Top Five Sports

5. Basketball
4. Baseball
2. (tie) Football
2. (tie) Soccer
1. Golf

Okay. There was actually a bit of science involved in this. First, I determined which sports are those that deserve merit. Outside of the above-listed, I considered, cycling, volleyball, hockey, NASCAR and tennis. Second, I determined categories upon which I would judge the sports. These categories were: Participation value, Watching - TV, Watching - Live, and Fantasy Value. Third, I applied a value of 1 to 5 within each category to each sport. The highest scorers for each category were: Soccer, Football, Golf and Baseball, respectively. Obviously, I have bias. Playing soccer was my passion through college, so that's a no-brainer. On the "watching" category, I actually had to disaggregate baseball, football and basketball into "college" and "pro" categories in my mind while assigning ranks. Football took the number one spot in televsion watching, as I love both college and pro. As for watching live, golf was number one. Now, if you have never been to a professional golf tournament, I think its wonderful and you're missing out. When Meggan looks forward to attending the Colonial every year, you know you have something golden. It's incredible to see up close what the pros can do with that little ball. On fantasy value, baseball takes the cake. It was my first fantasy sport in 1994 and I missed an entire afternoon of school to sit at Abernathy's off of West Berry and draft with a table-full of buddies. Six hours later, I was hooked on fantasy sports! Finally, the scores were tallied and Golf was victorious as the top sport.

Top Five "Kid-Friendly" Cereals

Let me first define the title. "Kid-friendly" refers to cereals that are fun and enjoyable for kids to eat (i.e. sugar-filled cereals...Jessica G. would love them!). More specifically, these were cereals that I enjoyed eating in college....as I was not allowed to partake during my childhood years. I also say "Kid-friendly" because the fact that today I enjoy Raisin Bran, Grape-Nuts and other similar healthy cereals just isn't all that fun to read about.

5. Golden Grahams
4. Oreo O's
3. Peanut Butter Crunch
2. Fruity Pebbles
1. Lucky Charms

I once ate an entire box of Lucky Charms in one sitting. It was so wonderful. Do you believe that I tried to save as many marshmellows to the end as I could?

Top Five Greatest 'Huskers (in honor of National Signing Day)

5. Grant Winstrom - DE - All-time Husker leader in tackles for loss; 2nd all-time Husker in sacks; member of '97 NCAA National Champions

4. Ahman Green - RB - Member of '95 and '97 NCAA National Champions; 2nd all-time Husker in career rushing yards and TDs

3. Mike Rozier - RB - NCAA leader in yards per rush (7.81); '83 Heisman Trophy winner; All-time Husker leader in career rushing yards, rushing attempts, 100 and 200 yard rushing games

2. Johnny Rodgers - HB/WB - All-time Husker leader in receiving yards gained in a season; all-time Husker leader in TDs in a game, season and career; member of '70 and '71 National Champions; '72 Heisman Trophy winner

1. Eric Crouch - QB - All-time Husker leader in career total offense (7,915 yards - next closest is 5,476 by Tommie Frazier); NCAA leader in most rushing TDs by a QB (59); '01 Heisman Trophy winner; member of '95 and '97 National Champions

I realize I didn't graduate with a degree from Nebraska, but as I grew up in the state, I will never feel as though any other college football team is more my own. It's so very incredible to sit in the stands at a home game...just ask my wife! I have great memories of many Saturdays.

Top Five U2 Songs

5. Desire (Rattle and Hum)
4. With or Without You (Joshua Tree)
3. Beautiful Day (All that You Can't Leave Behind)
2. Bad (Live) (Wide Awake in America)
1. Pride (In the Name of Love) (Unforgettable Fire)

U2 has been my favorite band since 1987, when I was in the 7th grade. Before that, I'm not really sure what I listened to. There are so many great songs, but these are my favorites. Here's a little trivia for you.

What was the original name of the band?

The Larry Mullin Jr. Band...named after the band's founding member.

Top Five Numbers

5. 1000
4. 10
3. 23
2. 3
1. 13

Why is '13' my number 1? Probably b/c it was supposedly an "unlucky" number and I wanted to cause a stir. It was my jersey number of choice in sports growing up.

LISTS - "TOP FIVE"

I feel it's important to maintain lists. Almost every day I prepare a list of "to-dos." I typically do this when I get to the office in the morning. It may not seem like anything big for most people, but it was a complete change in lifestyles for me. I was one who never made lists...and I prided myself on this fact. I guess I felt as though I was too good for making a list; if I were to make a list, it would lead others to believe that I couldn't keep things straight in my head or wasn't smart enough to keep track of 'daily routines.' Well, I soon learned that I couldn't survive without lists. They soon became a big part of who I am.

So, as of Monday, February 5, 2007, I will begin my "top five" lists. Feel free to request any topics...I'll do my best to supply you with my TOP FIVE!

The greatest place on earth...Kauai, Hawaii

Polihale Beach is on the western shore of the island of Kauai. This picture was taken looking north to the Na Pali coastline. To reach this semi-secluded beach, one must drive to the end of the road (mile marker 32 on highway 50 and then travel approximately 4.5 miles down an extremely bumpy dirt road. About 2 miles in, I was ready to turn around. Glad I didn't!