Back From Canadian North

I'm now safely back in Tucson, after having spent four days up in Canada. Four of us spent four full days there ... and drank 138 beers. I've learned my upper digestive system doesn't like that quantity of beer anymore ... I experienced some awful acid reflux. But I'm okay now.

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I'm happy to hear the "a" has been recovered. If Neil Armstrong says he said it, then he said it. There's no chance a U.S. astronaut from Ohio of all places would make that up.

Note: In the United States, the term "midwest" refers to a collection of states that varies from 7 to 14. Regardless of the exact number, the midwest has a general reputation as being the "salt of the earth" or "the backbone" of this country. That reputation is probably waning of late, but certainly back in the 40's, 50's and 60's it held true. Ohio, being one of those states, strikes me as being the most midwest of them all, though some might argue for Illinois or Iowa. In any event, Neil Armstrong was born in Wapokoneta, Ohio ... and with a name like that you can rest assured anyone from there is as straightlaced as they come. :-)

I was born in Michigan ... also considered a "midwestern state," but I think for much of the time where "midwestern" implied steadfastness, Michigan was somewhat excluded from that. Michigan was the most heavily industrialized state in the early and mid 20th century, and I think that casts a different light than bucolic farmland.

Detroit, however, has a long-standing tradition and reputation as a) a great sports town and b) a great music town. The Detroit Red Wings (hockey) enjoyed considerable dominance in the 1950's (with Gordie Howe), and a resurgance in the last 1990's as well. The Tigers (baseball) haven't won as many "World Series" as New York, but they have a few. The Pistons (basketball) used to be pitiful, but became good in the early 1990's and again in the past few years. That leaves the Lions, our perennially awful football team. They had some success in the 1950's, but nothing since. And since about ... oh ... 1975 or so they've been simply bad.

The Tigers are currently playing the Yankees in the American League playoffs. The Tigers came out of nowhere this year to do quite well and get into the playoffs.

Detroit (and surrounding area) and music? Well, Motown, of course ... including Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder. But also Bob Seger, Rare Earth, the MC5, Alice Cooper, The Romantics, The Knack, Grand Funk (really Flint, but close), Eminem, Kid Rock ... and let's not forget the Motor City Madman himself, Ted Nugent.

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I got up at 4:30am ET, which is 1:30am Tucson Time. It is now 3:03pm Tucson Time, and I am quite tired.