Damn. That’s a lot of posts. And unfortunately for all of you most of them probably weren’t that insightful or entertaining. This one included. But it’s a milestone post so please indulge me. I have been a poster on here since 2005. Before marriage, kids, and 82 career twists and turns. I was living in Phoenix, Arizona, after taking a voluntary layoff from Honeywell and enjoying a 9 month executive severance package. I decided to spend some of my parting gifts to subscribe to The Wolverine. Thought I would get a little recruiting scoop and inside news on Michigan before the season started. Little did I know that this virtual community, The Fort, would become part of my daily routine.
In this world of tribalism we now live in, The Fort has become kind of a crazy sanctuary from the daily insanity of life. Don't get me wrong. It has its own kind of insanity demonstrated by the game threads and hot takes. It feels like extended family sometimes with our constant bickering and common bonds with this amazing institution at the University of Michigan. It’s that bond that I have found to be amazingly powerful on The Fort. The advice, the donations, prayers, well-wishes, sympathy, and outpouring of support in times of need. All due to this common passion for the greatest university on the planet.
The range of professional, personal, and athletic backgrounds in The Fort is really unbelievable when you think about it. I don’t think I have ever seen an OT question posted on any obscure topic and not see an expert lurker drop in out of nowhere with 6 posts in 15 years to offer professional advice. Forget the Google machine. If I needed to remove a wart from my dog’s left paw I would expect at least a few informed responses after posting on The Fort.
And just like any visits with extended family, there are the usual things we all must endure from crazy uncles and cousins. Will the Lions or Tigers actually win a game? Like ever again? Is it time for another hotdog sandwich thread? Who is calling the plays? What kind of sweater is Borton wearing? Who’s the new guy and why are they all from Indiana? Will Gallon qualify? Anybody? Is Shea Patterson a cross between Fergie and Jesus? Should we have open tryouts for O line? Will Michigan run the table? Will Michigan win another game? What’s with all these 2 star recruits, Brandon? Do you love Salma as much as I do? Over/under on permabans from tonight’s game threads? Where the hell is Argus?
I have also enjoyed all the stories about how posters have become Michigan fans. How some alumni chose Michigan. How a fan grew up in Ohio and just grew to hate OSU so the natural choice was to become a Michigan fan. Maybe you just liked the helmets as a kid.
We have endured a lot since I joined in 2005 at the tail end of the Carr era and less than one year after winning Michigan’s last big ten title. It’s been downright miserable sometimes but somehow being on The Fort has made it easier to deal with the pain. Along with copious amounts of bourbon. At the same time, Coach Beilein has turned Michigan basketball back into a national power since I joined. The program was dead in the water in 2005 but now I look forward to every season knowing John Beilein is our head coach and he is going to work his March magic again. I also follow those “Olympic sports” and have enjoyed connecting with the few of us who care about baseball, women’s basketball, softball, soccer, and all the others. I would pull for Michigan in an Afghani goat toss if that was a sport.
Anyway, I appreciate it if you made it this far reading this long-winded 10,000th post. Thanks for being on The Fort and sharing in the pain and the glory that is Michigan. It's a special place that means a lot to all of us and our families. Looking forward to more years of over-analyzing, helping, arguing, bickering, piling on, mocking, and hopefully celebrating.
Go Blue.
In this world of tribalism we now live in, The Fort has become kind of a crazy sanctuary from the daily insanity of life. Don't get me wrong. It has its own kind of insanity demonstrated by the game threads and hot takes. It feels like extended family sometimes with our constant bickering and common bonds with this amazing institution at the University of Michigan. It’s that bond that I have found to be amazingly powerful on The Fort. The advice, the donations, prayers, well-wishes, sympathy, and outpouring of support in times of need. All due to this common passion for the greatest university on the planet.
The range of professional, personal, and athletic backgrounds in The Fort is really unbelievable when you think about it. I don’t think I have ever seen an OT question posted on any obscure topic and not see an expert lurker drop in out of nowhere with 6 posts in 15 years to offer professional advice. Forget the Google machine. If I needed to remove a wart from my dog’s left paw I would expect at least a few informed responses after posting on The Fort.
And just like any visits with extended family, there are the usual things we all must endure from crazy uncles and cousins. Will the Lions or Tigers actually win a game? Like ever again? Is it time for another hotdog sandwich thread? Who is calling the plays? What kind of sweater is Borton wearing? Who’s the new guy and why are they all from Indiana? Will Gallon qualify? Anybody? Is Shea Patterson a cross between Fergie and Jesus? Should we have open tryouts for O line? Will Michigan run the table? Will Michigan win another game? What’s with all these 2 star recruits, Brandon? Do you love Salma as much as I do? Over/under on permabans from tonight’s game threads? Where the hell is Argus?
I have also enjoyed all the stories about how posters have become Michigan fans. How some alumni chose Michigan. How a fan grew up in Ohio and just grew to hate OSU so the natural choice was to become a Michigan fan. Maybe you just liked the helmets as a kid.
We have endured a lot since I joined in 2005 at the tail end of the Carr era and less than one year after winning Michigan’s last big ten title. It’s been downright miserable sometimes but somehow being on The Fort has made it easier to deal with the pain. Along with copious amounts of bourbon. At the same time, Coach Beilein has turned Michigan basketball back into a national power since I joined. The program was dead in the water in 2005 but now I look forward to every season knowing John Beilein is our head coach and he is going to work his March magic again. I also follow those “Olympic sports” and have enjoyed connecting with the few of us who care about baseball, women’s basketball, softball, soccer, and all the others. I would pull for Michigan in an Afghani goat toss if that was a sport.
Anyway, I appreciate it if you made it this far reading this long-winded 10,000th post. Thanks for being on The Fort and sharing in the pain and the glory that is Michigan. It's a special place that means a lot to all of us and our families. Looking forward to more years of over-analyzing, helping, arguing, bickering, piling on, mocking, and hopefully celebrating.
Go Blue.
