Thursday, February 11, 2016

Blues Casino Night Recap

                Last week I posted an update about trying to win a ticket to the St. Louis Blues Casino Night fundraiser by writing a persuasive essay on why I deserved the ticket.   The good news is that I won the ticket.  The great news is that it was one of the coolest experiences of my life.  And the questionable news is that the night had exactly the kind of talking points that you have come to expect from me and I’m fully prepared to tell you all about it.

“Come one, come all to the greatest spectacle
on Earth: Ryan making an ass of himself.”

                Since the theme of the night was “Under the Big Top,” I thought the best option for my attire was my black suit with a red dress shirt underneath to really make it pop (I have a keen fashion sense).  My black suit jacket just happened to be covered in glitter from Halloween (because sometimes I do things).  In my mind, this was not an issue at all because, if anything, the glitter just meant that I would look extra fabulous for the event.   In person, it was clearly glitter and I definitely looked fabulous.  In pictures, the glitter ended up looking like I had some serious dandruff issues.  Lesson learned.

“Hey man, why does your dandruff sparkle?”

                So anyways, I got to my table and made friends with all the people I would be sitting with.  I got myself a few drinks and scoped out the bathroom (because I know how important finding bathrooms are before you actually need them).  As it turned out, the bathrooms for this event were in the visitor’s locker room.  This was interesting because, while I’d seen the home locker room before, I had never seen the visitor’s locker room (nothing spectacular but I’m curious) and also because one of the urinals in there was child-height and it was really amusing to imagine a bunch of hockey players using a pint-sized pisser (I’m immature).  After finding the bathroom, I went back to my table and prepared to gorge on the food that was being brought out, while also silently panicking that I’d spill half of it on my tie (because I know who I am and what I’m about).  It was during this massive caloric intake that I discovered the table right behind mine was chock full of Blues players.  Very exciting!
So I snapped this sneaky selfie. #Creeper

                Once dinner was over with, it was time to hit the floor, do some gambling and rub elbows with the stars.  There was almost no part of this that I was prepared for.  First of all, I’m terrible at gambling.  Each attendee was given $5,000 in Blues Bucks when they walked in the door to gamble with, so at least it wasn’t my own money because it didn’t go well, but more on that later.  As for the rubbing elbows with the stars, I had a real roadblock as to how I was supposed to address these guys.  As I thought about it, I realized that I know all of these guys on the team by first name, last name and nicknames.  But it’s not like I’ve ever been formally introduced to them, so how do I talk to them?  Vladimir? Steen? Mr. Elliott? Shatty? Pauly Walnuts?  What I eventually settled on was just avoiding using names altogether and saying things like “Hello there!” and “Hey dude!”  I also at one point told goalie Brian Elliott’s wife that, “I’m pretty sure he’s a keeper,” because I am equal parts punny and awkward (which I think actually just means I’m doubly awkward).

                And of course, now we get to the gambling part, which I already mentioned that I’m awful at.  I went around to a few different tables but ended up spending most of the night playing craps.  My personal favorite part of gambling was when I stepped away from one of the tables and put a handful of chips in my jacket pocket only to find that said pocket had a hole in it.  Thankfully, the chips didn’t spill onto the floor because they ended up trapped inside the lining of my coat, floating around in some sort of black hole within my clothing.  I was not about to just let $800 in chips disappear inside my suit coat forever, so I spent several minutes awkwardly twirling around the casino floor as I tried to fish the chips one-by-one out through the same hole they had disappeared through.  Hopefully, I looked more like I was just enjoying the music and not so much like a t-rex trying to scratch his bellybutton, but I make no promises.   When gambling was over with, everyone was supposed to use their chips to buy tickets to use in a raffle.  Remember how I said I’m awful at gambling? Well, by the end of the night I actually didn’t even have enough chips to buy a single raffle ticket.  Luckily for me, I must have a pitiful face or something because the lady exchanging chips for raffle tickets felt bad for me and gave me a raffle ticket anyways.  I did not win anything in the raffle.  I expected this.

                After all of this, the night was winding down so I met back up with the people who were sitting at my table so that I could say some more of my trademark stupid shit to make sure that I was imprinted in their memories.  I also got a cupcake on the way out and it was delicious but I waited to eat it until I got home because I was worried about getting icing in my beard, since I already had glitter on my suit.

                And of course, this post would not be complete without a photo dump.  All jokes aside, it was an awesome night and I’m really glad I got to experience it.

 












-Ryan

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Hotline Bling?

                Previously, I made a post about a girl who had chlamydia and how I freaked out about it but thankfully have never contracted any STIs myself.  One thing that a lot of people don’t know about me is that at one point in my life, I worked at an STD/STI hotline.  For about a year, I worked for a counseling/testing hotline.  People would call up the hotline, we would have to listen to their symptoms and stories, (usually) calm them down and get them scheduled for testing based on what they were most likely at risk of based on what they told us.  It was certainly not the most glamorous job, but it was decent pay and not particularly difficult. 

                Now, as you would expect, I had to learn a lot about sexually transmitted diseases in order to properly direct the callers to the proper test panel that they’d need.  To be perfectly frank, I learned more than I ever wanted to know about that stuff and for the most part am still terrified of sex, kissing, hand-holding, being in public or even being looked at the wrong way because people in general are nasty and do disgusting things.  To prove my point, I have held on to one particular phone call during my time there as basically the apex of gross ridiculousness.  I think you’ll agree.

Me: “Private Health Testing, this is Ryan, how can I help you?”
Caller: “I have AIDS.  I know it.  I need to get tested.  My life is over.”
Me: “Calm down, sir.  We’ll get you through this and set up with the appropriate test.”
Caller: “I’m ruined.  I’m dead.  I just know it.  I’ve got AIDS.”
Me: “Why don’t you describe what happened and your symptoms that lead you to believe you’ve contracted HIV, sir?”
Caller: “My wife is going to find out.  My whole life is ruined.”
Me: “Sir, what happened?”
Caller: “I…I was in a hotel room.   I rented a porno and I started getting really turned on and….Oh god, I’m so fucked.”
Me: “I’m still here, sir.  Please continue.”
Caller: “I got really into the porno and I put the hotel tv remote up my butt.  Oh god, that thing was probably crawling with diseases.  My wife is going to leave me when she finds out I have AIDS.”
Me: “Well, sir, don’t worry.  That’s not how you get HIV.  But you probably shouldn’t do that anymore.”
Caller: “Are you sure?”
Me: “Yes.  Other people need to use those remotes, too.”
*click*

                I do regret that I didn’t get a chance to ask if he was able to adjust the volume my clinching his cheeks while the remote was in his butt.  I’m also totally terrified of using any hotel remotes ever again.


-Ryan

Monday, February 1, 2016

Blues Casino Night

I’ve posted before about my love for hockey and,specifically, the St. Louis Blues.  Well, recently (today!) an opportunity came up to attend a very cool Blues event, their annual Casino Night fundraiser, and all I had to do was write a 500 word essay as to why I should be chosen to attend.  I mean, I write things all the time and usually there is no prize involved whatsoever (other than the adoration of my readers, right?), so writing an entry for this was really a no-brainer (my favorite kind of brainer).  I also thought it would be fantastic to post on here because if I’m going to write something I would like to use it as a free update to my blog (also because it probably has a joke or two in it).  I think it's also interesting that I've been slow to write updates lately but I busted this out almost immediately (it's amazing what happens when you dangle a carrot in front of my face). Because I’m a perfectionist (also nerd), I hit exactly 500 words for my essay.  And because I care about you, I went ahead and highlighted those 500 words in gray so you know exactly what my submission is.  So prepare for me to take the podium and present my case:

This is a nice podium.  Also, this is how you pander.


Obviously, you don’t want just any schmuck going to Casino Night, and I can assure you that I’m not just any schmuck.  I’m True Blue (but still a schmuck in my own regard). You want to vet my Blues fandom?  I’m 28 and can’t even remember a time when I wasn’t a Blues fan (and it’s not because I’ve drank too much in my life, probably).
Look at that little Blues fan!

When I was younger, I was once grounded when I was supposed to go to a game. I had my ride pull the car up outside, action-rolled under the garage door, dove into the car and had the driver speed off before my mom had a chance to yell at me.  Consequences were totally worth it, plus I felt like an action star.  My dad once took a trip to Chicago and brought me back a Blackhawks shot glass as a souvenir.  I threw it in the trash right in front of him because that’s where garbage belongs.  I don’t believe there’s any excuse for walking out of a game and not honking your horn 3 times while driving home.  If I leave a game and still have my voice, I consider it a personal failure.  I fall into a deep state of depression in the off-season.  I coerced my favorite bar into creating a Blue Note shot for my friends and I to down with every goal (while I stand on a chair, swinging my shirt and counting them out).
Even my booze loves the Blues.

You’ll also probably want a pretty cool person with you.  And I don’t think I’ve ever actually been a cool person but I can confidently say that I’m fun to hang out with.   Not to toot my own horn, but I’m pretty hilarious (toot toot!).  You wanna hear some funny stories, jokes and anecdotes?  I got you covered.  You wanna talk hockey, I can do that too (that’s why I’m here!).  You having a bad day and need a hug?  No worries bro, I got you.   Because I’m not the guy the table needs, I’m the guy the table deserves (or maybe the other way around; I never quite understood that quote).

I’ve also done this.  Not sure if it helps my case.

But it’s not just about the fact that I’m a genuine Blues’ fan, either.  You need a sob story to seal the deal.  Since there is only 1 ticket up for grabs, guess who not only doesn’t have to worry about anyone being bummed that he’s going without them but who also couldn’t even find someone to go with him if he tried.  I mean really, I’ve seen more Blues playoff series over the last 4 years than I’ve had dates.  And even though the Blues only won 1 of those series, they’ve had a better success rate than the dates (and I was more devastated by the Blues’ losses).  And you know, in the midst of all that desperation, I still swipe left on Blackhawks fans.   Because I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life.  Let’s go Blues!

Look, sometimes I do things. I don’t have to explain myself.

                Naturally, I’ll have to report back on whether or not this submission gets any traction, but I hadn’t planned on abandoning this blog and I’ll probably have to make a post about whatever shenanigans I get into should I get the chance to attend or I’ll write something about how sad I am and how many pints of ice cream I end up eating if I lose.  Either way you win (unless you don’t like reading what I write, in which case, why are you even here?).


-Ryan

January 2016 Joke Round-Up

Another month gone, another compilation of jokes from me.  I had to put the 2016 in the title now because I already have a January Joke Round Up from last year (that I posted in April because whatever) and have somehow managed to miraculously keep writing new jokes.  Do I still need to keep writing intros for these Joke Round Ups?

1/1
This guitarist has an iPad attached to his mic stand and is reading the music as he goes and the singer is reading the lyrics off her phone. Is this an actual band or is it karaoke night?

1/2
When we're kids we're all taught to use our imagination and play pretend. I think that's because our parents knew we'd spend our adult lives pretending like we've got our shit together.

1/3
It might be a confidence issue when women are even turning me down in my dreams.

1/4
Deep down, I think all any of us really wants is to be the person that someone else thinks about whenever they hear "Everytime We Touch" by Cascada.

1/4/2014
I got a cocktail shaker and some shot pourers for Christmas. So I've been spinning liquor bottles while dancing in my underwear to "Danger Zone" and shouting "Show me the money!" because I'm not sure which Tom Cruise movie is which.

1/5
I'm a pretty daring guy. I like to sleep with my feet out of the covers and hanging over the edge of the bed. #‎NoFear

1/5/2014
The Weather Channel has been naming winter storms now. Looking forward to this spring when we have Thunderstorm Beth, Strong Breeze Greg and Sunny Day Tiffany.

1/5
I like to drink beers that describe who I am as a person.




















1/6
I hope to one day own enough treadmills to recreate that OK Go music video in my living room, because I'm getting tired of being kicked out of gyms. #‎DareToDream

1/7
Me: "When I die somebody will have to log into my account and keep posting so it looks like I'm haunting Facebook."
#‎Knuckles: "I'll check you in at Blues games and the bar."
Kyle: "I'll tag you at the cemetery."

1/8
Donald Trump announced today his campaign to take over as the new head coach of the Blues. His bid to coach the team is highlighted by the motto Make The Blues Great Again. When asked how he could successfully lead the Blues to a Stanley Cup, he was quoted as saying, “Look. We can bring the Cup Dream back. That I will tell you. We’re bringing it back. Okay? And I understand what you’re saying. And I get that from so many people. ‘Are our Cup dreams dead?’ They’re asking me the question, ‘Is the Cup Dream dead?’ And the Cup Dream is in trouble. That I can tell you. Okay? It’s in trouble. But we’re going to get it back and play some real hockey. How about the man with that beautiful Blues sweater? Stand up! Stand up! What a sweater!”
Blues owner Tom Stillman could not be reached for comment.














1/9
I like when you're out trying to talk to new people and you can see them mentally swiping left on you.

1/11
I usually keep my hockey bag in my car on game days but today I'm keeping it inside because I have no desire to put on an ice-cold cup tonight. #‎FullDisclosure

1/11
Hmm...I guess all those people who told me I looked like him were right after all.
 













1/12
Currently loading my iPod up with Whitney Houston and Kenny Loggins. I am an enigma.

1/12
I notice a lot of people are upset about the Rams leaving St. Louis. Truth be told, I'm not terribly well versed on the situation, so I did what I always do and took to Google to do a bit of my own research before forming an opinion. According to this map that I found this area is not, in-fact, a good environment for rams to thrive in.

















1/13
Just paid off another school loan. Adult accomplishments are weird.

1/13
I'm actually kind of relieved that I didn't win the Powerball because now I'll know that all the women who aren't dating me aren't doing it because of my money.

1/14/14
If I had a nickel for every time I've been rejected, I could afford to take some lucky lady out on a really fancy dinner date. But I'd probably just end up eating alone twice instead.

1/14
Just gonna leave this right here.




















1/14
I look so sophisticated with this outfit and this glass. Unfortunately, none of the sentences that come out of my mouth could ever qualify as "refined."




















1/14
I heard Donald Trump is going to put up a firewall to stop illegal downloads.

1/15
I really hope there is a youth hockey team in Hershey, PA called the Hershey Squirts.

1/15
I went out to eat with a couple of friends last night and, because I eat pretty quickly, by the time the waitress came back for what should have been the mid-meal "does everything taste alright?" check-in I was already finished with my food (my friends were still working on theirs). The waitress looked at me and exclaimed "wow, you're fast," with a mixture of surprise and disgust that told me she really meant, "did you unhinge your jaw and inhale that, you fat piece of shit?"

1/15
I saw some ladies posting this. I thought it would be funny if I did, too. You know, ‘cause I'm a dude.
 













1/16
All of those online personality quizzes always have really positive and uplifting descriptions for people. But I'd like to see some brutally honest quizzes that tell people things like "You're actually a huge asshole and a chore to be around. Get your shit together."

1/16
When I stop and think about it, high school went pretty well for me. I was one of the most popular kids in school and one of the first to have a mobile phone. I had a smoking hot girlfriend named Kelly. My biggest rival was also one of my best buds, Slater. My principal, Mr. Belding, was always on my case but I think it's because he just really cared. And my friends and I always had time to chill at our favorite hangout spot, The Max, in between classes.

1/17
I had someone tell me that I seem like a genuine person. That's such a weird compliment but I guess it's comforting to know that I don't seem like a dog wearing people clothes.

1/17
#‎RyanRick2016




















1/18/2014
My phone's auto-correct feature finally learned cuss words. Unfortunately, now it wants to use them all the time. It's a little awkward when you text someone "Let's go to the bar and take shits."

1/20
As a kid, I would spend days like today outside playing in the snow for hours on end. What an idiot.

1/21
I saw a guy out running in the snow. If I ever get that into fitness I want my friends to hold me down and force feed me cake.

1/21
Saw a Jimmy John's driver in the drive-thru at Rally's. Not sure if he was getting Rally's or the Rally's guys ordered Jimmy John's.

1/22/2014
Facebook should change the "Like" button to a "Put a Ring On It" button.

1/22
I always put the seat and lid down on the toilet. Not because I have good manners or have been "trained" by women in my life to do so, but because I'm absolutely terrified that I'll drop my toothbrush and it will bounce off the sink and straight into the toilet if the lid isn't down.

1/22
This is how friendships end.




















1/22
So, this Blues discussion group I'm in usually has a bunch of women posting "gameday selfies" in it. The other day I decided to have a bit of fun and post my own recreation of 90% of those ladies' selfies. #‎TeamSpirit #‎NailedIt
















1/24/2014
I would eat a dirty sock if it was soaked in Papa John's garlic dipping sauce.

1/24/2014
I think part of the reason why I'm single is because I want to date a smart girl, and any girl that would be interested in me is obviously not.

1/25/2014
I'm going to start a new diet where I just drink until I throw up. It's like a combination of alcoholism and bulimia. Alcoholimia.

1/25
I went to the bathroom at work today and one of the warehouse guys thought it would be funny to block the bathroom door with a pallet while I was in there. It actually was pretty funny but I don't want to appear too lenient so I'm gonna spend the rest of the day issuing write-ups to everyone here. #‎DrunkWithPower

1/25
The best part about having a 10:30 hockey game is that I can eat dinner at my normal time and then have a legitimate excuse to eat again later tonight after my game.

1/26
Life Pro Tip: Don't die.

1/26
Brb, gonna go do donuts in Walmart's parking lot and listen to Danger Zone on repeat.

1/27
When you see a cute girl at the store so you wanna act all suave and cool but you're carrying a 72-pack of toilet paper...
"So yeah, I'm really into fiber. How about you?"

1/27
According to the annual report for my credit card, a full 10% of my spending for 2015 went to Sam's Pizza and Pub Inc. #‎TreatYoSelf

1/27
Yes, that is totally the best picture for "active."














1/28
I'd been feeling like there was something missing from my life for a while now, so I finally broke down and downloaded Sisqó's "Thong Song."

1/29/2014
I'm going to start using Facebook to tag myself at other people's houses when they're not home.

1/29
Realistically, any girl that is not okay with me singing along to every song in the car is not relationship material.

1/29
I started my life being born 2 weeks before my due date and I've been coming early ever since. Some call it premature, I prefer to say I'm punctual.

1/30
Kyle, Amy, Knuckles, Shannon and I all rode here to Wing Fling in my car. Good thing I don't have a girlfriend or we'd have had to rent a van.

1/31

Caught #‎Knuckles reading Us Weekly.





















Stay tuned for more fun things!

-Ryan