Daily Dose of BS May 3

You’ve heard the old nursery rhyme rain, rain go away come again some other day.  Or its raining its pouring the old man is snoring he bumped his head and went to be and couldn’t get up in the morning.  I smile when I hear those old nursery rhymes.  They bring me back to a less busy time in my life, when it was fun to play in puddles, when you actually went outside to get wet rather than curse the fact that it is raining.  I am sure if you look back you used to enjoy a good rain.  I for one love the fresh smells right before a gentle rain or the greening of the earth after the pounding of a good rain storm.  It is funny I really don’t recall if we had much rain in April because the cool temps that we had at the end of the month after the beautiful weather we had at the beginning of the month skewed my perception of the weather.  But I do know we have had some big rain producing storms so far this month.  I think next time there is a gentle rain we should go out and celebrate the life that water brings us.

Daily Dose of BS May 2

They say judge not lest ye be judged.  I am sorry to say we are all judges, and juries as we all judge and try people on a fairly regular basis.   My friend Amy posted today as her post “Today, I will judge nothing that occurs. I will not classify, define, or label or analyze. I will shed the burden of judgement.”    I am ashamed of myself for taking in stray conversations and putting together my own assumption of what happened with the Sara Hougom murder in LaCrosse.   I am sorry for the passing of my theory to a few others.  I did keep my thoughts off the radio and for that I am happy, but am mad at myself for judging at a time when I should not have been.  You know what happens when you assume, you make an ass out of you and me and we have all been down that road a few times in our lives.  I am happy that the La Crosse Police have cracked the case of both the drive by and the senseless murder of a 20 year old college student.  I was sickened when it happened as was the rest of La Crosse and then to find out that she was killed over a purse, really.  How much money was in the purse?  I am guessing not enough to take a life.  In the LaCrosse Tribune today there was a story about the Hmong community and how they are bracing themselves for a backlash from the community, because the homicide suspects are Hmong.  I don’t get why there would be backlash there are idiots in all cultures and races, want proof look at your family tree, if you can’t find at least one outcast on the tree then I am guessing it is you.   

Daily Dose of BS April 30

Sleep is something that most of us do not get enough of, a study last week showed that we are getting well less than the 7-9 hours we need to be productive and useful.  I for one am one that is lacking in the sleep department.  I did sleep 8 ½ hours on Friday night.  I can’t remember the last time I did that.  It was wasted by the time that Saturday rolled around as I didn't sleep to well, and then last night don’t get me started.  I had tried to go to sleep about 9:30 tossed and turned till 12 or so got up watched tv for about an hour, closed my eyes and woke up an hour later.  Was up for about 20 minutes then back to the recliner for about 2 more hours of shut eye, and that is what it was.  I am sure that wasn’t considered sleep, because recliner sleep doesn’t let you stretch out and let you enjoy a great sleep.  So needless to say, Bob is tired today and cranky.  So if I blow-up at you or seem crabby today, that is the reason, well either that or you just rub me the wrong way, try to remember go with the grain. 

Daily Dose of BS April 25

I must be on a roll, yesterday I talked about the proper placement of tp today the history and my thoughts on softness.  If you have visited any restrooms in your time you know that tp is not built equally.  There are anywhere from one to three ply to your typical toilet paper with rumors of the wholly grail of butt wipe of a 4 ply, I have only heard of such a king worthy wipe.  When I was a kid we had a pink bathroom in my parents’ house it was the 70’s and 80’s after all, and my Mom always had pink tp in that bathroom and blue upstairs in the kids bathroom and white in the basement, I have no idea what they had in the master bath, I am pretty sure they were all scented Charmin (scented toilet paper, don’t get me started) I think I even got in trouble a few times for squeezing the rolls. For my money the Charmin Ultra Strong is the way to go, no rip, no surprises.  The first documented use of toilet paper in human history dates back to the 6th century AD, in early medieval China.  Since then it has become a 2.4 billion dollar business with 26 billion rolls sold a year, it sure beats using a catalog or corn husk.  By the way whoever thought that putting the tube that the tp comes on up to your mouth to make a make shift trumpet, don’t you know where that’s been?  

Daily Dose of BS April 24

There is a question that is plaguing humanity.  A question that makes or breaks relationships a question that gets asked anywhere from 1 to 14 times a week or even more depending on how many are involved.  The question once I pose it, you will immediately have a thought on what I asked, no ifs and or buts.  The question that plagues most people and most families is this.  Should toilet paper go over the top?  Ok there are some butts involved.  Some of you will get this wrong, yesterday I found a funny picture and posted it on facebook about this very topic and from the looks of most of those who posted many think that the toilet paper should indeed come up over the top instead of hanging from behind.  I don’t know why I have such a strong need to have the toilet paper to go over the top, could be my childhood.  When you are in your own home and someone puts the roll on wrong, do you change it?  I do, and if I am putting on a new roll at work I will make sure that it is right also.  Whoever does the changing of the rolls at work most of the time puts the roll on wrong, but at work I can deal with it, it’s not the way I like it, but there are others using it, more often than me.  Let me make this observation about the toilet paper roll then you can judge, if you have it with it going down the back you miss out on the print of the paper, the nice designs if you will that are printed on the toilet paper.  Coming up tomorrow soft and supple or sandpapery paper.  

Daily Dose of BS April 23

Last night as I was getting my clothes ready for work this morning I grabbed from the bottom of the pile, figuring that I have been jogging and working on being healthy for about the past 9 months or so that the jeans at the bottom of the pile would fit.  I was excited since my jeans have been loose the last few days that the next size smaller would be perfect.  After my shower I grabbed the jeans, this is the moment of truth, I put in one leg, then the other hitched them up, ok so far so good, sucked in my gut and came about a centimeter from making them work, back in the dresser for another few weeks I guess.  It is probably a good thing, since I do need to breathe at work and safety goggles are not worn at the radio station, you know it would take out an eye if the button popped with that much pressure.   

Daily Dose of BS April 20

Ever see the motorized scooters at the store?  I was shopping at Menards yesterday for a project we are working on around the home when an old man in a motorized cart swung around doing a 360 in front of the checkout area almost mowing down both the young lady working the front and me.  I said something sarcastic to the lady working something like I bet he got his license taken away but can drive at the store, then said never mind I better keep my mouth shut and walked out the door.  It made me think, who is at fault if some driver of a motorized cart at a store where to hit me?  If you are drunk and on one of them can you get a dwi?  Are they worth a store having, does the amount paid for the machine make it worth the extra spent by someone driving the carts, maybe it is like having the ball pit at the fast food places, if you have a cart the older generation is happy and if you have balls, never mind. 

Daily Dose of BS April 19

The upside down triangle posted on some corners, are called yield signs.  I am pretty sure I know what they mean and how they are used, so I did a search on google of what the yield sign means and had a hard time finding the definition of a yield sign.  There is no good definition to what a yield sign means it is no wonder people don’t know what to do when they come to one.  On my way home yesterday I approached a yield sign and did as I was supposed to do I slowed down looked to the left then the right then the left again, I noticed a car approaching to my right so I stopped and waited for them to proceed through the intersection, they stopped and waved me through the sign and then turned to the left.  I don’t get it, this is not the first time that this has happened to me, when I brought it up this morning at work it has happened to others around the office as well.  According to page 15 of the Wisconsin Divers Book a yield sign means “Slow down.  Other cars on the road that you want to cross or enter have the right-of-way.  You must let them go first.  The yield sign is a triangle pointing down” HUH that is not a clear definition.  Ok here it is as I understand it when you get to a yield sign slow down look both ways if there is someone coming stop if not proceed with caution any questions ask, don’t look it up on google it will just confuse you more.  

Daily Dose of BS April 18

Shoes are something we all wear, we also have our favorites.  Some friends of mine posted this the other day on their facebook “Do you think it's rude for somebody to ask you to remove your shoes before you walk into their house?”  I responded “No, I think it is rude when people don't ask if they should remove their shoes.”  Half the people who posted on their comment “liked” what I said.  It made me think, when I was growing up I never had to take off my shoes at my parents’ house, now when I visit I have to at my Mom’s and don’t have to at my Dad’s, but do since that is what I do.  When my Mom comes for a visit she always takes off her shoes but my Dad never does, weird.  When did we become so obsessed with taking off our shoes?  I wear as my friends like to call them “potato shoes” they are really just slip on shoes for easy on and off.  I seldom wear socks, but I don’t feel weird walking bare footed around someone’s house, maybe it is a bit weird.  A couple of things at play here, are you a take your shoe off at the door person, if so why, and is it acceptable to go bare foot around someone else’s house?  I was able to walk around my folks house with shoes on as a kid but couldn’t sit on the nice furniture in the front room and had to use a coaster for my water glass, now the only coaster around my house is the kid who doesn’t pedal down the alley.  

Daily Dose of BS April 17

Procrastination.  We all do it, some better than others.  I for one am great at it, I have a list of things to do this long and it is growing by leaps and bounds daily.  I don’t know why everyone feeds into it from Moms, and Dads to bosses to the US Government.  The Government you ask, yes and here is why, I understand setting a date for filing our taxes, I get it that people will wait until the final possible minute to do their taxes, but if tax day were say on the 2^nd Tuesday or Wednesday of the month of April it would make more since that way there is no weekend or holiday in the way and no Tuesday or Wednesday holiday that I can think of since most of the date exclusive holidays are mostly religious holidays that we get in trouble for saying Happy this or Merry that to anyway.  I hope I don’t end up being bullied into not saying Happy or Merry holiday in the future, I don’t think I will.  You know I have to write these Daily Dose of BS’s every day, what was the point of this one?  I will have to let you know some other day.  Happy Tax Day.   

Daily Dose of BS April 16

Imagine yourself driving on a road no one in front of you and no one behind you cruzing at the speed limit, not a care in the world.  Up ahead you see a car gliding up to the stop sign, you are about a ¼ mile from that person, thinking in your head they won’t pull out in front of me, they will stop fully and wait the 3.2 seconds that it takes me to drive past them, and then they can pull out and be on their merry way.  Wouldn’t that be nice. It seems as if I encounter every-me-first-idiot on the road.  It usually happens to me on the highway to the cabin, where there is no passing for miles on end and the car that pulls out usually doesn’t have the power to go up to the speed limit or if they do they pull out like a bat out of hell and speed to the very next turn either right or left, causing me to slow down, tap the cruise if you will.  I just don’t understand why it is that people feel the need to do this, these kind of drivers cause accidents and road rage.  This type of encounter happened to me this morning on my way into work, a truck with Kansas license plates pulled out in front of me from the street just south of the McDonalds lot on the Northside and then proceeded to pull in to the McDonalds lot.  I gave this guy the benefit of the doubt since all the tornados that happened over the weekend in Kansas, and maybe just maybe his mind was there, if you are driving use your head for something more than just holding your hat. 

Daily Dose of BS April 13

My daily morning routine is down to a science, give or take a couple of minutes.  On my drive in to work I know by this time I should be here and by that time I need to be there on my way in.  Today I was running 3 minutes behind, I know this because I had a hiccup at home putting me back that much further, I was on West Avenue / Lang Drive through the marsh by Menards and was boxed in, the guy in the left lane was going under speed the guy in right lane was at speed and I was stuck behind it all.  The guy in the right lane finally passed the guy in left when the guy in left lane sped up to match the speed of the guy on the right in turn keeping me boxed in, as I mentioned a moment ago I was 3 minutes behind schedule, I had to do something, and had to do it quick, I saw my chance the guy in left slowed a moment, I hit it, riding the guy on the right, quick left turn signal then gas and go, I made it over and out of the box, at that exact moment, I saw the cherries, the dreaded red lights on top of the vehicle in my rear view mirror, my heart skipped a beat the bead of sweat on my brow dripped into my eye, I checked my speed only 5 over no worries, another check in the rear view mirror, it was an ambulance and not a cop, it was a whew moment for me, I hope for the same luck to the person that was transported in the ambulance.  Don’t get me started on the first day cluster on Hwy 35 heading north through Onalaska. 

Daily Dose of BS April 12

I remember my Mom telling me stories about when she was a kid that around Christmas mail was often delivered 2 x a day.  I also remember the old tag line of “We are mothers and fathers. And sons and daughters. Who every day go about our lives with duty, honor and pride. And neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, nor the winds of change, nor a nation challenged, will stay us from the swift completion of our appointed rounds. Ever.”  For many years I thought that, that saying was the Postal Service’s motto, did you know that the post office does not have a motto.  I am impressed that if I mail something in La Crosse that it will get to the Twin Cities in a day, two days at the most.  The letter carriers have a job that I would not want.  They know going in that they have Sundays and holidays off, but from there a rotating schedule of Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday etc. off so really very rarely do they get two days off in a row.  The senate is talking about doing away with mail on Saturdays and offering mail delivery Monday – Friday, essentially cutting a day of mail delivery and all that goes with it.  I for one think I can do without the weekend mail delivery, and think about the money it would save us as taxpayers.  Also I think it would help the letter carriers have more of a normal schedule.  I don’t look at it as downsizing, but as budget cutting move.  Your thoughts? 

Daily Dose of BS April 11

So when you open your refrigerators is it nice and neat, are things where they need to be?  Fruit in the fruit crispers and the vegies in the climate controlled veggie drawer?   Ketchup is stored in the door next to the mustard and bbq sauce?  Milk also stored in the door leaving the bulk of the fridge for food, from what is for dinner later tonight to the luncheon meats for lunches and you can’t forget about the leftovers or in my case the planed overs for my lunches.  In a perfect world all would fit in to the refrigerator like a game of well played Tetris, with left over space for what is new.   I opened my fridge this morning to what looked like a poorly played game of Tetris, with this box here and that container there, a few Styrofoam boxes shoved into the top shelf with vengeance and a bottle of ketchup placed on the edge of the shelf so the air movement of opening up the fridge will knock it off to a fiery death below.   Ok maybe a bit exaggerated but pretty close to the truth.  Getting my lunch ready for the day often involves a bit of hunting around the fridge for the best mix of leftovers to fill the belly of the beast.  Today as I pulled one of the Styrofoam boxes out it caught the top of the ketchup bottle and splat the unbreakable plastic bottle didn’t break but the lid smashed into 20 pieces on the floor, the ketchup was oozing its red contents out all over the floor the only thing missing was the chalk line.   

Daily Dose of BS April 10

12 minutes, 12 long minutes.  In 12 minutes you could drive 12 miles; you could put together a meal, cook a burger on the grill, change the oil, do the dishes, or get a load of laundry done.  There are so many things you can do in 12 minutes.  For 12 minutes yesterday evening, I pushed myself.  I enrolled in the La Crosse Park and Rec 5k class and yesterday I ran a total of 12 minutes over a 2 ½ mile stretch.  Now I say run with a grain of salt, it is more like a brisk walking speed with arms moving but this is the most I have ever run in my life.  I had one stretch of running where I did 3 minutes in a row.  I know for you runners out there that this is not a big feat but for a 43 year old who never and I repeat never ever ran, this is a huge feat for me, a personal goal.  I am pushing toward the goal of a 5k in the beginning of May with the La Crosse Fitness Festival, I have been training 3x a week and have come a long way (and have a long way to go), as I mentioned here 3 weeks ago when this started that I ran a total of 90 seconds, last week I made it to 11 minutes.  I guess I look at it this way, if you set your mind on a goal and work toward that goal, nothing can stop you, nothing that is except for you.   

Daily Dose of BS April 9

I think I am wearing Magnetic shirts to work every day.  Not that they attract metal but they sure do attract coffee stains, and it seems the nicer the shirt the bigger and bolder the stain is.  I love a cup of coffee on the way to work in the morning, and then throughout the day.  I either warm up the leftover coffee from the day before or use the Kerig for a fresh brewed dark roast.  I use a travel mug for my daily caffeine intake, supposedly with a spill proof lid.  Amazing the amount of spillage that the so called spill proof lid allows by almost daily, the best way to not spill for me is to take the lid off and drink it without the lid, I would but when driving, that is just inviting a bigger problem, a stain can be taken off the shirt with a Tide pen once I get to work, a hot coffee burn, this is a string of swear words waiting to happen.  I suppose I could quit drinking coffee, but what would I mix my Baileys with when I am watching a hockey game?  

Daily Dose of BS April 5

Bananas, apples and oranges good food for thought, and a great way to start the day.  I try to start my mornings with a piece of fruit and a granola bar, nice to tide me over on my way into work every morning.  I eat my fruit and always toss my fruit wrapper, core, peel out the car window.  My kids asked me about this before since I am adamant about not littering, why is it ok for me to toss the food out the window, I say because it will break down and animals can eat it.  What is your thoughts on this, is this littering or is it ok to toss a fruit cast off out the window of a car?

Daily Dose of BS April 4

I have a flowering crab apple tree in my back yard; yesterday it was in full bloom, the smell was fantastic.  I love spring as the grass starts to green the trees start budding and the windows can be opened to let in fresh air.  This year we had a weird beginning of spring with the heat and record breaking temps of a few weeks ago.  The grass in my yard is already in need of cutting, and the weed whacking needs to be done also.   Spring also brings Easter and family. This year we are doing an Easter get together with most of my family at my brother’s house, and we are not having ham but lasagna and we are not doing Easter on Easter but on another day.  I am looking forward to the family get together, as they don’t happen nearly enough.  I watch my kids when they bicker and fight and say mean things to each other and think to how I would like to do that with my brothers in person and not just on the phone.  One lives in the Cities and the other in California, and we are all busy with life.  To be young again and realize the gift of family, sometimes it is not appreciated until later in life.  Another gift this time of the year is the Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, why is it that they taste so much better than a plain Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup?  

Daily Dose of BS April 3

I talked about it the other day about how it is good to hire someone to do the jobs you don’t know how to or want to do.  This past weekend I put it to the test.  I needed some work done at the family cabin and hired Harter Trucking Inc. to move some earth.  Two of my boys came with for the trip and to watch the work being done.  I was amazed at the hard work and the skills of John, the guy who did the work.  As a man who likes to try new things I thought I can do that, and asked about driving the skid steer.  Reluctantly he allowed me to drive it after teaching the kids how to move the skid steer forward and backward.  I timed John and from load drop to going and grabbing the next load to drop, time of 1 minute 4 seconds.  When I did it total time 6 minutes and 59 seconds and my bucket wasn’t even full.  For the amount of earth moved if it was me doing the work, I would still be driving the machine and it wouldn’t be flat.  So again when it comes to getting work done by a professional, when it is a skill you are not too sure of or if it is something that you want to look good at the end, it is often cheaper and less stressful to hire a professional than to hire your buddies for beer.    

Daily Dose of BS April 2

I made it through the April Fool’s day debauchery again this year.  Not a single joke was played at the Schmidt household, and I didn’t even hear of any good jokes until I got to work this morning and saw that Mitt Romney’s campaign tricked him into thinking that no one showed up to his campaign stump speech in Milwaukee yesterday.   I remember when I was going to school for radio and they had a segment on April fools jokes and they talked about this crazy guy from La Crosse that talked people into putting bags over their phones so that the phone company could blow out the phone lines.  I never got the chance to work with Brucie Bumchuckles but have become friends with him over the years of being in the same business, and his prank on the people of La Crosse and area to this day is funny.  I am always happy when April 1^st comes around as it is the end of the joke perpetuated on the tax payers of the city of La Crosse, April 1^st means no more alternate side parking, well at least until November 1^st.  We had fewer than 10 snowfalls this past season and only 2 or 3 would have been affected by the parking.  I am guessing that the parking money helps to subsidies something, I am not sure what, as my taxes are still through the roof.   I wrote about the alternate side parking at the beginning of the season and wondered just how many parking tickets my 16 year old would get.  I am here to say the he got none, zero, zip, nada, that makes a dad proud.  

Daily Dose of BS March 30

Dream.  Two years ago the lottery was huge, not as huge as it is for the drawing tonight but at the time a record.  I was at a bar down by my cabin the night before the drawing and started talking to one of the locals about life and pretty soon conversation got to the lottery.  I told Glen that I am not a lottery player very often, that I only have bought when someone at work collected.  He pulled a stack of lottery tickets out of his pocket and set them on the bar.  He had ten tickets and he offered me one, I was hesitant, I asked him what if I win I suppose I gotta share it with ya then.  He answered no and continued on to tell me that he buys these tickets and hands them out as tips, and that one of them that he gave was worth a couple of thousand dollars.  I put the ticket in my pocket; our conversation shifted to something else and soon after I was on the road and back to the cabin.  That night when I went to bed I started thinking about that ticket and what if it is a winner, what if I woke up as a multimillionaire what would I do with all that money, my mind was racing, my heart was thumping what if I was a millionaire?  When I got home from the cabin I checked my ticket, not a single number matched, but for the 24 hours of dreams, it was worth it.  If you are going out to get a ticket remember that you have a better chance of hitting two holes in one during the same golf game than winning the lottery, but for a buck you have the same chance of winning as the next guy.  And also for the dollar the dream may be worth it.

Daily Dose of BS March 29

Hey could you do me a favor if you are reading this please “like” it I keep hearing from people saying that they read my Daily Dose of BS but never comment.  So if you’re reading this even if you don’t like it please “like” it.  The phenomenon of facebook is just that a phenomenon.  It is how people communicate, get their news, entertaining themselves and also kill time.   Facebook is the world’s biggest website and world’s largest collection of photos.  I spend way too much time updating this or uploading that.  It has also changed how we do our jobs, it has changed our views on things and how we perceive things, when I was growing up my parents taught me to not ask people to be your friends, if it was meant to be it will happen, but every day we get requests from this person and that person to be our friend on facebook.   I bet if you are on facebook that you have poked some people you don’t even know.  I know I have, and it isn’t even the 70’s.  The poking on facebook is harmless but what does it mean?  What does it mean to “poke” someone?  I am I going to get in trouble or get something broken?  Is it ok to poke a co-worker without getting written up, or can I poke a friend without getting in trouble from their spouse or significant other?  And what am I poking with?  Sometimes I am confused and think back to poking my brothers, with a stick.  That got me in trouble.  Has facebook changed your life or perception of life?  

Daily Dose of BS March 28

You are not the only one dealing with this problem.  I was talking with another father of boys and he told me I am not alone, pretty soon other parents where chiming in about their kids and I now realize that it is an epidemic.  Kids just don’t pick up after themselves and if they do it is half assed.  How many times have you heard yourself telling your children to pick up that plate or toss that wrapper in the trash only to either find that wrapper on the counter next to the garbage can or even worse how about finding the wrapper on the top of the garbage can lid?  How much extra effort is it to lift the lid and toss your piece of trash into the can?  And if the can is overflowing, take the bag out, put a new one in and set the bag outside, you don’t even need to take it out to the trash, the next person out will.  Kids do your parents a favor and look to see what needs to be done and do it without being asked, and do it right.  As a parent of 4 I do know that this too much to ask.

Daily Dose of BS March 27

I love a nap.  I get up at 4 weekdays for work, and I have four kids, so life happens after 5 quite often.  Every one of my kids is involved in some sort of extra curricular activities, from sports to ccd to work and life.  If I were to not nap I would need to go to bed by 9 every night so I could get my 7 hours of sleep, and if I was the person who needs 8 hours I would have to be in bed by 8, not going to happen as it is still light at 8 for part of the year.  With my life a 9 pm bed time is not possible.  There are days I go to bed by 9 and sometimes earlier but for the most part I push 10 maybe 11 and sometimes midnight.  Naps are important, without a good nap I would walk around in more of a daze than I already do, be zombie like if you will.  A good power nap will refresh and give you a new outlook on life.  I try to take between a 15-30 minute nap daily.  There are a few days that I miss, but for the most part, most of my days involve a nap.  Some are jealous, others think it is lazy, me, I am just glad I don’t have to go to bed at the same time as the neighbors 4 year old kid.   

Daily Dose of BS March 26

According to Wikipedia “abuse is the improper usage or treatment for a bad purpose, often to unfairly or improperly gaining benefit.  Abuse can come in many forms not only physical or verbal, but injury, sexual assault, violation, rape, and many more forms.”  I write this with a heavy heart today as a friend of mine asked me to write about abuse as she is afraid that a friend of hers is being abused.  I have said many times that life is too short for _____ fill in the blank of anything that you don’t like to do.  When you are in an abusive relationship you think that you are alone and that no one out there knows what you are going through. They may not know your specific issues, but there are people out there that do understand and are ready to step in and help you and your kids out of the situation.   In the La Crosse area people from New Horizons Shelter and Women’s Center are available 24 hours a day by calling 608-791-2600 or 888-231-0066 there is information available http://www.co.la-crosse.wi.us/departments/da/docs/VictimWitness/RrcsVicDomViol.htm ( by googling abuse resources and the name of your city)  As we approach April, child abuse prevention awareness month remember you are better than being a verbal or physical punching bag, and there is help available.

Daily Dose of BS March 23

We are a society that buys things when we want them whether or not we need them.  If you don’t believe me look in your closet or your junk drawer or garage.  It seems like we are collectors of stuff, junk if you will.   I am just as bad as the next guy.  I remember Christmas when I was a kid, I was excited because of the great hints I dropped to my parents, and then made sure I told Santa, and 9 out of 10 times I would get at least some of what I asked for.  Fast forward 30 years and if I want something I go buy it so when it comes to surprises there really aren’t too many, because of that.  We are buyers, not if we need it but if we want it, this is why we are in the financial problems we are in as a country.  Credit is too readily available for people without the means to pay it back, look at our housing problems and the fact that there are record bankruptcies.  As I remember hearing many times as a kid if you understand interest you earn it if not you pay it.  

Daily Dose of BS March 22

The customer is always right.  I heard these words uttered by someone in the office as they were walking past my door.  This was the concept that I have always lived by, even if you thought the customer was wrong, they are right to their face, they could be wrong afterward but to their face they are always right.  I think that businesses often forget these words and the concept of the customer being right is out the door.  I would think as the almighty dollar gets more and more scarce that businesses out there would embrace those words and especially the concept.  I had a dealing with a big company the other day, I called the 800 number on the bill and got sent on a barrage of number pushing prompts, when I finally got to speak with someone, they spoke quiet and being a wearer of hearing aids, it was hard to hear, but the broken English made it all the harder to understand.  I had a question about my bill, it had doubled from the last time I remember seeing it, I am not the bill payer in my house, so when I saw the new double price for same service I was a little perturbed.  I tried to explain my issue and the person on the other end of the line they were rude and kept interrupting.  In my opinion if are taking phone calls for your business, once in a while double check the quality of the people to make sure that they are upholding the mission of your business.  And if you are not happy as a customer switch.

Daily Dose of BS March 21

Break a leg, ever wonder what that even means?  According to Wikipedia “People in theatre consider it bad luck to wish an actor good luck, so instead they wish the opposite, by saying "break a leg!” “   The Improv Group I am involved in Sum Assembly Reekwired is having a show tomorrow night at The View on Highway 16 starting at 7:30.  We are going to be playing improv games like the games that they play on the TV show “Whose Line is it Anyway”.  The thing about improv is that the concept of the games is practiced, but you have no idea where it is going to go, every show is different as nothing is scripted.  Which is why improv is an excellent concept for me, because I forget things way too often.  As an Improv’er you learn to take what line or situation is given to you and add to it, sometimes it works and is funny and other times, well you know.  The number one rule in improv is to say yes and, and as in improv yes and works in life and business as well.  Try it sometime, try saying yes and, and add to the conversation, you may be surprised at what results come of it.  If you are looking for a cheap date please join us tomorrow night at The View, and to my fellow improv’ers Break a Leg.  Daily Dose of BS with Bob Schmidt on Magic 105 5:15 weekday afternoons on Magic 105

Daily Dose of BS March 20

My 25th class reunion is coming up August 4th. I had a goal of doing 2 pull ups by then, I have been working on it for a couple of years, going to Snap, and taking boot camp classes. I am sad to say I will not be achieving that goal, but not for lack of trying. Last year I finished 3 5k’s by walking and made the goal this year to finish at least 6. Yesterday was my first step toward accomplishing that goal, I enrolled in a 5k class, a class that trains you in how to jog, or run in a 5k. If you know me I am not built for speed, and am working on the endurance part of it. What we started with last night was a 5 minute walk followed by a 60 second jog then a 90 second walk repeated many times, with a cool down walk. In my mind I was already crossing the finish line, umm no that isn’t what happened. If you want time to stop and the clock to run backward, jog for 60 seconds. I made it through the first minute of jogging and the 90 seconds of walking and about 30 seconds of the next one minute run, and then progressively less as the alternating hell continued. Only 46 days until the LaCrosse Fitness fest and my new found running skills will be put to the test, only 21 more classes before the race. The nice thing about this goal is I know I can walk the 5k but will push to jog toward the finish line, you know the weird thing about it, is I am looking forward to the next class on Wednesday.

Daily Dose of BS March 19

The crack of dawn comes early.  I am up by 4 most days for work; this is a big reason why I don’t like getting up early on weekends.  Sleeping in on a weekend is usually no later than 6:37.  Yesterday morning I woke up at 5:30 with a panicky scream and was reaching for the phone to call in late when I was reminded it was Sunday.  I was relieved and must have been tired since I then rolled over and started sawing z’s again and when I finally did roll myself out of bed it was 7:20, 7:20 what am I a teenager?  Never mind my teens sleep till 10 most weekends.  I don’t want to pull the when I was a kid card, but my Dad never let us sleep in any later than 8:30 and that is if we were lucky.  He used to say something like how can you soar with the eagles if you are going to stay up with the turkeys or something like that.  I have been an early riser for much of my adult life, and have been late for work less than 5 times in almost 20 years of morning radio.  Usually I set the alarm listen to the news, then get ready to take on the day.  

Daily Dose of BS March 16

When it comes to hiring someone to work around your house where do you draw the line? I hate painting, to me it is way worth bringing someone in who likes to do it and wants to do it. The few times that I have painted, I have stories to go with the jobs, for example when I bought my house I was painting the window frames around the screened in porch with barn red paint while up on a ladder I knocked the can off the ladder and splash, up the side of the house, over the screens and all over the deck boards. I admit it I yelled and dropped the word that curls your mothers hair, my neighbor ran out the back door, looked over to see me stewing asked if I was ok and asked me not to say that word again incase his wife heard it. It made sense to me and we were friends from that moment on. Painting to me ranks right up there with, changing oil, picking up dog poo, doing dishes, laundry and the countless other chores that are out there as a home owner. I don’t mind mowing, shoveling snow, cooking or grocery shopping, in fact I like doing these 4 chores, but where is the line and when do you hire out the job, isn’t that what kids are for?

Daily Dose of BS March 15

I was chewing gum yesterday and walking and then chewing gum and driving, talented I know. These are skills that most of us have mastered, I thought I was in the majority but apparently I can not chew gum and drive. When driving yesterday evening to a meeting I was enjoying the intense flavor of 5 rain gum when it happened, I looked away from the windshield and glanced out the side window at a motorcycle when all of a sudden the pain shot up and a tear welled in my eye. I drew blood, thank goodness I am a garlic lover and no vampires were around. The average 3200 psi bite of a human will pierce your lip and hurt like a found lego at night, or a stubbed toe. And once the lip surface is breached, look out ice water, coffee and every little flavorful morsel you indulge in, it will remind you of the unskilled bite you took. You would think a guy my age and my size would know how to chew gum.

Daily Dose of BS March 14

I was saddened this morning when I heard that encyclopedia Britannica is calling it quits and focusing on digital rather than hard bound information.  It was the 4^th grade Mr Gray was my teacher and encyclopedia was on my spelling list, I can still hear my Dad teaching me how to spell encyclopedia through song it was a song that he was taught when he was a kid and a song he passed on to me and my brothers.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cy2jWJtO3lE Remember it?  It’s the en cyclopedia e-n-c-y-c-l-o-p-e-d-i-a that was a song that was sang around the Schmidt household quite a few times over the years as I had it as a spelling word and so did my brothers.  I bet if you ask them if they remember the song that they remember it as well.  I also really enjoyed reading the encyclopedia especially the year book that my parents purchased every year.  It is too bad that such an icon is gone, but I guess I am partly to blame as I grew up with the World Book Encyclopedia and really enjoyed it but I do not have a set at my house.  What is the next to go the phonebook?  Never mind both the Eagles and Kelly Clarkson sang about the phonebooks fate.

Daily Dose of BS March 13

I heard on the news this morning that men who indulge in sugary pop or other sugary drinks increase their risk of heart attacks by 20%. I have also heard “If 100 drivers cause auto accidents, and they all ate carrots just prior to those accidents, that does not prove that eating carrots causes auto accidents.” I think you can slant anything, words can be twisted to say what you want, any data collected can be spun into just about anything you want it to say or prove. Do you want proof of that? Your proof is every time you turn on a news channel during an election year. How many sound bites have we heard or seen of a candidate taking the exact same info and make it say exactly what it is that they want it to say. After being in the media for so many years, I am a bit leery of absolutes, as there are very few of them unless of course you are in the liquor store then there are at least 13.

Daily Dose of BS March 12

I am lucky to have great neighbors not only in La Crosse but also at the family cabin. I have been lucky my whole life, never have I had the pain in the butt nosey neighbor nor have we had any bickering among the neighbors, if there has been a problem a phone call or conversation has fixed it, rather than a call to the cops, as they have better things to do than to be called for every dog bark or loud radio, ring the door bell, call or text your neighbor. We have no guarantee of who is going to live next door to us, my cabin neighbors probably thought oh great a city boy getting a cabin in the country, I didn’t disappoint I have had to call on my neighbors there as often as I have to call on my neighbors here. I am lucky that we are in the upper midwest and have people who are willing to put down what they are doing to help a neighbor in need. Yesterday for example, my neighbor who lives in La Crosse, went with me to the family cabin and we got my van stuck, I went to the cabin neighbor who was working on his fields to help me get my van unstuck, he did so with out complaint, and wouldn’t take any money either. It wouldn’t have been so bad but this is the 4th time he has helped this city boy out of a jam, and I can’t tell you how many times my La Crosse neighbors have helped me over the years. The more I think about it the more I may be that pain in the butt neighbor. Don’t forget Neighbors Helping Neighbors day coming up April 28th.

Daily Dose of BS March 9

Pat Robertson the televangelist said on his tv show that he believes that marijuana should be legalized. I guess that this surprises me, I have thought about this issue quite a few times in the past, and not because I am a pot smoker, because I am not. I think about the money that the government will be able to collect from the taxes on the marijuana and how the people who are in jail now because of it will be off the tax payers bill, not to mention the freed up courts and police time that is spent busting people for selling, buying and possessing the pot. Legalizing pot will help the country’s bottom line. I think if it is made legal that there should be strict laws governing the sales and consumption of the marijuana. I have heard that it is a gateway drug, but have also heard that cigarettes and alcohol are as well, yet both of these are legal. For these reasons I think that this may be something worth looking into. I however will still follow Nancy Regan’s advice and will just say NO.

Daily Dose of BS March 8

As a radio guy I have been in my share of parades. When I was first starting out in the business 20+ years ago I hated parades. I rode in many in Scottsbluff Nebraska, and when I moved to La Crosse my boss told me of this parade that was watched by 200,000 people. What? 200,000 people come to watch a parade that is crazy. I didn’t believe it, the end of September came and so did my very first Oktoberfest parade, 19 years ago I was overwhelmed and fascinated by this super long, display of endless local businesses and service organizations marching to the beat of a different drummer, literally, dozens of bands, vehicles and marchers in a seemingly endless parade. Yesterday we heard that Oktoberfest USA would cancel the Mapleleaf Parade if the city requires the group to pay $18,000 in new parade fees. These fees are part of a revenue-generating system adopted by the city to help balance its budget. I am guessing that the city will fold and allow the parade to go on with out the payment of 18 thousand dollars. How many business would be hurt if the parade went away? All the hotels would, the bars would, the restaurants in town would, don’t forget about the businesses that sell party supplies, souvenir sellers, the list goes on. If the city wants to impose some new fees why wait until the last second to throw it on the organization, it could be something proposed for the next year, but this year…leave it alone.

Daily Dose of BS March 7

I handed out a bunch of pens at the Family Fest a few weeks ago that had the LaCrosseWisconsin.com logo printed on them. At the fest I ran into a friend of mine Jamie who took one and I joked that this would be your new favorite pen, and she said no it wouldn’t and proceeded to tell me about her favorite pen. I was just joking when I said it because who would have a favorite pen? I gave her a hard time saying what does it make you write better, feel more creative, pay off your bills sooner? She answered yes, yes, no. It got me thinking, if there are favorite pens what other favorites could there be, do people have a favorite pencil, pad of paper, paperclip? There was a guy a few years ago from Canada that traded a red paperclip for a house, and documented his quest. I had the chance to talk to the guy and the concept was pretty cool, keep trading up and finally reach your dreams. Back to the favorite thing though, I could see a favorite coffee cup, or place to sit at the table even a favorite pair of jeans, or underwear but a pen? I guess if I really think about it we all have something weird that is our favorite something, what is yours?

Daily Dose of BS March 6

It is amazing that a fresh coat of paint can spruce up the messiest of rooms.  We are getting that fresh coat of paint from nature with the melting of the rest of the snow and the budding of the grass and trees, I know we are quite awhile away from the full bloom but just the tease of the new colors brings forth the rejuvenated feelings of spring and what comes with spring, playfulness the joys of being outside and the opening of the windows.  Today we are getting a reprieve from the winter with expected highs of 57, time to turn off the heat and let some outside in.  Hope you have the chance to get some fresh air into your life today.  The deeply inhaled fresh spring air held for a moment deep within your lungs and slowly exhaled will do wonders for the day and the menial problems you have in your life.  The first breaths of spring air opening the passages for at least a relaxing moment, before you are back at reality.  

Daily Dose of BS March 5

If you knew that you were going to die in 29 years what would you do differently?  I got an age calculator as an email and it asks 12 questions, 12 questions to your life span kind of weird.  Some of the questions deal with how you eat, your height, weight, and age, how active you are and whether you are a smoker or not, do I ever drink more than 5 drinks in a night?  Am I active for 30 minutes 4 times a week, and a few more questions I don’t remember off the top of my head, but weird that you answer 12 questions and the crystal ball looks in the future to see how much time you have left.  I obviously need to change some things to move that age up from 29 years to 43 years.  I would like to think I am just starting off the 2 half of my life, and if the second half is like the first I better buckle up and hang on for one hell of a ride.  

Daily Dose of BS March 1

Ever seen anyone pick up a beer bottle with a staw? I can do it, or roll a pool ball under the pool cue that is laying across the table? I am intrigued when someone tells me I can’t do something, I try it anyway. Last night I was watching a show that said you can’t hold an egg in your hand and smash it when using equal pressure all around the egg. My kids tried it so I thought I would I used the same egg that they tried it on and succeeded, they cried foul saying that the egg was cracked so I tried it again and did it, they kept saying you did this wrong dad or you did that wrong, so I videoed myself doing it and you can hear the egg pop, from the pressure of my grip. I was thinking that I was the bmoc, till I got to work this morning and googled it and watched many videos of others who thought they had super powers. They don’t it was a wives tale. I then thought that the eat six saltine crackers in a minute could be done, of course I tried it, I couldn’t do it but again went to youtube and saw it done. When people say it can’t be done some accept that answer - while others of us accept the challenge, which one are you?

Daily Dose of BS February 29

You’ve heard the saying once in a blue moon right? I wanted to know what it meant so I looked it up, a blue moon a blue moon is actually the second full moon in a single month. Full moons are separated by 29 days. Because most months have 30 and 31 days it's possible to have two full moons. A blue moon occurs every two and a half years on average. So a blue moon is more common then a leap year, today we are blessed with an extra day in the calendar, today is the 29th of February and is my half birthday. I am 43 but this is only the 10th time in my life that I have been able to claim the fact that it is my ½ birthday, not something we celebrate but remember when you were a kid you would say I am 8 and a half? I couldn’t say that most of the years when I was growing up and be truthful. Think of the lucky people who are born on the 29th of February like those born 84 years ago today turn 21 today, or if you were born 64 years ago you can now drive at 16. We are blessed with this one extra special day every 4 years, make the most of it, do something you will not forget. Try something you wouldn’t normally do and make the most of your day. Happy Leap Day.

Daily Dose of BS February 28

The older I get the more like my parents I become, my Dad likes to point out his shoes, or shirt or what ever else he has that has been around longer than I have. I didn’t think I did that but was reminded a couple of weeks ago when walking through Scheels in Eau Claire when my sons mocked me when we walked past the Zubaz display. My youngest said dad there are those pants you had while you were in High School, your cabin pants. He was right, from the moment I first laid my eyes on the soft cotton loose fitting pants I was in love. I remember wearing my black and white snake skin print Zubaz all the time back in the 80’s and early 90’s then they got packed away because I wasn’t about to toss my Zubaz, when I bought my land in the town of Freeman they came out and became cabin pants. My love affairs with Zubaz has been rekindled and not only are they back to making comfortable loose fitting sweats, but they are also doing hats, shorts and shoes. I will bet that there are some articles of clothing that bring you back to a much simpler time in your life, and if you could put your hands on them and relive the glory days of your life that you would. Want to win a pair? Go to Daily Dose of BS with Bob Schmidt on Magic 105 and comment on the Zubaz posting. The Daily Dose at 5:15 on Magic 105

Daily Dose of BS February 27

I am guessing in all your years of life you have been to your share of trade shows and conventions, right? I have, and every time I return my kids ask me what goes on at a trade show, why did you bring home a bunch of pens, mugs, can coolers etc. They really had no idea what a trade show was until they went to Family Fest that was this past Sunday at the La Crosse center, there were over 5,000 men, women and children who spent part of their Sunday enjoying hearing about many different businesses in La Crosse also taking in some local talent with the two big stages. In fact there were four retired Green Bay Packers there signing autographs to raise money for the Gilbert Brown foundation. The kids had the chance to bounce in the Big E’s bounce house, climb in the police cars and on the fire trucks, I had to try out the fire truck, and the helmet, it didn’t matter your age, Family Fest was for the family. Maybe we will see you there next year.

Daily Dose of BS February 23

Nope, it is not going to be a bad day. In fact today is going to be one the best days ever. I try to have that as my morning thoughts most days. Sometimes I slip and go negative but if I do then the entire day seems to be lost. If I start with positive, then for the most part things stay positive. I was pulled over yesterday morning on way into work, I could have let this shape the entire day, I didn’t as a matter of fact I was thinking about it as the police officer was walking up to my car, I am glad I talk on the radio and don’t have to deal with people in that situation, they really never know what they are going to come up on. I know that I wasn’t drunk or hiding a weapon or drugs in my car, but did the cop? No, multiply my traffic stop by the 10-15 stops that are made each day, and I am guessing that they run into things that they don’t want or didn’t expect on a fairly regular basis. Not a job I would like. This morning when washing my hands, I must have pushed the soap dispenser a bit hard and the soap came out of the dispenser fast and slashed all over my jeans, I guess it is a good way to clean up my act. Again, if this is the worst thing to happen today then it will be a great day.

Daily Dose of BS February 22

Slug bug yellow, whack. I had that yelled into my ear countless times this past weekend, followed by the small but hard fist of a 10 year old and a 13 year old. Even wonder if the people who drive Volkswagen Bugs buy them just because they were picked on as a kid and want the picking on to continue each and every time that they drive their cars? I asked a lady in the Shelby Mall parking lot a few months ago if she noticed people slugging each other when she drove by, she looked at me with her blank eyes and asked me what in the heck am I talking about, I explained to her the age old game of “Slug Bug” she smiled and went on her way, I bet now she drives by grade schools really slow with her hand on the horn to draw attention to herself incase the kids didn’t see her. My kids also play the game “PT Cruiser red no returns” which is basically the same game with a new player. Every time I hear slug bug I tighten up and expect it, cause it is coming. I think I am going to drive by the Volkswagen dealership someday and call slug bug Dad fight.

Daily Dose of BS February 21

I finally did it; I cleaned the inside of my car. It has been bugging me for a while now and yesterday I finally broke down and sprayed Windex all over the dash, the steering wheel, the panels and the windows, I let it soak and went through 5 or 6 paper towels. I also used 6 or 7 q-tips to clean the cracks and crevices. My back window got blown out last year during the tornado and with the tornado came wind and rain and flying stuff, I did a quick clean up when the back window got replaced, but never really got to the root of the mess until yesterday. It is amazing how a clean car will make the day seem brighter, well that and I can now see through my windshield. If I vacuum my car it will seem brand new, well besides the fact that it has over 337,000 miles on it. Heck it just getting broke in.

Daily Dose of BS February 20

Every two minutes we take as many photos that were taken in all the 1800’s.  Over 140 billion that’s billion with a B photos are now stored on facebook, if the old saying is true that is equal to a lot of words.  Most of us have a camera with us at all times, wondering what I am talking about check your phone.  We are becoming chronic over sharers, this is why I quit following twitter, I don’t need to know that you are brushing your teeth, getting to work, or eating a salad somewhere, if you were eating bugs or some weird thing, then maybe I would want to know, but why is it that we feel the need to post every little meaningless thing in our lives to social media?  I mean does anyone care?  Also we feel the need to be connected, do you really need to carry on a phone conversation with anyone while you are in line at the grocery store?  Here is something new hang up the damn phone and talk to the person in front or behind you in line, just smile and say hi.  Your hello may make that persons day.  Could you go a day with out being plugged in?  From tv, to phone, to internet could you do a day, two, a week?  I go lots of weekends without checking emails, on the computer, but feel naked with out my phone.  

Daily Dose of BS February 17

I believe I have earned my right to bitch, I vote every time and I think I have only missed a couple of primary election in past 17 years, and no general elections since I was able to vote. Before buying my house in La Crosse, I floated around for the 8 years from High School to home ownership, having worked in Mason City Iowa and Scottsbluff Nebraska. In both of those communities I found out where to vote and voted. The reason I bring this up is that there are some major things coming up both locally, statewide and nationally, locally there is the issue of a city administrator, statewide is the possible recall of the Governor and nationally this is an election year. We soon will be bombarded with lies on the radio, the tv from the different pac groups and via automated phone calls. I thought that if you signed up for the no-call list that these would stop, they didn’t. They are exempt, nice since they are the ones who make the laws, very convenient, allow a back door for their own agenda. Two days ago I got notice that my election place has moved, I live a couple of blocks away from the South Side Public library and now will have to vote at the Hogan Administration building a whole lot further away than the library. The funny thing is I just did a search of the new boundary lines and people who live next door to the South Side Library will have to vote at a new location also, while people who live further south in La Crosse will now vote at the Library. Now if I forget my ID it will take me longer to get home to get it, leave it to the government to make a simple thing more difficult.

Daily Dose of BS February 16

My dad just got back from vacation he spent the last month in California visiting my little brother and his family, my step mom’s family and just some general traveling. I have asked my dad to stop sending me forward emails, he seems to go in streaks of sending them, I talk to him, they stop for a while, he goes somewhere and returns with a box full of email and he finds the need to send the emails on. First of all I do not have the time to go through and watch every video, read every news story or every joke that he sends. I do like the emails that have some thought to them, you know the personally written ones, but these forwards have to stop. At least someone told him how to take the other addresses off the forwards, as they used to be 4 pages long of just addresses of half of America. Does anyone have any ideas for getting these emails to stop? I don’t want to be rude since it is my dad, but enough is enough, the madness needs to stop.

Daily Dose of BS February 15

Food is the sustainer of life. We all need it and some of us crave it. I am not sure about your family but I am the primary cook at my house, when I was younger I used to make lots of kit foods, easy to put together stuff, from there I moved to Hot Dishes (for those of you that don’t have friends from Minnesota, Hot Dish is Minnesotan for Casserole) I used to work with a guy who had a cooking show and I learned a lot about cooking from him and his guests. The best advice I got was to try “refrigerator door cooking” meaning grab bit of this and a bit of that with a dash of this to make the meal. I have been doing and experimenting with this way of cooking for many years now. I always love when the kids say Dad make that chicken, pasta, chili thing you made a couple of weeks ago. Um, impossible since it was a bit of this and a bit of that mixed with left over chicken from the other day. Most days the breakfasts that I bring in to work are a mix of the past few nights dinner, sometimes it is great, sometimes not so good but for the most part if you start with good and add good to it, good will be the outcome. Remember when refrigerator door cooking if you are in doubt add a bag of mixed veggies, and garlic then at least it will have color and flavor.

Daily Dose of BS February 14

When it comes to romance LaCrosse is the tops according to movie rentals from the Redbox DVD rental company. From number 2 last year to the top spot this year, we collectively lead the nation when it comes to renting chick flicks, funny how the top 10 renters of romantic dvd rentals are all in the upper midwest. I don’t think that we are just known for our movie rentals but also the places for romance in La Crosse, like a wait a minute I am a guy I know nothing about romance. I think that buying lunch once in a while or saying nice things is romantic. I have never been the candle light dinner walk, on the beach guy, and to hear sweet nothings from me is what you will hear, heavy on the nothings. I admit that I am not a catch, but I have a nice smile and a Redbox account. Happy Valentines Day, or as I like to say Happy VD. Hope your cured of it soon, with a shot from cupids arrow.

Daily Dose of BS February 13

I joined the LaCrosse Jaycees shortly after I moved to town at the urging of a boss I had. He said as a radio guy you should be part of the community. Guess what he was right, the friends that I have to this day most were friends that I met through the La Crosse Jaycees. I am also part of other groups like my church, all the organizations that my kids are involved in, and my Improv group Sum Assembly Reekwired. This past weekend I was involved with most of these groups including being a part of the Old School Entertainment show at the Grand Ball Room with my fellow improvers, btw there are many talented people here in La Crosse. After my show I went on a pub crawl with some of my friends from the Jaycees. If you have never done one of these I would suggest you get a designated driver and take in some local flavor. One of the bars that we hit Saturday night was one of the few in LaCrosse I have never been to, Tailgators, a diamond in the rough if you will, a good jukebox, inexpensive drinks, a diverse group of patrons, including another group on a pub crawl and Bernie the dancing bartender. Take in some local culture and be a visitor in your own community, visit like you have never been in town before. As DMI says about Historic Downtown LaCrosse you can apply to the entire city, Look, Live, Love…speaking of Love don’t forget Valentines day tomorrow.

Daily Dose of BS February 9

Social media, maybe it should be called time sucking media. Some love it, some hate it, most of us tolerate it. Since social media became big a few years ago, it seems to be the way that kids and even adults communicate. I am guilty of it, and if you are reading this on facebook, I am guessing you are also (especially if you respond). It has brought out the voyeur in us. How often have you clicked on someone’s profile to see what they are up to, even if you didn’t know them? We can check up on our old friends without them even knowing. Follow our favorite celebrity, our kids, or even the local radio guy. I am not saying it is bad, because it is not, it gives many of us an outlet, in fact I never knew I liked writing until I was challenged to come up with something everyday to post to my facebook account for my job.

Daily Dose of BS February 8

I am set on auto mode in the morning.  I have my alarm set.  I listen to a bit of news, and then get out of bed; I never hit the snooze button.  I have my mornings set to a specific time.  I go from bed to letting out the dog, to checking my emails and playing a game of farkle on facebook.  Next I take care of the 3 S’s, get my lunch, and a cup of coffee ready.  While the cup of coffee is brewing I put in my hearing aids.  I am set on autopilot.  This morning I put the water in the Kerig coffee maker set the mug next to maker and when the last bit of water was pumped through the Kerig I went to get my coffee, guess what I forgot to put the mug under the maker.  The good thing is that the catcher of extra spills under the maker is big enough for an entire cup of hot coffee, so I only had to dump the drawer, lucky.  If that is that is the only thing that goes wrong today then it is going to be a good day.

Daily Dose of BS February 7

I grew up in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes. I never fished. My first time out was with my buddies Tom and Randy about 16 years ago here in La Crosse. I have loved fishing ever since. I went ice fishing about 13 years ago 1 time and it was cold and we didn’t even have a bite, tried it again about 7 years ago and same results. Anthony from Coulee Region Adventures invited me out to try ice fishing again late last week. It wasn’t so cold and we had quite a few bites and I learned a lot. Its not dirty pool to go where others are and to use a hole that someone else drilled, keep your back to the wind, and if the fish is too big for the hole you can drill a hole next to the existing hole to extract the fish. We didn’t have that problem, but if it ever arises, I will know what to do. My oldest son went ice fishing with his buddies over the weekend, the got 13 keepers, 20 over all, my two other boys want to go out and try it also. Living where it is cold for about 4 months a year does have its advantages if you like winter sports. If you don’t do what they say and wait 15 minutes it will change.

Daily Dose of BS February 6

Waffles they are not just a warm breakfast at a hotel.  For the past umpteen years my family and I have enjoyed a waffle supper on Super Bowl Sunday.  It happened when my oldest was a baby, I was reading the paper that Sunday morning and saw a waffle maker at some store, went to the store and bought one and have made waffles every year since, one time a year.  I have turned down going to Super Bowl parties because of the family tradition.  As a matter of fact I was not going to make them yesterday but the kids all said I gotta.  Last year was tough as my buddies had a Super Bowl card party since the Packers were in the big game.  I showed up for the card game prior to kick off then headed home for waffles and the Packers victory.  For me it is hard to watch the game when I don’t know the players, I watch it when my team isn’t in it for the commercials which is odd since I usually skip past them with my Tivo.  What was your favorite spot in the big game yesterday?  I liked the Hyundia cheetah one and the Dorritos sling baby.  I even liked the half time this year, I usually go do something else when the half time is on, there is some controversy over the MIA slip of the word that rhymes with Schmidt and the Flip of the Bird.  I didn’t see it till I went back and looked at it, and had to watch a few times to get it.  The waffle maker is put away and the buttermilk waffle recipe is too till next year when the Packers win Super Bowl 47.

Daily Dose of BS February 3

Ever leave the house without something and remember about two blocks away and then contemplate going back to get said item? I have many things to remember to do everyday like glasses that is a no brainer no glasses can’t see. I recently got hearing aids from Beltone and again getting to be a no brainer, in fact I have been forgetting to take them out before bed every once in awhile. But every once in awhile I will forget to put my hearing aids in. I remember getting my first real watch for my first communion when I was in first grade, I still have that watch but don’t use it I got another watch that my Mom gave to my Dad that I wear everyday, everyday but today that is. I left the house this morning without my watch. It is a weird and eerie feeling being without my watch, my wrist feels light and I find myself looking at my blank wrist almost non-stop. I am guessing if it was on my wrist I wouldn’t even notice it being there. Ever heard that time flies, not when you don’t know the time.

Daily Dose of BS February 2

Do you ever have those days like in the movie Ground Hogs day? When you wake up and repeat the same boring as hell tasks day after miserable day? I know when I was younger and had other people looking over me, I had days like that, gotta do what the man says. Guess what you don’t need to be stuck in the same remedial job, the same dead end place the most boring existence, you don’t need to and I will tell you why. You and you alone are in charge of your own destiny; unless of course you are under 18 then it’s up to your parents. You can get the ball moving in the right direction though. You can not and should not blame others for your failures. Cause guess what it is your decision to do this that or the other thing, quit blaming your spouse, boss, kids, parents, your social standings etc because you can get up and move, take off and never look back or take off and help those in need with a hand up. I have had one good quote in my life and try to live by it everyday so that I do not have a ground hog day moment. As I try to live by, "Life is too short to hang out with people you don’t love, work at a job you don’t like, to eat foods you don’t want and to drink s#!ty beer."

Daily Dose of BS February 1

Those three little words that made a difference in someone’s life. You know the three words I am talking about right, the 3 words that are right on the tip of your tongue, the words that mean more to you if you are in my age group than if you are young. The three words that the young have heard, but don’t truly know the meaning of. The three words I am talking about are, wait a second lets say them together, in 3, 2, 1. Ok here we go those three words are "where’s the beef" amazing what picture those words brought to your head right. You can now picture the old lady saying those ever famous words where’s the beef. It’s amazing that those words were written by someone we may never know, some nameless copy writer that put those words out there for us all to enjoy, like the other famous three words "hold the pickles, or hold the lettuce". Since today is the 1st of February there are 3 other words you should be thinking about since it is coming up in 13 days, you should practice these and make sure you have them down well and can say them with out stuttering, lets all practice saying. "Here’s your gift"

Daily Dose of BS January 30

If you do any traveling you are going to see the inside of a restroom or two.  There are the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to restrooms.  In 43 years I have been in my share of all.  I get grossed out at dirty ones, I am impressed at the clean ones, laughed at the one when I saw the Blue Man Group in Chicago and think it is weird when you go in to one and there is an attendant on duty.  When I went to Jimmy Buffet a few years ago at Alpine Valley there was a guy in the restroom handing out paper towels looking for tips.  There is a joke there but will let it go.  What a job, hanging out in the can and watching people at their most vulnerable.  Not only does that job kind of have the creeper quality to it, your sense of smell has to be shot for you to do that for a job.  I remember when my kids were young and they walked into the home bathroom after use and they would make a comment, they were told it was roses.  It is amazing that telling your kids that as a joke and to have them put that together with practical knowledge for example having the family go the conservatory at Como Park and in to the rose room and have the kids say we don’t want to go in there because they were afraid of the smell of roses.    

Daily Does of BS January 27

The dumbing down of America. You have heard that phrase before haven’t you? I have many times, and started to thing about what is the cause of the dumbing down? Is it the countless hours of so called reality tv that pollutes our air waves each and every day? There are people who are stars because of these shows. Like the Kardashians, I still have no idea who these people are and why they are stars, can someone fill me in? Kate plus 8 to me that equals 9 and about the amount of people that I would think would even watch these shows. I found out the other day that Jersey Shore has been on the air since 2009 and has been the most watched show ever on MTV. Isn’t MTV music television? It was when I watched it. There are shows about Hell’s Kitchen, Hoarders, Gene Simons and his family jewels, huh? I have never seen a whole episode of American Idol, millions of people have though. Why not put yourself out there and be on Bachelor and Bachelorette, I am sure you will find true love there. On your way to finding your true love you can be 16 and pregnant, go Dancing with the Stars, then after you find true love you can go on Wife Swap, there is the new version of this show that has celebrities swapping their wives, I am guessing with some this isn’t the first time that has been suggested. Are you a Survivor?(of what, most of us are of one thing or another) I have to admit I do watch Undercover Boss, and at times I must have been chopping onions when the reveal comes in.

Daily Dose of BS January 26

When you got to sit down and write something everyday, sometimes the pickings are slim, you are scraping the bottom of the barrel. There are days when I have no idea what I am going to write about till I sit down and start typing then an idea shows up out of thin air. If I start typing something usually comes to me, today however I am at a loss, the proverbial cat has got my tongue better yet my brain. I sat down with no idea what to write and as I am just typing nothing is filling in the space the only thing I can type is about how I have nothing to write about, I may as well been a writer on the show Seinfeld, since that show was about nothing and they made a career off the show, if my blatant attempt of filling space was as successful as the 22 minutes of nothing that they had week after funny week, I could have made a living off my writing, but it is not. I wish I had something to write, however I have brain freeze and not a dang thing I can do about it but to keep typing and hope that the old monkey theorem that states if you put a monkey hitting random keys for an infinite amount of time we most certainly will type the complete works of Shakespeare, today not so much just a monkey flinging poop.

Daily Dose of BS January 25

You’ve heard the saying “Tipping is not just a city in China.”  Guess what it really isn’t.  There is no city in China called Tipping.  I grew up in Minnesota, got my first radio job in Mason City and my buddy James told me about cow tipping.  We attempted it after a few bottles of liquid encouragement, the farmer came out with a shot gun and fired in the air, it was more than air that I passed that night.  I later found that you can’t tip a cow, I tried, they are big animals, you can’t moo-ve them.  I have been called frugal at times, by more than one person.  I like to hang on to my money and there is nothing wrong with that.  I do however tip well (at least 20% for a meal, not as much for just beers), I get embarrassed when I go out with someone and I offer to pick up the check and they offer to leave the tip and they don’t tip well, leaving only 10% or so.  I guess if you are getting good service and service with a smile, drinks topped off, and the little glimpse into the life of the person serving you, its gotta be worth something, right.  I have been out with people that pull the tip card out of their wallet to figure out the tip.  How hard is it to figure out a tip?  Move the decimal point over to the left one, if you have a $23.45 bill and you wan to leave a 10% tip it is $2.35, a 20% tip is $4.70, the ten percent tip doubled, and for a 15% tip spilt the difference.  Not rocket science, its rent, a car payment, groceries, etc. 

BS water cooler question of the day

We all know that youtube is huge but how huge is it? 

YouTube users now upload over 60 hours of video per minute!

A really funny but offensive criagslist posting.  Lots of swearing http://imgur.com/gallery/KqIme

Daily Dose of BS January 24

We got reminded again Sunday why celebrities should not sing the National Anthem. If he would have been a contestant on American Idol, he would have been chastised and put in the same category as William Hung, I am talking about the singing if you want to call it that of the National Anthem, by Idol Judge Steven Tyler before the Patriots-Ravens NFL playoff game. Besides Tyler’s screeching, he gave us his best guess of the lyrics, singing "as bomb bursting in air" instead of "the bombs bursting in air." Areosmith front man Steven Tyler's National Anthem ear plugging event isn't the first time a celebrity has butchered the Francis Scott Key tune. I know when I am in the stands of a game it is a hard song to sing along with, but if you can’t do it, don’t. Some other notable celebrity mess ups include Christiana Aguilera’s mess up at the Super Bowl last year, the July 1990 Padres game when Rosanne Barr not only did she sound like my neighbor kids garage band but, she grabbed her crotch and spit after being boo'ed by thousands of fans. How about when Michael Bolton completely blanked out and froze, legendary jazz singer Anita Baker hit a bad note with the National Anthem during the NBA Finals. Mike Eli of the Eli Young Band completely blanked on the lyrics while singing the anthem at a Kansas City Chiefs game. Or Olympic gold medal winner Carl Lewis, not only did he forget the words and sang off-key he had the audacity to stop mid-anthem and talk for a moment stating "Uh oh, I'll make up for it now!" before delivering the final line. Since we are on the topic of the National Anthem, when you hear it, please stand up straight, take off your hat, put your hand over your heart and reflect on what this great Nation means to you.

Daily Dose of BS January 23

The more things change the more they stay the same.  We used to have big cars then small cars then big cars now small cars again.  Records went away with cds then the big format in music, then mp3’s now people are buying albums again.  People used to sit at a typewriter and type out letters to send off, now people are using computers to do the same.  But what got me thinking about how backwards we have become is that lots of us are texting.  I just started about a month ago, I know late in the game, and to me it seems like a backward progression from where we where before texting.  Didn’t people used to send carrier pigeons to send messages?  It seems to me that we are going back to those days in a conversation that used to take a few seconds on the phone is now  dragged out into a half hour of texting.  I find it to be a distraction in life as well as many are doing it when they should be working, driving, paying attention - you name it they are texting instead, in fact I saw a lady at church texting the other day.  It has also made us oblivious to spelling when does l-8-r spell later, or b-r-b mean be right back, or semi colon parentheses mean smiley face.  And the sideways v with a 3 means I love you, It has been a lot of years since I had math class, now is that less than 3 or greater than 3?

Daily Dose of BS January 20

Everyday we get bombarded with hundreds if not thousands of junk emails.  I for one am sick of it.  I have a few email accounts, my yahoo one, my business one and my radio station one.  Between the different accounts and texts and various things that we get everyday I am guessing that we are reading a book a day, and that is just the messages that don’t get kicked out of our message in box from the spam filter.  After the first round of defense, I for one look at my inbox and delete about ¾ of my emails before even opening them up.  Who is reading this email?  Who is thinking this is a really good idea, send our account numbers to some Nigerian Prince so that they can smuggle money out of their country?  Why would I want to buy counterfeit prescriptions from Canada, Mexico or Alabama?   Why is some company in India trying to sell me SEO products for my business?  This type of marketing must be working because they are still trying to get us to pony up and buy this that and the other thing, or to send our social security numbers so that we can claim our 4.6 million pound prize from Google Belgium.  I hope your smarter than to send your information to someone asking for your info via the internet with a Dear Sir or Madam, or a phone call, but  if your not please send your check or money order to Daily Dose of BS 1407 2^nd Ave N, Onalaska Wisconsin 54650. 

Daily Dose of BS January 19

We have all done it, made a line in the sand and said I am not going to cross that line.  I promise myself I will never do..fill in the blank.  I wonder if it is a sign of the times, the society or that we are weak or maybe we make the lines that can’t possibly be kept.  There are some that are hard and fast rules that we should not do, but some do.  Every day we hear of people who have killed someone or robbed a bank or even embezzled money from you name it work, club, church, school..the list is as long as my arm.  When I was young and would get disciplined by my Dad I remember saying I will never yell at my kids.  Guess what if you have kids sometimes you yell.  Does this make a failure?  No way.  Sometimes we make the “nevers” in our lives unattainable.  If you say you will never lie, speed, kill someone, etc.  You can have each of those things happen, at the blink of an eye, with out even realizing you did it.  For example kill someone seems the harshest of the 3 I listed, lets say God forbid, someone runs veers their car into your lane to avoid hitting a deer and has a head-on collision with you, not even your fault.  The line got moved.  As the movie said, maybe we should “Never say Never again”, but instead say I don’t ever plan on doing that.

Daily Dose of BS January 17

I know looking at me I may not come across as a fan of shoes and comfort, but I am.  I am a huge fan of "clog" type shoes.  My love for them began about 15 years ago with a pair of Airwalk's that I bought, I ended up going back to the store and purchased 3 more pair that day.  I was in love, in the past 15 years I have burned through those pairs of Airwalk, when I couldn't find the same show moved on to the Keen slip on (didn't care for that one) then began wearing the the Merrell a few years ago(I wore them so much my friends started calling them my potato shoe, because of the color, they look like potato skins), this has been a good shoe, but can't find that shoe anymore, I happened across an ad on facebook for the shoe “The Todi Original” I looked over their site. (The Todi Original looked to be exactly what I like about the "slip on, comfortable shoe")  Could it be have I stumbled upon the next great shoe?  I ordered a pair, waited with anticipation, when the shoes finally arrived, I was about to burst with excitement, was I going to be in shoe heaven or shoe hell?  I wore them one day, then the next, and continued to wear these foot hugging backless wonders.  From their website “The Todi Original offers insole with the support to help the foot relax and the versatility to gradually conform and accommodate to the wearer’s unique foot shape..a roomy toe box enhance comfort, fit and style”  Could it possibly live up to the hype I built up in my head?  Well if you like the non-tie, slip on built for comfort, with great foot support and looks good as well, I would suggest picking up a pair of the Todi Original.  From www.todiusa.com I am looking forward to checking out the Todi Shane when they are rolled out mid year.  

Daily Dose of BS January 13

When I get a wild hair and want to get a few projects around the house done, it usually requires a trip to the hardware store, 9 times out of 10 one or more kid likes to go with. And when they do go I get called over to the candy shelf it started out as my kids saying hey Dad can we get this box of this or bag of that..as a Dad you say sure cause that is what you do. What started out as the kids asking, became me wandering by those shelves looking to see what caught my eye..even when they weren’t around. The kids started my addiction that I thought was put to bed long ago, the addiction of candy. I like chewy Spree, there I have said it, and admitted to it, that I think is the first step in concurring an addiction. I am not sure if you have ever tried these chewy discs of sour goodness. They come in Five bold fruity flavors: Strawberry, Grape, Orange, Lemon and my favorite the lime..weird since when it comes to candy I usually like the red ones. With a candy coated outer shell with a tasty chewy center. These are awesome, and they leave your mouth watering. That brings me to the reason for this writing. I believe that these candies tried to kill me, they are so good that they leave your mouth with excessive saliva production, so much so that it can be used as a form of water boarding. Now remind me why I like these again?

Daily Dose of BS January 12

You’ve heard of the 411 that is the info, named after the phone call to information.  411, I dialed that a bunch of times when it came out because of my poor spelling.  My parents got mad..it is not free to call 411 at least it wasn’t.. I am not even sure if it is even still an option as almost everyone had a computer or a smart phone and phonebooks really aren’t used anymore.  Today we had our first snowfall of the year..not of the season mind you but of the year.  We have had a few inches of the stuff before today but none that measured to much, in fact I think I only shoveled 2x so before this morning.  Today we will run in to and see multiple instances of idiot drivers we live in Wisconsin we should have the winter driving season ingrained in our DNA, unfortunately it is not.. we forget what that white stuff is every year and every year we think we are driving in perfect conditions with the perfect roads.  Well my friends that is not the case, we have snow and blowing snow today and we also have people that shouldn’t be driving, out there..driving.  So when you are out today make sure to give yourself plenty of time to stop, and turn, don’t tailgate and don’t ride the bumper of the person in front of you.  Also if you are going to be doing any traveling, don’t forget the 511, that is the Department of Transportations info number (and this is a free call), find the road conditions before you travel.  Remember snow means slow.

Daily Dose of BS January 11

Yesterday I combined two of the Schmidt Christmas gift for one big mess. We got one of the brew by the cup coffee pots and some travel mugs for Christmas. I really like the coffee pot, I can have a fresh cup of coffee when I get up, and when I want one later in the day…during the day I am tethered to the coffee pot at work while putting in my hours there. The one thing I don’t like about the coffee pot is that the individual coffees are kind of spendy, and they don’t quite fill up my to go mug that I have with me at all times. It takes about 1 ½ cups to fill the mug, so I run the water through the k coffee filter 1 and a half times to fill my mug and it turns out great. The travel coffee mugs we got are white and have the no slip grip, they are similar to the ones we got last year. You would think that a white cup with a white lid from the same company would have the same lid, not so much…the lid fits and I thought it was a tight fitting lid. It worked all the way to work, when I took off my coat and started drinking coffee at work, damn if I didn’t spill on my shirt, I re set the lid, and a few minutes later another spill. I am blaming it on the lid…too bad the lids don’t interchange. And I hope that coffee stains come out of my Drinks well with others t-shirt.

Daily Dose of BS January 10

Clamshell or blister packaging… the packing stuff that stuff is packed in these days.  You know the heat formed kryptonite layer of impossible to open plastic that stands between you and pretty much anything you buy these days.   I bought a part for my front door the other day and went to open the package with a scissors, I started by cutting around the edges, figuring that cutting three sides should be good, I can then pry the plastic off the brass piece that was engulfed in the wrap.  Guess what, not good enough, I then had to use the scissors to pry the pieces of magma welded plastic apart, finally a small tear in the wrap, success, I can get my finger in the slit and can now rip the rest of the plastic off the piece, well the plastic ripped all right just not off the part, somehow it managed to rip a gaping hole in my thumb and if you think a paper cut hurts, imagine a cut 3x wider and as deep, who ever heard of a plastic cut?  I never have till the other day.  Since we are on the topic of packaging, who is the lucky person who packs boxes these days, ever bought anything in a box with Styrofoam, then tried to get the same stuff back in to the box…impossible.  Or since Christmas has now come and gone, any kids toy is shackled to the cardboard box it comes in with twist ties, not one or two but 30-40 metal shackles like the manufacture was thinking that the toy would try to make a run for it, I am guessing that the toy won’t…I’ve seen Toy Story and toys live to be played with.

Daily Dose of BS January 9

Why is it once you reach a certain age that you think you can say anything to anyone you want? I think that this line of thinking is rude. I ran into a guy that used to call me on the air years ago at Menards last week. We exchanged pleasantries and talked for a bit then he felt the urge to put his hands on my belly and tap it while saying it looks like you’ve packed on the pounds. I told him that was rude and walked away. Well if you know I have lost weight, and been working on staying healthy by doing Boot Camp Classes with LaCrosse Park and Rec. This isn’t the first time that I have had people from an older generation blurt something out that was rude, and when I shared my story over the weekend with a few of my friends they too have had unfiltered comments from people their grandparents age. When did it become ok to be rude to someone? Is it once you reach 80+. Could you imagine if you said what you thought to everyone that you came into contact with? Not only would I get slapped but also kicked and punched …but I am sure I would get a few thank yous as well. Lets all try this, filter out the hurtful observations and share the positive ones…it would make a better place for us all.

Daily Dose of BS January 6

Your going on a trip overnight somewhere….doesn’t matter where next door or across country.  Picture what you have to bring.  Why is it as Americans we feel the need to bring everything we could ever think of for the trip?  You have to pack your toiletry bag, a book, a swim suit, a change of clothes, a laptop,  some snacks, my cpap machine, an extra pair of shoes….what else did I forget?  Oh yea camera, charger for my cell phone, the gps, coffee mug, winter hat, gloves, oh my goodness.   Why do we need to bring so much crap then if there is more than just you, you need to multiply all that by however many are traveling with you, and if kids are along you need toys, videos, games more snacks etc.  We have too much stuff.  I feel bad for the people with those little cars, how do you get all your stuff for your overnight in the vehicle?  I think this is why airlines started charging by the pound either downsize or buy lighter stuff.  Downsize, now there is a novel concept, would you NOT like fries with that?