thebandit27

So, TBD, it’s been a while. No, I don’t expect that most of you have missed me, and yes, I’m glad to see that the board has gone on just fine without my bluster. For those of you that asked and never got an answer: I’ve been around. I’ve lurked a bit, thought a lot, but mostly it’s been business as usual as a Bills fan. I still watch every NFL game every week, and my Bills passion hasn’t changed one single solitary iota. But this post isn’t about me, it’s about you. All of you. See, some of you reached out to ask where I’ve been, and a few even asked me why I left (thanks for the concern from all of you—yes, I’m doing well and the family is happy, healthy, and grateful). It started simply enough: I was tired. Tired of spending more time than I should typing the same thoughts over and over to an audience that didn’t routinely bring out the best in me (a fault that lies with me, not you, dear reader). Then, at some point (I can’t exactly say when), I realized something. Something big. Something life-changing. I don’t need this. Not to say that TBD, the Bills, or Bills Mafia aren’t great. They are. I love the Bills. I love Bills Mafia. More today than I ever have before. And being a part of this community gave me a platform to express thoughts and share ideas that I never would’ve otherwise explored. But… The time away showed me that I don’t need the platform. I don’t need people to validate my thoughts, rants, ramblings, tirades, shtick, or whatever you want to call it. I’m enough without it. And that brings me to the reason for this post: I want to share that one final thought with all of you. You’re enough. Right now. Right where you are. You don’t need outsiders telling you who you are, what you represent, what you deserve. You don’t need a Bills’ victory over the nemesis, you don’t need our QB (the best in the world—yeah, I said it) to win MVP, and no, you don’t need a Super Bowl. You. Are. Enough. Look, I know how it sounds. Like some happy nonsense oh-well-it’s-okay-if-we-lose-sad-sack-crappola. Yeah, I used to think so too. When T-Bass’ kick sailed wide right, I was crushed, just like all of you. But it’s a different kind of crushed now. I’m sad for the team, not because of the team. I want these kids to win for them, not for me. Because I know who I am, I know who made me, and I’m never going to let the result of a sporting event affect how I view myself in the grander scheme of things. And neither should you. You’re not a punch line, and you’re not a victim. You’re Bills Mafia. You chose this, you LOVE this, and no matter what you or anyone else may say, you wouldn’t give it up for anything else in the world. And neither will I. And I have good news: there’s no worst nightmare left. The worst thing that could ever happen to us as fans has already happened many times over. Be not afraid. We’re in this thing together; to the bitter end. Because being a Bills’ fan isn’t about winning games, breaking records, or breaking tables. Heck, it’s not even about football—football is just the setting; the arena. Being a Bills’ fan is about being a community. It’s about having each other’s backs, and letting each other know that I don’t care how hard we get hit, or how many times we get knocked down. I’ll keep picking you up as long as I know you will do the same for the rest of us. And that, my Bills Mafia brethren, is enough for me. And I implore you all: let it be enough for you, too. Bandit, signing off.

Done ✅ Anything for you QB1. We've got your back Boss.

Bet the pardon of the OP, but Alex Trebek did not lose his fight. He fought one of the most deadly forms of cancer known to man, for much longer than expected, and did it with an attitude that I personally would love to emulate on even my best day. He is an icon, and I will never forget him. See you on the other side, dear Alex. We will certainly miss you.

That’s. My. Quarterback.

Congratulations! I have 7 year old twin boys and a daughter that will be 2 on Halloween. Being a dad is incredible. My advice: don’t listen to people when they try to give you parenting advice 😂 There’s not one parent that has a clue what they’re doing—it is 100% making it up as you go and acting like you know what you’re doing.

Hey Jon... Sing a song for the broken hearted

that’s a cutout of young Ted Danson from a commercial; not a ghost

Wow. That’s terrible. RIP and God bless his family

Man she really hung in there. Tough lady that will be an example to young women everywhere. RIP

Maybe this one already made it in here; maybe not. I’m not a big fan of covers, but this one was, in my opinion, exceptional:

I went and got a rapid COVID test yesterday just as a precaution and to see what it’s like. State sent a ton of them to Erie County, so I figured why not? Results in 10 minutes. The test itself included 30 seconds of moderate discomfort. The most uncomfortable aspect was standing around waiting while other people were getting tested in the same general vicinity.

I’m probably late to the party with this, but in your well-educated opinion, does the live-virus threshold that’s considered a positive need to be lowered to more accurately reflect infectious persons? https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2020/08/29/health/coronavirus-testing.amp.html To a layman such as myself, the argument makes intuitive sense, but I’d appreciate your take on it.

Go. It will be one of the best meals you have in WNY. And if you’re not excited about dining out during a pandemic, order a rotisserie chicken for pickup. If it isn’t the best rotisserie chicken you’ve ever had, you can blame me. Best part about that place is that large parts of the menu change every few weeks, so you can go over and over and always have something new to choose.

Roost is the best restaurant in town. By a significant margin.