Rivalry Week

It is upon us. The week when BYU puts the Utes out of their misery. I predict that Max Hall gets even for last year's debacle and ends his Career on a high note. In the spirit of fun here are a few Rivalry Jokes that should be good fodder.

One foggy night, a Utah fan and a BYU fan were driving the opposite directions on a road near Salt Lake City. While crossing a narrow bridge, they hit each other head-on, mangling both cars.

The BYU fan manages to climb out of his car and survey the damage. He looks at his twisted car and says, "Man, I'm lucky to be alive!"

Likewise, the Ute fan gets out of his car uninjured, he too feeling fortunate to have survived.

The BYU fan walks over to the Ute fan and says, "Hey, man, I think this is a sign that we should put away our petty differences and live as friends instead of being rivals."

The Ute fan thinks for a moment and says, "You know, you're absolutely right! We should be friends. In fact, I'm going to see if something else survived the wreck."

The Ute fan then pops open his trunk and removes a full, undamaged bottle of Jack Daniel's. He says to the Cougar fan, "I think this is another sign - we should toast to our newfound friendship." The Cougar fan agrees and grabs the bottle, and says "I usually don't drink, why don't you start". After sucking down half of the bottle, the Ute fan hands it back to the BYU fan and says, "Your turn!"

The BYU fan calmly twists the cap back on the bottle, throws the rest of the bottle over the bridge into the river and says, "Nah, I think I'll just wait for the cops to show up."

Q: How do you get a Utah cheerleader into an elevator?
A: Grease her hips and throw in a Twinkie.

Q: How do you keep a Ute out of your backyard?

A: Put up goal posts

The University of Utah was looking to have nativity scene to celebrate the holiday season. Aftger an exhaustive search the nativity was called off. The Reason? Organizers were unable to locate 3 Wisemen and a virgin.

Q: What's the difference between a University of Utah fan and a carp?
A: One is a bottom-feeding, scum sucker, and the other is a fish.

Q: Did you hear about the power outage at the University of Utah library?
A: Forty students were stuck on the escalator for three hours.

Q: Why did U of U replace the stadium grass with Astroturf?
A: To keep the cheerleaders from grazing during games.

A man from USU, Utah, and BYU are all standing in the restroom taking care of business. The man from Utah finishes first. He shakes, zips up and heads to the sink. He uses an obscenely amount of soap to wash his hands and pulls all kinds of paper towels to dry them. He goes on to say, "At the U they teach us to be really clean." Just about that time, the man from Utah State finishes. He shakes, zips up and heads to the sink. He only uses a little bit of soap to wash his hands, and only one paper towel to dry. He says, "At Utah State they teach us to be clean, but economical." At that time the man from BYU finishes his business. He shakes, zips up and just walks out the bathroom. He says, "At BYU, they teach us not to piss on our hands."

You know, there is one huge advantage that Utah alums have. They can park anywhere they want, even in handicap stalls. All they have to do is hang their diploma off the rear view mirror.

The Utah football team was placed in a remedial English class. The professor asked the class, "Does anyone know what comes after a sentence?" All of the players raised their hands. "The appeal," they shouted with pride.

Q: How many U of U freshman does it take to change a light bulb?
A: None, it's a sophomore course.

The U is playing at Wyoming, which has a first down with three minutes left in the half. A U fan sets off a firecracker, and the Cowboys, thinking it's the end of the half, runs off the field. Three plays later, Utah punts.

Q: What is the difference between an intelligent Utah Alum and Bigfoot?
A: Bigfoot has been spotted.

{Two guys are sitting in a diner}
Guy #1: By chance, are you a Cougar?
Guy #2: Yes, how could you tell?
Guy #1: Just by your sense of pride, & the way you carry yourself.
Guy #2: I see, hey, are you a Ute?
Guy #1: Why, yes, how could you tell?
Guy #2: I saw your class ring while you were picking your nose.

Q: What does a Utah grad call a BYU grad?
A: Boss.

Q: What do you get when you breed a Utah Football player and a groundhog?
A: Six more weeks of bad football.

Q: How do you get a University of Utah graduate off your front step?
A: Pay him for the pizza

Q: What is the difference between a University of Utah graduate and a large pizza?
A: A large pizza can feed a family of four.

Q: What is the difference between a U of U co-ed and garbage?
A: The garbage gets taken out at least once a week.

Q: What has an I.Q. of 144?
A: Twelve Utah freshman.

Most of these are totally unfair, but hey its a rivalry!!

#46 Its been a month... & "Shouldn't you have already known that?"S

Yeah so it has been a long month since my last blog post. I guess I ran out of steam or creative juice or just plain got lazy. We will see how it goes from here on out. But I had a though this morning that "inspired" this blog.

I am feeling particularly good today. I have a better outlook on life and the trials that I am facing. As I sat here at my desk trying to figure out what was different from yesterday or Wednesday when I was feeling exactly the opposite it hit me. last night my sweet wife Heather and I went to the Temple with the members of our Elder's quorum and thier wives last night. I thought "THAT'S IT!" I feel good because I DID some good. I am decidedly more happy and ready to tackle life's issues because, in some small part, I think I put life into better perspective last night. It makes me think "hey you should do that A LOT more often" And I should. In fact today I WANT to. But regardless of what happens in the future, I can now look back and remember "hey remember when you were having a LOUSY week? Yeah GO TO THE TEMPLE YOU BIG IDIOT!"

#45 End of an Era??

In the next week one of the greatest of all time will most likely end a career for the ages. Ken Griffey Jr has long been one of the best players to ever play the game. A sure fire first ballot Hall of famer. Having Junior back in Seattle this year to end his legacy correctly has been fun to enjoy. He has helped repair a fractured club house and restored some legitimacy to a club searching for an Identity. Thanks Junior. We will miss your smile and the way you played the game.

#44 GREAT NEWS!!!!

Last week Heather and I got letters from the First Presidency telling us that we are cleared to be sealed. We are being sealed for all eternity on October 1st 2009 in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. We have watched the temple being built and decided when we got married a year ago that this would be where were sealed. And, now, a little after 5PM MDT on the 1st it will be eternal. I, needless to say< am VERY excited and pleased to be with my sweetheart for all Eternity. I love you Heather.

#43 What a weekend!

I have been giddy most of the weekend. My wife has questioned whether or not College Football will ever end (sorry babe its only week 1) What has me so hyped? Well the Cougs are ranked in the Top 10 now thanks to beating Oklahoma this weekend. Here are the Highlights.




This is what happened in Provo after the win. now please remember that the vasdt majority of these people were STONE COLD SOBER.

#42 New blog for my Political rantings

So my wife thinks that I talk too much about the politics in our country. so in response to that I am creating a new blog "JR's Political Rant" This will serve both my need to vent about politics and keep this blog for the quirkier side of my mind.

The link is http://jrpoliticalrant.blogspot.com/

#41 Ronald Regan on Socialized medicine.

This was on Glenn Beck today. I have read out of the Ronald Regan Diaries and I continue to be impressed by this man and his politics.

#40 Stumbling around the Internet

As I have written before I use Stumble! to stay entertained when all my avenues of healthy internet entertainment are dried up. This blog post is dedicated to the videos that I have found online that are NOT POLITICAL (you're welcome Heather :) ) Enjoy!

Lip Dub - Flagpole Sitta from Connected Ventures (HD)
by allcurious

I love that Song!



So I am a bit of a Star Wars Geek.



A Tribute to a Great Man.



Funny Stuff (pardon the language)


Demetri Martin - Large Pad - Watch more Funny Videos

A bit PG-13 but I found it VERY funny. (yeah Maybe I am going to Hell)

That's it for now. Have fun!

#39 With Appologies to my wife... 4 Myths of Global warming.

I found this article by C.J. Carnacchio
that I had to repost. I appologize to my wife who doesn't think that she got enough repreive from politics on my blog. But I promise the next one will be non-political.

Myth #1: Global Warming: Despite the rantings of the apocalyptic eco-prophets, the actual temperature records, taken in North America and Western Europe, show no significant or consistent upward trends. There is, instead, a series of highs and lows. According to the Greenhouse theory, the increase in carbon dioxide emissions since the beginning of the Industrial Age should have increased average temperatures by two to four degrees Celsius over the last 100 years. In reality, temperatures have only increased a paltry 0.5 degrees Celsius.

In fact, between the 1940s and the mid-1970s temperatures were steadily declining. This led environmentalists in the 1970s to predict global cooling and the coming of a new ice age. They blamed the same industrial economy and pollutants then for global cooling that they now blame for global warming. New ice age or melting polar ice caps, the environmentalists can't seem to make up their minds. It seems as long as they have a crisis to fuel their agenda and keep those donations rolling in, they'll preach anything.

As for the claim that the carbon dioxide emission levels of industry are responsible for global warming, here are some facts. Both historic and prehistoric levels of carbon dioxide have shifted and changed without human intervention. Historic increases in carbon dioxide have occurred about the same time as temperature increases, but a careful study of the data shows the rise in temperature preceded the increase in carbon dioxide, not the reverse. In the prehistoric era, carbon dioxide levels were at times ten times what they are today, and that was during a period when life was evolving and taking shape.

Carbon dioxide is actually a minor greenhouse gas. Carbon dioxide, methane, hydrocarbons, and aerosol only account for two percent of greenhouse warming. The main greenhouse gas which accounts for the other 98 percent is water vapor. So carbon dioxide's effect is ultimately insignificant, no matter how much industry has created.

Myth #2: The Hole in the Ozone Layer: Contrary to the environmentalists' claims, there is no permanent hole in the ozone layer and no ozone shortage. Ozone is constantly created and destroyed. The interaction of ultraviolet radiation with oxygen molecules is what produces ozone. In the stratosphere, 10 to 40 kilometers above the earth's surface, several tons of ozone are produced every second.

The amount of ozone present at any one time is influenced by many factors. For example, the amount of ultraviolet radiation reaching the stratosphere (and ultimately producing ozone) depends upon latitude, solar cycle, and season. Concentrations of ozone may differ drastically from one day to the next, sometimes by as much as 50 percent, depending on the weather. Ozone holes are natural reactions to these ultraviolet light variations. Ozone levels can also be affected by the amount of volcanic matter in the stratosphere. Each volcanic eruption emits roughly a thousand times the amount of ozone-depleting chemicals than all the CFCs man has ever produced.

The ozone hole that appeared over Antarctica and caused all the panic is a natural and annual phenomena. The annual ozone hole was first measured in 1956-57, long before the ozone-destroying CFCs were in common use. The hole appears at the end of the dark, cold Antarctic winter, lasts about three to five weeks, and then disappears. There is no overall or permanent depletion of the ozone layer.

Myth #3: Deforestation and Clear-cutting: America's forests are not vanishing. There are 730 million acres of forest land in the United States today. The growth on those acres is extremely dense, with a total of 230 billion trees (that's 900 trees for each American). When the pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock, 45 percent of what is now the 48 contiguous United States was covered by mature forest land. Today, 32 percent is still covered by forest, two-thirds of the total before the pilgrims arrived.

Contrary to environmentalist propaganda, clear-cutting does not leave behind a scarred and barren wasteland. It is usually done in a checkerboard manner leaving behind large areas of forest. The areas where cutting occurs are then replanted. Trees are a valuable commodity, and companies have an incentive not to overcut them. Today, many companies are planting millions of trees on their own land and carefully harvesting them.

Even the U.S. Forest Service admits that, "Drastic as it may seem, clear cutting plays a legitimate and prominent role in scientific forestry. Properly done, it paves the way for a new, unencumbered and hence vigorously growing forest." Clear-cutting was even practiced by the Indians, who burned areas to provide a cleared space for new growth, which was favored by animals they hunted such as elk and deer.

Myth #4 Endangered Species: Environmentalists claim that five species go extinct every day, but the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reports that five species, subspecies, and varieties of plants and animals have gone extinct every three and three-quarters years since 1620. The fact is that most animals and plants go extinct from natural causes such as climatic changes, food shortages, disease, and competition with more dominant species. It's called survival of the fittest. Some animals are meant to go extinct and some are meant to survive. This is how species perpetuate themselves.

The Endangered Species Act of 1973 represents one of the most irresponsible pieces of legislation ever passed by Congress. The law basically gives the government the authority to stop extinction in all cases, regardless of the cost, by any means necessary. Not every species can or should be protected. Do we really need to save every allegedly endangered insect out there? Many creatures on the endangered species list are not really endangered or even a scientifically defined species at all. Yet, we spend roughly $2.6 million a year for each creature on the list.

The environmentalists use their doomsday predictions as a form of political blackmail. They create these eco-bogeymen, hold them over people, and then preach the coming of the apocalypse unless their demands are met. Environmentalists see themselves as the Earth's new vanguard class, uniquely capable of seeing the impending doom while the rest of humanity remains blind to the danger.

The greatest casualty of the environmental movement has been the property rights of American citizens. The greatest benefactor has been the Leviathan State. What better way to control someone's property than to subordinate one's private property rights to environmental concerns. Under the guise of "defending the environment," the imperial Congress has been able to enact laws which allow government officials to confiscate private property, levy fines for noncompliance of up to $25,000 a day, prevent owners from using their land, and even jail a land owner who uses his land for any purpose other than that which the government has dictated. This is a clear and obscene violation of the Fifth Amendment which states, "No person shall ... be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation."

The ideology of the Greens has roots in both fascism and Marxism. The Nazis were naturalists and have been described as "the first radical environmentalists in charge of a state." As political writer David Horowitz wrote, "The enthronement of biological imperatives, of the virtues of blood and soil and the primitive communities of the Volk, the pagan rejection of the Judaeo-Christian God, and the radical anti-humanism featured in the philosophy of the Greens" are all derivatives of the Nazi ideology.

From Marxism, the environmentalists derived their hatred of the free market, private property, and the upper classes. The environment has become the new weapon of choice to attack capitalism. Dolphins and trees have become the new proletariat. In order to achieve the ecological balance the radical environmentalists advocate, it would be necessary to progressively narrow "the gap to reduce the differences between the Earth's wealthiest and poorest inhabitants" until there are "more or less equal shares for all people." Sound familiar, comrade? How ironic that it was the totalitarian regimes of Eastern europe and the soviet Union that had the most horrendous environmental conditions on Earth.

Paul Watson, co-founder of the eco-terrorist group Greenpeace, summed up the true face of the environmental movement when he said, "It doesn't matter what's true; it only matters what people believe is true ... You are what the media define you to be. [Greenpeace] became a myth and a myth-generating machine." Amen.

#38 They are out to get us

As many of you may know I work as a mortgage broker. I enjoy my work and get to help good people get home loans. This is one more case where I wish the government would get its big uninvited nose out of out business. In an effort to save people money (and in turn take it away from someone else... ME!) the department of housing and urban development has released new rules stating that Mortgage brokers can no longer make a Yield Spread Premium on mortgage loans. This essentially will KILL all mortgage brokers. Luckily here in our office we are making inroads to become a correspondent lender, thus alleviating us of this problem. however it is a sad state of affairs when the government is out to eradicate legitimate business. I will be calling my congressman and any other group contemplating legal action.

#37 Some times a course direction is in order.

Over the past 3 years I have made course changes in my life. Some of them were, how shall we say, not advisable for anyone else to make. Others were great choices like Marrying Heather. Over this time I have learned much. One such lesson is that sometimes you are just wrong, no matter how high and mighty you think you are, you are just WRONG. The transcript below perfectly shows exactly what I mean.



I am very thankful for the "lighthouses" in my life that have steered me in the direction I am heading today. It sure feels nice to have the way lit before me so that I am not lost.

#36 Beat at bowling by my 2 year old

My wife said recently that this blog was getting "too Political" So in her honor the next weeks worth of blogs will not be politcal. just fun, which brings me to this post. My parents were in town over the weekend. For fun we decided to take all the kids bowling. The kids were VERY excited and we set up the bumpers so that every one would have fun. Check out the pictures.

Grandapa, Grandma and Dad (me)

Shelbie Shaking her Booty

Shelbie still shaking

Grandma and Kayla

The Kids shoes

My Hot Prego Wife

As you may have surmised this is the 2 year old that beat EVERYONE with the exception of Grandpa. Seriously what 2 year old bowls in the 120's???

#35 21 Ways to be a good Democrat

I found this online. I am generally much more conservative as many of you know. however the inconsistency was just too funny to not be shared,

1. You have to be against capital punishment, but support abortion on demand.

2. You have to believe that businesses create oppression and governments create prosperity.

3. You have to believe that guns in the hands of law-abiding Americans are more of a threat than U.S. Nuclear weapons technology in the hands of Chinese and North Korean communists.

4. You have to believe that there was no art before Federal funding.

5. You have to believe that global temperatures are less affected by cyclical documented changes in the earth’s climate and more affected by soccer moms driving SUV’s.

6. You have to believe that the AIDS virus is spread by a lack of federal funding.

7. You have to believe that the same teacher who can’t teach fourth graders how to read is somehow qualified to teach those same kids about sex.

8. You have to believe that hunters don’t care about nature, but loony activists who have never been outside of San Francisco do.

9. You have to believe that self-esteem is more important than actually doing something to earn it.

10. You have to believe that Mel Gibson spent $25 million of his own money to make The Passion of the Christ for financial gain only.

11. You have to believe the NRA is bad because it supports certain parts of the Constitution, while the ACLU is good because it supports certain parts of the Constitution.

12. You have to believe that taxes are too low, but ATM fees are too high.

13. You have to believe that Margaret Sanger and Gloria Steinem are more important to American history than Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Edison, and A.G. Bell.

14. You have to believe that standardized tests are racist, but racial quotas and set-asides are not.

15. You have to believe that Hillary Clinton is normal and is a very nice person.

16. You have to believe that the only reason socialism hasn’t worked anywhere it’s been tried is because the right people haven’t been in charge.

17. You have to believe conservatives telling the truth belong in jail, but a liar and a sex offender belonged in the White House.

18. You have to believe that homosexual parades displaying drag, transvestites, and bestiality should be constitutionally protected, and manger scenes at Christmas should be illegal.

19. You have to believe that illegal Democratic Party funding by the Chinese Government is somehow in the best interest to the United States.

20. You have to believe that this message is a part of a vast, right wing conspiracy.

21. You have to believe that it’s okay to give Federal workers off on Christmas Day but it’s not okay to say “Merry Christmas.”

Ready to vote???

#34 Hmmm this is a little disconcerting...

So I am not going to leap to conclusions here. let me just preface that the 1st two pictures below are Logos of the Obama health care plan. the Bottom two... well if you don't know what they are you have not seen enough "Indiana Jones" Movies.

#33 Good Music is just good music

So I listen to a lot of music through the day. I am a big fan of Pandora.com where I set up "stations" that allow me to listen to all sorts of music that I enjoy. Metallica, Stone Temple Pilots, Fall Out Boy, The Eagles, Led Zeppelin, even a little Michael Jackson from time to time. Recently in an effort to have a more relaxing work environment I have started listening to John Schmidt. He is a pianist and I enjoy the simple sound of a piano, especially when the works of the Masters (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart) are played. This video is a piece that Schmidt has been working on combining the Taylor Swift song "Love Story" with Coldplay's "Viva la Vida". I though it was awesome and had to share it.

#32 Time for Football

Today is the first day of Fall camp for BYU. I am VERY excited to see this season unfold. Once again I have season tickets. This time as a Cougar Club member. We have a pair of seats in the West stands with our neighbor. I excited to see Florida State, TCU, and Utah all come strolling through the meat grinder that we call Lavell Edwards Stadium. We have not lost in 3 years at home (18 straight wins) and I don't see us starting now. Should we pull off an unexpected win against Oklahoma in Dallas (think 1993 Miami) then we could be in line for a magical season. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

#31 Ten Freedoms that I enjoy

The Military of the United States has helped to maintain the freedoms of our country. Since the revolutionary war veterans from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines have shed blood, sweat, and tears to protect the liberties that we hold dear. The following is a list of just ten of the freedoms for which I am grateful that those veterans have protected over the past 233 years. They are listed in no particular order.



#1 Freedom to worship God how I see fit. This is an inalienable right. One that is guaranteed to us by the constitution. And while some fight to take away this right, by limiting how or where we may worship, one thing is certain: veterans of the United States have fought to protect our right to worship our God. In God we trust is not a cute tag line, but a mantra that the Founding Fathers lived by



#2 Freedom to say what I want to say. Speech is protected by the 1st amendment. It allows me to write this blog for veterans. It allows me to question those who govern me. Again this is an inalienable right and one which I often over look and will never be thankful enough for.



#3 Freedom to own a firearm. This is a hot button issue across the country right now. Many Veterans and non-vets alike enjoy the freedoms secured by the 2nd Amendment. The right to own a gun is a right meant to ensure that the government cannot hold the country hostage as the British did before the Revolutionary war. Along with our military organizations such as the NRA will work tirelessly to ensure that we never lose this freedom.



#4 Freedom to move. This is a freedom that many Veterans may take for granted. We have the ability to jump on the interstate and drive across the country if we so please. The freedom to move about our own country is not one that is shared universally. Many countries across the world do not allow their citizens to move about as freely a we do.



#5 Freedom to cause change. In the United States of America we have right and obligation to make changes to the makeup of our government when we disagree with how we are being led. It is our duty to observe how are elected officials represent us, and ,should their values not reflect our own, to oust them from power.



#6 Freedom of Press. Much like freedom of speech, freedom of the press allows the news to be reported. It also allows blogs like this one to be posted for reading. The press has the responsibility to report the news no matter how damning it may be. The press helps the people to be informed and cause change.



#7 Freedom to Own a home. This freedom may be taken for granted by many veterans and non-vets alike. Because of our due process laws we are able to own our own homes without fear of our government taking it away without compensation.



#8 Freedom to get an education. We are not limited by our government as to what we can and cannot do with our own lives. Because of the military we are free to be educated as we see fit. As an added benefit to our veterans, programs have been established to help them with their education. The Montgomery GI Bill and other programs such as ROTC has allowed generations of veterans the opportunity to be well educated in the field of their choice.



#9 Freedom of Entrepreneurship. Thanks to our military’s and its veterans efforts we are able to enjoy the capitalist society that we have. Entrepreneurship is the basic form of capitalism. At its heart the economy of America rides on the backs of small business owners and the entrepreneurial spirit that they foster.



#10 Freedom to not live in fear. Perhaps the most underestimated freedom that American have because of our veterans. This freedom was briefly put away after the events of 9/11, however because of the brave men and women of our military Americans once again do not live in fear.

#30 Cash for Clunkers... You're government spies on you and you don't know it.

So I just had to post this video... Its pretty ludicrous and sounds just like a government bent on destroying liberty.

#29 Sweet Revenge

Sorry I have been MIA for the past couple of days. I have been battling what I think is an inner ear infection that has REALLY screwed with my equilibrium. And as you know economists like to have everything in equilibrium (OK that was a bad Econ joke).

So back to the Blogs. Today I found a You-tube video that gave me a good laugh. This guy in Florida had his car towed and impounded by one of the oh-so-typical towing companies. His revenge?? He decided that he would pay the fine with US legal tender. Legal tender of the copper variety. That's right he paid his $88 towing bill with 8800 pennies. Check it out for yourself. I know how I am going to pay my next stupid ticket/towing bill.

#28 The Debt Car

So thanks to one of my very favorite authors, Brad Thor, for posting the link to this video. I am not sure I have seen a better representation for what Sheik Barrak Hussein Obama is doing to America.

#27 A REAL American Hero

I got an email from my dad today. This doesn't happen too often as I generally just call my parents or we converse over IM. But this one brought tears to my eyes. There is a Viral email going around the internet requesting a memorial service for one of the "Band of Brothers". I have not received the email but with a little Google research I found the full text:

Fwd: Band of Brothers Hero

One of the "Band of Brothers" soldiers died on June 17, 2009.

We're hearing a lot today about big splashy memorial services.

I want a nationwide memorial service for Darrell "Shifty" Powers.

Shifty volunteered for the airborne in WWII and served with Easy Company of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, part of the 101st Airborne Infantry. If you've seen Band of Brothers on HBO or the History Channel, you know Shifty. His character appears in all 10 episodes, and Shifty himself is interviewed in several of them.

I met Shifty in the Philadelphia airport several years ago. I didn't know who he was at the time. I just saw an elderly gentleman having trouble reading his ticket. I offered to help, assured him that he was at the right gate, and noticed the "Screaming Eagle", the symbol of the 101st Airborne, on his hat.

Making conversation, I asked him if he'd been in the 101st Airborne or if his son was serving. He said quietly that he had been in the 101st. I thanked him for his service, then asked him when he served, and how many jumps he made.

Quietly and humbly, he said "Well, I guess I signed up in 1941 or so, and was in until sometime in 1945 . . . " at which point my heart skipped.

At that point, again, very humbly, he said "I made the 5 training jumps at Toccoa, and then jumped into Normandy . . . . do you know where Normandy is?" At this point my heart stopped.

I told him yes, I know exactly where Normandy was, and I know what D-Day was. At that point he said "I also made a second jump into Holland, into Arnhem." I was standing with a genuine war hero . . . . and then I realized that it was June, just after the anniversary of D-Day.

I asked Shifty if he was on his way back from France, and he said "Yes. And it's real sad because these days so few of the guys are left, and those that are, lots of them can't make the trip." My heart was in my throat and I didn't know what to say.

I helped Shifty get onto the plane and then realized he was back in Coach, while I was in First Class. I sent the flight attendant back to get him and said that I wanted to switch seats. When Shifty came forward, I got up out of the seat and told him I wanted him to have it, that I'd take his in coach.

He said "No, son, you enjoy that seat. Just knowing that there are still some who remember what we did and still care is enough to make an old man very happy." His eyes were filling up as he said it. And mine are brimming up now as I write this.

Shifty died on June 17 after fighting cancer.

There was no parade.

No big event in Staples Center.

No wall to wall back to back 24x7 news coverage.

No weeping fans on television.

And that's not right.

Let's give Shifty his own Memorial Service, online, in our own quiet way. Please forward this email to everyone you know. Especially to the veterans.

Rest in peace, Shifty.

"A nation without heroes is nothing."
Roberto Clemente

The best part of the story is that its all true. This article on ABC goes on to tell us that the story is not just and urban legend. I'm not sure that it could be put better than how my dad ended his email.

"Every single citizen living in a democracy in 2009 owes a huge debt to the men and women of my parent's generation who sacrificed so much and then came home to quiet anonymity. Remember as you see the very elderly shuffling about that they were once young too and have given the best of themselves for the good of everyone."

Thanks Shifty! and every other TRUE American hero.

#26 A day to celebrate

I got a phone call from my baby sister this morning. The first words I heard? "I'm Engaged!!" My next question was "to Who??" actually no that wasn't what I said but it might have been funny had I. I am happy for my little sister and my soon-to-be Brother-in-law. I regularly call him goofy looking but he is a great guy and a great fit for my sister. Congratulations you two.

Today is also the birthday of a dear friend of mine. Regan Housley. Regan and I lived in the same apartment complex and became fast friends when we realized we share a similar whit and sarcastic sense of humor. We worked as life counselors for each other and we are great friends. She has moved back to Oklahoma and I miss our therapeutic lunches. I am grateful for friends like Regan and wish her the best today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY REGAN!!!

#25 Americans must be idiots.

It's official the president of our beloved country clearly thinks that we re all idiots. Tonight he is taking to the airways in an attempt to tell us how neat he is, why we should RUSH to pass a Health care reform bill that has little hope of reforming health care. Now we have all heard about this by now. And if you haven't then you have likely not been paying attention. The kicker here is that President Obama is going to try and tell us how "great" a job he has been doing since taking office 6 months ago. Now does he really think we are that stupid?? He is going to attempt to tell us that he has "rescued the economy from the worst recession" Seriously??? I know that his idiot economic adviser thinks its all over because we are googling the term "economic Depression" anymore, but pa-leeeez. Maybe he should have a nice chat with some of the people I speak with each day in Detroit where their unemployment is at 13% or in California where it is over 11%. The economy has not recovered. "spending our way our of Bankruptcy" is not the answer even if Obama/Biden would like for you to think that. I ain't drinking the Kool-Aid on this one. Even Mitt Romney the former governor of the ONLY state to have a "reformed" healthcare system thinks this is rotten Idea.

Personally I HATE being talked to like a 5 year old. And I really hate it when politicians assume that I am not intelligent enough to understand that they are picking my pocket. Don't Tread on Me.

#24 The coolest plane on Earth now on the scrap heap

Today the Senate voted down a funding package for the F-22 Raptor. The F-22 (shown above) is probably the coolest feet of aeronautical engineering since the Wright Flier. The Pentagon, thanks to its new budget, will stop production at 159 aircraft. What the Dem's don't seem to be able to wrap their tiny brains around is that the Clinton Administration took similar measures in the late 90's to "streamline" the Military. And we all know what happened in September of 2001 as a result. The kicker here is that President Obama threatened to veto the entire budget should ANY F-22 funding be involved. Seriously if this guy can't control it he doesn't want it to exist. I guess that Obama can personally appeal to the workers in 44 states that he is putting out of work by canning this weapon system. You know with all the talk about "job's saved and created" why aren't we talking about the "lives destroyed by job loss" or "jobs sent to China"? That is a post for an entirely different day. R.I.P. F-22. You are still the best and baddest thing that has ever come to the Fighter plane world.

#23 Economic turn around

Recently I had a good belly laugh followed by smacking my head against a cement wall. What could cause such a reaction you say?? President Obama's chief economic adviser said that the economy was on its way back up. Now this normally would be great news. But lets just say that I like to take every thing that comes from the "Obamanation" with a grain of salt. Obama's chief economic adviser is Larry Summers. what are his credentials you ask?? Well according to Wikipedia;

"Lawrence Henry Summers (born November 30, 1954) is an American economist and the Director of the White House's National Economic Council for President Barack Obama.^[1] Summers is the Charles W. Eliot University Professor at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. He is the 1993 recipient of the John Bates Clark Medal for his work in several fields of economics and was Secretary of the Treasury for the last year and a half of the Clinton Administration. Summers also served as the 27th President of Harvard University from 2001 to 2006."

So you see a Harvard professor and former University President. Former Secretary of the Treasury, this guy should be well suited to explain to us why the economy has finally hit bottom and bounced back. His deft explanation?

" The number of people searching for the term "Economic depression" on Google is down to normal levels."

Let me get this straight you are telling me that our President is trusting the likes of Larry Summers to drive our economy?? To put it simply: AMERICA IS SCREWED!!!
Now you can see why I have a headache from beating my head against the wall. I have a degree in Economics. And BYU is no slouch of a school either. Granted it is not Harvard, and I do not hold any advanced degrees, but I think that my daughter Shelbie could have come up with a better economic analysis than this. So please click this link, and this link, and this link so that Mr Summers can get a better grasp on reality by pulling his head out of the most southern orifice on his body. Or perhaps you would like to Google search "America thinks Larry Summers is an IDIOT" Either way if you are going to beat your head against a wall maybe choose one that is slightly less hard than the cement one I found.

#22 Summer Television

My television viewing habits have changed a bit since the "24" season finale in May. But that is not necessarily a bad thing. I am currently anxiously engaged in watching 3 particular programs on a weekly basis. Burn Notice, Royal Pains, and So you think you can dance. I will go into detail on each here below so that hopefully you too will find some enjoyable summer television.

Burn Notice
Burn Notice is easily the best show on television that you have never heard of. This witty action/spy show has a bit of everything. Michael Weston is the main character. Once you get past the fact that he is played by the same creepy guy from Hitch with Will Smith (Jeffrey Donovan), you realize that Michael is in fact McGyver in spy form. The guy can improvise just about anything to get the job done. Lots of stuff blows up, and generally speaking the bad guys get nailed and the innocents remain safe. I love the show. Heather was subjected to 4-5 straight hours of it one day when we were dating so she puts up with my watching it.

Royal Pains
Royal Pains is a very clever medically based comedic drama. The main character Hank is to doctors what Michael Weston is to spy's. Simply put he is awesome. He was an ER doc in NYC, engaged to a beautiful woman and then his life came crumbling down when a rich hospital donor died because of an accident. He was black balled, embroiled in a law suit, and thrown out of the traditional medical community. After being convinced to spend Memorial Day weekend with his social ladder climbing CPA little brother in the Hamptons, Hank finds a new job opportunity as an on-call concierge doctor to the Uber rich and well connected. The drama and hilarity ensues. Definitely a must watch.

So You Think You Can Dance
This is the on going Dance version of American Idol. It is quite entertaining and my Wife and Son love to watch it. Currently there is 1 contestant from Utah (before this week there were 2 and both are very good.) They are currently narrowed down from the top 20 to the Top 8.

Time to set your TiVo's people.

#21 Michael Jackson is DEAD people

Now I know that this is old news to most but some people cannot seem to just let the Dude be dead. And some people are holding on so hard that they seem to want to blame his death on someone other than him. Seriously the dude was more plastic than skin. You don't think all those trips under the knife might have seriously screwed up his boy in more than one way?

Once question I have is who should pay for the funeral??? Its a fairly obvious answer isn't it? THE CITY!.... er... wait... ummm... Every funeral that I have ever been too has been paid by Family. But in this article it clearly states that the City of L.A. is going to foot the $1.4 MILLION dollar bill for the sob fest that took place at the staples center. Now maybe you remember seeing this article about the state writing IOU's to pay bills instead of actually paying them. So is this ULTRA IMPORTANT event going to get paid for in cash or worthless pieces of paper ( and yes as a trained Economist I see how the argument could be made that both cash and an IOU are equally worthless, Thanks Obama!) This just goes to show how off base our country is. And just how much the state of California resembles a Cereal box. Its funny really...

Q. - Whats the difference between California and a box of breakfast cereal?
A. - Oh that would be the cardboard... you see both are already full of fruits, flakes, and Nuts.

Well California now has one less nut now.

DISCLAIMER: I enjoy Michael Jackson's music. I think that he was an extraordinary performer. Thriller was the first album that I ever owned, and on vinyl no less. I even have a Pandora radio station based on the album.

#20 A lack on inspiration

Today I can't think of anything particularly clever to write about. Even my cleverness has its limits it would seem. 10 things I Have found out today are:

1) Felix Hernandez could be a contender for the AL CY Young award this year
2) The Hamptons are located on the Eastern edge of Long Island, NY (for why I found this out you will have to wait for a forthcoming blog post : )
3) Carlos Boozer is a big aft idiot
4) If the Mariners can get to the World series they will have home field advantage. Thanks to the AL 4-3 win over the NL last night in the Midsummer Classic.
5) BYU football now has 20 recruits for the 2010 class that won't sign until February 2010.
6) Taylor Bean & Whitaker is one of the most poorly run mortgage companies I have ever had the displeasure to deal with. not only are they dead in the water to close anything else this month (yes it is mid month) but they are also having difficulty funding the loans that have closed.
7) My wife is the most amazing woman on the planet. 'Nuf said.
8) Making changes to your house after it is already complete and being lived in is a royal pain in the rear.
9) Yards are expensive
10) NOT having a yard is a royal pain too.

Now granted this does not constitute the the full scope of my learning for the day, but it does give you an idea of how my day has been. Hopefully tomorrow inspiration will strike. :)

#19 Find your dream and live it.

"Living the Dream", that's how a few of my friends have answered the question "how are you. Today I read the blog of my Buddy Ian. Ian and I have a storied history. We became fast friends while sitting at the back of our summer Drivers Ed. class as obnoxious 15 year old kids. We both share a love of baseball and we were both LDS which just added to the fun. we spent the summer carousing and harassing the teacher of our class. That fall I was a sophomore in High School and Ian was one of the few kids that i knew as I was the FNG. (FNG for those not used to military acronyms stands for "Freaking New Guy" or some derivation thereof) Because I swapped school districts between Jr. High and High School. I Digress... Ian and I were both in the MTC learning Spanish prior to laboring in South America. He in Venezuela and me in Chile. After returning from our missions I took the more traditional "Peter Priesthood" route and quickly got married while he enjoyed the finer points of bachelorhood. Somewhere along the way we both found the dream and are living it. I am blissfully wed to my sweetheart Heather and with 3 kids and one on the way I could not be happier. Soon my wife and I will be together for all eternity as we are sealed in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple. Ian is in Alaska. Now to be truthful I have never had much desire to visit Alaska on anything other than an extreme skiing adventure. But after reading Ian's most recent blog post (which you too can read here) I can see the lure in a very Walt Whitman sort of way. Now Nome Alaska may not be Golden pond, but he certainly makes a case. While Ian's dream seems pretty cool and I might like to visit for a while I am living my dream. But its also brings into contrast how dreams change. Back in 2001 my dream was to sit behind the stick of a fighter jet at Mock 2 with my hair on fire. And, again while this sounds like a great time (and I still hope my Air Force buddies come through on such a ride for me) after seeing some of my best friends away from their families for 6 months at a time I know that that dream would likely be more of a nightmare. I am thankful for what I have and for the people who surround me. I have a job that lets me provide for them and have fun along the way. I am truly living the dream.

#18 In case of Boredom STUMBLE!

I have a very interesting job that can consist of moments of boredom followed by mass hysteria. In those times of boredom I have come to rely on the little "Stumble" button on my Firefox browser. Stumble upon is a very useful browser plugin that allows you to see random internet web pages and then quickly review them (Thumbs up/down) so that Stumble can better tailor your internet surfing experience. On the Stumble website you can tell it what sorts of things you like to see. what you don't care to see and any other preference to fit your needs. For all those who find themselves with time to spare on the web I highly recommend.

#17 Inspiration and wisdom from childrens' books

I'm a dad as you all know (or you are the least observant person on the Earth, as a picture with my wife and Kids is just above) So I read a LOT of children's books. What I was impressed to find was that one of my favorite authors for kids books was really quite inspirational. Check this out:

1. A person's a person, no matter how small.
2. You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose.
3. Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.
4. From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.
5. Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.
6. Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.
7. If you never did, you should. These things are fun, and fun is good.
8. I meant what I said, and I said what I meant. An elephant's faithful, one hundred percent.
9. So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.
10. And will you succeed? Yes indeed, yes indeed! Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed.
11. Sometimes the questions are complicated and the answers are simple.
12. All alone! Whether you like it or not, alone is something you'll be quite a lot. - Dr. Seuss
13. The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.
14. Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the things you can think up if only you try!
15. Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.
16. I'm afraid sometimes you'll play lonely games too, games you can't win because you'll play against you
17. I'm sorry to say so but, sadly it's true that bang-ups and hang-ups can happen to you
18. From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere.
19. I know up on the top you are seeing great sights, but down at the bottom we, too, should have rights.

Now as I'm sure you have surmised these are from none other than Theodore Geisel A.K.A. Dr. Suess (1904-1991).

Now my little sister won't ever forget "Rosie Robin Ross riding on her red Rinoserross", and I am a big fan of "Oh the places you'll go", the Star bellied sneetches, and "Green eggs & Ham" but who knew that these silly rhymes would be so filled with logic and real life... I think I need to buy a few more of these for my kids.