Geoff opened these boards (in this format) for registration five years ago tomorrow (July 13, 2001).

We'll be five years old!

I was going to bake a cake but I think a pie would be more appropriate - a pizza pie!

We've been witness to some events that have changed the world in that short time. We've shared some fun times as well as sad times. Our ranks have grown and happily some of our members have seen their own families grow as well (most recently Yogi Barrabbas'). Sadly we've bid farewell to some loved ones also (most recently Sr. Vitelli's bride, Trish).

I've personally had the good fortune to have made real friendships from these boards... friendships that will last me for as long as I live.

Think about it - many of us end up here when some major news event happens. We get comfort and information from sharing the news. I think that says a lot about our little community.

So, once again, a special shout-out to Geoff thanking him for hosting our home away from home.

Anyone have a favorite moment (from these boards) they want to share?

I remember when Uzi posted his Mama Corleone is dead thread and everyone started posting their pictures. It was great to put fresh faces to posts of people we felt we knew already.

I used to love the Melting Pot threads. Aren't we due for another? :p The "survey" threads were nice where people gave mutliple choice questions and we had to decide how well we knew our fellow bber's.

Of course, we can't forget how we shared our memories when we were here on 9/11.

And last but not least, the days of marveling at Snake's "ass".

...not to mention Vercetti's veiny ass.

Happy Bday Boards here to many more years

Happy Birthday to the best boards on the Internet

Happy Birthday Gangster BB. I have met some of the greatest people on earth on and off the boards. I always get a good laugh or a migraine reading the debates. Another great thread is reading Neal Pulcawer news articles. Thank you so much Don Geoffy for giving us the best web site.
Also a big thank you goes to Geoffy and the Mod's for keeping it great.

I've been here a year, and it's been great. Good people all around.

Is this the best BB in the world or what??? I first discovered and posted here just over 4 years ago. Little did I know it would become another "home" for me.

Like a family, we've had ups/downs, disagreements/make-ups, shared in each others joys & sorrows and for the most part, have more or less become a part of each other's lives.

I too have made what I'd like to think as lasting friends, regardless of the miles that separate us.

Thank you Geoff for giving us all the opportunity to meet each other here. You and SC are to be credited for your superior moderation of the BB. Pat yourselves on the back!

In keeping with my usual tradition, I suggests we have an "open house" chat in the chatroom tomorrow. Join whenever you can, however many times you like; ;or just stop in and say hello.

Again, Happy Birthday BB, and a big thanks to our wonderful leader Geoff.


TIS

What can I say?? I have read posts that moved me to laughter, and sometimes to tears. I am especially thankful to these boards for bringing me my Plaw, who has turned out to be a dear and wonderful friend (only admitting that because he's on vacation and probably won't read it, therefore I can avoid feeding his already massive ego).

I have met some of the most fun, caring and considerate people through these boards. I remember being so very, very scared last July when we met in New Jersey, but DC kept reassuring me that I had nothing to fear. I was convinced that I was going to meet a bunch of ax-murdering white-slavers (okay, some of them WERE, but...) and I can't even begin to describe how much fun I had with everyone. And I've enjoyed the few dinners I've had since then just as much.

Although there are some I've only talked to here on the boards, it's always an interesting place to tune into. Where else could you meet people from all over the globe and learn about so many different cultures and viewpoints?

JG, thank you so much for giving us this place of refuge. It has been a welcome respite from the chaos that is life. And another thanks to the mods for doing such a great job in keeping us all on our best behavior. Mille grazie e cent'anni!!

(and as you read that last part, I know you were all doing Deanna in your head - Cent'anni? What's that?)

Or posts that I laughed so hard I got tears like the frozen cheesecake one

Just think 5 years ago today we didn't even know the other people here existed. It just blows my mind. Sort of like shroons.

What fantasy sport geek here can forget when someone started a baseball game, insisting you just had to pick a player at each position, and stay under the salary cap. You could set it and forget it if you chose. (Wish I could find the exact thread that was in. Guess it was deleted to hide the evidence).

Happy birthday GBB!!

-Barzini.

I can't top SC's eloquent paen to these boards, nor all the other well-deserved kudos.
For me, it's the pleasure of having a friendly, congenial place to be at any time of day or night, where I can meet and interact with witty, intelligent, well-informed people who share a love of GF and gangster stuff--and a regard for each other. Plus, the pleasure of meeting some of the wonderful folks here in person is something that'd never have happened without our Don.
Geoff, you deserve a Nobel Peace Prize for the peace, civility, knowledge and sheer pleasure you've brought to literally thousands of people, literally around the world, through the Boards you so generously host. Bravo!

Happy Board-day everyone!

Haha, wow. Five years and I've been part of them all. Scary considering I still regard myself as one of the young members.

Thanks JG for keeping this place going, I know you've faced many challenges of the upkeep of the BB and the idiots that have caused you stress (on occasions me - but I think that's well well behind me).

And also many thanks to the moderators. SC from near the beginning and Plaw and Cardi to follow.

Well, considering you were the first to post on these new boards, it took you long enough to write something about the anniversary. :p

I can't SWEAR to it, but I THINK Turi was the first member to actually post a message here. I don't remember what the message said but it was probably something like, "Damn, I spilled my beer".

I guess thats our equivalent of breaking a bottle of champagne against the side of the ship

Happy Belated Birthday to the boards!

My favorite thread, of course, is the first year of Baseball Challenge, when we were all rookies and as Bethie said earlier, some little bird told us that the game was easy - just set it and forget it.

If I saw that little bird now, I'd tell it to shoo! :p

This board is great. It's been one of my first stops in the morning for the last five years and I've met some of the nicest and witty people I've ever known. Here's to another 5!

The best were Uzi's threads.

I understand that there was a party going on around here!
Nineteen lousy posts and you people call this a party?


No peppers and sausage? No wine?

Where is the band? The cake? The dancing girls?

Things have sure changed a lot since the old days. A whole lot of new faces too. And for crying out loud, look at those post numbers! I saw one person with 30,000 posts?

You know this board has lasted longer then some people's marriages.

Nice to see you come out of the woodwork, Cam! But it's only been what, 6 months? :p

I actually got an email from Anton the other day, so who knows, maybe he'll pop in to say hi. I do miss LDV, tho, I think it's been almost a year.

Cam posting again?

Was someone holding an 8 mm video camera or something?

Welcome back, if you're back for good.

Holy canoli!!!!! Cam????? How the heck are you?


TIS

Five years old! My how you've grown. Run, Forrest, Run!

I stumbled on the site while looking for Godfather quotes. Then I was afraid someone would steal my identity, so I disguised myself as a woman. Then out of the closet I came. My family is still afraid that everyone here are really gangster. That's why they won't let me go to those dinners.

Unfortunately I now have a job where I have to work all day (not like most of youse). Cheers, peace and continued success to our Godfather and his Frankensteinesque creation. SMOKE, Goooooood!

They still exist. Uzi's threads and Cardi's 9/11 threads are the only survivors I think.

Anyway, this board is still a baby. Hail to the days of the "old scarface boards"!

Cheers GBB, JG, SC and everyone!
JG - speech please.
Plaw - breakdown please.

Congrats JG, for running one of the best Message Boards on the Intermet.

Sincerely....I don't know what I'd do without it, not to mention the several true, real-life friends I've made here over the years.

If it's a nervous breakdown you're looking for, I've already had a few.

If you're waiting for me to break down and start crying for happiness.....

I have to say, I'd sure miss this place too, if it ceased to exist. Because of the BB:

1. I finally got the "push" I needed to get my butt to NYC, a city I've wanted to visit all my life.

2. I found out that I wasn't the only diehard GF fan and came to this board thinking I was pretty well informed. Boy, I sure found out differently. I've learned so much, enjoyed so many different theories, opinions and insights from those so much more knowledgeable on the subject than I.

3. I probably would have never called in to a radio station to answer GF trivia and enjoy hearing many of my on-line friends on the air.

4. I feel too, that I've met personally true friends, and via cyberspace, some of the nicest people all over the world.

Do you really think say 5 years from now, we'll all still be posting here??? 10? Why we may still be here in fifty years to see Vercetti, DMC, DJ and FS as old men. Let's see, I'll be what? 130 by then. Give me a blue drink and I'll toast you all!!! :p

You guys are all a lot of fun to talk and laugh with. Don't like fighting though.

TIS

What is FS doing in that list? hes not one of the youngsters...I think.

Plaw - "post breakdown" please- this is the real thing, not one person but the entire board, get to work fella!...we'll talk about your mid-life crisis some other time, I promise!

Fame,

Maybe you're right. I always thought FS was one of the younger members. Then again, everyone is a younger member to me. :p