» Just Call Me Benedict

Aug 31 2007

Just Call Me Benedict

Published by Ree at 5:02 pm under Family, Real Life

In 1992, I moved back to Michigan from West By-Gawd Virginia. Brought Mr. Hot and Shortman with me. We arrived on an August afternoon; the sun was shining, the birds were singing, the mosquitos were biting. (Like, immediately, we were covered. WTF?)

I remember settling in at MomandDads while we looked for someplace to call our own. Mr. Hot had an idea.

Him: “Let’s go look around in Ann Arbor!”
Me: “Why would I want to live in Ann Arbor?”
Him: “College town. University of Michigan. The BIG House.”
Me: “So, what part of ‘I went to Michigan State’ did you miss during our brief but oh-so-wonderful courtship?”
Him: “I know, but it’s not like you graduated from there.”

Oh my holy hell. Stop the presses. The man almost died at that point.

(Oh, and by the way, thank you U.S. government for refusing to grant me any more student loans after my freshman year.)

I kindly and respectfully reminded him that I feel much the same way about “M Go Blow” as he does about the West Virginia University “MountainQueers”. After he recovered from the many blows to the head, he apologized.

Him: “Um, can we at least go take pictures for my brother? And maybe pick him up a t-shirt or something? You know he’s a huge Wolverine fan.”
Me (feeling just a bit guilty because, y’know, he did have to move to the Midwest): “Yea, sure. We can go walk around town. Take pictures. They’ve got some great used bookstores.”

And so we did. We walked around, looked at the buildings, visited the Natural History Museum, and bought little bro a t-shirt. I thought we were done. For-Ever. Well, I was mistaken. (Huh. Who would have thought?)

We went back to walk around campus on September 19, 1992. Why? It was the morning of the first home football game of the season. We watched the band march from the practice field to the stadium. Mr. Hot took rolls and rolls of film. I puked in the back of my mouth. But, I love him. And it wasn’t like I was going to have to set foot in the stadium. That, truly, would be over my his dead body.

[— Fast Forward 15 years —]
Did I mention about how last year I moved out to the Ann Arbor area to take this great new position? (And no, for those of you who are curious, I DO NOT have an Ann Arbor mailing address. Uh uh. No way. )

So, tomorrow? Where will I be? At The Big House. For the home opener against Appalachian State. I have succumbed people. Maybe it’s because I actually attend classes at U of M. Maybe because I’ve bought into the hoopla and the hype that is Michigan football. Maybe because it’s going to be a beautiful beginning of Autumn day and there is nothing like the first college football game of the season.

Or maybe it’s because Mr. Hot and Shortman begged me and? I got no balls where those two are concerned. They went last year and I stayed home. This year they want me to go, too. So I’m going.

But y’know what? Here’s where I’ll be some other Saturdays this fall:

Michigan State vs. Bowling Green
Michigan State vs. Pittsburgh
Michigan State vs. Northwestern
Michigan State vs. Indiana
Michigan State vs. Michigan
Michigan State vs. Penn State
Eastern Michigan vs. Western Michigan
Eastern Michigan vs. Bowling Green
Yep. Bleeding Green and White. With seasons tickets to MSU and a couple of filler games for Eastern. Now, if only my beloved Marshall hadn’t left the Mid-American conference.

—- I’m seriously thinking about getting this shirt since it’s a line from my favorite movie. and because, y’know, it would be just soooo wrong to wear it to the grocery store next week! [cue evil laughter] —-

14 Responses to “Just Call Me Benedict”

# Kristabellaon 31 Aug 2007 at 6:48 pm

Now I am not a Michigan fan by any means. I grew up a Notre Dame fan (I lived in Chicago. You HAD to be a Notre Dame fan) so I therefore HATED Michigan with the heat of 1,000 suns.

And then I moved to the West Coast and hated all East Coast football because hello? We do have GOOD college football teams on the West Coast! It’s not our fault the voters are old coots that can’t stay up past 10 PM! On a SATURDAY!

Anywho, even with my hatred, I would KILL to go see a game at the Big House. There are just some things you have to do for the love of sports.
# Crystalon 31 Aug 2007 at 8:46 pm

I love that line, too (from 300). Have you seen Transformers? You should. Right up there with 300 in my book. Only with less loin cloths.
# The Hotfessionalon 31 Aug 2007 at 10:41 pm

Kristabella, there will be pictures.

Crystal - no loinclothes? Hm. Well, okay, I have a good imagination.
# my minivan is faster than yourson 01 Sep 2007 at 3:34 am

Now, you know I love you, right? Since we’re all tight like that, I feel like I can ask you this…

“HAVE YOU GONE COTTON-PICKIN’ MAD, WOMAN?!?!” (end quote)

We still love each other, right???

Go Spartans, Go Sun Devils. Tomorrow cannot come soon enough!!
# The Mouseon 01 Sep 2007 at 4:50 am

Ooh, I’m a die-hard Notre Dame fan. Go Irish!

Does this mean we can’t be Bloggy Friends?? Cuz, you know MY team is gonna kick your team’s butt.
# The Hotfessionalon 01 Sep 2007 at 1:29 pm

Mouse and Mini -

Now girls. Did I say I was actually going to cheer for U of M? I’ll go be my polite, cheerful self for the sake of my family, and then take a long, hot shower afterwards to wash the uck off. And I still love you both.

And Mouse, contrary to what Mini says? We’re Spartans. We’re used to other teams kicking our butts. And may I introduce you to Kristabella?
# cupcakeon 01 Sep 2007 at 5:20 pm

The Pro is a proud graduate of the University of Wisconsin. He only cheers for Michigan when there is no other Big Ten team available, because he MUST ALWAYS CHEER FOR THE BIG TEN. It’s as if he took a blood oath at age three.

I hope you’re wearing green, is all I’ve got to say. And Appalachian State? Is located right here in great Tarheel state. With any luck, some of the opposing crowd will have some moonshine for you to enjoy.
# my minivan is faster than yourson 01 Sep 2007 at 8:07 pm

OH MY GOSH!! OH MY GOSH!! OH MY GOSH!! HURRAY AND POST ABOUT WHAT IT WAS LIKE TO BE IN THE BIG HOUSE DURING THE BIGGEST UPSET IN THE HISTORY OF MANKIND!!

Details, give details!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
# cupcakeon 01 Sep 2007 at 8:48 pm

Uh … about that Appalachian State thing.

I think 34-32 says it all, don’t you? Tell me you didn’t enjoy some perverse pleasure watching the game, even if it was from the bowels of the enemy.

The Pro, of course, was saddened, because the Big Freaking Ten lost. Boo hoo.
# The Mouseon 02 Sep 2007 at 12:22 am

Lovely Hotfessional: My faith is renewed. And thank you for the intro to another Irish fan (*waving!*)

Cupcake: Go Heels! (but only for basketball, never football. Blood oath in this house, too.)
# Meghanon 02 Sep 2007 at 2:19 am

Ha! That shirt is awesome. You should totally get it.
# The Hotfessionalon 02 Sep 2007 at 8:50 pm

Mini - It’s here. In fact, what was it like? Claustrophobic. Uck.

Cupcake - (snort) - Perverse? Oh Yea. And to the Pro? Well, usually, I’d agree with him, but I have never, ever cheered for the Blue & Corn.

Next week? The view from East Lansing.
# imhelendton 05 Sep 2007 at 4:15 pm

So does compromising your morals like this make you some sort of…call girl? ;D
# The Hotfessionalon 05 Sep 2007 at 4:36 pm

Helen - Well, I felt that way at the time…but since U of M lost???? Ha! I’m thinking about attending every week - maybe it’ll shut up some of the arrogance around here!