And We Say Goodbye...to Gar

Who is Gar?  Gar is a husband, a father, a competitor, a lawyer, a tailgate neighbor, and a friend.  He is someone we have both loved and loathed.  Someone who we have gone out of our way to locate at away games, and on some occasions made no effort at all to see even though he was a mere quarter-mile away after we traveled 400 miles.  He is a chef, coming up with such creations as the Garwich and reuben casserole.  He has surrounded himself with a rag tag cast of characters that often includes JJ, whose marinated salmon comes close to turning your attention away from the inordinate amount of chest hair that is billowing out of the neck of his shirt, and Cooper, whose blind dedication is noble...if not a bit mancrush-ish.  There's a couple of other guys, they don't talk much, don't contribute anything of note in a physical sense, but they do provide a quiet comfortability, like red necks on a porch drinking Miller High Life gazing at a dust jacket covered Impala on blocks in their front yard.  But none of that matters.  He would tailgate alone if the situation presented itself.  He invites you, but doesn't need you.  He'll cook a bushel basket full of Garwiches, and if they go uneaten, he'll eat those things all week, and as he bites into that tenth one on Tuesday of the following week, the glint in his eye will undoubtedly say "kiss my ass."

Gar is a man that rules a world, his world...Gar's World. You just live in it.

In a mere 10 days, our group will assemble in a new spot, away from Ann Arbor Golf and Outing for the first time in 15 years, before this website existed, before the web itself existed.  Gone will be the wide open spaces, the lush fairway, children playing in the sandtrap, men peeing in the trees, and our tailgate neighbor's triple wide Michigan tent tucked into the fir trees.  That tent, in that spot, just a stone's throw away from our group of 100+, once was Gar's home, and often times it only Gar's home...until much closer to kickoff.

In the end though, we will certainly miss his wit, his misdirected politics, his passion for Michigan Football, his keen ability to take a group picture, and his earring.  Gar is moving too, to a land without alcohol.  But I'm sure if you visit him, you will still be able to get your Miller High Life in a solo cup, a Garwich, and a lesson in the communistic ideals of nationalized healthcare.

Gar.  Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar.  Goodbye.

Shit.  We'll probably see him at Iowa.

Four Things You Are Wasting Your Time Worrying About

1) Piped in Music: What would it take for me to convince you that piped in music is a great idea?  If I said it would help us win just one more game, would you get on board?  I've been to every Big Ten venue.  And yes, there was a time when I mocked those that used amplified sound to induce crowd reactions.  Braveheart and that damn Boiler Up whistle in Ross-Ade...the tolling of the bell and "300" in Spartyville.  Tacky?  Maybe.  But tell me you don't find Penn State's rendition of Zombie Nation or Wisconsin's commencing of the 4th quarter with Jump Around freakin' cool.  Live a little, will ya?  Quit being such an old fart and dance.  Dance like there's no tomorrow.

2) Who's Starting Against Western Michigan: 

Mark this down as the point in which I turn a blind eye to any chance that we will lose to the Broncos.  So, that being said, whomever trots out on to the field after Greg Robinson's new look defense forces it's first three-and-out will be fine.  Look, honestly, if it is Sheridan, you shouldn't be mad that it is Sheridan, you should be disappointed that neither Tate nor Denard are ready yet.  But the writing is on the wall.  Tate and Denard both have a superior physical skill set, and that is why when the staff refers to Sheridan, you only hear that he is ahead in the area of "decision making."  This whole "all three quarterbacks will play" is such obvious coachspeak... and maybe that's what we need here, out of respect for a walk-on that has been giving it his all, and to continue to motivate two true Freshmen to duke it out in practice.

3) New Defensive Coordinator Hangover: Before "The Season That Never Happened," the previous two changes in defensive coordinator equaled unparalleled success.  Jim Herrmann took over at DC in 1997, Ron English from him in 2006.  Those two seasons represent two of the three times in Michigan history that Michigan started with an 11-0 record (the other being 1971).  With the expected improvement on offense (read: less three-and-outs) the defense will be just fine...as long as they stay healthy.

4) Your Liver and Your Cardiovascular Health: In eleven days, you will be introducing a number of toxins into your system.  Well, maybe not toxins, but beer, wine, liquor, and foods fried in partially hydrogenated vegetable shortening.  The kind of shortening that is solid at room temperature.  You can't fight it.  It's gonna happen.  The first two games are at 3:30pm, which equates to around 7 hours each pre-game of inbibing and ingesting.  But if you prepare yourself properly, you will be bright eyed at 8am, and still going strong when we return from gridiron victory.  So, right now, wherever you are, whatever you are doing...stop.  Head to the nearest liquor store and get a pint of Jack Daniel's.  Then go to  McDonalds and get a large double quarter pounder combo and tell them you want it with Big Mac sauce.  Chase that with a ten piece McNugget with BBQ and sweet and sour sauce.  Drink half of your 32oz coke, then pour in the jack.  Suck that down and repeat every other day.  On alternate days, you should spend the entire day not sitting down.

It's so close now, you can taste the Bacon Explosion.

Midweek Roundup, Hoops Abound

Mustaches for Michigan is gaining some steam in a grass roots effort.  The basic premise?  Grow out your lip hair to show your support for Michigan in a "screw you, I love RichRod" kinda way.  Hey, I'm all for it, just don't think I can have a respectable one before September 5th.  Cook is all for it of course.  He doesn't have to do anything.  Damn hippies.

The '09-'10 

Michigan Basketball schedule is out, and it looks spectacular.  Sure Arkansas Pine Bluff and Houston Baptist are patsies, but we've got Kansas at Kansas in December, and UCONN coming to Crisler in the middle of the Big Ten slate.  Resume?  Check.  Wins?  TBD.

Staying with basketball, Manny and DeShawn are on the Wooden watch list.  When's the last time we had two players listed in the top 50 in America?  I don't know.  According to the sanction abbreviated record books, I'm guessing never.

Next time your girl says she can drive, know that she's probably lying.  And somehow, someway, CNN finds a way to blame the economy.

This Sunday marks "Michigan Fan Day" and it will take place and the spanking new house that Al Glick built/bought.

And finally...MVictors got an exclusive interview with The Godfather's favorite Wolverine, Mark Messner.

That's it.  Two weeks and two days.  God help us all.

Not buying everyone's BS

Editors Note: FINALLY somebody else is writing!  Welcome back Johnny Cleveland...

I am breaking my silence because I am about to break some necks  I am sick and tired of all this talk of us being much improved and doubling our win total from 2008 to 6 wins in 2009.  Of course I am aware of UM peeps propensity for pessisimisity but I am not standing for it any longer.  We will not be 6 and 6.  As I saw our dilapidated crew only win 3 last season, I am not naive enough to think we are going to run the table, but as far as Michigan standards go, and my standards for that matter, 8-4 is a rebuilding season.  We are not a meddling institution that should be happy by "moving in the right direction" or "improving" on our bad season.  Last year was an anomaly, we had it coming like a stock market correction.  The pendulum swung and knocked out an era of greatness that lasted for 40 years. That year is over.  So let's not allow one season and one million detractors lower our expectations.  Not convinced yet well maybe this will help.  Even though my observations and recollections are not going to up the '08 win total, they should shed some sunshine on the fact that 6 and 6 is bullshit.

In case you forgot, we didn't have a quarterback last season.  Insert your own pent up feelings for walk on or dorkier than Navarre transfer here.  Currently we have a quarterback (or 2), so like Bill Murray in Caddyshack, "we got that going for us, which is nice".  By the way don't slough that point off with "oh yeah, but they are just unproven freshmen."  Bullshit. They are quarterbacks, I am not saying they will be good, but they are quarterbacks.

Lets start with game one '08, Utah...lost this game after a terrible showing and a valiant comeback.  We all concur we should have won this one after playing stingy Defense and forcing the Utes to settle for 5 field goals.  Oh wait...you mean possibly the worst team in Michigan history should have defeated the best team in Utah history?  Yep, I do, and we should have won with a whopping 4 yards of rushing in the first half.  This team finished #2 in the nation last year and we had them beat with 4 rushing yards in the first half.  By the way we lost by 2 points to the only undefeated team in college football.  So there you have it.  A team that was senior laden and ended up beating then #4 Alabama from the mightier than thou SEC by 14, but only measly Big Ten Bottom feeder Michigan by 2.  Did I mention that one of 2 'Bama Sugar Bowl touchdowns was a punt return?  Not a bad performance  from the Wolverines in that light now is it?  Should we compare the upstart 2009 Western Michigan team to last years Utes?  Well I guess we have to for lack of a better/similar opponent.  Well, Western is a little scary if you let them be: senior laden, high expectations, a quality senior quarterback.  Hey douchers...its Western.  We're Michigan.  We almost beat the only undefeated team in the country last year and believe me we are a lot better off now than we were then. I can guarantee little, but I can guarantee this: the Broncos will not run the table and go to the Sugar Bowl this year. Wipe off the sweat because the wolves are 1-0.

So there you have it, I am not believing in Big Ten Net announcers saying much improved 6-6.  I am not falling for all the other "publications and presses" predicting an 7th-11th place conference finish.  I am ready to break some necks, so get on board or continue your ways of cowardice, just remember I told you so.  Now get fired up, grow a mustache, do what you gotta do because its time to get All in for Michigan!

To Be Continued: Stay Tuned

Get Your Calendar Out: Tailgate Themes 2009

September 5th, Western Michigan, 3:30PM, Boats and Ho's and The Catalina Wine Mixer

  • Are you ready to snap some necks and cash some checks?  Good.  This is the place to do it.  This nautically themed tailgate will christen our new spot.  We recommend donning sailor gear, and it couldn't be more appropriate as Ohio State takes on Navy that day.  Food will be somewhat seafood based, with a lot of appetizers and finger foods...like at a wine mixer...get it?  And wine.  Somebody should bring some wine.  It would also be advantageous to watch the movie Step Brothers before you come.

September 12th, Notre Dame, 3:30PM, 

The Luau
  • The Luau is a theme favorite that sat out a season due to some issues with the Mountaineers  Leis, pineapples, fruity drinks, Hawaiian shirts, and all the pig you can eat.

September 19th, Eastern Michigan, Noon, 

Far-Eastern
  • Our foreign exchange tailgater and official tailgate mascot will feel right at home for this Asian themed tailgate.  Egg rolls, fried rice, stir fry and the like will be on the menu.  And somebody should get some of those Chinese lanterns to hang all over the tents.

September 25th, Indiana, Noon, 

Mardi Gras
  • Wow, a tough month of tailgating ends with a bang as the Mardi Gras theme adorns Michigan's Homecoming.  I'm expecting beads, boobs, and cajun catfish.

October 17th, Delaware State, TBD, 

The Urban
  • Soul food, rap, 40-ounce beers, and the worst game we've ever scheduled.

October 24th, Penn State, TBD, 

Old School
  • Bring your high school yearbook for this impromptu reunion.  Wear clothes from your high school era, and expect banquet hall style fare.

November 7th, Purdue, TBD, 

The Lumberjack
  • I dream of this being an unlikely 3:30pm November kick because it's got all day cooking written all over it.  Likely fried turkeys at this one if time allows.  Otherwise, remember to wear your overalls.

November 21st, Ohio State, TBD, 

Soups, Stews and Chili
  • Nothing like a hot bucket of soup on a cold fall day.  I'd tell you what to wear, but you will probably have a heavy coat on over it, so it won't matter.