Ryan Swigert

I owe a great deal to Michael Jackson for the man that I am today. Not only from a creativity stand-point, but also on a personal level.

Growing up, I was a shy, only-child that found it hard to open up to people. In middle school, I remember being teased by classmates, going home, and crying in my room. I didn’t like the life I was living, but knew I was destine to live a better life. I always enjoyed Michael’s music, but it was at this time that I actually listened to the lyrics of “Man In The Mirror”.

I knew that in order to achieve this better life, I needed to start with me. I started studying his life, reading his biographies, and memorizing his dance moves – as evidence from my performance in the video above.

Since that time, I have lectured all throughout North America and Europe, had the pleasure to work with the world’s top magicians, invented a top-selling magic trick, was published multiple times in international magazines, and have the best friends in the world.

However, I realized that it wasn’t about making “me” better, it was about making the “world a better place”. So I served breakfast to the homeless every Christmas Day morning in Over The Rhine, donated a percentage of ticket sales of my one-man show “Parlour Magic” to Katrina victims, became a member of the Ambassador Committee for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, led a Young Adults ministry program at my church, volunteered at American Heart Association and American Cancer Society events, and am the proud owner of two rescue dogs.

“I’m starting with the man in the mirror
I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could have been any clearer
If you wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself, and then make a change”
- Michael Jackson

So again – Thank you, Michael Jackson for all that you gave.

This weekend @ribbonsofred and I took a little trip to Cedar Point. Below is some of my photography from the trip. Enjoy!

Tonight was my mother’s birthday party, and I decided to take my camera along with me. Below is some of my photography from the evening. Enjoy!

I’m testing making a post from my iPhone…

Recently @ribbonsofred and I decided to have an impromptu photo shoot at a local park. Below are some of my photographs from that shoot. Enjoy!

Pit Row

Tony Kanaan

Mario Andretti

Lilly – pic courtesy of showcorvettelove

I’m starting a new Twitter hashtag: #rescuedog

@ribbonsofred and I (@ryanswigert) are the proud owners of 2 rescue dogs – one is Lilly, the cute basset hound above.

Everytime I see a poster of a dog that needs a home, I wish there was something I could do about it. I think others feel the same way and wish they could also help these dogs in need…

Now there is! #rescuedog – Here’s how it works:

When you see a poster or ad for a dog that needs a home, take a pic with your phone of the dog. Then post it up to Twitter with the contact details, and add #rescuedog to your tweet.

Together we can help dogs in need find the good home they deserve!

Please help spread the word about #rescuedog and lets make a difference in this world!

- Ryan Swigert

An early version of an “elevator” routine of mine that is based on ideas from Dai Vernon and Bruce Cervon.

Something that I’ve been playing around with that is based on “The Third Hotel Mystery” by Nick Trost.

Update: I already came up with 4 better versions of this trick. I think I am finally happy with it… Then again, ask me tomorrow…