October 27-28, 2017: Stranger Things

This weekend was a fun weekend.  On Friday night, went to Barnes to hang out with the gang.   Then, went to Josh and Olivia’s apartment to watch Season 2 of the show, “Stranger Things”.  

This thrilling Netflix original drama stars Golden Globe-winning actress Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, who lives in a small Indiana town in 1983 -- inspired by a time when tales of science fiction captivated audiences. When Joyce's 12-year-old son, Will, goes missing, she launches a terrifying investigation into his disappearance with local authorities. As they search for answers, they unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries involving secret government experiments, unnerving supernatural forces, and a very unusual little girl.

The show is set in the 80s which is the era Josh and I grew up in.    The writers did a great job with details of the 80 and have many references to other 80s movies such as “Ghostbusters”, “E.T.”, and “Goonies” in this show.

I am not usually into science fiction shows but this series sparks my interest in many ways.    

On Saturday, went to breakfast at Villa in Whitehall.  Olivia made a delicious meatloaf for dinner and on Sunday, Josh and I went for breakfast at Carmen’s and sat at the counter which reminded me of the days when my dad and I sat at the counter at Jerry’s Roosevelt Roost in Roosevelt Park.  Dad and I would go on Thursdays to meet his guy friends and I would get a bagel with cream cheese and hot chocolate and get a free sucker.      

October 13-16, 2017: Joy’s 40th Birthday

My cousin Joy turned 40 years old on October 16, 2017.   She wanted to do something special for it so Heather, Kim, Wendy, Joy, and I went up to Traverse City for the weekend and went to the wineries,  spent time in the hot tub, and went shopping.   I like the Black Star winery and Ciccone’s.    The singer, Madonna, helped her parents start their own winery near Traverse City.  It was a cloudy and rainy weekend but we did get to see a rainbow.    We all had a good time hanging out together.

September 30, 2017: Pumpkin Run

My friend, Rhonda Collins, is a runner.  She has run in many races.  She got me to participate in the 5K Pumpkin Run in Greenville, Michigan which is north of Grand Rapids.   I didn’t run in it but walked.  I was doing it for the exercise and the finisher medal.    

September 27, 2017: Art Prize in Grand Rapids

The big winner of Art Prize was the Abraham portrait made out of pennies.  It was on display at the Amway Grand Hotel.   I took a day off during the week in order to go to Art Prize.   There are too many crowds there on the weekends.   I wasn’t as impressed with the art work this year as in other years.   Usually, I go twice to see the art displays but this year only made it there one time.  

October 7, 2017: Michigan vs Michigan State Game

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I finally made it to the Big House!   It was on my bucket list to not only go to the Michigan Stadium, but also to a Michigan vs Michigan State game.   I was so excited when Sue said she got tickets as they are not easy to get.   Sue gave me a homemade gift certificate for my birthday maybe 20 years ago that said good for a Michigan vs Michigan State game.  She paid the $125 for my ticket.   What a great friend!
Chris Gerling, a classmate from high school, has been to 40 games in Ann Arbor.  He said to park at the Sheraton at Briarwood Mall and take the south shuttle to the game for $3 each.  It was the best way to go as traffic is bad around the stadium.
Two high school classmates met me at the game which was fun.   Christine Deluca Anderson lives in San Jose, CA and her brother, Steve Deluca lives in Atlanta, Georgia.  We were all in marching band together in high school.  They both went to college at the University of Michigan.  They flew to Ann Arbor for the game.  Christine has season passes to the Michigan game and sells the tickets to the games she can’t go to.
There were 112,432 people in the stadium for the big game.   It rained beginning in the third quarter.   Michigan State ended up winning the game 14-10.