Ryan, he's a Wonder. Yes!!! A true Wonder Boy!!!

Ryan and Pam are working hard at home doing Independent Study for seventh grade. Ryan is doing really well receiving four B’s and one A in his latest semester report card. Seventh grade has been an adjustment for Ryan. But, he’s looking forward to going back to Clement Middle School for eighth grade. If Ryan has stumbled, he remains unbowed.

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“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt, 1910

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Ryan certainly is not a timid soul. And he’s had his share or victories and defeats. Ryan does his best and works hard through the bad times. He is moving steadily back to better times an better days
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Ryan recently received a First Place ribbon at the last school district Science Fair. When he was younger, he tried his hand at both organized baseball and organized basketball at the local Community Center. He still shots hoops occasionally with his Dad for highly contested games of “Horse”. Ryan specialty is the backward shot. Back to the basket, Ryan launches the ball two handed over his head and arching the shot into the waiting basket. Now, that’s what I call “Horse”!!! His recent fractured toe as limited his activity. But, he seems hale and hearty. Ready to tackle other endeavors.
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Ryan is working on honing his drawing skills. Working with pencil and paper, he is showing great improvement in learning the proportions and drawing of the human figure in motion. Though heavy handed at times, he is refining his style to achieve more realistic facial and figure drawing. His drawings are patterned on the popular Japanese Anime style of art.
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The Anime style is highly stylized with flamboyant long-legged figures. The people sport huge expressive eyes and the people are usually shown in dramatic action poses. The hair is wind blown with long swirls or highly coiffed in high and overly teased hairdos. Though not realistic the Anime people evoke high action and adventure with a unique usually sharp edged flair. These Heroic figures are usually equipped with sword, staff, and an assortment of Martial Arts weapons.
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Ryan’s drawing are usually inspired by the Comic Heroes of DC Comics (Batman, etc.) or Animated Television (Teen Titans, etc.) . But, it is the highly competitive and action packed arena of Video game design and programming that he eventually hopes to be in. Keep up the Good Work. You make us all Proud. ;-) DAD

YES!!! Softball is Back!!!

YES! Girl’s Softball has returned to Redlands. Finally after 3 years of wearing the ill-fated Red jersey of the Cardinals, Brianna is currently wearing the Black and Orange trimmed jersey of the Giants (Hiss! Go Dodger Blue!).
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Brianna has played with the number 8 emblazoned on her back twice and last year had the number 18. As a Giant Brianna’s number drops down one notch and she now sports the Lucky #17 in her fourth season with RBY (Redland’s Baseball/Softball for Youth). Be sure to follow her softball exploits by reading this fantastic, informative, sometimes controversial, and always entertaining Blog.
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After two dismal seasons, Brianna has an excellent field manager with Lori Best aided by Coach Bill Cox. Lori appears to be Brianna’s best manager since her Rookie year with Manager Rick Mancha. Brianna’s second season team was winless during regular play but pulled off a Miraculous First Place finish in the Redlands softball season end intra-team tournament. The tag team managing of Kathy and Chris and countless hours of batting practice enabled Brianna’s second year team to end that season with Redlands Intra-team Tournament Champion trophies.
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Last year was forgettable with the infamous managing of Victoria What’s-Her-Name. But, that third season had Brianna reunited with the hard throwing Right-handed pitcher Courtney (Shortney) Delcid. Courtney was also a teammate from Brianna’s Rookie season. Courtney over the years as developed from a journeyman reliever and spot starting hurler into accomplished underhanded pitcher. What Courtney lacks in pitching speed, she more than makes up in fielding and bulldog tenacity.
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Courtney fortunately is again teamed with Brianna this season. Brianna hopefully will be playing first base, some out field, and possibly some relief pitching. Brianna tried her hand at pitching her second year with a little success. Her third season had Brianna pitching as the first or second pitcher in relief. But by season’s end Brianna’s role had diminished to being used as the third pitcher out of the bullpen. I don’t think it was lack of skill but the misuse of Brianna and the inability of Victoria to let Brianna develop her pitching skills.
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Brianna’s natural position seems to be first base. Her glove work is much improved but Brianna has a slight weakness in fielding grounders. Brianna has an especially bad time fielding a ground that is hit between her and the first base line. Her speed makes an ideal center fielder but she has a tendency to not pick the ball off the bat. Brianna will then sometimes misplay the fly play ball hit her way. The current Giant outfielders need to work on getting the ball to the cut-off man.
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Currently the Giants sport a two lose and only one win record. But strong pitching from Courtney and some better defense should have these Giants in most of their games. If you can’t make the games read this Blog for more funfilled Giant updates.

Next installment: The Further Adventures of Ryan the Wonderboy. Edited 3/14/05 ;-) GC