Seasons1992 Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Circle gets the square, Bruce! Glad you enjoyed it. I still get all nervous going to home games once a year. Between staying with my friends a mile away from the stadium (and able to walk, when @plenzmd1 doesn't bother to pick me up), @Hammered a Lot's amazing tailgating environment, and then the walk to the stadium from there, it's unique beyond words.
yungmack Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 The most important question to me: Why did you pick the name Bruce Vilanch?
In Summary Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 "I am here to watch a game. " Well said. 1
CLTbills Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Hell yes! So glad you enjoyed it. There is truly nothing like a game at the Ralph. It’s been eight and a half years since I moved down south, and haven’t been to a home game since. I’m SO looking forward to taking my son in a couple years for his first time. He’s four and already asking when we can go to a game in Buffalo! 1
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Nice post. It's easy for those of us with a ton of games attended to forget just how fun the first one was.
GunnerBill Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 1 minute ago, Joe in Winslow said: Nice post. It's easy for those of us with a ton of games attended to forget just how fun the first one was. My first was watching EJ lose to the Jaguars. I don't remember much fun.....
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Just now, GunnerBill said: My first was watching EJ lose to the Jaguars. I don't remember much fun..... Not even at the tailgate? OH, in England. They don't tailgate there, do they? ?
GunnerBill Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Just now, Joe in Winslow said: Not even at the tailgate? OH, in England. They don't tailgate there, do they? ? Actually the tailgate at Wembley is pretty cool these days. The early years it was just a lot of people and overpriced beer in the car park and I think the Bills game was that. I will come to Buffalo soon. I have an itinerary planned to fly into Toronto, have a few days there come down and see the falls then a few days in Buffalo and see a game before a couple of days in New York before I fly home. It will have to wait until Brexit is done though. The chances of me actually getting a fortnight of down time at the right time of year before it is sorted are low. So maybe 2021.
Steptide Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 It is a great feeling pulling up to the stadium, whether your 1st game or 30th game. It's definitely a unique experience for us fans. Ps my first bills game was the steelers in 2004 ?
Nester Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Great post, so inspiring. I really want to go to my first NFL game and i want it to be at New Era Field. Its tough to be a Bills fan in a small town in Western Canada =-( However yesterday i had my Bills toque on and some dude gave me the thumps up and go bills in the parking lot leaving work. Made my day! It over shadowed the person who said "why would YOU be a bills fan" and of course my answer was..."well Bruce Smith of course..." 1
Pine Barrens Mafia Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 15 minutes ago, GunnerBill said: Actually the tailgate at Wembley is pretty cool these days. The early years it was just a lot of people and overpriced beer in the car park and I think the Bills game was that. I will come to Buffalo soon. I have an itinerary planned to fly into Toronto, have a few days there come down and see the falls then a few days in Buffalo and see a game before a couple of days in New York before I fly home. It will have to wait until Brexit is done though. The chances of me actually getting a fortnight of down time at the right time of year before it is sorted are low. So maybe 2021. Well if I'm at the game, I'm bringing some oat sodas for you.
CommonCents Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Good share. We took my mom up for the home opener, it was her first game. She’s 61 and can’t wait to do it again. The walking was a bit much for her but she loved the rest of it. Who knows, I’d like to fly up for a game later in the season. Reading your post brought back the feelings of seeing her smile when we got to the tailgate. We were throwing the football to my nephew and simply said “can you believe the stadium is right there”. She was so caught up in the moment she hadn’t noticed. Photos ensued then she drank the only beer i have seen her drink in about 20 years. Go Bills. 1
Augie Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Awesome post! Going to see a Bills game (home or away, but ESPECIALLY at home) is about so much more than a football game! 1
Not at the table Karlos Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 11 hours ago, plenzmd1 said: Great post so happy you had a great time. Quick question for you... how was the Uber experience after the game? We have a doc for people making the trip , and I just do not have any info on Uber after the game. Was it easy? Lot of drivers? Etc. any info greatly appreciated! I used to drive for uber and Bills games are a PITA. Wasn’t worth it to go out there unless you had a drop off near there beforehand. Even then you would make more money taking a few rides in other areas vs sitting and waiting in line and traffic. Uber gives (or used to) drivers bonuses for doing a few rides from the stadium but still isn’t worth the hassle, especially when you have 5 people that are hammered and need to throw up as soon as you get on the thruway 1 1
BillsfaninSB Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 10 hours ago, BruceVilanch said: I've been there a couple times but I live in Salem so it's about an hour drive through PDX traffic, great place and fun to watch a game there but I hate driving through Portland. Been to Portland many times. Love the City. Was shocked how awful the traffic was even on the weekend for that size of City.
Buffalo716 Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 12 hours ago, BruceVilanch said: I didn't get to get the entire experience that I wanted because my trip was delayed due to an elderly gentleman turning in front of me and totaling my car on the way to the airport but that's neither here nor there. - The people of Buffalo are some of the nicest people I have met in my life, everywhere I went I was met with warmth and high fives for making the trip out from Oregon to my first home game. I honestly didn't run into one person who wasn't genuinely nice. EVERYONE was excited for me to see my first home game (the only ahole I met on the whole trip was when I was connecting in Boston, shocker!) - I got chills when I first pulled up to New Era, it felt like it had been waiting for me to make my pilgrimage! I didn't get to enjoy the entire tailgate experience but it felt like a college atmosphere and finally getting to be around fellow bills fans was truly a delight. There was a buzz in the air and the spirits were high! I can't tell you how amazing it is to be around you fellow fans, I have met exactly one other true bills fan in Oregon. - I was seated in section 137 and the view was perfect, beautiful weather for football. It felt like I was drinking the nectar of the gods when I cracked my first Labatts! Everyone in my section was so excited I got to see my first home game and they treated me like I was one of their own, I went up to get another round for me and my dad and I was speaking with another fan in line and when he found out it was my first home game he bought me and my dad my next round (Thanks for the 14 dollar beers!) - The energy in the stadium is electric! The chants, the songs, the brotherhood! I have been to numerous Oregon Duck home games and this is the only place I have ever been that matches and exceeds the energy at Autzen. I have been to San Fran, Oakland and Seattle and the fans there sit and can get into lulls during the game, not in Buffalo! I am so proud to be a fan of this team and so excited about the direction we are heading. I can't imagine being an opposing player and walking in their and trying to hear play calls. that stadium is LOUD! Speaking of the stadium, I like the old vintage vibe of it, I could give a crap about having the new tech at my seat, I am here to watch a game. - The Uber pick up spot is a hike! At least I got some steps in to walk off the beer and food from the game! And if any of you on here are the ones who bought the Uber ride for me and my dad back to my hotel I sincerely thank you, again Buffalonians are some amazing people. I don't know how much of the city I got to see but what I did see was beautiful, nice downtown area! - After the game and after the afternoon games we hit Duffs on Dick Ave. AMAZING wings, 20 wings fries and a giant pitcher of beer for 36 bucks is a great deal. I have never tasted wings this good, and again, showing the hospitality of your town a patron bought me and my dad another pitcher of beer, so we were good and hungover for our flight home the next morning at 0600. We are definitely making the trip again, we are planning on next years home opener and WHEN they get their first home playoff game I will be there! I am sure I ran into some of you who post here, and from the bottom of my heart thank you, you guys made this trip amazing, I am proud to call you fellow fans, I can't wait to go back again. THANK YOU BUFFALO! GO Bills! I'm glad that you had an amazing experience It's why I'll never leave the city You are now an adopted Buffalonian @BruceVilanch
Bill in DC Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 CLTbills, I took my teenage son to the game this weekend. We both had a blast. I have taken him throughout the years and we have some great memories. I hope you take your son in a few years. Make some memories! We had great conversations with other Bills fans like always. We live in MD just outside DC and he loves coming up to Buffalo for a game and seeing family. I am so happy that Bruce and his dad had a great time. Great job fellow fans! This is what life is all about. Go Bills!
Big Turk Posted November 6, 2019 Posted November 6, 2019 Buffalonians love hosting out of towners and showing them around. So glad you had a great time...you want to see people helping other people? Come back when there is a big snowfall and watch how many people are stopped on the side of the road to help stranded motorists. 1
Augie Posted November 7, 2019 Posted November 7, 2019 1 hour ago, matter2003 said: Buffalonians love hosting out of towners and showing them around. So glad you had a great time...you want to see people helping other people? Come back when there is a big snowfall and watch how many people are stopped on the side of the road to help stranded motorists. I picked my oldest son up from a place in Atlanta once as a “major snow storm” (LOL) was about to hit. Before we even got to the car we were pushing a golf cart/work vehicle up a hill, and then helping push some others out of the parking lot. You could tell he was.....shocked and amazed all at once, while I never even thought about it. It’s just instinctive. It’s what you do! 1
Big Turk Posted November 7, 2019 Posted November 7, 2019 6 minutes ago, Augie said: I picked my oldest son up from a place in Atlanta once as a “major snow storm” (LOL) was about to hit. Before we even got to the car we were pushing a golf cart/work vehicle up a hill, and then helping push some others out of the parking lot. You could tell he was.....shocked and amazed all at once, while I never even thought about it. It’s just instinctive. It’s what you do! Lol...i did the same when i was in a town north Columbus, Ohio...it was some of the worst driving roads i have ever been on...no plows out...about 10 inches of snow...literally couldn't see where the road ended and the ditch began... Saw a person stuck on the side road...they should have been able to get out but they were not rocking it properly...so i pulled over and got out, they looked like they thought i was going to rob them.... I asked if they needed help...they kind of looked at each other for a few seconds and didn't know what to say...so i told them I'm from Buffalo and i noticed they weren't doing things properly to get out...he let me take over for him and within about 2 minutes he was good to go...they couldn't stop thanking me enough and told me nobody does stuff like that here...i just laughed and told them it's how we roll in Buffalo... 1 2
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