Why you should subscribe to the "Ramble on" newsletter
"Imagine paying for something Dan Buffa wrote."
“Diet Buffa.”
The words will never leave my brain. Thank you, Eric Moore: Film fan extraordinaire, master of working through chaotic conditions, and adorer of homemade brownies.
My best friend was referring to the content that was being distributed on a weekday morning radio show I hosted. In other words, the closest ones to you, even the souls right outside of family, know when you’re being YOU and when you’re toning it down. Eric is a Jedi when it comes to that, and perfectly placing a tennis ball inside the white line after a vigorous volley.
He was right.
What I was spewing was like diet soda from the near-empty tap at the gas station. The one that pumps out that splatter-effect final drizzle of caffeinated sugar. As any writer knows, that extends to larger websites. Sometimes, I can’t crawl all the way into that movie review for KSDK News without feeling like I better stop my dribble and just launch an errant three-pointer before publish.
Here’s some good news. “Ramble On” is going to be the other end of the spectrum. It’s not like if you click that “paid subscription” button, I will literally jump out of your computer and hand you a piece of gooey butter cake, along with a hot take about a Star Wars film. (well, doesn’t hurt to try.)
But if you choose to accept the reddish blue pill I am offering you, the reward will be:
*All of my St. Louis Cardinals content. For years, I have served up baseball takes for countless websites, free of charge for readers. That’s a losing strategy for the writer. What if I offered the same-old Cards content with a little extra spicy honesty, but asked for a little change in return?
It’s not like I will be saying an aged-out Matt Carpenter is worth signing, just to get clicks and subscriptions. Chat room fodder ends in flames, and nothing else.
But I won’t hold back. My first column on the Cards will be a story from late 2021 where I eased up on the criticism breaks, for reasons that require a story. Something “Ramble On” will be all about. Extended, and unbridled, conversation pieces that will get people talking.
I want to be that guy people mention at workplaces around cubicles and desks: “Did you read what Buffa wrote about the Cards?” I DO crave attention (any sensible writer should) and know how to use it.
*While I don’t write as often as I used to about the St. Louis Blues, any future coverage will go there as well. Just imagine what I do for St. Louis Game Time, and add money to it.
In both coverages of the teams here, I will write like a full-blown outsider. Someone who isn’t inside the locker rooms, but has an opinion that doesn’t carry a single string. The last thing I like to hear is that I carry a bucket of water for a team that doesn’t pay me a DIME to write about them. Here, it’s gloves off and even-keeled. I may shoot from the hip on occasion, but I don’t waste a whole magazine that way.
*Uber stories. I drove for three years and 3,600+ rides. Most times than not, there were around 3-4 people in each of those “rides.” At times, there would be six people in my small sedan, hustling and bustling down Interstate 40, listening to awful music and all about “Kevin from Tin Roof.” I have tons of stories that I haven’t told yet. Subscribe and get those, because those will most certainly be paid.
*I will write about movies, but keep it to popular trends and special constructions. People don’t like long-winded reviews, so I will post “4 movies, 4 reviews under 250 words” articles.
There will be more. In a way, “Ramble On with Buffa” will be whatever is inside my head; just with less filter and editing.
The Info:
Monthly: $5
Yearly: $46
Essentially, it’s one less eat-out at Red Lobster and one less latte from Starbucks. Subscribe and get the unrefined and crude yet true ramblings of an honest family man who struggles with anger management and the ability to shut up completely.
Moral of the story: There will be no DIET BUFFA around here.
(Oh, and I totally conned you with that picture of my chihuahua, Jasper.)