Well, the weather was absolutely fantastic. The best we have ever had for this weekend. It was truly a pleasure to meet all the new comers to the event and to see old friends again, especially the ones I haven't seen in a long time like Grizz. This truly is a community of friends.
Thanks to Dave and Cindy for planning all this and for setting up the camp site with Bill's Daughter the lovely Wendy. You all did a fantastic job! Tip of the Cap to you all.
The food was great as well as the company. Ralph had to bow out, due to professional obligations and we missed him not just as a guest but for his warm and engaging personality.
The dinner on Friday night was very good and we had dinner last night at a Japanese Habachi place called Hana's. It was excellent! We should consider trying that for the dinner next year.
All things considered, I come to this event weekend to meet up with everyone. Training camp is secondary. I hope TC can exercise his influence and keep this Albany Camp going. It's good for the team and it sure works for us.
Me and the family are so sorry we missed the BBQ but we have so much stuff jammed into our schedule it is crazy some times.Tell everyone we said Hello and will try to get up and see everyone sone Jim
Quote from: COACHJIM on August 08, 2010, 08:32:28 AM
Me and the family are so sorry we missed the BBQ but we have so much stuff jammed into our schedule it is crazy some times.Tell everyone we said Hello and will try to get up and see everyone sone Jim
Jim,
You and your family were certainly missed.
Sub II (Larry) and Sub III (Jack) had a great time, great way to kickoff an exciting season.
Larry, looks like Jack has the potential to become a Bocci Ball Champion some day. He sure cleaned our clock one game.
Jim, quite a few people asked about you and your family. Sorry you couldn't make it.
Yes, we had a good time in good company. We had a very interesting conversation at the bbq and Murderhill used a lot of words I had never heard before ;)
It's always a pleasure and I'm looking forward to the Titans game.
Fred
QuoteWe had a very interesting conversation at the bbq and Murderhill used a lot of words I had never heard before
Yes, a lot of words and little did you know that I made most of them up. When I am engaged in these "interesting conversations", I sometimes have Ralph Kramdon's voice going off in the back of my head (Fred, Google "the Honeymooners") http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vlb5me (http://preview.tinyurl.com/2vlb5me) -"you are a blabbermouth". I'm trying to shut up but I'm out of control. Still, it was fun and a surprise to meet a couple of Quebecer Giant fans. Remember to rent the movie "The Black Robe". On my way home, every time I went past a car with Quebec plates, I would look inside to see if it was you two guys. I was freezing my butt off by the time I got home.
I want to say I had a great time. It was great to meet up with old friends and catch up and talk Giants football. It was terrific to be able to put names to so many people that I have talked to for so long. We are so lucky to have a board made up of so many very special people who are all very knowledgeable, warm and friendly.
QuoteI was freezing my butt off by the time I got home.
I don't know if you can quote yourself this may be a 1st. While I was freezing my butt off, I had this little ditty going off on my head.
http://www.youareanidiot.org/ (http://www.youareanidiot.org/)
Thanks to all who made a newcomer feel welcome! Certainly enjoyed talking some Big Blue before the season while enjoying some good food and good company. Special thanks to President Rick and Pagan43!
The weather and all the people were great. Its always good to put a face to a name and meet people in person rather in their internet persona.
I will be uploading about 300 photos of the practice sessions mostly and a few of the picnic shortly.
I'll echo the above sentiments but for me a highlight was Jim V's bringing out his copy of a 1962 Giants-Lions program. The ads contained football players wearing helmets without face guards, the cigarette ads and the Knicks and Rangers advertising with old Garden logo in it. A trip down memory lane.
We just arrived back home after a most wonderful weekend. I said before that the reason I was going to drive 311 miles was to meet up with the folks of this board. If I saw a little football than that was just a bonus.
I will say that I had it dead on!!!! I saw a little football, but the BBQ was the main course. It was a pleasure to meet each and every one of you. It surpassed my best expectations. We had a great time. Thanks to you all!!! =D>
I also agree with Vette. Lets hope the Giants see what a great place they have to hold training camp.
Bill
GREAT weekend all around! =D> =D> Terrific people! It was really wonderful to "meet" all my friends on BBH. BTW, don't worry about forgetting to bring something you wanted to the next get-together. Rich has a VERY DEEP bag that holds EVERYTHING. If he doesn't have it, you don't need it.
Bill, Paul & I have a plan to get together with our wives sometime in the near future up here in Maine. Anyone want to join us? We can get FRESH Maine lobster!
We just arrived home.
May I echo the sentiments of everyone else. My family and I had a fantastic time.
All you guys and gals are top shelf. I only wish Ralph could have made it. But it was just great.
Our thanks to all.
Bill, Cindy, Adam and Wendy
A weekend that exceeded my wildest expectations. It all worked out, the effort (G-girl) really paid off.
Really magical, bein' plugged into the Board all afternoon, what dialogue! Superb camaraderie one & all.
I'm trying my hand at posting an image.
First time for me, so...
pagan43
OK, not bad.
Sorry about all those backsides, but when you take a picture of the actual Big Blue Huddle, when it comes together for the annual "Circle of Love", someone's a$$ is always turned toward the camera.
I'll do a few more and see how they work.
pagan43
Here I go again, hopefully as smoothly...
(BTW - Checkout the program in Paul's (prousse) hands. That's a pristine, 1963 Giants vs. Lions game day program that jimv brought with him. On, like, page 4 was an advertisement for Tareyton cigarettes featuring Charlie Connerly smoking one, in the locker room. Talk about how times have changed...)
OK, one more, then I have to go to work, and I'll try to put a couple more up tonight, or tomorrow...
I'd like to propose we have a board certrified name Grizz's dog contest.
OK, it's lunch time, and I have another photo to share:
pagan43
One more...
pagan43
It was great to meet Dave Pagan and his wife, Ed Vette, Jimv, PresidentRick and his wife, murderhill, MightyGiants, ps11yat14 and his wife, Webster29, Somersjoe, slg, etc., etc.. You're all class acts. Hope you can make it next year, LennG. That Shipyard ale was excellent, Jimv. I hope the mustard arrives earlier next time.
In all seriousness, I made two observations at the picnic. I was the handsomest guy there and some of you are taller in person than how you appear online. (kidding of course)
On Saturday night, me and my wife ate at Boca de Bippo which is an Italian restaurant on Wolf Ave. The food was good and the portions were huge. The "small" portion feeds up to 3 people and the large portion feeds up to six people. The waiter told me that Eli Manning and five other players were there the other night. They ordered appetizers and they each ordered the large portion. They ate it all including Eli.
Hey squibber, do they have the "Pope Room" at that Bucca?
That might not be a bad candidate for next year's BBH Ice Breaker Dinner.
pagan43
Nice work Dave :ok: =D> :yes: Say hello to Cindi for me. You guys were good people. The highlight of the BBQ was you handing me a cheeseburger. I was honored.
Dave,
Here is a link to Buca de Bippo. It looks like they have a place for a large group. The food was good but not exceptional. It was a fun experience though and a good choice for those who love big portions.
http://www.bucadibeppo.com/locations/location3403.aspx (http://www.bucadibeppo.com/locations/location3403.aspx)
thanks for the pix Dave. Once again, I am truly sorry I couldn't be there, but now, thanks to you, I can put faces to many of the names. BTW Grizz, your backside looks the same as it did several years ago. don't you ever age???
This has been a long standing tradition with this group, dating back to the old BBWC days. I remember the first year I went up it was jsut Kevin, (Remember'sHuff), George (Giantsguy), Gordon (from the other site) and Spider (has anyone heard from him). It sure has grown. If any of you who went, are interested, several years ago, we had Harry Carson as our guest. Here are a few pix of our group with him. See how some of you have really gotten old
wow Lenn, my nieces were so small then. Haven't seen Umassgrad in a long time too.
I'm on a business trip and will post my pics when I get back.
To all who attended this year's BBQ, a Big Blue Thank You!
The only thing I regret was not taking a group photo, something that we almost always did in the past.
I think that we waited for Ralph to arrive, in order to take a photo with him in our group. But we waited too long, and before we knew it, the opportunity had passed, as some BBH'rs began to trickle out, even as a few late arrivals showed up.
By the time I was aware of the oversite, too many of us had already left.
Thanks for the link squibber. While I enjoyed the Barnsider, and they have never dissapointed us, I would definately like to get some discussion going next year about the options available to us in the SUNY vicinity, including the Japanese restaurant that a group of BBHrs visited on Saturdaynight (sorry I missed that).
murderhill - I do believe that I handed you the very first cheesburger of the BBQ. And, it's was an honor for me as well. I'd like to suggest that we repeat the ceremonial handoff of the first cheesburger next year, at the BBH BBQ. Perhaps you can bring Mrs.Hill with you.
pagan43
Lenn,
Can you put some names to your first photo?
Maybe some of the other guys can help out as I am really bad with names.
Those I can remember
Front Row, Rich, I believe that's Ed's brother Sam, Gordon's daughter, yours truly, Spider and ?????? (isn that you Fredrick, on the end???
Some in the next row next to harry on the left is George, to his left is Gordon, on Harry's right is Eddie (from BBWC)
??, Ed and Tom reed arm in arm.
In the back, if I am not mistaken, to Harry's right is Mojo, half of Kevin (remember'sHuff) can be seen, and with the golden locks is Rocky. Is that you Dave with the funny hat on??
If I missed anyone, I am sorry. Please just see yourself and insert a name.
Here is my pictures. Excuse me for missing some captions:
http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy71/vette5573/ (http://s779.photobucket.com/albums/yy71/vette5573/)
Yeah Lenn, that's me under that hat. Back when the beard was black.
The front row is MightyGiants, vette, Gordon's daughter, LennG, Spider69, and those two young men on the end of the front row are the sons of SomersJoe, who I can not find in the photo, so I must assume he is taking it himself.
Standing from left to right are: President Rick, BoogMan, pagan43 and I'm half concealed by Gordon.
Then there are a few faces that are escaping my memory. I believe the man standing to the left of Harry is George, and peeking over the top of his head is Webster29.
Then, of course, there is Harry. Peeking over Harry's left shoulder is Mojo, and half concealed by EddieNYG is RemembersHuff.
I can't remember the name of the fellow looking over his shoulder, but next to him I believe is slg11, and Rocky56 (with the golden locks) is on his other side.
Then there is Sam, vette's brother. But I dont remember who he has his arm around, or who is the fellow behind them.
The young lady on the end I believe is RemebersHuff's daughter.
Please chime in if I've made a mistake with anyone, and if any one remembers the names of the mystery men.
pagan43
The only complaint I have is the bocci ball. That's just too tame. How about alligator wrestling next year? I'll bring the toy alligator.
I was disappointed that there weren't any "pagan" rituals. No throwing a virgin into a volcano or anything.
That's me standing between/behind Lenn and spider69.
I was never able to pick up Lenn's pix. But, yours are GREAT, Ed!
Sorry squibby, but the only virgin there was grizz's dog, and nobody brought a volcano. :-??
There was a pagan ritual that took place much earlier, before you and JoAnne arrived, and I was meaning to ask you; How did you like the pasta salad? :sick:
pagan43
(your soul is mine now >:D)
The pasta salad was excellent, Dave. And that's from someone who loves pasta.
The 'young fellow' arm and arm with sam is Tom Reed (Giantfan67). May well be the senior member of this group.
Update:
Quote from: pagan43 on August 10, 2010, 10:04:10 PM
Yeah Lenn, that's me under that hat. Back when the beard was black.
The front row is MightyGiants, vette, Gordon's daughter, LennG, Spider69, and those two young men on the end of the front row are the sons of SomersJoe, who I can not find in the photo, so I must assume he is taking it himself.
After careful reexamination, I now believe that the disembodied head hovering over Harry's righ shoulder is actually SomersJoe!!
Standing from left to right are: President Rick, BoogMan, pagan43 and I'm half concealed by Gordon.
Then there are a few faces that are escaping my memory. I believe the man standing to the left of Harry is George, and peeking over the top of his head is Webster29.
Then, of course, there is Harry. Peeking over Harry's left shoulder is Mojo, and half concealed by EddieNYG is RemembersHuff.
I can't remember the name of the fellow looking over his shoulder, but next to him I believe is slg11, and Rocky56 (with the golden locks) is on his other side.
I stand corrected that the man next to EddieNYG is actually nygsem, not slg11 (thanks nygsem!).
Then there is Sam, vette's brother. But I dont remember who he has his arm around, or who is the fellow behind them.
With the help of Lenn (thanks for emailing me the original image) the man under Sam's arm is now identified as Giantfan67. And, after more magnified scrutiny, the man peeking over his shoulder is none other than our resident Ontarian, terrymeisner.
The young lady on the end I believe is RemebersHuff's daughter.
Please chime in if I've made a mistake with anyone, and if any one remembers the names of the mystery men.
pagan43
Keep chiming in everybody. We should be able to identify everyone, eventually.
Everyones talking about pagan rituals and virgins. Here is a clip from the 1987 Dragnet- that's Tom Hanks and Dan Akroyd for those of you who never saw the movie http://tinyurl.com/272vnq5 (http://tinyurl.com/272vnq5) . Next year we all can come with "goat leggings".
P.A.G.A.N. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIm8qNirTOk#)
Dave, good eye -- can't believe you recognized 1/3 of my face back there next to Mojo. You're correct in your identification of George, and that is indeed my daughter Elizabeth on the end at right (wearing the jersey made famous by the old profile shot of Rocky's golden retriever, a prize I won in a trivia contest!).
While none of us have aged a day, Elizabeth went on her first college tour yesterday at URI. And for the record, I'm pretty sure Gordon's daughter's name is Jennifer. She's probably a full-fledged practicing urologist by now.
Have we ID'ed everyone but the fella with the beard in between Gordon and George? I remember him, his kids, his wife, and our conversation about the friends they were staying with over in my general neck of the woods -- but I can't for the life of me recall his screen name. The other gent with a beard, between Eddie and Steve, I also can't put a name to.
Quote from: RemembersHuff on August 13, 2010, 11:23:00 PM
The other gent with a beard, between Eddie and Steve, I also can't put a name to.
Kevin, I'm not positive but I think that's my friend Bob who rode up with me to camp that day. He's a Giant fan of course, and can also be seen in Lenn's third picture, immediately to the right of Harry.
I am really sorry I couldn't make the BBH weekend but it was my wifes birthday and the grandkids and their Dad left North Carolina at 5 AM so that they could see Grandma on her birthday--needless to say I couldnt wait to see them
Fladan
The tallest figure is Carl, who is Umassgrad and his daughter in front of him. JoeyGiants is over Harry's right Shoulder. The fella that Sam has his arm over is my cousin Tony, not Tom Reed. Webster is behind George. Tom Reed isn't in the picture. Frank's sons are Dan and Luke to Dan's right. The dude in the Beard to the left of Dave and underneath Carl if Cisco, who dropped off the face of the earth. Adam is missing in this picture too.
Gosh Ed you are right about Joey. I have a pix of just him and Harry, and just did not recognize him without his hat on. but his smile is a give a way.
And, not that I am a Tom reed expert, but if that is your cousin, he sure looks like Tom's brother. A real look a like.
And in case anyone hasn't seen Kevin's masterful job of photo chopping for my pix with Harry, here is a repeat of it.