Our Platform for Outlining Colorado’s Future

On the 4th of July, 2006, my dad, Marvin, was getting out of his RV. We were at my cousin's cabin in McCall Idaho. He twisted his ankle, getting out, and hit his head. We were more concerned about his ankle, but should have been worried about his head, because he actually was knocked unconscious... we don't know how long he was out in the forest laying there, and I don't like the vision of him hobbling to the cabin… Anyways he must have hurt his head. A few months later he started having cognitive problems. He was falling down mowing the lawn… he had just had eye surgery, and at first he thought he was having problems with his vision…he went to the emergency room when one morning he couldn't get out of bed… My mom was really scared. Everyone. I think he went in on a Friday. The doctor was out, and so he had to wait till Monday to have the operation: a bi-lateral hemotosis, or something… basically it was to stop the bleeding… the blood was pooling up in his brain...

I was still very young when my brother graduated from High School Driving to high school graduation Yeah 1998 Megan's BA in English. I finished Ricks the same time (?) she finished at the Y. Best girlfriend ever.  Best mom. Ever.  Best dad. Ever. 1998, Assoc Mech Engr, Victor  Forsnes. Probably the best teacher I ever had.  My parents took this picture after  I graduated from Ricks in 1998 2002, BS Electrical Engineering J, 1st Grade 2003 Masters in Technical Communication

Megan and I got married over a Christmas break, my sophomore year in college. There wasn't much time, and we didn't have much money, and so we didn't "go anywhere exotic" for our honeymoon. Megan was a trooper, and said that our road trips that we took to Washington, Oregon, and the California coasts were our honey moons the next 2 summers were our honermoons. We brought our tent, stayed in State Parks, and only got rained out once.  We: went to Mt. Saint Helens. Did not pay for helicopter tour,  went swimming in the Columbia river,  rented a 2 person boat,  lake canoed  took a ferry to Victoria on British Columbia,  walked in the red-woods,  visited KC stayed in a Casino in Reno Spent a day in San Fransico saw the worlds shortest river I: walked down to crater lake  made Megan cry driving down the world's curviest road Driving through a tree Megan making hash-browns on our Camp St...

It was a dark and stormy night, the night before prom. Derek and I sat in our basement at the computer late into the night. Koji sat engrossed in his video game to the left of us. Derek and Dan had enjoyed "Tommy Boy" earlier. I was scheduled to be a participant in this movie-watching event, but I had to wait for Koji to arrive from his track meet, not wanting to leave him alone like a free electron in a silicon chip or Mr. Burton on a cold, blustery morning, wandering the lake in a lonely manner, looking for a fish to complete his lonely soul. REM blasted in our mind, a little too loud for music to be when you are trying to discuss matters of importance. Still, we were proud of our flippant attitude in determining the most extravagant event as graduating seniors. Given our dire circumstances, I said, "Don't worry about it. We'll just figure it out tomorrow morning." The topic of conversation was what we would do tomorrow morning. It was too late for ...

Reasons to Agree: Coincidence in Timing (A1): Megan's performance of "A Marshmallow World" in a minor key aligns humorously with her dating frustrations, symbolizing life's quirky timing. Linkage Score: High (if the argument is that life's coincidences often reflect our personal experiences humorously). Evidence: Personal anecdote, psychological theories of perception and confirmation bias. Prom Date Plan Discussion (A2): The conversation with Megan's father about prom timings humorously highlights parental concerns and the unpredictability of plans. Linkage Score: Moderate (if the argument focuses on the humor arising from generational differences and expectations). Evidence: Personal experience, social norms about dating and parental roles. Reasons to Disagree: Confirmation Bias (D1): People tend to remember and give significance to coincidences while ignoring routine events, leading to a skewed perception of their frequency. Linkage Score: High (arg...

In January 2003 Megan and I moved from Boise Idaho to Chicago Illinois in a 24 foot U-haul. Our fist day we go snowed in at the mountain-pass going into Salt Lake, and we had to stay the night in Burley, Idaho after only traveling a few hours. In that hotel I realized that I had my mother-in-law's keys. We had to mail them to her the next day. We fought icy patches, blowing snow, and light snow flurries all the way across country. All our: shampoo, olive oil, and bath-tub-bubble-bath froze across the plains, as we experienced negative 20 and 30 degree weather. Finley (our dog) seemed depressed on the trip (even thought he got more space than Megan or I), and slept all most the whole way there. Each morning we would have to break the ice out of his doggy bowl. We arrived in Chicago on their coldest day in 4 years. There was a 100 yard walkway between our apartment, up the stairs, and to the U-Haul. It wasn't fun, but we were alive, and finally together again.

There's something truly special about a visit from your parents. It's a gesture that speaks volumes about familial bonds, love, and commitment, and I've been lucky to experience this multiple times. Despite the long, 22-hour drive from their home to mine in Illinois, my parents have made the journey not once, but four times. They've driven here twice, flown twice, and even brought their trailer on one occasion. Sure, my home might not be the Ritz Carlton, and they've had to make do with our pull-out couch, but these small inconveniences never dampen the spirit of their visits. We always cherish their company, the shared laughs, stories, and the joy they bring, especially to their grandkids. One visit that stands out is from September 2010 when both Mom and Dad came out after Philip, my son, was born. Their excitement and eagerness to meet their new grandchild turned their journey into a grand adventure. We spent a lovely day at the Chicago Arboretum, creating me...