Hope all is well with all of you! We had another busy, crazy weekend! Let’s get right to it. On Friday we had dinner at Blackfinn, one of our favorite spots near home. We met Ken, Dave’s brother, and ate a scrumptious meal before we shopped the outdoor mall. We marveled at the Christmas lights and how wonderfully warm the temps were. Liv and Zach came home for the weekend and it was perfect timing that we got home as they were pulling in. It’s always nice to have them home for a weekend. Saturday was Bill’s (my brother’s David’s partner of ten years) big 60th birthday party! Some of us first met a the Hamlin Pub for a dinner, Bill thought this was his birthday surprise…he had no idea what was planned for him for the rest of the night! We rented a limo and traveled to Royal Oak for Drag Queen Bingo. What a hoot!! We all wore the same shirts, drank way too much in the limo, and laughed our heads off!! If you haven’t gone to a drag queen bingo I suggest you do, a large group of people is the best!
While playing Bingo, the drag queen would make fun of the audience. Olivia and Zach were so embarrassed when they were picked on 🙂
Sunday we slept for a majority of the day…so tired from Bill’s party. Monday was MLK day and we thought what a good day to go to the Detroit Auto Show. We checked out many new cars and received some good discount coupons to use when we purchase something new this spring.
Since we were downtown and there was a Wings game playing we decided to include it in our day. Wings won by one!
Overall, a great weekend!
Only one complaint-When we walked into the Joe Lewis Arena for the game, I had to turn over my purse. They said it was not small enough to bring in. I guess they have limits and it was larger than what they allow. So I was faced with the decision- leave the arena to put my purse in the car, but they won’t let you back in once you leave, so that was not an option, or throw the purse away or hide it near the garbage can and hope it was there when I was ready to leave. I chose to hide it behind a garbage can.
It’s a coach purse and I use it all the time because it’s a cross-over type.
As I was walking away, a security guard came up to me and told me for a fee he would retrieve my coach purse and hold it till the end of the first quarter. And at that time I was to pay him for my purse. He said not to report him because he would definitely get in trouble. I assured him I would not report him and that I would see him soon. At the end of the first quarter I went to the door where we entered the arena and I paid to get my purse back. We had to make this exchange covertly which made me feel like a criminal. This whole transaction, of me having to buy back my own purse because it was a 1 – 2 inches larger than what the arena allowed, sat very bad with me. I did check the website and it states the following:
Again this season, Olympia Entertainment will STRICTLY enforce the Clear Bag Policy for Red Wings games at Joe Louis Arena-a policy designed to provide a safer environment for the public and expedite entry for guests.
GUESTS WITH A NON-COMPLIANT BAG WILL BE ASKED TO RETURN THEIR BAG TO THEIR VEHICLE BEFORE ENTERING JOE LOUIS ARENA.
Guests are permitted to carry ONLY the following style and size bag, package or container into Joe Louis Arena.
One-gallon clear plastic freezer bag (Ziploc bag or similar style)
Clear plastic, vinyl or PVC bag that does not exceed 12″ x 6″ x 12″
Small clutch bag or wristlet measuring 9″ x 6″ or smaller with or without a handle or strap
Please Note: An exception will be made for medically necessary items and diaper bags after thorough inspection by security.
So, it’s my fault for not knowing the changes in their policy, but I don’t like the idea that there is a racket at the arena looking for people like me who bring in a larger bag than allowed. I’m glad I didn’t lose the bag and I’m glad I only paid $2.00 to get it back, but still- I should have been able to at least put it back in my car. I will not make this mistake again, the whole scam felt dirty to me and somewhat dampened my day in the big D.
