Maybe we are a curse?

The "D" was embraced this afternoon but unfortunately the Lions decided to stink the joint up. Again, no, this lack of offensive production is not the product of Doke and Tim occupying a place in Ford Field.  Oh well. Win or lose, there is nothing more fun than hanging with friends and laughing about silly things.                                   

Trail Head 

Views from the first loss - no, I am not a curse

We saw it all today, a thousand runners blocking the way to my rock star free parking spot, the tents in the "Occupy Detroit" demonstration at Grand Circus Park (what exactly are they protesting?), the unofficial Detroit Lion cheerleaders, the ever-so-popular coffee/bagel/doughnut race, the number three floating in the air, and even a Devin Scillian sighting. What we didn't witness unfortunately was a $40 million dollar quarterback earning his paycheck.

Yes, thank you to all the marathon runners this morning for blocking off more or less every street I was trying to go down. As for you marathoners that were walking, cheaters!!!! I'm sorry, that is just my bitterness coming out for having to sit on Jefferson Avenue at Rivard for 10 minutes. All was well in the end, however, with a little help from the People Mover.

For the protesters, good luck to you for whatever you are fighting. I don't think I'm cut out for the protest scene as the many sports this weekend would have me sneaking away from the sit in looking for a television. "I'll be right back everyone."

To the Ford family, enough already on the stance of no cheerleaders. These ladies have earned the right to work the sidelines. For Pete's sake, we could have used some cheering today after seeing that sad display of offense. Let them cheer! Let them cheer!...... 

As far as our $40 million dollar quarterback, I think the previous Monday Night Football buzz finally wore off. It was ugly but maybe the thing we needed after getting pat on the back by anyone and everyone last week.

Trail Head

"Occupy Detroit" demonstration

yep, that's the number three in the air

yep, that's Devin S.

big victory for the doughnut

thankfully, no need for this today

Northern Utopia

Well, I guess I picked a good time to dust off my motorcycle this year. It seemed everybody was dusting off their motorcycles as M-22 north out of Manistee was the place to be. I had so much fun riding the route on Friday, I did it again on Saturday after meeting up with Chuck and Tom. So many colors, so many motorcycles, and so many tourists hanging out in Frankfort. We had to work hard to find a cold beverage there but our perseverance paid off at the third establishment we hit.

Ludington was an ideal home base for the festivities. John and Linda O. were gracious enough to let me steal an empty bed Friday night and Saturday's lodging was at the Chuck/Mark C. establishment downtown. Working those connections! I am a low maintenance traveler and supply some hi jinks to the occasion so it's a win-win for all parties I think. Yes, I just used the phrase "hi jinks." What the heck does "hi jinks" mean? But I digress. The Ludington scene mixed in with some great color rides under blue skies, the four day weekend couldn't have been any better.

Trail Head

bridge over Pere Marquette River near Baldwin

Orchard Beach State Park

M-22

farm just north of Ludington

Way Back Machine - High School Dances

wow, those three are short

In the spirit of the homecoming dances recently in the area, I thought it would be an ideal time to take a trip in the way back machine to the 1980's and my high school dance history.

The early days, my sophomore year, Jim and I double dated with lovely freshmen Diane and Michelle. As you can see in the picture to the right, they were in no danger of being taken advantage of by us two. Take advantage? I had to work myself up in a lather just to get the urge to give a goodbye kiss (I was able to complete the task, thank you). I look like I'm posing for a mug shot as opposed to holding my date's hand.  We were rookies in the whole dance/date scene. Heck, we were at the corsage shop an hour before leaving for the dance and no, we hadn't pre-ordered. The ladies at the shop whipped something together for us so all was not lost. Needless to say, there wasn't much Casanova in my dealings with the ladies in high school.

Fast forward another year to my homecoming and prom date, Kelly. She was destined to be a very successful doctor in her professional life (she is); however, she soon learned after high school that it was more fun to play for the other team. Not that there is anything wrong with it. And no, I did not sway her that way (that I know of). I was looking real tough in that lavender sport coat though. Give me a band conductor's baton and call me Lawrence Welk! And a one-a, and a two-a.....

To wrap up the high school dance career, Desiree and I took to the prom in '85. That was right about the time that mullets were in and I had the beginnings of a tough one going. I'm not sure where Desiree is today but if you're reading, your dad's jokes were pretty sad. He needed some new material but I recall doing my best fake laugh in order to flee his household in an efficient manner.

All in all, I think doing the whole dress up thing was okay; no jumping up and down about it. I would rather have gone to the dances in my Adidas t-shirt and a pair of blue jeans but seeing the ladies get all primped up is worth the price of admission I guess so I'd call it a wash in favor of the ladies.
Trail Head

1984

1985