ONEfight Kick Off! Saturday the 5th

Dear ONEfight members, fans, and supporters:

This Saturday (September 5^th) we will be hosting our inaugural event to kick off the launch of the ONEfight organization. I’d like to take a moment to discuss with you a few key points before you show up Saturday evening. First off, we truly appreciate you in taking the time to even think about our event and for those of you who attend, we appreciate your effort and support toward a great cause. We understand that as college aged students our funds are limited. We’ve tried to reduce the cost to you as much as possible and feel that we’ve done a good job. We ask for your understanding on a few key items. First, this isn’t a “party” that you might be accustomed to. It is a fundraiser to help us gain support. It is also a time for you to get together and meet others of our group. Because this is an event rather than a party we are limiting what is brought in. We cannot allow outside beverages to be brought in. There will be drinks here at the house and we will make sure that we have enough so don’t worry. We need to do this because as stated before, rather than a party it’s an event to get to know each other, and to support a common cause. To do so; we as an organization, feel we need to control products that enter our home and to control as you say the peace.

As far as the pricing goes here is what we’ve come up with. We understand that many would like to come and to drink. To accommodate, those who wish to drink may do so at a price of two(2) dollars upon entering. All others who wish to attend will pay a “cover” charge of a dollar (remember, this is a fundraiser). Once in, we have set up a (root)beer pong tournament. Don’t want to drink? You can play with root beer. We’ll charge two(2) dollars a team, or one(1) for individuals to enter the tourney. Games will be decided depending on how many teams are signed up. We are currently working on t-shirts and would love to have them available at the event for you. Those in attendance(whether the shirts are ready or not), will receive a discount on purchase price. We’ve decided; however, to include a VIP pass to the event. For ten(10) dollars you get, entrance(including drinking), entrance for two into the tourney, and a t-shirt. So, for coming to the party and receiving the VIP pass, you get an additional discount on the t-shirts. Questions? Please send us an e-mail.

We again appreciate your encouragement and for all that you do. Please invite friends to the event. Although the title is a fundraiser we do want to make you aware that this will be fun and enjoyable. If you have any further questions please let us know what we can do to help. Thanks again and we look forward to seeing you on Saturday evening.

Ryan Smith, Alex Smith, Blake Barcus, Austin Peterson.

Always a time for reflecting

As the school year approaches, I always find myself reflecting on life and the direction that I am heading. I wonder; sometimes to my very good, patient friends, if I am doing what I really should be doing.
I am starting my second year at the University of Utah and would have to say it is one of the best decisions I have made was to come to school here. I am at a university with a great business department, who has the needs that I have for my education. I am living in downtown SLC and have come to find that I am definitely a city person. I love it.
I have gotten into running and become totally addicted to it. I am going to run the St. George Marathon in October and it is my first. I am just going for a finish for this one. But in the years to come, I'm sure times will improve. I feel great about myself and the added health because of running is just great.
I have switched my major from Business Administration to Business Management and Entrepreneurship. What do I want to do with that you may ask? Well. I want to start and run my own company. I am not entirely sure what that is right now but I hope one day that I will. I figure that if I have an idea that I should run with it for a little bit to see if I like it. If I do I keep going. If not, then I let it go. So far, I have tried getting a transportation company going. I haven't given up on that one. I still like it. I just need some more resources and income.
My current kick is on an idea from someone up in Logan. We were talking about the LiveSTRONG band that I was wearing, and we got on the topic of what a great organization it is. We started wondering if there was an organization that existed that encompassed everyone that has ailments or that has to overcome a difficulty. We weren't sure that there was, so we thought someone should. For the last 6 months I have been talking with people and trying to come up with a way to make that idea work. Its so incredibly tough. There are skeptics, and people who say that it can't be done. What do I do? I think of the person who gives me a lot of my inspiration to keep going. Lance. What would he do. Well... He would probably cuss someone out and then dominate at it. So. I keep going. Our little organization doesn't have a world class athlete who has the power to persuade political leaders, or to get interviews with the most powerful people as well as having the backing of Nike to help fund his organization. So, here is what I have so far. I just am going to do what I can to raise awareness about other people's troubles in every day life. I want to start a ONEfight "team" to help me with this. I figure the best way to raise awareness is to do the things that we love. I will raise awareness by running. I'm trying to get shirts (both running jerseys, and regular t-shirts) made so that people can start asking questions. From there we can raise awareness and bring hope to those who are down in the dumps, suffering from disease or just need a helping hand.
I'm not really sure where I am/was going with that. I just felt like I needed all of the blogging world to hear about this. Hopefully they take the time to read. And for you reading right now... Join my team. Follow our blog. Join our facebook group. Add your ideas and suggestions. I don't even know if this will work, but I need to try until it doesn't. It doesn't have to be running marathons, or doing a triathlon. It can be anything that you want to do. Something you love. You love walking? Love walking with a group of friends? Get a t-shirt and promote your very own cause and raise awareness. Love to just do 5 or 10 k's? That's AWESOME. DO IT! And promote awareness. Love riding your bike? Well. You get the idea. You want to join the team? PLEASE do! Have a race or something going on that you'd like us to be apart of? I'd love to come down and run a 5, 10 k with you. Want to do a half Marathon or Marathon? Give me some warning but again I would love it. Any other ideas? PLease... Let us know. Let me close with a quote from the man who brought one world issue to all of our minds with his campaign (LIVESTRONG)
“Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.”

I'm back

I'm sorry that I am the worst updater of all time. I want to be better. And we all know it's the thought that counts right? I sure hope so. So... Summer is almost over. Can you believe it? The time has really flown bye. I guess about a month in Europe can make any Summer go by a quick rate right?

School starts the 24th and I have to say that I am super excited about it. I am looking forward to heading to class, and just experiencing the college life while I can. However, ask me in a month or so if I still like it and I'll let you know. Ha.

We moved into our new "pad" and we've been working on making it livable. We live on the corner of 400 South and 1300 East, so it's close to campus and will be easy to get to class and of course the football games. Hopefully we have a good year. GO UTES!

Other than that not a whole lot is going on with me. Just trying to stay motivated to go out and go running. I can't believe we're about 6 weeks away from the St. George Marathon. I am actually really excited about it and am not necessarily ready for it to be here, am ready to have it over with. They say that after your first marathon one of two things happen. 1) You hate it more than anything: and, if you continue running at all, it's short distances (5 and 10 K's), or 2) You become even more addicted to it and have to run more marathons. I am kind of hoping for option number 2. I have honestly come to love running. Who would have thought right? I was SO opposed to running even two years ago. There is just something about going out and running off your stress, taking in the sights, and just feeling good about yourself. I love the way I am beginning to feel as I gain an endurance and hey, if I start looking better then that is a plus as well.

Other than that though kiddies, not a whole lot is going on. Enjoy summer to the fullest this last week and a half for you U students, and a bit longer for the school down south, which shouldn't be named, and I'll be updating soon.