How Did I Get Here?

Well, before I can tell you how I got here you need to know how I got there.

On Loch Ness in Scotland.I remember sitting in the Berry Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport and seeing the sign in the departure lounge that said London. British Airways flight 202, Detroit Metro to London Heathrow. "This is my flight. I’m actually going abroad!"

The terminal looked like it should be in Beirut. I mean, the duty free shop wasn’t even open. Actually, nothing was open and it looked like this terminal hadn’t been used in years. My flight was the one lonely flight leaving the terminal. It was a ghost town.

Trinity College, DublinBut each time I looked up at that sign, I smiled. “I’m on my way to London! Me. I’m going to the UK for 5 weeks.” Seriously? Even though I was 33, I felt like a giddy schoolgirl going on her first date. How did this happen? How did I get here?

I moved from Chicago to metro Detroit in September of 1999. And, as I mentioned before, I didn’t really get out of my circle. Bloomfield, Troy, Birmingham, Bloomfield, Troy, Birmingham.

In early December of 2002, I talked with some of my friends about this. Or, actually, they told me that I don’t really go anywhere. I was in a rut.

Then I went to a lavish Christmas party. At the party there was a Motown band, Santa Claus, Suzy Snowflake, and psychics. Actually, there were four psychics offering readings.

I got a reading from all four of the psychics. Two of them mentioned my lack of going anywhere, that I didn’t venture far from home. I know, they could have said this to anyone, but they said it to me. And I was already thinking it myself.

The last nudge I needed happened on New Years Eve 2002. An older friend of mine, who didn’t know me very well, also mentioned that I should travel. Of course, he meant New York City, but it put the wheels in motion.

The next day I made my New Years Resolution for 2003: I needed to go somewhere. I immediately started researching online. I had decided to go to the UK & Dublin for 3 weeks. There were so many cities I wanted to see and so much I wanted to experience, I didn’t know if I would ever get to do this again. This was a once in a lifetime trip.

Picadilly Circus, LondonI finally figured out that I couldn’t fit all of my chosen destinations into 3 weeks. "Ok, maybe I’ll go for 4 weeks," I thought. I told this to my parents and my dad's reaction was, “Your life is a vacation! Why do you need a 4 week vacation?” That sealed my fate.

I went back to the computer and bought the ticket. Five weeks it is, then!

That was January 16, 2003. My trip was scheduled for March 25 to April 29th. It may take me forever to make a decision but when I do, I make it happen.

I looked at that sign that said London one last time before boarding the plane. I still couldn’t believe that I was going on this fantastic vacation.

What I didn’t realize then was that any decision you make, whether big or small, can change the course of your life.

I didn’t know that I would never see my Grandma alive again. Or, that I would meet the man I would fall in love with and eventually marry. The course of my life changed as soon as I stepped on that plane.

Read Part II in this series: The Most Expensive Pub Crawl: UK & Dublin

Read Part III in this series: How I Met My Husband

At Dick O'Dow's with Ronnie James Dio

"Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same. You wanna be where everybody knows your name."

Yesterday was one of those days for me. It was a rough one. And I did just want to go somewhere where everyone knows my name.

For me, that place is Dick O’Dow's in Birmingham, Michigan. I started hanging out there in 1999 and the owner, bartenders, and managers are not just staff; they’re my friends.

Dick O'Dows Irish Pub in Birmingham, Michigan.And that was exactly what I needed to take a break from my worries. But who would have thought it was actually going to be my husband whose night would take a turn in a great direction.

As soon as we walked into the bar, my husband spotted him. It was one of his rock gods, one of his heavy metal heroes, Ronnie James Dio.

Now, I wouldn’t normally let my husband talk to celebrities when they are out enjoying themselves. I think that is one reason so many sports stars and rock gods like the place. Nobody bothers them.

But, the manager and our friend, Tom, asked my husband if he would like to be introduced. Of course, the husband said yes.

Dick O'Dow's slogan is, "A drink comes before a story." Ronnie and my husband shared many stories. They talked and talked and talked. At one point I went over to save Ronnie and asked him if my husband was chatting too much. Ronnie said no, that it was he who was bending my husband’s ear.

They talked about the band Rainbow and Ronnie’s time with Black Sabbath. Ronnie told him that he has total respect for Ozzy Osbourne as an artist. They talked about cars and how Ronnie owned some real shitty cars for a celebrity. His favorite car was a Mini Cooper S 1300, the old version that you don’t see around here much but are plentiful in England.

Turns out they have a mutual friend and they talked about that. They wouldn’t stop talking! Ronnie said the economy was also affecting his business and remarked that AC/DC couldn’t even fill The Palace of Auburn Hills last weekend.

Ronnie said that he loves Birmingham and he likes my little local pub, Dick O’Dow's, as well.

Needless to say, my husband was over the moon.

My husband, me, my brother, and Ronnie James DioIt was a great night out and Ronnie was amazing to both my husband and me. He offered to buy us a round of drinks and we declined. But the fantastic thing was that he didn’t just say goodbye when he was leaving. He hugged us and kissed me on the cheek. He said, “God bless.” Truly, a class act.

I am a regular at Dick O’Dow's because of the staff but I also meet the most incredible, down to earth people there. And celebrity or not, Ronnie James Dio, fits into that category.

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

Woosh! And there it went. Summer is almost over, can you believe it? Did we really have a summer this year? I’ve already seen autumnal plants out at the stores and before we know it we’re going to be carving pumpkins and singing Christmas carols. Come on, you know it’s true.

So, we better enjoy the sun and the last days of summer while we still can.

Photo by Mark MooreWeekend Roundup

1. Selfridge Air Show - This open house and air show will have dozens of aircraft and technology displays and the featured performers are the USAF Thunderbirds. Best of all, it’s free! August 22 & 23.

2. Michigan Renaissance Festival - Travel back in time to the 16th century and enjoy jousting, food, and entertainment. August 22nd through October 4th.

3. Armada Fair - Billed as the best little country fair in Michigan, it offers a tractor & truck pull, a petting farm, and carnival rides. Now through August 23rd.

4. 99.5 WYCD Beach Bash at Ford Field - If country music is your thing, this is the place to be. This is the party before the Kenny Chesney show. August 22nd.

5. The Village of Rochester Hills' Back 2 School Bash - Bring new school supplies and non-perishable food items for a chance to win Village gift cards and other prizes. There will also be a 25 foot rock wall and other family friendly activities. August 22nd.

Do you know of a great event going in on Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!

Recap: The Dream Cruise is Going to the Dogs

The Woodward Dream Cruise is over for another year. The residents of the Woodward Corridor from Ferndale to Pontiac get their fabulous avenue back to themselves, no more sharing it with screeching tires and smelly exhaust fumes.

I wrote about the Dream Cruise last week and just have a few final comments to make.

First off, I understand that this is not everyone’s thing. My aim was only to point out how much positive attention and money this event generates for our area.

Secondly, I’m not impressed with Birmingham’s decision to not be officially a part of the Dream Cruise. Many of the local businesses in downtown Birmingham weren’t as busy as in years past. Previously, lovely old cars were parked all over the downtown area, which brought a ton more foot traffic to the local establishments.

I spent a few hours Saturday afternoon at the cruise without the husband, as he was working. I had a great time snapping photos and recording video footage. I ran into friends I haven't seen since before I moved to England and I even went up in the air on a hyraulic lift to see the cruising action from 50 feet above Woodward Avenue.

Woodward Dream Cruise looking north at Maple.The husband did manage to make it out later in the night and enjoyed the cruise for a few brief moments. To be fair, he was extremely tired and in pain from working.

He liked the custom cars, the atmosphere, and the people watching. "People watching" is a polite way of saying pointing and laughing. However, he couldn't understand why modern cars were also cruising down Woodward. Hopefully, next year he’ll be able to take in more of the Dream Cruise.

So, I just thought I’d share some of my favorite photos from the cruise. I do believe I encountered two of the smartest dogs ever.

This pup plopped down in some ice to cool down at the Dream Cruise.And this cool dog was caching a ride from his owner on Old Woodward at the Cruise.

Sign at Peabody's in BirminghamA Triumph outside of Hunter House in Birmingham.I had to include at least one photo of a car, right?

Detroit Moxie's Weekend Roundup

As usual during the summer months, there is a ton of stuff going on in Metro Detroit. So, I implore you, get off that couch and go do something! Summer is fleeting, enjoy it while you can.

Here are my top 5 picks of events going on this weekend.

 Weekend Roundup

1. The 15th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise - The world's largest one-day automotive event runs from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. along Woodward Avenue, from Ferndale to Pontiac. August 15th. If the traffic and noise from the Dream Cruise is already annoying you, check out The Dream Cruise or Cruising to Nowhere.

2. Rockin' on The Riverfront - This free summer concert series is featuring the Classic Rock All Stars with former members of Rare Earth, Sugarloaf, and Iron Butterfly this week. August 14th.

3. African World Festival - African culture is celebrated at this festival in Hart Plaza including food, entertainment, and exhibitions. August 14-16.

4. Pewabic Pottery's Annual Summer Sale - Discounted tiles, planters, and dinnerware are on sale at this Detroit gem. August 15-16.

5. AC/DC Black Ice World Tour - This iconic rock band plays The Palace of Auburn Hills on Sunday. August 16.

Do you know of a great event going in on Metro Detroit this weekend? Add it to the comments and share it with us!