Scoring Tickets, Old School

You won't see any photos of me on this post.

I was up early. Very early. I brushed my teeth, grabbed my jeans from the night before off the floor, pulled on a T-Shirt and a baseball cap. Then I took off the baseball cap because it was black and had in white satin stitching GLOCK on the front. Not cool where I was going. I grabbed the other black baseball cap. In pink satin stitching it has the logo BARBIE. Dorky, but less controversial.

I grabbed a cup of coffee and was out the door. I left later than I wanted to, so I hopped on the expressway and did 80 all the way to Royal Oak. I was headed to 4th and Lafayette, downtown Royal Oak.

When I was a block away, grrrrr, fun-gwee-li, I noticed the road blocks and police cars. Hu? A marathon being run? How the heck am I going to get across Main Street? I felt like a rat in a maze going up one street and down the other only to keep being met with roadblocks. I went to the Farmers Market and figured I park there and walk.

Saturday? Beautiful sunny day? Downtown Royal Oak? Of course, everyone and their brother was at the market. No frickin' parking spaces. I headed to the police station thinking I'd park and take a ticket, I didn't care. Just as I was about to do that, a space opened up and I grabbed it.

I started my jog over to 4th and Lafayette, only to be met by runners and the orange mesh blocking the ability to cross the street. Too bad, I straddled over (note: I am no longer able to hurdle over) the mesh, jockeyed through the open spaces between runners (careful not to interfere) and made it to the other side.

As I came up to my destination, I saw this.

I rounded the corner and landed about the150th spot down this alley.

It was one and a half hours before they would allow us to get tickets. I did the usual. Chatted with others, scowled at some trying to take cuts, and wondered why I drank coffee on the way down. I had to pee.

The alley curved back around this space between two buildings and then out onto main street.


As the line began to move, I was relieved to know I did it ... I scored 3 tickets to this:

Town Hall Meeting
Barack Obama
This Monday at Troy High School
(less than 10 minutes from my house)

There was a two ticket per person limit. But see that woman up in the last pic with her daughter in the purple top? She gave me one of hers because her kids go to Troy High School and they won't need tickets. Thank you Gloria!

I haven't had to actually stand in line in anticipation for tickets since my high school years. Figures, that's just where I will be Monday, at high school!

Oh yeah, as I was walking back to my car, these people ... lined up about 3/4 mile back now ... I didn't have the heart to tell them there are only 1,000 tickets, 2 per person, if your not one of the first 500, you should have slept in.

Without getting on my soapbox politically, I will just say this election is going to change the future direction of America. This is a historical election and just getting to go to a Town Hall Meeting is going to be awesome. If I could get tickets for Clinton, or McCain, I'd go to their's too.

Just so happened Obama is coming to my 'hood.

W36 L36

I was in Royal Oak last night. I have posted before that the downtown area, which consists of a couple blocks, is always hopping with people in the summertime. As I sat outside people watching, I began to notice something.

A men vs woman fashion statement.



Men will wear jeans with their size plastered right out there, to be read by anyone, no matter how big or small it is.


And, they had no problem when I took their picture, never even asked me why I was taking it.


Can you imagine a woman ever wearing her clothing size tag to be seen by all?

I know some women that cut the tag off on the inside ... even when no one will see it.

*sigh* ... the mental freedom of some things that men have.

Royal Oak Michigan

I was on Memphis Smoke's rooftop this past Saturday afternoon, 78 degrees and everyone was ready to kick off a wonderful weekend. This guy was celebrating his 18th birthday with his family.

(click on the pic for a close up, beer cans, cup, cigar holder)

Hanging out in Royal Oak during the summer nights is one of my favorite things to do. The vast spectrum of people is "educational" and makes for great watching. I like to get a Starbuck's, spike it with Baileys and begin my watch.

The variety of people range from the spiked look, as above, to shorts and T's, from dressy casual to the little black dress and strappy sandals. There is always fun albeit odd characters to be seen in RO on any given night.

The choices of cuisine is fantastic. Damato's has Italian, Mr. B's sports bar fare of burgers, pizza and sandwiches, Tom's Oyster Bar, Good Night Gracie is a jazz martini bar. Inn Season for the vegans. There are Sushi, Chinese, and French restaurants peppered between the sub, pizza, and ice cream shops.

Entertainment for everyones taste is always happening. There is salsa dancing at Sangria Sky Club, pop groups at Memphis Smoke, rock bands to dance to upstairs at 5th Avenue, and a comedy club for those just wanting a laugh.

Downtown Royal Oak offers so much for so many. It caters to bikers and has bike night. It's always a crusin' spot for classic cars owners, especially being so close to Woodward, home of the world's famous annual Woodward Dream Cruise.

It's amazing, all the happenings downtown Royal Oak on any given night of the week once the weather warms up. Yea, I can be found there one or two nights a week from now until October.