Daily Dose of BS May 31 spelling

I have never been much of a speller or if you read my daily dose much of a writer either.  I think that this all started back when I was in grade school.  I never had the desire to learn much about English, I figured that we speak it how much should I really need to know, I bet on the wrong horse.  You need to know how to read, write and communicate in order to get anything done.  I really wish that google was around when I was a kid because as I mentioned I was a horrible writer and an even worse speller.  If google would have been around it would have saved me many hours of being frustrated as a young student.  Heck now if I don’t know how to spell something I use voice to text to come up with the correct spelling of the word.  As I am typing this up I notice a lot of squiggly lines all over the page, because I can’t spell.  I wonder if today I will get lucky and have all my misspelled words at least recognized.  There are times when there are no suggestions.  Which brings me to the reason for writing this, at least I know how to spell Wisconsin.  There are many in this state that do not.  BTW Minnesotans don’t know how to spell beautiful, and I also got that one right.  What words are difficult for you to spell? 

Daily Dose of BS May 30 Memorial Day

I was thinking a lot yesterday, contemplating if you will.  I believe that there are many out there that don’t know what the meaning of Memorial Day is.  The day was meant to be a day of remembrance of those that have fought for our freedom, and were killed while doing so.  I have many family members and friends who were in the Military and I know that one of the things that bug most about yesterday is when someone wishes them a Happy Memorial Day.  I want to know what is so happy about it?  Happy that it is the unofficial start of summer, sure I get that, but it was at least for me a day to remember and to reflect about the Men and Women who have lost their lives helping us to gain the freedoms that we have as Americans.  God Bless America and thank you to the families that had family members pay the ultimate price.  We all must remember that Freedom is Not Free.  

Daily Dose of BS May 26 drug testing

Drug testing has been on the table in the state for years, now Governor Scott Walker wants it to happen.  Federal approval is needed for Wisconsin to become the first state in the country to require adults without kids that are capable of working that are applying for health benefits to get tested for drugs.  If this goes through it could be a move that the rest of the nation could follow.  I am not sure I see a down side to this, the argument in the past has been what about the kids, or that person cannot work because of a pre-existing condition, this proposal takes both of them off the table.  The way I read this is if you don’t have kids and you can work, in order to get Medicaid, you must take a drug test.  There are plenty of places out there that require drug testing to keep your job, I don’t see why to get a benefit at the cost of the taxpayers, that you would think any differently.  

Daily Dose of BS May 25 sales

A lot of us live for the weekends, for rest, relaxation, getting the honey do list done but mostly weekends are famous in the Midwest for garage sales, I used to be a big rummage saler, I used to like to pick through someone’s sale tables and try to find the best deal possible, the once in a lifetime find. Those were the days, you used to be able to go to a rummage sale and find some really good deals, now I don’t think as much, people are pushing goods out their doors with Facebook Marketplace of Craigslist. And if there is a sale some people who have an unrealistic value placed on what is basically junk, but how often have you been to a sale and one of these four things were there, prices so high that you could buy new for cheaper, that the stuff was dirty, or junky or they were selling things like old cool whip and margarine tub and you wondered why they even bothered with the sale. Occasionally, you come across the holy grail of a sale but for the most part at least the ones I have seen lately have been stuff that I would probably just throw away, or at least put on the front boulevard with a free sign. 

Daily Dose of BS May 24 losey blvd

A few neighborhoods may experience a slowdown, there is talk about slowing Losey Boulevard down to 25 from the 30-mph posted speed limit.  I can honestly say that I thought that the speed limit on Losey was at 35, because that is the speed I usually drive on that stretch of road and I most of time am getting passed.  On my way into work every morning I drive down 2^nd avenue in Onalaska and they moved their speed limit down from I believe 40 a couple years ago, and I find myself being a creature of habit and must fight the urges to go faster.  Do you think that the city of La Crosse should slow the traffic down on one of the busiest corridors in the city?  Also, do you think that this is just the next step in a new North South corridor?  

Daily Dose of BS May 23 bombing in England

I am angry.  The lives of innocents and I mean real innocents will be changed forever.  In fact all our lives will be changed from here on out because of the actions of some jerk in Manchester, England.  22 children who attended the Ariana Grande concert have died at the hands of a suicide bomber and at least 60 others have been injured.  I am guessing that many more than 60 more have been injured, how do you explain to the most innocent that what happened won’t happen again, or will it.   Not only have lives been lost and the innocent no longer innocent but think of the sweeping changes that will be implemented around the world including here in the Unites States now, so that this does not happen here.  Or what changes will be made when you travel in and out of large areas of people?  This type of terrorism angers me, because what did these young children do?  They went to support the arts by enjoying a show.  

Daily Dose of BS May 22 circus

I remember as a kid the Greatest Show on Earth.  It wasn’t wrestling, a concert or even Disney on Ice it was the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus.  My parents took my brothers and I to see the circus a couple of times when we were kids and as a kid seeing all the action there was to see from the trapeze act to the animals and the most colorful characters of the show, the clowns.  The crazy antics of the most colorful group of entertainers with the over the top exaggerated makeup acting playfully, and getting paid for it.  It truly was the Greatest Show on Earth.  Also, you can’t forget about the person who ties it all together with their powerful voice and ability to turn your attention to the center ring.  The Ringmaster.  I for one will miss the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus, it is sad to see an institution of 146 years close their doors forever.  

Daily Dose of BS May 19 Zaks last day of school

Two of my four kids have now finished high school.  Zak my middle son walked out of high school yesterday for the last time as a student at Central High School.  We spent some quality one on one time yesterday talking about the highs and the lows of school and how he felt a little weird walking out after his last class yesterday.  I remember my final day at school, and feeling the same feelings that Zakery was feeling yesterday, that, that was probably the last time that he would see or talk to most of those people.  And he is right, there are still many that I wonder about 30 years after the fact.  The nice thing about social media is that you can reach out to those you want to reach out to and you can get a peek in to what they want you to see.  Best of luck to the graduating class of 2017, the world is your to go and take.  Remember that working hard won’t kill you, to have fun and not to take yourself to seriously.  Life is meant to be lived.  Go out and live it to the fullest. 

Daily Dose of BS May 18 dangerous walking

Here is a big shocker that West Ave has more pedestrians and cyclists hit and hurt since the road has been redone.  I am not even going to say that I think what the DOT did to West Ave had anything to do with it, I think that reason that West Ave is more dangerous is because people don’t pay attention.  I am talking drivers, walkers, bikers none of the group pays attention to anything further than the few feet in front of their faces.  Don’t believe me take a few minutes today and just park in a lot that has a clear line to any street with traffic, people are not paying attention, they are futzing with their radio, looking at things around them as they drive by talking on the phone or with the people in the car with them or looking at their damn phone, either texting or Facebook posting.  Heck with the storms we have had the last few days I have seen Facebook live videos of people while they are driving.  And I have only just touched on the drivers, look at the cyclists and the pedestrians, they are doing the same thing.  And everyone is trying to prove a point by claiming the ownership of the road.  How about going back to what your mom taught you, be polite and share the road, and if someone lets you in give them the courtesy wave.  

Daily Dose of BS May 17 caffeine

Another day another story about kids drinking, this time it is caffeine instead of alcohol.  Reports say that A teen chugged a latte, a Mountain Dew and an energy drink. The caffeine binge led to his death.  About 75% of all US citizens use caffeine. This is nearly 3 out of 4 reaching for the either pop, tea or my favorite caffeine jolt - coffee. When I was a kid we didn’t have pop around the house except for a special occasion and that was on Mom’s bridge club day and a holiday when the relatives would come over and they would bring it. Funny if you fast forward 30 years that it is more common to see someone drinking a pop than not - not only at a restaurant but for lunch more than about anything else. Back to 75% of the population drinking caffeine, soda is the most common source of caffeine, followed by tea then coffee. Funny how now caffeine is even in foods and other drinks as well. We are seeing it in some jelly beans, marshmallows and some gums too, it is no wonder we have a society of jittery jumpy people.  I hope that the amount of caffeine in your daily routine won’t have the same effect as the young man who had enough caffeine to disrupt and ultimately stop his heart.  

Daily Dose of BS May 16 drinking

There are high school teenagers who drink.  They did when I was a kid and they will when I am long gone.  Some of the kids who drink are kids who play sports, when you get caught drinking as a high school athlete you sit out some games, and I think you have a mandatory class to take.  I don’t see a problem with this, and if it isn’t mandatory it should be.  Kids are going to drink that is a given, kids who drink sometime get caught, that is a fact.  When you are a kid who drinks and gets caught and you are let’s say on the varsity team, you sit out some games, when you sit out some games kids get called up from the varsity reserve team and from jr varsity, I get that.  However what I don’t like fact that when you get caught drinking and you move kids from one team to another that the kids shuffle to make a team pulling kids from vr and jv to come up and populate the team.  I think instead of moving kids around for these game that the games should have been forfeit.

Daily Dose of BS May 15 wannacry

Over the weekend the "Wannacry" computer virus crippled hundreds of thousands of computers in countries all around the world.  The virus is a ransomware that has the hackers demanding money for people to access their data.  The sad thing about this is that it was a malware technique purportedly stolen from the U.S. National Security Agency.  Reports say that the average ask for unlocking your computer is $300 dollars.  That all adds up.  You can protect yourself by running updates, using firewalls and anti-virus software and by being wary when reading emailed messages.  Regularly back up your data so you can restore files without having to pay up should you be infected, as there is no guarantee that paying the ransom will result in your files being unlocked.  

Daily Dose of BS May 12 anniversary

I always hate when people say that they married their best friend.  I didn’t, I married the girl I loved, and as a matter of fact still do.  Sure we have our ups and downs and honestly what couple doesn’t what family or what relationship doesn’t?  You know something, the good has far out weighed the bad, and here is the thing we still talk, I mean we talk and listen and share our lives, I am not sure if that is the secret of longevity but it has been part of the magic of our relationship.  Talking, listening, laughing and having fun seem to be the 4 cornerstones of what makes our relationship work.  Today we are celebrating our 27^th anniversary, or 3 to the 3^rd power (3x3x3), and for us the number 3 has an unplanned common thread between us all, because there is 3 years between us, 30 years between Macia and Hayden our oldest, 30 years between me and Zak our middle son, 3 years between each of the kids and 3 minutes between the twins, here’s hoping for the best year ever.  

Daily Dose of BS May11 advice

I have been spending lots of time and having some heart to hearts with my 18 year old as he gets ready for after graduation.  I think he will do just fine, he was named co-technology and engineering student of the year at an awards ceremony.  Ever thought about what is the best advice you ever got?  Try hard, don’t look back, look to the future, but don’t wish your life away, DREAM. You know as a Dad you can learn a lot by just listening, but sometimes I have a hard time turning off my interview mode from work, where I have to keep conversations going, I sometimes get accused of grilling him and the other kids. My response is if you answered in more than just one word answers or grunts conversations would be just that a conversation. What are some of the gems you got from your parents when they thought you weren’t listening? I always remember don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty cause you can always wash them.

Daily Dose of BS May 10 fbi fired

The big news around Facebook last night and I am assuming the coffee machine this morning is that Donald Trump has fired James Comey as FBI director.  I guess I thought that the President could fire anyone that he wants.  I think that it looks bad that the Comey gets fired when he is looking into Russia’s influence over the election but I also don’t get why a federal agency is looking into this anyway.  Here is what I mean don’t you think that a nonpartisan group of people should be looking into these types of things, a group that won’t feel the pinch for their job when they uncover stuff.  I think that most of the stuff that is happening in Washington is corrupt, and that there are things that are going on and that have been going on for decades that when uncovered will creep you out.   

Daily Dose of BS May 9 social media

I could see social media blocking becoming a thing.  Four schools in Madison are undergoing a test between now and the end of the school year, these four schools are blocking access via the free public wi-fi for social media apps including Snapchat, Facebook, Twitter, Instragram and about 30 other social media apps that are a drain on not only our children’s time but many adults as well.  They are hoping that this experiment will help kids who are disengaged in school to perk up and pay more attention to the world around them.  We have all seen kids and adults walking with their eyes glued to their devices.  I personally think that this is a great idea, maybe turning it on during lunch for kids to “catch up” then back off.  I think of it as when I am eating Doritos and can’t stop bringing the bag into the other room and leaving it there to put the temptation out of reach.  

Daily Dose of BS May 8 leftovers

I know some people who don’t eat leftovers, I on the other hand like leftovers, no meal planning and a quick grab and heat meal on a busy day.  In our house hold there are 5 of us living there and everyone has a different schedule.  We try to get together and have family meals as often as we can, and that is at least 1x a week, the past week however was a bit different, I don’t think that we all sat down and had a meal together at all.  Weird how some of the things that you used to do every day and things that you have taken for granted have slip from the grasps of your fingertips, not for lack of trying but because we are busy being busy.  With one of our children getting ready to embark on the next stage of his life graduating from high school later this month, and the twins starting drivers ed, I guess onward and upward.  If your life is changing, and I know that it is because our lives always change, take the time to slow it down, and think back to and enjoy the memories you had, but don’t think of them as leftovers but chapters of your life.  

Daily Dose of BS May 5 repeal of Obamacare

Here is a big shocker that the Wisconsin House members voted along party lines.  In a house vote that saw a 217-213 vote of the repeal of Obamacare, the 5 republican Congressmen voted for the repeal while the 3 democratic Congressmen voted to keep Obamacare.  Congressman Kind said, "Never before in our nation's history has a Congress and Administration offered a health care reform bill that instead of lowering the uninsured rate actually increases the number of uninsured individuals by 24 million people”.  The bill ends the tax penalties that the affordable care act law imposed on people who didn't buy health insurance and on larger employers who don't offer coverage, this legislation also replaces Obama's subsidies for people buying individual policies with tax credits.  A couple of things that It retains from Obamacare is the requirement that family policies cover grown children up to age 26 as well as varying premiums based on gender.

Daily Dose of BS May 4 bikes

I am all for people riding their bikes, really I am.  However, yesterday afternoon during rush hour there was a bicyclist riding his bike on Lang Drive, he was in the right lane, close to the white line.  I am pretty sure that you need to give a bicyclist at least 3 feet when they are pedaling and most drivers were giving him more than 3 feet, they were giving him the entire lane, pushing traffic over the left lane until they passed the guy then the mad rush to get back to the right lane.  On a stretch of road like Lang Drive isn’t a bicyclist supposed to ride on the sidewalk rather than on the street?  Isn’t this the reason that we spent extra money on that stretch of road so that the walkers and the bikers can share some space together rather than a person on a bike causing a bit of traffic?  Also aren’t people on bike supposed to follow the rules of the road?  How many times have you seen a person on a bike pedal through a stop sign? 

Daily Dose of BS May 3 be that person

Be that person.  We have people in our lives some of them are good for us others are not, and still others slide in and out of our lives.  I had an encounter with one yesterday.  I heard water dripping in the basement yesterday after work, I went to access the situation and found a pin prick hole in one of the copper pipes leading to the non-working water conditioner.  I turned off the water and went to the hardware store to ask what could be done to fix it, the guy gave me an idea for a temporary fix but said call a plumber.  I only know one plumber, so I called him, and surprisingly he answered his phone.  He came by after work and fixed my pipe and we ended up talking for a few hours after that.  We all need people in our lives be the person who makes the difference and helps when needed.  

Daily Dose of BS May 2 school start

Thirty years ago, I graduated from high school, this year brings my class reunion and I am looking forward to BS’ing with those that I went to school with.  I had one of those birthdays that could go either way, I could have graduated in 86 or 87 since my birthday fall on August 29 my parents chose to hold me back a year.  I for one am glad that they did.  Back to the reason I brought this up, La Crosse school board is backing the repeal of the state of Wisconsin’s September 1^st school start requirement.  The school district wants to start school earlier because of the kids are already competing with sports and that the kids in football already have a few games under their belts by the time that school starts.  If the law gets repealed that district has more control over the calendar and more flexibility in planning the school year.  I get it, but I tell you what, I for one am glad that I didn’t ever have to go to school on my birthday.  

Daily Dose of BS May 1 drugs

In yesterday’s La Crosse Tribune they had an informative story on Drugs, by the numbers.  Alarming numbers.  For example, 2,944 were hospitalized at Gundersen for addiction or abuse, that Tri-State Ambulance and the La Crosse firefighters administered Narcan to 186 people last year.  The article said that in La Crosse County 25 people died of overdose, and that of the high school students surveyed that 1.5 % have taken meth in the past month and that 1.3% have used heroin at least once.  These numbers are real and the problem is not going away.  In the past month, there has been a couple of shootings in La Crosse, there have been robberies and home invasions.  When I moved to La Crosse in 1992 sure there were drugs but the biggest problem facing our future then was alcohol and alcohol abuse.  Now we still have people over consuming and now taking dangerous drugs as well.  How can we stop it?