I remember ringing in 2000 very clearly. I was home still living with my parents on Long Island and was in my senior year at the University. Stage, my band of brothers since I was 14, (without knowing at the time) was very close to signing with Madonna’s Maverick Records. Still I felt failed, lost and empty. Like many, I actually did believe in the possibility that the world would end that very night. Not from computer malfunctions and the loss of technology causing riots and chaos, but from something beyond — aliens, monsters, tidal waves or maybe just waking up from the dream that we thought was life. Something told me this was it. So, I simply played my piano all night and sang songs that came to me, losing every single melody to the moments that would pass me by. If this were the end and the flood was coming, then my ark was music and I would walk onto it alone.
In my personal life back on Earth, my estranged 1st love called me out of nowhere. A call I dreamt of for 3 years had come. She requested that I see her, but at that exact moment in time I felt like I had moved on. Straight out of the end of “Swingers,” I suddenly felt nothing for her anymore. I credit her for creating the hurt in me that drove me to write all of my songs, but at that second, I was over it. I felt a new page turning. Even if the world was about to die, I was fine by myself with music and the idea of something new around the corner. I learned a lot about myself that night and what I admired about life.
The next ten years for me brought so much. There were crushed dreams and let downs, new beginnings and hopes, tons of life changing decisions and hard work, and even more simply some of the greatest days I have ever had. — Exploring Bali, snowboarding Aspen, learning to see beauty in man’s creations in Barcelona through Gaudi’s eyes. — Living my childhood dreams out recording an album under the sky in Malibu and finally, returning to my birthplace in Montauk. – 10 years and all the space in between. This year alone, I visited every state in this country including Alaska, where I swam in white water and saw the sun and the moon dance as it never got completely dark. So many faces and so many seconds that make it all worth it. Those mental snapshots we all take in our minds, get us through the harder times so we can keep discovering this life over and over again. Over and over again we live and die every day. We are reborn every morning with hope and possibility, so let’s all continue to make the best of this. Don’t let anything keep our spirits down and if you feel that weight coming, run as fast as you can, escape your body and LET YOUR SPIRIT RUN, and you will find a new home in life’s next moment. Nothing is permanent, nothing is forever, and nothing is so serious. Keep smiling and have the greatest New Year ever.
2 eyes, 10 fingers
Hello 2010!
My raves of the decade – add your own below here in the comments section for me to see. Thx
Barack Obama
Singing on the streets
Adaptation
Michael Phelps
Lord of the Rings
Coldplay
Bill Gates
Iranian Election Protests
Beauty out of Tragedy
Michael Jackson
Steve Jobs
Almost Famous
Conan O’Brien
Stem Cells
Vitamin Water
Kings Of Leon
The financial bubble bursting
Chris Rock
Big Fish
Whole Foods
Emile Hirsch
Joaquin Phoenix
Emma Stone
Natalie Portman
Larry David
Sigur Rós
Al Gore
Heath Ledger
Garden State
The National
Eternal Sunshine
Love, Love, Love…
Twitter Updates
Great job Ryan! I think i’m definitely going to try and be more positive, instead of saying i can’t i’m gonna keep trying until i can. Still need to catch up on some of your blogs, you tend to post them when i’m not online, then when i do go online i forget to look lol (nothing personal, i do it a lot
Have a fantastic New Year anyway!
Comment by Julie (Jules_MM) ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 02:12 pm
You’ve been to Bali??? My God. It’s in my country and I have never even been there! Go there again for a show and I’ll be there in a heartbeat! =)
Comment by Dee ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 02:12 pm
Thanks for making me smile. Positive thoughts for a most excellent new year and new decade.
Here are a few of my raves to add: the ipod, Twitter, Meet the Parents, Family Guy.
Comment by Karen ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 02:12 pm
Rave: David Cook because he brought me to your music. Thanks David, you’ve created a new Ryan Star fan. Thanks Ryan, can’t wait to see what 2010 brings to you and then around to us as a result. Happy New Year!
Comment by Carlie ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 02:12 pm
RYAN MY FRIEND,I CALL YOU MY FRIEND BECAUSE THAT’S HOW YOU MAKE YOUR FANS FEEL.THANK YOU FOR BEING A PEOPLE FAN,THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE,SUPER SMILE AND MOST OF ALL THE MUSIC.I SEE BIG THINGS FOR YOU.HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!STAY GOLD,HEATHER C FROM CT.(GREEN NECKLACE):)
Comment by Heather C ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 03:12 pm
The National, Big Fish, and Eternal Sushine! Yes, Yes, and Yes!
Also:
Amanda Palmer
Regina Spektor
You!
David Cook
Moulin Rouge
Modern Family
The Office
It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia
Blogging
Distict 9
Weeds
Shaun of the Dead
TV on DVD
The Road
My Dog, Murray
Marriage
My house
Cloud Cult
Rilo Kiley
Jenny Lewis
Oh my goodness, where do I stop? The Aughts weren’t so bad after all.
If you get bored, check out my best of ‘09 on my site (click on my name)
Comment by Niki ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 03:12 pm
Songs From the Eye of the Elephant
hybrid vehicles
Anderson Cooper
Knocked Up
iPhones
Breathe
black out at HoB Sunset Strip
Rock Star: Supernova (for introducing me to you)
Nathan Sawaya, Lego artist
Project Runway
Top Chef
NYC (my first 4 visits ever)
Anneliese (I hate 09 for taking her away but I love the 00’s for bringing her.
Comment by Shannon ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 03:12 pm
Some of my raves and adding to yours:
Green Day
Martin Scorcese
The Daily Show/Colbert Report
Steffen Peters (I’m an equestrian he became my idol)
Rachel Mcadams
Vince Vaugn
Twitter
The Coen Brothers
Leo DiCaprio’s acting ability (stepping out of that heartthrob image)
All the concerts I went to esp. The David Cook/Ryan Star one
Looking forward to the next decade! Happy New Years!!
Comment by Vanessa Moreland ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 03:12 pm
Oops forgot this rave:
IPODS!!
Comment by Vanessa Moreland ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 04:12 pm
Ryan after following you in Ct @ TOADS- RI @ Lupos-
…I feel the same level of excitement w/ each venue. At each concert you are kind , patient and fan accessible . I hear comments from the surrounding crowd about you- how wonderful your voice is, the feeling and soul in your music,the asthetically pleasing appearance of you and your band , the screams and shouts of Ryan.
Ct @ Mohegan Sun– and, my personal favorite- outdoors w/ the moat in Danbury Ct @ Western College to protect you from you throngs of fans
I can’t travel to Bali- but , I can live my dreams in your music. I have worn out Breathe.When my days are heavy, it is my anthem. Your concerts are my mini vacations-I can’t wait to see your new shedule and hope it is w/in traveling distance.
Happy New Year to you and your band. YOU ARE THE PUBLICS’ ROCKSTAR SUPERNOVA – BUT , YOU WON’T BURN OUT-YOU, MY FRIEND, ARE HERE TO STAY AND SHINE…..
Gayle From CT. (Ryansaysbreathe)
Comment by Gayle ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 06:12 pm
Thanks, Ryan. You made me smile. Your list made me once again realize how insular my life is–or, has been. My raves of the last decade would be far different from yours, but one that I treasure most is my rediscovery of music. (Thanks for contributing to that, too!)
Comment by Carol Burnett ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 07:12 pm
Wonderful retrospect, Ryan. Really I am moved! You are an example of courage, force and overcoming. An inspiration for many people. You are LIGHT! I wish you a amazing new year, fully of joys, music, piano, shows and positive energy always! Let the sunshine into your heart…
With all my love and support,
Rose, from Brazil
Comment by RosePorto ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 08:12 pm
Ryan, this is my favorite of your blogs! I would love to spend a New Year’s Eve listening to you play the piano all night. Your words in this blog couldn’t have come at a better time for me. The last half of this year has put me through some of the hardest times in my life so far, and the last few weeks of the year have been some of my most awesome. The sentence that begins with, “Those mental snapshots..” all the way to the end of the blog really speak to me! I’ve been feeling that lately and have decided those words are my mantra for 2010! “keep your spirit running,” and ” nothing is permanent, nothing is forever, and nothing is so serious,” is something we all need to remember including me. I can’t believe it’s the end of a decade and really the first one I’ve truly experienced since it began in my early twenties. I was a senior in college too when this decade began. I agree with all your raves of the decade, but I would add the iPhone, Twitter, and Captain Sully that landed that plane safely in the Hudson. I’m sure there is a lot more that I haven’t remembered happening in this decade! I know you can’t reply here, but I would love to know what album you recorded ” under the sky in Malibu.” For 2009, I will remember what a strong person I have become and it will be the year I met Ryan Star and became reacquainted with your music. I had been a big fan on Rockstar and then somehow lost track. Your music means a lot to me as does the guy behind it. Thank you for sharing your talent with the world and sticking with it through the hard times. I really feel that this will be your year and you so deserve it! Of course, I will also always remember this year as the one that I helped a great musician get on a radio show and had the best birthday of my life at his concert! Thanks for sharing your life with us through these blogs! I’m going to miss them. They are daily inspiration! I will keep smiling! Hope you have the greatest new year ever!!!
Comment by Lia (ryanstarfan) ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 09:12 pm
My raves are: New (online) friends; writing/blogging, Much Ado About Nothing, sleepover, Zoo/Night Safari, Gossip Girl, FlashForward, Starbucks, playing the guitar upside-down, Sociology & French classes, ferry rides, water games, Avenged Sevenfold’s Live in the LBC, Youtube, evening runs, new songs, sky parks, Twitter, caramel macchiato, going to the beach on many occasions, making a kite yesterday at the beach! Perfect way to end a year. Yaaay. Thanks for the amazing blogs Ryan, Happy New Year! <3
Comment by Nurul. ///// Thursday, December 31st, 2009 @ 10:12 pm
Perfect
Comment by james ///// Friday, January 1st, 2010 @ 01:01 am
I love that you put Emile Hirsch up there. <3
Comment by Miel ///// Friday, January 1st, 2010 @ 01:01 am
I rave about far too many things, but maybe a bunch of epic ones for this year alone are:
Stage
Ryan Star (of course)
The National
Emile Hirsch
Imaginary Heroes (if you haven’t seen this movie, you MUST)
Stumbleupon
Anton Yelchin
The Lonely Island
Lion Of Ido
Kid Nation
The Office
Greek
Ace Norton
William Blake
The Tyger
Science Of Sleep
Jared Leto
Brave New World
Charles & Ray Eames
The Campana Brothers
Massimo Gammacurta
Anthony Bourdain
Zooey Deschanel
Van Sant
The Fall
Requiem For A Dream
My Nubby Sweater
The Scientist’s Canvas
Comment by Miel ///// Friday, January 1st, 2010 @ 01:01 am
Seeing you play for the first time and finding your music. Thank you! Happy New Year!
Comment by Bonnie Davis ///// Friday, January 1st, 2010 @ 07:01 am
This is best of all the blogs. What a beautiful insight this is to both you and your music. This is a great reminder to seize every moment and make every day count.
Raves:
Barack Obama, Lord of the Rings, Michael Phelps – YES!
Kids growing up
Ryan Star
David Cook
MWK (though I’ve just recently discovered them, their music is from this decade)
Happy New Year Ryan! Wishing you all the best and great success!
Comment by pattieann/ph246 ///// Friday, January 1st, 2010 @ 11:01 am
Love how you open your heart to us Ryan. Add some of my 2009 raves: cruising on your ark in Eau Claire, Mpls, and Ventura!
Comment by Parrogordo ///// Friday, January 1st, 2010 @ 12:01 pm
Hey Ryan! I enjoyed your blog very much. You have a real way with words, not surprising for a songwriter, I know, lol. If you were to continue to have a blog, I would be happy to read it! Happy, healthy, whatever you wish, New Year!
Comment by sylvanaire ///// Friday, January 1st, 2010 @ 01:01 pm