just background noise.
September 5th, 2020 at 4:57 PM ^
Well, we did not lose...
September 5th, 2020 at 5:00 PM ^
Better than a lot of our west cost trips in the post Gustave Ferbert era
September 5th, 2020 at 5:01 PM ^
Accepted it and moved on. It stinks but I’m hardly letting it ruin my day.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:08 PM ^
me either....don't get me wrong, I am no snob, but I just made me a real genuine espresso with the old fashioned style maker I bought in Italy... now it's back to digging with a nice caffeine buzz. Working with your hands is great for coping.
take it easy ya'll
September 5th, 2020 at 5:10 PM ^
It has been weird in Ann Arbor. The golf course was empty. One car parked in the vast AA Pioneer lot opposite the stadium, at 12 noon. A few pedestrians at the corner of Stadium and Main. Closed gates and no sound in and around the stadium. No tailgating anywhere. No traffic jams, either. This also would have been the opener vs Wisconsin, had that schedule been played.
I watched the MTU at Army game. That was decent as there some cadets in the stands and some feeling of a college game.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:12 PM ^
Absolutely fine. Because football is just a game. I look around and see my kids healthy, my parents healthy, and my life pretty good, and not having football has such little impact on me. Would I prefer it? Sure. Am I on message boards whining like a one year old without a pacifier? Nope.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:13 PM ^
It's a lot more boring than it should otherwise be.
I'm pissed off but coping, gonna Q some chicken and corn on the cob with potato salad made fresh by my GF, also I'm making ice cause it's hot as hell and it's melting quickly, sigh.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:18 PM ^
I'm getting so much done. I've written a rough draft of a non-fiction book (140,000 words) since March. I've read 50+ books in that time. I've rehabbed my achilles and started a workout program. I love sports, but a year off has been amazing to me.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:32 PM ^
I've read about a dozen. I would've read more, but sometimes I have a ridiculous amount of trouble finding Waldo.
September 6th, 2020 at 1:36 PM ^
The socially distanced Waldo books are much easier
September 5th, 2020 at 5:20 PM ^
we're having mgovisitors. scanner was over earlier for a mountain bike ride and a run. then some homemade blueberry muffins and he's on his way down south with some farm produce.
next up is robf. the avatar twins felt like cooking so he'll have his choice of homemade brownie bites or pumpkin chocolate chip muffins. he'll leave with some farm produce, too. he better have brought a cooler.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:49 PM ^
If you're ever in Alabama I'd love some farm goods.
September 5th, 2020 at 6:02 PM ^
i am happy to share, but sharing farm stuff means visiting the farm. if you journey to michigan reach out and we'll see what we can arrange. it has been a pleasure to get to know a number of the mgobloggers.
September 5th, 2020 at 10:05 PM ^
I hope dinner is going (or went) well. I had the privilege of meeting robf and Seth earlier today at the MGoBlog Beulah event.
September 5th, 2020 at 10:42 PM ^
had a fine visit with robf, too. even made him do barn chores before he left - he is a great sport.
do you live in NW mich or just happen to be visiting?
September 6th, 2020 at 8:46 AM ^
Nice!
I'm straddling the living / visiting line in the greater TC area. I've been working remotely (Chicago-based employer with shaky finances) up north for several months. I'll probably be in the area until the smoke clears.
September 6th, 2020 at 9:28 AM ^
if you want to stay in the area, and you don't mind sharing your profession, there is at least some possibility i might know someone in NW lower that is looking for help.
September 6th, 2020 at 10:59 AM ^
Offer much appreciated and I'll keep it in mind. I'm in I.T. (health care and a couple of other industries for a few years). My goal is to get back to Chicago, but a relocation is still on the table.
September 6th, 2020 at 10:12 AM ^
It was great to meet you, Seth, "MGoDad" and a few others in Beulah yesterday.
And I can't say enough about the hospitality and fun experience I had at XM's farm yesterday evening. Great guy, wonderful family, and a tour of his barn/livestock pen.
Nothing beats the mix of fresh air, fresh hay, and barnyard animals!
September 6th, 2020 at 12:32 AM ^
I'd like to visit to shoot pictures of your wolverine. Any sightings lately?
September 6th, 2020 at 7:12 AM ^
i know you are kidding about the wolverine pictures, they are just about impossible to track down without a very concerted effort. that said, i did take scanner to the place at the SE part of the farm, what we have always called 'the wild side', on our ride and pointed out where i had seen it and it's tracks. like i've said before, i'm about 90% sure it was a wolverine, but leave at least a little room for error.
September 6th, 2020 at 10:17 AM ^
Yep, had my cooler along with me yesterday. I now have some farm-fresh goods to enjoy cooking and eating over the coming days after I finish my whirlwind tour of northern Michigan.
Thanks again, XM, but please also again thank your twins for baking those yummy muffins!
September 6th, 2020 at 1:13 PM ^
great to have you guys visit.
i wish i had thought ahead about seth, though. didn't contemplate him with family. seth, if you by chance read this and haven't left northern michigan, robf has my contact info. you are invited to bring the family by for a visit.
September 6th, 2020 at 12:09 PM ^
I'm jealous.
September 6th, 2020 at 4:36 PM ^
you and mrs XM would be fast-friends.
September 6th, 2020 at 6:10 PM ^
I like to think so.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:25 PM ^
Watched a crappy Marshall-E. Kentucky game. It all sucks.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:29 PM ^
Fellow Portlandian here. We were also looking forward to the UDub game for years. My buddy’s family has a big boat, and we were going to sailgate. Would have been an amazing day for sure.
But they cancelled the non-conference a long time ago, and I saw it coming even before it became official. I support the decision, and I’m over it.
In terms of coping, I’m really into the Tour de France, which got moved back to September this year. 5 hours of racing per day for the next 3 weeks, so plenty to keep me entertained.
Other than that, just spending more time with the family. Cheers WW96!
September 5th, 2020 at 5:33 PM ^
My lawn is immaculate.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:37 PM ^
I played golf at Stoatin Brae today. Shot an 85, not bad considering it is a tough course and very windy.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:44 PM ^
Having a relative pass away actually works well for making you forget that Michigan is supposed to play
September 5th, 2020 at 6:02 PM ^
are you taking any time off?
September 6th, 2020 at 10:16 AM ^
Hang in there DB. Not a day I'm looking forward to at all. You have my condolences.
September 5th, 2020 at 5:48 PM ^
I wish Michigan was playing today.
September 5th, 2020 at 6:20 PM ^
What game?
September 5th, 2020 at 6:29 PM ^
I napped.
September 5th, 2020 at 6:34 PM ^
Took my wife and my little one to an outdoor lunch and then a trip to the Wildlife Zoo and then around Frankenmuth for a bit. Yes I wanted to be in Washington as was the plan, but I do realize I will get to do a lot more “fall activities” this season so there’s a plus
September 5th, 2020 at 6:43 PM ^
Fantasy football drafts. Had plenty of time to prepare this year.
September 5th, 2020 at 6:47 PM ^
This is kind of a difficult day for me. My wife and I had planned for almost 2 years to make the Washington game weekend a big trip. We were planning to tour Seattle, see the Washington Campus, go to the game, visit Victoria, B.C., and go to two nearby national parks staying at the lodges. It was literally a trip of a lifetime. I even arranged to take the trip with one of my Michigan fraternity brothers. I checked the weather and the whole period was looking like gorgeous weather in NE Washington. Oh well. We'll re-schedule the trip minus the football game.
September 5th, 2020 at 6:57 PM ^
I feel more bad for the kids working so hard.
September 5th, 2020 at 6:58 PM ^
The Tour de France so far has been amazing! Another important mountain stage starts tomorrow at 7am EST on NBC.
September 5th, 2020 at 7:30 PM ^
I second this!! Can’t believe we’re only 8 stages in so far. So much has happened!
It was a shame to see JA lose yellow on a penalty and then crack today, but his form is not what it was in 2019.
A couple of young Americans have had great tours, which is always nice to see these days.
Seems like it is Roglic’s tour to lose, but Ineos and a few other teams will definitely have a say.