Friday, January 27, 2012

Key West Party @ the VFW......



































Please come out and support our Vets!  We'll be having a festive time and playing plenty of songs you know by heart (and a few you probably don't).  What else you gonna do on a Saturday at the Beach in the middle of winter?  See ya there!

Joe Flacco Is a Great Quarterback, Even Though the Ravens Lost





According to ESPN.com, Flacco told reporters after the game, "I don't know if I ever will prove anything." This is where I disagree with Flacco, because on Sunday he catalyzed what should have been a game-winning drive, proving he is up to the task of winning games in the clutch. Unlike Montana and Manning and other quarterbacks of years past, Flacco was simply not fortunate to have a sure-handed player on the receiving end of his would-have-been-game-winning touchdown pass.


Complete article here...

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Weekly Poop 1/25/12

Roost #44 Poop
·         Dates to Remember:
·        Tonight – No More Ravens Rap.  Thanks everyone for a great season.
·        Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @
·        Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox.   Cost: $23 pp.  Time: 5:30 till?  Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake.  Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda.  All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices.  Give your checks or mail them to Larry or Marie Gerst (36843 West Pond Circle, Selbyville, DE 19975, 302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.
·        Saturday, February 18 – Raven’s Roost #44 Post Football Season Dance, 7-11 p.m. benefiting Roost 44’s charities and featuring the band TRANZFUSION!  Ocean City Elks Lodge Hall – 137th Street Bayside.  $25 pp includes beer, chips, cash bar and money wheel.  For tickets contact: Mary Kendall 302-236-9617 or Ron Apperson 302-436-4790
·        Time again to re-enlist: Dues ($30 per person) are to be paid by the February meeting.  You may pay them at the meeting or mail them to: Jo Ann Elder, 126 Pine Tree Rd., Ocean City, MD 21842.

Ravens Poop
·        The Ravens season came to a sudden and heartbreaking end in a 23-20 loss to the Patriots in Foxboro.  The Ravens outplayed the Pats and Joe Flacco was clearly the best quarterback on the field but in the end they could not make enough plays to win.  Still, it was a great and exciting season and I’m proud to be a Ravens fan!
·        Good news notes and nuggets from Sarah Ellison’s Blog here.  It’s getting to the point where I can hardly stand ESPN, but I do go Jamison Hensley’s Blog here to stay up to date with all of the AFC North news.

Local Poop
·        Saturday, January 28 – Key West Party @ the Ocean City VFW, 66th Street bayside.  $15 per person gets you draft beer and rail drinks, appetizers, island music 2-4 and HH prices 4-7 w/island specialty drinks.  Ernest Hemingway lookalike contest.  2-7pm.  Contact Nelson Kelly @ 302.236.4171 for more information.

Funny Poop
·        An elderly woman entered a large furniture store and was greeted by a much younger salesman.
"Is there something in particular I can show you?" he asked.
"Yes, I want to buy a sexual sofa."
"You mean a sectional sofa," he suggested.
"Sectional, schmectional." she bitterly retorted. "All I want is an occasional piece in the living room!"

Etcetera
·         Got poop?  Let me know!  I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it.  Your input is appreciated.
·         Be sure to visit our website @ www.ravensroost44.com or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.
·         Life is short.  Focus on the good.



Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go
And put that ball across the line
So fly with talons spread wide
Go in and strike with Ravens pride
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Ravens dark wings take flight
Dive in and show them your might
For Baltimore and Maryland
You will fly on to victory


Saturday, January 21, 2012

Joe Flacco: An Appreciation


Dear Joe Flacco,

It's been a bizarre week, hasn't it? You're one win away from playing in the Super Bowl, and I think I've read approximately 11 million articles -- written primarily by people living outside the Baltimore metro area -- that seem eager to inform me just how truly terrible you are at playing quarterback in the NFL. Seriously, if I hadn't actually watched you play football the last four years, if I'd been locked in someone's windowless basement without Internet or cable, I'd almost conclude you stood accused of running a dog fighting ring or something. People seem genuinely annoyed you're playing in the AFC Championship game.

To be honest, I almost feel like someone is picking on my little brother. I say that because I pick on you fairly frequently -- mostly because I recognize how talented you are, and I expect a lot from you -- but I'll be damned if I'm going to let the rest of the world tee you up repeatedly without coming to your defense a little bit. Because unlike, say, 80 percent of the people so eager to dismiss you, I've actually watched just about every significant snap you've taken in your career. I might not know know as much about playing quarterback in the NFL as Steve Young, but at least I'm working with all the evidence. I'm not basing my weekly frustrations with you on a handful of games, or worse, highlights.

I've seen you play awful, and I've seen you play brilliant football. I've seen you stomp on the neck of the Steelers twice in Heinz Field, and I've seen you sleep-walk through losses to the Bengals in Cincinnati. I've seen you look rattled, and I've seen you look fearless. I've always believed the most honest evaluation of your play was acknowledging you were good, but not great. At least at this point in your career. (And frankly, I'm not sure why so many people consider that analysis such an significant diss. The truth is, an honest evaluation of my skills would probably conclude I'm a good writer, but I'm not a great one. I don't think that's anything to be ashamed of. If the Sun traded me to the Boston Globe for a writer to be named later, it doesn't mean readers would be doomed to read the journalistic equivalent of Stoney Case or Eric Zeier as my replacement. But people frequently talk about Flacco that way.) I've realized, however, the middle ground in any argument is never going to be easy to occupy. Nuance isn't particularly sexy. It doesn't make for great radio, and it wouldn't pay Skip Bayless' mortgage.

So for once, I'm going to say the heck with nuance. After watching the national media smack you around like a gang of partygoers taking drunken swings at a unibrowed pinata, I've come to praise you, Joe Flacco, not to bury you. The world beyond Baltimore Beltway seems to think you can't even lace up your cleats properly without stumbling, and it's reached the point of absurdity.

Sometimes I wonder, Joe, why people can't seem to grasp the fact that fantasy football stats don't exactly determine whether or not a player is actually doing his job, or whether he's a good fit for his team. Stats aren't irrelevant, Joe, and I don't want to cast you as a plucky 6-foot-5 football version of David Eckstein. But the idea that baseball statistics and football statistics can be viewed similarly is utterly ridiculous. In baseball, Barry Bonds can be a complete jerk and have an OPS of 1.422 and there is absolutely no doubt he's still the MVP. There is no more valuable person you can put in the line-up in his place, and it doesn't matter if he doesn't speak to anyone or if he refuses to run out ground balls. Intangibles in baseball are overrated. I'll take a guy who can actually hit over a guy who is dubbed "a good clubhouse influence" by the media every single time. 

But football is a little different, Joe, and I think you understand this. Everything is married and fused together in football in a way that it's not in baseball. There is no one in baseball calling plays, dropping passes, struggling to get open or failing to give you enough time to throw. Baseball is like nine guys doing stand-up comedy and then calling it a "show," whereas football is like 53 guys throwing together on a violent Broadway play every week. Obviously, it isn't always pretty, but I think the fact that the people you work with know you're never going to miss a performance, and you're rarely going to flub your lines, actually matters a lot. 

You know what I think a realistic projection for your career should be, Joe? Troy Aikman. Trent Dilfer brought this up with Sports Illustrated's Don Banks this week, and I was jealous when I saw it because it's a comparison I've been thinking about for awhile now, but I kept putting it off, and now it's going to look like I'm just parroting Dilfer's analysis, but you'll just have to trust me on this one. I do think you could be the Aikman of this generation -- at least a poor man's Aikman -- as long as you continue to progress. Aikman never threw more than 23 touchdowns in a single season. He never threw for more than 3,445 yards. But he was a unifying presence on a team with massive egos, he protected the football and was really good on third down. His career quarterback rating was 81.6. Even in 1993, the best season of his career, his quarterback rating was 99.0. He was stoic, and boring -- sound familiar? -- and he was one of the greatest game mangers of all time.

I'm going to admit, Joe, that I'm one of those people who initially was fooled into thinking Matt Ryan was better than you. In general, his game looks "prettier" than yours, and he puts up slightly better statistics than you do. But lately, I've come around to the idea that a lot of his success looks like the product of playing in a weak division and in a controlled environment. Put him in Giants Stadium against a good defense with the wind swirling in a big game and he looks like a noodle-armed check-down artist who can't handle getting pushed around.

You actually know how to throw a football in the wind, the cold, and the rain, Joe. Maybe I haven't given you enough credit for that over the years. You're Jersey tough. People who don't believe in you like to dismiss some of your playoff success by pointing to the wild card game against New England two years ago where the Ravens won 33-14, even though you were just 4-of-10 for 34 yards. But what few people know is your hip was so badly bruised in that game, you could barely push off it. And in the fourth quarter, with the Patriots threatening to creep back into the game, you scrambled for a key first down on 3rd-and-7, stretching the ball out over the marker with your right arm. Your teammates -- who knew the bruise on your hip was the color of eggplant -- have never forgotten the guts you showed that day.

I can't defend all your decisions. Sometimes I think Ravens fans, and Ravens coaches, try to cite your "intangibles" to excuse your mediocre play. I cringed when you took a sack against the Texans and knocked the offense out of field goal range. But in general, I think you tend to play well in big moments. You hit Anquan Boldin in the chest in the end zone in the fourth quarter last year against the Steelers in divisional the playoffs. I think if he had caught the ball, a lot of people might view your career differently. But you've never once blamed Boldin. I see quarterbacks throw tantrums all the time when their receivers drop passes. You might shake your head, but I don't know that I've ever seen you go beyond that.

There really is no position in sports like quarterback. There is some stuff that truly does matter that we simply can't quantify. Locker rooms are complicated chemistry sets, and if people don't buy in to the idea that the quarterback can get the job done, it can poison the whole thing. That's one reason I love football. We can break it down 1,000 different ways, but there is still a mysterious, undefinable quality that some quarterbacks have, something that allows them to lead while others follow. People have completely gone overboard trying to apply it to Tim Tebow, but they've been far too dismissive of it with regards to you. You dragged this organization out of the dark ages of quarterback play, and that wasn't easy. You won over a group of cynical veterans as a rookie and helped bring together a divided locker room.

I think people tend to assume playing opposite of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs is the easiest aspect of your job, and it's a luxury every young quarterback wishes he had. But there is flip side to it that we rarely discuss. When you have outsized personalities like Lewis, Reed and Suggs on defense, you're constantly being asked, either consciously or subconsciously, to not screw this up. To not take risks, and be happy winning games 21-17. Matthew Stafford can throw 60 passes, three interceptions, two jump balls to Calvin Johnson in the fourth quarter and he looks like a hero when he wins 49-35. Every time you throw a pass in the fourth quarter when your team has the lead, I feel like I can hear half the fan base let out a collective groan. That's a huge burden to bear.

The Ravens have asked you, over the years, to win your share of gunfights, but most of the time, they ask you to do it with a set of steak knives instead giving you a pair of six shooters. Fans who think you're going to morph into Drew Brees the day Cam Cameron gets a pink slip are kidding themselves a little bit, because you don't have Brees' lightning quick release and you're not the take-charge vocal leader he is. But I really do think you're going to take a step forward if you ever get the chance to run an offense where you're actually allowed to put three wide receivers on one side of the field. Or if you get receivers who can consistently catch. Anyone knocking your dip in completion percentage without acknowledging that your receivers have had trouble separating from coverage and holding onto the football this year is being extremely unfair.

We've arrived at a moment in your career, Joe, where the majority of football fans feel like one game is going to define you. It doesn't seem to matter that every single season you've been in the NFL, you've never failed to reach the divisional round of the playoffs, or that you've won more games than any quarterback in NFL history his first four years in the league. Instead, they look at you and they think "I just don't trust him in big moments."

But I look at you, Joe Flacco, and I see a reflection of this city. You're flawed, to an extent. People from afar tend to mock you and dismiss you. But we've seen you on your best days. We know what you're capable of. We know how much you've grown over the last four years, despite some obstacles put in your way. You don't have to be Tom Brady to win on Sunday. You just have to be the best version of yourself you can possibly muster.

Maybe you were right when you were joking around with the media last week. Maybe you won't get any credit, even in victory. But that's OK. Let everyone believe you're contributing almost nothing. Let them punch numbers into a spread sheet and point out your flaws while overlooking your strengths.

In the end, the man who holds the trophy writes his own legacy, no matter how large the chorus of nonbelievers may be.

Article here...


Byrne Identity: Shannon Sharpe: World Says Ravens Can’t Win

Shannon Sharpe, Phil Simms and Chris Berman all give their take on Sunday’s matchup.

by Kevin Byrne
Jan 20, 2012, 12:20PM


Shannon Sharpe: World Says Ravens Can’t Win

Shannon Sharpe has heard it.
You've heard it.
The Ravens' players and coaches have heard it.
We – the Baltimore Ravens – can't win in New England.
Heck, I've seen a number of reports that say Bill Belichick's team has the easy path to the Super Bowl. The Patriots played at home against a Broncos team with a young quarterback that had been beaten up by the Steelers six days earlier. Now, New England gets a flawed Ravens' team whose “defense isn't what it used to be” and whose offense has been questioned all season. And, it's in the Pats’ backyard.
"Nobody gives you a chance," the Hall of Famer Sharpe, who helped the Ravens to a victory in Super Bowl XXXV in 2000, told the team yesterday (Thursday). Sharpe was in town to interview Ray Lewis for a feature that will be part of CBS-TV's pre-game show on Sunday.
"Nobody thought the Ravens could win in 2000. Joe Flacco, if we had you then, we'd have won easily and more than one Super Bowl," Sharpe told the team in the middle of the practice field at the end of the morning "walk-through."
"I was on a Broncos team that couldn't beat Green Bay (Super Bowl XXXII)," Sharpe said. "They were 12 points better, that's what the experts said. We won (31-24). You're like that team. You know better than the experts. Nobody gives you a chance, and I sense you like that.”

Just In Case, We’re Going To Show Up

"I know what you're saying to all those experts: 'Just in case, we're going to show up.' I can see it. You're going up there with an attitude. You know how good you are. You're the most complete team in the league. I jumped on you early. I said that back in September, and I'm still riding you. Doesn't matter if anyone else thinks you can win in New England. You know you can. You know last Sunday wasn't your best, and you still won a playoff game." Sharpe said.
And, Shannon said a lot more that was meant only for the players and coaches who surrounded him while a cold wind blew across the middle of our Owings Mills outdoor fields. Like he was when he was a leader on the 2000 and the 2001 Ravens, Shannon was powerful with his words, and every one of those was worth hearing. It was a privilege to listen.
Sharpe did have some advice for the players on the Ravens, especially the younger ones. "Listen, before you get on that charter flight on Saturday, tell your girlfriends, tell the wives, tell your friends and relatives to leave you alone. Tell them you'll call them at 6:30 after you've earned a Super Bowl trip. This is business. This deserves all of your attention. That Super Bowl trophy you have in the lobby of your building, it's lonely. She needs a partner, a roommate. That's what you're going to do."

Phil Simms Weighs In

Phil Simms, the winning quarterback and the MVP of the Giants' Super Bowl XXI victory over the Broncos, is broadcasting the game for CBS. Phil called to set up some phone time with coordinators Cam Cameron and Chuck Pagano.
"Do we have a chance Sunday, Phil?" The former quarterback did not hesitate: "Are you kidding? You match up well against the Patriots. Chance? I think it has a chance to be a great game."
That's all Simms needed to get started: "All these experts talking about the way you beat the Texans. Come on! That's one mean, good defense you just played. They're good, really good, and they played well against you.
"And, don't get me started on Joe Flacco," Simms continued. "Did the experts watch the game? Joe didn't miss a throw, not one. I watched every play. Every time he had the opportunity, he hit the guy. And, he made some moves so he could complete other throws. Are these people watching? What was Joe supposed to do with Texans in his face? Throw it up and hope? Sometimes a sack is a good thing. The object is to win the game. You did."
Simms wasn't finished in his defense of Flacco.
"I'm not saying Joe played great against Houston, but he did play very well. I've watched and done many Ravens games. When people are open, and Joe is protected, he delivers. He is accurate. He is tough. He's one of the main reasons you guys keep going to the playoffs and win. Those who say Joe didn't play well against the Texans didn't watch the film. Has anyone talked about how well the Texans' defense played?"
Phil Simms and Shannon Sharpe, two people paid as NFL experts, have me even more fired up about going to New England. But, there's more...

Chris Berman, Who Picked The Ravens, Visited Too

In early September, ESPN's Chris Berman went on worldwide television and said: "The Ravens will win the Super Bowl this season."
We all loved to hear that.
A few weeks ago, Berman called and said: "I'll come visit you in a few weeks, when you're getting ready for the AFC championship."
"Well," I said, "I hope you get to make that visit."
Chris was right, and he was here Wednesday and interviewed Ed Reed for a feature that will be on ESPN's pre-game show this Sunday.
Chris Berman loves sports, and in particular, loves the NFL. And, he has fun with all of it. When he's around, he reminds you that weeks like this are supposed to be fun for teams and fans. His energy burst from his healthy 6-foot-5 frame. He's smart – a Brown University graduate – he's fun, and he gives everyone he meets an enthusiastic response. He's a joy to be around.
When Chris walked out to the indoor field to watch Wednesday's "walk-through," I heard a few "euoops" (the sound Berman makes when describing a fumble) from the players, and many of their heads turned. Coach Harbaugh noticed too. John asked Chris if he would say a few words at the end of the session.
"Boomer," as many of his friends call Berman, made sure (like Sharpe) he did not diss the Patriots. Chris stood in the middle of a large huddle and started: "I think some of you know that I predicted you would win the Super Bowl this year. Now, I can't say I'm rooting for you, but I like you – your coaches, your players – and you could make me look very smart if you win two more games.
"As kids, most of you dreamed of playing in the championship," Berman continued. "That dream is over. You're playing in the championship this Sunday. It's now time to do something about that dream. It's time to win that championship. And, if you want some advice from a guy who has been around for awhile: On Sunday, take 20 seconds and take it in. Maybe do it just before kickoff or in one of those long timeouts we in TV make you take. Look around. Feel it. Smell it. You're in a championship. You earned that. Enjoy that moment."
Well, I'm hoping for a lot of enjoyable moments in New England. I know it's not going to be easy. I know you'll be watching. Let's enjoy it. Here's what I know, there are four teams left. ... 28 NFL teams will be watching us. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are gone. A team we beat on Thanksgiving, the 49ers, said “Adios” to Drew Brees and the Saints. The Steelers are done. It's hard to get where we are, and we earned our right to be here. Let's beat Bill Belichick, Tom Brady and the rest of the Patriots. How much fun would that be?!

Article here...

ARE YOU FIRED UP YET???

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

This'll be Donna & Tony in a Couple Weeks...



I'm jealous...

Weekly Poop 1/18/12

Roost #44 Poop
·         Dates to Remember:
·        Tonight – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox.  Be loud and be proud!  Ox opens at 4, show starts @ 7.  From Eileen: “For Ravens Rap - this Wednesday, Jan. 18th, we're planning a bit of a Media Blitz (Already coming reporters w/ OC Today, Dispatch, Daily Times & WMDT and working on WBOC) So they're showing up at 6pm, so we need as many of you there by then.  (Of course, we still open at 4pm on show days).  Steve will be addressing all of you, so it will be conducted like a mini press conference.  We're telling the media I am inviting - that yes it’s for some publicity for Ravens Rap Show, but more importantly it's to inform everyone about the Involvement the Baltimore Ravens are having this year in conjunction with the Ravens Roost Parade.  Also to show to the Ravens Organization what Steve has been telling them for years: how big people are around here for The Ravens --- therefore, their decision with this year's parade is a "Great One"!! We will be sending them a copy of show.”
·        Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @
·        Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox.   Cost: $23 pp.  Time: 5:30 till?  Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake.  Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda.  All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices.  Give your checks or mail them to Larry or Marie Gerst (36843 West Pond Circle, Selbyville, DE 19975, 302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.
·        Saturday, February 18 – Raven’s Roost #44 Post Football Season Dance, 7-11 p.m. benefiting Roost 44’s charities and featuring the band TRANZFUSION!  Ocean City Elks Lodge Hall – 137th Street Bayside.  $25 pp includes beer, chips, cash bar and money wheel.  For tickets contact: Mary Kendall 302-236-9617 or Ron Apperson 302-436-4790
·        Time again to re-enlist: Dues ($30 per person) are to be paid by the February meeting.  You may pay them at the meeting or mail them to: Jo Ann Elder, 126 Pine Tree Rd., Ocean City, MD 21842.

Ravens Poop
·        The Ravens beat the Texans in the divisional round of the playoffs 20-13.  Now it’s on to Foxboro to take on the New England Patriots for the AFC Championship and a return to the Super Bowl.  Apparently the Ravens have no chance because the Patriots have Tom Terrific and the Ravens have the worst QB to ever buckle up the chin strap.  We shall see…
·        Good news notes and nuggets from Sarah Ellison’s Blog here.  It’s getting to the point where I can hardly stand ESPN, but I do go Jamison Hensley’s Blog here to stay up to date with all of the AFC North news.

Local Poop
·        Saturday, January 28 – Key West Party @ the Ocean City VFW, 66th Street bayside.  $15 per person gets you draft beer and rail drinks, appetizers, island music 2-4 and HH prices 4-7 w/island specialty drinks.  Ernest Hemingway lookalike contest.  2-7pm.  Contact Nelson Kelly @ 302.236.4171 for more information.

Funny Poop
·        After a woman gave birth to her baby, the Doctor stood solemnly beside her bed.  "There is something I must tell you about your baby."

What's wrong?" the alarmed mother asked.

"Your baby is a hermaphrodite."

"What's that?"

"It means your baby has both male and female parts."

"Oh my God, that's wonderful!" the mother said.  "You mean it has a penis and a brain?"

Etcetera
·         Got poop?  Let me know!  I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it.  Your input is appreciated.
·         Be sure to visit our website @ http://www.ravensroost44.com/ or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.
·         Life is short.  Focus on the good.



Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go
And put that ball across the line
So fly with talons spread wide
Go in and strike with Ravens pride
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Ravens dark wings take flight
Dive in and show them your might
For Baltimore and Maryland
You will fly on to victory

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Weekly Poop 1/11/12

Roost #44 Poop
·         Dates to Remember:
·        Tonight – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox.  Be loud and be proud!  Ox opens at 6, show starts @ 7.  We need a good showing – Pappo goes to a significant expense to bring this show to OC and would appreciate a good turnout.  If we have a good showing tonight he is going to try to get local TV coverage for following week.  Steve did a great job on our meeting room, so let's support Blue Ox Ravens Rap.  The Ravens are having a historic year, so let's show our support.  If you can, contact Gary if you are going to show, or just show up.
·        Tomorrow – Monthly Roost meeting @ the Blue Ox, 7:30pm.
·        Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @
·        Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox.   Cost: $23 pp.  Time: 5:30 till?  Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake.  Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda.  All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices.  Give your checks or mail them by next meeting to Larry or Marie Gerst (36843 West Pond Circle, Selbyville, DE 19975, 302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.
·        Saturday, February 18 – Raven’s Roost #44 Post Football Season Dance, 7-11 p.m. benefiting Roost 44’s charities and featuring the band TRANZFUSION!  Ocean City Elks Lodge Hall – 137th Street Bayside.  $25 pp includes beer, chips, cash bar and money wheel.  For tickets contact: Mary Kendall 302-236-9617 or Ron Apperson 302-436-4790
·       

Ravens Poop
·        PLAYOFFS!  The Houston Texans come to town to take on the Ravens, Sunday, 1pm.  The bus leaves 5 ½ hours before game time, which is 7:30am for the mathematically challenged.
·        Te-Bow! Te-Bow! Te-Bow!  Way to send the Terrible Towel-a-ban home!  Be honest; watching Pittsburgh lose Sunday night was almost as good as watching the Ravens win!
·        Good news notes and nuggets from Sarah Ellison’s Blog here.  It’s getting to the point where I can hardly stand ESPN, but I do go Jamison Hensley’s Blog here to stay up to date with all of the AFC North news.

Local Poop
·        Saturday & Sunday – Nautical & Wildlife Art Festival 2012, Ocean City Convention Center, 40th Street and the Bay.  The Shore’s premier presentation of nautical & wildlife artists in residence.  Noted painters, sculptors, model shipbuilders & multi-media artists highlight this annual show.  Admission.  Admission also includes entry to North American Craft Show.  Sat., 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sun., 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.  Donald A. Hastings, 410-524-9177.  duckmandon@comcast.net or www.donaldsduck.shoppe.com
·        Saturday, January 28 – Key West Party @ the Ocean City VFW, 66th Street bayside.  $15 per person gets you draft beer and rail drinks, appetizers, island music 2-4 and HH prices 4-7 w/island specialty drinks.  Ernest Hemingway lookalike contest.  2-7pm.  Contact Nelson Kelly @ 302.236.4171 for more information.

Funny Poop
·        An artist asked the gallery owner if there had been any interest in his paintings currently on display.  "I've got good news and bad news," the owner replied.  "The good news is that a gentleman inquired about your work and wondered if it would appreciate in value after your death.  When I told him it would, he bought all fifteen of your paintings."

"That's wonderful!" the artist exclaimed, "What's the bad news?"  With concern, the gallery owner replied, "The guy was your doctor."

Etcetera
·         Got poop?  Let me know!  I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it.  Your input is appreciated.
·         Be sure to visit our website @ http://www.ravensroost44.com/ or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.
·         Life is short.  Focus on the good.



Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go
And put that ball across the line
So fly with talons spread wide
Go in and strike with Ravens pride
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Ravens dark wings take flight
Dive in and show them your might
For Baltimore and Maryland
You will fly on to victory

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

I wanna be Howie!

Howard Livingston's move from Chicago to Key West, Fla., was part of a lifestyle makeover. His old wardrobe was the first thing to go.
"I had whole closets full of suits and dress shirts and ties and slacks," says the former co-owner and CEO of a firm that made diesel-engine parts. The dapper attire went straight to the Salvation Army. "It was an act of freedom," Livingston says with a laugh. "I decided, 'I'm going to go down there in flip-flops and T-shirts and see what happens.'"

More:
Six On, Six Off: From Corporate Chicago to 'Trop Rock' in Key West - SecondAct.com

Saturday, January 7, 2012

Coach Harbaugh's Saturday Night Speech

Coach spoke to the team last Saturday night before the Bengal's game...


“Men, we’re loose, light-hearted, we’re joyous, and we’re excited because we are something special,” Harbs began. “There’s not an easy way. Anything worth achieving isn’t going to be easy. If it was easy, it wouldn’t be great.

“Is there a man in here who doesn’t want to be great? … I am talking about greatness. Be the best. The best team, the best player, the best coach,” the head coach continued and began pointing at men around the room: “You want to be the best coach, the best rush linebacker – or best defensive player in football? Or, the best quarterback, best fullback, safety – the best football team in the world?

“There is only one way to be great. You have to take it,” John paused and then exclaimed: “Everybody agree? You have to take it. If you decide you want to be great, you will be. And, you can talk about fortune and misfortune, luck and connections and all the other stuff people make up excuses about in their lives. The people who do great things, accomplish at the highest levels, they decide to be great. And nothing gets in the way of that: not an opponent, not fortune, not fate – nothing.

“We’ve done the hard things – the work – to be here. We’ve earned this opportunity,” Harbs said. “Can you say this to yourself: ‘There will be nothing that stands between me and greatness.’ We decide what will happen, not the team in the orange and black. You will not allow that to happen because you will play every single play like your [football] life is on the line.

“When you line up tomorrow, there is only one thing: you and this moment. If you’re a corner, it’s just you and your technique against the guy across from you. On the offensive line, you are in that phone booth, and it’s you and that man across from you. Inside linebackers: you and the triangle read – that’s all there is in the whole world. And everyone plays every play like it’s eternity, like everything is at stake in that moment, because that could be the one moment that wins it for us.

“We’re going to go out there tomorrow with joy. We’re going to have a bounce in our step, and we’re going to have a light heart,” John continued. “We’re going to be nasty, tough men. That’s who the Ravens are. They have not seen this Ravens team. They don’t know what’s coming. Make the most of it!”


Excuse me now, I have to go run through a wall...

Read the whole article here.

Friday, January 6, 2012

Careful on 54 This Weekend

TRAFFIC ALERT - Favorable Weather Conditions Allow for Route 54 Paving Work This Weekend Fenwick Island

In an effort to move the Route 54 Improvement Project toward completion, the Department of Transportation (DelDOT) announces that contractor Mumford & Miller, will be doing paving operations this weekend. Unseasonably warm weather will allow a portion of the project to be paved now instead of in the spring.

This chance to take advantage of the opportunity to do paving during the winter will benefit residents and businesses as DelDOT and the contractor push to finish the $8 million project by summer 2012.

Therefore, beginning on Friday, the contractor will be milling a portion of Route 54 from Zion Church Road to Laws Point Road from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Paving of the same portion of roadway will occur on Saturday and Sunday between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., with some possible finishing work occurring on Monday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Intermittent lane closures will be in place and Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be positioned to alert drivers of the work.

For further information, please contact the Office of Public Relations at (302) 760-2080 or visit our website at http://www.deldot.gov/.

Link

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Weekly Poop 1/4/12

Roost #44 Poop
·         Dates to Remember:
·        Friday – Water Conservation Group Meeting @
·        Wednesday, January 11 – Ravens Rap @ the Blue Ox.  From Eileen: “Since Ravens won & don't play until Sun 1/15, we will do the Ravens Rap show Wednesday, January 11th - thus skipping this week.  But we need to get a count from you all a.s.a.p., please.  And it's fine if you update the number 2-3x, but by Tuesday morning, January 10th, Steve needs a pretty accurate # of how many will be at the show.  As he told Gary, he can't afford to have Bruce come down, if a majority of you won't be coming; like last week in particular, but we've been told, the #s have been dropping.  Eileen.”  Please email Gary by Tuesday, 1/10 at the latest if you plan to attend.
·        Sunday, February 5 – Raven's Roost #44 Annual Jim Martin Super Bowl Party @ The Blue Ox.   Cost: $23 pp.  Time: 5:30 till?  Wings, pork BBQ with mini rolls, crab dip, meatballs, buffalo chicken dip, steamed shrimp, hamburgers/hot dogs with fixings, cheese/veggie tray, cole slaw, potato salad, brownies and lemon jello cake.  Alcohol/beverages included: Miller and Coors light on draft, iced tea, coffee, soda.  All other alcohol will be charged to individual per happy hour prices.  Give your checks or mail them by next meeting to Larry or Marie Gerst (36843 West Pond Circle, Selbyville, DE 19975, 302-436-1767) made payable to Raven's Roost #44.
·        Saturday, February 18 – Raven’s Roost #44 Post Football Season Dance, 7-11 p.m. benefiting Roost 44’s charities and featuring the band TRANZFUSION!  Ocean City Elks Lodge Hall – 137th Street Bayside.  $25 pp includes beer, chips, cash bar and money wheel.  For tickets contact: Mary Kendall 302-236-9617 or Ron Apperson 302-436-4790
·       

Ravens Poop
·        The Ravens beat the Bengals 24-16 to sweep the division, win the AFC North, and earn a first round playoff bye and home playoff game.  The Ravens next game will be at home, Sunday January 15, 1pm against Houston, Denver or Pittsburgh.  Here’s how it shakes out:

Saturday, Jan. 7
AFC: No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at No. 3 Houston Texans (10-6), 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
NFC: No. 6 Detroit Lions (10-6) at No. 3 New Orleans Saints (13-3), 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Sunday, Jan. 8
NFC: No. 5 Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at New York Giants (9-7), 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
AFC: No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at No. 4 Denver Broncos (8-8), 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
In addition to wild-card games, the NFL also released the schedule for divisional games:
Saturday, Jan. 14
NFC: Highest remaining NFC seed at No. 2 San Francisco 49ers (13-3), 4:30 p.m, ET (FOX)
AFC: Lowest remaining AFC seed at No. 1 New England Patriots (13-3), 8 p.m. ET (CBS)
Sunday, Jan. 15
AFC: Highest remaining AFC seed at No. 2 Baltimore Ravens (12-4), 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
NFC: Lowest remaining NFC seed at No. 1 Green Bay Packers (15-1), 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)

·        Ravens running back Ray Rice was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the second time in five weeks.
Rice led all NFL running backs last weekend with 191 yards rushing in Sunday's 24-16 win at Cincinnati.  He scored on runs of 70 and 51 yards to set the team single-season record with 15 touchdowns this year.
This marks the eighth time this season that a Ravens player has been named a player of the week.  Rice has won twice to join wide receiver Torrey Smith and linebackers Terrell Suggs (three times), Ray Lewis and Jarret Johnson.
·        The Ravens 2012 away games: Kansas City, San Diego, Philadelphia, Washington, Houston (and of course Cleveland, Cincy and Pittsburgh).  Where do we want to go?
·        Good news notes and nuggets from Sarah Ellison’s Blog here.  It’s getting to the point where I can hardly stand ESPN, but I do go Jamison Hensley’s Blog here to stay up to date with all of the AFC North news.

Local Poop
·        Nothing to see here…move along…

Funny Poop
·        A business man got on an elevator in a building.  When he entered the elevator, there was a blonde already inside and she greeted him by saying, "T-G-I-F" (letters only).
He smiled at her and replied, "S-H-I-T" (letters only)."
She looked at him, puzzled, and said, "T-G-I-F" again.
He acknowledged her remark again by answering, "S-H-I-T."
The blonde was trying to be friendly, so she smiled her biggest smile and said as sweetly as possibly, "T-G-I-F" another time.
The man smiled back to her and once again replied with a quizzical expression, "S-H-I-T."
The blonde finally decided to explain things, and this time she said, "T-G-I-F, Thank Goodness It's Friday, get it?"
The man answered, "S-H-I-T, Sorry, Honey, It's Thursday."

Etcetera
·         Got poop?  Let me know!  I’m going to try to get this out every Wednesday so if you get it to me by Tuesday I’ll try to include it.  Your input is appreciated.
·         Be sure to visit our website @ http://www.ravensroost44.com/ or our blog @ http://ravensroost44.blogspot.com/ for the latest news, notes and nuggets.
·         Life is short.  Focus on the good.
·         Congratulations, Ravens Roost #44 on your 3rd place win for AGH Penguin Swim!!
·         Playoffs?!?  Playoffs?!?  Damn right!!



Frank

Baltimore Ravens, let’s go
And put that ball across the line
So fly with talons spread wide
Go in and strike with Ravens pride
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Ravens dark wings take flight
Dive in and show them your might
For Baltimore and Maryland
You will fly on to victory