My cousin Kevin

Growing up Kevin and I always seemed to find ourselves in all sorts of trouble. From being the neighborhood bullies (always having one another's back unless of course we were the only two around) to terrorizing the local house pet; whatever we set our expansive imaginations to,we did it. One blazin' hot summer afternoon, Kevin, Daniel Degaston and I were out doing what young boys do best to cool off: Water Fights!!! As our efforts to soak one another turned towards ganging up on poor little Daniel, we made our way to the myers' backyard where, to Kevin's knowledge existed a great hornets nest nestled in the wood pile under the back deck. Daniel was the first one stung. He dropped like a fly, and I don't remember what sparked our battle towards the little guy's bad day, but Kevin and I were relentless. After running home crying, we took it upon ourselves to salt the wounds just a little more and we did so by jamming Daniels squirt gun right into the nest of hornets, and then we ran our chubby little guts inside to escape the new pissed off hornet swarm, to dry off, and to eat some of Aunt Janey-O's amazing leftovers. As time went on, our good pal Adam Crowley showed up and something sparked in Kevin's conscience to return the squirt gun to his neighborhood pal. But he knew he wasn't going anywhere near that wood pile! He also knew there was little that his cousin couldn't be bullied into. I don't know what went through my head (besides fear of a cousin's terror turning on me) as Adam and I slowly crept our way into the backyard. As I approached the nest, the sound of hornets still running wild through the air, my heart was pounding! Adam and I crept up slowly, sure as to not be sighted by one of the flying beasts, and Kevin watched from the comfortable corner of the yard. Then all of the sudden there he was, the object of my bad day, soaring stinger out straight at my face! I didn't stand a chance. That huge hornet had a mission and was not to be interrupted by any living source on the planet. Arms flailing about I turned to run but it was too late, I could already see the whites in the little insects eyes. As it landed centimeters above my left eyebrow that livid creature did what evolution has taught it best: stung the living crap outta me. This sent me sprinting for safety as I was certain I was going to be enveloped in a mess of hornets. Moments prior Adam had already made it back to our shaded corner haven and was laughing along side Kevin as the spectacle unraveled. I learned that day that my bee allergies were pretty darn severe as a softball sized lump appeared where my eye used to be. I learned that apologizing isn't always worth it. And most of all I learned that my greatest cousin and longest friend is a man of many attributes. Talents that come in all shapes and sizes. And one of the greatest of these is his un-matched ability to coax someone into a very sticky situation for his humorous benefit. Obviously the lump on my face became an iconic moment in our lives as we have passed this very story onto many friends and family members. As a result of many more interesting moments that came about in our lives, we thank you Kevin for always giving us that initial push towards our destiny. And may your next 25 years be filled with laughter and of course, Heather's patience! Love ya cous. Cactus Face and Baller50 for life!! Ry Guy

Man Walks on... My personal epiphany of "180° South: Conquerers of the Useless"

"My whole life, I have been drawn to open country. It's where everything becomes clear, where the world makes the most sense. I always return home a little different. But I know now we cannot take it for granted. When open country is gone, we will be gone along with it!" Jeff Johnson So many times in my own life I have been striding down my solitary path towards greatness. I have been led to many different types of people, of seemingly endless shades of personality, all of whom have inspired me in some way or some other. I've seen and felt some the unescapable ups and downs, walked paths unknown to places uncharted and learned some of life's most, valuable, and inspiring, lessons. Gathering all I've been able to scoop up with my inherent clutches, I have begun to settle myself into a young man capable of things I had never before imagined. When in pursuit of often changing goals, individually we all have fought and will continue always to fight, the challenging obstacles in our specific journeys. One of these most inspiring persons (whom I have never had the pleasure of meeting) to me is Jeff Johnson. Jeff,much like myself, has done what it takes to further his affinity for the great outdoors. Years ago he fell in passion with two of the worlds most renowned outdoors preservationists on the planet today: Yvon Chainard and Doug Tompkins. Their inspiring journeys set them sail on countless adventures exploring and pioneering the outdoor culture. One of their greatest lead them to where they are today, in the great country of Chile, fronting one of the worlds largest outdoor conservation acts entitled: "Cencervacion Pategonia". How many times in our lives have we found ourselves stuck in continuous spiraling grooves leading us opposite of where we first began? I'm sure we have all felt this way one time or another, I know I most certainly have. What these men have taught me was not in any formal setting. It wasn't face to face in a class room, nor was it out on any adventure with these gentlemen that I have learned what truly has become very important to me in regards to my own individual way of thinking. Truly there are beauties surrounding all of us wherever we may be in this world and if we were to go through life skipping out on learning from these God-given spectacles we have not fulfilled our purposes as human beings. One can benefit from the things around him if he actually puts himself where naturally he was not intended to be. Or rather where our comfort zones lie there we should not be. When a person can anxiously step aside of oneself and activity interpret a warm embrace from the hand of a higher creation is when that individual may experience a glimpse of a life full of grandeur and glory. Make a conscious decision to come forth out of the mess of life we catch ourselves up in! If we miss it, we miss everything! This is Ryan appreciating your patience with me for my absence is inexcusable! Love, live, and grow! Always!

Mustakes I've mooved

One can argue that; as apposed to a picture being worth "1000" words an argument can be worth "10000" words.
•If somebody important is constantly arguing with you over a course of a significant amount time, is it of significant worth to pursue a continuous friendship with that individual??
•Sought and persicuted over, so popularly, so eloquently, and being of that which holds certainly to be the correct decision, is the element of the "bro code".
•Men are sanctified by their honor and in being so, have the sole purpose of persicuting the weak, and to obtain higher elevations of power.
•Women love and live for mans "honor".
•Why am I not doing this just for me?

- me

Champions

Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake is

number one in the nation

I saw the cup won!

The Milf and a Pea Coat, and You're Invited

Hello.

Days pass, some we remember but others we REALLY remember. And yesterday fell itself into a beautiful little bundle of REALLY. Events were, packaged, unique and dug themselves into a satisfying portion of my heart. Upon arise, pancake breakfast was underway. I saw Clint kill a bird with a pellet gun, and it was one of the cooler things ever. I sassed Keve only after he sassed me. I played Halo with Deven. I went to J-Dawgs. I went to Heber where Mearns crashed on a long board. I went Tracting with Clint to promote our huge party. Then I saw "Where the Wild Things Are".

It's perfectly safe to say it was my favorite day of the Fall so far.

I love you

Ryan

Consideration

Finally I found somebody in my English class that writes, in the English language.

Hip Hip HOOORAY!

Thing is this person is actually a girl, and she's kinda cute.

Ryan

Progressive Realization

In life, we progress, age, regress but don't get any younger. This fact points out the interesting verdict that perpetually we are moving towards something. I know what that something is, although I haven't always caught sight of it in my life.

Many people search their entire lives trying to find what their specific purpose is. We are blinded naturally so we don't have exact answers as to what this purpose may be. Alone, we will never find our purpose. And if you're not progressing towards finding this purpose, you are alone.

I have been alone, many times in my life; I never wish it upon you.

Ryan

Fling Sting

I'm back. Home. Ready for advancement towards real happiness!
Ryan

Poetry Slam Dunk

If you've never been to a poetry slam, (much like myself) you can find one near by each Sunday evening.

Today I wore my Barcelona Jersey. I wear it on days that I think will be good days.

After seeing two movies in the theater today, I will consider today to be a good day.

I love the team Barcelona but even more, I love what the jersey represents. A true friend.

Ryan

New Nerf Guns

"Sleepy Ridge Golf Course", they do big events. "Magleby's Grill and Oyster Bar", they cater.

I work for "Magleby's", therefore I worked my shift tonight at the golf course club house. It was fun, it's nice being away from the regular routine of serving tables. But my feet hurt.

Big show in a week from tomorrow, prepare your souls.

chigga

Mind the Wind

Haven't been able to write myself a spot into your hearts for a while. Here I am. Living in a little white house, with my green car, black sweater, plaid backpack and blue sky hangs overhead.

I'm having fun with my band, and a select handful of roommates, plus the loaf of bread mother gave me. I like my room, it's clean. My band has a show a week from Tomorrow. I hope to see all you who love there! I watched a movie called "Shrink". it was good
Love, Ryan

Finding Adventure Again

One might eagerly argue that finding adventure could be an easy thing to do. One could tell you that adventure is not to be found in the "Happy Valley". One might also argue that life's captivating moments are dusted everywhere on this valley's benches. I say, there is adventure wherever you make it!

Take church for example:
When Jacob and I are subject to material that we don't find interesting, we find adventure staring into down into my camera phone. Poised with such deep intention these two youngsters have found adventure even in the Lord's house.

There exists in this world a sport known as skiing :

While all the kids our age are starting their new semesters at BYU, Cousin and I take the day to our advantage of free slopes and brand new snow at Sundance! Believe me this little park found its adventure!

*Kevin did eat crap on this one folks.... :)

Bre Sifuentes' home is jam packed with "sweet brohs" on Sunday nights:

Sunday night's can only be summed up at adventurous when you add in some sweet brohs, some cheezy carmely popcorn snacks, and board games. Totally adventurous!









You see here in Provo, Utah we can find adventure! It really lies around, but as we cannot see it sometimes, we must create it!

Love Love Live!

Ryan

The 'Porques' of MY life!

Well folks apologies multiple apologies shall I be making at this moment to the select few of y'all who are interested in what this certain 22-year-old might have to say. I see it fitting to let you all know that contrary to popular opinion I am not passed onto another realm of post-mortal existence (well at least to my knowledge). I'm still alive, and kicking and screaming to boot. Life has been pretty nuts as of late folks. Pretty Nuts indeed. You see I've found a new habit, one that I find quite intriguing. Every single night I lie down for bed, I turn on my Lap-top and watch TV-Series' of all different kinds. One night I finished all of season 2 of Gossip Girl and went straight to work afterward. Ha I know disgusting, very disgusting.

Well in the last few months, I have (note; this list does not necessarily include everything) played, jammed, slammed, worked, cried, laughed, found love again, lost love again, slacked, joked, spoke foreign tongues, drawn, punched, finished 1st, chew chewed, kissed, cuddled, stunk, rocked, smiled, planned, opened, closed, been yelled at by Richard, sassed by Jon, loved by many, sassed by Doc, sassed by Coby, Joon, James, Jamie, and Nate, ate churrasco, ate a Monte Cristo, seen defeat, risen above, fallen flat, woken up at 530, danced till the new year came, landed a 180 and wrote about it all on Blogspot.

For now I might have to say that is a list of some exciting things that have happend to this soldier. One thing you must know is that I love you all deeply. Your support and love has always made me into the being I am today! I make you all a promise (one I probably wont keep) to blog more with updates of fantastic fun filled adventures!

Love

Ryan

Hallow's ween!

ha ha halloween!

I love this holiday cause it's an excuse for kids to actually get and eat candy! At no cost! Also we get to think of the best childhood memories we have ever had like 'David Garrard dressed as a penguin, falling into a ditch on Canyon Road!' Or 'Luke Ashworth screaming his little 8th grade lungs out at the scary pumpkin up on Osmand Lane'. Whatever your story is, I KNOW you have at least one!

Also we get to dress up and pretend that we are something/someone else for 5-9 hrs of our lives!

But this halloween was different! I spent my time dressed up yes! I had plenty of free candy YES! I turned 22 YES! but the best part was, I got to do what I absolutely love on the day I love most! Play music! Our band http://www.myspace.com/hellohelicoptermusic got to play at Magleby's Grill and Oyester Bar! The place of my employment! And we played with Neon Trees! It was fantastic! Here are some photos!

I was a scout and we played our hearts out!

Love love!

The "Porque's" of Life

Well folks I'm back from my leave of absence. Where was I? Not anywhere new I suppose, well physically I wasn't anywhere else at least. These past few weeks have been really really tough on a guy like me. But my moto in life is to just keep smiling? I guess the next question is "Porque you haven't been blogging Mr. Ryan" and I say "Porque, I'm a lazy, busy son-of-a-gun."

Porque!?! we have things in our lives that stop us right in our tracks? That hit us so hard we fumble near the goal line? Porque we can just be left alone in our happy states of being, to fend with honor and dignity? Well, as soon as we get on top (and I'm not joking it's THE very moment we are teetering on the tippy tippy top) we suffer a pivotal shift in our speed and hit the downward spiral!

Sometimes we aren't the ones who get to answer our own "Porque's" we as beings usually have the priviledge of creating them. Answers schmansers! All we need to know is that there are few, at least a very few in our lives, who love us dearly! Things happen the way they happen! We just have to do as Mr. Ryan says and just keep on smiling! That's Porque!!!!

Love

Ryan

The "Porque's" of life!

I have turned over a new leaf in my blog writing days. That leaf has to do with the direction I'm taking this little corner where I'm allowed to post the events of my life. Many people desire to stay caught up in eachother's lives.. wheather it be family, friends, colleagues. My main purpose for blogging is so that others can see what type of antics my friends and I are up to! I believe deep down that that is a legit reason to keep up post after post. But just walking around campus today I had an Epiphany if you will.. it went somthing like this in my mind.. (know that I'll never be able to tap into my mind and put it onto a screen.)

Ryan's Mind......

Wow!! That's a hot girl, she's rockin that cardigan better than anyone else out there!

*looking for new songs in ipod while giving a smile to the 'maroon caridgan rocker'. Found 'Hey Mercedes' band that used to get me running happy!

I wonder if I'll still like them!?! Oh yeah this rocks.. I need to blog these things! I'm gunna try and turn my blog in a new direction from now on and rememeber the best I can the awesome killer thoughts that come to my head while walking the campus here in Orem. I know what I'll call it.. the Porque's of Life!... now that that's settled let's get to the Library to blog it all!

Backyard BBQ brings forth stardom!

To start off this little blog post, while sitting here on the fifth floor of the newly developed library at UVU, I'd like to paint a scene indeed. Picture this, girl, brunette, mid-twenties, sitting behind my left shoulder, her Biology book open, sipping a (GET THIS) "Diet Red Bull" through a straw.

Just thought you might wanna know that.

Well this weekend was as we'd say in Portuguese marcante! Absolutely fabulous are two words in the English dicionary that I'd use to pin point my feelings towards this past weekend's events. Friday night was our very first and (DEFINATLEY) not last show as a band. James Stewart, Coby Gerstner, Jamie Robison, Yours Truly and Bradley Clark make up as we are most recently called, Boo York. (name subject to change). Our dearest friend Whitney Olsen hosted a Backyard BBQ for her besties and invited us to be the nights entertainment. Lemme tell you we sold this place out! It was jammed with fans and listeners who brought an energy that could only lead one to stardom!

Band update, we are currently writing and trying to record our very own demo to get our local name out on the local scene. All you who frequent my blog we ask your input on 3 different names we're trying currently to agree on.

1. Boo York


2. Hello Helecopter


3. Task. For. You.

Thanks for your help!

Also, just to top things off the rocker, after Friday's fiasco, Saturday brought forth an AMAZING college football game between the BYU Cougars and the UCLA Bruins. You better believe I was there in my All-Sports seats with my palls cheering our former classmates on! Congrats Cougars and may you be swiftly guided towards another "Happy Valley" victorious season!

For now I say tchau!

XOXO

Ryan?