Carrying on the running diary from last year (2014)…
Tried to keep it shorter and had limited success, but just barely. Life happens, you know? Also, went in reverse order this year, just to mix it up a little.
Anyways, here we go…
Harbaugh officially returns to Ann Arbor. We’ll see if that makes a diff.
Babe loses his voice, Christine Cavanaugh is silent at 51.
Looking forward to statement tees, silent discos, slouchy beanies, head chains, knee socks, henna jewelry, candy wear, onesies, meditation and the return of Doc Martens. But tell me again why 11 to 17 year olds are dictating fashion and social trends? Have we lost our minds? Yes, J, we have.
That said, whats your emoji?
2014 was supposedly the year of the butt; more like ass!
H&R Block’s Budget Challenge for students. Worth a shot.
Not to leave it on a bad note… but if I hear Jessie J’s “Bang Bang” one more time!
Now Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 is missing? Yeah, it’s totally different. Sure.
Police officers shot in NY and FL. Umbelievable!
Justice is served? Bela the dog will live on after all! He’s going to Best Friends Animal Society.
Terrorism be damned! Sony will unveil The Interview after all. My inner cynical conspiracy theorist is going crazy. Is this the worst/most ill-conceived meta marketing campaign or just the biggest series of unfortunate events?
Joe Cocker takes his hat off for good.
Lions make the playoffs! Whaaaaat?!
State sponsored terrorism against a Hollywood comedy. Unbelievable. Way to go, North Korea.
Want a Cuban cigar? Apparently, soon you will be able to fly there, get your own and bring it back with no problem. Secret talks have opened the door. Yeah, I saw the Godfather, I know how this ends.
Bill Bonds signs off forever.
After a long and devastating struggle with the big C, we lost our beloved Aunt Onnie. We will miss you terribly, Oonah.
The holiday season is upon us and the Star Wars episode 7 trailer hits. One more reason for giving thanks. Looks great!
Unreasonable and unintentional. Federal Grand Jury decides not to indict Officer Wilson in Ferguson, MO shooting of Michael Brown. Riots ensue.
Director Mike Nichols (Graduate, Working Girl) shoots his final scene at 84.
After a decade of building speed the Rosetta spacecraft lands on 67P Churyumov-Gerasimenko comet.
Connor Evan turns 15! Whaaaaaaat?!
So the GOP is now completely almost completely in power. How could this possibly go wrong?
Never been happier for an election to be over! There must have been some huge discretionary funds to work with, because, man, the neverending commercials!
1,776 foot tall One World Trade Center officially opens. Spectacular!
Tom Magliozzi, the elder brother from nationally syndicated radio program Car Talk pulls in to the big repair shop in the sky at 77.
Wait. What? We send the military in for medical crisis’ overseas? How does this work?
Virgin Galactic Spaceship Two’s maiden interstellar voyage fails spectacularly. One small step backward for sci-fi travel.
PA sniper captured. Halloween is back on for the area children.
It’s official! Homemade Chocolates by Michelle is real. A building and everything!
Kaci Hickox refuses to abide quarantine. Not cool Ms. Nurse. Not cool.
Giants end it for the Royals in 7 games.
Marcia Strassman is welcomed home at 66. Sad.
Student shooting at Washington state Marysville Pilchuck High School.
Canadian Parliament shooting. Seriously? WTH?
Oscar de la Renta moves his fashion sense to the runway in the sky at 82.
Tigers are swept. Bummer.
Saturday morning cartoons are a thing of the past now.
It’s here. Ebola lands in the U.S. Is this the harbinger of doom, or merely a heightened sense of media induced panic? What are the real breaches in protocol?
Former SNL player Jan Hooks makes her final improv.
Tigers clinch the AL Central title; make the post-season again.
Clooney is now off the most eligible list.
Eric Holder resigns as Attorney General; six years was long enough for him. 4th longest to hold the position.
Jeter plays his last. Gotta respect the guy for his dedication and professional career.
Gotham debuts. Looks great. Maybe we’ll see a return of the caped crusader on tv?
Tigers go down to the wire for regular season play.
Apparently, beheadings are all the rage again with Islamic terrorists. Hmmm, I thought Isis was a Saturday morning TV superheroine?
Scotland! Freedom! Apparently not.
Who would have thought the NFL would be the entity to generate the discussion on child punishment?
Lions new coach Caldwell has a success in his first season outing! On a Monday night, even!
Brad and Angelina make it official. Another anticlimactic event?
Joan Rivers in intensive care following minor surgery. Passes only one week later. Fashion police in full black.
After all that jazz (hands), St. Louis Rams opt to drop Michael Sam.
Iceland’s Bardarbunga volcano rumbles and spews (I love saying that name! It’s fun!)
15-year old Catherine Bellis, youngest player to make the U.S. Open draw, plays to the second round like a champ.
BTW, Hello Kitty is not a cat; this from its creator. But what the hell is it, then?
Ukraine. Full-scale invasion? Here we go.
Back to the Bricks and Woodward Dream Cruise over and done. Artomotive 2014 a success.
Don Pardo is announcing the guest hosts in heaven at 93.
ALS ice bucket challenge sweeps the nation. Way to go, Pete Frates!
Ebola. Back with a vengeance.
Director/actor Richard Attenborough leaves for the great island amusement park at 90.
Protests erupt in Ferguson, MO over police shooting. Uh oh, gotta face that ugliness again.
Lauren Bacall, 89 leaves for a new stage.
Legendary Oscar winning make up artist Dick Smith applies his final mask at 92.
13 year old Mo’Ne Davis throws shutout.
Robin Williams final punchline is his own ending at 63. Tragic.
Sprint race ends in tragedy when driver Kevin Ward is hit and killed by Tony Stewart.
Guardians of the Galaxy – the movie of the summer (mine anyways). Fun and enjoyable. Big hit.
CIA admits to spying on Congress officials; apparently, no one cares.
We lost Big Mike Ashley. Sad.
Hawaii gets blasted with hurricanes.
Germany wins soccer world cup; yawn.
James Garner, everyone’s favorite Maverick, joins the eternal poker game at 86.
Tigers make some interesting trades for David Price – pulling Jackson, Smyly, Adames. Make a diff? We’ll see?
Russian separatists shoot down a Malaysian jetliner; just bein a-holes now.
Johny Winter sings the blues no more.
Gaza turmoil continues. Again.
Eureka. So the kids are going on to Cali. Understandable, but not pleasing. Gonna be tough.
Last of the original Ramones gone at 62. Tommy Ramone now playing in the big garage in the sky.
Eli Wallach, arguably one of the greatest character actors, gone at 98.
Cartoonist Charles Barsotti has his bowl moved.
Washington Redskins trademark revoked. Again. Oops.
Casey Kasem leaves on a long distance dedication to the afterlife.
Ruby Dee continues her performance on the great stage in the sky.
Nephew Jacob graduates! Graduates?!! Whaaaaaat?!!
The center square is closed. Ann B. Davis “Alice” gone at 88.
Afghan hostage Bowe Bergdahl freed after five years. Hmmmm.
VA scandal sparks new outrage.
Maya Angelou; poetry for the ages at 86.
Both Williams sisters out in the 2nd round at French Open.
H. R. Giger, avant garde Alien designer, gone to LV-426.
Steve Perry comes out of retirement to perform for one night… with the Eels!
The “Virgin Killer”. He was a killer who said he was a virgin, he didn’t kill virgins. Well, maybe he did, I don’t know.
“Kimya” makes it official. Ain’t love grand?
California Chrome makes a run for the Triple Crown. 2/3’s. His owner wins the a-hole of the month award.
Mad magazine artist/co-founder Al Feldstein, 88, has no more worries. Katoong! Sklortch! Zozik! Badoink! Budikabudikabudika.
Donald Sterling debacle escalates.
Bawbwa Wawa calls it quits. What will the View do?
Our friend Jim leaves us far too soon and abruptly.
Roger Rabbit needs to find a new detective. Bob Hoskins passes away at 71.
Wings. Boston. Howard. Rask. Zetterberg. Gustaffson. Datsyuk. Lucic. Soderberg. What. A. Series. Boston now ahead 3 to 1. Not looking good for the winged wheelers.
In a related note, local radio says the Red Wings have a better shot of winning the Boston series, than the Lions do of going 11 and 5 this season! We’ll see…
30 for 30. Bad Boys retrospective on ESPN. Great piece. Fascinating insights.
Snow. Whattya know. Records broken.
“Put alcohol in your mouth to block the words from coming out.” – Parks and Rec
“If I come over there, there’s gonna be two sounds. Me hitting you twice.” – Community
Mickey Rooney. Bang Zoom at 93.
Red Wings make their 23 consecutive playoffs; just by the hair of their chinny chin chins.
Captain America Winter Soldier.
ANOTHER shooting at Fort Hood!
Tigers win the home opener over the Royals.
David Brenner passes.
STILL talking about Malaysian Flight 370. WTF! Candy Crawley, et al making this tough to take seriously. Dear Lord.
Ukrain Crimean Russian situation. Uh oh.
“Let’s talk about possibilities. One day we may have hovercars; kale may be poisonous.” – Community. Still got it.
Bill Ford, Sr. passes at 88.
Mystery of Malaysian airlines flight continues.
Made the sojourn to KC and KMO. Stopped in Springfield for MW’s Lincoln mecca. Didn’t disappoint. The farmers market, plenty o’ bbq and fountains, Blue Hill GC, Oklahoma Joes, Crown Center and the Hallmark tour, Union Station, the WWI museum, Hamburger Mary’s, Legends plaza and T Rex’s were just some of the highlights. Despite the 20+ hour drive, it was worth it to see our friends! Lots o’ fun.
True Detectives makes quite an impression; but, in retrospect, kinda disappointed in the finale.
Academy Awards. Yawn.
“Scoff.” “Did you just say the word?” “I’m about to go Mjolnir on his ass!” “Dear yogurt, be ice cream or nothing!” “oh, my effin god.” – Parks and Rec
Harold Ramis busts ghosts on the other side. RIP Spengler.
Maria Von Trapp climbs her final hill.
Devo’s Bob Casale whips it.
Sgt. Walter Ehler, last living Medal of Honor recipient who stormed Omaha Beach, gone.
Pa Walton, Ralph Waite leaves the mountain.
Michelle makes it 50. Fun!
Sid Caesar takes the show of shows at 91.
Shirley Temple rides the G.S. Lollipop at 85.
Lego Movie is the first breakout hit of 2014. Hilarious.
Sochi! O-O-O ‘lympics! ‘lympics! ‘lympics! Bring it! Gold water and all. That outta toughen up those prima donna ‘lympians.
Arthur Chu surprises everyone on Jeopardy with his unorthodox strategy.
Surprise. More snow.
No real breakout ads this year. Maybe Bud puppy or Radio Shack 80’s. Kinda funny.
Seattle puts a hurtin’ on Denver at SuperBowl 48. From the very first play.
Philip Seymour Hoffman found dead of an apparent overdose. Tragic waste.
“Keep your tears in your eyes where they belong.” Ron Swanson, you’re my hero.
Refrigerator. Out (almost 4 weeks!). Garbage disposal. Out (almost 4 weeks). Ugh.
Folksinger Pete Seeger makes his last encore at 94.
The Captain and Tennille split after 30+ years. I guess love will NOT keep them together.
Winter Vortex Redux. Just as ugly as the first.
Our good friend Roger Harney leaves us. St. Ignace just won’t be the same.
Mar’s Pinnacle Island. WTH?
Barrett-Jackson was intense.
3 in one day. The Professor leaves this island. The last female munchkin leaves Munchkinland. Rueben Kincaid leaves the bus.
FaceOff season 6 wasn’t quite as fun. Still, looking forward to season 7.
Ariel Sharon makes his final peace.
Bye bye, Phil Everly.
Two words. Winter Vortex.
Over a foot of snow in a couple of hours, then miserable cold. Like really cold.
1-2-14 ugly ass snowstorm and we gotta go to Michigan City to pick up our ZL1. 5 hours there and 5 hours back. Not fun.
Racing impresario Andy Granatelli takes the last lap at 90.
Spartans win the Rose Bowl over Stanford.
Winter Classic in Ann Arbor on New Years Day. Red Wings just couldn’t pull it off.
All in all, 2014 was a bittersweet year. Seems like every time we turned around there was some sort of loss. Ups and downs all year round. This year, for me, it’s not so much about the resolutions, but hopefully, more about setting goals and attaining them. At any rate, here’s wishing everyone a wonderful 2015.