GO BLUE!!!

I just got the pictures last week, so I guess that I am a little behind on blogging about this. But you'll see how giddy I look in a just a second...

On March 12th, the Michigan Senate honored Pittsburgh Steeler Lamar Woodley, a former UM football player. In addition to his family, his high school and college coaches came also, including Lloyd Carr. Being the die-hard UM Football fan that I am, here are my pictures...

Just in case you're wondering, the pin I'm wearing reads "I'd Rather Be in Ann Arbor". Trust me, it's hard being a Wolverine in Spartan country!

Always look on the bright side of life

Yesterday, I headed to Ann Arbor with my two football tickets for the UM/MSU game in hand. I was meeting my friend Pav for lunch then the game, and it was quite the wacky day. When I woke up, the weather was nice - cool and sunny. The weather report said it might rain in Ann Arbor during the afternoon, but just showers. So, I packed my extra change of clothes, and my poncho, and headed off.

We went to lunch on State Street at Red Hawk - they have yummy burgers. I got mine medium, with cheddar cheese, bacon and barbeque sauce. They come with a side order of steak fries.

After that, we stopped at the Michigan Union for a bathroom break, and then headed down South University to check out Middle Earth. Except we only made it past the law quad, when I realized that my ticket was no longer in my back pocket...

As we rushed back to the Union, checking the sidewalks as we went, we were contemplating what to do if we didn't find the ticket...we got back to the Union, I checked the bathroom, Pav checked the couch we sat down on. Nothing. So, we went to the main desk to watch some kids arguing with the attendant there about having a non-validated student ticket, and asked if a ticket was turned in. Her first question "did a woman lose it?" Yup. "Which stall were you in?" THE END ONE!!! Yay! Someone turned in my ticket!!!!

It went straight into my zippered pocket, and we headed back toward Middle Earth. We both picked up some buttons, and then decided that it was time to head to the game. It was a fun game - the weather was great, and I had already been resigned to my team losing. But, as usual, they decided to give us glimpses of a possible win, getting my hopes up, then ultimately losing. I am appreciative that they've at least won a couple games (unlike the Lions...), but man, they could at least just strive to look mediocre. With that said, I love my Wolverines, no matter what!

Eric is working this weekend in the Ann Arbor area, so Pav and I walked back to our cars (which were north of campus, while the stadium is south). Then we decided to go to dinner at Godaiko, which is in the strip mall next to the Target plaza off Ann Arbor-Saline Rd.

We ordered an appetizer of edamame, which was much better than what we had a few weeks ago at Jelly's.

We ordered the Ocean Roll, which had tuna, salmon, yellowtail, avocado and masago:

A piece of fatty tuna (left) and masago (right):

A spicy california roll - a crab salad california roll with a spicy sauce on top:

And the Salmon Fusion roll - Salmon, avocado and masago, tempura battered:

Everything was much better here than what we had a few weeks ago, but still not quite as good as SanSu, Omi, and Ukai in the Lansing area. So, I really need to have some good sushi sometime soon...

It was a great day overall. It was nice seeing Pav again, it was good to get to have dinner with Eric, and I got home close to 1am, which gave me every reason to sleep in as late as I did this morning! Ah, it's nice to be lazy after a filled day!

Lazy weekend...

I'm enjoying my weekend thus far. Last night the Lansing Jaycees had a Dinner and a Movie night. We had a great turnout, and had dinner at Claddaugh Irish Pub in Eastwood Town Center. I had been looking forward to having fish and chips all day, and it was fantastic.







Afterwards, we went to NCG Cinema to see the new Coen Brothers movie, "Burn After Reading". I enjoyed it - Brad Pitt was hilarious as a gym worker, and there were quite a few moments that made me laugh. Some of the group didn't like it at all, some people liked it and there were also a few in between. The story was somewhat ridiculous, but that's what I tend to expect from their movies.





This morning, I went to the Localvore breakfast at Gone Wired Cafe. It was soooo good. They had pancakes that are so dense, eggs, sausage from AppleSchram farms, and bacon...







The rest of the day, I've been lazy. I did have to go to the Michigan Jaycees Meet the Candidates forum, but that was about an hour or so. I also signed a 6 month lease for my apartment, and picked up some books and movies at the library. Since I've been home, I've been watching college football, reading, and working on some of the things I need to do for the Jaycees.

Tomorrow is going to definitely a movie day...

Let the weekend begin!

Yesterday was finally Friday. This week was incredibly slow and long. In addition, I was having an emotional week - partly because of the holidays, partly because of the news at work this week. Now it's Saturday, and I feel pretty run down. Of course, I couldn't sleep in this morning, but it was for a good reason - haircut!!! It's always so relaxing. :-) As usual, I didn't do the exact same thing as last time, but I did change up the color - got it a little darker, and with some highlights. I really like it, but we'll see how it goes tomorrow when I actually do it! My new profile picture was taken today.

I do want to take a moment and thank all of my friends that have been around and put up with me for the last couple of weeks. I appreciate all the support and just plain understanding. I hope you all have a happy (and restful!) holiday.

I am looking forward to being off from work until January 3rd. I've been feeling really burned out, and I just want to sit around, watch movies, read books, scrapbook, and just be lazy in general. I'm really looking forward to watching lots of football too! GO BLUE!

Currently reading: The Almost Moon by Alice Sebold

"What kind of stupid question is that, Todd?"

So, another football Saturday in Ann Arbor has come and gone. Today was the big game - UM vs. OSU. I honestly wasn't expecting a whole lot, but the loss still stings. It would help if our offense showed up, but no such luck there. Today's MVP is Zolton Mesko. Not too promising when the punter is the best player on the field.

Now, for something that I've had a grievance about for quite awhile, but haven't ever put down. When going to a football game, there are certain things fans should and shouldn't wear. The following list is a compilation of things that I have seen today or at other games.

1) SHOULD: The colors of the team you are there to cheer for. For some reason, this just seems logical to me.

2) SHOULD NOT: All white. Especially when it's raining all day.

3) SHOULD NOT: Fur coats. Again, wouldn't the rain ruin it?

4) SHOULD: Lots of clothes when it's cold. Yeah, that's for the two guys in front of us without shirts on at the beginning of the game, who went and bought sweatshirts partway through the game.

5) SHOULD NOT: Team shirts that are baby blue or light pink. I don't care if you are a girl or not, wear your team colors (see #1).

6) SHOULD NOT: Team apparel from schools that aren't even playing. For example, wearing a Kansas sweatshirt at the Michigan/OSU game. Or, a Cinncinati jacket at the Michigan/OSU game. If you're going to do that, then give your ticket to someone that cares.


There is a 10am press conference scheduled for Monday morning. I expect that Lloyd Carr will be announcing his retirement, but that remains to be seen. I, for one, will be sad to see him go, but am happy that he will be allowed to leave under his accord.

"Let's never come here again because it will never be as much fun."

I think it finally hit me - I basically just fell off the face of the planet the last couple of months. When I look back, I really haven't done much! Well, ok, I have, but there are some things I have just neglected. I'm sure that happens for everyone at some point or another.

I'm finally starting to get back into the swing of things. Reading a new book, hanging out with people, watching movies. Now I have to start scrapbooking and making some jewelry again. I have all next week off, and I'm super excited about it!

This week, we're going to the UM/OSU game. ESPN Gameday will be there, and that means we'll be getting up extra early to go. I want to make a sign - does anyone have any ideas?

I got my haircut this past weekend. I don't have a good picture of it yet, but when I do, I'll post it. I really like how it turned out. It was a total of 6 inches that got snipped off! I felt weird the next day, using too much shampoo. Haha.

Off to go do some reading...

It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!!!

Ah, yes, I can go to work on Monday. My team came through in a great effort yesterday to come from behind and beat MSU. GO BLUE!

I can't believe how much I've slept this weekend. I've gone to bed at 9:30 on both Friday and Saturday nights. However, Saturday morning, I got up at 8am, but this morning, I didn't roll out of bed until close to 11am (which before the time change would have been noon!) I guess this week took more out of me than I had thought. I slept pretty hard too - didn't wake up much, which was good.

I've got a lot of things I need to do this week, but I'm not sure that I will be able to get them all done. I'm hoping to write everything down today at some point, but with trying to get my laundry done before I go back to Lansing, I really don't feel like doing much else! I have to start getting motivated again...

That's right - the biggest upset EVER!!!!

So, for those of you that know me, you know I'm a Michigan grad. I've gone to football games every year since I started school there. Eric and I went today. Well....you know what happened. So depressing, yet, I'm not as bummed about it as I normally would be. I'm looking on the bright side - get the loss out of the way first. One loss does not equal an awful season. Then again, we'll see how I feel if we lose next week (which we better not, because Ducks suck.)

Which brings me to a pet peeve of mine. I think I already know the answer to it, but I don't like it. Why is it that there are certain programs, some in this state, that feel as though winning 10 or 11 games in a season isn't a success? Or, in basketball (yes, I'm talking about UM here), you don't give a guy enough time to recruit and build his own team (I love you Tommy!!!!). When there's no consistency in your program, it's really hard for it to be good. No one can come in and work miracles. The answer is money.

Now, I like Lloyd Carr. Yes, I just said it. I don't always agree with everything he decides on during games, but I like the way he coaches. There's a lot to be said for coaches preparing their teams for games. However, I feel there's a point where the team has to start taking responsibility for missed catches, fumbled balls, and just plain stupid split decisions (I'm talking to you Chad Henne...). A team is a team, not just a coach. And, a coach can prepare a team only so much - it's the players that have to execute.

Enough football - as we were heading to Ann Arbor this morning, I saw a Ron Paul 2008 sign on one of the overpasses near Jackson Rd. You have to understand that I love Ann Arbor - so liberal. So, I was kind of surprised to see this. Then again, not really. It got me thinking about how there are passionate groups about other candidates than Hillary or Barack or Rudy. Just because these candidates are making the most money, and the MEDIA is putting them at the top of the list, there are still other candidates out there. However, so many people don't take the time to learn the issues, learn about the candidates, or anything that would help them make an informed decision. They watch the media, and listen to the "lead" candidates, and then make their decision. There are lots of candidates that don't get any real media time, so how do they really have a chance when it feels like the media is deciding our candidates for us?

Alright, as I'm wiped out today, I'm going to wrap this up. And - GO BLUE!!!!!