Sunday, January 16, 2011

The Vent

Ok, so we have all been there.

Remember that time that the cute girl/guy didn't dance with you? Remember the time that everyone had a date to that one party except you? Remember that time that your girlfriend cheated on you? Remember that time she dumped you for no reason? Remember when?

Remember how terrible that made you feel? Remember running to your one friend that would listen? Remember how hard it was to start? Remember that moment before telling your friend everything that was killing you? Remember how difficult those first words were? Remember the waterfall after? Remember how your friend barely talked...how they listened? Remember crying on his/her shoulder? Remember the hug that almost made you feel all better? That hug that makes you feel warm and loved? That hug that truly let's you know that this feeling will pass? That there are better days? Remember when?

Remember when your friend bought you another drink? Remember drinking and complaining until the sun was nearly up? Remember how terrible and how great that night was?

Remember those hugs.
Remember those tears.
Remember the giggles through the years.
Remember the love of friends.
Remember that everyone vents.
Remember to be a good friend.
Remember to be a vent.

Be THAT guy.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The Gal-Pal

We've all seen him. We've all felt sorry for him. Hell...most of us have been him at one point or another. You know him by the fact that he's standing next to all the girls before they all hand their purses over to him as they hit the dance floor. That's right...he's "The Gal-pal".

This poor poor fella is sadly mistaken into thinking that he has a shot with these girls because he is being so very nice. Not so my good man. If you had a shot...it was a looooong time ago way before the girls put you in charge of baggage claim.

Here's how it happens.

You run into the cute harpy that you met last week in the bar. You make small talk and start thinking she is suuuper into you...she even said it was nice to meet you (and nobody would say that unless they had very serious feelings)!!!! Before you know it you are telling her about this party you are going to this weekend and she and her friends should come. They do...but forget their wallets (enter pouting face) for a beer cup...no worries you will be her knight in shining armor and purchase a glass of the godly nectar for them (then they will definitely like you).

Next thing you know they need a ride home and you are the nicest guy they know and so you give them a lift. But wait a minute...no kiss...no flirting...dude...you are a glorified taxi cab with a party hookup for them. Stop running errands...stop fixing their computers...stop refilling their keg cup...trust me she isn't interested...she just likes the fact that you will do anything for her. So...instead focus on that girl that is jealous of all the attention you are throwing at the harpy and introduce yourself...bring her a cup...see what happens.

Now, I'm sorry to say that at one point in my own life I was a "Gal-Pal-User"....now this is where a girl uses her own Gal-Pal to get you something. I'm not proud of this but it was nice to just have this poor chap bring me beer....haha....yeah I can see the appeal ladies, but it's not mean to tell a girl to refill a cup herself. It's 2010 and girls almost make as much money as men!!! Feminism women! You can do it....I believe in you!!

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

The Professionals

Every REAL man alive enjoys sports. Enjoys them in every sense of the word. We enjoy watching them and talking about them. We have created networks (yes..that is plural) and magazines dedicated to them. Sports in general are one of the ties that bind men. If you are just about to meet your girlfriend's father, at least all guys know we can find a common thread through sports to get through this unbearable and awkward night.

But even more important than all of the above....men love to play sports. I write play because this is as close to childhood laughing and fun that a man can get. The intention of sports is to be fun through competition, but everyone knows "That Guy." The overbearing and over aggressive types that go too far.

"That Guy" comes in two forms. First, the super aggressive player that is there only to win (or make little children cry.) The guy that in a pickup game of basketball is talking trash and tackling people during warm-ups just to "get into their head." The guy that is out there to throw people to the ground to establish is interior dominance.

To that guy, I say watch out...because as sure as I am breathing there will be a crotch shot heading your way (So what if we were on the same team, I didn't like the way he was talking about your mother either) At least now we know you will no longer be passing your low intellect on through procreation.

The other version of "That Guy" stems from a missed chance to play sports in their younger years. They become over bearing and generally get too invested in these simple games. They are the ones that show up to a game of two-hand-touch football in pads and football cleats (so he can out run and out corner the defense.) Come on...we are hear for fun Rudy (catch that one??). Do we really need full pads to run around for a half hour and joke and play?

When playing...try not to take the game so seriously. Have a beer or two during softball. It's not going to affect your swing (and if it does...to be honest it could only help.) We really just feel sorry for this guy. You can barely carry all those pads much less run and jump. Why try so hard when you really still run like a girl (even worse when trying to carry all those pads)? So buck up there Sally and drop the pads...grab a brew....and enjoy the afternoon with the boys. You'll be back home getting harped on by the girlfriend soon enough...try to at least enjoy your time with the guys.

Yeah....Sports can be the things that bring all men together...assuming that you just don't take yourself or the game too seriously.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Uber-Fan

What kind of a man does it take to be "The Uber-Fan"??

Well, it turns out not much of a MAN at all. Here are the few rules I have managed to come up with to become "The Uber-Fan". Feel free to add some in the comments.

1) Be druuuuuuuunk. Did you catch that...this is very different from having one to many cocktails. I'm talking double-fisting for hours in preparation for the big game. I'm talking ass-over-teakettle drunk. "Cuz it'll be totally sweet dude!!!!"

2) Be shirtless. Because who isn't impressed by a slightly overweight thirty-something with a farmers tan? Bonus points if you forget to wear sunscreen and the bald spot takes the worst of it.

3) Be fearless in your use of obscenities and racial slurs....I think this one speaks for itself. "Who cares what those F@#$ers think anyway!!"

4) Know nothing about the sport being played or the teams playing. This is almost essential. To be "The Uber-Fan" you will have to be constantly hollering and screaming things that make little or no sense to anybody around you. I have heard "MAKE THE PLAY.....OR DON"T MAKE THE PLAY!!" verbatim from an actual "Uber-Fan".

5) Bonus points if you can upset fans of the team that you are cheering FOR!!!

6) Bonus points if you paint a portion of your body and end the day with a sunburn around the giant "D" you painted on your chest. (The "D" is for dumbass)

7) Bonus points if you actually get drunk enough to go ass-over-teakettle at some point.

8) Do not have the common decency to sit at any point during the game. You obviously are more important so definitely don't let little Jimmy see his hero smash a homer. Hopefully it just leads to a line drive that will shut you up!!

9) Definitely do not allow anyone from another city to even remotely enjoy watching and cheering for their team...."What are they doing in your house anyway?"

There you have it. The general tenets for becoming "The Uber-Fan". Now please avoid these and enjoy the game with everyone else.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

The One-Upper

I HATE this guy!

First, you get to a friend's house party. There are steps you are about to run through that every man does.

1) Find the host. Thank him for the party he is throwing and apologize in advance for the craziness that is about to ensue.

2) Open your second drink (let's be honest. We all know the first drink was the real number 1).

3) Scout the party...Who do you know? Who don't you know? More importantly,are there any girls that you want to know?!?!

Now comes the fun part, you just got into a conversation with a killer story about your drunken escapades at the lake, in the bar, or that time in Europe....whatever. The cute girl across the table giggles and gives you the "tell me another story" eyes, and you are just about to...when out of nowhere "The One-Upper" swoops in with his famous line, "That's nothing!!! This one time I..."(blah...who cares...blah...not nearly as funny as my story) And she actually giggles at that slop he threw out too.....ohhhhh it's on. You pull out your best story from Detroit at the bachelor party with the hobo (top that punkass!!)

"That's nothing...I once saw a hobo making it to third base with a blow up doll on a mountain of crack!! (Bullshit!!) Now....evvvveryone knows he's full of it. Don't be the guy that calls him on it. Just say, "Wow...that's amazing." And go grab another drink...because it's going to be a long night of avoiding THAT GUY.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

The Sinking Ship

Have you ever seen this?


On any given Saturday night, a friend calls you up with an idea "Let's go downtown!!!" Great idea...or greatest idea? So, you throw on your best hoodie you can find and run out the door excited to grab a beer and shoot some pool with the boys....but hold on...do you hear that in the background of the phone call...something evil is afoot.

That's right that small giggle you heard in the background was not only the girlfriend, but also HER friends. You suddenly realize what a terrible terrible mistake you made when you climb into the car and look around and see shirts that resemble disco balls more than actual clothing. You all know what's about to happen....DANCING!!!!.....yay

This post is dedicated to the original caller. Don't be that guy. Never ever invite a friend onto a Titanic of an evening. When you realize that you are going down with the ship...instead text all your friends to avoid your fate of ramming an iceberg (catch that...the girlfriend is the iceberg...think about it) and being stuck on a dance floor being shoved from behind by some sweaty 500 pound man, while some girl you've never met rides your leg like a cowgirl and sweats all over you....yeah....dance clubs are fun....and the music....oh god if I never hear another YEEEE-AHHH...WHAAAAT....HANDS IN THE AIR A-A-A-AIR....it will be entirely too soon.

Friday, August 6, 2010

The Blow Off

Do you know this guy?


Have you ever made plans with a buddy? You know...those super-secret unbreakable plans that men make with each other whenever there is a big game on. There are definitely exceptions to the unbreakable nature of these plans (i.e. certain relations are being withheld if he leaves for the game...and death....I think that rounds out all exceptions).

We all know the guy that blows off the game because he is going to be such a BIG help when she is picking out the color of the drapes for the living room (lets be honest...lilac and periwinkle are the same color...and they both suck).

To this guy I offer some advice....don't be such a periwinkle (brought it back). But more importantly prove to her that she comes first during the PRESEASON...those games don't matter and she won't have any idea!! You'll get credit for missing the fourth string struggle to hike the ball AND you'll get a bye later when the games matter. WIN/WIN.

Also, to the girl that gets upset because its movie night..."Mama Mia" will be there tomorrow for him to suffer through. On every day of the year you will come first except when Duke is playing UNC...and that's nonnegotiable.