Charlie Dycus » michigan

Homecoming Weekend 2011

Charlie — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:42:35 +0000

I have had the tickets for the Michigan's Homecoming game against Purdue for some time. What I didn't know is that it would be a true homecoming to Michigan for me.

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.
Pictures (on Picasa)
Videos (on YouTube -- be sure to watch in HD)

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

PSW IV is locked and loaded

Charlie — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 02:32:09 +0000

Everything is taken care of for the fourth edition of this amazing series of trips:

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

Fall Travel Plans

Charlie — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:28:47 +0000

The good news is a PSW will occur in November, the bad news is that it won't be in Michigan for Thanksgiving. I am not going to complain, though, since it will be a trip with my buddy Ian where I get to be in enemy territory to see my favorite teams:

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?

Best $10 I’ve spent in a while…

Charlie — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 19:25:24 +0000

...has to be to get on the Michigan Football Season Ticket Waiting List. Sure I could have paid $100 or more to be part of the Victors Club and probably have tickets already, but my gamble may pay off this Thursday! They go on sale to the public on Monday, July 11th... but that may be too late!

PSW: Foiled, but not Destroyed.

Charlie — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 13:21:37 +0000

Looks like both NY and Chicago trips will have to be delayed. I will be in Florida in July for my nephew's first birthday party and the Chicago trip now conflicts with a wedding. The only way this will truly upset me is if Wrigley Field randomly goes away before I can see it next season.

The new plan is for a Chicago trip in November. If this trip goes according to plan, it would be damn near perfect:

The only way that trip could get any better is if it was the Red Wings instead of the Oilers.

Speaking of November and perfect...

*Wednesday, November 23 (7pm) - Detroit Red Wings vs Calgary Flames (Joe Louis Arena)
Thursday, November 24 (12:30pm) - Detroit Lions vs Green Bay Packers (Ford Field)
Saturday, November 26 (TBA) - Michigan Wolverines vs Ohio State Buckeyes (Michigan Stadium)
*Saturday, November 26 (7pm) - Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators (Joe Louis Arena)

*depending on the start of the Michigan game, I may be able to go see the Preds instead of the Flames.