I rolled out of bed this morning and answered a few emails when my phone rang. Skip was calling, asking if I'd had breakfast. He and Jen were staying in a hotel near the airport to celebrate Skip's upcoming birthday. For some weird reason, they thought Detroit would be a fun place to go. They wanted to meet up and hang out, and we began with breakfast.
We met up at the house and headed over to Gest Omlettes for some breffis, then headed over to wander Westland Mall, looking for sunglasses Skip could wear over his current Buddy Holly style specs. After that, it was straight to downtown Detroit. We parked the car at Greektown and hopped the People Mover around town before ending up at the Detroit Beer Company. We ordered a round (Me - the stout, Skip - the Red, and Jen - the pumpkin), and the waitress ended up bringing me the porter instead of the stout. I told her I'd ordered the stout, and she said that I could still drink it, because otherwise, they'd have to pour it out, and the next one was on her.
Awesome!
So, We come around for round two, and of course, I want the stout. Skip orders the stout as well, and Jen, the red, and a banana split. Ronnie, our waitress, comes back with the Red, the split, and 1.5 glasses of stout. Apparently, the keg went dry, and the guy who changes them wasn't going to be in for another forty minutes or so. I even out the two stouts, and we drink, as well as make the suggestion that we'll change the keg for them for free T-shirts. Ronnie later comes by with two stouts, and we imbibe those as well. I then pay the tab ($19.82?!?) and tip quite handsomely. We say thanks on the way out, and ask how much for a shirt.
Skip got a freebie.
How cool is that? After that, it was back to Greektown for cigars, then over to Hart Plaza to walk around and check out the Princess Cruise ship, as well as get people asking for money.
I eventually got word that previous thoughts to go see the Whalers play were shot down, due to the fact that they were playing in Niagra, and not Plymouth. My dad had even gotten his dates mixed up and thought next week's game was today.
After the times in downtown Detroit were done, it was off to the Thai restaurant on Main (which took forever), then a stop at the parent's as per Skip's request. An hour later, it was off to see the Underdog play in Keego Harbor.
I, like my father, had gotten dates mixed up, and well, they weren't playing tonight. Some scary old bearded band was playing. We quickly retreated back to the ride and they drove me back to my domicile, then Skip and Jen retreated back to their hotel.
All in all, it was a fun day. And just look at the happy pairing. Aren't they cute?
I'm kicking back on the couch, watching some NHL playoffs. San Jose and Calgary, and it's the final series for the first round of the NHL playoffs. Why am I watching it? Well, it's on CBC, for one. Any hockey fan loves CBC, because on the weekends, they play curling matches. How sweet is that? But really, this series determines who the Red Wings play in the next round.
That, my friends, is big news.
Why?
Because if Calgary wins, it's the Wings and Flames for round 2. If San Jose wins, the Wings get the old rival in the Avalanche.
What am I hoping for?
Colorado.
You see, in 2004, the Red Wings beat Nashville in a 4-2 first round. Then, we had the Flames. We lost 4-2. This year, we beat Nashville 4-2 in the first round. I hate deja vu. Call me superstitious.
So, it's 3-2 San Jose with 9:23 left in the second period. Roenick's got two goals so far.
Will he get the hat trick?
I'll be watching.
(Update: It's now 5-2. Kiprsoff was pulled after 4, Cujo came in and immediately let another in.)
Since I had today off from the office, I hit the gym and spent a good part of the day in downtown Detroit, enjoying the scenery and partaking in local business wares. I met up with some friends at the Greektown casino, and parked in the new structure. Let me tell you, it is sheer brilliance. I love the fact that the signs tell you how many vehicles are parked on the floor. Very nice.
I met up with my friends, popped onto the People Mover, and walked around Comerica Park and Ford Field. From there we went over to the Detroit Beer Company. Totally awesome.
The Detroit Beer Company is located near Comerica Park, in the space which was once occupied by the IO -- a hole in the wall coffee/soda place which catered to the emo and indie bands in the late nineties. They re-did the interior, and it's awesome now.
The beer sampler is five of their on-site brewed beers in sampler glasses. With eight beers on tap today, we had to add a couple more in there. I stayed away from the Broadway Light, but I might have to try it next time. Every other beer was quite tasty, so I'd assume it's delicious as well.
After that, we popped down to Slows at the far end of Corktown. The place is marked by a large black and red sign, and a very interesting wood door. I really should have snapped a few photos, but hunger was setting in... Inside, the atmosphere was awesome. Everything was brick or wood, and the place radiated the scent of BBQ sauce. Pork, ham, chicken, and ribs were on the menu, and you could smell it. I ordered "The Reason" -- a pulled pork sandwich, along with cole slaw and cornbread.
"The Reason" was delicious... served on two slices of Texas toast, and piled with a healthy mound of pork and the side of cole slaw apparently ON the sandwich. I didn't get that, though. Why put it ON the sandwich when you bill it as a side? I've also learned cornbread is not something I'm really hip on, but that's okay. The big irk about this place was that they had five BBQ sauces on the table, but they never cooked the food with it. Isn't that the epicenter of BBQ sauce cooking? That way, the flavor really gets into the meat.
I enjoyed the food, but it wasn't as good as it was made out to be. Could have been a bad night to go. But you have to find it interesting that they do not place carry-out orders -- only dine-in.
So, that's today's excursion to downtown Detroit. I have to say, good times were had.
You should have resigned. It would have been the most respectful thing you could have done for this city of Detroit. I get your reason to stand strong, but there's too much in your past as Mayor to stay after this.
No, I'm not talking about a ride at Geauga Lake. I'm talking about Dominik Hasek.
I know. I know. This is old news. Hasek signed a one year deal with the Red Wings. It left me saying, "What in holy hell?"
I understand that the Wings were waiting around to get an answer from Ed Belfour, and ended up having their offer declined. That's fine by me, as I don't think I'd want an aged goalie coming off back surgery to be our starter. I mean, the guy realistically would need a season to get back into the one. He wouldn't be a starter. He'd be a temp. But signing Dominik Hasek?
Come on.
Dominik Hasek aided the Wings in getting a Stanley Cup in 2001-02, but realistically, Hasek came here because he needed a team who could do the work to get to the Cup. It wasn't the other way around. Manny Legace proved to be a more dominating force in my eyes in that season... Hell, even James Howard seemed to exert more effort than Hasek. Now we have Hasek as our starter, and Chris Osgood to back him up? For the coin they are paying Osgood, having him ride the bench is retarded. Hasek screwed the Wings over before, and I think he's going to do it again.
If I were the Red Wings organization, I'd have re-signed Legace. He's proved himself to be more reliable than Hasek, and last season, I think he outshined Red Wing alum Chris Osgood, who made his way back home.
It's a rebuilding year. Everyone knows this. That's why I think it's more fitting to get a younger goalie in the net to help rebuild this team. Red Wing management thinks otherwise.
The great Stevie Y has officially retired from the Detroit Red Wings as a player.
Pic credit: Mary Schroeder/DFP
Steve wore the red and white for twenty-three seasons, and the Captain's "C" for twenty. He is a Red Wings legacy, and his presence on the ice will be missed. A three-time Stanley Cup winner, Yzerman was a man who bled red and white for the Detroit fans day in and day out.
If they don't retire his number this year, I'll be shocked. Yzerman's number 19 needs to be hung in Joe Louis Arena before they decide to build a new stadium. Let his number hang in the building he called home.
Thank you, Steve, for everything you have done for the team.
After watching the Detroit/Edmonton game tonight, it is quite apparent that when it benefits a canadian team, kicking a puck into the net IS infact, a legal move for a goal.
What complete bullshit. They were calling no goals for a lot less of a kicking motion. And the high stick didn't occur right beforehand? That stick was nipple high. Complete bullshit.
Hockey is the only sport I REALLY like to follow these days, and after such a big season, it's hard to see the wings fold up like this.
Detroit was actually sparkling and getting a new image when the Super Bowl came to town. The city is a shithole? Not so, in the eyes of people who came into town. Now that the national eye has looked elsewhere, Detroit's city council re-initialized corruption along with the mayor.
The Detroit Zoo is closing, unless it can be funded. What a shame. One of the oldest zoos in the country would close due to lack of funding, and it won't receive funding from outside the city because the council has an ego. Kwame won't discuss it because for some retarded reason, he's in Africa. (Way to spend our tax dollars frivously, you dumb bastard!) Either way, if nothing is done, the Zoo shuts down on May 1, 2006.
Does anyone remember the blue elephant keys you bought and out in boxes to hear audio about exhibits? I still have mine somewhere....
Detroit, MI - Monday, October 28, 2005 - Anthrax Scare At Ford Field
Detroit Lion football practice was delayed nearly two hours today after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field.
Coach Steve Mariucci immediately suspended practice while police and federal investigators were called to investigate.
After a complete analysis, FBI forensic experts determined that the white substance unknown to the players was the goal line.
Practice was resumed after special agents decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again.
Okay, seriously.
Mooch is out. I'm not surprised. Defense coordinator Dick Jauron is taking his spot until they find a permanent replacement. Concidering that the defense is the only thing keeping the team alive, it makes sense, but I hope the defense doesn't suffer due to this move. I was discussing this Sunday night with some friends, and the popular opinion is that the offensive coordinator should go too, if only for having Harrington throw a four yard pass on third down with 27 yards to go.
Who knows what this will bring for the Lions. Time will tell.
Detroit Red Wing defenseman, Jiri Fischer, was rushed to the hospital after suffering a seizure on the bench during the first period of last night's game. Both teams, Detroit and Nashville, have decided to postpone the game till a later date.
It's always good to see someone you know succeed. With that in mind, I noticed today that Thunderbirds Are Now! are on Rhapsody (the latest album "Justamustache" is the only one up right now), will be touring Europe in November/December, and have a music video now. (I wish I had a hand in the video.)
1. First, you must learn to pronounce the city name. It's Di-troit, NOT DEE-troit. If you pronounce it DEE-Troit then we will assume you are from Toledo and here for the country Music hoe-down.
2. Forget the traffic rules you learned elsewhere. Detroit has its own version of traffic rules... Hold on and pray!
3. The morning rush hour is from 6:00am to 10:00am. The evening rush hour is from 3:00pm to 7:00pm. Friday's rush hour starts Thursday morning. Weekends are open game.
4. If you actually stop at a yellow light, you will be rear-ended, cussed out and possibly shot. If you're first off the starting line when the light turns green, count to five before going. This will avoid getting in the way of cross-traffic who just ran their yellow light to keep from getting shot.
5. Schoenherr can ONLY be properly pronounced by a native of the Detroit metro area. That goes for Gratiot too.
6. Construction and renovation on I-94, I-96, I-75, I-275, I-375, The Lodge and The Southfield Freeways are a way of life. Just deal with it.
7. If someone actually has their turn signal on, it is probably a factory defect or they are "out-of-towners."
8. All old men with white hair wearing a hat have total right-of-way.
9. The minimum acceptable speed on I-696 is 85 regardless of the posted speeds. Anything less is considered downright SISSY. Oh, and don't even think of allowing more than one car length between cars!
10. That attractive wrought iron on the windows and doors in Detroit is NOT ornamental. DO NOT get out of your car.
11. Never stare at the driver of the car with the bumper sticker that reads "Keep honking, I'm reloading."
12. If you are in the left lane, and only going 70 in a 60 mph zone, people are not waving because they are so friendly in Detroit. I would suggest you duck.
13. I-275/I-696 is our daily version of NASCAR.
14. It's not M-10, it's "the Lodge".
15. That's not a lake, it's a pothole.
16. If someone tells you it's on Outer Drive, you better hope you have a map.
17. The left turn is simple: If you want to turn left, go a 1/4 of a mile past your turn, get to the left, then make a left, then make a right. NOW you have gone left.
Does Kwame really think that losing his earring will cause the public to ignore all the corruption and Thuganomics he applied to the city of Detroit?
If he does, he's a fool.
Hendrix will win this election and Detroit might then get on the right path to rebuild its former glory. He has to. If the Kilpatrick regime gets another reign, Detroit will have resumed its Coleman Young downward spiral (not that Kwame didn't already send it there...), possibly for good.
