No Class

We surely enjoyed watching the Michigan game - it was very exciting at the end, and we cheered vigorously. Thank you, Team! However...

If you are feeling all tingly and joyful about Univ. of Mich. beating Notre Dame, read this article. It will bring you crashing back down to earth. Things like this leave us in total disgust for he who shall not be named.


West Virginia Football: Rich Rodriguez Loved To Recruit Thugs
By Frank Ahrens (Senior Writer) on June 13, 2008

Exactly how many thugs did Rich Rodriguez recruit during his seven years at West Virginia University?

Do the players think that new coach Bill Stewart is a pushover because he doesn’t scream and curse like Rodriguez? Is that why they think they can get away with the boneheaded and/or criminal behavior we’ve set out below?

Or were they simply thugs all along, and it was only a matter of time until their true nature found an opportunity to exploit?

Stewart must feel like a new judge taking over a caseload of criminals from a retired judge who just couldn’t be bothered to sentence any of them.

Since Stewart has taken over following WVU’s Fiesta Bowl rout of Oklahoma, he has:

Kicked RB Eddie Collington, DL James Ingram and LB John Holmes off the team for possession and intent to distribute drugs. Smart.
Kicked S Charles Pugh off the team for—get this—allegedly picking up a set of car keys from a table in the student union then using the panic button to find the car in the adjacent parking garage. Then, he and a woman entered the car, stole a credit card, and racked up nearly $2,000 in purchases.
Kicked TE Evan Rodriguez off the team for assaulting a female student. Nice.
According to West Virginia media, applied team discipline to RB Noel Devine and WR Jock Sanders after charges were filed against the pair following a fight with students.

Last August, CB Ellis Lankster and LB J.T. Thomas were arrested for stealing a laptop form a student’s house and trying to fence it. Again, smart. They were suspended for several games.

Earlier last summer, S Quinton Andrews and okay-now-he’s-coming-back-for-real RB Jason Gwaltney spent the night in the Morgantown pokey after a dustup with cops.

All of this has landed WVU at the No. 2 spot on the vaunted Every Day Should Be Saturday’s Fulmer Cup, which awards points to college football student athletes based on arrests, convictions and so forth. (Barely behind Mizzou.)

What are we to make of all this?

Andrews has been a known problem for most of his time at WVU.

Lankster came from a JuCo. We’d hate to over-generalize, but if we did, we’d note that players with Division I talent who opt for the JuCo route do so because they don’t have the academic credentials to go straight into Division I. Now, if we over-generalized even further, we’d note that dumb athletes also often are violent. It’s why Bob Huggins got his bad-JuCo rep at Cincinnati.

Pugh’s mom said in the West Virginia media that her boy Charles didn’t act alone, implying that a woman with Pugh urged her son to become a criminal. As my friend Ann likes to say, “P***y make you crazy!”

Charles, however, died the way he lived: His uni number was 15, which made sense. He was forever drawing 15-yard personal foul penalties for late hits out of bounds and other unsportsmanlike behavior.

Devine had a crazy troubled childhood: nine kids by six different women, both parents dead, etc. However, nothing in his past indicated violence.

And let us not forget the all-time braindead Mountaineers brought to Morgantown by Rodriguez: Pacman Jones, recently reinstated to the NFL after a one-year suspension, and Chris Henry, who just today was suspended by the NFL indefinitely for being arrested about six times in eight states.

It should be clear by now that Rodriguez cared much more about 40-yard-dash times than character. And because of that, he left Stewart a mess to clean up.

Rodriguez: The gift that keeps on giving.

Notre Who?

GO BLUE!
Robinson Rallies Football to Victory at Notre Dame

9/11/2010

Quarterback Denard Robinson capped a school-record day (502 total yards -- 258 rush, 244 pass) with a two-yard touchdown rush with 27 seconds remaining to rally the Wolverines to a 28-24 win at Notre Dame.

September 11

Remembering a day that tore down our innocence of what a human is capable of. Not only the hate and destruction, but the way strangers will give their lives to help someone they have never met.


(from my niece Pam. Couldn't say it any better.)

Round Robin 2010

Here we go again - it's time for the annual Round Robin letter to my high school friends in the class of 1953. We're the SLGs, and we won't tell what that stands for.

Sept. 10, 2010

Hi Everybody!

It’s a beautiful day in Northern Michigan. Our hot, hot summer seems to be over, and we have deliciously cool 60s and 70s. Today is an absolutely perfect day.

We’ve had an eventful year. Here are some brief highlights. At Easter time we went to Washington, D.C. to visit daughter Jana. Daughter Laurie flew up with grandson Dylan to join us and introduce Dylan to that wonderful city. We showed him all of the monuments, including the new FDR memorial and the WWII Memorial, and of course the White House and the Capitol. To our surprise the biggest hit was the Art Museum! He’s been well educated by his art teacher in middle school, and he was really thrilled to see the great masters up close. He especially liked Andy Warhol and some of the abstract things. “Oh, Grandma, that illustrates order and chaos!”

At the end of May, we went to Alaska with friends - spent a week touring Denali, and then a week on a cruise ship looking at glaciers! Magnificent experience - glaciers are truly one of nature’s wonders. Let’s face it, cruising is just a lot of fun,. We had stops in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan. I recommend it.

Our Florida kids came to visit in July and August for about three weeks. We love having Dylan here, and look forward to it every summer. Our son-in-law thinks they’re imposing and offers to stay in a motel - but he’s told, “No, no, you don’t understand - we want Dylan here!”

This year we are the hosts with the most. We’ve hosted three small geocaching events, Dick’s annual family reunion (GenFest), and next week we’re hosting the 46th Annual Kanitz Reunion downstate. This one is the biggest - we expect 150 cousins to come.

It must be our age - so many friends are selling their homes and moving to condos. Nola, Sandy N., and Betty have sold their homes. Our next door neighbors are moving to a condo this very weekend. I ran into Hank Johnson at our Rehab gym last week - he and Sue are selling their home and moving to a condo. Holy cow. Out here on the river, Dick has just ordered another load of firewood for the year after next, so you can tell we have no moving plans in the near future! But we can see the writing on the wall.

This year we were honored by the Michigan Geocaching Organization - one of five teams in the State to receive a special silver coin for “outstanding contributions to geocaching” and other complimentary statements. It was quite a surprise!

Our kids are all fine. Jana is the one we worry about. She’s been unemployed for over two years now, and it’s very troublesome. She does get contract work often, so she’s kind of a free-lance consultant, but it’s very unsatisfying to her.

Dick and I did get our shingles shots a few months ago. We debated and debated because of the cost, but we had watched Mother suffer with it and finally made the right choice, I think. So sorry for those of you who’ve had to experience that awful affliction.

Margo: How great that you are helping homeless folks. Especially these days, more and more are down on their luck. Our Goodwill Inn has expanded, and they are helping many families now. There are many homeless kids in the schools, which is something we haven’t seen before. Good for you - it’s important work!

Mary: Depression is certainly nothing to sneeze at! I’m glad you’re getting treatment and therapy - it’s the only way. Daughter Jana is dealing with depression also, with the help of a psychiatrist and a therapist and medications. Her therapist helps her immensely, and I wish you both peace of mind and comfort. Friends and family are so important.

Betty: Hey, you California girl! Nothing like moving across the entire country for a change of scenery. Seeing your grandkids every day is a big, big plus. I hope you had good luck with your ankle.

June: Glad all is well with you and yours. Sounds like you two have an active, healthy, happy Florida life.

Sandy M.: Sciatic nerve - oh no! Mine was a lot less severe than yours - the epidural took away the pain. I do have nerve damage in my left leg, which weakens it. I’m still going to the Rehab gym (4 years of it) and my Dr. says that now they believe that the nerve will eventually heal over time. Hope you continue to do well.

Donna: Good health news from you! Hope it’s continuing and that you’re getting good reports. The economy is affecting every family in one way or another, isn’t it…good that John is employed anyway - maybe by now he has a teaching job. I hope so.

Debby: When you’re home from Florida let’s get together and you can tell me about your hip replacement and your great family in person!

Freda: What a full life you are living. It’s always a treat to hear about your expeditions and adventures. Get the shingles shot - shingles would ruin your itinerary! Bill’s Parkinson’s will be a challenge, but I believe that you will deal with it in your usual competent fashion. My maid of honor’s husband also has it and she reports that at this point he is only comfortable in his own home, in his own space.

Nan: Northport really is a marvelous place in the summer. In the winter…not so much! Say hi to your husband (my third grade boyfriend)!

Nola: Wow - what a wonderful picture of you and your grandchildren! As you know, Dick and I have one (1) grandchild. Every family is unique! Count your blessings. It will be interesting to hear how you’re enjoying your retirement home - such a big change for you two - but we all will have to make that adjustment sooner or later. Let us know how J & K’s situation is working out. Of course I’m wishing for the best outcome for everyone.

Sandy N.: How nice that you’re close to the lake, and have a great path nearby. I’m thinking that you will be happy and comfortable there, with no worries about maintenance, etc. Hooray for you.

Normal Thursday With a Twist

Already starting to pack things to take to Ann Arbor next week. We've rented an apartment there for 5 weeks for football season. This will be the 3rd or 4th year we've done this - I've lost track! We'll be there for 4 games - one week there's an away game. Tom is coming for the MSU game on Oct. 9, and Jana hopes to come for a visit too, but nothing is definite yet. We really love Valley Ranch - it's convenient to everything - shopping, dining, the stadium, the A2 library - just everything. We leave one week from today.

This year, in addition to our personal things that we'll need for 5 weeks, we're also packing things for the 46th Annual Kanitz Reunion on Sept. 19th. Jim and I are in charge this year, so I'm packing table coverings, serving spoons, decorations, - you get the idea.



Our niece Kris is helping immensely - and I think we've got everything covered - but I keep going over in my mind - what am I forgetting? Coffee cups, check, Kool-Aid cups, check, crayons for the kids, check, etc. This is a big reunion. We expect around 150 people - of which we know about a dozen! The rest we see once a year. I'm actually looking forward to it this year - that hasn't always been true.

Today we went to the gym and did errands - Omelette Shoppe, Visitors Center, PO, library, Oleson's and Progress...oh wait! At the Progress Laundry there was a big banner saying "Master Dry Cleaners", and none of the familiar people were there - new folks behind the counter. I asked - has there been a change in ownership? Oh yes there has been - oh no. I used to go to Master's on 14th St. but I switched when their prices went up. It will be interesting to see how much they charge me for the things I left today. I loved Progress - they all knew me by name and went to get my order as soon as our car pulled up. Doggone it. It seems that the older I get the more resistant to change I become. Phooey.

M vs. UCONN

Who would win, a wolverine or a huskie? A wolverine would win - 30-10.

We drove down to Ann Arbor this morning, because the game didn't start until 3:30. Stopped at Frosty Cup in Cadillac for old times' sake. We got to the stadium in plenty of time to get acquainted with the newness and the changes.

View of the new stadium from our parking lot.


New concessions in the outer stadium area:






Views of the new part of the stadium, two hours before kick-off:





Warm-ups - Holy Hannah, the PA system is loud - they have really cranked up the decibels.




"All The Maize and Blue Faithful Join in a Rousing Chorus of The Victors"



Today's game was just about perfect - the weather was wonderful, and the outcome was very satisfactory. However, as our seatmate Tony pointed out - the offense seems to be "quarterback left, then quarterback right, then quarterback left, etc. ad infinitum". After a while it becomes supremely predictable. I'm sure that Denard will be the prime target on Saturday in South Bend.

The stadium is extremely loud this year - bring your earplugs. We couldn't even carry on a conversation. I was wishing I had hearing aids so I could turn down the volume! (Just kidding, God!) Dick wants to take in a decibel meter to see how bad it is. He might have trouble getting past the turnstiles with that piece of equipment though - you're not even allowed a water bottle.

Good luck to us at Notre Dame (fingers crossed)! At this point, we really don't know what to expect.

Spent the night with Sniders - we always enjoy their hospitality. We had great conversations about good books, super grandchildren, old times, and Belleville gossip. It doesn't get any better than that!

Thanks, Mitchy

My friend Mitchy from England sent me a link to a blog she likes to read. The last two paragraphs really touched a chord in me - the blogger articulated the way I feel so well. Thanks, Mitchy.

Me? I think it's pretty obvious how I see the likely fortunes of my team based on the facts on the ground now. I see them the same way virtually everyone else who is *not* a member of the Michigan fanbase sees them. But I *am* a member of the Michigan Wolverine fanbase, born, raised, family connected. And more importantly, I am a literal Michigan Man -- ten years a card-carrying student, two doctoral degrees bearing ribbons of Maize and Blue.

For the rest of my life, any academic biography, blurb, or speaker's introduction will begin with the line MD/PhD, University of Michigan Ann Arbor.. U. Michigan shaped me, built me, was the anvil upon which the physician and the scientist I hope to be were forged. I am a son of the Maize and Blue in every way that truly counts, now and forever. And that has *nothing* to do with our fortunes on the football field, good as they once were, bad as they are now. If Michigan's football fortunes go the way of Minnesota or Indiana or any of the other schools in the Big Ten that have endured decades of mediocrity, I will still be a Michigan Man. Always be a Michigan Man. Proudly.

It is, as I have said many a time: my colors are Maize and Blue. And those colors don't run.

http://turnberryknkn.livejournal.com/784448.html

The Bad Week

Here's Dick's report on what he calls "The Bad Week"!

First off, the Nuvi died. No luck so far getting a response from the company we bought an extended warranty from. We printed out a few nearby and up at Northport. We tried 9 and had 4 DNF's. Our worst outings ever. Maybe we should take up golf.
On the health front, I was out Tues. while Nancy took in a flick with a girl friend. The workout in the gym had gone fine and the hike to the cache was fine but on the way home I got dizzy. It was like I was drunk. Got home about 3 and I couldn't walk a straight line. Nancy wanted to take me to the ER, I wanted to wait and see. She called and got me an appointment for Wed morning. She drove me to the Dr. I was still unsteady. Everything checked out and the diagnosis was dehydration. It's like they don't consider decaf a fluid.
Any way, we went out to breakfast and I guzzled H2O. I did feel better. We then took our usual TC cruise through town and the marina. We were pulling back through, northbound in the right turn/through lane at the traffic light for the parkway, third car in line behind a HUGE white SUV.
Then, the jerk in the SUV decided the guy in front wasn't moving fast enough so he BACKED UP intending to pull into the left lane and pass. We were about 5 feet back of him. Before I could hit the horn or drop into reverse, he smashed into us. The front GO BLUE plate was smashed as were parts of the bumper. He gets out wearing his Spartan cap and looks at the front end and says, "Doesn't look like any significant damage". Nancy checks to see if maybe someone has painted a target on the grill.
So we file a police report, contact the insurance company and head off to the collision shop for an estimate. Now I think it's kinda neat when we walk into the restaurant and the gal says "Nice to see you again", and automatically brings me my decaf and tell us about her kids, but when you walk into the collision shop and the guy behind the counter turns and calls to the estimator in back, "Hey Tim, Mr Steiger's here again!" that's just nuts!
Oh well, will our luck continue through the weekend and Connecticut? As you can see on her blog, I had to talk hard to get Nancy to go. I think what got her to give an OK was the thought of me on the road alone and having a dizzy spell.
Oh well, my mom's favorite line was "This too shall pass".

Are You Ready For Some (Gulp) Football?

This football season will be a rough one. I can't find anything to like.

I'm not happy with this coach. I don't understand his attitude, his program, his performance, or his expectations. I know what I expect from the Michigan football program, and this isn't it.

The NCAA problems are troubling.

The newly changed stadium has outrageously elitist new seating.

Stadium policies are restrictive and oppressive.

It's alarming that the Alumni Association is still trying to peddle tickets at this late date. Tickets for the Bowling Green game, OK, but Illinois and Wisconsin?? They can't even find buyers for Big Ten (or 11 or 12) games? I don't know whether to cry or throw up.


One week from Saturday we'll be driving down to Ann Arbor for the opening game of the Michigan football season That day will also see the dedication of the new, improved stadium, which I now call The Bigger House. . Dick talked me into it - I really don't want to go. I'm trying to look at it as an historic event. The game will be against....who?...Connecticut? Are you sure? Oh well.

Here are examples the the obscenely outrageous new seating prices:
If you want a ticket for a "club seat" (I'm wondering what club that is):

DONATION REQUIREMENTS

• Donation requirements for indoor and outdoor club seats are scaled relative to the seat's proximity to mid-field.
• Indoor club seats require an annual contribution of $4,000 per seat, plus the cost of a football season ticket (and parking, if requested and available).
• Outdoor club seats require an annual contribution of $3,000 per seat (Zone 1), $2,250 per seat (Zone 2) or $1,500 per seat (Zone 3) plus the cost of a season ticket (and parking, if requested and available).

If all you want is an outdoor chairback seat, it's $2000 per seat plus the ticket price and parking.

You can have an indoor suite for $85.000 annually (every year!). If you're not interested in having the best location, the prices go way down - from $75,000 to $55,000 annually. ANNUALLY! And Hey! That price includes sixteen tickets and 4 parking passes - what a bargain.

I don't know whether to cry or throw up.

Dad was at the original stadium dedication in 1927 while he was a student. He graduated in 1930, and bought season tickets for the first time in 1948. Mom and Dad bought tickets for the whole family, so I went to my first game in 1948. When the students cheered, I thought they were saying "Let's don't boo!" I was twelve. Things were more idyllic then. Everything was much simpler - you parked on a residential street, walked to the stadium, sat on a bleacher seat, and watched Michigan win.

We still have our regular seats in the End Zone (whew). They didn't mess around with the end zone at all, so at least in that way we're lucky.

It shouldn't be too hard to sneak a paper bag into the stadium, so that when things get too horrible, I can put it over my head. And if worse comes to worse, it can be a barf bag.

I'll color it maize and blue.

Jury Duty - or Not

Dick has been summoned for jury duty in Grand Rapids for the Federal Distict Court. Originally, they wanted him to report on July 26th, the Monday after Genfest, when our kids would be here. He appealed that, and was granted a postponement.

Next, he was told to call on Friday, Aug. 6 to be told when to report to Grand Rapids. He called on the 6th. He was told to call back on Monday, Aug. 9th to see if he had to report on Tuesday.

This morning we packed our suitcases and filled our garment bags so we would be ready to get down to G.R. He called this afternoon, and now the story is that he should call back on Friday the 13th to see if he should report next week. They have summoned prospective jurors through number 55, and Dick is number 59. He is slowly becoming a nervous wreck - can't take the indecisiveness. We cancelled the hotel, but we're keeping our bags packed.

We would like to be here the week of the 16th because the Sniders are going to be in Northern Michigan and we would love to have them hang out around here for a few days that week. This whole Jury thing is making it very difficult to solidify plans for the rest of the summer.

On one hand, being on a jury might be a very interesting experience to have. On the other hand, it's a bit of an annoyance. After all is said and done, good citizenship is the trump card.

Together at Home

When we're all together, there are just seven of us - we have a really small family! This week, we have six - we had to get along without Jana, who was stuck in D.C. So this is how the week went - here we are, missing Jana!

A lovely day for lunch on the deck.


That pesky Dylan - always hiding Uncle Tom's hat!


Major computer time spent playing World of Warcraft - a typical Steiger get-together:


Jana is in this picture!


Taking advantage of a peaceful moment!

At the Cottage!

Sharon and John rented a beautiful, spacious cottage on East Bay for ten days. This afternoon was the perfect time to go help them enjoy it! The weather was gorgeous, the clouds were fluffy, and the sand was hot! Everybody had a super time. Thanks, Sharon and John.

Kevin, Amy, & Maya


Cousins continue - adult cousins with the next generation of cousins!


Tom came from the Pacific to the Great Lakes


Here's the peanut gallery watching the frivolity:)


Such a beautiful beach


Laurie (Florida) and Tom (California) meet in the middle!


What a great cottage this was;


General beachy type fun!






Baby Maya can be Miss Personality!


Life at the cottage - the Good Life :)




After such a wonderful afternoon, we decided to go out to dinner - Dylan voted for dinner at Moomer's, and so...


Thanks again, Sharon and John - we had a great day.

GenFest 2010

This year we had 33 family members at our annual GenFest family picnic - counting infants and children! There were 7 who couldn't come, and that's a lot. We like it better when everybody's here! The weather was overcast and sometimes threatening, but we really lucked out and didn't have big rain, just a few drops for a short time. The sun even came out for a while and we had blue skies. The weather didn't interfere at all with our good times!