How to Get Through Hell on Earth without Drinking a Keg or Kicking a Garden Gnome

Check out what happens when you move from rapid-fire New York City to laidback rural New Mexico (Hint: Did someone say culture shock?).

After nearly 18 years in the Big Apple, leaving it was a tough call. Find out if I got out or stuck around for another 18 years....

When you start bawling like a baby when you see the tall buildings and concrete as your plane is landing in La Guardia after a vacation, you know it's time to leave NYC.

Living in NYC on Sept. 11, 2001, was a harrowing experience. Especially when you got to watch one of the towers get hit while you're hanging out on the 69th Street Pier.

Not a fan of the punishing God that sends you to hell for sneezing wrong? Here's how to get a kind, loving God with a sense of humor (who likes tattoos).

And if dating a psychopath that turns into a stalker doesn't kill you, why not try out this thing called clinical depression? Here's what it can feel like from the inside out.

Note to self: Don't ignore those red flags meant to protect you from dating a psychopath. Yikes. Note to listener: Don't date guys who keep crossbows under their bed. 

Wheeeee! After years of living with this, that or the other person, I was finally breaking free to live on my own. As long as I didn't get killed riding my bicycle like a maniac along the way. Listen in to find out what I'm talking about.

Entering recovery means letting go of the old. But the old can sometimes end up with claw marks when we hang on too tightly, too long. Find out what happens when change is in the air with this first chapter in Part 2 of the Rynski Hell on Earth saga. 

Alcoholism is the gift that keeps on giving, even after you quit drinking. A bout of the delirium tremens (DTs) proves that. This chapter gives you a good look at what the DTs are all about. It also closes out Part 1 of the book. 

Asking for help is a fine art that I was pretty rusty at. Mainly because I had never really done it. But dang, did I need it now. Will I finally reach out for help getting out of my living hell? (Hint: The story would have ended here if I didn't.)

Something smelled foul. And it was us. Check out what more than a decade of daily drinking will do for you (and your Bensonhurst attic apartment!). 

Ever wonder what slowly descending to an alcoholic bottom is like? Here's the bottom's up. Don't try this at home (or basically anywhere).

Things stank... but I figured out why. It's because I didn't go to college, right? Yeah, sure. Check out what happens when an active alcoholic goes for a bachelor's degree.

Ahhh, the Morty years. I gave Morty the best years of my life...or at least a batch of years of my life. Who the heck is Morty? Listen in to find out.

Although it may seem much of my life had been about kicking and screaming, I REALLY kicked and screamed extra when asked to give up my New York, New York, address for this faraway location.

When a man who looks like a grungy cult leader and wears a dried-up chicken claw around his neck asks you to come smoke pot in his apartment, here's why you should just say no.

Hallelujah! Big John and I finally got out of living in seedy hotels and into our very own apartment. It was at Ninth Street and Avenue C in the heart of Alphabet City. And it turns out that it may have been something I was way too quick to celebrate. Eek!

Because drinking beer and staring out the window all day didn't earn any money, I got my first paying job in NYC. It was at an ice cream shop where I learned a few lessons about airheads, nail hygiene and the proper measurement for chocolate sprinkles.

Ooops. Appears my guardian angel had the day off when I ran into these two dudes. I still get the heebie-jeebies just thinking about this dastardly duo. Enjoy!   GET THE BOOK “Inspiring and concrete story of how to live joyous and free life” Get the book “How to Get Through Hell on Earth Without Drinking a Keg or Kicking a Garden Gnome.” Buy on Amazon:   https://www.amazon.com/Throu...

Every one of us has a guardian angel (or 30). Mine was definitely looking out for me when I crossed paths with these two guys and a dog during my early days in New York City. GET THE BOOK “Inspiring and concrete story of how to live joyous and free life” Get the book “How to Get Through Hell on Earth Without Drinking a Keg or Kicking a Garden Gnome.” Buy on Amazon:   https://www.amazon.com/Th...

You know those people who go around looking for trouble - and if they don't find it, they create it? Well, I met some of those one fine night on Avenue B. Find out what happens (and why I'm still alive). GET THE BOOK “Inspiring and concrete story of how to live joyous and free life” Get the book “How to Get Through Hell on Earth Without Drinking a Keg or Kicking a Garden Gnome.” Buy on Amazon: &nb...

The bowels of New York City can't be all that bad if there's a puppy involved, right? Find out. Here's where you'll also learn how to get out of kissing a scrawny squatter without making him mad. GET THE BOOK “Inspiring and concrete story of how to live joyous and free life” Get the book “How to Get Through Hell on Earth Without Drinking a Keg or Kicking a Garden Gnome.” Buy on Amazon:   http...

Whoa. Ever wish you could just run away from it all? Well, I did. Landing in New York City in 1988. Here's a look at what happens when an angry suburban teen ends up in the homeless mecca known as Tompkins Square Park. GET THE BOOK “Inspiring and concrete story of how to live joyous and free life” Get the book “How to Get Through Hell on Earth Without Drinking a Keg or Kicking a Garden Gnome.” Buy...

Welcome to what was once my messed-up life. Anyone who has ever felt like a total outcast will definitely relate to this chapter. Here you'll get the skinny on the bumbled beginnings of my drinking career -- at age 14. Here's where the downfall begins.  GET THE BOOK “Inspiring and concrete story of how to live joyous and free life” Get the book “How to Get Through Hell on Earth Without Drinki...