Life Ever After

WHOA! Wait..

It’s me, it’s me! I’m still following myself.. Wait, no I’m not.

Anyways, I’ve been getting a lot of confused messages as of late wondering the status on FollowEvan and such. I then realized I never really made an outro post after things wrapped up at the end of 2010.

From the very start, FollowEvan.com had an expiration date. The book this blog was based off of, ‘This Book Will Change Your Life’, only had 365 pages of instructions which equals to a year, if your math is correct. I don’t think everyone understood this and were therefore left broken hearted and alone at night wondering where FollowEvan went.

I still get asked to this day on my experience and I love that. I hope this lasts a lifetime. It was something new for me and I believe something new and fresh to a lot of people. I enjoyed every day of it, even putting myself through eating squid pieces, starving myself for 24 hours and making myself bleed. I hope I am remembered for this - the whole experience that is.

So where am I at now in life? Busyland, that’s where. As I write this, I only have under two months of schooling left before I graduate and fly into the real world - thrilled. As Charlie Sheen says, “WINNING”! And now that I’ve mentioned Charlie, I must write a disclaimer to never do drugs, kids.

But yeah, life continues to be great, even without living by a book. It definitely is weird not having to blog daily and continuously having to throw myself into new situations daily, but I’m doing fine. I’m still sane after a year of pure craziness.

I’m currently working on branding myself as a designer and obtaining an online presence (portfolio and all). Once completed, I will post a link. Other than that, FollowEvan has been laid to rest for good - meaning no more posts will be made. Although, the site will remain up forever and ever.

^ This is me at rest.

I will close with a favorite quote of mine.. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

I thank you all for such a memorable experience! Live with no regrets. I’m leaving this experience with a completely new mindset on life and what it should be. Decide what could change your life and go after it in your own way.

The Celebratory Celebration Commemoration Creation

What a trip!

New York City treated us good, no doubt. This past trip goes down as one of the most enjoyable and memorable trips of my life to date. I couldn’t of asked for a better group to go with either, props!

Standing there in Times Square for 12+ hours might sound totally stank, but believe me, in the end it was totally worth it. Just to put it into perspective, we stood longer in Times Square on New Years Eve than the time it took us to get ourselves to New York City (from Indiana). Yes, peeing in bottles did go down along with watching others pee themselves and dance the night away.

The feeling of counting down just two blocks away from the ball as it descended was unbelievable and almost indescribable. I still get chills watching the video of the countdown. I had always wanted to experience the ball drop and this year, a year of many firsts, was the year to do it. I thank my friends for being on board with me on this idea of a trip.

Below you’ll see some images that were taken on the trip along with (drums pounding) my year-end video (as promised)! Tis finally here so enjoy:

Follow2010 - FollowEvan in Review

I will now shut-up because I realize watching video beats reading text any day.. well, any day of my life at least.

DAY 365, COUNTDOWN, GET DOWN!!

DAY 365
Friday, Decemeber 31st, 2010

“New You Party!”

We have reached the end!

I’m here writing this post from our hotel room in Jersey (with the accent). How’s the trip going? Considering we didn’t get back to the room until 5:40 am, I would say the trip is going well.

I’m keeping this short due to our schedule, but don’t forget to follow my tweets! I’ve been having a lot of fun tweeting and sharing our experience and plan to keep it up throughout our trip.

There’s been plenty of good times caught on the Flip camera and all this and more will be in my year-end video to be posted on Tuesday, January 4th!

DAY 364, NYC for NYE or Bust

DAY 364
Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

To be honest, the book gets a little dirty and slips to rated ‘R’ today. Therefore, we’re going to have some different type of fun..

My NYC adventures begin tomorrow! Five friends and I set out tomorrow morning for around an eleven hour drive. I’ll be tweeting continuously throughout the trip for those that are interested in following my year-end trip/celebration/experience/party/commemoration. No Twitter account is needed to follow my tweets (just for you older ones ;).

On Tuesday, January 4th, 2011, my year-end video will be posted that will feature both highlights from my year and also the happenings from the trip - the good, the bad and possibly even the naughty.

My task today is to get organized and all packed up. Camera - check, Flip - check, coat - check, looking to have the time of my life - check!

Oh! Click here to read my feature in this week’s edition of my hometown’s newspaper regarding my journey. Day 364?! Unreal and sad.

DAY 363, Tolerance Increase

DAY 363
Tuesday, December 28th, 2010

“Increase your tolerance to hot food.”

Uhhhhhhh, more like increase your tolerance to light bulbs!!

I’m honest when I say this.. no work has been done to the above image. What you see is the reality you get.

A friend talked me into tanning in my first public place yesterday. Typically, this wouldn’t be a problem as I am naturally dark and have tanned numerous times before when we were at my old house. Granted, I hadn’t tanned in some time and rarely get burnt, so I said, “give me twenty.”

It’s pretty funny that this would occur on such a day like today regarding spicy, red hot foods. Leave it to me to become spicy and looking red hot!

Ayyy yai yai!! *wiggles Mexi-stache*

New York, get ready because I’m red hot and ready!

DAY 362, Thorton’s Day

DAY 362
Monday, December 27th, 2010

“Today imagine what it would be like to be this person (pictured).

Are you fulfilled? What is your job? Do you break down and sob quietly in the middle of the night? Are you sex-mad? What is your dream in life? Have you ever known true love?”

Meet Thorton, 86 of Durango, Mexico. Thorton unfortunately lives a sad life. You can’t live that fortunate of a life when you’re stuck to a bed.

Let me explain.. A few years back, Thorton went to bed one night and woke up the next morning at approximately 7 am. He arose to begin brewing his morning coffee when he felt a sudden surge of pressure. The pressure was as if someone was pushing his shoulders down and therefore not letting him get out of bed. He quickly became frightened and peed his pants. Due to his age, he didn’t believe in cell phones so there he laid confused, scared and wet.

It wouldn’t be until a couple of days later that his niece would come to his house after not hearing from him. There Thorton laid with now even more wet and poop pants. Latilda, his niece, instantly became disgusted and passed out near his bedside. A couple hours passed and Latilda finally regained her consciousness after being awaken from one of Thorton’s farts.

Latilda quickly called for emergency help. Emergency workers were on scene within ten minutes, but to no avail did they get Thorton out of bed. They had never seen anything like it. The crew soon left with no explanation. Thorton soon received new clothes, new sheets and fed.

Today marks the second year anniversary of Thorton’s crisis. Here he’s pictured wondering what life is truly like now and what he has missed. In a call to him, he states that, “Hopefully someday soon they can find a cure and I can regain my life back, or what’s left of it.” He goes on to say, “I never imagined being physically stuck to a bed for a period of going on two years. I don’t know what I did to deserve this.”

In recent developments, officials believe they may have finally figured out the cause of Thorton’s ordeal. A couple of weeks prior to the bed incident occurring, Thorton had surgery to place a metal plate in his buttocks due to a growing infection. It is believed that the two metals, his butt metal and his bed metal, are creating a strong magnetic force that is keeping Thorton from living his life outside of his bed.

Thorton made one last comment, “Things better change quick, I’m pissed.. literally!”

DAY 361, Crazy ANTics

DAY 361
Sunday, December 26th, 2010

“Place an ant on this page and trace its movements with a pencil.”

For real? Book, it’s winter time and I just so happen to live in Indiana. Coming across an ant today would almost be like discovering a new species of jellyfish while still here in Indiana.

I was tempted to place a peanut butter trail on the page for my English Bulldog to lick and follow the trail of his overly large tongue, but after seeing him after his walk in the park, I decided to opt out of that idea. He’s not up for playing at the moment, he gets tired pretty quick.

Today I’m spending the majority of my day finishing up my year-end video, which will premiere on Tuesday, January 4th! The last portion of the video will contain both pictures and video from my New York City trip and hopefully me somehow reaching the ball myself to take a ride on it.

There’s no telling on what or even who you’ll see in the video.

DAY 360, Bonus Gifts

DAY 360
Saturday, December 25th, 2010

“Disinherit a relative!”

Uh, book, why do we have to be so dang negative on a day like Christmas?

Instead, I want to make today’s task a positive one. I would like to highlight two people I have had the privilege to get to know over the past year. These two ladies do great things for others and their recognition is deserved.

First up, “Mama Kim” (pictured next to me) as I call her. I got to know Kim through actually a school project with Best Buddies. A creative team I was a part of from school worked closely with Best Buddies Indiana throughout the spring semester of Junior year to develop a creative communications campaign - “Buddy Up”. We, my creative team and I, met Kim somewhere in the middle of the project and she instantly became an outstanding resource.

Kim is the type of person that you instantly think of good qualities. She has been there to help in whatever either my team or I needed and I know that will carry on through life. She knows how to have fun, but also get down to business when it comes down to it. Both her generosity and willingness in life to help others is highly respected. Saying “thank you” to a lady like Kim I feel will never be enough.

Kim, not to pull a Golden Girl moment, but thank you for becoming a friend.. and a “mother”.


Meet Jodi (pictured center). I first met Jodi when filming for our campaign video. She is the type of person who once again, both loves and lives to help others. This quality of hers was instantly apparent upon meeting her in person.

I instantly was impressed with her calm and collective, yet entertaining personality. She is so gifted when it comes to working with the disabled that it instantly becomes so inspiring. Whether it’s seeing her work in person or through her Facebook photo updates, it all brings a smile to my face. What makes it so great is that she honestly loves it. It takes a certain type of person to continuously work so close with the severely disabled, but Jodi is one person who sticks out in my mind that certainly possesses those qualities.

Jodi, thank you for all that you do and will continue to do. I am so privileged to have crossed paths with you.


Find the good in people today and enjoy every bit of it. I wish you all a happy and safe holiday!

DAY 359, More Doorbell

DAY 359
Friday, December 24th, 2010

Happy, joyous, whatever you say Christmas Eve to you all! To those who have been nice, good for you (+25 points). To those who have been naughty, *kick in the butt*.

“Today, hand deliver all your e-mails.

No one denies e-mail is a convenient business tool, but it cannot replace face to face interaction, source of ideas and team spirit. Today, get the best of both worlds by printing out your e-mails and taking them round personally.”

Well shucks, I have no e-mails to really send - it’s Christmas break, book! This would be quite challenging anyways. Who pays for the gas to hand deliver outside of the state? Just wondering.

Anyways, like I said above, I wish you all a great Christmas Eve. To get you in the spirit (you should be already, what’s wrong with you?), I give you some “Xmas Magic”.

This baby just turned two and is labeled as an award-winning sweater. I made it myself and won last year at my school, wore it to my family’s Christmas last year and won over their hearts and just recently wore it out to club’s annual sweater party and it came in 2nd! What a festive beauty.

I plan to add a candy-cane each year to my right sleeve to honor its existence. At some point, I hope to hand it down to my children, which will have no choice but to like it and wear it. Daddy says so.

DAY 358, My Friend Riki

DAY 358
Thursday, December 23rd, 2010

“Sketch someone opposite you on public transport and see how they react.”

So, living in a small town in Indiana, public transport is rare.. unless say, you’re at least 86 and use the local nursing home’s transportation. For real.

I decided to sketch my friend, Riki, instead. Riki is also know as Benrika, my bird, thanks to day 124. As I write this and play music, I can hear her talking back to the music. She does this thing where if you say “bounce”, she will then get her entire body into a quick bouncing motion on her pink perch and it’s hilarious.

I’ve posted the sketch up in her cage for her to admire. She may be terrified of it or be playful with it and shred it, I don’t know. All I know is that Benrika is one little cool girl who deserves to be acknowledged.

DAY 357, Sock it to Me

DAY 357
Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

“Today come out as a book-owner.

Wear one red sock and see if there’s anyone else out there. If you spot someone sporting a red sock today, engage them in conversation. You may assume straight off that as book-owners they are bright discerning individuals with a good sense of humor and finely honed critical faculties, and therefore well-worth knowing.”

Heyyy, lookie, I just so happen to have a red holiday sock on now! It’s even waving at you.

Tonight I turn the holidays ugly by going out to a local bar’s holiday party. And yes, my award-winning sweater, along with my red socks, will be along for the experience. Pictures will be posted and smiles will be cracked.

It’s time to honor the holidays in style!

DAY 356, Here’s to You, Charlie

DAY 356
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

“Carve something in a tree.”

“Nature Dave”, my dad, put a quick stop to me carving anything in his beloved trees. So instead, with it being the season, I decided to add something to a tree.. a FollowEvan ornament of sorts.

Charlie Brown has a new addition this year! Perfect.

DAY 355, Tic-Tac-Mo

DAY 355
Monday, December 20th, 2010

“Challenge everyone you meet to a game of tic-tac-toe. By the end of the day you will know how mentally agile you are relative to your social circle.”

Game on!

I’ll update with some updates and pics as the day progresses and the games catch fire. I will bite off toes when playing.

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Themed by: Hunson