Yet another reason Ann Arbor is the greatest city in the world.

A great city WITH robot repair available to all.

I
Love
This
City.

(click photo to embiggen)

Why I love Ann Arbor : (hint its not for the proposed Vehicle idling ordinance)

There is so much to love about Ann Arbor. The beautiful parks, the diverse people, the culture, the general tolerance of everyone... it really is a wonderful place to live and work.

There is, however, a dark side to our beautiful city. It is an over legislated attitude that is becoming more and more pervasive and is driving a legal wedge between the people in power and the people whom they are supposed to serve.

It would be comical if it was not so crazy, and before I condemn any one person or entity let me just say this: it has not passed yet. Still the fact that it is being proposed, in its current form, is just mind blowingly stupid.

No, really, if you read the proposal it could not be more ludicrous, idiotic, and a waste of the cities time and efforts. Counsel please I implore you. Listen to the poles, look at what is going on around you and think about what you are doing.

Have we leaned nothing from the crosswalk law debacle?
Still think it might not be such a bad idea?  Before you decide, check out this story about it *here* and *here* but my understanding is as it reads in its current recommendation:

The proposed ordinance would make a $100 ticket the minimum punishment for a driver who leaves a vehicle running while unoccupied for any amount of time or running for five minutes while occupied. For commercial vehicles, that minimum fine increases to $500.

I don't care what other cities have done, and know that the city leans toward the tree hugging side of the scale and that is not in itself a bad thing but seriously who in there right mind could possibly think that this is a good idea.

What happens when the person that starts their car and takes off in less than five minutes can not see out of the frost laden windshield and kills a pedestrian at one of your newly anointed cross walks? Its not good enough to scrape the window when its 20 below, your breath alone will kill your visibility until your car warms up an that is going to take more than 5 stupid minutes in those temperatures. What about warming a car for your infant child, or the elderly or...wait why do I even have to explain to anyone why that is a terrible idea? If a bad idea itself could have a worse idea the crap that it came up with would still be a better idea than this.

Here is a partial list of things that are WAY MORE IMPORTANT to deal with then the emissions from idling vehicles:

Funding for essential services (PS funding them from this insanity is not the answer)
The growing homeless problem
Parking, the lack thereof and issues surrounding it.
Keeping downtown a safe, thriving business friendly zone
Just about ANYTHING ELSE you can think of honestly

All I can say it the people of the city are really at the limit of dumb laws that make no sense, create more confusion then good, and in the end cause more harm.

As I said there is so much to love about this great city. This ordinance and others like it are not why.

Downtown Ann Arbor

Out with the Girl tonight in Ann Arbor.
It was a little chilly for her, but it was just nice with all the lights.

Go Blue: Michigan vs. Purdue

 

This morning I awoke to the insistent urging of the dog to go outside. I threw on my Jersey and some Jeans and ran out the door where the cold slapped me in the face my nostrils stung with the sudden influx of bitter air. I should have known it was coming but I just wasn't ready.

This is what happen to Michigan when they took the field last time in E Lansing against state two weeks ago. They were over-confident, they got slapped in the face by a superior playing State team that put them back on there heals and kept them there. They thought they knew what was coming but the just were not ready.

This week will be different.

Don't thing for a second that this bye week meant extra time to relax. Hoke was likely deeply disappointing to go down against Dantonio's team even if they played a little like thugs (I'm talking to you Gholston) and just to set the record straight we are not complaining about it,  it is what it is, a loss. We need to move on.

Purdue will come here with some momentum. 

Winning two of the last three games they are showing some grit and the back up quarter back seems to be starting to click. They also won last time here at the big house so they can probably taste the upset. Will it be enough to win? Not likely.

Michigan is favored to win for a reason.

The will likely have put the time they were given for the week off to tighten back up the defense and generally sharpen up the skills on offense as well. Michigan will have to shake of the loss and win with authority today to right the ship and put everything back on course. 

 

Go Blue: Michigan Vs. MI State

This weekend, the Michigan Wolverines travel again this time to East Lansing to face arguably one of their biggest rivals the MI State Spartans. Adding fuel to the fire they both enter the contest ranked (11/23 MI/ MI State respectively).
To say this is an important game is an understatement from which all other understatements can only hope to be measured.

MI wants desperately to take the Paul Bunyan trophy back to Ann Arbor saving it from its shamefully long absence from its true home.The Spartans want nothing better then to stick it to Hoke's team knocking them down from their 6-0 start.
Although Michigan has lost the first game of the last two seasons to none other than MI State the feeling this year that the Wolverine program is on track and that winning is possible is pervasive all throughout Ann Arbor.

The Spartans will not just rollover though, and will likely prove to be a formidable opponent with senior QB cousins craving a win in likely the last time he will throw against the Maize and Blue. This is the one game that draws strongly defended lines and school pride comes out in everyone. With only an hours drive separating these two instate rivals everyone knows someone that went to school at one of these schools and the pride in both programs always shows.
Tomorow
At noon.
In Spartan Stadium.
One of these teams will be pushed ahead and the other left behind to lick the wounds that can only come from loosing to a huge rivalry school.
Good Luck boys.

GO BLUE!

New York pays tribute to Ann Arbor

Recently the New York Times posted an article (*see it here*) highlighting some of the cool things do do and places to go in Ann Arbor.
I have to say the hit most of the good spots.
Hmmm... and I thought all New Yorkers were rude. Its good to be wrong sometimes. Thanks Guys.

Well its Satuday and its gloomy...

 

 Check out this live shot of the Diag. from the library cam. 

The Bell Tower and the MI flag in the background.

You can see the LIVE FEED HERE.

Go Blue: Michigan Vs. Minnesota

Today the rain is supposed to break and a cool fall day should unfold in Ann Arbor as The Wolverines will pay host to the Golden Gophers at Noon in the Big House.

Today we face another long tradition the battle for the little brown jug  the Wolverines fight to retain the right to hold the sacred jug and  the season moves forward with MI off to a fast start and heavily favored in this game today.
If the Wolverines prevail it will only continue to lay a strong foundation for coach Hoke's almost cult like following. Don't get me wrong I might just be a card carrying member.
This game could be dangerous however for the home team as Michigan is expected to win and Minnesota has everything to prove. They have upset us before (2005 I believe) in an eerily similar season and as you know anything can happen.

The first day of October brought in fall like it was flipping a switch. Cool dank weather that makes you crave a hot drink and a warm jacket.
PERFECT
FOOTBALL
WEATHER
The cool weather mixes with the almost palatable excitement in Ann Arbor and  big house will be packed in just a few hours.

Keep it rolling boys... you have the begining of a good season going.

GO BLUE.

Ann Arbor off the beaten path: Trippers alley AKA Graffiti Alley

Recently annarbor.com had an article on "Graffiti Alley" that really reminded me about how diverse Ann Arbor can be.  I have always known this place as Trippers Alley but whatever you call it the small alley right off Liberty Street is a part of the landscape that some love and others hate but none can deny that it is uniquely Ann Arbor.
I invite you to come find it and see it for yourself.  The fall is the best time, the colors are bright and lets face it the cooler weather make the smell more ... lets just say tolerable.

Today I was reminded just how  much my absence from downtown has affected me. I might have to do something about that.

Go Blue: Michigan Vs. San Diego State

The first full day of fall dishes up a cool day perfect for football as Michigan plays host to the San Diego State Aztecs.

The 4th game of the season has been hyped as an exciting contest, rightfully so. Michigan on paper is favored by 10 or more but paper does not show emotion and the emotions are running high.

As the season progresses so does the  pressure for Michigan and having Brady's old team as an opponent doesn't make it any easier. The fact that Brady informed his San Diego by text of his hasty departure and journey to MI has left a lot of bitter in the mouths of the fans and players alike from the Mountain West Conference and beyond.While here Brady Hoke can do no wrong, but out west he is the type of evil that can only propel your desire to win.

As annabbor.com says:

"There's a soap opera-like storyline surrounding Brady Hoke battling his old team that makes this meeting unique. Chip that away, and you still have a pretty good football game."

Not to mention that MI has way more to loose finally breaking back in to the AP poll and and loss at this point in the season could be a momentum changer. The repercussions could be bad casting longer shadows then those giant new scoreboards.

When you cut through all the hype it comes down to two teams both with good players (SDS has a great QB and other weapons at the ready) and in college ball anything can happen.

Here us to great contest, good luck boys.

GOBLUE

Ok dinner at Gratzi

A little pampering was on the agenda as the Girl took me out for diner at Gratzi. Yum.

The atmosphere was great.
The food?

Well the food was amazing.

Go Blue: Michigan Vs. Notre Dame

Tonight.... Under the lights... Michigan will host the Fighting Irish in the second game of the season. The meeting of these two rivals is always a momentous event but tonight it has everyone on edge.  The second game and the second time this season that history will be made after last weeks third quarter weather cancellation this will be the first night gave EVER in the big house.

It promises to be quite a contest as Notre Dame would like nothing better to the stick it to Michigan in their house especially after the loss to South Florida last week that had to leave them with something to prove.
Michigan also has a chip on their shoulder as they have to show the program is back on track and  to prove they can live up to the promise that Denard and the Hoke hype machine have been selling to everyone.
Here, in Ann Arbor, at the Big House the rubber will meet the road as the is rivalry is both storied and passionate and both teams will be eager to prove themselves. Michigan is the underdog on paper but I feel this may be Notre Dame's toughest road game of the season.

Tonight, under the lights, we will see who emerges the winner.

Go Blue.

Go Blue: MIchigan Vs. Western Michigan

Today under a blazing hot sun Michigan opens it season at home against the Western Michigan Broncos.

This season season hopes sit squarely on the rather stout shoulders of new head coach Brady Hoke who has a rather good pool of talented players to draw strength from. After the disappointing last few years it sets this team up for a year of winning and glory or another year of disappointment.

There is no in between.

Brady can not really afford a building year like any ordinary head coach and might expect. He is off to a good start and for some reason he seems to be able to do no wrong as words from him seem to be from a Yost or Schembechler sound bite. Lets face it the public has embraced him like a viking back from a successful plunder. The public opinion is his to loose. That being said his job wont be a walk in the park. Michigan's building years were squandered and spent already and nothing short of wins will satisfy the hungry and ever demanding Wolverine fan base.

Today before another 100,000+ people Michigan starts back down a road to glory, with a much hyped Robinson driving down the filed and legend in the making on the sideline calling the shots.

Western should be a good showing of what kind of tools we have at our disposal and how we can use them best. 

Good Luck Boys, lets bring back some of the Michigan Glory days.

Go Blue!

MGOBLUE: 2011

Simply titled:

"It was the day before the home opener"

Thanks for the University of Michigan Athletics for the shot.

Best comment of the day: Student Edition

From annarbor.com re:
Freshman Move in day.


By
a2grateful

 at 7:41 AM on August 31, 2011

Move-in days to be followed by Welcome Week, a Saturday game, Labor Day, and first day of classes. Ann Arbor is filled with excitement with the return of its leaders and best. Thanks to the student Move-In Makers for easing the transition! Thanks to the university for having so many great educational systems for our young adults.

Welcome to all the students and families coming to Ann Arbor, and the world via The University of Michigan.

We appreciate all of you, first semester or last, and those in between.

Be safe, be smart, be true . . .

Go Blue!

 **********************
Just a quick reminder how fun and exciting a college town can be.

A subtle gloom has settled over Ann Arbor this morning...

Both mirroring and exacerbating my mood.

Tomorrow is a new month and not just any month but September. 

Speaking of technology.... the phone is back in business

After a major wipe/reinstall most everything is back to normal. 
I do like having a camera everywhere I go.

I was downtown Ann Arbor for lunch with my friend Carrie and I took this quick shot of Main st at Washington looking south. Click on the image to enlarge.
What a nice day.

Sure we had to move stuff from the girls apartment...

But it was worth it as I was rewarded with this awesome bribe of fried cheese at The Prickly Pear, one of our favorites place. It was so money they had to put a little dollar sign right on it. I almost forgot about the work.Yum.

Its Ann Arbor Art Fair time again.

Its a hot and hazy summer day in Ann Arbor and what else could that signal but the start of the art fair.

Art Fairs would be more accurate as it is really three fairs rolled into one giant seathing sea of people and art.
You can read about it *here* or cruise by A2 and see it for yourself.

Calm before the storm

I watched out the back door at the office as this line of clouds approached menacingly… the obvious harbinger of rain and lightning.

Minutes later it was coming down in sheets sending the dog under my desk for refuge and me hoping we don’t loose power. Here or at home.