It Means Everything

The Game is the most important day of the year for Michigan fans.  You can call it our Super Bowl if you want.  Unless we are playing for the national championship, the game will always matter more than anything else. 

I can remember when beating OSU during the Cooper years seemed like near certainty.  Sadly I was too young an naive to truly appreciate the dominance that was so special.  Cooper was 2-10-1 against the Wolverines and had OSU national title hopes dashed in consecutive years in 1995 and 1996.  He was fired primarily for not being able to beat Michigan.

Michigan hasn't beaten Ohio State since 2003.  I wasn't even able to watch that game live because I was playing in our school's first playoff game in a long time.   I remember being certain that Michigan would win the game because they couldn't possibly lose to the Buckeyes three years in a row.  My gut feelings were pretty accurate back then too. 

It has been 7 years since Michigan sniffed victory against the Buckeyes.  6 straight defeats.  I don't even have many gut feelings anymore because this is a different Michigan program, one that I support and believe in, but not yet one I can figure out.  Sometimes Michigan has lost because of talent deficiencies (2008, 2009), sometimes your two best players are so banged up you have no chance (2007).  Other times your coach decides give your opponent a chance to win (2005) and they take advantage.  Sometimes your Rose Bowl bound but lose to a 7-4 team who isn't playing a new years game until they beat you (2004).  Sometimes you can't win when finally the game after the Game will matter even more (2006). 

Life as a Michigan fan has been humbling over the last three years.  It's not supposed to be like this.  But I can tell you that I am learning an awful lot.   I'm learning to appreciate things more like the Game.  I have held out hope that we can beat the Buckeyes for the last few meetings even when things were bleak.  I hype myself up and immerse myself in stories of the past and present during what is called Hate Week.  There is no productive work that gets done and everything else that is in my mind is background noise during this week. 

This year's game brings new opportunity and a chance to make the season a success.  It's a chance to shed the negativity surrounding the program and a chance to feel something I have no real grasp of yet.  I never experienced OSU dominating the rivalry like this.  I imagine that a win on Saturday will be akin to our 1997 National Championship.  It will mean that much, so I'll continue to hold out hope as we open up as 19.5 point underdogs heading into Columbus.

My brother and I will be venturing in Ohio Stadium on Saturday expecting the worst treatment that we have ever received at a sporting event.  The fact that were each sitting alone makes things even worse.  Defeat may seem like an inevitability to some and the chance of psychical abuse is high.  We'll go anyways.  I will risk putting myself through absolute torture for the chance to see one of the greatest victory's in Michigan history.  I want that feeling where your so happy you cry.  I want to stand in Ohio Stadium and soak in the moment.  I want my memory.  Go Blue!

Girlfriend Qualifications Annual Update

So it has been over a year since I launched this website. I have since  moved onto notasgoodayouthink.blogspot.com  This is the post that I launched this blog with and has been updated.  It was and still is one of my favortie posts.  It is based on my personal preferences as well as general preferences of people I associate with.  Ideally you want to have about 8 of 10 on the list to have hopes of anything lasting.

1. Looks
This is number 1 because its the first thing you notice. It all starts here, there is no number 2 if this does not qualify.  Some people say this is shallow, I'd say it's honest.  There is a reason there are 9 other things on this list, looks only go so far. 

2. Values
This is probably the most important thing to have. Similar values and beliefs are vital the further you advance in a relationship. You must share similar opinions and generally handle situations in reasonable way. Honesty, loyalty, morality and many other things follow in here. Politics and religious beliefs don't necessarily overlap here.

3. Real Job
I understand if your having some trouble with the economy but if your 25 and still working at the bar/club or the hair saloon don't look for me to foot the bill. You must have graduated and have a decent major. The lights must be on upstairs.  If you can't carry on a conversation, it's not going to last long.  Housewives need not apply.

4. Fun
You have to be fun to hang out with and bring out the best in me. Willingness to be up for just about anything. Have me do things I wouldn't normally do. Desire to travel. Good chemistry is key here.

5. Active
Bike riding, running, yoga, whatever as long as you like doing something active. It's attractive if you are somewhat athletic. Laying around all day is boring.  This topic is hitting home with me more as I progress.  If your out and about often, your more productive, your healthier, and your having more fun.  The ability to do something active even if the intensity is toned down key to a healthy relationship.

6. Friends and Family
Your family is preferably nice and together. Maybe your dad is a real sports fan and your not an only child. Friends are cool to hang out with and not stuck up. Hopefully they are cool enough to hang out with in a group.  Its important to maintain your friendships and not be so absorbed in each other that you neglect your friends.  It also helps things from becoming stale.

7.Sports
I wish this didn't have to be on the list but it does. You don't have to like sports but you must tolerate my fandom. Hopefully you find the athletic competition interesting but at the very least humor me from time to time. Hopefully you enjoy going to events be it sports or otherwise.  This is a major point of contention and has been discussed ad nausea outside of this space.  Each side has to sacrifice a little here but don't expect me to attend Saturday weddings in the fall.

8. Independent
You do your own thing and can think for yourself. You are not co-dependent on others all the time. You don't get sucked into hype and trends. Generally speaking you don't do things solely because it's the popular thing to do. You hate Dave Matthews Band because you know they suck.  You can stand your ground if necessary.

9. Bed
There should be little to no restrictions here. Preferably everything is in play.

10. Driven
Something motivates you. So passionate about something that you will work hard to achieve your goal. You have future plans even if they aren't always crystal clear.  This can apply to alot of things and can simply separate you from other people.