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June 2nd, 2008
It was certainly a game we will never forget. No matter how hard we try, we will never be able to block those images from our minds. Goal #3 was bad enough but when I looked up and saw that 5 on the scoreboard, I really wished someone would wake me up from the nightmare. All there is to say is “What the %^&* happened?” The guys looked sluggish and totally out of sync. Very reminiscent of some U14 games I have suffered through!!! We could only hope this was our lowest point of the season and that we won’t see our team struggling this way again.
Since I let a week fly by before writing this, we have now played another game. I was unable to watch the game since it was exclusively on a station that most people and bars do not subscribe to. Therefore, I was forced to follow the always-exciting Matchtracker - nothing better than reading a soccer match several minutes behind the flow of play!!!! Unfortunately, we lost but it does seem we brought a lot of fire to the pitch - based on the number of fouls and yellow cards. I mean, it’s not like we were playing DC!! But I will need someone to tell me if we had managed to shake off the horrid play of the weekend before.
Now, I would like to go back to May 25. Although the Red Bulls left much to be desired, RagingBullNation had a banner day!!! Starting the day with a BarnStormin’ Brunch is always a winner in my book. We were joined by some very special guests. First, Linda Russo brought her friends from Soldiers Angels. The set-up was fantastic with many pictures and letters from our soldiers. I would like to thank everyone who brought items or donated cash for the collection to send care packages to U.S. service members!! As the letters on display showed, these packages are deeply appreciated. We were also able to send a Thank You note to a soldier. If you were unable to help on the 25th or would like to do more, please visit http://soldiersangels.com/ to find out how you can make a difference in the life of one of our American heros.
In addition, we were also joined by Colm Kirby and his family. Colm was the lucky winner of this year’s “Spend a Day with Johnny Toro”. He and his family enjoyed our spread which included pancakes, eggs, bagels, mozzarella sticks, chicken wings and, of course, hamburgers and hotdogs. With his make-up and horns on, Colm enjoyed the game right next to Johnny the whole time. Congratulations again to Colm and a huge Thank You to all who entered. Once again, all the money raised will be donated to the USO in loving memory of Jerry (Johnny’s dad).
After the game was over (so glad the end finally came), we headed out for a post-game Roadside Roundup. Johnny fired the grill back up, we set up the canopies and tables, took the coolers out again and hoisted the flags (U.S. and Airborne) up high. As if it wasn’t good enough to be hanging out with friends again on an absolutely gorgeous day, we were then joined by about 25 members of our armed forces who had come to the game through the Tickets for Troops program. Although many of these sailors and Marines only stopped by long enough to take some pictures and have a quick soda, several were able to stay and eat and visit. Kudos to Johnny for sending out the invitation to the troops and thanks to everyone for opening up your coolers to share with these very special guests. This made May 25th the most memorable Memorial Day I have ever experienced!!!
Thank You RagingBullNation for being the loving, giving, caring group that you are. Although we may never be ale to forget the game, we will also always remember the rest of the day and that is a great thing!!!
Posted by: RagingBullNation
May 18th, 2008
FOOD and SNACKS:
- Beef Jerky / Slim Jims
- COFFEE (Ground or whole; instant or drip), Hot Chocolate packets, Herbal teas
- Instant Drink Mixes (Gatorade, Kool-Aid, Crystal Light)
- Pumpkin Seeds / Sunflower Seeds (salted and or flavored)
- Tuna in foil pouches (no cans)
- Protein Powders / Protein Bars / Cliff Bars
- *NO CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS from MARCH to OCTOBER (it will melt in high temperatures!)
- Hard Pretzels / Cheetos / Fritos / Chex Mix / Wheat Thins
- Gum and Hard Candy (must be individually wrapped)
- Granola Bars / Power Bars / Cereal Bars
- Small Packs of Fig Newtons, Oreos, Cheese-Its
- Trail Mix, Dried Fruit, Granola, Fruit Roll-Ups / Fruit By The Foot / Fruit Gummies
- DRY SOUP: (Ramen Noodles / Cup-O-Soup: just add water)
- NUTS: Peanuts, Mixed Nuts (salted)
- MICROWAVE FOOD (Popcorn, Chef-Boy-R-Dee, Mac’n'Cheese…)
- COOKIES / Girl Scout Cookies (with chocolate: Oct. - Feb. only!)
- Cheese & Cracker packs
- Condiments, Spices; Sugar; Salad Dressing (no glass jars)
- Oatmeal Packs (Instant: just add water)
- Cereal (Small, individual boxes)
- Rice Krispie Treats (Store-bought only)
- Caffeinated gum or candy (to stay alert)
TOILETRIES: (not HOTEL samples)!
- Baby wipes (travel size)
- Liquid Hand Sanitizer (travel size)
- Body Wash, Liquid Soap, Facial Cleanser
- Shampoo /Conditioner (travel size)
- Hair Gel (for female troops to pull hair back)
- Combs / Brushes, Bobby Pins
- Eye Drops (i.e. Visine)
- Nasal Spray
- Deodorant (travel size)
- Razors (disposable: “Intuition” or “Mach 3″ type)
- Shaving Cream / Shaving Soap (in boxes or tubes; NO CANS of Shaving Cream, please!)
- Cotton Swabs (i.e. Q-tips)
- Band-aids, Gauze Pads, First Aid Kits
- Lip balm / Chap Stick
- Baby Powder & Foot Powder (travel size)
- Loufa Sponges / Buff Puffs / Washcloths
- Tissues (individual packs; travel size only)
- Sunblock, SPF 45, Zinc, Vitamin E, Aloe Vera Gel
- Bug Spray / DEET / Skin-So-Soft
- Hand & Body Lotion / Moisturizer (travel size)
- Mouthwash (travel size)
- Toothpaste & Toothbrushes & Dental Floss
- VITAMINS (multi-vitamins are always needed!)
- Breath Mints / Breath Strips
- Lozenges / Cough Drops
- Nail files / Emery Boards / Nail Clippers
- Feminine Hygiene Products
- Cotton Balls
- Tylenol, Motrin, Advil or Aspirin Packets
- Moleskin
- Shoe Insole Cushions (gel kind is best)
ENTERTAINMENT and SPORTS:
- Batteries: “AA” “AAA” and “C” are the most requested
- DVD Movies (new or used)
- Xbox Games (new or used)
- PS2 Games (new or used)
- Music CDs (new or used)
- Portable CD players / head phones
- Small homemade gifts - little comforts of “home”
- Pens & mechanical pencils
- Stationery & Envelopes; blank cards to send home
- Double-sided tape
- Day planners / Small, Pocket Calendars
- Crossword Puzzles / Word Search Books / Math Puzzle books / MAD LIBS / Logic Problems / Sudoku
- Current magazines
- Current paperbacks
- Yo-Yo’s, Dominoes, playing cards, poker chips, dice
- Board games (UNO, Othello, checkers - travel size is great, too!)
- Nerf footballs / Whiffle balls / Mitts / Sports equipment
- Frisbees / Hackey sacks
- Electronic handheld games
- 35 mm disposable cameras
OTHER:
- Linens: Pillow cases, twin sheets, towels (green & tan)
- T-Shirts: Cotton green & tan under shirts (Sizes: M, L & XL)
[Note: The DOD banned “Under-Armor” shirts due to its material being potentially flammable & bad reactions to open wounds.]
- Small Flashlights (battery operated)
- Air Fresheners
- Socks: Black, Olive Green & White (cotton and/or wool)
- Patriotic knick-knacks, USA flags, flags from your state, bandanas, baseball hats, football jerseys, banners.
- Small alarm clocks (battery operated)
- Generic sunglasses
- Black or Green duct tape, small tool kits, dust masks, carpentry tools, Fly swatters, fly paper, mosquito netting, bug repellant in plastic pump bottles only (NO AEROSOL CANS, PLEASE!)
- Religious booklets, small bibles, inspirational readings
- Small toys & school supplies for Iraqi & Afghani children
Posted by: RagingBullNation
May 12th, 2008
Dear Red Bulls fan,
RagingBullNation is pleased to announce its first fund raising event for the 2008 season.
RagingBullNation salutes United States service members here and abroad with two events on one day.
On Sunday, May 25, one lucky child will get to spend an entire game day with our very own Johnny Toro. Johnny’s picture has been featured in team promotional material, local press, and media from around the world!
The day begins at 11AM with RagingBullNation’s tailgate party in Giant’s Stadium parking lot 15, outside the South Tower entrance. Then the child will get to enjoy the game from The Corral (section 115). When the game is over, we head to the Bulls Corner Pub to meet some of the players and get autographs.
Along with all the excitement, the lucky child will receive:
- 4 tickets to the game (against the Chicago Fire)
- a cow bell
- his/her very own bull horns (just like Johnny’s)
Each entry requires a $5.00 donation. All proceeds will go to the USO in memory of Johnny’s father Gennaro (Jerry) Russo. Children 15 or younger are eligible. Enter on-line at www.ragingbullnation.net. All entries must be received by Tuesday, May 20. The lucky child will be randomly selected and notified by e-mail or phone on Wed., May 21. Donations can be made without an entry.
Also on May 25, RBN will be collecting items to be sent to our Troops overseas. Working with Soldiers Angels, there is a long list of items that are useful for the men and women in uniform. Please visit www.ragingbullnation.net for a complete list of items and bring what you can to the RBN Roadside Roundup (tailgate) in Lot 15 outside the South Tower entrance. Look for the RagingBullNation banners (wind permitting) and American flags.
We appreciate your support of these events!
Thank You,
Keli Sorrentino (aka, “Mama Bull”)
Executive Director
RagingBullNation
Posted by: chief
April 8th, 2008
It finally made sense. The moodiness, short-temper and overall aggravation finally made sense. As I was busy in my kitchen Saturday morning cooking soup and making pasta salad, cleaning coolers and checking my lists, it all made sense.
Winter seemed to go by really fast this year. Work kept me extremely busy, and when you added on the other demands of life, it was hard to keep up. I filled out my calendar with the Red Bull games as soon as the schedule was released. But honestly, it scared me.
I was finding it so hard to keep up with life how could I possibly add on planning, packing, driving to and attending games? And then the thought that all this would be complicated by my sons’ and husband’s (John) soccer obligations. The schedule would surely be daunting. I hoped for Spring to come and yet feared it’s arrival. The closer it got, the grouchier I got. The feeling of being overwhelmed was . . . well . . . overwhelming. It made me feel anxious and mean.
And then I found myself, on Saturday morning, dancing around my kitchen – without music!!! I had already been to the grocery store and Sam’s. I had the soup cooking, the pasta boiling, stuff for the cooler lined up on the counter and drums, banners, poles, etc. lined up in the basement. The list was two pages long – pulled together the night before when I finally found the time. But, I was dancing!!! Why? That is when it all made sense.
I was preparing to see my family members that I had been missing for 5 months!!! I was thinking of everyone who had responded to the Evite and looking forward to seeing them all – YOU ALL!!! I looked forward to seeing those who hadn’t responded or that would just stop by. And then the sun came out – just like a fairy tale. It was the makings of a wonderful day. I couldn’t get things packed up fast enough. Then, lead foot at the ready, we were off!!! I talked to Marc, Tim and Johnny from the road and that just made me more excited.
That ride gave me more time to realize how much this group means to me. I know we all have busy lives. I am not the only person who desperately needs more hours in a day to be able to accomplish everything. We bounce around, day after day, busily planning the next few things we have to do.
Eventually, we find ourselves on Saturday morning, preparing to go to the Red Bull’s match. We can come to Lot 15 and, after lots of hugs, break out our chairs and coolers. And then comes the best part – we get to just hang out with each other. I don’t know about everyone else but that time means the world to me. If the off-season were longer than 5 months, I think I could become dangerous!!
I would probably have been expected to write this first column of the year about the expectations for the team this season. Or perhaps a breakdown of which players did or didn’t do what during the game. On the other hand, I could have stuck with my “Cub’s fan” theme and discussed what it could mean for us this season that we had our first ever opening day with not only warmer weather, but also the sun (end of a curse?).
But I would like to focus on something really important – that I have many wonderful things in my life, and I am so glad I can count RagingBullNation, which means all of you. Sunshine, warm weather and a 2-0 win were just icing on the [birthday] cake, which we thoroughly enjoyed in celebration of our third year together . . . with many more to come!!
MAMA BULL
Posted by: chief
December 19th, 2007
As many of you already know, I am a Chicago Cubs fan. I know you may think this is a very sad thing to admit. Especially here in the New York area with so many fans of a team (you know who you are) who need more then their own set of fingers and toes to count all your Championships.
My usual first thought in April is “will this be the year?”. The typical year, however, follows one of two scenarios. One is that we start out really strong and then die out about two thirds of the way through the season winding up somewhere near (or at) the bottom of the Central Division. The other scenario is that we chug along all season with moments of brilliance and then, usually by the skin of our teeth, we make it to the playoffs. But, alas, the playoffs are a time to see the curse in full action once again and we go home without any type of trophy at all. Sound familiar?
At the end of the season for the Cubs this year (which of course was when we were sent home in the first round of playoffs), there was an article on the teams website titled “What it means to be a Cubs fan”. I read the article even though I know from lifelong experience exactly what it means to be a Cubs fan. But as I read, I found some parallels with what it means to be a Red Bulls fan.
“It means that you always have hope, and that your dreams will come true if you keep believing, “This was the start of the article. Certainly this is true for those of us who were MetroStars fans and now cheer for the Red Bulls. It is what we must do. At times it seems that is all we have is hope. After we blow yet another playoff opportunity, we go home, dust ourselves off and start dreaming about next year. The end of this season and the off season look to be the usual roller coaster ride and challenge our ability to stay the course. First we lose our coach, “the coach”, the one we really thought would bring the winning combination. Who will our leader be now? We wait………. Then we lose our own “Heart of the Bull” winner and fan favorite Joe Vide. And we say goodbye to Cletus once again – he must feel like he is attached to a New York rubber band!!! Who will leave us next?
“That’s OK, because we stay with our team whether they win or lose. There’s a lot of people that bail on other teams.” This is what it means to stay behind a team known as the Lovable Losers. I have not seen my team in a World Series in my entire 43 years. My father, 84, has only seen them there once – and they lost. It makes it seem easy to cheer for the Red Bulls – 12 years is really not that long!!! Soon we will focus on the new players the new coach will start to bring in. We will start to get excited again. We will look forward to the new season and all it could mean to us. We will hope and dream and make plans around the fact that we WILL be in the MLS Cup this year.
The one place where I could not draw any parallels was in the wonderful comments about seeing a game at Wrigley Field. For anyone who has been there for a game, you know how truly special the “Friendly Confines” are. If you have never been there, it is worth the drive to Chicago!!! We Red Bull fans have to look at yet another year in Giants Stadium. But, eventually, we will be in our very own park. A place where we can win a Championship and store the trophies that we will win. A place where we can start a new chapter in our teams history. A place where can hope that next year will be ANOTHER great season.
But, until then we just hope and hold the faith and dream.
We love you Red Bulls – we do.
Even when it seems nearly impossible…………..
- MamaBull
Posted by: RagingBullNation
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