Thurs - Detroit Tigers vs Tampa Bay Rays (Comerica Park): “On Deck Circle” Row 3 behind homeplate (with waiter / in game menu)

Fri – Detroit Pistons vs Milwaukee Bucks (Palace of Auburn Hills): VIP C Row 3 on the aisle / half court (with waitress / in game menu)

Sat – Michigan Spring Festivities (Michigan Stadium): Club Level Tickets

Sun –Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators (Joe Louis Arena): On the glass behind the goal for Game 3 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals

I am going to label this trip as "Spoiled Forever" because I not only had great seats for each event, but also because I was able to visit a lot with family.

Media from the weekend:

Thursday, April 12, 2012 - Tigers vs Rays
Gallery

Friday, April 13, 2012 - Pistons vs Bucks
Gallery
Videos

Saturday, April 14, 2012 - Michigan Spring Festivities
Gallery
Videos

Sunday, April 15, 2012 - Wings vs Preds
Gallery
Videos

Photo by Sam Wolson/Michigan Daily

The only feasible games were February 18th vs OHIO and February 25th vs Purdue. The OHIO game was already sold out, so the decision was pretty easy. One thing I didn't consider was that it would actually be winter in Michigan, so there was a potential for snow. Luckily that didn't actually happen...

I decided to stay in Ann Arbor thinking I would take in a real college town weekend. Another thing I didn't consider was that UM was on their Spring Break. I spent a little time in AA outside of the basketball game, but I spent a majority of time closer to the airport (where I usually stay). Lesson learned.

I almost didn't have anyone to go to the game with me, but luckily I have a cousin I hadn't previously met that is a huge Michigan fan. He had never been to Crisler for a game either, so it was a good time. The game was close most of the way throughout, so I didn't really think to take any pictures once the game started. Michigan ended up losing their first home game of the year and ruining the already slim chance at a Big Ten regular season title. Here is some media nonetheless:

Saturday, Feb 25, 20112- Michigan vs Purdue
Gallery
Videos (on YouTube -- be sure to watch in HD)

Overall the trip was good because I got to spend a lot of time with family (both Saturday and Sunday). I also made a work related trip to a Client in Trenton to see if I still had my IT skills (I do).

I drove up early Friday morning with my dad. We made it to Michigan in good time and drove all around Monroe to see different places we lived and visited. We were able to see the houses I remember the most (on Goutz Rd and on Dixie Hwy), in addition to a house I have heard many things about (Steffas Rd). The house on Steffas was the one my mom and dad lived at when I was born. It was where I spent my first couple years in this world. The nostalgia continued as we ate lunch at Detroit Beach Pizzeria. You know it's a good day when you can get some mostaccioli casserole and pizza.

Our weekend had just begun... there were games to attend! Details after the jump.

After eating, we checked into the hotel in Belleville for a quick nap and then headed to Ann Arbor. We made it to Yost just in time for the start of the game. It was fun to finally get to see Michigan hockey live and the crowd was surprisingly into it for what I considered to be a lesser opponent. Michigan won 4-0 and did seem to overmatch Ferris State, but there were a few shots off the pipes that could have made it a little closer.

Saturday morning, we ate at Denny's since they no longer exist in Tennessee. We made it to Ann Arbor a couple hours early and took that opportunity for me to buy some Michigan apparel. I also took dad to see the new Michigan bball player development center (impressive btw). The game was awesome of course. We were in a section that people actually stood up and cheered, so that was nice. There was a father/son to our left and right and in front of us were two long time Michigan fans from Canada attending their first game. It started to rain right at the end, but nothing my trusty Michigan poncho couldn't combat.

After the game, we headed over to visit with Aunt Jennifer, Uncle Jerry and little Anastasia. We had a nice dinner and got a chance to catch up. Jennifer hooked it up big time by getting some fresh apple cider and "cider doughnuts" (cinnamon sugar cake doughnuts... mmmmmm)! Probably the highlight, though, was watching Anastasia and Jennifer playing a dance game on the Wii. I may or may not have a video on my BlackBerry to prove it We finished the day at the hotel and watching some of the late college football games.

On a side note, I am proud I was able to spend $0 in the state of Ohio on this trip. I was a little concerned I'd have to stop for gas, but was able to time things just right.

Media from the weekend:

Friday, Oct 28, 2011 - Michigan vs Ferris St.
Gallery
Videos (on YouTube -- be sure to watch in HD)

Saturday, Oct 29, 2011 - Michigan vs Purdue
Gallery
Videos (on YouTube -- be sure to watch in HD)

Saturday, November 12 (TBA) - Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan Wolverines (Memorial Stadium)
Sunday, November 13 (12pm) - Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions (Soldier Field)
Sunday, November 13 (6pm) - Chicago Blackhawks vs Edmonton Oilers (United Center)

The only lingering question is what time we leave for Champaign. If the game is at 11am, we may just drive up Friday night and get a crappy hotel somewhere close (it's a 5 hour drive). We may also decide to be mountain men and drive up morning of (not a fan of this idea). If the game is at 2:30pm, we most definitely are driving up Saturday morning. After the game, we will return our rental car in Chicago and check in our hotel. Sunday will be packed with two games before we fly back to BNA early on Monday morning. I love 1.5 hour flights! Check out our seat locations after the jump.

Section 205, Row 38, Seats 5-6

Section 308, Row 17, Seats 1-2

Section 334, Row 13, Seats 19-20

Saturday, November 12 (TBA) - Illinois Fighting Illini vs Michigan Wolverines (Memorial Stadium)
Sunday, November 13 (12pm) - Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions (Soldier Field)
Sunday, November 13 (6pm) - Chicago Blackhawks vs Edmonton Oilers (United Center)

The hockey game is tentative at best. It will just depend on how we feel.

One of the most exciting thing is my purchase of the ND Fan Pack. I have two tickets to Western Michigan (Sept. 3), Notre Dame (Sept. 10), Eastern Michigan (Sept. 17) and Purdue (Oct. 29).

• I have already made flight, hotel and rental car arrangements for Labor Day weekend to attend the WMU game. I am going to take my childhood friend David with me.
• The next weekend I am bringing another childhood friend (and lifetime ND fan) to the ND game. I hope to hang out again with David in some weird alternate nostalgic universe where my childhood friends can possibly become friends.
• I plan on donating / giving away the tickets to EMU. Can't see myself up there 3 weekends in a row.
• For the Purdue game (HOMECOMING!), I invited a vendor from Canada to attend. We were all at dinner and he mentioned he would be interested in going to a game sometime. He just has to get wife clearance and it will be a go.

My new Sony DSC-HX9V will be here today, so I'm excited to have better resolution photos and video.

Is it September yet?