Augie

Was this part of some thesis, or did you have to write it before they would let you out???

I texted someone about making them eat their heart out recently. WHAT? 🤷‍♂️

The expression probably existed before I heard Andy Roddick say it, but when asked about his “rivalry” with Roger Federer, he said it’s not really a rivalry between the hammer and the nail. We need wins to make it more than an emotional game for fans.

We just moved and I’m not sure about this house, but in the old house the kitchen and family rooms TV’s were a couple seconds off. Not 20 feet away! Annoying as hell! The cable guy just shrugged, nothing he could do so I would mute the slower TV’s audio. My son was watching the Panther game from Florida and he was running about 45 seconds behind. I had to stop texting him! It reminded me of The Sting with Robert Redford and his horse racing scheme. Great movie.

No heaters there back in my day. In fact, fire had just been invented! 😋 It wasn’t a HUGE factor back in the 70’s, but at times you could really tell the difference. The people behind us were great too, and didn’t mind if you stuck your head in for a replay you wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. Buffalo people are generally awesome!

You mean like Dan Marino getting in on IPO’s to be happy with the Dolphins……reportedly? 😋 What salary cap?

Not to go TOO far afield here, but it’s the technology AND the social media. I just watched on IG Mike Evans right arm garb Levi Wallace and tackle him when he realized the ball was uncatchable…..resulting in a penalty on Wallace, of course. I’ll never leave my Bills in my heart, but I could become far less interested in the NFL in general if they don’t start to fix the problem. Full time refs who are 100% invested in what they do and are afraid to lose their jobs would be a good start. The players aren’t driving trucks and working at Jiffy Lubes in the offseason. This should be a full time gig, for EVERYONE!

It’s somewhat shocking how much the football world/experience has changed since 1973. In those days, there was no Sunday Ticket. There was no ESPN. We didn’t have GIANT Hi-Def flatscreens in every room. I would wait for Monday Night Football to to see the highlights from other games around the league. The world changes around us, and we need to be able to adapt. We went from 80,020 seats to a goal of about 60k. The home experience is unbelievable compared to what it was when The Ralph opened. The stadium experience needs to improve to compete. I’m actually fine with an open or domed stadium as long as they stay in WNY. But I’ll be honest, I’m FAR less likely to make the effort to travel to a winter game in an open stadium. It doesn’t mean I’m less of a fan, it just means I have great options without facing the threat of freezing my arse off. EDIT: I’d be VERY curious to know what percentage of league income comes from actual attendance (tickets, concessions, parking, etc.) vs TV rights and other revenue streams. .

What encouraged (or maybe fooled?) me against the Panthers was when we could run the ball and eat clock at the end, when they knew it was coming. Maybe confused is a better description! I thought “who are these guys?”

I used to be a “seat snob” as the family had what I guess are club seats (orange seats in the 200’s?) backing directly up to the suites when the stadium opened. We didn’t get rained on, suite windows behind us were always open so we got some AC when it was hot and some heat when it was cold. Sometimes we even got food and/or drink! We sat there for years, because that’s what we had. When I moved away and started coming back for games I figured I had so much into airfare, car rentals and hotels I was going to get the best seats I could. I’d ideally be close to the 50 and about 25 rows up regardless of cost. A few years ago I sat with a friend in the 300’s and was shocked by what a great view it is and the ability to see the whole field play out. Now? I’m just thrilled to be in the stadium when our team plays! EDIT: I also place a premium on aisle seats. I absolutely HATE being trapped in the middle of a row! Makes me feel claustrophobic.

On my 19th birthday a “friend” tried to buy me 19 shots of Wild Turkey at a college bar. Details are fuzzy, but I assure it was NOT pretty. I have not touched brown liquor since that night. Some girl almost puked on ME after the opener in the parking lot. I turned around, took half a step and jumped back before she graced my shoes with her booze. Friends were holding her hair back, but apparently they forgot the orange cones and caution tape you are supposed to put out for these events in a parking lot. Where has the parking lot puking etiquette gone? 🤷‍♂️

I can’t imagine that much family! My dad had one brother who married late in life and never had kids. My mom was an only child. My wife has enough cousins to fill Yankee Stadium. It was very confusing for the first 37 years, and continues to confound me as their kids weddings happen these days. I don’t know who goes with who, but I smile and nod a lot without guessing at names unless I’m absolutely sure. Funny thing is DIL, one of six girls from huge family, had an event with the wife’s family. After a couple hours she had it down better than I did after decades. Either I’m an idiot (probably a leading factor) or big families develop those skills. I’ve always been HORRIBLE with names. Two sisters, I got that…..

That sounds like a great “grandparents’ house”. The base camp for an entire family! Our DIL is one of SIX daughters. Her parents have a big place that can accommodate them all with spouses and kids, plus all their dogs. We were there Christmas Eve immediately before Covid was “known”. They have a routine with a dinner/party at her parents Christmas Eve, then Christmas morning at a sister’s with everyone in their holiday PJ’s. It’s huge and it’s festive and it’s awesome! I’m happy for them, and we will get by with just the wife and my mom on Christmas Day.

It’s strange, because over the years we have become the “Thanksgiving House”, with I think 23 people from multiple families this year. That was tight. We just moved to better hold events like that. Four houses down we got the great big open kitchen and family room we wanted, after cramming into the old place for Turkey Day. Now, Christmas Day is upon us, and we will sit around the (way too) big place with just the 3 of us sitting around looking at each other, no tree, no gifts and no feast. Christmas was THE big holiday for my family (the wife’s family leaned a little more to Easter), and this will strangely feel almost like a non-event. SOMEHOW I want to make this more special, if just for my mom. Today was, again, nothing but new house errands and workers at the house but we need to create a plan. Time to get with my out of state sisters and seek advice. They came with spouses for Thanksgiving/mom’s B-Day. Christmas home alone is a weird thing. If not for my mom I’d rather be volunteering at a Salvation Army or something serving other people who have far less.

Earlier today I got an email from the Louisiana food bank for my $27.27 donations for Tre White. It reminded me of how easy it was, and how much more it meant to others than it did to us. We used to be occasionally involved with the food bank in Sarasota and I was always moved by the volume of food they handled and the extent of the need. There were people we knew back in the 2006-2008 era who went from donors to the other end of the equation. It can change that quickly. Years ago our son would go to Publix and buy a ton of food (on our dime, but gladly), then come home and make countless sandwiches. He’d make bag lunches with chips/cookies, a bottle of water, etc. then load them in the car and take them to Piedmont Park in ATL. You will see some homeless people there on almost any visit, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. They set up camps back in the woods where you’ll never know they are there. He would deliver these lunches to people who didn’t know where their next meal was coming from. It was a blend of kindness and a bit of crazy on his part, to be honest, but he made us proud. .

On Funk and Wagnall’s back porch?

Very non-traditional Christmas this year. Our son and DIL will be with her HUGE family in Florida, returning on the 26th. My 94 year old mother will be here and we need to do something with her. I’m not sure if she’s even comfortable going to Mass. We just moved and can’t justify putting up a tree when we are still in boxes and unsure of where to find my socks in the morning. A few years ago we took both our grown sons to the Aquarium then found a very nice seafood restaurant that was open Christmas Day. I may check to see if they are still open on Christmas Day and try for reservations. There will be no giant feast for the three of us, so that would at least make it memorable with my mom. At her age, I’m not sure how many more we will have together. We will probably assign another date to have “Christmas” at our son’s new house. At least they have a tree up and are somewhat decorated. They hope to start a family next year, and that would make it more special again.

Yeah, I think you’re indeed in the minority. A tiny minority. I played football until college, where I took up rugby. In both sports you look to hurt your opponent. You want to be physical and inflict a certain amount of pain. I never wanted to INJURE an opponent. It’s not a “blood sport”, it’s a game. At least, that’s how most decent people see it. You battle, but you respect your opponent.

What I would like to gift to the Master Cheater might be inappropriate at best (resulting in a ban), or possibly admissible in court at worst! .

A signed restraining order could be a valuable collectible! 😋

Are you trying to get me banned???

Time for an all expense paid vacation in Foxboro! Private jet, no expense spared sightseeing tour. Maybe take some of the lower paid team/stadium staff out to a dinner they will never forget! Nothing but the best for these guys! I mean, those guys who clean the locker room can’t afford a night out like we could show them!

My main takeaway is that I’m very glad Buffalo is home to the fintech founder and 7 figure condos downtown. YAY! Go WNY!!!

I hate that for any player, on any team, in any sport. Get well, sir.

So…..how many Browns are….”on the list”? I think it was 16 of 22 starters as of Saturday. Go Raiders! I’m a simple man, so I take the easy route! EDIT: I guess the Nomads would work too. .