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.

Da Donkeys Postdraft Analysis

Like previous years Denver concentrated on focusing on their needs. Last year focus was found in the trenches (Jarvis Moss DE-Florida, Tim Crowder DE-Texas, Ryan Harris OT-Notre Dame, Marcus Thomas DT-Florida). One such focus was the offensive line. Matt Lepsis retired and is a tremendous loss. However, Ryan Clady (12th pick) should fill in nicely and start immediately. Clady has light feet, can neutralize quicker edge rushers on a regular basis and has agility to react to a quick change of direction. He anchors well and plays with great patience. Kory Lichtensteiger (C-Bowling Green) should provide better depth on the OL. He is alert to defensive schemes, can play both RG and LG and moves well in the box. Kory did suffer a torn labrum left shoulder injury in 2006 but played through it. With the 42nd pick Denver took Eddie Royal (WR-Va Tech) who will be utilized as a KR/PR. Royal struggles with physical corners but does have some blazin bronco speed. He does possess great ability to chance direction and acceleration but will drop a few passes. I'm not exactly sold on that pick. I believe there were bigger holes that could have been filled at that time. One such example is Trae Williams (CB from So Florida, picked up by Jacksonville) or Orlando Scandrick (CB Boise State, chosen by Dallas) who were both still available. Scandrick even ran a 4.32 timed forty. Champ is in his 10th year. Lynch will likely retire when 2007 is done (16th year). Foxworth has a good chance he's leaving via free agency also at the end of this coming year. Dre Bly is in his 10 year. Those will be some big holes need to be addressed quickly. Coach Shanahan has also stated that both Selvin Young and Mike Bell aren't everyday backs. Well, both Ray Rice (RB Rutgers, selected by Baltimore) and Steve Slaton (RB West Virginia, grabbed by Houston) were also available. However, I do like adding Ryan Torian (RB Arizona St) to the stable as well as Peyton Hillis (RB Arkansas). Ryan has a 34 inch vertical and has good field vision. He was a JC transfer from Butler Community College and won a national title there before joining up at Arizona State. Torian sat out the final 7 games with a Lis-Franc fracture. If he can regain his former form Ryan could be a steal for a 5th round pickup. If you followed Arkansas football even remotely you'd be familiar with Darren McFadden or Felix Jones. Peyton Hillis often paved the path for McFadden or Felix to run through. The secondary was addressed with Jack Williams (CB Kent State) and Josh Barrett(SS Arizona St). Jack possesses rare speed (4.32 forty) to start and stop. He has good balance and is a self starter. Williams can be a relentless blitzer and definately a vocal leader with a great team attitude to make up for the lack of size (5-9 some say is generous). At 6-2 225 Josh Barrett is built along the lines of a OLB. He ran a 4.35 forty and has a 31" vertical. He graduated with a Bachelors in Marketing (hopes to be a dentist someday). At Arizona State linebacker Spencer Larson was unquestionably the team leader. He is a high motor type and has great vision for developing plays. Unfortunately, he lacks a explosive quickness but does close well. On the defensive side Carlton Powell (DT Virginia Tech) has great line speed. He was the fastest (5.12) of all defensive tackles timed. Carlton has great instincts and feel for double teams. At 6-2 300 he was a dominant run stopper for Virginia Tech with solid character. Overall, I think this was a good draft but could have been better. There were some good choices made. Some bad choices made. However, noone will really be able to truly evaluate this draft for a number of years to see who came strong or who didn't come at all.