I have yet to encounter any commentary concerning the impact of both Internet restriction bills upon both Lighthouse Hockey and SB Nation, at least as we've enjoyed them to date.....while I and no doubt most of you can certainly appreciate the restriction of sites that sell pirated jerseys and the like, it's absolutely unforgivable that the NHL, like the other major sports leagues, is blindly supporting acts that will severely impact our quality of life, on this site and well beyond - no more humorous links to YouTube, or Twitter copies, or even photos that have controlled images.....if these thoroughly repulsive bills are allowed to pass, our lives will become hellishly complicated and treacherous like never before - what's being said ISN'T just mere hyperbole (lest anyone think as much, have discovered that a site displaying the names of over 300 businesses that DO support them, and one I intended to include a link for within, appears to have been been taken down in the time it took to compose this FanPost).....the companies blindly endorsing SOPA and its evil twin need to be reminded, in NO uncertain terms, who and what is MOST responsible for their business - and they need to be thoroughly punished for their lapse in reason as well as objectivity.

Moderato's Note: Bumping ogam5's Bridgeport exhibition thread up to help people firm up plans for a meet-up.

Update - Sept. 18:

Wanted to get a better sense of what was happening with it as there's only 2 weeks before Oct. 1....I'm DEFINITELY in, but how do we want to proceed with trying to coordinate our efforts?  Need to firm this up if I'm indeed going to go, I would think.....

Original Post (Aug. 31):

I am leaning toward nabbing a ducat for the Bridgeport exhibition game October 1st against Boston (anyone know what the prices are? Haven't had a chance to look into it yet) and was wondering who else is planning on going - maybe we could try and coordinate a meet up of sorts?  BrassBonanza? Bill? Anyone? (the preceding was just me padding the post to 75 words. Oh, still ten to go....and five.....and three.....DONE:)

.....courtesy of New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo (as well as, astonishingly, New Jersey's Christie, a staunch conservative Republican) ; not sure how many of you are already aware of the pending draconian toll increases for entering and leaving NYC, but as of next month, crossing the Throgs Neck or Whitestone is going to cost me $16, and by 2015, these economic morons will cost me $30 should I want to attend a game one Saturday night. THIRTY FUCKING DOLLARS just to patronize the goddamned city, including Brooklyn and Queens. And should someone dare to visit outside its limits while on vacation, well, I'm sure you can all do the math: SIXTY FUCKING DOLLARS. An absolute and inexcusable disgrace, especially when SO many people are suffering in these unrelentingly bad times, and this unbelievably arrogant cable magnate (jeez, NO shortage of those, what with my elderly aunt having to pay a ridiculous minimum monthly bill for Optimum courtesy of James Dolan who, unfortunately, is the one damned person other than Charles Wang keeping the Islanders - as we've known them, anyhow - alive.....) says, like so many public officials and business owners of late, 'let them eat cake'.

This decision, should it pass unchallenged (if it even CAN be thwarted) will do irreparable damage to Long Island (and the City's) tourist industry as well as further isolate and gentrify the former; the message this clearly sends is: you had BETTER be able to pay if planning to patronize the City Of New York. But IT will pay too, a ghastly price for such incredible shortsightedness - Bloomy has sealed his fate in terms of getting another term, indeed, his entire political career may be deep-sixed and I won't shed ANY tears if so - saw him as being another disingenuous, opportunistic parasite almost from the outset.....Democrats wonder what drives more and more wavering New York independent voters into the arms of the Republican (and soon, the Tea) Party? But with sheer idiocy such as this action, do they REALLY have to give it much thought? Too bad they didn't give more before deciding to gouge; no, pillage anyone who dares associate themselves with the world's most popular destination - until 2015, that is.....

As someone who has participated in a few political campaigns and initiatives, I want to make a big suggestion: if you're planning to be part of the support effort this Monday, DON'T go overboard with the Islanders garb - it creates a tension with those who haven't come to a firm decision about their vote, the perception of singular interest as an Islanders fan and very possible resentment factor who don't, unbelievable as it may sound, care much about hockey or sports.

In fact, it may be better to skip the mapcrest altogether, counterintuitive or wrong as that may sound - the displaying of blue, orange and white is fine given they DO double as the County colors. Remember, as is being reiterated by many media outlets and the team, the Nassau County voters who AREN'T diehard fans need to be swayed by the complete economic merits and consequences to them PERSONALLY, not as hockey fans but as people trying desperately to make ends meet.....the more they can embrace our genuine concern/empathy, the better chance we have of winning them over!  Another thing: these players aren't just talented, but great people - a selling point reinforced by their frequent and eager outreach to the community; if someone wants to talk Islanders, this is a most powerful tool to bring them around.....

Yesterday, as some of you may have deduced from a previous comment, I received my last unemployment check - predictably, I was very demoralized by that development!  But a development no less demoralizing would be the inevitable loss of the New York Islanders from my life, a favorite constant in it for 36 years now, and those of so many kindred spirits I've come to know on this blog.  It was in this sense of desperation that I contacted the team's public relations department an hour ago and presented to them this idea: that I would send a personal check for $58 to whichever Nassau County government concern would do the most good. Not only that, but, contingent upon feedback from the PR office (and my finally obtaining reliable employ, of course!) I'm prepared to send the same amount every year following for the rest of my life.....

Now, there may be some very legitimate legal problems with it due to perceptions of possible improprieties (at least in terms of my sending more than one such payment). and, again, I won't know for sure until hearing back from David in Islander P.R. But here's my thought: if every last one of us outside the county and LI could send the same amount as well before August 1st as recommended by Islander management, it could be suitably publicized in various national media streams, would be an undeniably strong statement as to how very much the Islanders truly mean to us, one that just couldn't be ignored completely, and maybe sway a good number of voters still on the fence.....

There are a pair of parallels already in my past to take faith from; having attended the open hearing in 2000 to offer testimony as to how the Islanders profoundly impact all our lives, Nassau County and Long Island, I know how very appreciated doing so was by the bench; second, Marillion toured North America in 1997 on their This Strange Engine/Tour only because $60,000 was raised by fans like myself.....such gestures DO have immense value and aren't merely cheap publicity stunts when the reasons for them are effectively articulated.....

I will inform everyone once I know more.....if there are further ideas others on this blog have along similar lines, please share!

Jim

.....brutal disciplinary decisions - am reading a book primarily based in Scotland, and the author recounts:

"Let us retrace our steps to Meggernie Castle. This place had a wild and colourful history. Built about 1585 by 'Mad' Colin Campbell, it was originally a square tower house. Some years prior to building Meggernie, Colin received a violent blow to his head, which reputedly made him unpredictable. 'Gorach' ('foolish') was the term the Highlanders used......"

And this:

"A short distance away were the ruins of Finlarig Castle. The remains of this decaying pile includes the grim beheading pit at the foot of the castle windows, where Grey (my note: 'Greg'?) Colin Campbell held out the hand of friendship to the chief of the MacGregor clan and his two sons. Little did the MacGregors realize that they themselves were to be the climax of festivities. They were dragged out, all three of them, and lost their heads to the beheading pit.

The son of Grey Colin, Black Duncan of the Cowl was to become even more infamous than his father for his atrocities....." (in other words, any distrust of the Bruins' representative of that family may NOT be misplaced!)

And still MORE:

"The church at Balquhidder has two cup-mark leys running through it. This is where the famous outlaw, Rob Roy MacGregor lived (my note: yes, THAT 'Rob Roy'). The beauty of this area is breathtaking, the cruelty of past generations, frightening. One of the cruelest stories in the Highlands is connected with this picturesque little church. One day the McDonalds (my note: possibly mine, and A-Mac's, ancestors - TBD)  were poaching deer in Glenartney, where they were caught by the 'keeper', Drummond of Drummonderoch. He cut off (cropped) their ears. Some time later the McDonalds took fearful revenge when they ambushed Drummond and beheaded him, then they carried the head in a plaid (a kilt which could be used as a blanket) to the home of his sister at the side of Loch Earn....."

My notes: The Campbells picked up where Drummond had/was left off, slaughtering almost all of clan Ranald at Glencoe, and these scenes are hardly unfamilar to anyone who's watched either Rob Roy or Braveheart - point being, A-Mac should be extremely grateful Colin relinquished the Wheel Of Justice - for all we know, it might well have taken Andy's head off in the event of future disciplinary action!

UPDATE Feb. 10:

I'm now making all 3 Fisherman/Lighthouse era caps available for $60 + $10 shipping instead; realize one of them is the least visually interesting so it's more or less included FREE - please let me know ASAP in anyone is still interested as I'd like to pick up a ticket for the Friday March 11th game against the Bruins with the money I receive from this sale.....thanks!  Eric, I've emailed you already.....

P.S. If anyone can troubleshoot me on how to upload photos (not evident at ALL; how do I create a url from scratch?) that would be very much appreciated!

****[original post follows]****

Not sure if I'm in the right place to list these, but have owned (3) vintage white Islanders fisherman logo caps since 1995 and am looking to sell them; know that this may not be an interested community (given how detested the design seems to be!) but there has definitely been a steady interest on eBay - has become kind of kitschy or camp to wear anything with it - jerseys both replica and authentic almost always sell:

1. (Never worn, made by Sports Specialties for NHL Center Ice collection)  features 1.25" lighthouse logo in bottom front of vertically-distorted ISLANDERS in serif font w/blue & white fisherman logo set against 1/6th-sized horizontally-lined triangle from peak of cap (almost NO yellowing). Navy blue bill/visor   Price: $19.99

2.  (Barely worn, made by Starter) features vertically-arched wordmark w/ ISLANDERS in slightly distorted serif (black w/individual teal outline) and small fisherman logo in colors on left side, 1st triangle (NO yellowing). White bill/visor  Price: $9.99

3.  (Worn no more than 6 times, made by 'The Game') VERY rare full colors fisherman logo across most of cap (slightly distorted to space limitations) highly prized amongst collectors of 1995-1997 related memorabilia (some minor yellowing; will attempt to remove before sending). Navy blue bill/visor w/ diagonal 'NEW YORK Islanders'  80's-90's authorized wordmark in white and orange on left corner  Price: $29.99

(NOTE: none of them were ever exposed to direct sunlight). Checking eBay, the starting list price for most vintage Islanders caps has shot up in the last few months; some of the NON-fisherman/lighthouse caps are listing as 'Buy It Now' items at $100 (!) although I don't think the sellers will get that much for them in this economy and with a somewhat limited market. If you're interested, I can send pictures of them all shortly.....

Pulled the trigger on an online ticket for the Wednesday night game (NO service charge whatsoever with that option!) and have already contacted a couple of regulars on this site; awaiting a reply from one as I compose this. Is there anybody from here with plans to attend either game as well?  Maybe we can coordinate as the seats are general admission, and at $5, I can easily get a ticket for Thursday night's game instead....please let me know? Thanks!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I, 'The Metal Chick' and a couple of her close friends will be headed over to Social's just down Hempstead Turnpike for Karaoke with Bob (and possibly Carol) at 9:30 and a few drinks - whoever'd like to join us is entirely welcome - the more the merrier! I will be singing Krokus as discussed in a thread some time ago and likely a Dio-related song, but people have told me in the past I don't sing half-bad so it won't be excruciating:)  Let me know if you might stop by so I can be on the lookout for ya - I'll be wearing the white Islanders jersey with the number 75 (to signify the year I switched my allegiance) pictured in my photo icon

Jim Cayon