The World Series

In 1984 the Detroit Tigers won the World Series. I sat in my parents' room with my dad and watched our team win on television. My dad shouted, "We won! We won!!!" and we saw the crowd rush the field. It was an electric feeling. I was nine years old.

Sixteen years earlier, the Tigers won the World Series against the St. Louis Cardinals. My family attended one of the home games. My older brother has fond memories of the Series, and when he told me about the experience, he mentioned that in 1968, he was nine years old.

When we realized that we were both nine years old during our respective World Series, we sort of shared a moment. We don't share moments very often, so this was pretty cool.

Both my brother and I will watch the 2006 World Series with, of course ... Hopeful Expectation.

Go Tigers!

Filming a Movie

When I went to work yesterday, there were barricades and police cars along Fort Street. Oops ... I had forgotten; someone was filming a movie. I asked security if I could walk on the sidewalk since the barricades were only in the street. He said "Sure, you can walk on the sidewalk."

When I left work, the sidewalks were blocked too. A crowd had gathered. A police officer told me "If you want to cross the street, you'd better do it now." I think I might have been in the way of a shot. I walked a block out of my way to Lafayette Street, and called my buddy to tell him they were filming. As I was walking, I passed two men who looked like they might be part of the movie crew. Guy Number One said "Are you flying out of here tonight?" Guy Number Two said "I don't know. I'll talk to Ian and see if Mike wants us to stay."

I told my buddy on the cell phone "Quick ... google the movie and see who "Mike" and "Ian" are. They've gotta be important if they determine who flies out and who stays."

Our impromptu Google search revealed the "Mike" is director Michael Bay. "Ian" is producer Ian Bryce. When I got home I looked up Michael Bay because this is the second time he has chosen to film in Detroit in the past couple of years. He also filmed part of The Island on Fort Street.

Oh ... I'll bet you want to know what movie they were filming. Are you ready? You sure?

Transformers. Right outside my office baby. And yesterday was nothing compared to today. Today we heard explosions and a bunch of extras screaming as if they were being attacked by a giant robot. Apparently the crew filmed in two Detroit locations. One in the heart of downtown (where I work), and the other at the Michigan Central Depot, the once magnificent, now abandoned landmark on Michigan Avenue.

When I went out for lunch, I saw Michael Bay walking around telling crew members what to do. I recognized him from his picture on the internet. I wanted to stay and watch the filming, but I was afraid my lunch would get cold. Plus it started to rain a little.

I can't wait to reconnect with my old hero Optimus Prime.