Way Back When-sday Pic of the Week

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Please note:  This level of posting frequency will not be maintained...but if you spend any time here, you know that.  It seems the internet is all a buzz with pictures of the drunken fat man passed out in front of a pile of beans, so if you are here for the first time gawking at my manliness, welcome.  Anyway....

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Pushing this WBW out a little early for historical anniversary purposes...  On this date (September 3rd) in 2005, Michigan defeated Northern Illinois 33-17, and both Bubba and Stephen became the first members of our group to cross the century mark for consecutive home and away games.  Stephen hasn't missed one since, and Bubba has missed only one (and only because he was in the hospital).  

Stephen broke the 200 game mark at last year's Outback Bowl, and it hasn't been properly recognized...so I will recognize it here.  RECOGNIZE:  The last game he missed was the Outback Bowl at the end of the 1996 season.  Wow.

Hats off to the both of them, and GO BLUE! 

Weekend Round Up, Catfish Week Edition: September 3, 2013

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Here's what happened around the Michigan internets this weekend while you organized your Barbie Dolls:

Central Michigan Luau Tailgate Pictures

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Looking at these pics was like being caught up in my own personal version of Memento.  I just ran to the bathroom to check and see if I had anything written on my chest.  And there it was, in black sharpie, written in reverse so that it would be visible in the mirror, it clearly says "Godfather did it" above my right nipple.  Also, what is clear to me from the pictures is that while I was no doubt the most inebriated of the crew, there were quite a few other less-than-sober participants in Saturday's tailgate.  Oh well, the game page is here, and hopefully some of these will spark some great memories of a great tailgate for you too...GO BLUE!

That Was Great, or So I'm Told

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Frank and beans. 

Frank and beans. 

Humidity sucks.  Of all the options in the pantheon of atmospheric events and conditions, I rank humidity dead last.  Behind hurricane.  Behind blizzard.  Behind tornado.  I had enough wardrobe changes to facilitate hosting the oscars, manned a grill slinging 63 pounds of hash, 20+ racks of ribs, and a suckling pig.  The tv and satellite found a way to work, the music was playing, and all was well.  But I forgot two very important things... 1) I did not take care of myself...and 2) I didn't watch the Godfather prepare my drinks.  While #2 is just basic sabotage bordering on attempted manslaughter, #1 is all my fault.  I didn't eat anything and I drank only alcohol.  All done.  I crashed not long after noon, wet towel over my head, and the only thing that got me to game #171 of my streak was my wife, who tells me I made quite a scene for those new Freshman arrivals in section 30.  Apparently I was teary-eyed as we ran out and touched the banner.  I made claims of impending BCS championships in the name of my unborn and un-fertilized son.  In short, this was easily the drunkest I have found myself for a home game, and was, in short, the 2007 Rose Bowl without the vomit.

So, about that game?  I remember some things.  Devin ran one in, right?  Oh, he ran two in?  Ok.  Reynolds made a nice catch on a pretty nice ball.  The M defensive front seemed to be about a yard into the backfield on every snap, and the offensive line seemed to push Central's front about two yards downfield on every snap.  I somehow don't remember the blocked punt, which is akin to the Indians not being able to see Columbus's ships.  It's possible it didn't register because I've never seen it before.

Luckily, there are DVRs and torrents and stuff, and I've been able to watch the replay or at least most of it.  Trenches both ways were more than acceptable.  Fitz seemed serviceable, and Derrick Green moved up 4 spots on the depth chart for ND with his better than serviceable mop up duty.  Devin was no world beater, forced a couple here and there.  But he runs so effortlessly it looks freakish.  No doubt it would take 3 to 4 Denard paces to cover the distance of one lengthy Devin Gardner stride.

Anyway, we got what we wanted out of it.  No fear.  No worry.  Young guys played.  Shane got to throw the ball around.  Fun was had.  It was an excellent warm-up for the pending nighttime arrival of the BCS National Runner-Up.  

Great Luau tailgate, and great to see everybody again.  Hey, let's tailgate for 12 hours this Saturday and then go to a football game that ends at midnight.  Yes?  Yes.

And please, do the one thing you would have never thought you would have to do...remind me to eat.

GO BLUE! 

An Annual Reminder of How to Tailgate

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#1: Bring Something. I don't care if it's a steaming bowl of poop, although bonus points go to those who surprise us with unique cuisine, unique drinks, unique outfits, unique decorations, or unique personalities. Bringing something is your pass to enjoy everything we have to offer at the tailgate.

#2: Eat Something.  Dual reasons for this. First, we've got too much food, I promise.  Just stay out of Godmother's cheesy potatoes. Second, you'll need something of substance in your gullet if you want to follow tip #3

#3: Drink Something. The tailgate is BYOB, though occasionally a specialty drink makes it's way onto the menu for all to enjoy.  Bring a giant mug and fill it with a cocktail of your choosing. Bring a cooler of beer and empty it into your belly before kickoff. Take a tug on the bowl of Yucca. When it gets cold, sip a mug of spiked coffee. In short, get drunk, because you're a lot cooler when you're drunk. And let's not forget, the best tailgating stories always seem to include (insert person here) had a lot to drink, and then he/she fell down (into the bushes / on the stadium steps / into that girl's chest). Later (he / she) groped the (daughter / son) of (insert former tailgater here). We found (him / her) passed out (on the grass outside the stadium / in their car / under their car).

#4: Hug the Godfather. Why? Because we said so. Especially if you have no idea who he is. Because the Godfather loves to get himself some "strange."  Even better, if you liked it, you can do it again the following week because the Godfather never remembers you the first time.

#5: Respect the Hall. The members of the UMTailgate.com Hall of Fame. Recognize them, respect them, honor them. Don't know who they are? Check the flag.  We've got people here that have not missed a home or away game this century...seriously.

#6: Learn to Love. Respect all of the tailgaters, even those from the opposing team that are visiting us and wallowing in our dynasty and tradition. This applies to everyone except...

#7: Learn to Hate: Michigan State and Ohio State.  Don't mistakenly wear their T-shirts, their hats, and in most cases, their colors. This applies to tailgating and gamedays only...however, big bonus points if you apply this rule in your daily life, like me.

#8: Go to the Game. And try to make it there before kickoff.

#9: Go to an Away Game. Ya, we tailgate there too. Some long drives are in store for this season, but there's nothing like Saturday Night Football on the road, so quit being a candy ass and put on a white jersey.

#10: Ask Goody To Show You His Tattoos. It's not imperative for your enjoyment, but it makes me laugh.

#11: Follow the Theme. Yes, each tailgate has a theme, and the theme is posted with each game on the season schedule.