Intelligent Life

Hubby and I wanted to take a vacation for a few days in early March. We didn't want to go anywhere cold, but I wasn't in the mood for a tropical vacation either. We decided to return to Los Angeles, where we had spent a few very short vacations before, but where we felt there was still more fun to be had.

Because of an episode of the Big Bang Theory, we knew that the alien-looking landscape seen in the original Star Trek series (and Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey) is located a short (45-minute) drive from Hollywood. And I just happened to have a Star Trek costume hanging in the closet waiting for a purpose. Borrowed the Tribble from a friend and put my sign idea thinking cone on. Voilà.

I have been and always shall be a Canes fan.

Live long and prosper, Canes!

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Although there are other teams at which this sign could be directed, it's obviously for the Buffalo Sabres. Or more accurately, at their fans who invade the PNC Arena. After so many years, it gets kind of hard thinking up new signs for the teams we play over and over. But Buffalo inspires me so. Made this for the March 5 game and am just getting around to posting it now.

Upstate

At the end of the first period at the Canes vs. Buffalo game when I first unveiled this sign, I was immediately accosted by a Buffalo fan. Her first question had to do with the BUFFALO MAKES YOU JERKY sign. She said she didn't get it. I said it's a pun on Buffalo (the meat). "But Buffalo is not known for making jerky," she said. No, but it IS known for jerky fans.

She insisted she was not trying to be mean, but also Buffalo is not "Upstate." I told her I was aware that some people didn't consider it Upstate, but some people do. No, she said, "I'm from Buffalo, and nobody considers it Upstate, so your sign doesn't work because we're not Upstate." I said some people do consider it Upstate, and the fact that it offends people from "Western New York" to be called Upstate just makes the sign just that much more effective.

She kept telling me she wasn't trying to be mean, and I thought, no, it just comes naturally to your kind.

Canes beat Buffalo 6-3 that night at home and then beat them 3-1 the following night, in, you know, Upstate.

Jerkyness

I think this sign is pretty self-evident.

Return of the Lake Effect

That Lake Effect causes all sorts of problems! I held off on holding up this sign too much during tonight's game because the level of douchebaggery from the Sabres fans was atypically low, comparatively speaking. I did hear that some got thrown out of the game, and I did see one giving the finger to a Canes fan a couple sections over.

One of the Barfalo fans had a sign that said, "CAM SAYS OOPS!" which I actually thought was cute.

By way of explanation, Buffalo has never won the Stanley Cup (or any other major league sports championship). It's anyone's guess whether this fact or the Lake Effect causes more bitterness.

Thankful Not to Be from Buffalo

This one got a nice round of applause from the crowd at the RBC Center.

The Lake Effect

I wanted for this to say something more like "WARNING: LAKE EFFECT CAUSES DOUCHEBAGS," but, well, you know. As far as Buffalo games go, especially ones where the Canes lose, the douchebaggery wasn't quite so bad this time. Maybe because only one goal was scored. :(

How Far They Come

I hate to perpetuate a stereotype about how crude and awful Barfalo fans are when they come to the RBC Center. I'm sure it's only a percentage of Barfalo fans who are like that, right? And the bad ones just make it rotten for everyone? But there I was, walking in to the arena across the parking lot, trying to explain to the newbie fan I was bringing to the game with me why this game was so important and why Barfalo is the most hated enemy of the Caniacs, when I finally ceased talking and just pointed to the nearest loudest Barfalo fan who was in the process of illustrating my point for me.

He was walking along with his girlfriend, obnoxiously loudly talking to no one in particular but everyone within earshot, about how the Canes were going to clean his balls this summer because their season was over. I've heard plenty of season-ending tee-time jabs and seen plenty of golf swing gestures; that's no big deal. But this guy was making obscene gestures related to cleaning his balls in front of dozens of strangers nearby, including children. Then he went on to say something about how it was no big deal, cleaning his balls, because his girlfriend does it for him all the time: "Don't you, baby?"

And the très couth girlfriend, also sporting a Sabres jersey, agreed. "Damn right, baby, all the time." And joined him in making the obscene gestures.

Stay classy, Slugs.

Tan Buffalo's Hide!

This sign had its debut April 3, 2011.

Tiger Blood

Thursday, March 3, 2011 was the biggest Canes game of the season so far. The Canes hosted their most hated rival, the Buffalo Sabres. The Canes were in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, just within playoff range, while the Sabres were in ninth, just outside. As usual, the RBC Center was overrun with Sabres fans. Thank the Hockey Gods the Canes won. But it was a nail-biter that went into OT.

This sign was inspired, of course, by wild comments made by Charlie Sheen in interviews this week. I wasn't sure folks would get it, but I've received several compliments on it. It was shown on the Jumbotron. I was also caught on camera, I think for the first time, utilizing my Fool/Moron sign while pointing to a bunch of fans of the visiting team. A friend of mine who was at the game but sitting in another part of the arena commented, "You are a brave woman."

What can I say? It's MY house!

Barfalo Not Welcome

The idea for this sign hit me months before the All-Star Game. I unveiled it tonight at the Super Skills Competition and got numerous thumbs up from strangers. Several people wanted to take a picture of it in the stands and as I walked through the parking lot. Too bad the cameras showed no love. Maybe there will be more attention during the All-Star Game tomorrow.

Rooting for Buffalo

Lent.

Edmonton/Buffalo Hurricane Warning

Supposed to be a pun with "evacuate" and "pee." I think I was trying too hard.

Buffalo/Edmonton

This was meant to be a two-part sign. The majority of Barfalo fans just suck. I was suggesting I preferred it when the Edmonton Oilers came to visit during the finals. In general, I rather like Canadian hockey fans when they come to our house.

Buffalo Roam

If Barfalo is so great, why are there so many of its former citizens living in Raleigh?

Sabre Rattling

Buffalo Pasture

They've all got a big "chip" on their shoulders anyhow.

Miller Time

Made this during the playoffs to remind Ryan Miller, the B.S. goalie, that his season will soon be over and it's time to hit the links.

Buffalo's Not Kosher

Made during Passover.

Sabres Are Dull

Yawn.