rockpile
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Posts posted by rockpile
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Sorry to hear that, I lost my father in the late 1980's.
He grew up in South Buffalo (Keppel Street). He joined the Navy at 18 years of age and fought in the Pacific.
He married his sweetheart in 1949 and lost her to cancer in 1960.
He raised two boys during the "Leave it to Beaver" years (imagine how rare that was) and neither of us was ever arrested.
He was a founding member of the Buffalo Bills Boosters Club, Inc.
He took us to the Rockpile often.
A combination of growing in South Buffalo pollution, war, smoking, beer, steel plant air (blast furnace = coal mine) ended his life in his early 60's.
Always took care of us, and he was a good man.
I hope my family can summarize my life with that last line - a long time from now!
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On 9/5/2018 at 1:34 PM, rockpile said:
My daughter, Nikki, AKA Nicole, AKA Baby Rock was an annual companion to TBDAHOT while she was still in college over a decade ago. Since then she has gotten married and has two beautiful children.
Her 17 month old son (my youngest Grandson) was diagnosed with high risk Pre-B ALL Leukemia just over a month ago, and during testing also found a rare genetic mutation called Ph-like-ALL.
I have pasted in a portion of his story from his Go Fund Me page, and a link if you are able and inclined to provide help. Many expenses NOT covered by health insurance, are very draining.
At least go to the link and read his story.
https://www.gofundme.com/naamans-fight-vs-leukemia
Naaman’s Fight Against Leukemia
He has been receiving treatment from a wonderful group of doctors and staff at Yale-New Haven Children’s and the Smilow Cancer Hospital. They have laid the groundwork for his treatment plan, which is an intense 6-month period with a total 2-3-year treatment timeline. We are all hopeful for his recovery and understand how difficult a period this will be for not only Naaman but his family as well.
Why gofundme?
Naaman’s parents, Nicole, Neil and their 4-year-old daughter Nadine have had several financial burdens placed on them. During this challenging time their incomes will be reduced to one. There are also several costs beyond the healthcare bills as well as the unknowns needs that undoubtably will arise in the future. We hope that any donations from family, friends as well as others will help alleviate some of the financial burdens they will face.
We thank each one of you for your continued support of our beloved Cheeky and hope for his full recovery.
Naaman is a trooper, but a couple months of tests, shots, transfusions and chemo are not easy on him or his family! Please keep him in your prayers!
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On 10/27/2018 at 4:23 PM, mattynh said:
just so it's clear, my post was mostly sarcasm.
It was clear.
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2 hours ago, mattynh said:
snowballs are allowed
Actually, when I was about 16 or 17, I was thrown out of the Rockpile by security for throwing snowballs at the Dolphins players. In the uncovered end zone, you could reach the field from the top row. Yes, I was wrong. A hard packed snow ball can be like throwing a stone at someone. I could have hit a kid!
I was a burb block hero for a couple of days among my peers, though!
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10 minutes ago, row_33 said:
the youngest of us are all in our 50s now who remember the Kelly Era
I understand. My children are in their 30's and 40's and barely remember those days. I was just saying that there ARE bandwagon fans, and you will see them with price tags still on their Bills gear, if given a reason to come back.
Also, the only last straw for me would be if the team ever left Buffalo.
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17 hours ago, Sandhill Mike said:
I don't think there's any such thing as a bandwagon Bills fan.
I do. When the Bills were annual playoff contenders and AFC Champs, every Monday was started with positive talk about the team at "the water cooler".
Every store had a large display of Bills various types of Bills merchandise.
On a stroll trough the mall, almost everyone was wearing Bills jerseys, coats, hats, scarfs, ties, sneakers, etc,
Now when I wear clothes with a Bills logo, some people actually mock me or say something encouraging, like you would hear at a funeral.
Let the Bills tear up the league with a couple winning seasons and the bandwagon fans will come out of their closets.
I survive by being a fan, but expecting nothing from them in return.
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Joe Ferguson was color blind and all AFC East teams had white helmets. Joe could tell the difference between white and red, so Joe knew who his receivers were!
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10 hours ago, Homey D. Clown said:
I never thought for a second that 25 years would pass without another superbowl appearance. That actually made my head hurt.
That was my thought when they did not go to (what is now called) Super Bowl I in 1967.
There have been some good runs but 50+ years and FOUR SB losses was all I had to look forward to!?
Still a fan but I swore off the kool aid.
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They have created a new website, where you can read about my Grandson Naaman's progress, donate to his GoFundMe account, share your stories, and provide information to you about childhood cancer and treaments.
I am taking a BIG risk sharing it on this forum, so please do not make me regret it!
Thanks,
Rockpile
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Here is my post tailgate "blog".
I thought others might want to write their TBDAHOT game day experience without having it get lost in the main thread.
Moderators, move it if you must!
Opening Day 2018, Orchard Park, NY
It was a beautiful sunny day, with temperatures in the 80's. I saw a thermometer on a garage that read 99 degrees in the sun, so I assume that is close to what it felt like in a concrete stadium, on a metal bench at kickoff time. Luckily we were not on the sunny side, so we had shade the whole game.It was nice to have a jet plane flyover, instead of propeller driven cargo planes, or para-sailers. They honored first responders, including service men, police men, national guard, local fire and ambulance departments.
No one took a knee during the National Anthem.
From a tailgate perspective I had a wonderful time: chicken wings, home made stromboli, beef on weck, grilled sausage, jello shots, a bowling ball shot, and a couple IPAs, spaced with lots of water.
The primary reason I went to the game was my friends, who tailgate together every year. The Bills home opener is an event unto itself, attended by locals as well as many out of state fans or fans with homes in New York but hours away. It has been described as a party or reunion that starts on Saturday and continues until hours after the game on Sunday, with three and a half hours in the middle when there is a football game.
Next year will be our 20th anniversary as fans of the Buffalo Bills, Two Bills Drive, Hammer and his famous lot, a mysterious Red Pinto, and good people who come together as a family.
The game was a loss as perhaps expected, but in ways that were unexpected. The defense did not show up for the first half, and I had thought Buffalo would put up SOME discernible resistance. The Bills new rookie QB, Josh Allen, did well, considering he was probably averaging 2.0 seconds per play before being heavily pressured. I expected the offensive line would play poorly, but they were just terrible. With no holes in the defensive front there was no way to establish any kind of running game or even a set up a screen pass,I just hoped no one broke our young quarterback.
Needless to say the crowd was as quiet as I have ever hear it, just before halftime trailing the Chargers 28-6 .
Things were slightly better in the second half, but not enough to bother spending much time on the details. The Bills defense put up a better fight, and the offense was pumped up, but this team does not yet contain enough talent to be a real contender.
Special teams were erratic, but for one brief moment in the second half, it seemed that the Bills might come back into the game. The upper deck fans started a "wave", which was embarrassing, but at least they did it when the Chargers had the ball.
Josh Allen made several scrambles (some planned) and refused to call it quits. It was all too little too late, and mistakes and a very good opponent took the game.
This is a team you can cheer for, but cannot expect many victories from in 2018. Over the next few years, I would expect this team to finally start resembling the monsters they were in the nineties!-
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3 hours ago, nucci said:
amazing how so many just accept losing with the hope we may have a decent team in 3-4 years
It all comes down to expectations. I have been saying "Wait until next year" since the Bills lost to Kansas City in 1967 and did not go to the first Super Bowl.
I would spend the off season optimistically thinking it would be better next year.
I guess I am worn down!
I try to watch every game (or DVR it). I go to as many games as I want, but the only thing I expect for a season any more is that the Buffalo Bills will play 16 games.
Anything beyond that means they EXCEED my expectations.
I wear my Bills shirt on Monday. I try not to look at next year UNTIL next year. I try to stay emotionally detached post-game after a loss.
I am a Bills fan and always will be. This is how I survive!
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26 minutes ago, joesixpack said:
SO glad I didn't attend. Hot football games are just not fun, especially in the cheap seats.I agree about the game, but the annual tailgate and seeing friends is the only reason I even GO to the home opener!.
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7 hours ago, JÂy RÛßeÒ said:
Thanks to all who contributed! Hammer refused to take any money so we have enough for next year and beyond. ON TO TBDAHOT XX!!
We MUST have a 20th Anniversary T-shirt!
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33 minutes ago, mead107 said:
When did you eat the Stromboli?
I know you were not asking me, but this was my delicious breakfast and lunch, along with jello shots, a bowling ball shot, and three IPA's.
Paced myself by drinking lots of water!
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Good group today!
JÂy RÛßeÒ, Aussiew, Just Jack, Rich and Rev n Joisey, R.Rich, and Rockpile.
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Very good post.
Yes, even if they only win two games or none, we will still be Bills fans.
I find survival as a Bills fan is to LOWER your expectations.
I hope for more but I only expect the Bills to play 16 games this season.
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Hank Bullough:
--"We'll have a good work ethnic."
--"He did it on the spare of the moment."
--"He's making improvement throwing the ball where he's throwing the ball."
--"We keep beating ourselves, but we're getting better at it."
--"It took the sails right out of our wind."
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On 9/3/2018 at 10:07 AM, Hammered a Lot said:
Once again (19th time) Hammers Lot is hosting the gathering of TBD lowlifes for a day of food, friendship, & general frolicking at the TBDAHOT. Parking choices... If you would like "Party" area (circle the wagon style-very limited space) or "General" spot (s) please post 1Party or 1General. Party area parking starts at 6:30 am, spots held till 7:30am, General starts at 7am held till 8:30am. Most Importantly you MUST have a large easy to see sign with TBD P or TBD G on it. This makes it easier for us to take care of your parking needs.Also please tell us your name so we can check it off the list. Parking list closes at 9-14-18 6 pm Hammer Time. On a side note, a former Bill will be part of a crew filming a tailgate based program. If your wanted, or skipping work you might be on camera... ??
Any chance i could park there on Saturday night, if other plans fall through?
Did you get message I sent you?
Thx, Eric.
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On 9/7/2018 at 3:43 PM, The Poojer said:
Pretty much Music royalty (literally in England). My weekly Free at Noon show. 500 people tops and as many shows as I've seen in my life, his 50 minute show probably ranks in my top 5. His voice, his songwriting and most surprisingly his acoustic guitar playing... holy crap. He has a new album coming out next Friday and if you are a fan of the singer/songwriter genre, it HAS to be added to your library. I was expecting a lot today, he far surpassed my expectations
I saw him with Fairport Convention a LONG time ago!
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Have a blast!
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Just keep the in jokes between you and my MS, OK?
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3 hours ago, Augie said:
My wife thinks you have a very bad idea. The thing is...Augie snores. Like a FRIEGHT TRAIN! Or so I’m told. By everyone. Including myself as I can wake myself up snoring. I travel with a CPAP machine only if my wife is joining me - I hate that thing, but it DOES stop snoring for the most part.
Before I got the CPAP I had an operation and the last night in the hospital they put me in a double room. I woke up the next morning to hear my roomie SCREAMING at the nurse that I should NEVER be put in a room with another person and he’d be shocked if the people across the hall slept a wink all night. I felt bad for the old guy, but it’s not a thing I can just decide to stop.
If I weren’t so lazy, I’d start a thread to hear all the other stories from the peeps who have the same issues. Before the CPAP we were staying in a Ritz Carlton (ain’t cheap) and my wife went down to the lobby about 3:00 am to get a second room so she could sleep for a few hours. THAT is desperate.
But other than that, I’m perfect. ?
Almost.
First off, I would not need a bed mate. There are TWO beds in the room..
Don't ever go into sales, Augie, because you make sleeping in my CRV sound like a dream! *-)
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Thanks, Doc!
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1 hour ago, joesixpack said:
I gave my reasoning earlier in the thread. Do your own homework, njsue.
Best Reply Ever!
Joe Ferguson video
in The Stadium Wall Archives
Posted
For many of his years, his interceptions and sacks exceeded his touchdown passes, but he was good enough to be the Bills starting QB for twelve years.
That tells you the miserable TEAM play was not all on him.
His career stats make him a perhaps average QB on a poor team. Imagine him on the 70's Steelers or Dolphins!
BTW, in Ground Chuck's five years as head coach, he had only TWO winning seasons. But under Knox, Fergie had his four BEST career QB ratings, when he played 16 games.
He played backup for the Lions, Bucs and Colts after leaving Buffalo, Just shy of 30,000 passing yards.
I am a Ferguson fan, too!
I always said they cut Ferguson, wearing #12 in 1984, in the hopes of signing Jim Kelly, who took #12 to the Houston Gamblers.
Ferguson has said that the head hanging was misinterpreted. He said he was already thinking about what he would do when he got the ball back, and was making plans. Someone should have told him how that was perceived negatively by anyone looking at him.
His career INT rate was almost 15% per attempt too.