May Day 10

IMO, a state of the art, picturesque brick and mortar amphitheater would make 100x the difference a bulky and underused football stadium would. You can get 20-30K people downtown on the regular and draw from all over the region.

Mind you though, they have done this before too by drastically upgrading the Sabres' player facilities and also adding the Harbor Center. Also bringing in the combine is money spent in an effort to change/build perceptions of the city and organization. All great things and I am very appreciative of that. But with that said, in 7 years they have done nothing but spin their tires with the Sabres' on-ice performance, and before they got Dahlen the phrase "ran the team into the ground" wasnt far from the truth. All this is great, but its for naught unless we see on field/ice results.

Pu didn't really make any headway this past season, but still productive. I would put him into the category of players like Bailey and Baptiste. Its good to have a pile of them because 1 out of 5 or so will pan out to be a contributor in the NHL.

Actually, in my opinion, its quite bad, but nothing can be done. We are stuck with it. I have been to many built in that same time period: Toronto, Montreal, Boston, Philly, Washington, Tampa, Chicago and they all are much better to watch a hockey game in (Washington kinda sux too though). The sight lines are bad. The grade of the seats is way to gradual (Montreal and Toronto have steep upper levels and require railings). Huge swaths of the 100 level are strife with blind spots all over the ice. Approaching and in the corners, the seats become small, narrow, and no leg space. I am not a big person by any stretch and seats in the corners are extremely uncomfortable. The corners of the 300 level are in a different area code. There is also the strange decision to have a huge bubble-dome roof with giant blue walls and duct work that captures and deadens sound and eliminates any intimacy/aesthetics.

Things are actually degrading a bit there. Seats are breaking, plumbing is deteriorating and malfunctioning. And yes, it lacks bells and whistles and general aesthetics. It was built cheaply with bargain materials compared to comparable buildings from that time. Some of the materials are showing their age.

This. Even if they build new, it should be on location. They will need to ask the city for a lot of money for infrastructure, acquire a lot of land, etc which will virtually double the price tag. If they refurbish. Maybe playing one season at either the Carrier Dome or Toronto (BMO or Skydome). It would stink kind of, but we wouldnt have the inferiority complex of losing our team on some sort of rent-to-own deal like the Toronto series

That's a good point.

As I get older, my fan-dom has eroded a bit. The fact that I am now older than 98% of pro athletes hurts, it was much easier to root for who I viewed as adults competing. I have also seen almost every variable. It also hurts that the sabres and bills have been in such an awful stretch. It is rare that there is a game I get emotionally invested in because they don't mean a lot. But those fast starts the Bills have had brings it back. And the Indians' ride the past few years has been wonderful.... and the 2016 series hurt as much as wide right to be honest. I was crushed.

Its for naught if they cant sign him (and not give him outrageous money). They gave up 4 assets for a pending UFA player they might just be trading at the deadline. You would hope Botterill has had conversations and know what ballpark Skinner wants and is prepared to pay that?

haha. I love the unplugged the best, but its more of a greatest hits.... but man, its a masterpiece (cant believe Cantrell had food poisoning). Of their albums though, yes. Jar of Flies. I need to get that on vinyl. I do have the Live at the Moore and listen to it more than I should. Also, re: Rage. This guy kills me

Alice In Chains - Jar of Flies Primus - Frizzle Fry Mad Season - Live at the Moore Pink Floyd - Animals Rage Against the Machine - Self Titled

they are a Gronk injury away from disaster this season

I think it is a matter of relativity and taste. I think you could make a case for 65-74, or 89-98 (ish). They are almost certainly #1 and #2. I think a lot of it is the variety of the music as you stated (while purposely downplaying/narrowing the wide variety of music in the 90s into 2 categories). Also, both time periods saw music intertwine much deeper into many other facets of entertainment and life including politics. In many ways, the 90s were the terminal end of the blues/rock pioneers which brought about/influenced the 65-74 music, which in turn, heavily influenced all genres in the 90s. We had many technological breakthroughs and we had all these mini-movies created for MTV and also enjoyed unprecedented access to the musicians via interviews, cassettes, CDs, and later digital files. The internet was born at a consumer level (which eventually brought about the poisoning of the well). It was the last gasp. I know people are going to yell about current groups, but while some are talented.... I don't believe many create multiple albums full of great material, nor will they be able to tour/sell out arenas in 20 years (not too many can now). We had just as many heavy hitters from the 90s: Metallica, Pearl Jam, Nirvana/Foo Fighters, Soundgarden, Rage Against the Machine, Beastie Boyz, Snoop Dogg, Alice In Chains, Eminem, Boyz 2 Men, Alanis Morisette, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, Green Day, STP, REM, Oasis, Weezer, Nine Inch Nails, Ice Cube, Primus, U2, Tool, Cake, TLC, Sheryl Crow, Notorious BIG, Megadeth, Blink 182, 311, Jane's Addiction, The Hip, Dave Matthews, Garth Brooks (and I think some other country stars), Korn, Tupac, Sublime, Mariah Carey (ick), Beck, Tom Petty and a bunch of residuals from the 80s/earlier like Madonna, MJ, AC/DC, GnR, Van Halen, Sting, Ozzy, Neil Young.... and then we have this pile of '1-hit-wonder' songs that exist because everyone was paying attention, watching TV, and listening to the radio. You even have Backstreet Boys and NSync on the tail end of it. I think the 90s were a magical time in music. A lot of it was because it marks the end in a lot of ways, and soon after, most of the music industry has become mostly fishing around to create the catchy song that hits and makes a pile of money. I remember people handing me CDs on the regular telling me to check out this band or that band, and having my spine tingle on the regular. I still recall the moment that someone handed me Rage self-titled and I was wondering WTH with the album cover, then going home and listening to it and being "woke" like 25 years before that was a thing.

she looks better than she did 30 years ago

I always saw the late show as a laboratory for the 'young' producers/employees to cut their teeth and learn how to be on air. Joe B did it and was very rough early and improved. The last kid I thought was rough early on, but he ended up getting better. It was a more fun and loose show where they would be free to talk about stuff like wrestling. It was fine to listen to, but I didnt hang on every word and take things seriously. I havent heard it, but same thing here. Its a young guy trying to practice to hone a possible career. Don't need to take it seriously, and certainly nobody forces anyone to listen. It is a 7-9 shift (I think) and there is a small fraction of the listeners any of the other time slots get. I would also rather have that than pre-canned ESPN radio, that we can hear on at least 1 or 2 other stations locally.

Its a business ethics issue and something he has made a habit of for at least 17 years (to my knowledge). If i am an owner of a company, especially in the current climate of "me too" social media, 24 hour news, quick public opinion, and lawyers at every corner... i do not want to hire a guy i cannot trust in ethical matters when dealing with the other gender. Russ Brandon is not worth the risk or headache. Its not about punishing him for wrong doing. Its about exposing your business to risk that is not needed

Remember when he went to the media and told them the raiders wanted to hire him?

I wonder if there were any terms of his severance that dictated that he couldnt work for any major pse sponsors? New era was trying to fly under the radar and got busted?

he is getting ready for his interview

I lived in Philly/South Jersey for awhile. I would say that climate is a bit more ideal. You get winter, but the winter is cut a bit shorter normally. You do get 1 or 2 weeks in the Summer where the temperature approached 100 degrees with humidity added that makes it unsafe to be outside. You also get a ton of Thunderstorms. I think I could be talked into dropping a few degrees in lattitude. Anything south of North Carolina is way too intense for me though.

There was not a criminal investigation for anyone to be found "guilty". It was a business ethics/conduct (and performance) decision handed by the owners of a business, followed by a voluntary resignation.

You are essentially claiming Russ Brandon purposefully reduced the value of the Bills (that is what the NRA does in this case), and at the same time increased their value by 150%? The standpoint of the team/franchise in lease negotiations is to reduce the lease terms and penalties. Not add them in. The County and State would have laughed and gladly taken a 100 year NRA if that is what Russ Brandon was secretly pushing that (rogue I guess without Littman/Wilson's knowledge). We should be crediting Polancarz and that Duffy guy from the State. The timing of Mr. Wilson's passing was pretty key and made everything "work out" as the paint wasnt dry on those boulders they put in as "renovations". If he were to live and pass away in July of 2018, it would be a much different story and we would be cursing at the "buyout period" of that NRA, as it would be much more appealing for outside WNY buyers. I would also argue that a lot of those renovations were a waste and a botch job, as that money would be better spent on the longer term solution (boulders, black paint, a new Bills store, a maze of walkways that zigzag)? I also am unsure how much of Brandon's "negotiation" was needed to sell the team to Terry and Kim Pegula. It was an auction. Potential owners and their lawyers looked over the books, assessed their potential competition, and a large premium is added on to join the club of NFL ownership. Through the ownership changes, Brandon is a nobody. Billionaires do what they do. He didnt talk Terry Pegula into dropping an extra half billion on the team. Additionally, Littman was the "real" proxy for Ralph Wilson, the other billionaire in the deal. Things were not being done without his involvement, knowledge, or blessing. If Russ Brandon could add a half billion dollars in value, he would have been hired long ago. One thing Russ Brandon is lauded for, is 'working a room' when it comes to sponsors and/or business executives. He is a manipulator, and can become a charming guy when the climate needs it, which is/can be useful in the corporate world. New Era is going to tap into this and he will probably essentially be a salesman to try to cut deals with pro sports leagues and individual teams and other organizations (where possible). IMO, he worked his tail off in his early days with the Bills with "Business Backs the Bills" and selling suites/premium suites for the (1999?) renovations. Made a name for himself and also lighted the idea of moving training camp to his alma-mater and monetizing that. This resulted in son-like adoration from Ralph Wilson and as a result, he was over-promoted and given the keys to the car, and to be honest, I don't think he was very good at driving it. His huckster personality bought him some more years with the Pegulas. And all this is ignoring the long-time, cloudy/suspect influence he had over decisions that directly impacted the football team, and McDermott reportedly felt the need to ban him from being around.

Not that i think i would have the time to watch them at this point in my life, but i miss music videos and mtv from the early-mid 90s

The Pegulas never said that he resigned because of a inappropriate relationship. That was reported by the media, but they also said that the Pegulas' deeper inspection into Brandon's performing his job was also a factor. And I get the adult romance side/argument, but this has been a repeat thing through his tenure in bills management with multiple females, some married, he's married. This likely didnt have the appearance of an office romance. What women are sleeping with this guy anyways if he isnt president or paying them? The Pegulas trusted him to retain him, and gave the ultimate trust vaulting him to the top of their sports empire. This behavior is unnecessary and violates that trust. It can create a bad working environment for many people, potentially cost millions of dollars and embarrassment, and even force them to sell the team(s). It puts everything into question: raises, promotions, work assignments, bonuses, termination, etc. After looking into this behavior, why cover for Russ Brandon (who allegedly lied to their faces after he was "caught")? For what? Last time I checked, just as many tickets were sold, the revenue sharing check was the same, and the bills have some dumb slogan for the season once again.