Life's Risks

I know it's been a while since I last blogged, but after reading someone else's I felt inspired to write this one again.

"Happiness is a risk. I you're not a little scared, then you're not doing it right." -Sarah Addison Allen

Over the course of the last few years I've been taking calculated risks to better my situation in life. I've applied for hundreds of jobs and have interviewed for over 50. I've also waded into the world of online dating, trying to "Put myself out there." But the results of both situations has been the same, 'No Bueno.'

Employment:
I've been told I should just quit my job and find a new one. That is simply not an option. I, like most people, need cash flow to survive. I've been told I should take a lower paying entry-level job. But why should I do that when I have the experience and the education required for the jobs I want? I have a plan and it is starting to show signs of progress. Admittedly I am a poor interviewer, but I guarantee that I will be the better employee.

Love life:
For the most part I can pin-point my problems in this area. It's actually a combination of factors. The first being, I'm a puss when it comes to women. I've never been suave or debonair or even witty around the girls I find attractive. Secondly, I've been friend-zoned something fierce. She's cute, she's single, and I like spending time with her, but we're friends. If I could send her one meaningful message it would be that we are friends, but friendship is the foundation for what could be an incredible relationship. When it's all said an done, my wife will be my best friend and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I once thought that I had to be perfect to get the perfect girl. I had to have the good job, lots of money, the highest education, and the good looks to compensate for my weight. Hell, that still may be true I don't know. All I do know is that I'm ready for the next phase of my life, and that phase includes someone in my life.

As much as I want to say to her, "Meet me at the top of the American Towers at Midnight on New Year's Eve" ala Sleepless in Seattle, I know that I just don't have the balls to do it yet.

Jeren's Man Report Card

I recently was advised to read this list of things that a man should never have. After some thought I decided to grade my experience involving each of these don'ts.

No Man Should Ever Have...

1. A black eye - A; I've never had a black eye in my life, but that's not to say I'm a wuss by any means.

2. A witty email signature - A; I list my name, credentials, and contact information like a true pro.

3. An empty refrigerator - B; While it isn't my refrigerator I still have several things of my own in it.

4. PlayStation Thumb - A-; I'm not an avid gamer, but on occasion I'll throw down some boom-shakalas in some NBA Jam.

6. A lucky shirt - A; Don't have one, I do have shirts I like to wear though.

7. An unstamped passport - F; Unfortunately I fail miserably on this one, I've never been outside of the United States.

8. Olympic dreams - A; I gave up on those a long time ago.

9. Less than $20 in his wallet - C; Before reading this list I rarely had cash on me, but it being such a good idea I now always carry at least $10.

12. The need to quote various movies - C-; I am guilty of this frequent lack of judgement. But if it means anything I do come up with some incredible one-liners of my own (see: The Cannys).

13. A futon - A; No problem here, I'm too old to have or sleep on one anymore.

14. Code words for women - A; Again this is just weak, I'm not ever going to find a girlfriend if I use these kind of names.

15. A Nerf hoop in his living room - A-; It specifically says "Nerf hoop," it doesn't say anything about a Nerf Rapid Fire gun.

16. A secret handshake - A; Gave these things up when I graduated from high school.

17. Drinking glasses with logos - F; Again guilty, but this is only because I don't have any of my own glasses yet.

18. A recent story with the phrase "So I said to the cop..." - A; No problem here, I'm a law abiding citizen.

Jeren's Man Report Card:

A's: 12 (10 A & 2 A-)

B's: 2 (2 B)

C's: 2 (1 C & 1 C-)

D's: 0

F's: 2

Jeren's Man GPA: 3.167; Not bad a solid B, but I'm going to need to work on this I need at least an B+ average to be a respectable man

In a reflective mood...

Well, you've caught me in the ultimate reflective mood. The past few months of my life have been filled with extreme highs and lows the likes of which may never be topped in my lifetime. It will be very interesting to see what the rest of this year will bring me.

To start off with in mid-November a new niece was added to the family. My brother, Jay, and his wife, Joyce, welcomed Brynlee Jay Canning to the family and she has been nothing but pure fun to be around. Filled with the piss and vinegar that we Cannings are notoriously known for, this little girl has stolen my heart.

The new year brought some new challenges as Qwest was formally bought out by CenturyTel and the company has wasted no time in shaking up the organization. The director of my division was moved to another position and fresh blood was brought in to try and revitalize the Operator and Information Services department. This is really nothing but good news for me as I sit as one of the, if not the, most educated individuals in the department and have been stonewalled for years.

This year also brought some tragedy into my life as my grandmother died. Florence Uwarda Trimble Canning died in late February from a stroke. While it was hard to deal with the loss of Grandma, it is comforting to know that she is now in a better place, with many of the people she loves. I have to say it was hard seeing my Grandma, a woman so strong and so active for so many years basically wither away to nothing in a matter of months.

On a much lighter note I heard some great news when my beloved Utah Utes hired Norm Chow as the team's new Offensive Coordinator. About two months before the hire was officially made, I was sitting around with my friends and said that the team will hire Chow. This was long before the rumors started to surface, low and behold look what happened.

Then something incredible happened. Maybe incredible is too strong of a word but I am very proud of my accomplishment. Just two weeks ago I completed work on my Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. After a year-and-a-half of classes, countless papers, and some new friends I earned the degree much to the praise of my friends and family.

As you can see this has been quite a ride, and I can only hope that it will continue.

50 Things Every Guy Should Know.

Sooooo...It's been a while since a post but this one is well worth it. I found a list of 50 things every guy should know. I've decided to let the world see how I measure up to the standards that society has imposed. Here...We...Go...

50. Change a tire - Check, and have done it several times.

49. Use a charcoal grill - Check, takes a lot longer but the flavor is great.

48.

47. Throw a punch without looking like a sissy - According to Nick I've got this down...

46. Fry a turkey - Yep. Oil + turkey = delicious.

45. Hook up the cable - C'mon that easy.

44. Pick-up a woman with a one-liner - yeah this one needs some serious work.

43. Get your money's worth at a buffet - Closed the place.

42. Some assembly required - Please...

41. Know your local professional sports teams - Jazz, Grizzlies, Bees, and Real; Got it covered.

40. 

39. Jump-start a car - Had to jump start my Ranger not to long ago, no problems

38. Throw a football - It's not a perfect spiral, but I can throw one.

37. Haggle for a lower price - $10,000 off my new truck...yep done.

36. Tie a tie - Dammit! FAIL!

35. Erect a tent - A to A, B to B...easy.

34. Cast a fishing rod - Used to be an avid fisherman, but caused me to drink too much.

33. Build a fire - With a lighter, yes. With a match, yes. With gas, yeppers. With two sticks, hell no I'm not Bear Grylls

32. Tap and operate a keg - Tap-No, Operate-Yes.

31. Use a chainsaw - Like a lumberjack.

30. Paddle a canoe/kayak - Really is this that hard to master.

29.

28. Drive a manual car - In a pinch while killing the engine a lot yeah I can.

27. Pick-up a girl using your dog as a wingman - No dog so no.

26. Know how to navigate a road trip - Never Eat Soggy Waffles, can do it-to it. GPS anyone?

25. Perform CPR - I'm not a paramedic.

24. Iron a shirt - I can if I have to, but otherwise best left to my mom.

23. Shine your shoes - Soft rag and polish been done.

22. Do at least ten push-ups on command - Yeah I can.

21. Dance - What's your definition of dance?

20. Play poker - Play well enough to hold my own.

19. Parallel park - Easy-Peasy-Lemon-Squeezy.

18. Unclog a toilet - Insert plunger, continue until done.

17. Upgrade at a hotel - Never have tried nor needed to.

16. Rally after a big night of drinking - It's been done before, but it's never pretty.

15. Spot fake breasts - I'd like to say yes but don't have enough experience to confirm.

14. Choose the right urinal - One opening between all parties.

13. Sew a button - Like a boss!

12. Unhook a bra with one hand - I'm keeping this one close to the vest.

11. Open a bottle unconventionally - Used a belt buckle once, so I'm counting it.

10. Talk your way out of a traffic ticket - Never have had a ticket, so I'm counting this as a pass.

9. Off-road without flipping the ATV - I've only rolled my bike once, rubber side is always down otherwise.

8. Buy a gift for a woman - I've done it but has it been successful, thats up to you ladies.

7. Surf the web anonymously - Don't quite know why this one's here but I know how to clear the history files.

6. Spot a liar - Looking down and to the left I see...liar face.

5. Drive in crappy conditions - It's Utah and I own a truck, got it covered.

4. Change a diaper - I've done it but am out of practice.

3. Make a drink - I can make the basics.

2. Shave - Really, I've been shaving everyday for the last five years.

1. Make a mean breakfast - Hells yes, camp with me and I'll give you a heart attack.

Final Score: 43 of 50. I'm a man! THE man!

Utah Tailgating (Yeah, It Happens)

Utah and tailgating may sound like an oxymoron, but let me tell you it happens and it's a whole lot of fun.

The tailgating lot "officially" sits in the parking lot of Guardsman Way and South Campus Drive. Where hundreds of fans clad in red, along with the occasional opponent defector, eat tons of food, and reminisce about the past Ute games.

Truly, however, tailgating takes place all over campus in every parking lot. Where I like to plop down is either at the Huntsman Center lot or at the Student Center lot eat a couple of sausages, and prepare to watch a butt kicking instituted by our boys in red.

Utah tailgating may not be in the same league as say USC, UCLA, Texas, Florida, or any SEC team for that matter. But we are miles ahead of the Cougars, where you sit around drink punch.

Anyway you look at it, Utes know how to have a good time. Before and after games.

My Favorite Utah Team

Let's face it. Utah has been playing football for over 110 years, and maybe only 20 of those years stand out as great teams. Of course you have to include the 2008 Sugar Bowl team and the 2004 Fiesta Bowl team. But what others stand out in that 110 year span? There was 1994, the first time Utah gained national recognition. Finished ranked in the top 10. And 2003, the year Urban Meyer turned all expectations around and made Utah a perennial threat.

To me personally there is only one great Utah football team, 2008. It may seem that this is only because it was the most recent successful team to gain national recognition, but no it is because I feel that I have a very special connection with that year's team.

After years of hard work I finally graduated with my Bachelor's Degree from the University of Utah in 2008. Add to that that I had several classes with some of that teams stars and I have more memories added to that year. I had a communications class with Brian Johnson (who by the way is not that bright of a guy) and a Economics class with Jason Boone just to name a few.

Beside my personal connection there are many other reasons that I love this team more than any other. For one Utah's 2004 team had much of a "white-collar" appeal. They steam-rolled every single opponent they faced all thanks to the Spread Offense. At the time no one had seen the spread offense and had no idea how to stop it. By 2008 the spread had lost it's schtick and had become quite normal, so what did Utah do to combat this problem? They turned to another current fashion and heavily instituted the Wildcat.

Aside from the adjusted offense, Utah returned to their tradition of having one of the toughest Defenses in the country. Anchored by tough as nails linebackers and safetys that patrolled centerfield waiting to poach an interception they were nearly unstoppable.

Add in that 2008 featured the head coaching duties of Kyle Whittingham and it gets better. Although Whittingham played for the rival Cougars in college, he learned the error of his ways and joined up with the Utes as an assistant in 1994, 14 years later he finally got his shot as Head Coach and has made it worth while. With his own recruits in the driver's seat Whitty is what made Utah who they are.

Drama was the name of the game in 2008. Starting with a squeaked out win in the Big House against Michigan to open the year and two incredible come from behind wins against Oregon State and TCU. We knew this was going to be a special year.

I vividly remember the Oregon State game down by 8 with 2:30 minutes left in the game, the Utes kicked into gear. Scoring a TD, and converting a two-point conversion to tie it up with about 1:30 left in the game. The D holds stronger than ever converting a three-and-out giving Utah the ball back with more than enough time. Then the most magical thing I could ever imagine occurred. 45,000+ fans all on their feet started chanting in unison "Louie, Louie, Louie." Everyone knew that the game was in the hands of star kicker Louie Sakoda. Sakoda had become the darling of the Utah football team and everyone knew he was going to win the game for us. Booting a easy-as-pie 35-yarder Sakoda won the game without an ounce of stress, resulting in the first of three field rushes that year.

Against TCU another field rush, Utah who dressed in their black uniforms for the first time ever marched down the field in the final minute to score the winning touchdown. Utah made TCU look like the weakest team in the country, which we later found out was in no way the case.

Top it all off with a blowout win over BYU to cap off the regular season it couldn't be beat. Then finally against all doubters, with no one in their corner Utah had nothing to lose against Alabama. Alabama had been ranked No. 1 for a good portion of the year, but Utah wasn't flinching. Scoring 21 unanswered points in a span of seven minutes to open the Sugar Bowl, Utah went on to win with no problems at all.

These are the reasons my favorite Utah team ever is the 2008 Sugar Bowl champion Utes.

How I became a Ute.

Being born a Canning there was no other team I could ever root for. You might say that I was born with Crimson blood coursing through my veins. Both my parents were born and raised in the Salt Lake City area (Dad in South Salt Lake, Mom in Murray), and for as long as I can remember I've been attending football games.

My parents used to buy tickets through their companies, who during the '80s would buy a block of seats at the games and sell them to their employees at a cheaper rate. Throughout the decade we watched as Utah teams got thrown around by teams, just dreaming of the day when the Utes would be big time (little did we know it would take two more decades). At the time my Dad worked for a company, Northwest Pipeline, that occupied a building in Research Park-a part of the U's property. As such we had incredible seats in the South End Zone right below the old scoreboard featuring a block U logo with a Native American's silhouette. These were the years when Rice Stadium was half full on a good day. We later were moved to the old North End Zone when my Mom got the tickets from her company National Semiconductor. This was when the North End Zone was all General Admission, and you had to get their pretty early to get a decent seat.

I've been told I was taken to Utah football games as an infant in a little red snowsuit to stay warm. Years later I would go but lost interest in the games all too quickly and by the second quarter I was either playing with my smuggled in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles to keep me busy or reading the game program to learn all of the referee's hand signs. To this day I still know a large majority of the signs.

It wasn't until about third grade that I came to watch the games the whole way through. I remember Mike McCoy with a d-lineman about to tackle him throwing a bullet into the end zone to a freshman Kevin Dyson to win the Freedom Bowl. I remember Steve Smith taunting Cougar fans by stating "Even our cheerleaders are kicking your ass" when a Ute male cheerleader beat the hell out of a fan that tried to tackle him and the U flag. I remember both 34-31 wins, the first of which Chris Yergeson booted a Sakoda-like 50-yard field goal to beat BYU for the first time in years. I remember when duck calls rung throughout the stadium calling for Utah's dramatic "Duck" play. I remember when the game ball was delivered by a parachuter and when a person dressed in traditional Ute Indian garb rode across the astroturf with a flaming spear so he could stab a bail of hay on the 50 yard line.

Years later I myself finally became a true Ute in that I graduated from the University of Utah in 2008, the same year that Utah went undefeated and went to a BCS game for the second time.

My life has been filled with 25 years of Utah football memories. And I look forward to many more in the coming years.

Part of NCAA Football 11 video game's release week festivities about your favorite team.

Utah Utes to the Pac-10

It's been a while since I've posted anything on my blog. And there have been some incredible things going on in the world. Oil leaks both locally and abroad, economic woes continue, and the World Cup whipping people into a frenzy.

The biggest news, however, came about two weeks ago when the Pac-10 athletic conference invited two teams to join their ranks. The University of Colorado (at Boulder) was invited first and accepted nearly immediately, the other the greatest university in the country...THE UNIVERSITY OF UTAH.

As I posted on Facebook days before the invitation was extended "Just get together already. He wants her, she wants him. Pac-10 just invite the Utes. The Utes have already rented a tux and bought the flowers."

Utah accepted the invitation just hours after it was extended, and the Utes are now set to leave the ranks of the lower tier college sports and join the prestigious ranks of the "classiest" conference in the country. It is the dream of every Ute fan to join the Pac-10, one that was thought to be far-fetched. But as is the case Dreams do come true.

So to introduce ourselves to the ranks of the Pac-10 here are the basics about our beloved Utes so that you understand, we come to party...and we won't stop partying until where handed the roses.

Name: The University of Utah

Location: Salt Lake City, Utah. Approximately 5 miles east of downtown SLC.

Founded: 1850 as the University of Deseret by Brigham Young (the irony of the fact that the former-Mormon leader founded the school and our chief rival is named after him is not lost on us).

Chief Rival: BYU, and to a lesser extent Utah State University.

Mormon?: While the majority of the state of Utah are Mormon, Salt Lake City is only about 35-40% Mormon.

Alcohol?: Oh yeah we drink, and we drink with the best of 'em. Swing by our tailgate parties and you'll see that we mean business.

Nickname: Utes, after the Native American tribe that lived in the mountains around SLC. The state's name Utah is also derived from the tribe meaning "people of the mountains."

Sensitivity?: The University of Utah has an agreement with the Ute Tribe that states the school may use the name as long as they do not disgrace it.

Stadiums: Football: Rice-Eccles Stadium-seats 45,000; Basketball: Jon M. Huntsman Center-seats 15,000; Baseball: Spring Mobile Ballpark-seats 15,000.

Famous Alumi: NFL - Alex Smith, Scott Mitchell, Steve Smith, & Jamal Anderson. NBA - Andrew Bogut, Keith Van Horn, Andre Miller, Tom Chambers, Michael Doleac, & Hanno Mottola.

My Grandpa Barlow

About 15 or so years ago today, one of my fondest memories occurred. My mom and I joined my grandparents on a day trip to Promontory Point for the annual Golden Spike celebration. We rode out in my grandpa's big ol' motor-home with me planted in the co-pilot seat navigating with a map. After watching the festivities we piled back in the motor-home for some KFC that we bought along the way.

A little over a year later my grandpa died from lung cancer. This was my last great memory of my grandpa. Thinking about it now my grandpa had a lot of grandkids, but yet I was the only one that ever got to go on a trip with him in his prized motor-home.

To this day the memories created that day make me smile.

The Way Too Early Utah Football Notes

Today the Utes held the annual Red-White spring football game up at ol' RES. A chance for fans to get a glimpse of this years boys in red, and a chance for the seldom played boys to strut their stuff on the field. If was a good day, other than starting QB Jordan Wynn going down on the second play with a suspected separated shoulder.

I've been going to the spring games pretty regularly for the last few years and they have never been this popular. Only the chair seats on the west side of the stadium were available to sit at but the entire section was full of fans. There were spring game in the past where only 100 fans (if that) showed up. I was quite impressed with Utah Fans' enthusiasm for this team.

While very few of the stars played much, the backups made their time count. The coaches son, Tyler Whittingham, even got his named called a handful of times. I was impressed with the showings of Freshman QB Griff Robles who threw a couple of bombs for touchdowns, as well as the new corp of linebackers who are looking to fill some big shoes.

I'm now officially excited for the real season to kickoff on Sept. 2. My worries, while still there, are less severe. Utah will once again have a strong football team. One that will challenge for supremacy in the Mountain West Conference.

So for the first time in 2010...GO UTES!!! I know this won't be the last time.

Letter to the Editor of The Globe Newspaper

Dear Editor,

The Globe Newspaper is an incredible asset to the students, faculty, and community of Salt Lake Community College. It provides useful information and lends a critical eye on important issues to all of its readers.

I recently learned that The Globe’s budget was cut significantly, I worked for the newspaper for the better part of four years and we too had budgetary problems all along the way. On more than one occasion there was pressure to be folded into the Student Life and Leadership organization on campus. This presents the problem of conflict of interest, if The Globe is ran by the school it cannot report as an unbiased party. That is precisely the problem plaguing Brigham Young University’s “Daily Universe.”

It is no secret that the newspaper industry is in trouble and years ago The Globe began preparing for the trouble by joining forces with “The Chrony” from the University of Utah. In the first two years of the partnership our advertising revenue greatly increased, which lessened the need for financial support from the college.

As a former Editor of The Globe, I completely understand the budgetary issues associated with running one of Utah’s top college newspapers. With a limited budget it is extremely hard to attract qualified writers, or for that matter willing writers, to cover campus events. When I ran The Globe, and furthermore when my predecessors ran it, I pushed hard for my writers to cover as many campus issues as possible. Of course things fell through the cracks and things were not covered due to staffing limitations, but we did what we could with what he had.

I left the newspaper at the top of it’s game and I have heard rumblings that there have been major shakeups in the makeup of the Globe Student Media Council (GSMC), The Globe’s governing body. I feel that this is where the problem truly lies. During my tenure I had all of the support in the world from the GSMC, but I can see that without them the newspaper would not have been able to survive.

I for one completely support The Globe and it’s mission as SLCC’s Independent Voice. I know that I am not the only Globe alumnus that will show my support and in the following days more alumni will show theirs as well.

Jeren W. Canning
The Globe Newspaper Editor-in-Chief 2007-2008
Salt Lake Community College Alumnus

Things I Thought I Would Know By Now...

I came to a realization today. Somewhere between the mundane workday and the stress that comes with tomorrow I said to myself more than once, "I thought I would know that by now."

Jeff Foxworthy has a bit acknowledging my train of thought. He states that he wishes he knew how Jell-0 worked or how they figure out how long to make a bungy jumper's rope. Foxworthy speaks of the humorous things, but my thoughts are of problems a "normal" 25-year-old should know.

I Wish I knew...

1. ...How to tie a neck tie. I don't to the stupid clip on B.S. and I have three or four ties hanging in my closet all of which have been tied by my dad because I have never learned how.

2. ...How tennis scoring works. I get the 15-30-40-match, win by two progression but what I don't get is how the sets and games work. How does someone win in straight sets or not?

3. ...How to write a good resume. Of course I have one and it does have all the necessary information but it doesn't seem to catch the attention of prospective employers.

4. ...Where my mom came up with her brownie recipe. So damn good I swear they are special-brownies.

5. ...How to be more assertive. Let's face it I'm quite the pushover, this needs to change.

6. ...How to make more money. Does this really need explanation.

7. ...How to stop procrastinating. I have this little problem of waiting until the last possible minute to do any real work. I think it has something to do with my journalism background and needing the pressure of a looming deadline to kick my ass into gear.

8. ...How to meet/date women. No game, no game, no game...AT ALL.

9. ...Where to buy a good suit. Every guy needs one yet, I don't.

10. ...How to make more money. Get a better job is at the top of my list trust me.

Well, looks like I have some work to do to check figure this stuff out...

CHANGE: The time is right for change in sports.

Recently ESPN Magazine printed an article called the 31 things that will make sports better. About two-thirds of which are stupid ideas that will only hurt the sports in which they effect. Honestly is there really a problem with the NFL's pace of play (#2), or the American League's Designated Hitter rule and the National League's lack there of (#3), or my personal favorite govern the length of a basketball player's shorts (#10). ESPN open your eyes, your rules either change the game itself or are so miniscule they don't matter. Here are a sports fans real things that need changing for the better:

15. Fix NFL overtime.

It took NFL decades to finally adopt the two point conversion and it's changed the game. Adoption of college football overtime rules brings in more excitement and parity in a horrible system.

14. Ban all performance enhancing drugs.

Every sport from baseball to horse racing needs mandatory random drug testing aided by swift and harsh punishment for violators.

13. Stiffen salary cap in baseball.

No more you pay a fine if you're over (I'm looking at you Yankees) each team must stay below a total player salary of $100 million per year. If you're over you don't play and you forfeit each game until it is resolved.

12. Separate professional-amateur olympic events.

Still hold the Olympics on schedule in the appointed city but in the major sports (baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, and hockey) countries must field two teams a professional team and a amateur team.

11. No drafting of high school students.

A required two year gap must occur after high school and drafting (college or international play can be used in the interim).

10. Banning the BCS.

Give us what we, the fans, want a playoff. Nothing fancy just a simple eight-team three-week playoff, teams are determined by the top eight computer generated teams.

9. Abolishment of unions.

Screw the unions, they only serve as a safety blanket for athletes who can't follow the rules in the first place.

8. Unify boxing titles under one banner.

How many damn boxing champs are there? For each weight class there is one belt, period.

7. Allow athletes to compete in multiple sports.

Remember the good ol' days when Dion Sanders and Bo Jackson played baseball and football that was so much fun why can't it still be done today?

6. Allow athletes to show emotion.

If a player is showing a little emotion and is not harming anyone, let it be. If a Ute player wants to flash the U at the stands during a game let him (Referees will need common sense for this one...I know unlikely right?).

5. Simplify NASCAR scoring.

If a driver wins, 25 points, one less for each place after the winner. You led the most laps? Tough...you only get the most points if you win.

4. Expanded instant replay in NFL, NHL, NBA and NCAA.

It has greatly helped the NFL and college football, and is pointless in baseball.

3. Centralized scheduling.

For college sports, allow the NCAA to schedule all games. Conference games will be scheduled normally but non-conference will be randomly set, giving mid- and low-major the opportunity to prove themselves against the big boys.

2. Force athletes to take responsibility for their actions on and off the field.

Act irresponsibly and you're next pay check is automatically donated to charity.

1. REPLACE BUD SELIG IMMEDIATELY!!!

The commissioner of baseball has ruined the once great game, Bob Costas needs to take over now and produce rampant changes.

Sometimes the losses make you who you are.

Tonight's 7 p.m. time slot was pretty mundane forcing me to go endlessly flipping through the hundreds of channels offered on my digital cable box. After watching the obligatory rerun of The Simpsons and Seinfeld I was in need of some fresh entertainment. I randomly flipped to the sports channels (ESPN, The MTN., and the like) to see if any game was on to watch, there wasn't but I was happy to find a suitable replacement in a show called Replay.

The show, sponsored by everyone's favorite sports beverage - Gatorade, gives athletes a second chance to relive that one moment that they regret. The ceremonious opening shows empty views of football fields, baseball fields, and hockey rinks while the deep-voiced announcer speaks of no second chances in sports, except when Gatorade steps in.

Today's lucky group were bitter high school rivals Easton and Phillipsburg High School, the epic rivalry came to a head in 1993 when the game ended in a tie. Ever since the two schools' players have wished for a second chance to right their wrong. The players now in their early thirties trained for over two months for a chance at playing their rival just once more. Although the "Replay"-ed game ended with Phillipsburg winning convincingly the players could not have been happier knowing that they still played like champions 16-years later.

The show got me thinking about my athletic misstep, 1997 Bennion Junior High vs. Eisenhower Junior High - The War for the Warrior rivalry wrestling duel. We were told the Bennion vs. Eisenhower wrestling duel was the biggest of all rivalries and as a 13 year-old eighth grader I believed it. I was the varsity 240-pound wrestler, weighing only 190 I was greatly out mismatched on the mat. I admit I was a horrible wrestler only winning one match during junior high but regardless I pushed myself hard to be part of the team.

Since both BJH and EJH fed into Taylorsville High, the match was nicknamed the War for the Warrior which had a traveling trophy and all. Although my Bennion had traditionally been the more dominate team overall in the district Eisenhower always seemed to beat us in our yearly matchup. I remember the that we were leading the points in the duel for most of the night until the upper weights started to falter, by the time my weight was up (the last match of the night) we were down by four points. By rule there are only three ways to score four or more points in a wrestling match: 1. technical fall (four points)-win the individual match by 10 points , 2. pin fall (seven points)-pinning the opponent, and 3. forfeit (seven points)-counts just like a pin fall.

I knew I couldn't tech fall Eisenhower's best and biggest wrestler, and he wasn't going to forfeit so I was left with only one option, pin him. And my teammates were no slouches to making sure I knew how much was on my shoulders.

As soon as the whistle blew I thought my only chance was to go at him quick, I was wrong. He threw me around for one round, then just a few seconds into round two he flipped me onto my back and pinned me. I remember laying there on the mat in the middle of Taylorsville High's gym staring up at the spotlight hanging above me while Eisenhower's team celebrated. I got up shook my opponent's hand gave him a bro-hug then walked over to my coach, where the tears started flowing and I couldn't stop them.

I let my whole team down and it was the one athletic moment in my life that I do regret. Second chances don't happen in sports, although I feel bad about not winning or even putting up much of a fight I've moved on to bigger and better things.

Life isn't about all the wins, sometimes the losses make you who you are.

Stay Classy Utah!

In an age where it seems that people are all about themselves it's extremely nice to know that there are some classy people out there still.

At November 7's University of Utah football game I saw several instances of class, before during and after the game. After the traditional national anthem and the band lining the sidelines awaiting the Utes' entrance hundreds of young football players from around the Salt Lake Valley gathered on the field. The problem was there were far too many kids and the line started at about midfield and wound it's way through the north end zone and nearly exiting the stadium through the northwest exit.

Eventually the Utes ran onto the field in traditional fashion, pumping up the crowd capacity crowd. The team then lined up and high-fived all of the kids in line waiting to greet them. However, with the line being so long the team greeted the kids leading up to the end zone as far as they could leaving a large line still wanting to greet them. As soon as starting safety Robert Johnson saw the other kids being left out he quickly ran the entire length greeting each and every one of them. He was followed by running back Eddie Wide, and Stephenson Sylvester. These three Utes made those kids' day by just taking the time to high-five them. While they knew they had a game to play, the players acknowledged their fans.

These are the same players that as the rush the field before every game they sprint to the north end zone and raise their U's to the crowd, a favor that we are glad to return.

During the game, Utah was thoroughly beating New Mexico with their new starting freshman at quarterback, Jordan Wynn. With a sound lead the Coach Wittingham pulled his starters and inserted the entire second string, including Terrence Cain the team's starting quarterback every other game this season. Although Cain is no longer the starter for the team he is more than willing to help out his team by rooting them on from the sidelines and signaling in plays.

As the score tallied higher for the Utes, they did the classy thing and did not pile on the points (something Bronco and the Cougars could learn). They understood the Lobos are a team that is struggling and didn't humiliate them like BYU tends to do to their opponents.

Classy and Utes, two words that belong together and rightfully so. Keep up the good work boys!

Top 10 Things About College Athletics

These are the Top 10 reasons I love college sports much more than pro sports.

10. College football overtime rules! Equal possessions, if the first team scores the other has to or the game is over...Awesome.

9. Egos. Granted a 22 year-old's ego can be pretty big, but it's no where near as big as say Chad Johnson...er...Ochocinco.

8. Final Four tournament. Bar-none the best playoff tournament in the world. Where else is there a 64 team (plus one winner from a play-in game) playoff to determine the national champion? The best team always shows up and a few Cinderella's go dancing and upsetting the big boys.

7. Passion. There is so much passion in a stadium or arena that you can literally feel it vibrating.

6. Rankings. Every week there is a list of the 25 best teams in the country, you play well you move up lose you drop. Plain and simple.

5. Rivalries. The bitter hatred between rivals, so bitter that some rivalry games have had to be moved to neutral sites to avoid serious problems.

4. Focus on teams, rather than individuals. I may know every player on my team, but a few year's down the road I won't I'll just remember the team.

3. Education. You don't learn, you don't play...well if you're GPA isn't good enough you don't.

2. Tradition. Marching Bands, rituals, and superstitions, every school has them and they make each and every game and school unique and fun.

1. They play for the love of the game, not for the money.

Dear Pac-10...

Dear Pac-10 athletic conference,

I write you today in the interest of persuading you to consider expansion once again. Now I know the name "Pac-12" is lame but if you listen to my points you will see that you have some very good options that will no doubt increase interest in your conference.

The rumor mill has been bustling with the thoughts of who the two teams to join may be. I have heard Colorado, Boise State, BYU and Utah's name's mentioned as possible teams. But let me propose this to you the University of Utah and Utah State University as your two schools.

A. Colorado is a great school one rich in football tradition, however, with the exception of a decent men's basketball team the school is lacking many necessary components that would make them a suitable option.

B. Boise State is quite the powerhouse in the WAC, but let's face it the WAC hasn't been anything special since the teams that now form the Mountain West bolted. Aside from that Boise doesn't quite fit into the "research school" category that the Pac-10 so desperately would like.

C. BYU is a tough program that will do what it takes to be the best, and I'm sure they would beg you to be a part of your conference. But BYU's sole purpose in athletics is to make themselves look better at the expense of anyone in their way. They think of themselves as an elite school when they're little more than a law and accounting factory. Add into the equation that they refuse to play on Sunday's and that makes them an ill-advised choice.

D. (your best option) Utah, a school who has done more with a small athletic budget (i.e. multiple national and conference championships) than the vast majority of the country has. Utah fits the bill as one of the finest research schools in the country, a strong football team that is only getting stronger, very competitive basketball teams that have both garnered national attention, and an exceptional gymnastics program, these are just a few of Utah's strong suits.

Now here I make my case for Utah State, USU has quite honestly one of the smallest budgets in the NCAA. But they strive for excellence and fit the bill that the Pac-10 in looking for. For instance, every school currently in the Pac-10 has a major or regional rival accompanying them (Arizona-Arizona State, Washington-Washington State, UCLA-Southern Cal, Oregon-Oregon State, and Stanford-Cal) a Utah-Utah State addition would be the perfect solution so that you once again have two neighboring schools.

USU is still in the growing stages of many of their athletic sports but they are quickly coming on. We're talking a bout a school that survived nearly five years as an independent football team and in the years to come Gary Anderson will turn heads when he takes out the likes of Boise State in the WAC.

This is my simple proposal, forget all the wannabes like BYU, Colorado, and Boise State, make the call and ask Utah and Utah State to join the new Pac-12. The two teams will no doubt fit into your conference but given the a little time they would excel.

Thank you and GO UTES! (and Go Aggies!)

-Jeren W. Canning

Lifelong Ute Fan, and longtime Aggie sympathizer.

Bang The Gong, Let's Get It On!

Who am I, Sir? A UTAH MAN AM I.

It has been well documented by now that I bleed Red and White. I am what many people would call a Utah Fanatic. I can name hundreds of players that have donned the crimson jersey, I can remember the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. I've been known to shed a tear when the team loses, and I've been known to feel great pride when they win.

I've been to far too many football games to count. Since infancy I have been going with my family. When I was 5 I would lug in a backpack of Ninja Turtles to play with at the game, little did I know but my dad would hide a six-pack of beer under the Turtles and let me sneak it in.

I used to sit in the stands and practice the referee hand signals, to this day I know them all even the very obscure signals that you never see used.

As I write this we are only 22 hours away from the kick-off of the season. A season of hope, a season of rebuilding, and most importantly a season of definition.

In the last decade the Utes have rewritten the definition of who the University of Utah is. Before 2000, few people knew about the diamond in the rough that is the U of U. Sure Utah had a few brushes with greatness prior to the new millennium but nothing substantial. That has all changed. Utah is now a powerhouse known around the country as a team to not take lightly.

No matter what the next few months tell us about this year's Utes team, I will be there cheering them on. I will forever be waiting for the day when Utah is mentioned in the same breath as other National Champions.

Because after all a Utah Man Am I....GO UTES!

Woodstock: The Defining Event of an Entire Generation

When did Peace, Love, and Rock 'n' Roll get replaced by Benjamins, Bitches, and Rap?

Fourty years ago the world was forever changed by what was supposed to be a quaint little outdoor rock festival in upstate New York. That little festival grew into the defining event of the generation in attendance.

Woodstock organizers struggled to get the city of Bethel, N.Y., to approve a permit for the expected 50,000 attendees. But in an age eons before Facebook and Twitter, word spread fast and soon music lovers from all over the country made what became known as a pilgrimage to the famed event. Over 400, 000 people showed up to the event so many that by the second day the organizers gave up on the ticketing and opened the gates for all.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll was what it was all about. Billed as "3 Days of Peace and Music" the festival not only showcased many of the greatest bands in existence, it also opened the world's eyes to bands that have since become legends in their own right.

It was hotter than hell, muddier than a pig pen, and 400,000 dirty bodies surely smelled like a landfill, but Woodstock 1969 was perfect.

My father recently told me the story of he and his friends sitting around a restaurant table trying to figure out a way to make the roughly 2,000 mile trip. Although they didn't make the drive you could tell just the thought of Woodstock brought back some incredible memories for him in his prime.

There were attempts to duplicate the magic that was created on that farm so many years ago, but none have come close. The festival's first reincarnation took place in 1979, with an extremely weak, relatively speaking, line-up of has beens and soloists separated from their former '69 bands. 1989's festival saw the birth of commercialism at the festival intended to be about the music.

Billed as "2 More Days of Peace and Music" the 25-anniversary Woodstock in 1994 was by far the best attempt to recreate the original. While only 30,000 attended the '94 event it was successful if nothing more than getting back to the music. But the commercialism continued with the entire event being underwritten by Pepsi. The peace and music was dying in favor of money.

1999 saw the death of the great festival, thanks largely to MTV's horrible planning. The concert was cut short when unruly fans ignited a bonfire which eventually spread to a speaker tower forcing the abrupt end of the bastard stepchild of Woodstock. MTV helped organize overpriced "merchandise malls" and impenetrable fences that only angered the concert goers. After the mayhem multiple trailers and porta-potty's were burned to ashes, at least four rapes were reported, but only seven people were arrested.

Thanks to the debacle of 1999, 2009's 40-Anniversary was nothing more than memories of the good ol' days.

Somewhere along the way those bright eyed dreamers of 1969, turned into money-hungry executives looking to exploit the "Peace and Music" festival for their own gain. Today we sit 10 years away from the 50-Anniversary and there needs to be another concert on the same farm that the original once was.

To the organizers...let the money go, it's about the music.

To the concert goers...let the anger go, it's about the peace.

It's time for another Woodstock festival just like the original and in 10 years I plan on climbing in my 1969 Volkswagon Bus and make the drive to New York, with my nearly 70-year-old Dad copiloting.

Yeah, I'm An X Gamer...What About It?

I don't know if it's kosher with my age, but I love the X Games. Every August, and January for the winter version, I set my DVR to record endless hours of ESPN programing dedicated to "All That Is Extreme!"

I personally have never done a kick-flip on a skateboard, or a backflip on a motorcycle, or driven my pseudo-Subaru over 70 foot jumps. Even still I am glued to my TV judging every spin and and grind that these daredevils perform.

I enjoy watching the Games, because these athletes are doing things that I would love to do, but don't have the testicular fortitude for. I'm the guy that gets a little uneasy on roller coasters at Disneyland.

Being a longtime fan of motorcycles, off-road riding, and many things outdoors I easily gravitate to the world of extreme sports.

Three years ago I was jumping up and down with excitement in a Washington, D.C., hotel room when Travis Pastrana landed the first ever double-backflip on a motorcycle. As the announcer commented it was (emphasis on WAS) the Holy Grail of Freestyle Motocross tricks go.

This year was nothing short of awesome. Pastrana attempted to find that Grail again with a new trick only to land flat on his back, with a 300-pound motorcycle nearly landing on top of him. A couple of unknowns (at least unknown to a novice like me) made the street skateboarding event look like child's play. There was even a new event in which 'boarders climb to the top of a 50-foot tall ramp only to grind a rail that spanned a 50-foot gap.

I even watched kids (yes, kids) half my age perform amazing tricks that left me awestruck.

Much like the Olympics, the X Games celebrate the world's best but contrary to the Olympics' mystique the X Games is more about the fun of the sport.

I truly cannot wait until the next X Games are shown, I already have my DVR set to record them.