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...
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas Ypsilanti
From wet and rainy Jersey City, Johnny wanted to take the time to wish all his pals in Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor a wonderful Christmas and great New Year!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
New (Old) Neil Young Record Recorded in Ann Arbor
Many of you probably already know that Neil Young spend a decent amount of time in Ann Arbor back in the hippie days. One imagines him toking it up and hanging around the Diag strumming his Martin or eating brown rice at the White Panther House on Hill Street.
Someone told me once that Neil actually wrote a song -- can't remember which one -- on the piano at Guild House, the campus ministry near Dominick's. Can anyone confirm or debunk this?
Anyhoo, Neil's latest release, "Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House," only strengthens the man's ties to Treetown, since it was recorded at that other campus ministry, which still exists (although in a new location).
John the Revelator hasn't heard it yet, but he has some other solo-acoustic bootlegs from this era of Young's career that are stunningly good. So odds are this one's no exception.
Anyone heard it yet? Meanwhile, here's some footage from just about the same era:
Someone told me once that Neil actually wrote a song -- can't remember which one -- on the piano at Guild House, the campus ministry near Dominick's. Can anyone confirm or debunk this?
Anyhoo, Neil's latest release, "Sugar Mountain: Live at Canterbury House," only strengthens the man's ties to Treetown, since it was recorded at that other campus ministry, which still exists (although in a new location).
John the Revelator hasn't heard it yet, but he has some other solo-acoustic bootlegs from this era of Young's career that are stunningly good. So odds are this one's no exception.
Anyone heard it yet? Meanwhile, here's some footage from just about the same era:
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Late night open thread
Odds and ends edition...
If you're looking for Johnny in New Jersey, you can find him, naturally at the Jersey City Desk! There's nothing there yet but there will be. Apparently there is a city council guy out there who was at some cover band show in Washington DC, had too much to drink and took a wee on the people down below. Yeah, we'll be all over that. Going to see a cover band---heinous.
Go Eastern, beat Central on Friday. As long as I live I'll never forgive those CMU assholes for abstaining in their vote to kick us out of the MAC in the early 80's. They knew by abstaining the rest of the league had the votes to bounce us. Western voted to keep us. Every time EMU upsets the Chumpewas, a Huron gets his wings and we stick a finger in their goddamned eyehole.
Interns Zoltron and Kiki have decided to come on out to New Jersey with Johnny. The lure of the internet greasepaint was just too enticing.
Oh, and Donald Trump wants to buy the River Street property and build a casino on it.
May the road rise up to meet you Ypsilanti, at your permanent home on the corner of Elegant Street and Suave Boulevard in Cool City.
Take it away John the Revelator, they're all yours.
Seacrest out
Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark
If you're looking for Johnny in New Jersey, you can find him, naturally at the Jersey City Desk! There's nothing there yet but there will be. Apparently there is a city council guy out there who was at some cover band show in Washington DC, had too much to drink and took a wee on the people down below. Yeah, we'll be all over that. Going to see a cover band---heinous.
Go Eastern, beat Central on Friday. As long as I live I'll never forgive those CMU assholes for abstaining in their vote to kick us out of the MAC in the early 80's. They knew by abstaining the rest of the league had the votes to bounce us. Western voted to keep us. Every time EMU upsets the Chumpewas, a Huron gets his wings and we stick a finger in their goddamned eyehole.
Interns Zoltron and Kiki have decided to come on out to New Jersey with Johnny. The lure of the internet greasepaint was just too enticing.
Oh, and Donald Trump wants to buy the River Street property and build a casino on it.
May the road rise up to meet you Ypsilanti, at your permanent home on the corner of Elegant Street and Suave Boulevard in Cool City.
Take it away John the Revelator, they're all yours.
Seacrest out
Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark
Borders says they are no longer for sale....
We are of two minds about this, first, great news. It mean Ann Arbor's independent bookstore is gonna make a go of today's ailing economy AS an independent, no doubt many employees are thrilled today. The other mind is that quite simply nobody would buy them when they were listing themselves for sale every week for the last few months. If they simply don't have the equity or products in warehouse and in store somebody would want to buy, how good of a go are they gonna make?. There is, of course the underlying problem that George Jones still runs the show and Mr. Jones hasn't exactly lit the fire under Borders to propel them to success or cut a viable deal.
We hope everyone there keeps their jobs and rides this out. Johnny has a lot of good friends at 100 Phoenix. I know there are some bright book business minds in there who truly love the field they are in. Trouble is they keep getting thwarted by the George Jones' in the company. Borders stock was trading under a dollar earlier this week for a short while, it wasn't the merch group or the buyers who did that, it was the higher ups.
Time for a change at the top at Borders we think...
We hope everyone there keeps their jobs and rides this out. Johnny has a lot of good friends at 100 Phoenix. I know there are some bright book business minds in there who truly love the field they are in. Trouble is they keep getting thwarted by the George Jones' in the company. Borders stock was trading under a dollar earlier this week for a short while, it wasn't the merch group or the buyers who did that, it was the higher ups.
Time for a change at the top at Borders we think...
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Giant Space Cat with laser beam eyes attacks a car at Geddes and Leforge
A woman, asking not to be named reported a GIANT SPACE CAT HEAD last night setting upon her Toyota Camry (go cat go) as she travelled just north of Ypsilanti. She said the cat hit her Camry (again, go cat go) several times with it's laser eyes making a hash out of her hood and front headlamps. The evil space Kitteh then followed her as far as the Huron View apartment complex at Green Rd before turning and heading down the river. Ypsilanti police had no comment to YCD this morning.
People, here it is yet again and it's becoming more dangerous. We MUST (well YOU must, Johnny's leaving) draw this cat into the Cross Street area near the Tower where it's secret deathray can be used on this cat head. The fate of our fair city rests in the balance. How many must die before we as a community act?
FILE FOOTAGE
People, here it is yet again and it's becoming more dangerous. We MUST (well YOU must, Johnny's leaving) draw this cat into the Cross Street area near the Tower where it's secret deathray can be used on this cat head. The fate of our fair city rests in the balance. How many must die before we as a community act?
FILE FOOTAGE
Monday, November 24, 2008
Eastern Michigan fires Jeff Genyk as head coach
Friday vs Central Michigan will be Genyk's last game as coach said EMU athletic Director Dr. Derrick Gragg. According to the Detroit Free Press Gragg put out a press release saying:
"Earlier this morning, after consulting President Susan Martin, I informed coach Jeff Genyk of my decision to move our football program in another direction, at the conclusion of the season"
YCD can't say as we're surprised, this year was supposed to be different, a much better team was expected. The EMU football program never really progressed under Genyk, it kinda stayed mired in that same crappy place it was in when he got here. One thing we WILL say in Mr. Genyk's favor, he cleaned out the nere-do-wells from the EMU football program. Football players at EMU now attend classes and aren't the drunken brawlers of yore. For that he deserves credit, making citizenship while at EMU important.
The Free Press also reports former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr will advise EMU in their search for a new head football coach. This should be OK as long as Eastern never schedules Ohio State.
Genyk had a 15-42 record at Eastern in five years with the Central tilt yet to come....
"Earlier this morning, after consulting President Susan Martin, I informed coach Jeff Genyk of my decision to move our football program in another direction, at the conclusion of the season"
YCD can't say as we're surprised, this year was supposed to be different, a much better team was expected. The EMU football program never really progressed under Genyk, it kinda stayed mired in that same crappy place it was in when he got here. One thing we WILL say in Mr. Genyk's favor, he cleaned out the nere-do-wells from the EMU football program. Football players at EMU now attend classes and aren't the drunken brawlers of yore. For that he deserves credit, making citizenship while at EMU important.
The Free Press also reports former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr will advise EMU in their search for a new head football coach. This should be OK as long as Eastern never schedules Ohio State.
Genyk had a 15-42 record at Eastern in five years with the Central tilt yet to come....
Ha ha ha, you all are gonna be stuck with a traffic roundabout at US-23 and Geddes
Johnny's gonna be gone but if I were you I'd raise some hell over the traffic roundabout the Michigan Department of Transportation is proposing for the bottleneck there. Johnny took the bus for four years, the number 3 route so he went through that stretch past Concordia College all the time. A roundabout isn't going to help that. You could solve the ENTIRE mess there by not letting people turn left off Geddes onto south US-23, make them to to Washtenaw or Plymouth Rd to grab it and problem solved.
A roundabout seems to be the super happy fix of MDOT anymore. Johnny has run solutions through his head there five days a week for four years. His is better.
More on this stupid idea here
A roundabout seems to be the super happy fix of MDOT anymore. Johnny has run solutions through his head there five days a week for four years. His is better.
More on this stupid idea here
Talk about domination; Ann Arbor Pioneer 'gurls' win their NINTH straight swimming championship
Pioneer High School won its ninth straight state title with 349.5 points at the Jones Natatorium on the campus of Eastern Michigan University. NINE, that's incredible. Michigan bound Ashley Cohagen captured repeat titles in the 100 butterfly and 100 backstroke.
The level of high school swimming in this area is incredible as Ann Arbor Huron finished SECOND to the Pioneers.
Congrats Pioneer, job WELL done (again).
As for the Huron gurls, they also went to the state title game in field hockey but came up short.
Not bad, the local gals seem to dominate at sports, we're very proud of all of you.
The level of high school swimming in this area is incredible as Ann Arbor Huron finished SECOND to the Pioneers.
Congrats Pioneer, job WELL done (again).
As for the Huron gurls, they also went to the state title game in field hockey but came up short.
Not bad, the local gals seem to dominate at sports, we're very proud of all of you.
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Late night open thread
No Simpson's tonight? I'll kill Jack Bauer myself....
Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark
Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark
Farewell dear Ypsi
Alas friends and neighbors, at some point Tuesday or Wednesday my part in this grand experiment known as The Ypsi City Desk will end. Johnny is off with Mrs Johnny (who has already blazed a trail on ahead) to Jersey City New Jersey. As of early Friday morning my wagon heads east.
I came to this town one damned cold December 1st 1982. I hitchhiked down from sleepy Ortonville to register for classes at EMU and loved what I found here and set up shop. I remember almost being out of second chances when I came here, I also vividly remember sitting right outside of Pierce Hall on a cement bench, in a tiny little sitting area to keep out of the wind and cold that was whistling around me at 4 and 5 and then 6 am. It always made me feel good knowing I could always see the blinking red light on Pierce Hall out my bedroom window, the same blinking red light that flashed over my head that cold December morning. At some point you stake your claim and try to make good your life's dreams and aspirations and I've quite happily made mine here, in Ypsilanti. To my fellow Ypsi residents, there may be times for whatever reason you say "I hate this stupid town" or "This place sucks", I understand that, we all feel that way about our towns at some point. Just understand the next time you do say it, there's somebody out there who misses this great community. Somebody misses the rubber duck race, misses walking in the old days to Bowen Field House to watch an EMU basketball game, who misses our great parades, who misses Haabs or Sidetrack or Golden Wall or La Fiesta Mexicana. There's somebody out there who will miss the air shows at Willow Run, and miss lazy spring and summer nights fishing (with NO license mind you) at his secret spot with his buddy Cool Money.
Ypsilanti, you have been very good to me, I can never ever repay that debt. You have all had such a wonderful impact. So when somebody puts Ypsi down because it's not Ann Arbor, do me a favor, get in their grill. If you're an Eastern Michigan University athlete playing on a team having a bad year and you think to yourself "Nobody cares" that's simply not true. A lot of us DO care. We do care about you and your team whether you win lose or draw. Just keep plugging away for us. If you're one who thinks our city's financial situation is hopeless and you should give up, keep going. That's the thing I've learned about Ypsilanti, doing things the hard way if need be, using elbow grease has always gotten us by. Ypsilanti faced huge challenges helping win WWII and we face them again. Keep going friends, work harder, there's not a bone in my body that doesn't think Ypsilanti will rise above the money troubles we have now. We will, we're Ypsilanti.
While I may be leaving, understand I'll check in from time to time, and like I mentioned, you'll be in very good hands with John the Revelator, he's a top flight writer. I'm sure he'll do things different but that's ok too, Ypsilanti's never been scared of a change.
So long, farewell and adios Ypsilanti, you'll never have a bigger fan out there than Johnny Action Space Punk...
I came to this town one damned cold December 1st 1982. I hitchhiked down from sleepy Ortonville to register for classes at EMU and loved what I found here and set up shop. I remember almost being out of second chances when I came here, I also vividly remember sitting right outside of Pierce Hall on a cement bench, in a tiny little sitting area to keep out of the wind and cold that was whistling around me at 4 and 5 and then 6 am. It always made me feel good knowing I could always see the blinking red light on Pierce Hall out my bedroom window, the same blinking red light that flashed over my head that cold December morning. At some point you stake your claim and try to make good your life's dreams and aspirations and I've quite happily made mine here, in Ypsilanti. To my fellow Ypsi residents, there may be times for whatever reason you say "I hate this stupid town" or "This place sucks", I understand that, we all feel that way about our towns at some point. Just understand the next time you do say it, there's somebody out there who misses this great community. Somebody misses the rubber duck race, misses walking in the old days to Bowen Field House to watch an EMU basketball game, who misses our great parades, who misses Haabs or Sidetrack or Golden Wall or La Fiesta Mexicana. There's somebody out there who will miss the air shows at Willow Run, and miss lazy spring and summer nights fishing (with NO license mind you) at his secret spot with his buddy Cool Money.
Ypsilanti, you have been very good to me, I can never ever repay that debt. You have all had such a wonderful impact. So when somebody puts Ypsi down because it's not Ann Arbor, do me a favor, get in their grill. If you're an Eastern Michigan University athlete playing on a team having a bad year and you think to yourself "Nobody cares" that's simply not true. A lot of us DO care. We do care about you and your team whether you win lose or draw. Just keep plugging away for us. If you're one who thinks our city's financial situation is hopeless and you should give up, keep going. That's the thing I've learned about Ypsilanti, doing things the hard way if need be, using elbow grease has always gotten us by. Ypsilanti faced huge challenges helping win WWII and we face them again. Keep going friends, work harder, there's not a bone in my body that doesn't think Ypsilanti will rise above the money troubles we have now. We will, we're Ypsilanti.
While I may be leaving, understand I'll check in from time to time, and like I mentioned, you'll be in very good hands with John the Revelator, he's a top flight writer. I'm sure he'll do things different but that's ok too, Ypsilanti's never been scared of a change.
So long, farewell and adios Ypsilanti, you'll never have a bigger fan out there than Johnny Action Space Punk...
Late night open thread
This year Michigan football fans found out what Eastern Michigan football fans have known for years. There's other stuff to do on Saturdays, most stores and restaurants are open too.
Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark
Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark
Saturday, November 22, 2008
"Attention Michigan football fans...
...you did NOT just watch the team go 3-9 with horrible losses to Notre Dame, Michigan State and the Buckeyes. The Toledo loss never happened. We'd like to thank you for participating in our college football game simulator where games are played out in video game fashion but none of it really actually happened. It was all a simulation...."
Eastern Michigan football GAMEDAY
Eastern is in the City of Brotherly Love this afternoon for a 1pm kickoff with the Temple Owls. Eastern rolls into Philly with an awful 1-5 record in MAC play and just 2-8 overall. Temple, while playing in the god-awful MAC East Division sports a 2-4 record and 3-7 overall. These are not good teams.
That being said, EMU hopes to slow down Temple QB Adam DiMichele who has thrown for 12 TD's against only 4 INT's this season. His favorite receiver is senior Bruce Francis who EMU will have to account for. He has 9 touchdowns this season, very good numbers for a very poor team. Temple is a Jeckyll and Hyde team scoring points and looking great one week while scoring only 7 vs Army and 3 vs Western Michigan.
This is a winnable game for EMU.
IF Andy Schmitt plays well, and keeps the Temple offense off the field, and this will take some doing, Eastern can win. If head coach Jeff Genyk is serious about handing the ball off to Terrence Blevins over 20 times today and playing the short passing game matching up receivers on Temple's suspect linebacking corps, Eastern can win this game. If EMU can execute a ball control offense for 60 minutes and not panic if they get behind early, they can win this game.
Eastern has been close a few times this year with teams we feel are equal to them in talent. They've lost every one of those games. It HAS to change today. HAS to.
Our call?
Eastern Michigan 30
Temple 20
That being said, EMU hopes to slow down Temple QB Adam DiMichele who has thrown for 12 TD's against only 4 INT's this season. His favorite receiver is senior Bruce Francis who EMU will have to account for. He has 9 touchdowns this season, very good numbers for a very poor team. Temple is a Jeckyll and Hyde team scoring points and looking great one week while scoring only 7 vs Army and 3 vs Western Michigan.
This is a winnable game for EMU.
IF Andy Schmitt plays well, and keeps the Temple offense off the field, and this will take some doing, Eastern can win. If head coach Jeff Genyk is serious about handing the ball off to Terrence Blevins over 20 times today and playing the short passing game matching up receivers on Temple's suspect linebacking corps, Eastern can win this game. If EMU can execute a ball control offense for 60 minutes and not panic if they get behind early, they can win this game.
Eastern has been close a few times this year with teams we feel are equal to them in talent. They've lost every one of those games. It HAS to change today. HAS to.
Our call?
Eastern Michigan 30
Temple 20
Friday, November 21, 2008
Late night open thread
Well we managed to do it, all the posts on page one are from the same day, Yay us!
Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark
Time for Ypsilanti, After Dark
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with STEELY DAN!
OK, Johnny why all the videos tonight? Why the massive amount of Friday night tunes? OK kids, pull up a chair.
This is Johnny's last Friday night running the videos (or anything for that matter) out of the palacial YCD offices. More details in our Sunday chat but Johnny is moving far far away from Ypsilanti next week. Sadly he's gotta follow fame and fortune out to the shadows of New York City (apparently they needed more bloggers). Now, luckily, for you all John the Revelator will be taking control of the day to day happenings here so you'll still have an Ypsi City Desk right here to keep you entertained and informed. More details on Sunday but that's why all the videos tonight. Johnny has loved bringing them to you over this past little while and looked forward to our Friday night concert series.
In honor of Johnny's old school, Eastern Michigan University, here is Steely Dan performing 'My Old School'.
This is Johnny's last Friday night running the videos (or anything for that matter) out of the palacial YCD offices. More details in our Sunday chat but Johnny is moving far far away from Ypsilanti next week. Sadly he's gotta follow fame and fortune out to the shadows of New York City (apparently they needed more bloggers). Now, luckily, for you all John the Revelator will be taking control of the day to day happenings here so you'll still have an Ypsi City Desk right here to keep you entertained and informed. More details on Sunday but that's why all the videos tonight. Johnny has loved bringing them to you over this past little while and looked forward to our Friday night concert series.
In honor of Johnny's old school, Eastern Michigan University, here is Steely Dan performing 'My Old School'.
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with PINK FLOYD!
Ok ok, so ten minute songs can be a bit long for some people. Johnny's not one of those it bothers. Especially when those ten minutes are spent with David Gilmour and Roger Waters. Johnny has always loved the album 'Animals'. A lot. Big fan. So without further ado here is Pink Floyd with the headphone-riffic song 'Sheep'.
Friday night MULTIMEDIA EXTRAVAGANZA with THE CLASH!
Probably Johnny's faves as a band, yes The Clash, the only band that matters... The Clash launched countless garage bands after fans saw their concerts. If we're gonna empty the vaults on this special occasion, you better believe we're playing The Clash.
The Clash with 'Police on My Back'
The Clash with 'Police on My Back'
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