Well thank you all for the responses!! Unfortunately all of my friends who own mechanical keyboards (a few with Das Keyboards w/blues,one with a Choc Mini w/Browns and another with a Blackwidow Ultimate) are scattered across the US, I have gone to my local Best Buy though and tried out the blues and I can say I'm not a fan.
I do tend to use the number pad often because I can't touch type the top row very well and I deal with a lot of numbers, the only reason I'm even considering the CM Storm is because of the high praise it has gotten in terms of it's build quality. The Ducky is still very high on my list though, the back lighting of the Shine/Shine II I love and the fact that the DK 9008 G2 comes with the PBT key caps is a huge plus for me if I were to go with the non-backlit option. With all of that said though, with what has been said in here and other threads about the CM Storm, it is in high contention as of right now!.
I really do appreciate the timely responses though, it's encouraging to find a place that is willing to help the FNG like myself!! I will probably make a purchase in the next week or two, as soon as I can get this text book sold and money in my paypal I plan on finalizing my decision and getting my fingers onto the keyboard they deserve. Thanks again, I'll make sure to keep you all updated!!