A midsummer's update on Johnny's trip back to Ypsilanti

I woke up at 7:30 am Sunday for the drive back to Jersey City sad that my first vacation in a while was over but I also know I did everything I could to see everyone I could. I went all over and had a blast. It really was like I picked a good spot in MICHIGAN to vacation and spend money. Michigan is still a great place to go and see people, and do things like hang on a lake or drive real fricking fast down I-696 from I-75 to I-275 at 80-85 just to DO IT as I don't GET to do that kind of thing here. Running with the bulls if you will but only for highly skilled drivers who know what the look in the other drivers eyes mean. Until you live in a big city you have no idea how cathartic some fast driving is after you done growed up in SE Michigan. As you all know but they sometimes miss here, it's in our blood.

So I leave through Ypsilanti which logic says is wrong because from where my best friend and "host family" lives in Canton I'd go quickly around the block to I-275 to I-75 into the Ohio turnpike, I-80 eastbound and down. I wanted to drive the old way (Michigan Ave. out to 23 south to the I-80 in Maumee) and take another look at the majestic form that is Ypsilanti and unknown to me (until the night before) the brand new Mongoloid Barbecue right downtown on Michigan Ave. Ha Ha Ann Arbor, now we have one more thing in common with you, a Mongolian Barbecue and an atrocious 3-9 football team. As for the football, haha, the jokes on you, we wear 3-9 seasons like comfy sweatshirts and ballcaps on a fall football Saturday with a small bottle of liquor in our back pockets....going to watch Michigan lose to Toledo. Sheeeeeeeit, been there done that before our Brothers in Blue. Yes, that Rocket mascot does look like a penis. Losing to Toledo ain't no nuthin'.

Ypsi, you still looked good, great in fact. Even the construction on Washtenaw Ave wasn't all THAT bad. The burger with goat cheese on it at Sidetrack is still the best burger I've ever had. Johnny's old neighborhood on N. Adams between Forest and Cross still looked the same but what can ya change in 7 months really? Sure gonna miss that midwest college football mindset to be certain. Heading down to a Rutgers game? It could happen but let's face facts, the Big East isn't the Big Ten and the Ivy League/Patriot League isn't the MAC. Well a Lehigh game might well be aces and I'll let you know on that one.

Driving by Fuller fields in Ann Arbor last Tuesday while they were cutting the grass was another thing greatly missed. Not a lot of fresh cut grass smell around these parts. The biggest visual difference about town was the castle of a building rising at Huron and State St. in Ann Arbor. They were just welding the third and fourth floors when I left and to come back and see it all fleshed out and as giant as it is now was a jaw dropper.

Nothing was more of a jaw dropper by the way than the fact Ypsilanti is THE new filmmaking capital of the world. Robert DeNiro? Jimmy Fallon? I remember Drew Barrymore's flick shot there but DeNiro? Go Ypsi go!

Jersey City is treating me well and New York City is an awesome playground but don't ever sell yourself short Ypsi/Arbor, you have a whole lot to see and do and an educated interesting populace with which to it with.

I'll try to do a better job checking in from time to time but you always know where to find me...

You can't swing a dead cat without hitting celebrities in Washtenaw County anymore

Unless it's like, say a Manx cat with a very very stumpy tail, then you might miss. MORE Hollywood types were in town on street corners registering voters in Ann Arbor yesterday. Johnny is told that Adam Brody and Rachael Leigh Cook are stars of hipster teen dramas known as 'The O.C.' and the movie 'She's All That'. Johnny would have had no idear who they were if he hadn't read it online.

Oddly, the Ann Arbor News said few recognized them. No.

But back to the new Hollywood corridor around here. From Ypsilanti's Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon sightings, to Michael Cera and the movie crews in Ann Arbor, we're gonna need a cool name for this hot mess.

Ypsiwood? (we'd happily put up an YPSIWOOD sign up on Mt. Ypsilanti)

Broadway Arbor?

Anyone....anyone...Bueller.....Bueller

Give us your idears in comments.

We knew it, Drew Barrymore couldn't get enough of us, she's back if only for a one night stand

Drew's flick that has been filmed locally in Cool City, 'Whip It' will be shooting some follow up shots Friday night on Michigan Avenue. The set will be closed to the public which means you'll have to stand way back off of Michigan and Adams with a sobbing and disheveled Tom Green.

Streets close at 6 pm.

As has become common in Cool City--movie stars and movies downtown

Ypsilanti's newest BFF movie star/director Drew Barrymore has shifted filming for her directorial debut film 'Whip It' to the Wolverine Grill on Michigan Avenue and a house on South Summit. Ypsilanti means movies anymore, and it's a natural match. Our fair city wears it's architectural greatness on it's sleeve. We LOOK like a town movies should be made in.

Now, if you want to KEEP movies coming here here's a hint--don't STOP in front of the Wolverine and look in. Like Director Francis Ford Coppola, performing in his own movie, advised Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now "Just keep going, just keep walking, act natural".

Good advice, we think....

So, did you see Drew Barrymore here in Ypsilanti?

Apparently, some citizens saw Ms. Barrymore scouting locations for a new roller derby movie she may be looking to film here. Do you have a Drew Barrymore story to share? Want to invent one?