Captain Obvious Award Winner

Have you seen these signs while driving around town? Do they really need to be posted? This easily gets the "Thanks, Captain Obvious" Award for the year. Shouldn't we just know that you love your kids? Do you really need a sign stating the fact? Will this sign stop someone from driving fast?.........NO! You think some road rage driver doing 65mph in your neighborhood is going to see the sign and think to themselves, "Wow, I should slow down, these people love their kids. I will wait until I get to the next neighborhood without a sign, where they hate their kids, to speed up and finish my beer."

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An Unfortunate Event

This is what I walked into today at work. My cube being filled with the black and yellow of the Hawkeyes(Oh yes, they even changed my computer desktop display to little Hawkeyes)....... Not exactly a nice way to start the day. On the eve of the year's biggest football game in Iowa, this is how my co-workers decided to spend their time. Of course if you didn't know, I am a huge Cyclone fan. So I have to give them some props for pulling this off. But, paybacks are always 10 times worse. Maybe I will just let the final score on Saturday be the payback. Official prediction: ISU 24 - Iowa 17. GO CLONES!

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Invincible

Last night I went and saw the football movie "Invincible". The story is based on the life of Vince Papale, a bartender who gets the chance of a lifetime. A chance to play for his favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles. The preview for the movie said "If you don't stand up and cheer at this movie, you don't have a pulse." Well, I guess that there is 120 people in West Des Moines who are dead, including me. It was a good movie, but isn't up there with other classic movies such as "Rudy" and "Remember the Titans". Although, I would recommend seeing this movie because it is a great inspirational movie.
Movie going tip - If you go and see movies at the Century Jordan Creek in West Des Moines, check out this website. Each week you can sign up to receive a free concession coupon. With the high prices of food there, this saves you $3-$4 everytime you go.

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Wet Plastic = Anger

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 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 and maybe even my first born child. Just help me get a piece of dry tupperware!!!

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Girl You Know It's True

Girl, you know it's true.
Ooh, Ooh, Ooh I love you.
Yes, you know it's true.
Ooh, Ooh, Ooh I love you.
Girl, you know it's true.
My love is for you.
Girl, you know it's true.
My love is for you.


For some reason today, Milli Vanilli songs started popping up in my head. THEY WON'T GO AWAY! For those of you younger then me, Milli Vanilli was one of the most popular groups when I was in 6th grade (Just a few years ago). I even remember going to see them perform at Vets Auditorium. I was such a dork. Anyways, all my dreams were shattered when I found out that they had been lip synching and a big scandal ensued. But now that I look back on it, the music was still good. So what if Rob and Fab didn't sing. I need to go break out my old Milli Vanilli tapes. Maybe they could make a comeback! Email your local radio station now and let them know....YOU WANT TO HEAR MILLI VANILLI!..........Hmmmmm..... I think I might be going crazy. I guess I will just "Blame it on the Rain".

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Comedy at it's best.

If you haven't watched the Office (New NBC - US Version), do yourself a favor and catch an episode or two. Anyone who works in the typical office with cubicles, a water cooler and strange co-workers can relate. It cracks me up everytime. Season 1 is available on DVD and Season 2 is coming out this month.

If you are looking for a movie version that is similar, then check out Office Space. This movie will make you feel better about your job. :)

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Are you ready for some football?

The time is finally here. Football season is upon us. Break out the little smokies and face paint. The Cyclones open the season tonight at 7pm. Is this the season when Iowa St can climb over the mountain and win the Big 12 North? Tonight's 1st game against Toledo could turn out to be a hard test for the Clones, who have an untested defense. My prediction.....ISU 38 - Toledo 27. Bret Meyer and Todd Blythe (dynamic duo), will carry the Clones to victory!

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28 and Counting

Well, I am officially 28 years old, as announced by DM Juice. There is a little blurb in there about me this week. Click here to see it.

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Busy as a Bee

I figured that I had better give some kind of excuse for not writing for so long. Well I have been busy. The Wedding plans are in full swing and the days of freedom are almost over. But I tell you this...... Having a wedding is way too expensive!! We are trying to keep it small, but you know that couldn't happen. At least the honeymoon is paid for! (Cabo San Lucas - Five Star All Inclusive Resort)

Let's see, what other excuses do I have up my sleeve? Oh yeah.... The Honey Do List. I just bought a new townhome four months ago. I figured if I bought a new townhouse there wouldn't be much to fix up. I was wrong. My girl-spouse has decided that we need to upgrade everything. Oh well, at least I got my 42" plasma I wanted.

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The Brogan Code

It's official......... "Brogan" is the top selling book by an Iowan named Thomas Brogan that was published in the month of March. What an honor! Don't forget to get your copy today. www.broganbook.com

It's also official..... I am addicted to the food network. I can't get enough of it! Iron Chef America is my favorite, followed closely by any food challenge. I have even started trying to cook a lot of the recipes I see. Why have I turned to the Food Network?
Besides the fact that it is good t.v. and I love to eat, I think it is because regular television has become crap. The only shows on any more are reality shows, cheesy sitcoms that I don't find funny or shows that see how much they can push the limit of sexually explicit material. I don't want anything to do with this stuff.

I miss the days of new episodes of Seinfeld, Friends and Cheers. Back when television was actually funny!! What do you think?

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NKNC ATTITUDE

Only 145 days left until "Independant Thomas" is gone. Then the Wedding will be here. Don't get me wrong, I am very excited to take my vows with the woman I love. But lately I have seen some changes taking place in me. The one that worries me the most is my NKNC attitude. NKNC stands for "Not Knowing, Not Caring". This is my whole strategy towards my appearance.
I used to be considered borderline "Pretty Boy". I always had to have my hair looking perfect, had to be clean shaven and even had some Banana Republic outfits. Now I dress for Thunderdome. I just don't care. I don't know if it because I don't have to impress the ladies anymore or what. I will now go out in public without gel in my hair! I throw on whatever is the most comfortable to run to the supermarket. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME! I never shave on the weekend. By the time Sunday comes I resemble Big Foot.
I wonder if this is part of becoming older or just the beginning of married life as I know it? I guess as long as don't ever get matching jogging suits. That is where I must draw a line!

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Uncomfortable Return

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. :)

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The Drinking Fountain Incident

I did it. I never thought I would, but it happened. I tried to be strong, I tried to hold out........ But I couldn't! I am ashamed of myself. I cheated on my girl spouse...... with a drinking fountain.

I have no excuses..... Yes I was thirsty..... Yes I had a sore throat. But still I should have just walked away. It was so shiny and polished. It was calling out to me! I couldn't control myself. I made my move..... I slowly and gently pushed the button on the fountain. I got an uneasy feeling in my stomach in anticipation for the water. As the water begin to flow I noticed something was wrong. The water was only coming out of the spout a few centimeters. I tried to push the button harder, hoping to get some more water to flow out.... Nothing happened. What was I suppose to do? I had gone this far already. But, I didn't want to put my mouth where thousands of other germ harvesting mouths had been. I was in too deep. I couldn't stop myself. I lowered my head and took the dive....... Then it hit me. I just made out with a water fountain!

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Brogan, The Book

The book is available for purchase a week ahead of schedule. Buy your copy today! Only $8.95

Book Description:
Brogan takes a step back and looks at life in a very different way. It is a collection of blogs from "Brogan's Blog", along with many other thoughts, idea, rants and observations. From eating cereal when you wake up, to trying to fall asleep at night, Brogan will give you a whole new way of thinking about life. A great new book by Iowa author Thomas Brogan.

For more info go to www.broganbook.com

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Engagement Conspiracy?

The more and more I think about engagement and marriage the more and more I think men are getting the raw end of the deal. Why is it that men have to spend thousands of dollars on a ring to propose with? In a way, this is like purchasing a wife. It sounds bad, but you can't really propose without a ring. So until you save up money to buy the ring....you have no wife. Do you see what I am saying?
In today's society where women and men are suppose to be equal in all things....why not the engagement? Here is my idea. LET THIS BE WRITTEN: From now on, if a woman wants to marry a man, they have to present them with a plasma T.V. It seems like a fair trade. A plasma costs about the same as a ring, sometimes cheaper. This way both the bride and the groom enter into the marriage equally. What do you think?

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You've really got a MOLD on me.

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??

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It feels like I am taking Crazy Pills!

Is anyone else sick of these stupid Mediacom Commercials? 
Do you know the ones that I am talking about.  They are set in a comedy
club and it has some local comedian doing a bit about how DSL is so much slower
than a cable modem.  It seems like they are on every channel, at all hours
of the day!......Do I agree with the commercials?  Heck Yes!  A cable
modem does seem to work faster.  Do I want to hear about it?  NO. 
Really the more and more I think about it and see these annoying commercials, it
makes me not want to use Mediacom.  Because every time I pay my cable bill,
it means that Mediacom can afford to air more commercials.  What do you
think??

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Movie Time Fear

Have you ever been to a movie where you are the only person there? This happens a lot of times when you go to a movie in the afternoon during the week. It is like having your own private screening room. You can put your feet up and relax, not have to worry about anybody talking….. and then……at the last second, somebody else walks into the theater. All is lost!
I don’t mind as much if the person sits in front of me. Then at least I can see what they are up to. If they sit behind me then I am just plain paranoid. I always have this fear that they are going to come up from behind me and slit my throat. I guess I have seen too many scary movies. It could be a 98 year old grandma and in my mind I would be thinking of Norman Bates (Psycho) dressing up like his old mom killing people!

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Gong Fu

I am a huge tea fan. So the other day when I was down in the East Village and saw a tea place, I had to check it out. Besides the name of the establishment was Gong Fu Tea (Anything that sounds like Kung Fu has to be good, right?). Gong Fu has many great tea flavors to choose from and also offers a small selection of cookies and sweet breads. Definitely take a trip and check out this great store! They are located at 414 East 6th St in Des Moines.
http://www.gongfu-tea.com/

The History of Tea: The story of tea began in ancient China over 5,000 years ago. According to legend, Shen Nung, an early emperor was a skilled ruler, creative scientist and patron of the arts. His far-sighted edicts required, among other things, that all drinking water be boiled as a hygienic precaution. One summer day while visiting a distant region of his realm, he and the court stopped to rest. In accordance with his ruling, the servants began to boil water for the court to drink. Dried leaves from the near by bush fell into the boiling water, and a brown liquid was infused into the water. As a scientist, the Emperor was interested in the new liquid, drank some, and found it very refreshing. And so, according to legend, tea was created.

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Lazy Tom

The building I work at downtown is connected to the skywalk system. As you walk into the connecting skywalk bridge to our building you are greeted by a set of glass closed doors. You can either open them manually or use the automatic button that is meant to be for handicapped individuals. I hate to admit this but I always push the button instead of actually taking an extra second and opening the door myself. I am not the only person who is guilty of this. I have taken the time to notice lately and pretty much 4 out of 5 people will push the automatic button. Are we all just that lazy? Maybe it is okay to use these buttons even though I am capable of using my arms and legs?............
As I was thinking about this situation, the truth hit me like a brick in the face. I was walking up to the door and noticed a person in a wheelchair coming towards me from the opposite direction. Instead of pushing the button like normal, I opened the door myself because I felt guilty to be using the automatic button with a handicapped person watching me. Wow! I felt like a superficial idiot. I only opened the door because someone was watching. It shouldn't really matter how I act when someone is watching, it should be how I act when nobody is watching. That is the true person. Needless to say, now I open the door myself with the arms and hands that I have been blessed with.

Check out this link for some great Des Moines Coupons:

ValPak Coupons

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