VARIOUS THINGS

BTW - make sure you read Julie's post below as well - a couple updates today!

The Fam
As Julie writes below, Cam is really turning into quite the leader!  The other day we took him to the playground across the street.  To my knowledge, he has never been down a regular-sized slide, but upon seeing it he flew up the steps and straight down, no hesitation or anything!  We have video of it, but I really don't know how to post it here - I will let Julie handle that!  It was unbelievable though, he was actually quite fearless...although I am not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing!  We will try to get the video posted shortly.

He is definitely growing up more and more every day...and certainly not afraid to voice his opinions (although it may sometimes take us awhile to figure out what he is getting at)!
 

Golf Trips
Just got back from a weekend in Gaylord, good times.  We definitely played some real nice courses up there.  We played 18 on Friday, 36 on Saturday, and another 18 on Sunday.  I would say the 18 on Friday and 36 on Sunday were awesome, but the additional 18 on Sunday was probably a bit much!  Between the soreness, tiredness, etc., I probably would have just rather went home! 

We did play a couple of the top courses in Michigan though - on Friday Carnes and me played Forest Dunes in Roscommon, MI...this is ranked as the #2 or #3 public course in Michigan.  It definitely was a fantastic track, and we both played well - I think he shot 85 and I shot 86.  On Saturday afternoon, we played Elk Ridge, which is Top 15 I believe.  That was a great course too, although I didn't play quite as well, I think I shot a 90.  Another nice course we played was the Loon on Saturday morning, which I think is Top 50 on some lists.

And then next weekend (June 4-6) I get to do it all over again!  Big props to Julie for being so understanding and letting me go on 2 golf trips within 3 weekends!  This trip we are going to Shanty Creek, although we are only playing 54 holes (thank god) this time.  We are playing 18 on Friday and 36 on Saturday...definitely not disappointed we are avoiding the Sunday golf!  Looking forward to it!

Michigan Football
OK, UM's report and self-imposed sanctions are in, and it basically is a whole lot of nothing.  Ooohhh, we went over by 20 minutes a week because we didn't realize stretching was included in countable hours.  Ouch.  So we are imposing some loss of practice hours, a couple Quality-Control assistants (basically interns) being removed, and some probation.  Big freaking deal.  I would like to take this opportunity to say screw you to the Free Press for blowing a situation ridiculously out of proportion and dragging Michigan's name through the mud in the process.  If you haven't read it, MAKE SURE to read this article by Jon Chait on the situation - it puts it into perspective much more succintly than I could:

http://michigan.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1088066

On another note - it is time for those who haven't supported the program the last couple years, who have constantly bitched and moaned about Rich Rodriguez, who complain that "this isn't the Michigan they knew", to get off their freaking high horses and get on board.  There is no "My Michigan", "Your Michigan", "Old Michigan", or "New Michigan".  There is just "Michigan".  And if you love Michigan, then I don't care if Bo Schembechler, Lloyd Carr, Rich Rodriguez, or freaking Daffy Duck is coaching the team...it is your job to support them.  No one is happy with the play on the field or the record the last 2 years.  The good news for you is if it doesn't get turned around (7-8 wins) this year, you won't have to deal with Rodriguez any more.  RR will be judged on the field, as he should.  All this off the field crap will end up having no bearing on Rodriguez's tenure, other than as a footnote. 

It is time to circle the wagons...if you seriously are hoping for UM to fail in 2010 because you want Rodriguez gone, then you are NOT a Michigan Man (or Woman), you are not a Michigan fan, and you should just get the hell out and find a different team to root for.  I hear there is a team in East Lansing whose coach you can look up to...aside from the fact he lets criminals and felons back on his team the same day they walk out of jail.  No one ever talks about that though.  Feel free to join them though, if you don't think RR is running the program the right way. 

And for those who look at RR as an outsider, who doesn't know the "Michigan Way" - I ask you, what was Bo when he was hired?  He was a disciple of Woody Hayes!  He had never coached at Michigan, he didn't go to Michigan...get off your soapbox.  The last 2 years have been tough, but if you truly love the University, it is time to throw your hat in the ring and support THIS program, THIS team, THIS coach, THIS MICHIGAN.  Because THIS IS YOUR MICHIGAN.