Anyone for a swim?

calm before the swim at Lake Erie

Me neither. I did get to witness a couple hundred others, though, who were up for it yesterday afternoon at the 11th annual Kingsville Polar Bear Dip. The event took place at Cedar Beach on Lake Erie, about a quarter mile from my old place in Canada. The event raises funds for the ChildCan and the Youth and Family Resource Network organizations.

I met up with my former neighbor Tom and Judy beforehand not knowing exactly what to expect as this was my first viewing of a winter swim. Tom and I got a great spot in seeing the spectacle go down. I came away from the experience ready to do the task next year and represent the States. Yes, I'm sure there will be some "significant shrinkage" after submersion of "the boys" but they'll eventually come back out of the shell, I hope. I whole event was a great time and got the locals off the couch to raise some funds for a cause and get some laughs while doing so.

The post event hanging was over at friends of Tom and Judy. Greg (who participated in the dip) and Shannon were great hosts. I did get a chuckle when they were all talking about a friend of theirs who was legend in being able to "drink like a fish." I came back with "Don't all Canadians drink like fishes?" Nobody seemed to disagree with me.

Swim on Canada!

Trail Head





as Seinfeld said, I think I see a....nipple







nothing but a thing for the elders



quickest to submerge...brrrr!!!










that LOOKS cold

true polar bear, this guy was in no hurry to get out





Way Back Machine - Saying Goodbye to Stadiums

The way back machine today takes us back to the end of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st. Saying goodbye to Tiger Stadium in 1999 and saying sayonara to the Lions from the Silverdome in 2001.

The Silverdome wasn't the prettiest stadium but it had character, I should says characters. There was nothing more exciting than seeing an entire section stand up; not because the Lions did something good, it was because of a fight. A few fights there were, eh? Sad, but true. It's just a game folks. 

I remember seeing O.J. (now that's a character) run for 250+ yards in a Thanksgiving game with my Dad and Uncle Joe. I think the thing I most recall from that game is we had two tickets that sat in one place and one that sat in another. We spent pretty much the first half being seat whores. We eventually settled in and I got to see the Juice run wild; a start for things to come for him. A good time it was that day.

Being able to see Billy, Barry, or even the last loss that lead to the dreaded Millen regime. Emotions going all over the place on the latter game. We had the win, but....Paul Edinger destroyed it all.

I'd be remiss if I didn't thank D.Kehoe for the sweet seats at the Main Event Restaurant/Bar for a few games there. There is nothing like feasting on a breakfast buffet that is 20 feet away from your seats along the glass. I was the Dos Equis guy for a bit ("Stay thirsty my friends!"). Lion announcer "Brandy" could sure put a dent in that breakfast bar. 

The final year the Lions were at the Silverdome, I bought three tickets for the September 16th game; an early season game. That way, if they sucked, you really didn't know it yet. Well, 9/11 happened and my game was moved to the last one of the year. It just kind of fell into place. Al, Doke, and I were going to see the Lions' last visit to Pontiac. Yes, it was confirmed that they sucked that year; however, the home team took the victory that final game.

We can't forget that the Pistons and Panthers also used the "dome" for a time there. The Pistons had some excitement and the tickets were inexpensive; however, I hated the blue curtain. Just didn't have the basketball feel. The Panthers? Loved the Panthers. I think they were only there for two years and probably only averaged around 40,000 fans but those 40,000 got pretty loud. E, Jim, Joe, and Rob even had season tickets the year after they took the USFL Championship. I good time was had by all in that foursome. I wonder what John Corker is doing these days? He was one bad mother effer at defensive end.   

What can you say about Tiger Stadium? Each time you went there and walked out from the concourse and see that field for the first time, there was nothing like it. I remember my Dad talking to the fellas outside the stadium working the shopping carts (they literally had their own shopping cart) for tickets so we could see The Bird. 

There was the time when I was living in Wixom in the early 90's. I get a call from Tim V. at about 10 one night. He and some buddies went to a game; came out and Tim's Jimmy (Blazer?) was, as Ernie Harwell used to say, "lonnnnnggggggg gonnnnnne!!!!!" I drove down and met them at Nemo's next to the park. I was expecting to see four somber souls when I arrived; but no, a grin was upon them all. I think they realized after few minutes (and a few sodas) that there was nothing they could do about it and to make the best of the night. A fun night it was.

Al, Doke and I got a final view in the last month of the '99 season. We took in every angle throughout the park. The ushers were being pretty cool and letting people wander throughout the game. I only wish that my old school film camera had a little better focus on those outfield shots. A great send off it was nonetheless.

Trail Head

hijinks in the open concourse area 









Doke and Al toast the stadium one last time




 

the "porch"





Way Back Machine - 1976 Astros - Hi-White Baseball - Junior League

I got a picture scanner for x-mas and with that, we get to go in the "way back machine" on this site now (isn't that exciting?). Today's adventure takes us back to 1976 as a bunch of third graders took it to the diamond in their first year of non-tee baseball. The Astros; a motley crew we were. We paid our dues that year and went to the Hi-White Junior League final game in '77, but lost. What do I remember from those years? I recall getting beaned by a curly blonde-haired pitcher playing for the hated Tiger team (you know who you are Tim V.). I recall getting a few inside the park homers; which meant you hit it out of the infield. You can only hide those right fielders for so long. The Astros had a tough catcher-pitcher battery consisting of myself and B. DeMerrell. I think I maybe threw out one runner stealing in two years behind the plate. I'll blame it on S. Furman and B. Cox for not making the tag. All was forgiven, though, at the Dairy Been victory celebration each Thursday night. Good slurpies. What a thrill it was back then on finally "getting" baseball while adding to your baseball card collection each week (got it, got it, got it, don't got it, got it). The Topps' baseball card gum was the worst ever; yet it was the best ever.

I am going on memory on who is who in this picture. I do know one dude in the picture lost his life a few years back and another got struck by lightning playing baseball about a year or so after this picture was taken. It's just too bad technology can't take us back in the "way back machine." Going back to bicentennial 1976 would be an exciting journey.   

Trail Head

Top Row: Mr. Forester and Mr. Ewer

Middle Row: S. Furman, T. Reeves, unknown, Phil something, Brian something, S. Murphy, B. DeMerrell, Randy something,

Front Row: L. Dick, D. Ewer, Todd something, F. Baker, B. Cox, unknown, T. Forester

Holla, Holla, Holla-days

Another jolly holiday season it was. I went from cross country skiing in a foot of snow during the Christmas weekend to jogging in shorts and a t-shirt the following. Wacky.

Manistee and Bear Lake was the location for Christmas as I got to hang with the Nielsen family. While they might not be the tallest in terms of physical stature (banged my head more than once on the low ceiling fixtures), the Nielsen's hover above others in terms of togetherness. Love that game time. I dominated in Apples to Apples but got my rear kicked in Kings Corners and Rummy. Nothing beats trash talking your elders in the holiday season after a victory (you, you, you, you, you!!!!!).

Nancy and I got in some cross country skiing at the Big M within the Manistee National Forest. I bit it three times with one being a serious lung grabber. The trails were in great condition and we had the place to ourselves so even with the lack of oxygen after my fall, all was good.

New Year's Eve was a great time at the Gus household. You've heard of the Real Housewives of Orange County and Real Housewives of New Jersey on television; we had the Real Housewives of Oakland County Friday night. The energy these ladies possess is second to none. They all made for a very happy New Year's Eve celebration.

 The finale to the season was the official unveiling of Al's man cave yesterday for poker, pool, and watching the Big Ten get their asses kicked in the bowl games. Kudos to Gus and Lee for the work they did on the basement. Very impressive, as were the chicken wings that Al prepared. Greg was the big winner in the final, grandaddy Hold 'Em game as Rick came close but had to settle for the second place prize money. My apologies to Jim for the shove out the door wall. For some reason, I was thinking (maybe not thinking) you would slide right out there. I'll grant you one slug at my melon as needed.

Happy New Year

Trail Head

Redskin gear didn't bring me luck in cards



winner, winner, chicken dinner