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Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”
Bio
Creative Arts Specialist. Writer/Copywriter, Musician, Producer, Visual Artist, and Entertainer. Owner of IYAM Entertainment Studios in Las Vegas, NV. (www.iyament.com)
Stories (40/0)
Music Outreach Touring
Not only am I an entertainer, but I am also an educator, a mentor, and a coach. I travel the world performing on stages of all shapes and sizes, under bright lights, and in front of large audiences of people. But, what I do is much more than merely entertaining.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Journal
The Final Curtain Call
My eyes open and I can hear the hubbub of the crowd on the other side of the curtain. I take a deep breath and ever-so carefully, lightly graze each string on my guitar to double-triple check the tuning, ensuring not to accidentally pluck one loud enough to be heard in the audience. I'm staring at the glowing red power lights of my foot pedals, as they pierce through the darkness and the slight blueish hues of the stage wing lights. The remaining performers creep out from stage right, and make their way into their starting positions for the opening number.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Beat
A Pair of Pear Trees
If my memory serves me correctly, I distinctively remember not 1, but 2 pear trees evenly-spaced apart, adjacent to the gated entryway at the front of the park where that photo was taken. But then again, its been years since I've been there and a lot has since changed. Although crazy as it sounds, I feel like I can still remember the taste. Juicy, crisp and sweet, the pure taste of Springtime, sunshine and family get togethers. Memories too often taken for granted, until the day comes where you wake up and realize just how much those moments really meant and how much you wish you could just rewind and relive them all over again, if only for a little bit.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Fiction
Just This Once
The night sky is so dark outside, barely visible through my window. The frosted glass is more white than clear, and though sometimes the sunshine pierces through during the daylight hours, reminding me of the sky's radiant blues, it quickly fades back to black and darkness covers me yet again. Even during the brief sunlit hours, it remains so very cold here. It's been cold for so long that I don't much notice it anymore. I feel like I've forgotten how to feel.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Fiction
A Bulls#*t Love Story
"Babe, you home? I got us Chinese food," Z called out as he entered the apartment. "Chelsea?" Z placed the takeout bag on the counter and walked into the bedroom. Chelsea wasn't there, but he saw that the closet door was open and her clothes were all missing. He walked back into the kitchen and noticed a note on the fridge.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Fiction
How to Showcase Your Skills in a Socially-Distant Digital World
It’s no secret that the world has changed a lot in recent years. We now live in a paperless, digital, socially distant, remote world where everything is centered around the individual. If you want to be a movie star, you no longer need a film studio or camera crew, rather only an iPhone and YouTube. If you want to be a writer, you no longer need a book deal or publisher, you can self-publish. If you want to be a rock musician you no longer need a record label or fancy multi-figure studio. Heck, you don’t even need instruments anymore if you have a laptop or whatever this ball is…
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Lifehack
Anything But Flowers
She said her name was So-Chee. That's not how she spelled it though. "X-O-C-H-I-T-L, it means flower," she said. Honestly, I didn't think it did her justice. I mean, flowers are pretty... sure, but she...she was stunning, enchanting, ravishing, breathtaking, perfection.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Fiction
Whatever 'Witch' Way We Go
I woke up in the middle of the night to a tapping sound at my bedroom window. What could that be? I opened my eyes to my darkened room, where only a slight illumination from a streetlight outside my window could be seen, painted across my ceiling, casting a shadow from a low hanging tree branch. In my mind, I imagined the shadow of a bird landing upon the branch, and a large black raven moving across the room. I could hear my school teacher’s voice in my head, reading some creepy Edgar Allen Poe story. Then I heard that tapping sound again…
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Fiction
Fossil Fuels Vs. Solar Power
Are you considering switching to solar energy? If so, good for you. Traditional energy is produced from burning fossil fuels which is extremely harmful and toxic to the environment. Why anyone would want to continue to utilize these outdated, environmentally detrimental methods is beyond me. So, it is no surprise that more and more people are now making the switch to clean, renewable energy through solar.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Lifehack
How I Became Afraid of Everything
There are two types of people in the world; the outsiders and the insiders. I am an insider, which is to say I prefer to stay indoors. Not necessarily agoraphobic, but let's just say if I were agoraphobic, my life probably wouldn't be all that different.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Fiction
I Am What I Am
I don't know about inner peace, but there's an inner "piece" that seems to be missing anytime I go too long without utilizing my creative outlets. Yes, that's outlet(s), plural; for I am a Creative Arts Specialist by trade. That's how I brand myself anyhow. It saves a lot of time explaining what it is I do.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Journal
PurgaStories
Jimmy Fenton sat in his work cubicle scrolling aimlessly through his social media feed. Jimmy was a journalist at a mediocre news station and hadn’t contributed much during his time there. He longed for the chance to catch a big break and find that life changing news story that would finally make him visible to his colleagues. As he scrolled past countless memes, faked food hacks and subscription service advertising, he came across an ad that grabbed his attention.
By Ryan Barbin aka “Dirt”3 years ago in Fiction
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