The Thoughts of Thomas

Chicken Nuggets or McNuggets?

2011-09-14T07:54:00.000-07:00

I just got home from picking up some food at Wendy's. I love Wendy's because they have the 99 cent menu that includes a 5 piece chicken nugget. For some reason though, every time I order the nuggets I say "Chicken Mcnuggets", which we all know is what McDonald's calls them. I stop and try again but I can't not say "MC" in front of the nugget. Am I the only one who does this?

Suitcase on Wheels?

2011-09-08T08:05:00.000-07:00

Have you seen the people that take luggage to work with them? You know those suitcases on wheels that you can pull behind you. What are these people bringing to work? Their paperweight collection? What can really be that heavy that you would need a suitcase?
To me this would be too much like going on vacation. I think if I started taking luggage to work it would totally ruin my whole vacation experience. Every time I was pulling my suitcase in the airport it would feel like I am going to work! Who wants that?

Three Sheets to the Wind - What Does this Mean?

2011-07-18T09:01:00.000-07:00

Have you ever heard the expression that a person is "Three sheets to the wind"? It means that a person is very drunk. But where did this expression come from and what does it mean? Here's what I found out:

"To understand this phrase we need to enter the arcane world of nautical terminology. Sailors' language is, unsurprisingly, all at sea and many supposed derivations have to go by the board. Don't be taken aback to hear that sheets aren't sails, as landlubbers might expect, but ropes (or occasionally, chains). These are fixed to the lower corners of sails, to hold them in place. If three sheets are loose and blowing about in the wind then the sails will flap and the boat will lurch about like a drunken sailor.

The phrase is these days more often given as 'three sheets to the wind', rather than the original 'three sheets in the wind'.

Sailors at that time had a sliding scale of drunkenness; three sheets was the falling over stage; tipsy was just 'one sheet in the wind', or 'a sheet in the wind's eye'."

So there you have it. Now we have to figure out "What do you do with a Drunken Sailor early in the morning".

Wet Plastic = Anger - From The Archives

2011-07-13T19:26:00.000-07:00

(Originally Posted 9/3/06)
I don't ask for too many things in my life. But for once, I would like to open up my dishwasher and see a new sight. All I want is to have my Tupperware and other plastic items to be dry! Everytime, it's the same old thing. I pick up the piece of Tupperware and water dribbles all over. Either that or there is a big puddle on top of my favorite plastic Iowa State mug. What I don't understand is...... It has an option for "Heated Dry". Shouldn't this take care of the problem? I know this isn't an isolated event. I have used over 10 dishwashers, all with the same effect.

If someone knows of a dishwasher that guarantees to dry tupperware please let me know! I am willing to pay large sums of money. Just help me get a piece of dry Tupperware!

Uncomfortable Return - From the Archives

2011-07-08T09:54:00.000-07:00

(Originally Posted 6/1/06)
Well, I did it again this morning. I seem to fall into the same trap on a daily basis. A trap set by my self. I opened the door to my car this morning to head for work. Of course I was only half awake (like a zombie pretty much). I slowly put the key in and started the Ion up. Then............... BLAST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! No it wasn't a car bomb planted by a member of the Corleone family, it was my radio turned up to a point where it felt like my ears were going to bleed. What was I thinking when I pulled my car into the garage the night before?
Isn't it strange that the music didn't seem so loud the night before, but now it just made me insane in the membrane. Another one of life's mysteries. I guess I could just get in the habit of turning off the radio when I leave the car..... But that would be too easy. :)

The Athena Project - Another Gem from Brad Thor

2011-07-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading another great book by Brad Thor today. In Thor’s latest book The Athena Project, four of Delta’s best and brightest women are about to undertake one of the nation’s deadliest assignments. Introduced briefly in a previous Thor book, Foreign Influence, the girls of Athena are back again, kicking butt and protecting the United States. This book has something for both men and women to enjoy and I would recommend this to everyone. I really enjoyed how the book uses bit of WWII history and ties them into modern war on terror. It’s a quick read, and you will find yourself staying up all night to finish it. But don’t despair when you are done. The book sets itself up for a sequel to follow and I’ve seen rumors posted around the web about a possible movie deal!

Breakfast Cereal - From the Archives

2011-07-05T09:02:00.000-07:00

(Originally Posted 5/23/05)
I'm curious if I'm the only one who does this? After I pour a bowl of cereal into the bowl, I put the box down next to me at the table. If I have no paper to read, I will read the entire cereal box, from nutritional information to ingredients. I do this every time I eat cereal. I could have the same box of Lucky Charms for a week straight and still read that stupid box every time I eat it. If you ask me to remember what is says......no clue! Somehow when I eat cereal, my brain goes to a far off galaxy where it can't retain information. Does anyone else relate?

I Ordered a Glass of Water..... Not Lemon Water

2011-07-03T19:05:00.000-07:00

I don't understand why restaurants insist on putting lemon wedges in my water without me asking. Shouldn't they only put the lemon in my water if I ask. Since when did water just come with lemon in it? Sure, I could fish out the piece of lemon, but by that point the water has been tainted. Not to mention the fact that lemon wedges have a high level of bacteria from being prepared by workers not wearing gloves. Now, if you want to throw a lemon wedge in my Bacardi Limon and Seven go ahead. In that case the alcohol is hopefully killing off all the bacteria. Cheers!

Come on Hy-Vee. Nebraska Merchandise?

2011-07-02T11:50:00.000-07:00

I walked into Hy-vee this morning to take advantage of an awesome deal on Throwback Pepsi (Four 12 packs for $6.00!) and noticed something horrifying. Mixed in with the Iowa, Iowa State, UNI and Drake merchandise was Nebraska Cornhusker gear. What is going on here? We live in Iowa, right? Not only is this not Nebraska, but the Cornhuskers are one of Iowa State's top rivals. Plus, now with the move to the Big 10, Nebraska is going to be on one of the Hawkeyes top rivals. So what gives? If the merchandise inside the store wasn't bad enough, I noticed on my way out there was 3 flags flying high by the Liquor Dept. You guessed it, Nebraska was one of them. Hy-Vee, ditch the Cornhusker gear and get your act together.

Update: A lot of people have asked. The Hy-Vee I'm referring to is the one at Jordan Creek Pkwy and University in WDM.

Classic Men's Iowa State Basketball Highlights

2011-06-28T20:15:00.000-07:00

A collection of some classic Iowa State Men's Basketball highlights. Ah, the good old days. Enjoy Cyclone Fans

Grayer Dunk

Fizer Dunk (Awesome)

Thigpin's Game Winning Shot vs Minnesota

Game Winning Shot vs Nebraska in 2001

1996 Big 8 Championship Game

Jeff Hornacek Game Winning Shot 1986

Another Great Jeff Grayer Dunk

2004 Win vs Texas

The Colgate Curse - From the Archives

2011-06-27T13:46:00.000-07:00

(Originally Posted 11/15/06) If you are like me, you brush your teeth two times a day or maybe even more. The "Colgate Curse" applies to the morning brush. This is the brush before you are exposed to the world, and nobody wants to introduce Mr. Morning Breath to everyone. Keep in mind, this may only happen to me, so I need your feedback.
So there I am, finishing up brushing, spitting out that last mouthful of water and then wiping off my face of any excess toothpaste. I look in the mirror and I think to myself, "There is one good-looking guy, with some minty fresh breath to say the least". But, I have made a fatal error... I have forgotten about......"THE COLGATE CURSE"! It usually doesn't hit you until an hour later. You are sitting at work and notice a white paste on your pants.
What is that? That has to be toothpaste. Right?! What was I doing last in these pants? Hmmm.. Then you try to take some water and rub out the white stain.... IT ONLY MAKES IT WORSE. Now the stain has spread out even more. What will others think? AHHHHH, "The Colgate Curse" has gotten me again!
Did I make you look at your pants for a white stain?

Are Those Real? - From The Archives

2011-06-25T04:43:00.000-07:00

(Originally Posted 5/2/05)
I think I know what it feels like to be a woman with fake breasts. How can this be possible? I get asked on a daily basis, "Are those real?" Yes they are and thank you for asking. Of course this comment is being directed towards my eyes, not my breasts. It's nice to be complimented on something, but when that is the only thing you hear, over and over again.....it gets old. I know that there are many others of you out there. You have the perfect hair, the perfect butt, or something that everyone always makes a comment on. It's strange how someone trying to be nice to you can actually annoy you.

Bears at Merle Hay Mall?

2011-06-22T13:30:00.000-07:00

Never thought I would see a bear and other wildlife at the mall, but I guess I was wrong. Thanks to the Red Rock Wildlife Education Center at Merle Hay Mall the next time you are shopping for that new outfit, you can also check out some wildlife. Admission is only a $1.00. A good chance to show the kids some animals they don't see everyday.
I know one thing for sure, I would hate to be the one carrying around a pretzel and soda, from the food court, when one of those bears got loose!

The Most Interesting Man in the World eats at Viva La Bamba in Urbandale?

2011-06-21T10:14:00.000-07:00

No, I'm talking about me. This past weekend when I walked into Viva La Bamba Mexican restaurant, who did I bump into? None other than the Most Interesting Man in the World. And if that wasn't cool enough, he was wearing a sombrero. Okay, it wasn't the real guy, it was a cardboard cutout, but still pretty awesome. Which gives you just another reason to eat at Viva La Bamba (see earlier review here).
Just for some fun, here are some great quotes from the Most Interesting Man in the World commercials:
"He is the life of parties he never attended."
"He once had an awkward moment, just to see how it feels."
"He's won trophies for his game face alone."
"His words carry weight that would break a less interesting man's jaw."
"If he were to punch you in the face, you would have to fight off the irresistible urge to thank him".
"His mother has a tattoo that reads 'son'".
"At museums he is allowed to touch the art."
"Sharks have a week dedicated to him."
"He can speak French, in Russian."
"He bowls overhand."

Stay thirsty my friends!

Silos and Smokestacks Signs - Say What?

2011-06-20T09:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen the Silos and Smokestack signs along the interstate while driving? This sign (see picture) is on northbound I-35 in West Des Moines, approaching I-80 and I-235. I drive by it all the time and always wonder what it means. Are we talking nuclear silos, or corn silos? After a quick search here's what I found out:
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area preserves and tells the story of American agriculture and its global significance through partnerships and activities that celebrate the land, people, and communities of the area.

Considered yourself enlightened.

Some Bling for Your Belly - From the Archives

2011-06-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

(Originally Posted 10/25/06) Much like champagne, Goldschlager has a reputation as a celebration drink. It is touted by style consultants for its ability to increase one's inner bling. Goldschlager actually has little flakes of gold floating around in it. For those of you who don’t know, Goldschlager is hard liquor that has a cinnamon taste.
So one night my friend and I were drinking some Goldschlager with some Bailey’s Irish Crème (Oatmeal Cookie). After a few drinks I noticed that both full bottles were gone. This is when things started to get interesting. My friend began to feel sick to her stomach. She stumbled and fell to the ground. She then proceeded to vomit all over the wall. By this time I was feeling a little gross myself and went to bed. The next morning I woke up and noticed that something shiny was on the wall. The gold flakes had stayed stuck on the wall where the vomit was. Wow. I now had a gold wall. It just goes to show, drinking does pay off sometimes!

3 Things I Would Change About the Des Moines Arts Festival

2011-06-16T07:36:00.000-07:00

The Des Moines Arts Festival is just a week away now, June 24th-26th. With it being so close, it got me thinking if I really wanted to attend this year? Then I thought to myself, what were 3 things I would change about the Arts Festival, to make me really want to go. Here’s what I came up with:

1. Plan the Arts Festival in early Spring or Fall. Yep, forget about having it at the end of June, when the average temperatures in Des Moines are in the 80’s. I want to walk around and not have to worry about sweating too much and dehydration.

2. Get more artists from Des Moines and the surrounding areas! Well, it is called the “Des Moines” Arts festival. But it seems like all the artists are from out of state. Why not showcase more of what we have here in the great state of Iowa?

3. No more jewelry, hats and purses. Do we really need to have 50 different venders showcasing this stuff? Let’s see more paintings, mixed media and sculptures.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for events and festivals in the Des Moines area. With just a little tweaking, they could be so much better!

The Red Hat Ladies - From the Archives

2011-06-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

(Originally Posted 1/21/07)
Sorry everybody for not writing for awhile. I have a good excuse. Please read the following to hear my story:
(Written December 13th, 2006)
Have you seen these ladies around town? Groups of older women get together wearing these bright red hats. Why you ask... very good question. After looking on their website, here is what I found out:
"The Red Hat Society began as a result of a few women deciding to greet middle age with verve, humor and elan. We believe silliness is the comedy relief of life, and since we are all in it together, we might as well join red-gloved hands and go for the gusto together. Underneath the frivolity, we share a bond of affection, forged by common life experiences and a genuine enthusiasm for wherever life takes us next."
Although some of you might think that the red hat ladies are silly looking, or even "not cool" for wearing these attention getting hats...... I think they are on to something. I think I need to start some sort of organization where men can get together and live life to the fullest! But what?
I know. I will start the Red Ski Mask Society for Men over 25. We will get together and just have fun and not take life seriously. We can go to the bar, go bowling, golf and much much more. We could just even run simple errands together. If brother Bob needed to go to the grocery store we would go. If he needed to go to the bank our group of Red Ski Mask guys would go.

(Written December 16th, 2006)
So, we had our first get together yesterday. It didn't go so well. Brother Hernando needed some gas, so we all went to the local Git and Go. While he was pumping some gas the group of us wearing our ski masks decided to go inside and get some slushies. As soon as we walked in everybody starting screaming. I thought they were just excited that we formed a new club. But then an alarm went off and the teenage boy behind the counter pulled out a shotgun.
(Written Today)
After spending a little over a month in prison, I decided that the Red Ski Mask Society would not work out. For some reason the local police just wouldn't believe our story. But having a month to just think about things I think we would be better off just sticking with our weekly poker games to have fun as men. Hind Sight is 20/20!

You've Really Got a MOLD on Me - From the Archives

2011-06-13T07:20:00.000-07:00

(Originally Posted 3/9/06) Yesterday I made myself a nice BLT sandwich (Crisp bacon, crunchy lettuce and garden fresh tomatoes). It tasted great! Today I grabbed the bread from the bread box and what did I see?............ MOLD!!!! Could this mold have been there yesterday when I ate the BLT? Did it just grow overnight? I suddenly started to feel sick to my stomach. The BLT sandwich tasted good enough. Wouldn’t I have noticed if there was mold on the bread?
Isn’t it amazing how our minds work against us? I don’t know for sure if I ate mold or not, but just the thought of it made me want to throw up in my mouth. Have you ever seen something after that the fact with food? Maybe you noticed that the milk was out of date after you drink it. How did you react?

Kids on a Leash - What's Next?

2011-06-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

I don’t understand the idea of putting your kid on a leash. If you’re going to put a leash on your kid, why not forget the diaper and just have them take a dump on the front yard? Okay, the dump on the front yard might be a extreme, but they actually sell leashes for kids, and people actually use them! No, I’m not making this up. I saw people using these at the zoo the other day.
I appreciate the fact that you don’t want to lose your kid. But, there has to be a better way to watch your child. Right?

Arrested Development Movie? No Joke

2011-06-01T12:05:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite short lived television shows is coming to the big screen. An Arrested Development movie has been announced and is scheduled to come out in 2012. One more chance for all of us to see the dysfunctional Bluth family and all their hilarious moments. Who knows we might even see Tobias one more time as Mrs. Featherbottom? I can't wait! If you've never watched Arrested Development, throw it in your Netflix Queue and get ready for some laughs.

Spinach Frittata Recipe - Healthy, Quick and Easy

2011-05-31T12:28:00.000-07:00

I made this the other day and it turned out great. Give it a try.

Ingredients
5 eggs
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup chopped spinach

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
Lightly coat a 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray and set it aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, half of the shredded cheese, salt and pepper.
3 Now mix in your chopped spinach and pour into prepared pie plate.
4. Bake about 20 minutes or until set.
5. Remove from oven. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top of the Frittata and let stand about 5 minutes.

Tips:
-Serve with Hash browns and fresh fruit
-Add in mushrooms or bacon for some added goodness

Bitchin' Kitchen - Not Your Mother's Cooking Show

2011-05-30T19:00:00.000-07:00

If Tim Burton and Todd Phillips came together to make a cooking show you would end probably end up with Bitchin' Kitchen. The new cooking show on the Cooking Channel is both hilarious and strange, in a good way. Host Nadia G. cooks up some wonderful looking food while entertaining you with her own brand of dry humor. The show in general is kind of like something out of a weird dream. I could be watching it at 8pm and it feels like I am drunk at 2am, craving food..... Figure that one out? Anyways, if you like food and want to have a laugh or two, check out this show.

Big City Burgers and Greens - Food Review

2011-05-27T08:27:00.000-07:00

I walk by Big City Burgers and Greens all the time on my daily stroll thru downtown Des Moines. But, I had never made time to try some of their food. Which is strange, because I love burgers and I love the fact that they use organic, antibiotic and hormone free beef. So, yesterday for lunch I finally had the chance to eat one of their burgers. My initial thoughts............ This is one of the best burgers I've had in a long time! Why have I waited so long to try this place? The burger was perfectly cooked, had great flavor and made me wish I had another. I went with the regular fries, as opposed to the "Big City" fries and they were great too. They were thin, appeared to be hand cut, and had the perfect amount of seasoning.
I use to say that Maxie's had the best burger in town, but now I would say the Big City Burger is sitting tied at first place with the Maxie Burger. So the next time you are downtown and looking for a great burger, definitely make your way to Big City Burgers and Greens.

Pete Holmes on Comedy Central - Funny Stuff

2011-05-24T19:27:00.000-07:00

This Past weekend I caught Pete Holmes on Comedy Central Presents. It made me chuckle, so I thought I would share. Hope you enjoy. This first one is so true!

Jokes.com

Pete Holmes - Privacy Is Uncool

comedians.comedycentral.com

Pete Holmes - Really?

comedians.comedycentral.com

Jokes

Joke of the Day

Funny Jokes

American Alternative Fuels Act - Do Your Part to Get Us Off Foreign Oil!

2011-05-22T15:23:00.000-07:00

United States Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) have introduced what they call “commonsense” legislation to ease the pain at the pump and decrease our nation’s dependence on foreign oil. The American Alternative Fuels Act (S.937) breaks down the barriers to alternative fuels—including fuels derived from coal, biomass, algae and waste.
“Our unacceptably high gas prices…underscore a critical need: the federal government needs to be a partner, not an obstacle, for businesses that can transform our domestic energy resources into gas,” Senator Manchin said. “I’m proud to support this legislation with my friend John Barrasso, and continue to push for a national energy plan that will help drive down the price of gas and make us energy independent within this generation.”
“It’s more important than ever that we make it as easy as possible to use all available sources of American energy,” Senator Barrasso added. “Breaking down barriers to alternative fuels is one way we can ease the pain at the pump and decrease our dependence on foreign oil,” The American Alternative Fuels Act is cosponsored by Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
The American Alternative Fuels Act repeals barriers to domestic fuel production, in particular Section 526 of the 2007 Energy bill, which greatly restricts the federal government from buying alternative fuels. The new bill allows the Department of Defense to enter into long-term contracts (20 years) for purchasing alternative fuels.
The bill also creates a reporting requirement for domestic fuel-focused Loan Guarantee applications that are facing continued delays at the Department of Energy. Increasing transparency in the Loan Guarantee Program will help speed the process by pinpointing the delays in the bureaucratic process.
Among its provisions, the proposed legislation promotes algae-based fuel: The bill provides incentives under the renewable fuel standard for algae-based fuel that uses carbon capture and sequestrations.

These Senators have introduced this bill, now do your part and help get it passed. Make your voice heard. Contact your State Senator and let them know you want The American Alternative Fuels Act (S.937) bill passed!

Good Bye Macho Man Randy Savage

2011-05-20T19:21:00.000-07:00

Growing up I hate to admit it, but I was a huge WWF fan. My favorite wrestler at the time? Macho Man Randy Savage. Oh Yeah! Today he passed away and it made me revisit some old highlights from his career. I still remember how exciting it was to see him wrestle at Vets back in the day. Good times.

Organic Groceries at Walmart? Yep, You Read That Right.

2011-05-17T11:19:00.000-07:00

I never really shop for groceries when I stop by Walmart. But, the other day I decided to take a look and see what kind of organic selections they have to offer. I was pleasantly surprised. Not only did they have many of the organic items I buy other places, but they were priced $1.00-$2.00 cheaper! For example, Cascadian Farm granola bars are normally $4.68 at Hyvee Health Market, at Walmart only $2.68. That saves you $2.00 right there! Some of the other cheaper organic items I found there were milk, flour, sugar, cereal and frozen veggies. They also had a good selection of fresh chicken (no antibiotics or hormones) there too. So, before your next shopping trip to your regular supermarket, I would recommend checking out your local Walmart. You might just save yourself some green.
Bonus Tip: Looking for cheaper organic hamburger? Go to Costco. You can get a 3 pack of hamburger for $13.98. If you buy 3 packs of organic hamburger at Trader Joe's, you are looking at spending $17.97! Almost at $4.00 savings.

Organic Milk - What's With the Expiration Date?

2011-05-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

Why does organic milk last so long? Shouldn't it expire sooner because it doesn't have any weird preservatives in it? I purchased some Organic Valley brand milk the other day and the expiration date was month and a half way. I took a look at some non-organic A&E Dairy milk and it expired a week later? Does anyone know the answer to this one? Well, according to Scientific American, here's why:

Organic milk lasts longer because producers use a different process to preserve it. According to the Northeast Organic Dairy Producers Alliance, the milk needs to stay fresh longer because organic products often have to travel farther to reach store shelves since it is not produced throughout the country.

The process that gives the milk a longer shelf life is called ultrahigh temperature (UHT) processing or treatment, in which milk is heated to 280 degrees Fahrenheit (138 degrees Celsius) for two to four seconds, killing any bacteria in it.

Read the whole explanation here.

Dramatic Movie Trailer Music - Requiem for a Dream

2011-05-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

My theory is that you can set any video to this song from the movie Requiem for a Dream and it will seem dramatic (even if it's clearly not). Countless movie trailers have used the song and now I have added it to a video of me blogging. See what you think.

Renting a Rug Doctor - Does it Clean Your Carpet, Or Make it Worse?

2011-05-04T19:34:00.000-07:00

Have you ever rented a Rug Doctor from your local grocery or hardware store? If you have, you may have noticed they aren't exactly the cleanest machines in the world. I almost feel like it's doing more damage to my carpet than good. Who knows who rented the Rug Doctor before me. It could have been a serial killer cleaning up blood from his past victim, or a frat house cleaning up all the puke from the night before. That means that blood and vomit could be getting into my carpet. That doesn't sound like a chance I want to take.

Monday's Word of the Day - Excursus

2011-05-01T19:40:00.000-07:00

Your mission: Use this word sometime today. You just might sound smart.

excursus \ik-SKUR-sus\, noun:
1. A dissertation that is appended to a work and that contains a more extended exposition of some important point or topic.
2. A digression.

I always find it fun to work in a word of the day at the office. Another fun game is to play phone roulette. You give a person a random word. Then, the next phone call they get, they must use that word somewhere in the conversation. For example. I could give my co-worker the word cheeseburger. When the next person calls, they have to incorporate that into their conversation. It makes for some fun times at work. I've found the key to doing good at this game is to just say the word really fast, then caller has no idea what you said. But, you did say the word.

The Perfect Way to Make Bacon - In the Oven

2011-04-29T07:24:00.000-07:00

There's two reasons I'm not a vegetarian... and one of them is BACON. There's nothing better than a perfect piece of bacon. Not only is it good on it's on, but it enhances any other food you put with it. From bacon wrapped asparagus, to salads everything tastes better with bacon. Before I start salivating too much thinking about it, let me tell you the perfect way to cook bacon. You may be thinking well, you just throw it in the frying pan, don't you? NO. Who wants a greasy soft piece of bacon? NOT ME. The next time you decide to eat some bacon, give this a shot and you will never turn back.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line a cooking sheet with parchment paper. Lay out your bacon in strips so that they are close, but not touching. Throw your bacon in the oven and cook for 25-30 minutes. Check your bacon at the 25 minute mark to see if it's at your desired crispiness. The thickness of the bacon will determine exactly how long it needs to cook. When finished take the bacon off the cooking sheet and place on a plate lined with a paper towel. Let sit for a minute or two and get ready to enjoy a tasty piece of bacon!

Tip: Drain off the extra bacon grease from the cooking sheet and use for cooking eggs or anything else you want to add a little flavor to.

Kobayashi vs Giant Bear - Hot Dog Eating Contest

2011-04-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

I ran across this video today and I had to share it. It's has to be one of the weirdest things I've seen in a while. Who thinks of this stuff? Definitely don't feel like eating a hot dog after this.

The Binky Chronicles

2011-04-28T08:06:00.000-07:00

My wife and I started off with good intentions of never giving our daughter a binky (pacifier) when she was born. That quickly came to an end the first night at the hospital when we realized that she had to be sucking on something or she wasn't going to sleep. Never did I imagine that this little piece of BPA free plastic would become such a central role in our daughter’s life. I joke sometimes with my wife about our daughter having “binky sonar”. It’s almost like a Jedi power that she has the ability to find the binky no matter where it’s at. I have even seen her in bed asleep, in the pitch dark, with her eyes closed, snatch the binky that had fallen out of her mouth up that was sitting a few feet away. No searching….. just a direct hit! It’s amazing.

The binky has become more of a security blanket than anything at this point. She even requests more than one binky at a time. She likes to keep one in her hand and the other in her mouth and then change them out every so often. But, now the problem is, how do we cut the binky out of her life? We don’t want our daughter to be walking around with the binky forever. We can’t have the embarrassment of being “those parents” who still have a kid with the binky. It’s almost like asking a crack addict to stop getting high! Do we call on the “Binky Fairy” that so many parents use? Or maybe use the old “Binky Tree” method? Whichever method we use, I anticipate this being a battle full of crying, tantrums and screaming. And that’s just talking about me. Only time will tell.

Tasty Tacos - A Des Moines Classic

2011-04-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

I hadn't been to Tasty Tacos for over a year. I almost forgot what I was missing! Tonight, I had the pleasure of grabbing a bite to eat there with my wife. I feasted on an original flour taco and a steak flour taco. Those would be the 2 menu items that I would recommend trying the next time you eat there. The thing that makes the tacos so good is that flour taco shell. So great! If you're like me and haven't been in a while, what are you waiting for? And for those of you who have never tried it, check out one of the locations closest to you.

An Upbeat Positive Song for Your Saturday Night

2011-04-23T19:42:00.000-07:00

I always here this on the radio driving to work in the mornings. It's a great way to start the day and puts me in a good mood. The song is "Something in Your Eyes" by Shonlock ENJOY!

Wizard Showdown

2011-04-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Who would win in a battle between Dumbledore (wizard from Harry Potter movies) and Gandalf (wizard from Lord of the Rings)? They're both pretty old and scrappy looking. My money would have to be on Dumbledore. He seems like he wouldn't mind fighting dirty, and sometimes to take out a fellow wizard you need to hit below the belt. What do you think?

Give Up Gum - Try Altoids

2011-04-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

I have been off gum for 2 years now. Before that I could be seen chomping gum around town, pretty much everyday. My new oral fixation of choice? Altoids. Oh yes, the curiously strong mint. It will leave you with some minty fresh breath. I have even heard that it will cover up the smell of alcohol if you happen to pop over the the pub on your lunch break. But, that is neither here nor there. The real reason you should make the switch to Altoids over traditional gum can be found in the ingredients. In this example I compare the ingredients of Altoids to Trident (4 of 5 Dentists recommend it!)

Trident – Original Flavor
Ingredients: Sorbitol, Gum Base, Xylitol, Clycerin, Natural and Artificial Flavoring, Manintol, Acesulfame Potassium, Aspartame, BHT, Soy Lecithin and Suracralose

Altoids:
Ingredients: Sugar, Gum Arabic, Oil of Peppermint, Gelatin

The first thing that should jump out to you is the number of ingredients. Altoids has four, Trident has eleven. Two of the ingredients in Trident raise a red flag right away. Those being Aspartame and BHT. Here's a little about those:

Aspartame: Aspartame accounts for over 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives reported to the FDA. Many of these reactions are very serious including seizures and death. To see some of 90 documented symptoms caused by Aspartame, click here.

BHT: BHT is being investigated for it's ability to damage genetic material. In addition, research has shown that this compound can rupture and damage red blood cells as well as stimulate symptoms of chemical sensitivity.

Wow, those sound like some great ingredients I want going in my body. Maybe that one dentist who didn't recommend Trident was on to something? It's not just Trident that has Aspartame, most gums do too, as well as Diet Sodas.

So, the next time you go to reach for the pack of gum at the store, reach for a tin of Altoids instead!

Looking for a Safe Homeopathic Cough and Cold Medicine for Kids? Try This

2011-04-16T19:36:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately children seem to pass colds back and forth to each other all year long. This means a lot of long nights for parents and their children. So what can you do to help alleviate some of your children's symptoms and help yourself get some sleep? Well, you could run to the drugstore and pickup one of those bright pink liquids that are full or artificial colors, ingredients you can't pronounce and may have possible side effects. Or you could try a homeopathic, more natural solution.
The good news is that there are many homeopathic solutions to try choose from. I have weeded through and tried various brands out there. Some seem to help a little, some not at all. The one that worked the best for my daughter, on a consistent basis, is Kids Relief™ Cough & Cold. It seems to help the cold symptoms and give her a good night's sleep. By no means is it a cure all, but I would definitely recommend giving it a try the next time your child has a cold.

Missing Football? Get your Football Fix From These Top 10 Football Movies

2011-04-16T11:02:00.000-07:00

College and NFL football is now over. For many of us all the only thing to watch until September is some Arena football, and that's just not the same. I would have to say that "Remember the Titans" ranks as my favorite football movie of all time. It has great football action and a moving story line that goes with it. So here are my Top 10 Football Movies that will tide you over for a few months:

10. The Replacements
9. Any Given Sunday
8. Necessary Roughness
7. The Program
6. Rudy
5. Wildcats
4. Invincible
3. Friday Night Lights
2. Varsity Blues
1. Remember the Titans

Icicle Paranoia

2011-04-15T19:54:00.000-07:00

It's always a little unsettling for me to walk or drive underneath an icicle. I always get that paranoid feeling that it's going to break off and come down on my skull or even worse, that I'm going to look up at that last second before it hits my head as it jams into my eye cavity. Something tells me that would hurt quite a bit.
I have always heard than an icicle would be a perfect murder weapon. The reason behind this theory is that the murder weapon would melt away and leave no evidence behind. But something tells me that Grissom (from CSI) would still find out who committed the murder. So maybe it isn't the perfect murder weapon after all?

The Home Depot Changing It's Name?

2011-04-14T17:53:00.000-07:00

Is the Economy that bad? I think the answer is yes. Times are getting so bad that I noticed that my local Home Depot Store has changed it's marketing strategy all together. I think it might work? What do you think?

I Have to Pee Like a Racehorse - Where Does This Saying Come From?

2011-04-13T19:33:00.000-07:00

I have said it. I have heard others say it. But what does it really mean and why do we say it? Well, here you go:

Why do we say, I gotta pee like a race horse?

Racehorses are commonly given Lasix (aka Salix) which is a powerful diuretic. They pee a lot right before they race, we're talking gallons and gallons. The medication is thought to help prevent nasal bleeding, which sometimes happens when racehorses supremely over-exert themselves.

So the next time you have to pee really bad, remember you don't have it that bad. At least you aren't peeing gallons of pee at a time.

The Placenta - A Tree? For Dinner?

2011-04-12T16:29:00.000-07:00

After just seeing the birth of my son this past week, it made me reflect on two things I read about in the previous weeks prior to the birth. They both involve the placenta. For those of you who don't know, the placenta is an organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange via the mother's blood supply.

The first one is new parents taking the placenta with them after birth and planting a "Tree of Life". Basically, you throw the placenta in a freezer bag, take it home and then, when you go to plant a tree you put the placenta in the dirt first and plant the tree. Okay, that is strange to me, but not weird.

The second thing I read was about people taking the placenta home, frying it up and eating it. Hold on..... Eating it? That is just plain gross! But, I guess after doing some research in many other countries that this is normal. They say the placenta is full of great nutrients and tastes great with a wine sauce.

Some interesting things to consider for new parents? Rest assured my wife's placenta was not on the menu this week.

Free Beer at the Mall

2011-04-11T11:31:00.000-07:00

Well, not really free, but deserved. What am I talking about? You know in the middle of malls they have seating areas that are usually taken up by men waiting for their wives to charge up the credit card. I have this great new idea on how to improve these stomping grounds for bored men. First of all you need to enclose the area with walls. Next there needs to be plasma televisions lining the walls showing sports games or manly action movies. Sounds good already doesn't it? Here's what takes it to the next level. Each man as they walk in is given a little handheld PDA. Each time their wife or significant other spends some money it tallies up on the screen. For every $50.00 spent, the man gets a free beer. So really this works out for the man and the woman. They are both happy! Heck after a few beers, some husbands might even agree to buy that blue Coach purse their wife wants.

Eating a Rare Hamburger - What's the Worst that Could Happen?

2011-04-10T18:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I ate a burger that was a little rarer than I normally eat. I was getting paranoid that I would get sick, so I decided to look up and see what's the worst that could happen to me. Here is what I found:

Most Likely: Contamination is more likely with ground beef than it is with full cuts. However, getting sick from a burger is still fairly uncommon. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were only 90 reported cases of people eating contaminated hamburgers in the United States in 2001 (though many more may have gone unreported). Forty-six of those 90 were hospitalized.

Worst Case: For most healthy adults, the worst that's likely to result from eating a rare hamburger is food poisoning. At its most severe, this would result in several days in bed with a stomach illness. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that you never eat a rare burger (cooked to less than 160 degree F), since bacteria may survive in it. This is particularly important for the very young, the very old, the immunosuppressed, and pregnant women, who are all more susceptible.

So I guess the moral of the story is to at least cook your burger to medium. Otherwise you may end up with some food poisoning. Besides, unless you are a vampire needing a little extra blood, who wants a bloody burger?

Do You Really Know Your Neighbors? Home Buying Tip

2011-04-10T05:47:00.000-07:00

Moving into a new house is a huge investment. It's not like once you go to all that work and spend all that money that you can just up and move at a moments notice. One possible issue is that you have bad neighbors. You know, the ones that park their camper on the front lawn or skinny dip in their hot tub without a privacy fence. Okay those neighbors you can't do too much about. But, what about the safety of your children? Do you really know what type of people are living in your possible new neighborhood?
I found an interesting website that you may want to check out before buying that new home. Go to
http://www.familywatchdog.us.

Trader Joe's Broccoli Slaw - My Secret to Getting My Toddler to Eat Broccoli

2011-04-09T10:53:00.000-07:00

My 2 year old daughter doesn't like broccoli at all. I have tried putting cheese on it, hiding it in various casseroles, but she just won't eat it. One thing that my daughter does like eating is Cole Slaw. So, the other day when I was walking down the aisle at Trader Joe's and saw Organic Broccoli Slaw, a light bulb went off in my head. Could this be the answer to getting my daughter to eat broccoli?
I got home and decided to give it the old college try. I mixed the Trader Joe's Broccoli Slaw (shredded broccoli and carrots) with some ranch dressing and crossed my fingers. I put it in a big bowl and started eating it myself, knowing that my daughter would be intrigued and want a bite. As soon as I took a bite I hear, "Daddy, bite". So I gave her a small bite. She slowly chewed it and then asked for another bite.... and another. She almost ate up the whole bowl on her own.... and then wanted more. So finally I found the answer to the broccoli dilemma. If you are trying to get your children to eat broccoli and would definitely try the slaw. Thank you Trader Joe's!

The Seesaw = Adult Male Torture?

2011-04-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

You don't really see too many seesaws at parks nowadays. But occasionally you still see one of the old metal ones just sitting there, waiting to bring the pain to it's next victim. Usually they are blue or red, with a little rust on them. As a kid, I thought the seesaw was pretty fun. Go up and go down.... go up and go down. Who wouldn't like that? But now that I'm all grown up I have a little different opinion. Let's just say it's not the most comfortable piece of equipment on a man. Now when you are going up, all you have left is going down. And going down means you are going to feel the full force of that metal seesaw.

And while we're on the subject of old playground equipment, what ever happened to the merry-go-round? I thought it was pretty safe? Wasn't it? What could go wrong? Kids hanging on to hot metal that's spinning around 80 mph and surrounded by rocks. I survived. Maybe kids have it too easy now? Something to ponder.

Green M&Ms - Yes, They Taste the Best

2011-04-08T17:26:00.000-07:00

People have told me for years that M&Ms all have the same flavor..... Chocolate. But, I beg to differ. I think the green M&M tastes way better than the rest! No doubt about it. I do have one question about M&Ms. Does the brown M&M have more chocolate in it than the others?

Drinking Water Test Kit - Waukee, Iowa Results

2011-04-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

Being the paranoid person I am, I decided to test out the tap water in my house. I have always thought that the water in Waukee (Iowa) tasted like it had way too much chlorine. So I have always used a filter for my water. But, my wife doesn't use the filtered water and I wanted to see what exactly she was drinking. So I purchased the First Alert Drinking Water Test Kit and ran the tests this afternoon. I have all the results except for the Bacteria test, which takes 48 hours to get results. Here is what I found:

Lead Test: Tap water tested negative for Lead
Pesticides Test: Tap water tested negative for Pesticides
Total Nitrate/Nitrite Test: 5.0ppm (Below 10.00ppm is acceptable by EPA)
Nitrite Test: 0.0ppm (Below 1.00ppm is acceptable by EPA)
Total Chlorine: 0.0ppm (Below 4ppm is acceptable by EPA)
PH Test: 8.5ppm (6.5 to 8.5ppm is acceptable by EPA)
Total Hardness Test: 120ppm (50ppm or less is acceptable)

So overall, Waukee water tested pretty good. The only test that it failed in was the Total Hardness Test, which I can live with. I would rather have hard water than pesticides in my water. If you want to test the water at your house, you can purchase the test on Amazon. See below:

Sling Shot Driving to Work?

2011-04-05T19:48:00.000-07:00

I had a thought today as I was driving home. I drive a lot faster when I am coming home from work, then when I'm driving to work. I mean a lot faster. I weave in and out of traffic and put the pedal to the metal doing my best Jeff Gordon impression. But on the way to work I stay in the middle "comfort" lane, even if there is an old lady in front of me doing 10mph. I guess this should tell me something? Hmmmmm.... Maybe I am not in the biggest hurry to get to work? I'm definitely not looking to do a sling shot to get there any faster! Oh well, maybe my wife is right... I do drive like a grandpa!

Paper Money - A Thing of the Past

2011-04-04T07:23:00.000-07:00

I never carry cash any more. I just pay with my debit card for my purchases. This makes life much easier and you don't have to handle paper money with all of it's germs. I don't understand why people can't except this? What do I mean?

Well, during the holidays when I go to the super market I have to walk by the Shriners, Knights of Columbus, Girl Scouts or some other group of people who want a piece of my hard earned paycheck. The problem is I don't have any cash to give them.
I do realize that this money is going for a good cause (in some cases), and heck who wouldn't want to pay $10 for a tootsie roll, but I just don't have any cash to give these folks. I can imagine what they think when I say I don't have any cash. They are thinking that I'm cheap, selfish or just a bold-faced liar. But come on people, get with the times. Replace those rugged old red buckets with a debit card swipe machine. Then I would happily give you a few dollars.

Table-Mate II Folding Table - A Must Have for Your House

2011-04-03T10:41:00.000-07:00

Normally I try and stay away from the "As Seen on TV" products. But, in the case of the Table-Mate II, I thought I would give it a try because I had seen the product in action at my Mother's house. It's basically a T.V. tray. But it can be used in many ways throughout the house. Right now we are using it as a laptop stand. It's great because the feet of the table can slide right under our chair or couch so that the tray is right in the perfect position to use the laptop. I can sit right there in my favorite recliner, watch T.V. and blog at the same time. It even has a cup holder to hold my drink! Anyways, the Table-Mate can also be used to eat in the living room or even have breakfast in bed. I would definitely recommend this product to all my family and friends. Priced at under $30.00 you can't go wrong.

Bio-energy Field - I Have the Power

2011-04-02T17:59:00.000-07:00

Do you ever walk or drive under a street lamp and it shuts off? This seems to happen to me a little too often. I have come to the conclusion that I have some kind of bioenergy field around me that affects electricity. I am not joking. This is not more of Brogan's Blarney. I think I may have some sort of gift or superpower. I was typing this on my laptop and the screen flickered on and off. Was that power outage during last month's storm due to weather?........ or maybe it was just my powers in effect. Hmmmmm.......

How to Keep Yourself Safe from Idenity Theft

2011-04-01T11:28:00.000-07:00

Identity theft is on the rise all throughout the world. You or someone you know may have already been a victim of identity theft. The FTC estimates that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year. Yes, that’s 9 million! So what exactly is Identity theft? The crime can take on many forms. It could be somebody using your credit card number, check fraud, someone applying and getting a loan in your name and much more. How can this effect the victim? It can sometimes be cleared up easily, but most of the time it could take years and several hundreds of dollars to clean up the mess left behind. It can even cause some people to be denied jobs and loans when applying.

So how can you safeguard your information and stop from being a victim of identity theft? Here are 10 easy steps to help prevent identity theft:

1. Monitor your Credit Report – Your credit report will show all your credit accounts and who has been making inquiries on your credit. Examine this each month and make sure there aren’t any new accounts showing up that you don’t know anything about. There are many credit monitoring services available online that you can sign up for, just make sure it a reputable secure website.

2. Shop Only on Secure Websites – All secure websites will begin with “https://” instead of just “http://. You can also look for a padlock or key on your browser that you can click on for security information. When you use a secure site you know that your data is being encrypted.

3. Use Credit Card Not Debit Card Online – Credit Cards have maximum liability of $50.00, while debit cards can have a liability up to $500. It is also a lot easier to call up your credit card company to dispute a charge and you will get your money back a lot faster than from a bank debit card.

4. Setup a Strong Password – When signing up on websites that have your personal information choose a password that begins with an uppercase letter and also includes numbers and letters in it. That way it will be easier for someone to figure out.

5. Wipe Memory on Old PCs – If you are selling or getting rid of an old PC with personal information on it, wipe the memory with special software.

6. Never give out personal information or Credit Card info over the phone – Only do this is you have dealt with company before and know them to be trustworthy.

7. Reduce Amount of Credit Cards – Get rid of old credit cards you never use. It limits the chance that they may be lost or stolen. Make sure to shred the old cards.

8. Lock Up Personal Documents – Don’t carry around social security cards and birth certificates with you. Keep them locked up in safe or safety deposit box

9. Safeguard your Purse and Wallet – Lock up your purse or wallet at work. Never leave them unattended

10. Mail Checks from Post Office – Never mail checks from your home mailbox. They could be stolen out of there and a criminal would have all your banking information.

Good Bye Des Moines, Brogan's Going to Hollywood - Serenity 2.2

2011-04-01T04:45:00.000-07:00

I couldn't believe the call I got last night. At first a was a little angry because I had just gotten to sleep, but then I noticed it was my agent calling. My first thought was that I hadn't heard from him in weeks. What could be so important to call me out of the blue at 11pm at night? Anyways, Murray, my agent, started to explain the proposal he had for me. NO WAY!! I thought I was going to pee my pants. IT COULDN'T BE! I had turned in that screenplay over a year ago and didn't receive even one call on it sense then. Yes, my friends, a new Serenity (original cult movie starred Nathan Fillion and was based on the T.V. series Firefly) Movie is on it's way..... and Mr. Thomas Brogan already knows how it ends..... because I wrote it!

Murray said I had to get out to L.A. right away to negotiate terms of payment with the studio. So, here I sit at the Denver airport waiting for a connecting flight. I leave my old life in Des Moines, Iowa behind me and embark on a new journey. I'm sure the Serenity 2.2 reboot will be a smash hit and more opportunities will come. Can't wait to buy my house in Hollywood Hills! It's been real everyone.

3 reasons Trader Joe's Makes Grocery Shopping with Kids Easier

2011-03-31T18:08:00.000-07:00

Trader Joe's finally opened up in West Des Moines this past fall. Not only do they have great prices on their organic and preservative-free food, but they really make their store kid friendly. If you have young kids, especially in the 2-3 year old range, you know that taking your child to the store can sometimes be a headache. Well, here are 3 reasons why taking your young children to Trader Joe's can make grocery shopping a lot easier.

1. Tiny Shopping Cartss: My daughter loves the little kid-sized carts. I let her push it around and help put food in as we walk around. It's more like playtime than shopping for her.

2. Free Sample Station: Yes, they give out free samples all day long. Towards the back of the store they have a devoted area that you can taste one of their products each day. My daughter loves getting the "Special Treat" and looks forward to it each time we go there.

3. Stickers and More Stickers: Don't all kids love stickers? Not only do they hand out stickers at the checkouts (also organic lollipops too), but they have staff walking around the store that will come up and give my daughter stickers. She loves it. They even change their stickers for each holiday and season. So kids always have a new one to look forward to getting.

Bath vs Shower - Which Do you Prefer?

2011-03-31T04:40:00.000-07:00

I guess I don't understand why people take baths and not showers. I am a shower taker myself and have been since I was a little kid. I can see how taking a bath in some nice warm water and maybe even some bubbles could be very relaxing. But, when it comes to getting clean the shower is far superior. From my point of view, when showering all of the dirt and grime coming off your body is coming off and flowing down into the drain. While bathing you a pretty much just floating in a tub of your own germs, dirt, fecal matter and bacteria........ When is that dirt getting totally rinsed away? That doesn't seem clean to me. Just something for you to ponder today.

Melba Toast and Croutons - Some Hard Bread Anyone?

2011-03-30T18:53:00.000-07:00

If there is no date on my box of Melba Toast, then how can I tell when it is old? I mean it's already hard as a rock.

On a related note.... Do you like old bread? Well if you love croutons, then you love old bread. Did you know that most restaurants use old stale bread to make their croutons from? Yep, they just cut the old bread into cubes, add some oil, seasonings and then bake.

Top 5 Vampire Movies

2011-03-30T13:42:00.000-07:00

What are the top 5 Vampire movies of all time? Here's my list. Sorry Twilight fans, Edward Cullen and the gang didn't make the cut.

1.Underworld (the original one, the second one wasn't that great)
2.From Dusk til Dawn (How can you go wrong with a blood fest in Mexico with George Clooney and Salma Hayek)
3.Interview with the Vampire (Tom Cruise before he went crazy and Brad Pitt both play the vampire part very well)
4.Bram Stoker's Dracula (Classic)
5.Blade Trinity (the best of the Blade movies by far, the addition of Jessica Biel and Ryan Reynolds help a lot)

Easy Salmon Patties - Recipe

2011-03-30T09:29:00.000-07:00

Looking for an easy to make and healthy treat? Look no further than Salmon Patties. They will have you and your family asking for more.
What you need:

- 2 cans of Salmon (boneless/Wild Caught)
- 10 Saltine Crackers
- 1 egg (helps hold the patties together)
- 1 tbsp Mayonnaise (helps keep the patties from getting too dry)
- 1/4 tsp of Pepper
- 1/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Dill
- 1/4 cup chopped Spinach (optional – I thaw out organic frozen spinach I try to sneak extra veggies in everything)

Open up you two cans of Salmon and drain. Put the salmon in a mixing bowl. Next put your saltine crackers in a sandwich bag. Make sure you close it up good and put the bag down on the counter. Using your fist or kitchen utensil crush up the bag of crackers until you get a fine sand like consistency. Add the crackers to the bowl with the salmon.

In a separate bowl crack open your egg and beat with a fork. Add the beaten egg to the bowl with the salmon, crackers and spinach if using. Mix together the 4 ingredients in the bowl together. Add the mayonnaise and mix again. Now we can take care of adding the seasonings. Add the pepper, salt and dill (if you don’t like dill, you can substitute lemon pepper) to the salmon mixture. Mix well. You can let that sit in the bowl for a minute.

Next, grab a skillet and coat it evenly with cooking spray (canola oil works the best). Place it on your burner and turn up the heat to Medium/High. Using an ice cream scoop (if you don’t have one a large spoon will work too), scoop up the salmon mixture, creating 4 different patties and place in the skillet. Once in the skillet, use a spatula to flatten the patties down a little and shape them as needed.

Cook the patties for 10 minutes total, flipping each one at the half way point. Take off heat and serve with your favorite side dishes. Enjoy!

High School Assumptions

2011-03-30T04:36:00.000-07:00

Why do people assume that since I went to a certain high school that I know everyone who ever attended there? Whenever the subject ever comes up which high school I went to, the person will say do you know "So and So" and 99 percent of the time I have no clue who they are talking about. They just assume that since there mother's, next door neigbor's, third child, who graduated 20 years before me and I went to high school at the same place that we were best friends. Test out my theory. Tell someone you don't know very well where you went and see what happens. I can almost guarantee they will ask. Humans are so predictable.

The Long Ride Home

2011-03-29T18:09:00.000-07:00

Have you ever went and picked up your pizza instead of getting delivery? It is just plain torture! Usually when I end up ordering pizza I am to the point where I am starving. So I figure if I do carry-out I can save a few minutes (and a few buck on tips - I am cheap) and get the pizza a little quicker than with the delivery boy. But I don't think I can ever do that again. Once you get the hot, juicy, cheesy pizza in your car the torture begins. You can smell the aroma and the chemicals in your brain start going wild, you start salivating and little beads of sweat start falling in anticipation of your feast. This is one of those moments in life where you just want to go back to your savage caveman days and rip open that box and destroy that pizza. Another given is that on this journey home you will hit every red light known to man and get behind an 80 year doing 25mph on the highway. Yes, your 10 minute drive will feel like an eternity. So listen to my warning, go with delivery.

The One Dollar Pregnancy Test

2011-03-29T12:17:00.001-07:00

As I have mentioned many times, I am a cheapskate. So it makes sense that I like the Dollar Store. So I was strolling through my local Dollar Store (the one where everything is actually a dollar) getting in line for the checkout when I noticed a pregnancy test for a $1.00. What!? It was just sitting there as an impulse buy item with candy and gum. A few things came to my head when I saw this. First, who just thinks at the last minute they need a pregnancy test and just picks one up as an impulse buy? Second, can you really trust the results from a pregnancy test that costs a $1.00? I mean, come on. Having a child is a pretty big event in your life. Shouldn't you at least shell out $10.00 or more for a name brand one? What's next?....... a one dollar rock climbing rope? Don't know if I would trust that one.

Gross Facts You Should Know

2011-03-29T07:08:00.000-07:00

These facts will make you rethink a few things:

-Did you eat a peanut butter sandwich today for lunch? That thick, yummy, and creamy goodness. In one pound of peanut butter, it typically can contain up to 150 bug fragments and 5 rodent hairs.

-House flies go to the bathroom roughly every 4.5 minutes. Think about that next time you see one fly on your delicious dinner.

-Think you've got it bad when you vomit? The longest recorded projectile vomiting is 27 feet. I wonder what he ate.

-In the mood for fast food? An average person will consume 12 pubic hairs in their fast food annually. Yeah, that McDonald's Double Cheese isn't sounding so good now is it?

-Pool time is right around the corner! If you swim one hour in a public pool you will intake 1/12 liters of urine.

Navy Blue Socks or Black Socks?

2011-03-29T04:43:00.000-07:00

Am I the only person who can't tell the difference between navy blue socks and black socks? When I'm at the store sometimes I just can't tell by looking, I have to look at the tag to find out the color. Of course I can usually tell the difference really fast when I am at work wearing black pants and notice my socks are navy blue don't match. Then I feel really cool. But that's what I get for getting ready in the dark I guess.

Banana Bread with Cashews - Recipe

2011-03-28T19:08:00.000-07:00

We buy organic bananas each week for our daughter to eat. The problem is my wife and I don't really eat them too. So we are left with extra bananas each week. I just can't let them go to waste and my daughter's stuffed pink monkey, name Punky, can't eat them, so I have to use them up in some way. This week I decided to make some Banana Bread. My wife enjoys it with nuts, but we didn't have any walnuts or pecans that your normally put into it. But, what I did have was some cashew pieces. That should work..... shouldn't it? Yes it does. Can't taste the difference and it turned out great! Here's the recipe I came up with:

Ingredients:

- 1 Cup All Purpose Flour
- 1/2 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
- 3/4 Cup Sugar
- 1 tsp Flaxseed Meal (optional)
- 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 egg
- 2-3 mashed bananas
- 1/4 cup Canola Oil
- 1/2 cup Cashew Pieces

Directions:
Combine 2 flours, baking powder, baking soda, flaxseed meal and cinnamon in a mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, mix up the mashed bananas, egg, oil and sugar. Mix your wet ingredients into your dry ingredients bowl and then fold in the cashew pieces. Pour mixture into a greased bread pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. Check bread by sticking in a knife or toothpick. When it comes out clean, you know it's done. Let it cool and then enjoy!

Top 10 Heist Movies

2011-03-28T15:27:00.000-07:00

I am a big fan of "Heist Movies". They are great because at one time or another we all think about how to pull off the perfect heist, but most of us will never act on it (At least I hope so). So here is my Top Ten list of best Heist Movies:

10. Inside Man
9. Ocean's Twelve
8. Snatch
7. Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels
6. The Score
5. After the Sunset
4. Entrapment
3. The Italian Job
2. The Thomas Crown Affair
1. Ocean's Eleven

Thanks To Spell Check, I Can't Spell

2011-03-28T09:52:00.000-07:00

I consider myself a pretty smart person. That being said, I really can't spell very well anymore. It takes a lot of thought to spell out a complicated word in my head. Why is this?...... I blame Spell Check. Yes, you know that nice little red line underneath all those misspelled words on your computer? I am to the point now where I am so dependent on that "little red line" that I don't even think about a word I am spelling correctly because I know it will be fixed for me. So in theory, this great invention of spell check is actually hurting society more than it's helping. So in one way, I have to worry about our future. With all the advancements in technology and humans having to use our brains less, will we resort back to our cavemen days? It will be interesting to see.

Why does Asparagus Make Your Urine Smell?

2011-03-28T04:48:00.000-07:00

This is an old age question that needs to be answered. Why is it, that every time I eat asparagus my urine have a very distinct strange odor? Finally I took the time to look it up, and here is what I found. I hope you feel enlightened.

"Asparagus contains a sulfur compound called mercaptan. (It's also found in rotten eggs, onions, garlic, and in the secretions of skunks.) When your digestive tract breaks down this substance, by-products are released that cause the funny scent. The process is so quick that your urine can develop the distinctive smell within 15 to 30minutes of eating asparagus.

While eating asparagus may make your urine smell strange, it won't harm you. Actually, asparagus -- a member of the lily family along with garlic, onions, and leeks -- is a powerhouse of nutrients. It's an excellent source of folic acid (a B vitamin that may help protect against birth defects, heart disease, and cancer), a significant source of vitamin C (an antioxidant that may protect tissues against damage), and a good source of vitamin A (an antioxidant). Not to mention that asparagus contains 3 grams of fiber per 3.5-ounce serving and a host of health-enhancing plant chemicals, or phytonutrients, that may protect against disease."

How to Eat Organic and Not Break the Bank

2011-03-27T17:55:00.002-07:00

So you want to start buying and eating organic? The problem you are having with this is spending that extra $30-$40 a week on your grocery bill. This is a common concern, especially in today’s poor economic times. You know the health benefits of eating organic and you are willing to put the extra effort into finding ways so you can make it happen. So how you can eat organic and not break the bank? Here are some suggestions on how to accomplish this goal.

Look for Coupons – Go directly to the manufacturer’s website and look for coupons. Most of the time you will have to sign up for a newsletter or become a member of their site, but it’s well worth it. You can get coupons emailed to you, some companies mail them out and some are printable right on their website. Try Organic Valley or the Mambo Sprouts website.

Shop in Bulk – Many of the Bulk Warehouses such as Costco and Sam’s Club are now carrying organic food. You can buy a 3 pack of Organic Orange Juice for the price it would cost to buy 2 at a regular supermarket. If you are worried that you won’t go thru that much bulk food before it expires, find a friend or family member to share the cost and split it up.

Start a Garden – That’s right, grow your own organic vegetables. All it takes is some dirt, some seeds and some time. You can save money and might just find yourself a new hobby.
Go to Local Farmer’s Markets – A lot of times you will find that a local organic farmer is going to be a lot cheaper than a regular grocery store. You can also develop a relationship with the farmer and buy from them all year round.

Buy a whole Cow – For those of you looking for organic meat, buying a whole cow from an organic farm can save lots of money. Just store the meat in a deep freeze and you will be stocked up for the whole year. Don’t have a deep freeze, split it up with family and friends and share the cost.

2011-03-27T17:55:00.000-07:00

3 Easy Ways to Save for Your Children's College Tuition

2011-03-27T15:40:00.000-07:00

So you just had a baby. It's never too soon to start thinking about saving for their future. With college tuition and expenses rising every year, you can start now and help secure a strong financial start to their adulthood. Here are 3 easy steps to help you save for your child's future:

Sign up for a 529 Plan – Each state has at least one form of 529 plan that you can sign up for. What is a 529 plan? A 529 Plan is an education savings plan operated by a state or educational institution designed to help families set aside funds for future college costs. It also provides some tax benefits at the end of the year at tax time. Most plans let you choose the type of saving you want to do either conservative or aggressive. The great thing about most plans is you can set it up to automatically take so much out of your account each month. That way you can gradually build up a little each year and by the time your child goes off to college it will turn out to be quite a nice little nest egg. Check out Iowa's 529 plan here.

Sign up for Upromise – Upromise helps you turn everyday spending into money for college. It’s really easy. You sign up on their site, register your credit card and you are good to go. The registered credit card will get you savings a certain stores, and if you online shop, just do from the links on their site and you will get a percentage back on each purchase. You can also sign up for a Upromise Credit Card that will get you additional savings. After the money starts coming in you can transfer the money to a 529 account or have your money sent to you by check.

Sign up for a Smartypig Account – Smartypig is a great new way to save for college and other things. Just create an account, set up your saving goals and start saving. You earn a great interest on your money and another great feature is the social networking aspect of Smartypig. You can connect your account to Facebook and other networks so that friends and family can help you save. Set up automatic payments and you will have a nice chunk of change waiting for your child come college time.

Why We Say "God Bless You" After a Sneeze

2011-03-27T10:40:00.001-07:00

Have you ever taken a moment to wonder why we say "God Bless You" to a person when they sneeze? I have heard many different theories to answer this question. After minutes and minutes of tireless research I found out why we do this. Years ago there were some overly superstitious people who believed that every time you sneezed an evil spirit was coming out of you. So they would say "God Bless You" to congratulate and also pray for this person who was passing the demon. There you go. I hope you feel enlightened!

You Say Kleenex, I Say Tissue

2011-03-27T05:05:00.001-07:00

I hope you understand that Kleenex is a brand name. Not all tissues (a.k.a. snot rags, burger blankets) should be called Kleenex. So the next time you ask for something to blow your nose with make sure you ask for a "tissue".

Also, does anybody else ever have trouble getting that first tissue out of a new box? I always pull out 5 to start with. I can never get just one. Maybe it's because I am buying the cheaper brands and not Kleenex? So after that I always have a big wad of tissues that I just have to try and stuff into the box so it looks good. Life is so complex.

The Gold Guys - Recycle Your Gold

2011-03-26T19:10:00.000-07:00

My wife had accumulated some gold jewelry over the years that she didn't want anymore. I was given the job of recycling it. So I headed out to Jordan Creek Mall to see The Gold Guys. I had read good reviews about the store and they are a BBB accredited business which is always promising. I went in not really knowing what to expect. I thought it would be a long drawn out process, but I was wrong. It couldn't be easier. I presented the rings, earrings and bracelet that I brought with me. First they took a magnet to it to easily eliminate anything that wasn't gold. That dropped out two of my pieces. Then they looked for markings on each piece showing if it as 10kt, 14kt or 24kt. Then they took each piece and rubbed it against a special stone. Over where they rubbed it, they used different chemicals to determine if the markings were accurate. After that they weighed it and made me an offer. I accepted and they cut me a check. The whole process only took about 10 minutes and I walked out of there a little richer (A lot better than I thought I would do). I would recommend the Gold Guys to all my friends and family. If you do happen to go in and sell some gold, give them my name as a reference and I get 10 percent of what you got too. Good deal!

Chewy Oatmeal Cookies Recipe

2011-03-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

Just made these this morning for my family and they loved them. I tried to put a little healthier spin on them by using some whole wheat flour and adding some flax seed meal (adds fiber and Omega-3 fatty acids). Quick and easy to make and oh so yummy.

Ingredients:

- 1/2 Cup Butter (1 stick)
- 1/2 Cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 Cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon flax seed meal

Directions:
In large bowl mix together butter (let it sit out so it softens or microwave it 15 seconds), 2 different sugars with a wooden spoon. Then add in the baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon and cloves. Mix well. Next beat in your egg and add your vanilla. Add your 2 types of flour, oats and flaxseed meal and mix until well blended. Drop dough onto baking sheet (I recommend using parchment paper on your baking sheets) with spoon, making 12 different cookies. Pop the baking sheet into a preheated oven (375 degrees) for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Remove from oven and enjoy!

Makes 12 great cookies. If you want more, double up the ingredients.

Glow Sticks in a Blender? Watch and See

2011-03-26T05:11:00.000-07:00

I ran across this whle on Youtube the other day. I found it very fun to watch. I guess I like to watch stuff getting destroyed! :)

Friday's Strange But True Facts

2011-03-25T10:10:00.000-07:00

-In England, in the 1880's, "Pants" was considered a dirty word!

-Most dust particles in your house are made from dead skin!

-The blesbok, a South African antelope, is almost the same color as grape juice!

-The average person laughs 13 times a day!

-Dogs can hear sounds that you can’t!

-Men are 6 times more likely to be struck by lightning than women!

-It is estimated that millions of trees in the world are accidentally planted by squirrels who bury nuts and then forget where they hid them!

-Ernest Vincent Wright wrote a novel, "Gadsby", which contains over 50,000 words -- none of them with the letter E!

-Of all the words in the English language, the word set has the most definitions!

-A toothpick is the object most often choked on by Americans!

-Every 45 seconds, a house catches on fire in the United States!

-The sun is 330,330 times larger than the earth!

Interesting Stuff!

Bathroom Memoirs

2011-03-24T16:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever been on the same bathroom schedule as someone else? What exactly do I mean by this? It seems like everytime I go and use the bathroom throughout the day, I run into the same few people. It never fails. I know walking in that I will see certain individuals. So this means that they are always in the bathroom or we are just on the same schedule.
While I am on the subject of bathrooms, I think most men can relate to this one. You walk into a bathroom and there can be at least 10 urinals lined up across the wall. They are all empty. I walk to the very end urinal to do my business and it never fails. The next guy to walk in has the option of 8 other urinals that are not right next to me, but he chooses the one at my side. I can't figure this one out.

Hair You Go

2011-03-24T05:47:00.001-07:00

I was starving. I hadn't eaten in 9 hours. I sat down and ordered a plate of chicken fingers. And to boot, the restaurant I was eating at had the best buttermilk ranch to dip the tasty fingers in. I was excited and felt myself salivating. I remember remarking to my dinner partner, "I am so hungry, I could eat a horse." Which if you think about it, is a stupid saying. I really wouldn't eat a horse. But that is neither here nor there. Back to the story. The server brought out my chicken fingers and I started to dive in. Just as I dipped my first finger into the creamy ranch dressing I spotted it. No, it can't be.... Is that.... GROSS! There was a hair on my plate. Not just any hair, but a long, black, curly hair. I had to force my self not to throw up in my mouth. I had totally lost my appetite. I ended up sending my food back. Sure, I got my money back, but my appetite was gone. Isn't it amazing how one little hair can totally ruin a great dinner. That is the power of the mind!

Hot Pockets - Who Eats These?

2011-03-23T18:31:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favorite all-time comedy bits. He did a little bit on the Hot Pocket. I was laughing so hard it felt like my eyeballs were gonna fall out. Good stuff! Enjoy.

Pulse 99.5 - Happy 17th Birthday

2011-03-23T07:40:00.000-07:00

Local radio station, Pulse 99.5, celebrates its 17th birthday this month. Over the last 17 years there has been a few name changes and format changes, but one thing has remained the same, a positive message. Sure, I have to admit Christian music 17 years ago was a bit cheesy, but thanks to bands like Skillet and Toby Mac, it has come a long way. Today if you listen to Pulse, you will get the same great music you hear on other stations, but with positive lyrics that will give you a great start to your day. If you haven’t checked it out, try it today.

Top 2 Kid Friendly Restaurants in Des Moines Area

2011-03-20T10:36:00.000-07:00

Most restaurants around town have a Kids Menu for your child, but is it healthy? Is it just more of the deep fried chicken nuggets and fries? In most cases yes. So if you want your child getting no nutrition and ending up with childhood obesity, than you're in luck. But what if you want your child getting some quality food, with lots of different choices and at a good price? Look no further than these 2 area dining spots. Which happen to be my daughter's favorite.

1. Jason's Deli - This inexpensive (for 2 adults and 1 child our bill is under $20.00), family-friendly spot serves up organic produce, nitrate-free lunch meat, and whole-grain bread on both its kids' and adult menus. Last year, it became the only restaurant chain in the country to ban high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors in all its food. "With the food dyes out of our mac 'n' cheese, for instance, it's no longer bright orange, but our taste tests show kids prefer the new version," says Pat Herring, director of research and development. All children's meals at Jason's come with a side of organic carrots, apple slices, or a fruit cup in addition to organic milk or apple juice.

2. Chipolte (Located in Valley West Mall) - It feeds kids good stuff. "Our menu gives children the same nutritious choices the adults have, and that fosters the concept at home of not having special kid food and adult food," says Chris Arnold, communications director. The ingredients are high-quality (all dairy products are hormone-free and most of the meat is antibiotic-free) and lower in sodium than most store-bought Mexican food (the crispy taco shells have only 10mg of sodium apiece). Plus, the chain requires each restaurant to locally source at least 50 percent of one produce item. Another bonus for families of kids with food allergies: The entire restaurant is peanut- and tree-nut free.

So the next time you are looking for a place to take the kids for lunch or dinner, check out one of these 2 quality spots. You won't be disappointed.

Charles Barkley.... No Thanks

2011-03-18T18:03:00.000-07:00

Is it me, or is Charles Barkley one of the worst college basketball commentators of all time? Some of the comments he makes are just plain stupid. Even the other guys up there with him seem baffled by some of his remarks. The NCAA basketball tournament is suppose to be the best college basketball teams, so why not have the best commentators analyzing and giving us the scoop? Thank goodness for the mute button! Message to CBS - Next year get a former coach or player on your network that has a clue what's going on.

A Guinness on St. Patrick's Day?

2011-03-16T17:57:00.000-07:00

On any given day 5.5 million pints of Guinness, the famous Irish stout brand, are consumed around the world. But on St. Patrick's Day, that number more than doubles to 13 million pints! That's a lot of beer. Rest assured one of those 13 million pints will be mine. Okay, you twisted my arm, maybe 2.

Viva La Bamba - My New Favorite?

2011-03-12T11:38:00.000-08:00

Last night I tried Viva La Bamba in Urbandale for the first time. It's located in the old Happy Joe's off of 86th St. I walked away very impressed. The menu and food was pretty much identical to what you would find at Monterrey, a favorite of mine, but what impressed me was the service and the cleanliness of the restaurant. The floors were clean, the booths were spotless and even the booster seat for my daughter was clean! Our server was fast and courteous, and attended to all our needs even though they were packed full of people. Viva La Bamba also has some great drink specials each night of the week. Friday is Captain and Cokes for $3.00. So the next time you want some great Mexican food, check out Viva La Bamba.

Des Moines Airport Gift Shop

2011-03-11T18:44:00.000-08:00

So I was sitting there today waiting to pickup a friend at the airport and happened to notice some of the stuff representing Des Moines in the gift shop. Judging by the gift shop, if I were a traveler from out of state I would thing we love cows, pigs and corn. I mean come on! Is this how we want to be known to everyone? This isn't what Des Moines is all about. Sure we have some farms with a fair share of corn, but we have so much more! Don't we? Or is this just wishful thinking? Do we need to promote our City and State with Pig and Cow t-shirts?

Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place - Best Show with No DVD Release

2011-03-09T18:07:00.000-08:00

In the late 90's ABC aired a wonderful sitcom called Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place. It starred Ryan Reynolds, Nathan Fillion and Traylor Howard. The show was funny, well written and had some great Ryan Reynolds comedy. But, unfortunately after 81 great episodes the show was cancelled. The show went into syndication and ended up on the WE network and then just died out entirely. So my question is, where's the DVD? I can't find it anywhere. They have DVDs of every other show out there including crap like Blossom, but not this show? Even now, that Ryan Reynolds and Nathan Fillion are hot Hollywood stars, still no DVD? I have searched high and low on the internet but all I could find were what looked like homemade burned copies and not the real thing. I just don't get it.

Name of the Year Award for College Basketball

2011-03-09T17:52:00.000-08:00

And the winner is.................. Bubu Palo, pronounced "Boo Boo", like Yogi Bear's sidekick. The Iowa State guard, from Ames, definitely has the most fun name to say during a game. Kids love it and it sounds cool to hear the announcer say "three pointer by Bubu!".

Hey Bubu, bring me some wins!

The Oldest Italian Restaurant in Des Moines?

2011-03-08T14:51:00.000-08:00

In most cities, especially out east, you have a long list of restaurants that have been around for 50 plus years. Here in Des Moines, we don't really have that same dining traditional. The majority of the places to eat around here have only been around at the most 10 years. So that got me thinking. What are some of the older restaurants in Des Moines? The list I came up with seemed to be a list of Italian restaurants. So then I set out to find the oldest Italian Restaurant in Des Moines. Here is what I came up with:

Gino's: Established 1966
Mama Lacona's: Established 1957
Tursi's Latin King: Established 1947
Noah's Ark: Established 1946

So there you have it. According to my research Noah's Ark is the oldest Italian restaurant in town. If anybody knows any different, let me know.

Season 12 Dancing with the Stars - What Stars?

2011-03-07T17:59:00.000-08:00

So I started watching Dancing with the Stars a few years ago when local girl Shawn Johnson was on the show. After watching a few shows, my wife and I were hooked. The show had a winning formula of well known stars, great dancing, skimpy outfits and good music. What made that first season of watching even better was local Iowan Shawn Johnson brought home the title!

So fast forward a couple of seasons later and they announce the stars for the 12th season..... and THUD. That was the sound of the ratings for the show on ABC hitting the bottom floor. Who are these people? The ones I have heard of are barely stars?? Here's a complete list along with their dance partners:

Men
- Rapper Lil' Romeo and Chelsie Hightower
- Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard and Anna Trebunskaya
- Original Karate Kid Ralph Macchio and Karina Smirnoff
- Wrestler Chris Jericho and Cheryl Burke
- Football player Hines Ward and Kym Johnson
- "Loveline" host Mike Catherwood and Lacey Schwimmer

Women
- Disney actress Chelsea Kane and Mark Ballas
- Model Petra Nemcova and Dmitry Chaplin
- Reality star Kendra Wilkinson and Louis Van Amstel
- Talk show host Wendy Williams and Tony Dovolani
- Actress Kirstie Alley and Maksim Chmerkovskiy

Really, is this the best they could get together? The Karate Kid, Ralph Macchio? Sorry, Dancing with the stars, this season I think I will pass.

Inception - How the Oscars Got it Wrong

2011-03-06T15:04:00.000-08:00

Last week's Oscars proved to be another year of the best movie being robbed of the ultimate prize. King's Speech? I don't think so. Did the voters not watch Inception? Inception (Two-Disc Edition) [Blu-ray] The movie was brilliantly written and put together by Christopher Nolan. Add that with some great acting and soundtrack, it had me wishing that the movie didn't end. I still want to see more of the dream world. So really to me, without Inception winning for Best Picture, the best part of the show was the music video mash up of Harry Potter, Toy Story, Social Network and Twilight. That was some funny stuff. "Doesn't he own a shirt?"

Birds Taking Over Downtown Des Moines

2011-03-03T18:56:00.000-08:00

The last couple of weeks when I walk into work it's more like a scene out of Alfred Hitchcock's the Birds than real life. Birds have taken over. Thousands of birds fly overhead dropping white bombs on their prey. The streets of Downtown Des Moines may look like they still have snow on them, but really it's bird poop. Pretty gross. So what can be done? I vote for open season on the birds. Because you know we have to get to them before they get to us. Beware of the birds!

View Central Iowa Inmates Online - Always A Fun Time

2011-02-23T19:19:00.000-08:00

If you are ever bored and looking for some fun pics to look at, check out the Inmates of Central Iowa on the Des Moines Register Website. Who knows you might even see someone you know. I find some of the pictures quite funny. You see some people smiling (probably still got a good buzz going), some people almost asleep and then you have your Charles Manson scary looking folks. Anways, check it out here.

The Common Sense Party

2011-02-18T18:21:00.000-08:00

I am tired of Republicans, Democrats and pretty much every other political party. I think I'm going to start my own party. I will call it the "Common Sense Party". Instead of coming up with ideas based on my "conservative" or "liberal" views, I will do what makes sense and will be best for the country. My first issues to tackle:

1. Get us off our dependency on foreign oil. It't ridiculous to me that a country as innovative and great as the U.S. has to depend on other countries to provide us with fuel and energy. We need to set a challenge to all Americans. By 2020 we will be supplying 50 percent of all our own oil and natural gas. Do whatever it takes. Give grants, award million dollar prizes, just make it happen. Biofuels are the key to economic growth in the U.S. Algae is the future!

2. Triple the taxes on all imports. Yes, you heard me. That's what other countries do to American products entering their country. And that's the only way we get each other to start buying American.

3. Impose term limits on all elected officials. We don't need ancient ideas from people who have been in office 40 years. We need fresh ideas that can help make changes to bring the U.S. back to #1.

4. Get rid of Political correctness. Our country will never be safe or run like it should if we have to tiptoe around worrying about everyone's feelings.

Those are just a few of the issues the Common Sense party will tackle. So if you are interested in joining the revolution, start today by using some common sense in all that you do!

Esurance - I Don't Think So

2011-02-17T18:03:00.000-08:00

I think the award for worst marketing for Car Insurance has to go to Esurance. What is there about a pink haired cartoon chick that is suppose to make me buy car insurance from you. It makes me think your company is a joke. Even if I could save $50 dollars a month switching to Esurance, I wouldn't. Just based on the fact that I don't trust the pink haired cartoon. Come on Insurance companies. A cave man? A gekco? Mayhem? Okay the mayhem commercials aren't bad. And the cave man commercial were pretty funny (see video below). But I think I will stay with my good old State Farm insurance, who doesn't need a gimmick to give you good prices and quality insurance.

I love the song in this commercial. I could just sit and listen to it over and over and be peaceful.

Beavis and Butt-head Are Back!

2011-02-13T05:31:00.000-08:00

Just when you thought life couldn't get any better, MTV announces that after 13 years, Beavis and Butt-head will be back on the air. This time around they will not only be watching music videos, but television shows and movies as well. So get ready for some more memorable quotes, like "Do you have T.P. for my bunghole? I would hate for my holio to get polio."

God Help Us.