364 Days

Today marks 365 days of writing continuously in my journal at the end of the day. I'm sure that there are many of you out there who have attempted the same feat and most likely failed, but I'm sure there are also the many of you who have done the same thing.
I always thought that I would feel extremely accomplished by achieving what many would find as a huge milestone, but I don't. Not right now anyways. I look at my journal right now and see the entire last year of my life summarized into a small book. (2 books actually, a mickey mouse journal, and a small leatherish book.)  I only wish I could have gone into more detail on certain events in my past year that occurred.  I have missed so much of what I experienced.
But for the moments I've missed, I have also recorded some pretty fantastic experiences also. I will never forget somethings, but for the ones I will, I have my journal. Hopefully it's enough.

I have in these past 2 weeks considered not writing in my journal today for various reasons.

1- Better people than I have tried and failed
2- To spite everyone who told me I should do it (I'm a jerk sometimes, I understand that.)
3- I don't want to make it look like I'm perfect (though I am :D  )
4- I... Don't know why else. I just didn't want to.

I'm not going to tell you whether I do write in my journal or not. Use your imagination. :)

Ten Minute Stream of Consciousness

Here I am sitting at my house after a short term at BYU. I made some great friends and I am very excited to see where the fall takes me. I have been very lucky to have met the people I did at the times I did. They came when I needed them most and got me through one of the hardest times of my life. Brandon Hveem, I don't know if you're ever going to read this, but you became one of my best friends very fast. I am forever grateful and always will be that you got me to realize certain things about myself that I wasn't even sure about. 

For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, I'm sorry, but you're most likely not going to find out. Yes, that goes for you too mom and dad. I love you, but this is stuff that is between me and my friend. Isn't it funny how we have things like that? Things we'll tell our friends, but not our family? I don't know where I'm going with this post. I hope I don't make anyone mad by just writing. Anyways...

 I have decided that I am going to date a ton of people come the beginning of fall semester. I dated maybe one or two girls and I feel that I could have done TONS better. Unfortunately I'm kind of shy, so hopefully I run into girls who will take the initiative to ask me on a date. I'm a weird guy at times. I should probably put on the pants and just grab the girls and tell them they're going to date me. In the nicest way possible of course. 

Maybe at the end of all of this ranting and raving I'll put this all into paragraphs and somewhat organize it.. perhaps not. It's more entertaining to just have a mess.

I hope my workload isn't too bad. Six credits was a breeze and I'm praying that fall is just as easy and that I can stay committed right up to the very end and finish with fantastic grades. I'm also super excited to go on a mission. I actually wish I could go now.

 I just want to get on with the rest of my life right now. People of course will indeed tell me, don't grow up too fast, but I just want to move on and be ready for everything that is going to come. Actually, I hope people don't think that I only want to go so I can move on with everything, I legitimately do in fact want to spread the gospel and grow personally. It's not all selfish motivation for me. 

Well, my ten minutes is up. Perhaps I will have structure next time. 

What Now?

What is the big thing to look forward to now that choir tour is over? (besides graduation) I am not certain.  I cannot help but think that Choir Tour was the highlight of my senior year.  It's sad to think that it has come and passed so quickly. It seems like only yesterday we were leaving for the trip, and now, here I sit in my home babysitting my sister.
This is my final year in high school, my parents home, and with some of my friends that I hold very dear.
What am I to look forward to now? Is this school year's activities and excitements over? All I can do is keep my chin up and make the best that I possibly can out of the remaining two months of high school.
Oh, and I'm 18 now.

Photoblog

My band, "Humble Everest" performing at the Velour in Provo Utah. I love playing  music for a crowd. It gives me a rush that I cannot put into words.

Shaving Skyler's head was our graduation present to him. Though the pigtails are there in the picture, they no longer exist. Unfortunately.

My best friends. We all have matching T Shirts because one of my other good friends got  them for us for Christmas. It was awesome.

Here we are at Temple Square. It was a lot of fun and a great spiritual experience to be able to sing our choir songs for the public. 

We saw it online, and did exactly what it told us not to do. My friends Daniel, Austin, Robert and I all  made these Meat Turtles. We, "Tried this at home" after seeing the idea online.

I just like this picture of me. It makes me look small in perspective to the world and all that it has to offer. All I can do is try my hardest and do my best to make it a better place.

As much as my little sister and I may fight at times, I am truly grateful that we were given each other as siblings. I can only hope that Tyson and Sarah are the same way; if not closer.

The Fifteen Minute Exploration of Bryce Clyde’s Brain

          Before you read this and make the assumption that I am on a mind altering substance, or have gone insane, let me explain what I was writing.  I was on assignment from Mrs. Walker, my Creative Writing teacher, to write a stream of conciousness paper continuously for fifteen minutes without lifting my fingers from the keyboard.  I was assigned a few words to include in my writing from a dictionary, among them are, derringer, Mezuzah, receptacle, and withdraw. Now, without further adue, I present to you, my assignment!

  A derringer is a funny word.  I don’t really know what it is used for, but I know that if I was indeed given one I would probably go crazy with it.  A small pistol, probably used to assassinate important political figures or something like that. Politics… I hate learning about it, but I love being taught by Mr. Alexander.  He’s just so funny and has a dry humor that makes me laugh so much. Another word I was given, (by my friend Nichelle) was Mezuzah, I’m not one hundred percent sure what it was actually used for, all I know is that it is a small container that has something to do with Biblical Passage.  I’m sure they were very important in the time of the Pharoahs and…. Kings and whatnot, but I could really care less that they survived hundreds of years or however long they’ve been around.  Well… that’s not necessarily true…. Because if those things weren’t around the parchment that the Bible was written on could have potentially perished and I would be without a religion! Well… Assuming god didn’t bother to save our race anyways.  Oh! I have a message from my friend. J I’m going to stop writing for two seconds so I can read it, and respond.  Hold on a second Mrs. Walker.  Oh dang. I need to get on my Mr. Payson stuff. Audrey reminded me… I need to make a poster and… what is that thing…. Oh yeah! A Cake.  I am going to make a lion shaped cake, only super freaking awesome because it needs to be so cool that other people want to eat it, and not throw it in a receptacle ;) did you enjoy how I threw in my word I was supposed to use into the sentence and incorporated it? I thought you might.   Oop! Another text.  Brb…. Umm…. Sorry about the Smileys and texting lingo.  My mind is still on it.  I’m not sure if I’m doing this assignment right, but I hope that you accept it! If not then I would definitely be disappointed.  You thought I was going to say, “Cry” didn’t’ you? AHHAHAHHAHAHHAH I fooled you! Do do do….. Not one hundred percent sure what to talk about now…. Hmm… there once was a man who owned a Deringer.  He decided that he was going to go steal the most important Mezuzah in the world from the president.  That bet that John Wilkes boothe used one… anyways… As the man was nearing the president, he decided that it would be better to not go to prison, so he snuck up behind the president and grabbed for the Mezuzah.  Unfortunately he missed and ended up grabbing his wallet. He withdrew the cash that was inside of it, then threw away the wallet.  He then reached for the Mezuzah again.  Just as he was about to grab it the secret service saw him.. They pulled out their Deringer’s and prepared to fire upon him. He surrendered and threw himself at the ground.  It was too late though because my time is up and I’m finished writing :D Goodbye!

Begging: the decay of modern society after your hard earned dollar

Panhandlers make me sick to my stomach. I remember I was much younger, and so much more naive when one day, after exiting the mall into the parking lot with my father after a good time of father/son bonding, a grungy, dirty looking old man approached us.
"Sir, would you happen to have a dollar or two you could spare?" the man seemed honest and almost shy as he spoke, "I was diagnosed with (I don't remember what he said) and I can't pay for the medicine, it could potentially be life threatening if I don't get a hold of it soon." I looked at my dad with a smile because I KNEW my father was a good man and would always help someone in need.
"No," my father quickly stated with confidence and a small touch of anger in his voice. The man looked like he had been punched in the face. He was shocked to have register a negative answer.
"but sir, I..."
"listen buddy," my father interrupted, " I saw you here last week. You came and spoke to me about how you needed money for your child's surgery. I reluctantly gave you five dollars and was pleased with myself." the man was visibly uncomfortable and looked eager to get away.
"Either you're the unluckiest man I have ever met, or you are lying to my face." with these words the man turned and walked away. I looked at my dad shocked at what had just transpired before my eyes. He then went on to tell me about how the man had been at the mall for two weeks now. He warned me about giving money to "homeless" people. You never know who's lying, and who's telling the truth.
I have, since these past events, not trusted donating, or, giving money to Panhandlers, or even some so called "charities." how do I KNOW they aren't just dressed up looking for an easy dollar? I can't know. But what about the REAL homeless, and the real people who are taking the time to beg to survive?
I personally believe that if an honest beggar is willing to take the time to stand outside of a public area for hours on end holding up a cup for strangers to put money into, then they are fully capable to go out and find work. Some may argue that some aren't able because of the lack of professional skills, or perhaps they are physically disabled or even mentally Ill. Well, if that be the case, then tell somebody about it. Go to the police, the homeless shelter, someone who can help. Don't give them money based on trust. In these days we live in you almost cannot even trust your next door neighbor; he could be a con man looking to rob you of your money!
some may question how I would fix this problem if I were given the opportunity. Well, it's simple really, make it illegal. Pass an ordinate/law that prohibits panhandling of all forms. What better way to discourage dishonest behavior then to make it illegal?
I know there will be some who don't agree with me, but I just felt that I had to get my opinion out in the open. If someone is in genuine need, they will seek out help where it can best happen, such as a homeless shelter, or even the department of workforce services, or whatever that place is. If I had the power, begging would be illegal. But I don't have the power. So I ask you, before you give a dollar to the next homeless person, think about how long they have been standing in one place while they could have been out doing something of actual worth, contributing to society? Too long.

Short and Sweet. (Sorry! No pics this time!)

DISCLAIMER******
This post is about a dark secret I previously decided I would only share with those closest to me.  If you are not one of my closest friends and/or family, I have to ask you to now click the back button, or immediately go to the link I have provided at the bottom of the paragraph instead.  SO assuming that only those closest to me read this blog, I have decided that I should inform you.  Do not judge me for what I am about to reveal to you.... too harshly

NON CLOSE FAMILY/FRIENDS CLICK HERE.

As many of you know, I ventured up to a strange and mysterious land that many fear to tread just before Christmas.  It was a perilous journey to Canada where I learned the value of family, friendship.... and steamy hot LDS Romance.
Wait... What did he just say? 
That's right, you didn't read that wrong, steamy hot LDS Romance.  You may by asking, "How in the world did Bryce encounter that??" Well, allow me to inform you carefully in the next paragraph.

2ND DISCLAIMER******
Okay, seriously now guys, if you aren't close. Don't continue reading because this is SUPER embarrassing. If you decide you shouldn't read, I have once again provided a link to something else equally as interesting as this post. You are more than welcome to check it out.
Click here if not close enough :)

I did not meet some Canadian gal and have a make-out session, and no, I did not even hold one's hand.  What I did do though, was read and fall in love with, Timeless Waltz, an LDS Romance novel by Anita Stansfield.  It is brilliantly mushy and uber lovey dovey.
This kid is off his rocker. Call in the guys with the white coats and have them take him away.
I am not crazy! It was actually a good read. When my grandmother brought me a box of books to read after being a bit bored while sitting at her house, the book caught my eye, and I chose to read it. (keep in mind that all of her books were romance.) I retreated to the basement of her home, and immediately delved into the world of the two lovers.  I did not believe I was going to like the book when I first picked it up, but decided to press on and see what happened. Boy was I wrong.
I fell in love with the characters, plot, and storytelling of Stansfield.  Though there was indeed one or two chapters I detested due to the fact that the main character goes back in time to meet his ancestors, I stayed up late into the night reading chapter after chapter of this marvelous book.  I found myself on an emotional roller coaster.....of... emotions.
Emotional Roller coaster of Emotions? That's it. I'm really calling the men in white now.
The Characters circumstances were perfectly in a pickle.  It had the right amount of conflict and was a good read.  I finished the 250 paged book in only two days.
Two days? If it was so good how come you didn't finish it in one day you freak?
I'm a slow reader okay?
Suuuuuure....
...Anyways... I have recently been recommended another LDS Romance by Stansfield, titled, Towers at Brierly, by one of my colleagues.  I am only one chapter in so far, but I'm super excited.  It's already so good.

Now that I've shared a secret with you that is was so darkly hidden within my heart, I must ask that you keep it a secret and NEVER share it with another soul.
If it's so secret, how come you posted it online, and shared it on facebook?
Uhh....Nevermind... check out the books... they're good. Not as bad as you'd think they are.
Sure they aren't. 
Shut up.
Tehe :)