The Life of Ryan...

The sun in your eyes.  The smell of freshly cut grass.  A cold drink in one hand and a hot-dog in the other.  All the while your sitting right behind the third base plate yelling absurd profanity.  Ahhh baseball... my favorite sport.  I love everything there is about it and I'm so glad to be back to watch it all I want!

For those of you who haven't heard yet. I quit my job at the Olive Garden and am now hired by a company based out of Jackson Hole called Wilderness Ventures. www.wildernessventures.com. It is probably going to go down as one of the most amazing experiences of my life. The company takes high school kids on domestic and international trips and takes them to some of the coolest places on earth. Luckily enough, me and another co-leader will be taking sixteen kids to the South Pacific for over a month! Tahiti, Fiji and New Zealand to be exact. We will be surfing, sailing, scuba diving, attempting to teach Fijian kids English and retaining some life-long memories. My adventure begins next Sunday but in the meantime I've been learning to survive in the wild. I may even get my own discovery channel show and teach that British guy a thing or two. I must go now, into the wild. Into the wild blue yonder. Now if I could only grow a beard...

So I moved out of my house of two years over to a house a block away! I really wanted a change of scenery, you know? The weather and scenery is so much nicer where I'm at now. I reside in a house named, "The Apple Pie House." Its been great! The roommates are great, the view is seriously superb. It's just a nice place to start over and move on. What more could I ask for? I sure am glad I didn't wait until the last minute to get a place though and end up still there. I recently walked over to The Cube to check to see if I had mail or anything and to my surprise, the house smelled of cigarette smoke and nauseating spices. My mouth watered... Good thing I left.

So I realized that I need to be one of those bloggers that can write little tid-bits here and there about things going on in my life rather than just waiting for something BIG to happen and write a novel about it. SO! First order of business... I just had my last final test today and my summer has officially begun! Thank you, thank you... no need to cheer. So now I will try to find an alternate mode of public transportation to my place of work since my car is MIA, or POW or KIA. Yes, I believe thats first order of business. More short stories to come soon. Stay tuned, tell your friends and take luck. GOODBYE!

So me madre had, what is hopefully, her FINAL surgery last thursday and I have to say it was the most nerve racking seven hours of my life! She was moved to the University of Utah's hospital earlier last week to be operated on by only the best surgeons.  There was a look in all of my family members eyes the day of the surgery that expressed our worry. There wasn't much talking between us and the mood was pretty solemn.  Sometimes my mother would just look at one of us with half a smirk and she would do her best to hold back from crying.  Nobody really wanted to talk like we were going to lose her and I think it's because we had faith in Heavenly Father to keep her around us for a little longer.  When she went in for operation, I couldn't stand being in the hospital, so I left to Temple Square and Gateway mall.  What's wrong with a little spiritual boost and window shopping right?  I then went back to the hotel and slept off the afternoon.  About five hours after she went in I went back to the hospital to join my family only to find out she was already done! My family was just waiting to hear from the doctor.  So in comes Dr. Glasgow and he tells us that the surgery couldn't have gone any more perfect! He had to admit, he was a little worried about this operation but my mother passed with flying colors.  Crazy part of her surgery was the removal of both her spleen and stomach. Yep. No spleen.  No stomach.  They attached her small intestine to her esophagus and... thats pretty much the way the cookie was going to crumble. The small intestine adapts and takes over the digestion that the stomach would normally do.  Other then three to four small meals a day... mom is going to live a normal life. No more feeding tubes coming out of her abdomen, no more bed rest, no more worry.  She'll have a tough recovery of course,  but I believe in my mother just like all of you did. Which brings about my thanks to all of you who supported us and prayed for us.  The world of medicine truly has its miracles and I'm so glad my mom is going to be around to show off her GINORMOUS scar...

Hi everyone.  How's the new year coming along? Good? Sorry im slacking in the blog department but I DID fill out this fact sheet for Facebook that I thought I could post for everyone to see.  There isn't a whole lot of news that I feel the need to write about right now, but soon enough my fans... soon enough. So here are some facts. Family, correct me if I'm wrong on anything.

so the two don't really go hand in hand but this is to update everyone on two things... Okay... Go!

So Mom is ALIVE! Yeah! good news right? The good Lord didn't want her just yet so she's stuck with us. She had a rough three weeks in the hospital though and she is safe and sound in her home. She has a long, tough recovery ahead though. She has nurses come out twice a day and she is still hooked up to a few gadgets and gizmos so she's not out of the Matrix yet. Her second surgery is in a few weeks so keep praying for her. Thank you to all those who reached out to our family in our time of need. Words cant express how thankful we are for all of you.

Christmas Party!!! This year we hosted our second annual Christmas sweater party and it was a huge hit. Word got around about last years party and everyone and their dog showed up. We tuned into our inner Martha Stewarts and decorated the place up and we were able to hand out over $140 in gift cards as prizes to the best sweaters! (Thanks to Marty) Around midnight we got busted by the cops and being the responsible one that I am I talked to them and convinced them not to ticket us... or throw anyone in the house in jail... because that would just be awful to experience that ... again. It's not a party unless you get busted right?! Here are some pics.

The boys in front of our house.

some "friends."

More Friends.

I couldn't move.

Things got a little crazy.

Judging the sweaters.

Our picture room.


The boys once again.

So I had the hardest time deciding if I wanted to do this or not but it just doesn't feel right not to. I know anyone who reads this is family and friends and I thought I would use this as a way to reach out to all of you. Some of you may know, my mother was hospitalized last week on Thursday, Nov 6th. Long story short, she had stomach problems that led her to the hospital that evening. After doctors took a Cat Scan they found that gas had built up and blew a hole in her stomach. The procedure was to go in with a scope and a stapler that would require an hour and half long surgery. After doctors went in they found that the upper part of her stomach and lower part of her esophagus was completely eroded and dead. They then had to open her up to see the extent of the damage. Due to complications during the surgery and the complexity of her condition she became very unstable and lost a lot of blood. After the doctors were through seven hours later they were honest to my family and told us she was a "disaster" and would need to be in ICU for many days and hospitalized for at least three weeks. The doctors then told us the worst news and said she could pass at any time and her chances for survival are 50/50. As of now, three days later, things are still the same but with a few signs of improvement. She has been sedated since her surgery and none of us have talked to her yet but hope to do so soon. I would just like to ask those who stumble upon this blog to please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. My family and I would greatly appreciate it. My mother is and always be the most amazing girl in my life and she is too young to leave me and the rest of my family behind. It's very hard for me to write this but every prayer counts right now. Thank you to those who have reached out to us already and keep spreading the word so we can get her better. She is in the Lord's hands now and it would mean so much to us if he could hear your support. :)

Happy Halloween! Oh how I love this wonderful fall festivity where I can really show my true colors. Halloween is one of my favorite holidays, right next to Christmas of course, and I love to put on a good costume and be someone/ something else for the night. Every year at Utah State we have The Howl. Its a huge event that brings young drunk people from all around to good ol' Logan. The event usually has bands, dancing, movies, hypnotists and about 10,000 half naked people lookin to get lucky. Well I have been to The Howl twice and me and my friends decided we were going to pass on it this year. Soon people started asking me if our house ( The Cube ) would be hosting any Halloween extravaganzas this year. Well we hadn't really planned on one so I told people no. Earlier this week I got asked that question several times a day and it made me think if we should really throw a last minute party for people who aren't going to The Howl. From what I understood, no one else was holding any parties so... maybe it was time for me to step up to the plate. So I did. Wednesday night I sent out invites via Facebook and sent a few text messages here and there. We had a USU basketball game last night, so the party was planned shortly after that. I thought we'd get a few of our good friends over and just have some good ol' dancing and fun. I forgot how popular I am at school I guess, because that was not the case. My house was packed. People came dressed up and those who weren't had their fun pants on. It turned out to be pretty huge, and I couldn't have been happier. By the way, I was merely joking about the popular thing. ;) So another successful shin dig at The Cube. Hopefully us boys gave everyone a good Hallows Eve.

Yours truly as David Beckham!

Dancin the Night away.

I know... I'm a show off.

Costume Winners.

Party Committee

Yeah... its true. So here's the scoop. Last night I went to open the balcony window in my room to get a nice breeze in. Well ever since we hosted our foam party and used my window to transport foam, it has not been able to stay up. The springs either won't stay in place or I'm not Mr. Handy man like I'd like to believe. So as I'm fiddling with the window last night it slips out of my left hand and crashed down on my right hands index finger. I didn't swear! Can you believe that?! I just let out a very long grunt and bit my lip. When I looked at my finger the only thing I noticed was the skin pulled back a little off my finger....no biggie. The pain started to make it's way into my finger but it was nothing traumatic. I ended up playing games with my roommate Kenny for a few hours after that and thought nothing of it. Well Come 4 oclock this morning I was in pain. I was awoken to the feeling that my heart had somehow made its way down to the end of my finger and was pulsating like a raged chihuahua. So I took some ibuprofen and went back to sleep. Well at 7 oclock this morning, the same problem woke me up. So I made my way to the student wellness center, and was escorted by a rather attractive looking assistant. I Told a CNA my story. Had an x-ray and was read my final results. Broken. Hairline. In the tip. Or in proper terms, in my Distal Phalange. Good news though. No cast or wrap can cure this monstrosity. I just have to take pills that take away the pain and make my face numb and wait about 6 weeks for it to be fully healed. So really its not that big of a deal. I just thought it was blog worthy.

Well after a seriously long drought, my family decided it would be nice to visit their ONLY son at school! My dearest mother and grandmother came down from Idaho this week and we spent some real quality time together! This was my mothers FIRST, again I say FIRST time to Logan (welcome momma) so I had to give her the grand tour. The first day we went out to eat and I was their wildlife guide through the wild and dangerous Logan canyon. We faced many a danger as we came across testosterone-filled cattle drivers and the looming fear that a deer could pop out at any moment had our adrenaline running!!! Heart pumping, let me tell you. Of course I filled their noggins with the city of Logans history and gave them a pop quiz at the end. The next day we headed down to Salt lake and ate at the Cheesecake Factory... Mmmm... and then shot our way to Park City. I had the pleasure of seeing the look on my moms face as I dragged her up and down main street. She was reminded of a three year old version of me pulling her along at the toy store during Christmas. All in all, it was great to see them and I was so glad they came down so I could show them the fruits of Utah. Maybe we could do it again before I go off on that Spiritual Journey or something? Have your people call my people and we'll work it out.

Showing mom my Fire-by-Friction skills.

My Fire-By-Friction skills sucked... so I took it out on mom.


Park City!


What the H is this?! We were appalled!

So I just realized that my last two posts were about my friends getting married. If my FRIENDS lives are blog worthy, but I cant post anything about mine... then thats just pathetic! Have no fear! Something has come my way!!! What? you Ask?!?! Drum roll please... a SCOOTER!!! Yay for two wheeled transportation! Yay for my family freaking out right about now! YAY!!! Yep it's true. I got a scooter... kind of. So my roomie Jordan decided we should go in on a scooter together because A: It's gas efficient. B: The ladies like it. C: They're fun! So we did. We bought a brand new 150 cc scooter for a whopping good price. Jordan forked out the money because... well... he's rich and I just paid him my half. We both got motorcycle endorsements so we're pretty much awesome now. In the past week I've had it I've driven my car... once! Saving gas while saving the environment! And yeah...some ladies have ridden on the back. Family Listen now! I bought a helmet... okay? I am SAFE! I follow the rules of the road. The scooter only goes 150 mph... kidding. 65 really. I dont plan on taking it off road and I'm too chicken to go super fast...yet. :) I love you all...but I'm sticking with the scooter until it gets cold. Which is in about two months... maybe less. Oh and the scooter's name is Jimminy. It sounded like a cricket was inside of it at first so we named it after Jimminy Cricket. There ya have it!

PS. Those of you who are wondering what the "whopping good price" is. Under $1000... that's all I'll say.

Here's a pic... only it doesn't have the trunk thing anymore. Ain't he cute!

So. There comes a time in every mans life, where his best friend goes and gets himself married and leaves his buddy with nothing to do. Well my best friend Matt ended up doing just that. He always thought I would be the first to go, but alas...fate decided other wise! Which is fine by me, because I got to party it up at all his fun filled events! Long story short... Matt and Caitlyn met two years ago and its been a roller coaster ride of events. Matt was twitterpated from the beginning, it just took Cait a few tries to feel the same way. Eventually she grew a pair and she fell mad for the kid. Now they look great together as a married couple and I'm so happy for them! Congrats Matty boy, I love you!

So a few weekends ago one of my best friends FINALLY got married! Congrats Jared! I haven't seen him that happy since our days working at camp. It was hard to let him go... but his lovely wife Shannon is much prettier than I am, so I understand. The reception was at The Cellar in Idaho Falls and it was nothing short of a party. I was probably the only one not drinking but I was able to enjoy a nice bottle of San Palengrino sparkling water. Yum! At the reception I was able to visit with some old friends and reminisce about the good ol days. One of the highlights was when a few of us guys sang a ballad for Jared and Shannon. We did a guitar version of Outkasts Hey Ya, and it turned out so cool! It was fun singing it for him and luckily Casper took video of it. I'll post the link at the bottom, so be sure to click on it. Jared is just the first of many close friends who are getting married soon and I feel like I'm becoming that girl from 27 Dresses who ends up being a bridesmaid for all her friends. Only I'm a groomsman... not a bridesmaid. That would be just silly.

Jared, Lisa and I at camp over 5 YEARS ago!!!



Jared and the "Crew." Jared is bottom right.

Here is the youtube link for the video of us singing to Jared and Shannon. I think we could be BIG!!!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=kuVvZ5Lvo5Q

Hello! Hello! Hello to you all! So again... it's been a while since I have given you all the "update" in the Life of Ryan. To be honest ya'll... not much has happened. Yep. Or... nope. Either or. I have been working A LOT and hanging out at the pool with my homies here in Logan. I've been making some pretty good money though... so if anyone needs a loan, or wants to me to be there sugar daddy, let me know. The APR is only 129%, so your good. A few highlights have been my two trips to my homeland of Idaho Falls. A few weeks ago I came up for the 4th of July. It was neat. Granted I could only come up for about 20 hours before I had to be back the next day for work, but I got to go to a baseball game with the family and enjoyed the fireworks with Matt, Caitlyn and his family. The fireworks never disappoint. So I came back to Logan for a few more days and let me tell you what happened then. Remember a few months back when Ryan James got... um... arrested? Yeah... so I got pulled over because my brake light was broken and the kind ol' officer gave me a nice little reminder to get it fixed. Which I have gotten fixed about three times, I think there is a fuse problem or grounded out wire. ANYWAY! He just wanted to check out everything and asked to see my license, and I gladly gave it to him because I KNEW my record was clear... right? WRONG!!! He comes back and says" Hey Ryan... looks like you were arrested on a warrant back in February, and that warrant is still active." My face went pale white, and my jaw dropped to the ground. Here is how I retaliated, "Um first off... no, no, no, no.... no." I explained I went through the whole court thing and had EVERYTHING taken care of. Long story short, he said because I was already arrested there would be no arresting me that night. Which I was kind of excited to go back to jail, because I knew I could get the awesome bail bonds T-shirt. Sorry Erin... I know how much you wanted me to get that. :) So I called the city office the next day, and cleared it all up. I guess someone forgot to hit the delete button on that little situation.


So a few days later I went back to the homeland and saw my good friend sing at a local concert. Then the next day I went to the YMCA camp I use to work at with my friends Paul and Samantha. It was so great to see those kids, and my how they grow up. I feel so bad though because they remember me and I "recognize" them. I remember a few of their names but for the most part... I'm completely lost. That day we played mud-volleyball, went swimming at the lake, ate spaghetti off the tables, had the Friday night dance ( my costume was a mixture of jack sparrow and peter pan... it was scary), and we finished with skits and songs. The kids demanded I do my famous Tarzan song and I was more than happy to do so. It became the best Tarzan ever and lucky for you I have footage. Mind you its a little dark but still cool.



The day after that I attended one of my best friends wedding which I will talk about in my next blog. Also look forward to a few more blogs after that because I feel I have a lot to write about... Yay for you all! Some excitement in your lives!

PS. Thank you Nani and Mom for your kind words in my last post. I love you both. :)

Here is the famous TARZAN!!! ( click on the highlighted link below )
http://youtube.com/watch?v=S0Ms9sYOFTI