We Will Never Forget

Decoration Day (originally known as) commemorates US men & women who have died in service to our country. The alternative name of Memorial Day was chosen in 1882 but did not become more common until after WWII and was not declared official until 1967. Some of its traditions include visiting cemetaries, observing a national moment of remembrance at 3PM EST, and flying the US flag at half staff from down until noon local time. Unfortunately, it is better known for picnics, BBQs, golf, movie theatres, and family gatherings. Although these are wonderful things let us NOT ever forget what makes those events and freedom truly possible. Whether you agree or diagree on the topic of war regardless of where it may be individuals would not often have any freedom whatsoever if it were not possible for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Pearl S Buck stated it nicely "None who have always been free can fully understand the terrible fascinating power of the hope of freedom to those who are not free". Every man dies but not everyone really lives. Let's on this day upon us take a few minutes and remember those who made it possible for the rest of us.

Wanna Get Away?

Got some time off coming up? Wanna get away? Need some ideas on what to do or what to see? Is the cost of gas altering that decision on where to go? Ever consider instead of a vacation in taking a stay-cation? Here's a few ideas if you'd rather not travel far but still want to discover whats right in your own backyard. How about...



The Clark Planetarium
Desert Star Playhouse
Hogle Zoo
Hale Center Theatre
Paintball Planet
Thanksgiving Point Dinosaur Museum
Utah Bees (Riding a 32-12 Record!)
Pioneer Theatre
Living Planet
AquariumTracy Aviary
Utah Blaze
Take The Family Bowling
Red Butte Gardens
FastKart Indoor Speedway

Got any others not listed? Or other suggestions? Would love to hear!

Got some popcorn?

Sick of the price of gas? Are you bored and need something to do? Enjoy a good show? Well grab the popcorn, sit down, kick the feet back and get ready for some entertainment. Whether its a good laugh, some serious drama or major action here's a few shows I came across that you might enjoy that might be a good alternative instead of dropping fifty bucks in the vehicle for a roadtrip.

Speed Racer (out now)
Expelled/No Intelligence Allowed (out now)
Iron Man (out now)
Chronicles Of Narnia/Prince Caspian (16 May)
Indiana Jones (22 May)
Mongol: Life Of Genghis Khan (6 June)
Incredible Hulk (13 June)
Harry Potter/Half Blood Prince (21 Nov)
Batman/The Dark Knight (18 July)
Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D (8 Aug)

Know of any others I might have missed that look good? Would love to know!

Rock The Vote?

Most Americans are familiar with the common catch phrase "Rock The Vote". Yet as Americans are we really Rocking The Vote? Are we making the most sound decision we believe in when we cast our vote? Voting is that very act in which an individual expresses their support or preference for a certain motion, act or choosing a candidate. It is absolutely essential in making a democracy work most efficiently. In recent years only 70 to 75 percent choose to register to vote. Even worse in the 2004 presidential election voter turnout was only a mere 56 percent. Why is it that we can make the effort to head to a convenience store for a soda refill but can't seem to make it when placing someone to make decisions representing us? Somewhat recently in individuals in Iraq had their first free election in years. Many traveled miles risking their own lives to make their voice known. Without voting citizens lose much of their ability to best represent their voice on the different political opinions and issues. How can we as Americans expect the best when we haven't even researched or delved into the different arenas that each candidate supports? Often a candidate will say one thing but do something entirely different once they are elected. So when was the last time we actually searched those candidates voting history and saw where they truly stood on certain issues (immigration, gun rights, abortion, etc)? Many voters usually see one or two things they like and call it good. Uneducated individuals can be highly susceptible to jumping on an influencial bandwagon based on biased media, headlines, tabloids, attack pamphlets/smear ads, etc. Often an uneducated vote can be more harmful than no vote at all. Before we stand and be counted lets take some time to reflect, ponder, and study out the different issues and candidates. Only by doing so can we reach the best possible conclusion in showing America (and the community we live in) who really rocks!

Animation

Most saturday mornings children can be seen planted smack in front of the tv screen watching their favorite cartoon characters while the parents try to sleep in. I remember growing up doing much the same. Over the years my favorite cartoons have changed very little. Those cartoons/characters inviduals might have seen include: Bugs Bunny, Ren & Stimpy; Grape Ape, Pinky & The Brain, Wiley E Coyote, Fred Flintstone, Fat Albert, Scooby Doo, etc. Amongst all the cartoons included are ten of my personal all time favorites...

Homer Simpson

Speed Racer

Spongebob

Buzz Lightyear (Toy Story)

Snoopy

Underdog

Mater (From Cars the movie)

Johnny Quest

Bender (Futurama)

Shrek

Speedy Gonzales

What would be some of your personal favorite cartoon characters?

Sweet Tooth

Candy is a rather broad term of a product typically made by dissolving sugar in water or milk to form a syrup boiled till it reaches its desired concentration or starts to carmelize. The type varies with the specific ingredients and how long it is boiled. Such examples of the different types of candy include caramel, toffee, fudge, gumdrops, taffy as well as countless others. In any convenient store you might find the following: lollipops, lifesavers, candy corn, truffles, swedish fish, gummi worms, tootsie rolls, gumdrops, licorice, salt water taffy, raisinette's, peanut butter cups, hot tamales, junior mints, chiclets, starbursts, skittles, red hots, etc. My personal five favorites include

Ferrero Rochers
Peanut M & Ms
Jelly Belly's
Andes Mint Chocolates
Hershey Whoppers

Would love to hear some of your favorites.