Daily Dose of BS Dec 28 2012

Fitting as we have snow falling this morning in La Crosse, people are slip sliding around corners and at stop signs, the year is wrapping up and many are off after today until Wednesday.  I remember when I was a kid the last day of school before the Christmas break I would always say see ya next year, I thought I was funny back then as well, and some wisenheimer would do doubt yell back not if I see you first, everyone would laugh and go on our way.  At the end of each year I tend to be reflective of the year, the year 2012 for me has been great, I have had ups and downs, but if I were to rate the year for me personally I give it an A-.  I have been blessed.  Time to raise our glasses or coffee mugs and toast the year that was and again for the year to come, cheers.  

Daily Dose of BS Dec 27 random musings

Went to a big box store yesterday to return two gifts, I walked in gave the person working the two receipts, swiped my card and was on my way.  I was surprised about how easy it was to do, and how quickly it was taken care of.  Speaking of how quickly things get done, remember awhile back when I talked about the f word being written on a street sign, well it is still on the sign.  Any ideas on who I can talk to about getting that sign replaced or at least written over?  And finally on my mind as I have gotten older I haven’t been as much in the need column of things and if I want something I usually go out and buy it, sometimes feeling buyer’s remorse afterward, I never used to be a fan of gift cards but as I think about it now, it makes life a bit easier because if I keep the restaurant ones in a pile and the store ones in another and when I want to go for lunch or dinner I grab a gift card and go, same for the other ones.  Finally is it ok to regift? 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 26 Fiscal Cliff

Got on my boots, getting ready to start the decent of the fiscal cliff, so little progress has been made on this, with congress and the senate reconvening today I hope that some compromise is going to be made.  I really don’t get this many millions of lives are at stake here, I mean there are so many of us living pay check to pay check with no end of the financial pain in sight.  It is kind of scary, I was watching a tivo’ed show over the Christmas break about the working homeless, I am guessing that if we slide over the fiscal cliff and any one of us get a bump it will put us that much closer to being part of that working homeless group.  It is too bad that we have allowed ourselves to be so dependent on the government; I mean we are all waiting to see what will happen.  On my way in to work this morning I heard about something new to think about The Alternative Minimum Tax or sometimes referred to as AMT and how if it expires we are all going to be in a world of hurt.  

Daily Dose of BS Dec 24 Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas.  Before this year I have always just said Merry Christmas and got upset by those that said anything different.  During the past week I have had the chance to talk with many people about this and a few church leaders about the saying of Merry Christmas.  Rabbi Saul Prombaum I think said it best, that we are all so politically correct these days, that we let the little things bug us, and I agree, we let the little things get under our skin, what one person says or doesn’t say isn’t going to make or break my day or my life and why should I let it.  When I was finished with my interview with Saul he looked me right in the eye and said Merry Christmas my friend then gave me a hug.  I think that we all need to take a page from that act of friendship, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Seasons Greeting  and hopes for a great New Y ear to all my friends, and family including my facebook followers and listeners.   

Daily Dose of BS Dec 21 Mayan Calendar

Doom and gloom, nah sayers, and wishers of no good it didn’t happen.  Many went to bed last night wondering if we would wake up this morning, I hate to pop your bubble but the world did not end.  I feel bad for those who were counting on the Mayan Calendar to be right.  I think that they either got bored making the calendar or lost the next part.  Would you really want to know when the world is going to end?  I can think of at least a dozen days that have come and gone where I have heard that this is going to happen or that is going to happen, but really, I think if you live your life to its fullest each and every day, take advantage of opportunities that are put your way and try to smile and pass on your knowledge by either teaching, or mentoring you doing well.  Holding grudges is a waste of time and so I worrying, I am not saying I don’t do these things but I do try to live it.  Have a great day and a super weekend.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 20 Snow Day

Got an automated call last night on my home phone just after 9 and email and a call to my cell phone about 9:30 to let me know that there was going to be no school this morning, as of the moment of phone call there was no snow.  I woke up about 3:30 this morning so that I could shovel my car out, there was barely 3 inches of snow, wet and heavy snow.  The snow was still falling as I drove in to work this morning, there were 2 spots where I slid a little but for the most part, I was able to navigate the snowy roads well.  I live on a side street but right off the snow routes so the only non-plowed roads I drove in on this morning were my alley, about a block and a half of sidestreet and the back road that leads to the radio station.  Snow plow drivers were out in full force doing a great job.  Remember if you are heading out in this snow or any of the future snows we are going to get, give the plows their room, drive slowly and pay attention. Even though the shoe didn’t fall during the overnight, kids are off today, so be looking for kids running around enjoying the white blanket of snow.

BS ETIQUETTE FOR THE OFFICE CHRISTMAS PARTY:

This week is one of the most popular for corporate holiday get-togethers, so keep these rules in mind …
✗ Do NOT mention how nice it is to have a boss who can play Santa … without padding.
✗ Do NOT ask the CEO’s wife, “Would it be OK if I touch your hair?”
✗ DO try to act with dignity, decency, and decorum… even if you are a lawyer.
✗ Do NOT attempt to do a cannonball … into the eggnog.
✗ Do NOT whip out your iPhone and show hilarious pictures you took of your daughters playing in the bathtub … especially if your daughters are 22 and 19.
✗ Do NOT recommend to the boss that she mix her Chivas with Slim-Fast.
✗ Do NOT attempt to appear festive by wearing mistletoe … on your lampshade.
✗ Do NOT at any point display your exotic (or erotic) dancing skills, particularly if they involve a less-than-smooth move called ‘Wangham Style’.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 18 Guns

I think we need more gun control because it has clearly worked in the war on drugs.  I know that when we make something illegal that we no longer do it or want it look at how well prohibition worked.  You can't buy Sudafed for a cold without a note from your mommy, but if you are using it for something illegal you can get as much of it as you want.  Some fireworks are illegal in Wisconsin and Minnesota and we never ever see any of the illegal ones lit off do we.  How about crack, meth, cocaine, heroin, and you can't forget about marijuana I am sure that making those illegal made them more difficult to obtain, right.  If we make guns illegal the law abiding citizens won't have them to protect or to hunt, but I bet that the criminal element has a guy that they could get one if they need.  If we start tightening down on guns the people who are selling legally, and obtaining them legally I think that would be a slippery slope.  What about video games, they are so real now a days, what happened to Donkey Kong, Pac Man and Tron?  I think that the child of today has been desensitized to the killing of characters on the video games that they have no issues with the real thing.  Maybe we should look into this.

Some more BS

• The average person’s DNA has 400 flaws. (We’re all far from perfect.)
– BBC News
• Lobsters sometimes eat each other. (Do they add butter?)
– Salon.com

People don’t judge your generosity by the amount of advice you give away.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 17 Newtown Ct

So sad, I really don’t know how to express myself in the wake of the shooting at Newtown Connecticut.  I along with the rest of the nation and the world are saddened by this unnecessary killing of the most precious of gifts, our children.  When we send our kids off to school we are sending them off to get the foundation, the foundation of life, we expect that when our children are off at school that they are safe, and in good hands, and from what I can see this is truly the case, there are however some cracks in the armor unexpected cracks.  Who could have guessed that a crazed 20 year old would have picked last Friday as a day to make his point, what a coward, going in to an elementary school and shooting at kids in a classroom, hell going anywhere and shooting at people, something is not right with a world where that can happen.  What kind of evil can do this?  Why would someone do this?  Does this make me not want to send my kids to school, absolutely not, as I mentioned we are setting our children’s foundation and that foundation is what our country will continue to be built on.  

Daily Dose of BS Dec 14 Reality TV

Dave Hester just told us something I think I have known for a long time, that reality tv is not real.  How could it be?  Have you watched theses shows?  There are many people who are messed up in their minds, and full of drama, but how could they be as messed up as they are portrayed on these shows.  I have to admit they are a guilty pleasure, they didn’t used to be but watching Pawn Stars, and Dirty Jobs, Storage Wars, and Undercover Boss are always fun.  The only one I watch on a regular basis is Undercover Boss cause it is on regular tv, the others I see once in a while on Netflix, really in everyone of these shows, you know that there is going to be drama, an uncovering, some anger, some crying and a lot of hugs and smiles, if the equation didn’t work they wouldn’t do it.  Back to Dave Hester, he claims that the show producers plant valuable items in the units to presumably make the show more interesting. The suit also claims the show rigs the bidding process. Well duh, you didn’t think that this was all real did you?  Reality tv if real would be like following you around for a day, and how much fun would that be?

Safe for the holidays?

http://readywisconsin.wi.gov/news/2012/Holiday_Gift_Ideas_2012.pdf

Daily Dose of BS Dec 13 computers

Can you make it a week without using any computers at all?  My guess is that most of us can't make it a day, from our cell phones, to our cars, to the tvs we watch to our watches, computers are everywhere.  I know I can't go a day without mine, I am an information junkie, I love that I can go to a computer or my phone or a tablet and go to a site like google and find out pretty much anything I want right at my fingertips, if I want to hear a certain song, watch a clip of tv or read a passage of a book, I could find just about anything I would ever want right there.  My job has come a long way from when I started in 1987, we used to play records and carts and recorded on to a reel to reel deck, we used razor blades almost every day and I will bet if you knew a radio person from before 1992 I will bet that if you asked them they carried a razor blade in their wallet.  (for cutting tape in case you’re wondering)   Now the last two radio groups that I have worked for don’t even have record players, cart machines or reel to reel decks and none play music off cd any longer, it is all computerized.  I bet your job is different now than it was 20 years ago as well.  Here’s to the past, the present and the future.  What could possibly be next?

Daily Dose of BS Dec 12 right to work states

I heard this morning on the way to work that Michigan is now a right to work state.  I have never been in a union so I don’t get it.  I am not too sure I like someone telling me how to vote or where my money is spent.  The definition from the National Right to work website is A Right to Work law secures the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union. However, employees who work in the railway or airline industries are not protected by a Right to Work law.  To me this makes since.  If you want to support it do so if not, why should you have to?  I guess it falls into my basic beliefs, like if you are don’t like someone don’t hang out with them, if you don’t like your job quit, if an apple is bruised or a grape is squishy, or the toast is burnt don’t eat it grab something else, oh yea and life is too short to drink crappy beer.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 11 Rotary Lights

While walking through the Rotary Lights last night I was taking in the beauty of the season, the freshly fallen snow the Santa Claus, the football player, the dragon, the sounds and the 2.6 million lights.  I read the La Crosse Tribunes article on Sunday that said in its title “Religious display? City says Rotary Lights do not cross line separating church and state” I agree, I think that this is a nice display of many service groups getting together to light up riverside park.  With a mission of feeding the hungry, and collecting thousands of canned goods and thousands of dollars every year, how can this be taken as anything other than the beauty that it is.  According to the Tribunes article Hank Zumach an outspoken opponent of organized religion says this is no longer a holiday display it obviously is all about Jesus his problem: The display is on public property.   (to read the trib article http://lacrossetribune.com/news/local/religious-display-city-says-rotary-lights-do-not-cross-line/article_aacc55a6-41c1-11e2-9577-0019bb2963f4.html) The Rotary Lights group rents the park, pays for the electricity and is an inspiration to most that see it.  Yesterday we went because my 14 year old wanted to go and this isn’t the first time the kids have asked to see the lights, also whenever we have guests in town this time of year we make a trip to the lights, for those who think it is a religious display, I disagree, there are some religious items there but there are many more non-religious displays there, and I think it is beautiful, and a great asset to the community because of the smiles it brings. 

Bad toys

Advocacy group ‘World Against Toys Causing Harm’ (WATCH) has just published its 40th annual list of toys that could be dangerous to kids. This year’s warnings include …
✗ ‘Magnetic Fishing Game’ – A yummy-looking metal lure on a fishing line intended for children just 16-months-old … what could possibly go wrong?
✗ ‘Bongo Ball’ – Children as young as 3-years-old are encouraged to climb inside this colorful inflatable ball. No mention of how they’re supposed to breathe.
✗ ‘Dart Zone Quick Fire 12 Dart Gun’ – It’s all fun and games until someone loses an eye.
✗ ‘Spinner Shark 4-Wheel Kneeboard’ – The product’s own instructions warn: “Kneeboard riding can be a hazardous activity.”
✗ ‘Explore & Learn Helicopter’ – Said to reward ‘baby’s curiosity’ … with a cord measuring approximately 24-inches-long.
✗ ‘N-Force Vendetta Double Sword’ – A 4-and-a-half foot long weapon that comes with the warning: “Do not poke or swing at people or animals.” Gee, can’t imagine kids ever doing that.
✗ ‘Water Balloon Launcher’ – It’s actually marketed as having the capability to shoot water balloons at speeds of up to … 75 mph.
✗ ‘Power Rangers Super Samurai Shogun Helmet’ – This headgear includes an attachable ‘crown’ with pointed, rigid plastic tips as long as 9 inches.
✗ ‘The Avengers Gamma Green Smash Fists’ – Oversized fists to enable 3-year-olds to ‘smash everything that gets in the way!’. Are cute little brass knuckles also being developed?
✗ ‘Playful Xylophone’ – Tots as young as 12-months-old are encouraged to use an unattached slender, 5-inch long wooden dowel as a drumstick. No one would try to eat that, right?
NET: http://toysafety.org/worstToyList_index.shtml
– ToySafety.org

Daily Dose of BS Dec 10 first snowfall

How soon we forget.  How soon we forget, I of course am talking about driving in the snow, yesterday while out I noticed that people do not remember how to drive in the snow.  I rode with my son to see how he did and how his truck handled in the snow, btw he did well his truck did not.  We will have to get some weight for the back of the truck.  But while driving down Mormon Coulee people do not remember how to drive, one young driver sped by us like we were racing at the La Crosse Fairground Speedway, my 17 year old son said I bet that person causes an accident.  I am glad that he is noticing that a car can be dangerous.  While driving into work today and every day, remember to be careful, not take chances and by all means quit texting.  With the snow came some other events like shoveling and salting, and if you wanted to be young again snowball fights, forts and snowmen, my kids made a huge snowman last night it was over 7 feet tall and took snow from all over the yard, they rolled from the back yard to build in the front, the snowman was huge with arms, and a face, the reason I say was huge, is that between 815 last night and 445 this morning someone knocked over and smashed the head of the snowman, that was mean Mr Grinch.  

Cyberstalking to the nth degree

I am deeply disturbed by this story.  I can't believe that this is going on.  Cyber and phone stalking

Daily Dose of BS Dec 7 What the Fa-riday

It’s a what the Fa-riday I walked out the door this morning without my breakfast, I remembered that I forgot it about 2 blocks from home and decided not to go back home to get it.  Learned last night from a friend of mine that people are milking the system, I know big shock right, but was told that some people he works with have kids with their significant other but are not married, because they are not married the girlfriend and the child are on badgercare, and food stamps, the guy gets hit with child support but it doesn’t matter as he and his girlfriend are living together like a married couple.  I am not super sure on all the details but to me it seems as though the system is getting milked by this.  I just heard a news story about who you need to tip and how much.  Ok when people are doing their jobs do you need to tip?  I do understand when you go out for dinner and someone is bringing you food and making sure that everything is ok, albeit they always come by and ask how things are when your mouth is full but at least they are checking on you.  Since when do other types of business need to get tipped for doing their job?  Do we tip the weather guy for telling us it is going to be sunny, the dj for playing the song you want, the gas station attendant because the price of gas dropped?  Do you tip the bus driver for getting you to your destination?  Let’s stop the madness. 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 6 teaching

I am friends on facebook with lots of people I went to high school with and at least one of my high school teachers, I’m not sure if they remember or not that I was not a great student, or remember that I was not one who loved school too much, in fact I hated english and social studies and I now talk for a living.  I am guessing that not many students loved school, my oldest is a senior this year and senioritis has hit hard.  The reason I bring this up is that I would have never thought that teaching would be something that I would like, besides being a dad that is, but anyone who is a parent is a teacher rather you like it or not.  A friend of mine owns a radio school in La Crosse and a few years ago he asked me to fill in when he was going to be gone a day here and a day there.  I never thought I would like it but I love teaching, since then I have had opportunities to teach more than just radio also, I have got to share some knowledge that I have picked up about improv as well.  I guess it goes to show if you have a passion for something, you can help others to understand it.  I do not think I would be able to do it every day, but teaching a few days a month has been a great outlet, if you are a teacher, thank you for spreading your gift. 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 5 non holiday gift giving

We have too much….we all do, that is why it is hard to gift give.   If I want something I will find a way to get it rather than wait for either Christmas or a Birthday.  I am guessing that most of us do the same, which is why we have so much credit card debt.  Many times though out the year we are surprised by the good that people do and shocked when doors are opened or when we get a dozen roses or a candy bouquet just because, maybe that is how gift giving should be.  Instead of giving on the expected days, be a surprise giver and celebrate the holidays with your friends and families but gift at different times of the year.  This way we are spreading our dollars out when we can afford them, don’t over extend ourselves and can bring a smile at a different unexpected time, for example if you have a lunch with someone and they surprise you by buying they could say happy day, gift back or pay it forward.  I think we may be onto something here. 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 4 graffiti

I saw some graffiti yesterday that rattled in my mind since I saw it, someone wrote in black marker on a street sign on West ave the F word then God under it.  Is this someone who is going through a hard time right now, a believer that has hit a snag?  Someone who needs a hug?  Seeing this really bugged me to see this, first of all because it is blasphemous which means in its rawest form A contemptuous or profane act, utterance, or writing concerning God or a sacred entity.  Secondly this upsets me because kids will see this graffiti and repeat it without knowing what they are saying, thirdly because it is defacing property.  I am not here today to argue the existence of God or not.  I am not a fan of when people push their beliefs on others, either way.  We need to learn how to respect and to argue fairly, all too often we try to change others by yelling the loudest or slamming your beliefs, this is not the way to do it.

James Bond Music beat mixed

Bond, James Bond

Daily Dose of BS Dec 3 Toilet Paper

I use coupons when I shop, it doesn’t bother me to do it, my kids started watching this extreme couponing show and wow, these people are hoarders.  Who in their right mind needs 57 bottles of bbq sauce?   I love bbq sauce but would never go through that many bottles even in a decade.  Enough of the madness.  These shows got me thinking about buying multi products just because they are on sale or because you have a coupon, what about the toilet paper, you know the latest charmin commercials have bears in the woods using toilet paper, what ever happened to Mr Whipple and please don’t squeeze the charmin.  Is toilet paper embarrassing to buy?   I don’t think so, but you don’t need to buy 50 packages of 100 rolls do you.  Toilet paper is a necessity and a necessity that you can't skimp on, if you buy crappy toilet paper you may be touching what you are trying to wipe away.