Oh hell, who am I kidding?

Luckily—whether you're a singleton or coupled up—there are plenty of fun things to do this weekend in Detroit!

Weekend Roundup

1. Motown Winter Blast 2012 - Snow or no snow, it's time for the Winter Blast! Winter events such as free ice skating, ice sculptures and snowshoeing plus entertainment and local food. February 10—12.

2. “Touching Communities, Touching Lives” Collegiate Ice Sculpture Competition (Facebook link) - The second annual event at the MGM Grand Casino pits culinary and hospitality students from local colleges against one another. February 10th.

3. Dirty Show 13 - A Valentine's tradition in Detroit, the Dirty Show is an international exhibition promoting erotic art. February 10—18.

4. Detroit Party Marching Band Mardi Gras Masquerade (Facebook link) - A masquerade party at P.J.'s Lager House to benefit the Detroit Party Marching Band and their trip to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Entertainment and a king cake! February 11th.

5. Brunch with Bach - Take in the sounds of The Solaire Quartet while brunching at the Detroit Institute of Arts. Music by Handel and chicken piccata are on the menu. February 12th.

Bonus: Detroit is for Lovers - Shop for your sweetie while sipping on sparkling wine and tasting truffles!

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

Photo credit: John Kannenberg

Our winter has been so mild so far this year that I’m convinced we’re going to have the Snowmageddon to end all Snowmageddons come late March or early April. And for those of you that are going to the Detroit Tiger’s opening day? Plan for a blizzard!

(Oh, and there's still time to win 4 day passes to Castaway Bay!)

Weekend Roundup

1. After the Factory - What comes after the factory? This independent film looks at Detroit and Lodz, Poland and explores their transitions and growth. February 2nd.

2. Ferndale Blues & Music Festival - The festival continues through the weekend with a blues brunch, rib tasting and plenty of music. Through February 5th.

3. African American History Day - The Detroit Historical Museum kicks off Black History Month with free admission on Saturday. Learn about the Tuskegee Airmen, listen to storytellers and more. February 4th.

4. 2012 Shiver on the River - Head down to Belle Isle for a fun day on our beautiful island park. Check out the Aquarium, the Casino, the Conservatory, the Boat Club and tours of the Detroit Yacht Club. February 4th.

5. Super Sunday at The Fillmore (Facebook link) - Catch Super Bowl 46, a battle between the Giants and the Patriots, at the historic Fillmore. Free entry, cheap beer and a tailgate buffet. February 5th.

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

Photo credit: mcwetboy

If you’ve kept track of my husband's and my escapades over the years, you already know that Andy is a roller coaster freak and a big kid at heart. Yes, he’s like an overgrown six-year-old. He’s also been dying to get to a water park since we moved here just over 3 years ago.

We both took off of work early on a Friday and trundled down I-75 and the Ohio Turnpike with the threat of snow being thrown in our face by the weathermen and safely made it to Sandusky before the snow began to fall. After checking-in to the hotel and settling into our room we ventured out to explore the resort at Castaway Bay.

Having skipped lunch to get on the road, we were both starving. We nipped into the attached T.G.I Friday's for a few appetizers and a brew. The Friday’s was the only place that served alcohol in the resort. Note: The Friday’s closes at 10:00 p.m. After some Yelping and talking to the bartender, we discovered that right across the road was the Thirsty Pony so our later needs were met. The Thirsty Pony is a quirky little bar that we'll be stopping by on all future visits to Sandusky—loved it!

On Saturday, we pulled our swimsuits (or as Andy would say, bathing costumes) over our lily-white-January skin and hit the water park. Andy, being Andy, wanted to tackle the tall slides first. We climbed the stairs to the Tropical Tube Slides and tucked in. The darkness of the tubes made it extra exhilarating as you didn’t know which way you were headed next. Yes, Andy might have went on these a few more times.

Next up was the Rendezvous Run, a water roller coaster propelled by water jets. You can really fly in this thing and I highly recommend taking a turn in both the front and back of the raft. This was certainly the most exciting feature of the waterpark. Even I wanted to go on more than once.

There’s also a wave pool, toddler’s have their own shallow pool and there are smaller slides just the right size for the little ones. The interactive Lookout Lagoon will either get you soaked or allow you to soak others—your choice!

I had to check out the huge hot tub, which has both indoor and outdoor sections. With the fresh snow and cool temps, the outdoor section made you feel like you were in Sweden. Really! Well, it reminded Andy of his time in Sweden, I’ve never been to the land of Ikea.

One word of warning: I went in the hot tub pretty soon after we arrived and didn’t want to get out. I kept trying but then I’d get cold (compared to the heat of the tub) and run back in like a little girl.

Our quick break to Castaway Bay was just what we needed to beat the winter blues and have some fun in the water.

So, how would you like to go to Castaway Bay? Win free entry!

I have a pack of 4 day passes to the waterpark to give away to one lucky reader. Will it be you? (The passes are valid through 10/28/12.)

How to enter:

Add a comment to this post with an answer to this question: If you were a castaway on a deserted island, what one non-electronic item would you bring with you?

You must leave your email address when leaving the comment or you won’t be eligible. (Your email won’t be published; I just need to contact you if you win!)

For an additional entry, tweet the following:

I entered to win tickets to #CastawayBay from @becksdavis & Detroit Moxie http://bit.ly/wP7oXb #moxiesplash

For the additional entry, you must have posted a comment.

The contest ends on Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 11:59, EST. The winner will be selected at random using random.org. 

So, what non-electronic item would you like to have on deserted island?

Disclaimer: Castaway Bay invited my husband and me to the waterpark and provided us with one night stay and entry to the waterpark. The opinions and words expressed here are my own.

It is really an interactive, state-of-the-art story of us—us as drivers, consumers and enthusiasts. It examines the car as an innovation and explores how it has changed almost every aspect of our lives and heavily influenced the decisions we make. It is an exhibition that resonates with us all and it will challenge us to think differently about what we drive. ~ Patricia Mooradian, president of The Henry Ford.

The exhibit starts at transportation before the car and takes us on a journey through an impressive timeline of vehicles from the 1909 Ford Model T to the first Plymouth Voyager minivan and an electric Ford Focus. What makes Driving America a standout exhibit is the way it looks at how the car has impacted other facets of our lives. From child safety seats (which didn’t exist when I was a kid) to drive-through restaurants to the motel, the exhibit demonstrates the impact the automotive industry has had on our every day life.

The touch screen kiosks allow visitors to explore the collection digitally and, by using Radio Frequency Identification cards, they can access their own personal collection on their home computer or mobile devices.The interactive displays feature games and activities that are clever, fun and educational.

A few of my favorites at Driving America:

Talk Like a Trucker – Test your CB trucker language. 10-4, good buddy!

Texaco Service Bay – Kids can get under this scaled down car and change mufflers and tires and perform other tasks just like a real mechanic.

Lamy’s Diner – Previously you could walk through the nostalgic diner but now you’ll be able to eat there! Grab a coffee or snack and either sit inside the diner or out on the new patio.

Create a Car Commercial – Everyone wants to be an Ad Man, right? Create your own commercial using graphics, jingles and video clips.

What I really love about Driving America is that there is something for everyone—gearheads, classic car buffs, motorsport fans, kids and everyone who has ever lusted after a particular car or owned a car—will find something that interests them. For those that don’t know, my work life revolves around cars these days so I found some parts of the exhibit more enjoyable and informative than I would have before my new job. In the past, I might not have spent so much time in the racing and motorsports section but now I was enthralled with the old racecars.

The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village is one of our local gems in metro Detroit and we should be proud that we have this cultural institution on our doorstep. Driving America is another reason to head out to Dearborn and immerse ourselves in history.

Weekend Roundup

1. The Muppets at the Brew & View - Relive your childhood while catching Kermit, Fozzie, Gonzo & Miss Piggy on the big screen at the Magic Bag while drinking an adult beverage. January 26th.

2. Ferndale Blues & Music Festival 2012 - This year, the festival isn't just about the blues—rock 'n' roll, jazz, house and more will be represented. 60 concerts at over 20 establishments! January 27—February 4.

3. Travelers on the Fabric of Time: Steampunk & Victorian Ball (Facebook link) - Travel back in time, get dressed up and have a ball! Music, performers and speakers. January 28th.

4. Winter Beer Fest 2012 - The Royal Oak Music Theatre will be filled with over 80 beers from around the world plus food and entertainment. January 28th.

5. Driving America - This new automotive exhibit showcases American car culture and includes classic and new rides, artifacts, and digital media. Opens January 29th.

Bonus: Birmingham Restaurant Week starts January 30th.

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

For now, check out all the fun things to do in Detroit this weekend and have a great time!

Weekend Roundup

1. Plymouth Ice Festival - Head to charming Plymouth for the largest free ice sculpture display in the U.S. Entertainment, family fun, street merchants and I heard Super Grover will be there! Ice sculptures can be viewed 24 hours a day. January 20—22.

2. The Hungry Dudes Happy Hour (Facebook link) - Join the fabulous Hungry Dudes at The Rattlesnake for happy hour specials and an acoustic set by Detroit's own The Sights. January 20th.

3. Detroit Revealed on Film: plant (3D) - The Detroit Film Theatre is screening this three-dimensional investigation of Detroit's abandoned Packard auto plant by digital artist Paul Kaiser. January 20th through February 5th.

4. North American International Auto Show - If you haven't checked out the Detroit auto show yet—get moving—it closes this weekend! Friday, January 20th is Channel 7 Family Day and Radio Disney AM 910 and shopautoweek.com will be there with games, crafts and prizes! Through January 22nd.

5. Forbidden Planet - Catch this classic science-fiction film, which is a retelling of Shakespeare's "The Tempest", on the beautiful big screen at the Redford Theatre. January 20—21.

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

Disclaimer: I work for shopautoweek.com.

Whether you’re a gearhead who likes to talk torque and horsepower or a consumer looking for your next family car, the auto show is filled with information, booth babes, futuristic concepts and the hottest new cars on the market.

Below are a few photos that I snapped this week at the auto show but cars aren’t the only show in town this weekend, check the Weekend Roundup for cool things to do in Detroit.

Weekend Roundup

1. North American International Auto Show - Yes, it's more commonly known around these parts as the Detroit Auto Show and if you didn't know it was going on right now you might be living under a rock. Check out the newest production models and state-of-the-art concept cars. January 14—22.

2. Take Shelter at the Cass City Cinema - This award-winning film only had a limited release on the coasts. Now you can see it in an old Detroit Public School auditorium. January 12—15.

3. No Object is an Island: New Dialogues with the Cranbrook Collection - Cranbrook Art Museum has reopened after an expansion and renovation. This exhibit pairs the work of contemporary artists with objects from their permanent collection of the 20th and 21st-century art and design. Through March 25, 2012.

4. Burying the Bones - A Michigan premiere at the Detroit Repertory Theatre, this play is ghost story, of sorts. Through March 18, 2012.

5. Ferdale Soup (Facebook link) - Soup and microgrants go hand-in-hand, right? The popular Detroit Soup inspired this spinoff where the community comes together over soup and individuals or groups propose their projects. The winner of the vote gets the pot (the $5 entry fee per person) to put their idea into action. January 15th.

Bonus: Ultimate Fishing Show

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

Weekend Roundup

1. Detroit Toy Stories - Toys, games and dolls will bring back childhood memories and create new ones for the little kids. Including Etch A Sketch, Operation, Tinker Toys and Slinky! Ongoing.

2. Detroit Derby Girls - Catch a roller derby bout between the D-Funk Allstars and the Devil's Night Dames at the Masonic Temple. January 7th.

3. Chi-Town Union Station - With more than 8,000 feet of track, they house the world's largest O-Scale model railroad AND have the world's longest model train. Weekends through March.

4. Ford Free Sunday at the DIA - Check out the general collection, a family performance of Peter Rabbit, the Detroit Revealed photography exhibit and more! January 8th

5. Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History - Enjoy the Charter One Free Family Second Sunday at the world's largest institution dedicated to the African American experience. January 8th.

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

Photo credit: Maia C

The Belle Isle Ice Tree on December 30, 2011. If you look closely at the top of the tree, you can see the water spraying.

Now, we just have to wait and see if Mother Nature will cooperate this year. The first year that I saw the Ice Tree was in 2009 and the chilly weather and precipitation made it absolutely stunning. In 2010, the tree was big and beautiful but just not as monstrous, charming or animated as it was the previous year. And, of course, 2011 will go down as the Year without the Belle Isle Ice Tree.

I hate to wish for freezing cold temperatures and snow but we do live in Michigan and these things will happen, whether I wish for them or not. So, come on Mother Nature—do your thing!

Yes, my love for the Belle Isle Ice Tree is borderline obsessive—just search for it in the sidebar if you don't believe me—but it's unique and everyone should see it in person.

It’s going to take at least a few weeks, possibly a month or more, for it to be in all its glory. If you do head out there, be careful! The ice on the ground around the tree can be treacherous. Wear boots, ice cleats or crampons if you want to get up close and personal with Detroit’s favorite tree.

I’ll be checking on the progress of the Ice Tree throughout the winter and will post updates. Feel free to post your photos on the Detroit Moxie Facebook page.

New Year’s Eve is upon us in Detroit and everyone is getting ready to countdown to 2012. It’s that time when we look back at the best and worst of the previous year while setting goals for the next twelve months.

I’d like to dream about what might happen in 2012 but you never know where life is going to take you. I could have never—in a million years—imagined the path that 2011 has led me down.

For now, I’ll say that we have plans to FINALLY get back to England for a vacation. It’s been over three years since we’ve seen our friends and family across the pond. Beyond that, I’ll set my goals and work as hard as ever but who knows where this crazy train that we call life might take us.

So, back to the task at hand. There are tons of fantastic events going on in Detroit this weekend. Get out and ring in the New Year, Detroit-style!

Weekend Roundup

1. 2011 Great Lakes Invitational - Get your skates on mate, it's time for college hockey in the D! Be sure to check out the "Science of Hockey" event by Michigan Tech where you can walk on water and measure the speed of your slap-shot. December 29—30.

2. Mittenfest VI - Are you ready for some music? Head to Ypsilanti to see 60 bands over 5 days while raising money for 826michigan. December 28—January 1.

3. Spike & Mike's Sick & Twisted Animation Festival - Yep, it's time for some adult animation. This festival is where Beavis and Butthead and South Park were born. Not for the easily offended! December 28th & Deceber 30th.

4. Friday Night Live! at the DIA - Closing out the 2011 events is Planet D Nonet performing a Sun Ra tribute. Deceber 30th.

5. New Year's Eve Lock-In - Take the kids to Modern Skate & Surf and let them spend the night! Skaters 16 and under will enjoy pizza, contests and all night skating. December 31.

6. Motor City Funk Night NYE - Usher in the new year with three floors of funk led by Will Sessions and the Nick Speed Orchestra. December 31.

7. New Year's Allstar Showdown - Laugh your way to midnight at Ferndale's Go Comedy! Two shows plus an after party. December 31st.

8. Motor City New Year's Eve: The Drop - Detroit's own version of the ball drop is now in its second year. The Compuware atrium and Campus Martius will countdown Detroit style. December 31.

Bonus: The Detroit Historical Museum is free through December 31st.

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

Photo credit: steveburt1947