tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51402555033923430022024-03-12T23:34:14.369-07:00Dirty FeatEarth Co.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-20407126176727346922012-01-14T19:04:00.000-08:002012-01-15T05:25:26.065-08:00Forgotten ActualitiesAfter spending a considerable amount of time in Southern New England, North Florida and Nowhere Pennsylvania, I have come to realize it does not matter where you are, but what you discover while being there. Starting in Pennsylvania, trying it out in Florida, finally settling and realizing everything I have ever wanted is in Rhode Island, has not only outlined a lifestyle for me, but it has also filled in the gaps in between every one of my always expanding index of interests.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmFzV3qBs4CatCPCJUrF-tTKy5GOl6jTyRYYcEilcchU8aXhxfs6rMNJxXHVWcc6zFV18jNjqNYOi9mqd5tgTYW0tajrgVKhzkyEwEy3_yHBcIBFSYJdonypk63QammE3xFXo5NJhf5g/s1600/First+week+005.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 271px; height: 182px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVmFzV3qBs4CatCPCJUrF-tTKy5GOl6jTyRYYcEilcchU8aXhxfs6rMNJxXHVWcc6zFV18jNjqNYOi9mqd5tgTYW0tajrgVKhzkyEwEy3_yHBcIBFSYJdonypk63QammE3xFXo5NJhf5g/s400/First+week+005.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697706730842654770" border="0" /></a><br />Pennsylvania taught me to appreciate the great outdoors, street skating, and snowboarding.<br /><br />Florida it was surfing, park skating, and an addiction to dive bars and cheap beer.<br /><br />Rhode Island not only took all of these interests and consolidated them into one simple lifestyle, but it made it easy for me to participate in all of them within the hours of the sun.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span>The most interesting places could actually be right on your doorstep, dont forget about 'em<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEYVbrXx_Lo1r07ymioFVaSovzkKaS5OMXBt_hHqDkPO5QmFujZoP2WpnR0Ph5pNnuZWfnmZdMfcrhd65wiXD9ZjDhJjLXA-Yv00CZ45T1kgQ6iQfQ1A8ZYHHG0VzJtucAKZcY5C3ic4/s1600/Second+Week+014.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMEYVbrXx_Lo1r07ymioFVaSovzkKaS5OMXBt_hHqDkPO5QmFujZoP2WpnR0Ph5pNnuZWfnmZdMfcrhd65wiXD9ZjDhJjLXA-Yv00CZ45T1kgQ6iQfQ1A8ZYHHG0VzJtucAKZcY5C3ic4/s400/Second+Week+014.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697695454472752242" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJW5cYNg6-XZi-w3kFgi6FKgZGSJYIO-ZZ_rIbvyAXoGBz9VLaNYbJBlZRqXFdxP645J9JhsJAPfTTOYR9_TRhDa_vnFqy6gVBvC72up4EdEaXJSPz86zFWb5BSe7HOBt5SexGOKqJVo/s1600/Second+Week+015.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbJW5cYNg6-XZi-w3kFgi6FKgZGSJYIO-ZZ_rIbvyAXoGBz9VLaNYbJBlZRqXFdxP645J9JhsJAPfTTOYR9_TRhDa_vnFqy6gVBvC72up4EdEaXJSPz86zFWb5BSe7HOBt5SexGOKqJVo/s400/Second+Week+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697695826179580402" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;"><br />Rise and Grind, <a href="http://www.7ply.com">7ply</a> upgrading the park and making it fun for o</span><span style="font-style: italic;">ld heads<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLFKP0qkTlTrUeI1fhFSYZa6j3vbwSLBQwf0z8ifv6JpwRL0KtM6FMI2kmYOCG3oae2tAE6kDdWJ53W9BVDFf01owgR0LcKlus39h_53g7IBED-NbBAs4YSLyMKkVoQFfjR4VU75j0w4/s1600/Second+Week+008.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 381px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlLFKP0qkTlTrUeI1fhFSYZa6j3vbwSLBQwf0z8ifv6JpwRL0KtM6FMI2kmYOCG3oae2tAE6kDdWJ53W9BVDFf01owgR0LcKlus39h_53g7IBED-NbBAs4YSLyMKkVoQFfjR4VU75j0w4/s400/Second+Week+008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697698089823601202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJaPRUJJW0JDGoXA_eIHYWIpOl30b3Ny01Ar7ajpCot-uarAXnfGXVXDELBdGsMZ2-wrh9ACnytIfI22CCnGvGzUJRJJ8Z7CpEZv-SZCfZd-W_vQQ9XhwzfMNpkoIpvIgWN-REw8faZ0/s1600/Second+Week+016.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 382px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLJaPRUJJW0JDGoXA_eIHYWIpOl30b3Ny01Ar7ajpCot-uarAXnfGXVXDELBdGsMZ2-wrh9ACnytIfI22CCnGvGzUJRJJ8Z7CpEZv-SZCfZd-W_vQQ9XhwzfMNpkoIpvIgWN-REw8faZ0/s400/Second+Week+016.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697698430051199650" border="0" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">RI's got a good trail system, mid-days mind clearing<br /><br /></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhrBu1taxat-KFiv0KzzxL1GQHSAfgGg6ahuUhKNsmnlQNi3dFvRO9u8ENI7wQ_Y8jSipQueOuW95s42cCdxsUWxM3Q9DGa9goDurIkyCJR5NScMunpxMclZSquBnmEqeEQQepk4a1MI/s1600/Second+Week+032.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhrBu1taxat-KFiv0KzzxL1GQHSAfgGg6ahuUhKNsmnlQNi3dFvRO9u8ENI7wQ_Y8jSipQueOuW95s42cCdxsUWxM3Q9DGa9goDurIkyCJR5NScMunpxMclZSquBnmEqeEQQepk4a1MI/s400/Second+Week+032.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697703394304473250" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_EcuEOAKNCAWjbB4_gzY601llD-gC3WJ5l2QgJlKWZOcuys4bxB4mjlgFGxbp6oWXqIk2tCEHj0IXvEuGmrQvlGRIDF3aD7Oiyn8JmFe9Ca-g0pHmkS1M9kBQxSiWKlDxfo9tNdidQg/s1600/Second+Week+036.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 307px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_EcuEOAKNCAWjbB4_gzY601llD-gC3WJ5l2QgJlKWZOcuys4bxB4mjlgFGxbp6oWXqIk2tCEHj0IXvEuGmrQvlGRIDF3aD7Oiyn8JmFe9Ca-g0pHmkS1M9kBQxSiWKlDxfo9tNdidQg/s400/Second+Week+036.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697704230087286242" border="0" /></a></div></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx_EcuEOAKNCAWjbB4_gzY601llD-gC3WJ5l2QgJlKWZOcuys4bxB4mjlgFGxbp6oWXqIk2tCEHj0IXvEuGmrQvlGRIDF3aD7Oiyn8JmFe9Ca-g0pHmkS1M9kBQxSiWKlDxfo9tNdidQg/s1600/Second+Week+036.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWk-5SP9Z9EpYZC1bvjr5JXYAk76bt-ZmLDHPNV0KXHAg_XbPfGqyDjwQnV8c2GYiT5l631d_SC0GLbUdRx_rGr9wr9LR6JR6Xh4onYwAFKZSlwv2fyCT4krgQj6b4AQFqEBgH_5ieWs0/s1600/Second+Week+032.jpg"><br /></a><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"> Victory at sea 1.5 miles away from clean mellow lines</span><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj79TpErczvoDfj9SNcFGyGq_PMqP5BPUTrt0iHEqybe0docoYEj0hyXb8P0N_3LGOGMTZqVypw24Sw6qWDBsR61VTc8Wh0Nv6kEyjrHpWnuEJjCkUu2GiW6CiYS1qa-r-gzbYu03AV9g/s1600/Second+Week+044.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj79TpErczvoDfj9SNcFGyGq_PMqP5BPUTrt0iHEqybe0docoYEj0hyXb8P0N_3LGOGMTZqVypw24Sw6qWDBsR61VTc8Wh0Nv6kEyjrHpWnuEJjCkUu2GiW6CiYS1qa-r-gzbYu03AV9g/s400/Second+Week+044.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697705394046790322" border="0" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: right;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8up0OYq_qQN9xB65RKsGMzez0VSY-Ss4cE6tYpQlghDghd9UadRDaEUDq5ChcP04AOrE50JzeoxKX_6EBKc2B5RpDHe31eYd5Uytg_mmCPMnU9yiJY5egmtkMBIgL18k0X4GdCLfUS6Y/s1600/Second+Week+029.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8up0OYq_qQN9xB65RKsGMzez0VSY-Ss4cE6tYpQlghDghd9UadRDaEUDq5ChcP04AOrE50JzeoxKX_6EBKc2B5RpDHe31eYd5Uytg_mmCPMnU9yiJY5egmtkMBIgL18k0X4GdCLfUS6Y/s400/Second+Week+029.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5697705766665132434" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Building an outdoor deck bar, cold and damp Rhode Island Style</span><br /></div></div></div>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-21055494163214810072012-01-11T14:39:00.000-08:002012-01-11T15:13:38.796-08:00Make up our own minds for experienceNo more than a year ago I experienced this video and I couldn't find it again until today. Within the first two minutes it changed the way I felt about everything in my life. Watch it more than once, and think about every word said. You'll be happy you did.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QbSO2DtAs1k" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe><br /></div><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;">"...push the scope of my experience for adventure through passion"<br /></div>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-83989180485665563912012-01-08T17:57:00.000-08:002012-01-08T18:47:40.002-08:00Nowhere SparedThe winter season, usually frees up enough time for me to really get really lost in my imagination. The past few years it has been filled with thoughts getting lost in deep in the woods in the most pristine areas of the world, that are unaffected by all the B.S. of today's society.<br /><br />Last year I read a book called "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson. This book was his account of hiking the Appalachian Trail, which he did in numerous sections. While the book seemed to drag on, I couldn't help but become obsessed on how he explained the feeling of pure nothingness. Where the whole world seemed to be perfect, no wars, no politics, no rules.<br /><br />I picked up a book this past week, "One Mans Wilderness" which is Dick Proenneke's journal of the experience he had becoming a self sufficient craftsman in the heart of the Alaskan wilderness. I'm not far into this book, but I have already found myself lost in my imagination, thinking, obsessing over the feeling of pure nothingness.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/z7jxFbscIJY?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/z7jxFbscIJY?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="360"></embed></object><br /></div>The wilderness seems to be the only place to escape all toxicity of the earth.<br />Until now.<br /><br />While getting lost in imagination, reality pokes its evil spear and brings forward the earths real issues.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/seal-walruses-dead-alaska-mysterious-sores-hair-loss-scientists-baffled.html">This is an article</a> I found this evening on what is happening in one of the last pure places on earth. The cause could be tied to mankind and our ability to overlook the effects our lifestyle has on our planet.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-55517785800437919972012-01-06T16:02:00.000-08:002012-01-06T16:13:04.440-08:00In case you weren't aware.It makes me sick how divided surfing is, not only on the physical level but on a business level as well. Money runs everything, whether its contests or free surfing, you need it to participate. The fact that most people spend more money buying surf equipment then they spend actually trying to find waves pisses me off. Call yourself a contest surfer, call yourself a free surfer, regardless you are at the mercy of the corporations. <br /><br />Don't even get me started on snowboarding and skateboarding.<br /><br />To shed some light, Korduroy TV composed this wonderful animated reel<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/31110503?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ddf5a2" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="225"></iframe><p><a href="http://vimeo.com/31110503">Contest VS. Free Surfer Animation</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/apeel">www.KORDUROY.tv</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com">Vimeo</a>.</p></div>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-6904269964966504432012-01-04T11:47:00.000-08:002012-01-04T12:13:13.843-08:00Become more aware of your Environment.As a kid I participated in almost every team sport, I learned alot about team work, and I learned alot about myself. I learned that listening to a set of rules and regulations for past time enjoyment wasn't the way I wanted to live my life. Rollerblading was introduced to me, and I decided to pursue it for a better part of my young life, until I realized I was more comfortable with my left foot forward.<br /><br />Snowboarding, Surfing, Skateboarding.<br /><br />It wasn't until the past 5 years that I started realizing the freedoms the earth provides you. Becoming involved in these sideways stanced past times opened my eyes to the environment and how much we rely on mother nature to provide us with perfect conditions.<br /><br />If all we have to do is become more aware of our environment to preserve the regulation free activities that are available to us, then I am a life time supporter.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/34224953?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ddf5a2" webkitallowfullscreen="" mozallowfullscreen="" allowfullscreen="" width="400" frameborder="0" height="225"></iframe><p>Forrest Shearer knows how it is, we all should.</p></div>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-77169968717402184302012-01-03T20:11:00.000-08:002012-01-03T21:23:23.626-08:00Kicking off the year of FirstsI wouldn't consider myself an alcoholic, but I am finding myself addicted to trying new beer and wine. My girlfriend is a graduate from a the culinary program at Johnson and Wales, so I blame her for steering my tastes away from quantity over quality, to quality and quantity.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Whether its at the food store or at the package store, she finds some of most interesting things that can satisfy any palate. Tonight she stumbled upon this gem, while I was busy looking at overpriced 12 packs.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2m5bsF7hzVE4OppS6rnokD52Iqj4O6QVCLesdrePe1b4ykul94GZKUPRVEKMyzcX20NdbdELgGGLZgoAIStRgAZgt8xrWnoSYUN4d0gwOOEHOOjsNpZynV7CxU6W-2So3_KiEceVpavI/s1600/First+week+015.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2m5bsF7hzVE4OppS6rnokD52Iqj4O6QVCLesdrePe1b4ykul94GZKUPRVEKMyzcX20NdbdELgGGLZgoAIStRgAZgt8xrWnoSYUN4d0gwOOEHOOjsNpZynV7CxU6W-2So3_KiEceVpavI/s400/First+week+015.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693634190139519362" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">-You know its a good life when Labatt Blue with lime </span><br /></div><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;">makes it into a micro brew variety pack<br /><br /></span></div>Yankee Spirits in Attleboro, MA decided to compile this variety pack, which included 3 of each of the beers shown.<br /><br />With the exception of two, all of these beers were firsts for me (including the Labatt, even though all 3 still remain my fridge) . I can now say I have a few new favorites including the <a href="http://www.lagunitas.com/">Lagunitas</a> IPA and <a href="http://www.boulderbeer.com">Boulder Beer's</a> Hazed and Infused.<br /><br />Keep your eyes open, new experiences are all around you, even in your favorite package stores.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-82948793278536102682011-12-31T18:33:00.000-08:002011-12-31T18:45:31.678-08:00Claimed 2011<div style="text-align: center;">Couple of fun swells this past year... the last being the best, not only for me, but for a good friend as well. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/393305_788301854849_24807407_37927417_1496773496_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 630px; height: 420px;" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/393305_788301854849_24807407_37927417_1496773496_n.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Claimer: Ryan Brower<br />Photo: Jimmy Smith </span><br /></div>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-48741457286282800292011-12-30T15:53:00.000-08:002011-12-31T04:50:21.904-08:00You wont find any of that here.I gave it a try once, for about two weeks.<br /><br />I tried reading about it, but the boredom strewn and unhappiness that followed ruined it.<br /><br />I seldom watch TV, almost never if its on more than the news.<br /><br />I find conversations pertaining to it useless because no one is ever correct.<br /><br /><br />Today at work, I briefly stated that I dont vote. Expecting no response, I never turned into the conversation and attempted to focus the customers I was supposed to be following. Before I even got the "te" out of my mouth someone gasped made a completely moronic statement, "well you should!" followed by, "what if the federal government made every surfer pay $500.00 to go in the water!?!?"<br /><br />great.<br /><br />In my life, every minute counts and I am not going to waste it arguing on something I dont know enough about. If I feel that there is ever someone qualified enough to make decisions based on the people and not on money, then yes I will vote. Until then I'm going to continue living a worry-free and and ridiculously fun life, learning how to be self sustainable. (Please dont comment, "Well if you want to continue that way of life you need to vote.")<br /><br />You will never find a post here that is meant to be one sided, expressing my views on a subject that I know nothing about.<br /><br />Stay positive and feel alive.<br /><br /><br />If that didn't get anyone fired up, maybe this will<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/CUEY5qihUKs" allowfullscreen="" width="560" frameborder="0" height="315"></iframe>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-64142665529051295572011-12-27T20:17:00.000-08:002011-12-28T04:33:11.119-08:00Merry ChreativenessDays come and days go, some more meaningful than others, but in the end its just another day.<br /><br />Christmas time is big in my family, and so is every other holiday, but Christmas is planned for weeks and weeks in advance. Shopping is a daily activity, decorating hourly, and listening to Christmas music almost secondly. This year, I had the same overeager Christmas spirit as previous years except I finally made enough money to buy everyone the "most meaninful" gifts they could ever think of. Out I went, melting bank cards, spending hours looking for the best deals, missing waves and sunny days at the skatepark.<br /><br />The "most meaningful" gift I gave this year was a typical sunrise picture that I snapped last October mounted in a frame I made from salvaged woods. Free.<br /><br />I sat there thinking I have finally found my niche, photography, and then I discovered something deeper after visiting a outdoor retail giant.<br /><br />I spent $41 and some change on insulated pants for winter hiking. There I was spending money so I could enjoy earths freedom. The outdoor industry is huge, and without it many people cant even fathom going out in a wooded area to camp for a night. It then hit me, you dont need to spend your money to enjoy life, or to give "meaningful gifts", all you need is a creative approach and an open mind.<br /><br />The earliest pioneers didnt have insulated hiking pants, they didnt have strip malls and department stores that carried the "most meaningful" gifts, they only had their minds and creativity. The wilderness wasn't a place of recreation, it was home, and everything they could give the earth gave to them. They never missed perfect days standing in lines with hundreds of dollars worth of gifts piled in a cart, they never had to waste money buying the "most meaningful" cooking equipment, sleeping bags, and warm clothing. They could capture every part of the day while using their creativity to create the "most meaningful" survival equipment for themselves and gifts for their fellow adventurers.<br /><br />The "most meaningful" gift comes from a creative mind, not from a fat wallet.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9Ky5HAZUbjkgdxiTapPdTbtQRQB8jMHSHiLsK1kfvICoaHcF9Rf8k9oSOSg45AEjEeQGMSuERuw7O-Aj2Ujdj_kpfia731yKZdYNILS9vdvXCaB_kZuN68ptRw34QqshhRNd-brz4OU/s1600/Holiday+071.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9Ky5HAZUbjkgdxiTapPdTbtQRQB8jMHSHiLsK1kfvICoaHcF9Rf8k9oSOSg45AEjEeQGMSuERuw7O-Aj2Ujdj_kpfia731yKZdYNILS9vdvXCaB_kZuN68ptRw34QqshhRNd-brz4OU/s400/Holiday+071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5691045731130373858" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Step 2 of a 20 minute framing process<br /><br /></span></div>Next Christmas, do yourself and your family a favor and create something meaningful, don"t waste perfect weather trying to buy it.Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-68266075708039350662011-12-22T17:57:00.000-08:002011-12-22T18:22:42.600-08:00Keys To RealityA good point and a good read. <a href="http://snowboarding.transworld.net/wp-content/blogs.dir/442/files/2010/01/0750_001.pdf">Here is the PDF</a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04Zb0Ey8HZWmtFx_UPNQZU_iSfdbfPmkaqQkmpsAfOBvkx9enEKhdYvtBNCPHourT7ors2S13eClFeAmaX3J6m9lZxCMzp9H8sM7Uy7IJc117terEdrOKT2kEpamgKEpIIH5J4rlEt8o/s1600/keys+to+reality.bmp"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 455px; height: 689px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04Zb0Ey8HZWmtFx_UPNQZU_iSfdbfPmkaqQkmpsAfOBvkx9enEKhdYvtBNCPHourT7ors2S13eClFeAmaX3J6m9lZxCMzp9H8sM7Uy7IJc117terEdrOKT2kEpamgKEpIIH5J4rlEt8o/s400/keys+to+reality.bmp" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689140101000054738" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Ryan/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-1.png" alt="" /><img src="file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/Ryan/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot-2.png" alt="" />Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-47538484769475866912011-12-20T19:02:00.000-08:002011-12-21T08:06:08.531-08:00Vermont TravelsEast of Burlington lies the home of <a href="http://snowflakebentley.com/bio.htm">Snowflake Bentley</a>, a very unusual character, but wilderness pioneer none the less. The snowflake is something I catch myself thinking about every winter anytime I am outside. Whether I am stuck knee deep in the middle of the woods, or careening face first into it, the snowflake makes up one of most interesting things in my mind and on our planet.<br /><br />Until tonight I never knew such a man existed, however I knew not one snowflake is the same. Thank you Mr. Bentley for your photography skills and drive to solve the earths phenomenons.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoLA3VYEJI9Vp6RdLSa0HseLoDLbLMkUx5kb36wfmM2kDxtur6wlJz5K7M55fy5vOyRtsl08LBdIpxWRl1C-3WQJU1hyDzowSbtC2DVe3ICxwSwQqmIbrOI8MfHLQl9eiPNIzhNJMRgw/s1600/Holiday+064.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizoLA3VYEJI9Vp6RdLSa0HseLoDLbLMkUx5kb36wfmM2kDxtur6wlJz5K7M55fy5vOyRtsl08LBdIpxWRl1C-3WQJU1hyDzowSbtC2DVe3ICxwSwQqmIbrOI8MfHLQl9eiPNIzhNJMRgw/s320/Holiday+064.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688439599187872450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXECsZ0HYERzQC2nreLbdn6-_Pm-LY_E2JfOnf90dv-lVX1gcBLZr-uL3ALVrlMpf0pjrTg6Pzc2MzTQq5sru9Dpxgbo3GIhQ185MYObnsV6VsyiNikcYfCCzUdeTunYCZylraOEAeU90/s1600/Holiday+068.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXECsZ0HYERzQC2nreLbdn6-_Pm-LY_E2JfOnf90dv-lVX1gcBLZr-uL3ALVrlMpf0pjrTg6Pzc2MzTQq5sru9Dpxgbo3GIhQ185MYObnsV6VsyiNikcYfCCzUdeTunYCZylraOEAeU90/s320/Holiday+068.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688439332755675282" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Fairfax VT winter compound<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">During my most recent trip to Vermont, I got myself turned around on what was supposed to be a short hike. The snow not only blazed my trail, eventually leading me back to my 4 wheel sleigh, but also re-sparked my interest in winter survival.<br /><br />Thick wetties, thick wool, jonesing for powder pockets and frost bitten nor easters.<br /><br /><br /><object style="height: 390px; width: 640px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/bFjhJrQGXfI?version=3&feature=player_detailpage"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/bFjhJrQGXfI?version=3&feature=player_detailpage" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="640" height="360"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></div>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-66846993676846006022011-12-16T18:07:00.001-08:002011-12-19T21:24:13.411-08:00Blue Water Task ForceSaturday morning I began a yearlong volunteer study that has been going on for over a decade. Blue Water Task Force is a program through <a href="http://www.surfrider.org/">surfrider</a> that collects water samples near surf spots around the world.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo7x7kOISVdEFrseNduNkdFfvbm4JPFmCzqdbdfaKaggbrbDr07uwvbA7MzxI1GY6AkfSWSo7-fesEkrWMHn7reHh5vfO4do4tu7bBJ1_HLarAgPLKLnAVTKaAiqHMg3BXXw_hJGkYEc/s1600/Sampling.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHo7x7kOISVdEFrseNduNkdFfvbm4JPFmCzqdbdfaKaggbrbDr07uwvbA7MzxI1GY6AkfSWSo7-fesEkrWMHn7reHh5vfO4do4tu7bBJ1_HLarAgPLKLnAVTKaAiqHMg3BXXw_hJGkYEc/s320/Sampling.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688076161358598834" border="0" /></a>scarborough beach, ri<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">"when the water smells like your toilet, paddle out"</span><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMKGzyRHjfHq3XKE0jT_OmwddGzF3vtcW8P3LXD6n1HNERjWj5y1bGRBBOo47lSwqIGWrsA-CDntYbrqHQVA-vxSJ8YsCbIxDGHLgE1rpiqFbSr02FIUjpVrrbo3gU1CIlFXNlgFluHvs/s1600/Sampling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>Ryanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03133227844759006487noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5140255503392343002.post-63728569038689092872011-12-14T21:55:00.000-08:002011-12-14T21:55:16.215-08:00Dirty Feat: The beginningAfter years of deliberation, I have finally found the time to document and share some of the best feelings my "doing everything the most difficult or dangerous way" personality has ever experienced. I invite anyone that has a knack for sustaining your adventure, whether its traveling days to get barreled out of your mind, digging yourself out trying to find a deep pocket of pow, carving mach ten around inverted bowl corners, or purposely getting your self into brave heart wilderness situations. Chug your coffee, grab a brew and get dirty feat in the natural world around you.<br />
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