Daily Dose of BS Oct 30

Over 16 dead, millions without power for up to 2 weeks, cars floating, over 7 subway lines are submerged in water, an economic impact of over 100 billion dollars, and super storm Sandy is not done yet.  My heart goes out to the families and businesses devastated by the losses of their homes, businesses and their lives.  The one bright spot is that there will be many in the construction trade that will be busy for years with the rebuild.  To help our brothers and sisters on the East Coast the American Red Cross is accepting donations people can visit www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED-CROSS, or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 29

We are in the midst of the presidential election and people say stupid things, we hear garbage from all the candidates, I bet if you think about it you can think of stupid things said by each and every person running for office.  We have 8 days left then it all starts again for the next election cycle.  The reason I started with the people say stupid things is that I was on facebook yesterday (by that is not the stupid thing) someone posted “In some parts of the country school is being canceled because of the hurricane” and someone posted “lucky” in response.  Really?  Why would that be lucky?  I understand that some people just don’t get it and some people are trying to be funny, I have been accused of try to be funny many times in my life, but I don’t think I ever wished bad on anyone or was happy for anyone’s misfortune.  This huge super storm dubbed Hurricane Sandy that will be hitting the east coast later today or early tomorrow, will be devastating when it does make land fall.  Walls of water flooding the area, gale force winds, heavy rains and cold weather afterward making for miserable living, I hope and pray for the best.  

Friday night date night...make it memorable

You and your significant other don’t need to go far or spend big to have a special evening together. A few activities you may not have tried in awhile …
✓ TV marathon, 2012 style. Curl up on the couch for the night (weekend?) and plow through an entire TV series you’ve been dying to watch.
✓ Savor the memories. Trot out the old college yearbooks, scrapbooks, and/or photo albums and reminisce and laugh about old times.
✓ Put on your chef hats. Cooking is a great way to get you focused and more attuned to all your senses. Plus, no one can argue with the delicious rewards!
✓ Form your own private book club for two. Read the same tome, grab some grub, and spend the night discussing your deep literary thoughts.
✓ Be cheesy. You could spend big bucks at a wine bar or you could do the pouring, slicing, and tasting at home. Stock up on cheeses, pour some vino, and let your taste buds do the rest.
✓ Belt it out! Download the iKaraoke app, which transforms your Apple device into a makeshift Karaoke machine.
✓ You’ve got game. An adult-only game night plus a bit of sexy wagering could lead to some stiff competition.

Daily Dose of BS Oct 26

Our early afternoon guy Michael Smerconish is going to be interviewing President Obama one-on-one in the Oval Office today.  If you had the chance to sit down with either the President or Governor Mit Romney what would you ask them?  Would you be civil to the other guy (the guy you don’t support) or would you play your political cards?  In your opinion do you like the way that the political process is, if not what would you change?  BTW the Michael Smerconish’s  interview can be heard during Michaels show noon-3 on Today’s Talk 1490.  Every morning I leave my house before 5am to get to work, this morning was one of the few times while driving in that I had to stop at more than one stoplight, I had to stop 3 times on way in I think this is the most times I have ever had to stop this early in the morning (since most of the time the lights are flashing yellow), usually there is no stopping.  I hope the rest of the day goes the way they usually do with no stopping, forward thinking.  I guess that our day is what we make of it, so my goal is like every other day.  It is my choice to make it a great day.  

Life by numbers

A BS breakdown of who we are and what we do …
• 73% of daily commuters do it alone.
• 72% of men have a cookbook, but only 35% actually use it.
• 71% of men feel their dog understands them at some telepathic level.
• 40% of woman have thrown something at a man while arguing.
• 29% of women say they want to be lied to when asking whether they look fat in something.
• 10% of people over age 60 do not have a grey hair.

Daily Dose of BS Oct 25

There are only 185.5 million people in the US on facebook.  That is over half the population, not bad for a company that didn’t even exist 10 years ago.  With the average person spending almost 7 hours a month on facebook that is a lot of screen time for those little ads to make their way into your brain, and with facebook being a public company now they have to answer to their shareholders, meaning they have to make money, you would think a company with over a billion active monthly users would be raking in the dough, I bet they are.  From posts that used to go to everyone to posts that you can now pay to have seen, there is a lot of growth for this company in its infancy.  I started using facebook kicking and screaming after learning and loving myspace, weird now I am not even sure if myspace even exists.  The voyeur in me keeps me looking and the thoughts that plague my mind give me endless topics to post on here on facebook.  Are we better off now knowing that John had a burger for lunch with his bff?  Does it matter that Sally sold seashells by the seashore, you bet it does, the average person has 130 friends on facebook.  I at one time actually knew all my facebook friends, and many of my radio friends have two accounts the work one and the real one, I guess I wasn’t smart enough to do that when I started with facebook, and now I don’t think I have the time to do more than one facebook account.  I think I like the sharing that happens here, otherwise where would I catch up on the snarky thoughts of my friends, both real and online.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 24

Things are easier now than they have been, when it comes to voting.  I look forward to going to my polling place November 6^th many are voting early, prior to this year, I have always been against it but after hearing from both sides decided that it is better for the process to open up and allow more to get out and vote.  I remember when Rock the Vote first rolled into existence back when I was starting my voting career.  I have as mentioned in previous posts in every single election and almost every primary election since I have been able to vote.  As I am getting ready to talk with many politicians and others about the up and coming election I found out about the website http://www.myvote.wi.gov on this site I can go and enter a few things and up will pop a voter profile, including when I registered to vote, where I vote, a sample ballot, how to vote absentee and a vast wealth of other information.  I checked myvote.gov and myvote.mn.gov and sorry to say the federal government and the state of Minnesota do not offer this info by going to those websites, but if you live in Wisconsin you can have at your fingertips the ease of knowing, now.  For those of you in Minnesota I did find the link you need it is http://www.sos.state.mn.us/index.aspx?page=134 if you live elsewhere you can always google it.

POPULAR HALLOWEEN COSTUMES 2012

According to National Retail Federation, these are some of the top-selling prepackaged get-ups so far …
KIDS –
1. Princess
2. Batman
3. Spider-Man
4. Witch
5. Disney Princess
ADULTS –
1. Witch
2. Vampire
3. Pirate
4. Batman
5. Zombie
PETS –
1. Pumpkin
2. Devil
3. Hot Dog
4. Cat
5. Bee
– Wtop.com

Daily Dose of BS Oct 23

I am not a big fan of bruised apples or bananas or any bruised fruit or vegetable for that matter.  We picked apples last weekend in Galesville and I grabbed one as heading out the door this morning and was a big bruise on it, a quick couple of cuts and good as new.  The World Series begins tomorrow, not a big fan of baseball on TV, much better to take in a game with the boys of summer live.  My brother went to game seven of the World Series when the Twins won back in the 80’s.  Did you catch any of the debate last night?  It seemed to me that the commentator Bob Schieffer had things in control a bit better than the other moderators that we have seen, but then again I may be partial since we share our initials and a first name.  I thought both candidates seemed tired and got to the shiny foreheads faster than they did in the other debates, also if you are louder than the other candidate are you a better debater?  We have two weeks to get to the polls, early voting opened yesterday in Wisconsin, and early voting ballots were mailed out a couple of weeks ago, there should be no excuses to why you didn’t vote this time around.  Your vote does matter.  As BS mentioned last night that his mom said, I should say Bob Schieffers mother said, "go vote it makes you feel big and strong".  Please do vote November 6^th, or before.

Daily Dose Oct 22

I wash my hands every time I use the restroom, not because I have pee’d on my hands but because it’s the right thing to do.  No one wants your personal germs and waste on anything that you touch when you are done, and when you don’t wash your hands you are spreading germs.  You have seen the signs at every restaurant that you have ever been to and at every gas station restroom that you have stopped by that not washing your hands spread disease.  I do not want to be the cause of or be the effect of someone not washing their hands.  I saw a news story over the weekend that a middle schooler Jasmine Roberts, hypothesized that the ice at fast food joints was probably dirtier than the toilets.  She went to five fast food restaurants and collected samples, by ordering cups of ice and put them in sterile beakers.  She also went into bathrooms, flushed the toilet once, and collected a sample.  The findings were pretty disturbing.   According to Jasmine she" found that 70-percent of the time, the ice from the fast food restaurant's contain more bacteria than the fast food restaurant's toilet water.”  Yuck now I have to rethink my ice consumption.  Because of these type studies I have quit getting lemon in my water and stopped using the glass glasses at hotels.  Maybe sometimes it is better just not knowing. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 19

Expectations, we all have them for everything from how our day goes, to dealing with people to your day at work, school and home.  Here are a couple of expectations that have been blown apart at least for me, we have all seen movie trailers and have had friends tell us about which movie that you have to see, if “the” have to see movie of the year has a trailer that you liked, you plop down the money for the ticket, get your popcorn and pop and head into the theater to watch the flick only to be disappointed 9 out of ten times at the movie choice, I think part of it has to do with the buildup in your mind of the movie, either that or the only good parts were in the trailer.  Another disappointment that comes to mind is when you make or go out for dinner and order something either new or a returning favorite and for some reason it doesn’t make the cut either something got overdone or an ingredient was missing or your taste buds changed or something just isn’t right with the meal.  There are other expectations that fall thru the cracks regularly too like expecting a candidate to follow through with their promises.    

Daily Dose of BS Oct 18

Magnets are polarizing, so are political campaigns.  When I was growing up I was always told that who I vote for is my opinion and mine alone.  Of all the stuff I learned not to share this is about the one thing that I try not to tip my hand on.  I have opinions and I share them and if you ask my kids I overshare sometimes.  But politically I try to keep those opinions to myself.  The reason I bring this up is that there is a backlash happening right now with people who overshare their political ideas on facebook.  There are thousands of people dropping millions of friends over their sharing and over sharing of political bs.  I have a hand full of these so called friends, sharing their thoughts about why they think that this candidate is better than that one and to be honest I really don’t mind the facts but when people start putting out the same bs that we are seeing and hearing from the political action committees then they have gone to far.  I have not unfriended any of my facebook friends because of their thoughts, I would like to learn how to hide their status’ though.  A couple of questions I pose to you, have you unfriended anyone on facebook or in real life because of their political views, also how do I make it so that I do not have to see all the political bs that they keep posting on facebook? 

Don't be Bored.....be Unbored

If you hate it when your kids say, "I'm Booooooooooooooooooored!", instead of giving them chores to do, give them this book.  "Unbored" is by Joshua Glenn & Elizabeth Foy Larsen (Bloomsbury, ISBN 978-1-60819-641-8) and is filled with things kids ages 7-15 love to do.

Your kids will find movie and book suggestions, ideas for creating a band, and games they can play. They'll learn to (safely) blow things up, create a parkour field in your back yard, short-sheet a bed, determine the architectural history of a house at a glance, decorate their rooms and more.

Unbored by Joshua Glenn & Elizabeth Foy Larsen

Bloomsbury

$25.00

Check out the bookwormsez.com 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 17

Let’s get ready to rumble…it was the rumble in the Bronx last night…ok not right in the Bronx but it was in New York.  I thought that Governor Mitt Romney and President Barak Obama were going to throw down their microphones, take off their coats, and come to blows.  A few times they were toe to toe and the interruptions from last night’s debate were like a family dinner table at Thanksgiving.   The lost look from both candidates a few times, and the refusal to answer the questions directly make me wonder if they listened to the questions.  Also when you know you are going to be asking a question don’t you think that you would have your question all ready to go?  Wouldn’t you have your glasses on and question in hand?   Being a person in media and always looking for ways to promote, I am proud of the Man “Kerry” for mentioning his business name and his buddies as he rattled off his question.  Only 21 days, can you handle it?

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO RIGHT NOW

-Floss. Shut up about blood and it getting stuck in your teeth or a general fear of dentistry and just floss.

 -Watch both a sunset and a sunrise.

 -Sell your microwave. You’d be shocked how much healthier you eat when you have to clean a pan after every meal.

 -Stop blaming your parents for telling you you’re special. You now know it’s a lie, but you can only blame yourself for continuing to pretend it’s true.
 -Read books. Don’t blow your money on a Kindle under the premise that it’ll make you read more. There’s likely a library near you that’s full of wonders … and they’re all free.
 -Leave 15 minutes early for everything.
 -Drink chamomile tea. It’s good for nearly every part of your body. Instead of hoping one more cup of coffee will halt the shaking, drink some calming, honey-laden tea and think for a second.
 -Meet your neighbors. Bake something and give it to them. You don’t even have to talk to them; just give them cookies.
 -Stop pretending you’re sick of something when you seek it out on purpose online. You can willingly ignore Snooki’s baby. Either admit that it interests you or shut up.
  -Learn how to talk to kids. You’ll find out they aren’t little aliens or monsters; and no matter your gender or orientation, being good with kids is a massive plus in the dating world.
 -Catch up on your local news. What’s going on with Miley Cyrus’ hair is important, yes, but it doesn’t really affect your everyday life.
– ThoughtCatalog.com

Daily Dose of BS Oct 15

The robo calls are coming the robo calls are coming.  I am not being chicken little but the robo calls are coming, election day is 22 days away.  I don’t know about you but we have less phones around the house than we used to, I believe we have 4, one in basement, one upstairs and 2 on the main floor.  The phones are like the remotes and the keys at my house, you set them where they are supposed to be and they migrate, and hid under things, like sofa cushions, under the blankets that drape over the chairs, in the fridge, I am still scratching my head on that one.  I did many years ago put the ice cream in the cupboard so I guess the phone in the fridge is not that big a stretch.  When the home phone used to ring back in the day everyone would jump to answer it, now when it rings no one moves even if the phone is right next to them it just rings and rings and rings, and if someone is inclined to pick up the phone they look at it see who it is and 9 of ten times don’t even answer.  What has the world of communications come to?  We jump over hurdles to text with someone and if we forget our phone at home our day is ruined, I have forgot to grab my phone a few mornings and most of the day I am worried about who I missed calls and texts from.  Guess what there are days I don’t even get calls or texts, I really don’t know what I am missing.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 12

Not really sure who won last night.  I think if you are an Obama fan then Biden won, if you like Romney then Ryan won.  I posted on my facebook last night during the debate the question who is winning, and I think since I am in Wisconsin that more homegrown Wisconsin people are my friends that they picked Ryan, if you are listening to this, same deal, you most likely think that Ryan won, I think for just geographic reasons.  Who do you think won, and why?  I will tell you what I didn’t like was the interrupting, by the candidates, and by the moderator.  I feel that this was a tighter run debate than the past debate and I think that the candidates looked more at ease than their bosses.  It could be that they are sitting or it could be that they are not the face for the party but as the secondary face.  The CNN poll from immediately after the debate had Ryan topping Biden 48 to 44% while CBS had Biden winning 50 to 31%.  There are 25 days until the election, and that means only 25 more days of candidate overload and 25 days for you to make up your mind. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 11

3 things on my mind today, well three things that are top of mind awareness.  Number 1 yesterday we heard that the La Crosse Police Department arrested a suspect in the double murder at Mays Photo, I am relieved that a suspect has been tied to this horrific event, I hope if found guilty that he gets what is coming to him. Number two, tonight Vice President Joe Biden and Congressman Paul Ryan face off in what will be the biggest stage for these two men during the campaign, I have to say that I am excited to see what they will be talking about and how the two will match up.  Finally I am thinking about something that Pat Stephens was talking about yesterday at the Rotary Lights press conference, he said that more than $350,000 have been given to the many area non-profits that have helped with the Rotary Lights project, also keyed us in in the new displays and the new Santa Village.  Over 2.6 million lights will again be lighting up Riverside Park.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 10

You’ve seen the Seinfeld episode where George Costanza eats a snickers bar with a fork and a knife right.  Yesterday afternoon I was at a joint meeting with the La Crosse Area Business Club and the Onalaska Area Business Association and I was sitting next to one of our members who was eating a chocolate covered strawberry with a knife and a fork.  Which made me think of other strange things that we have seen over the course of being at different places, I have seen many people use a paper towel at a restroom in order to open the door, people use straws to drink out of a can, eat a tootsie roll by holding on to the paper to pop it into their mouth.  I have some weirdnesses too ask my kids, friends and family.  For one it took me a long time to be able to bring my kids into a public restroom, I hated that they wanted to touch everything, I am ok with it now, but it took me a couple of years.  We all have our weird stuff and it is ok to be different, celebrate who you are and be proud of your differences.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 9

Four weeks from today hopefully a record turnout, I am talking about the presidential election.  Kind of funny when I was a kid I always looked forward to Christmas and Summer vacation, now with Christmas the day comes and goes quickly but the season is there for a while, and with summer vacation a week isn’t anything like getting a whole summer off.  But Election Day now that is a day that we as Americans can sink our teeth into.  We hear about the day starting about the first Wednesday in November (that is the day after election day for those keeping score) and from not only the candidates, but from the pacs and the super pacs and I am guessing if we wait around enough there will be super-duper pacs and maybe in the future we will see the supercalifragilisticexpialidocious pac.  I can hardly wait until that one hits.  Maybe that will be the return to truth.  What is it with these ads?  I was watching a TV show I recorded on Sunday last night and for grins and giggles I let the commercials play, and in my best Gomer Pyle impersonation there were nothing but political ads.  I have said it in the past the only people making money during an election are the political advisors, and the media.  Also why would someone want to be out in the public for people to watch your every move?  God bless them as they seem to love it.  And heck if they didn’t do it I would miss one of my favorite times of the year.  Happy month before election, strap in and enjoy the ride. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 8

I don’t get it, you go to the doctor because you have pain in your back, you get a shot, then you have to worry about coming down with a deadly fungal meningitis.  As of 530 this morning 91 people have been sickened 91 people who went to the doctor’s office expecting to be fixed and 91 people so far, and the potential of hundreds more getting affected by this nationwide outbreak of meningitis.  I understand that this was a horrible mistake made by a pharmacy in Massachusetts, don’t they test for this?  The CDC website lists the names of 75 clinics in 23 states where this drug was sent.  Over the weekend Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio joined 6 other states that have been hit.  In Tennessee alone 32 cases of meningitis with 3 deaths, this type of meningitis is not contagious and can't be spread from person to person.  Prescription drugs making more news today too, I heard a report this morning that said that now prescription drug overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death of people even higher than car accidents.  I am glad when I mess up it is a song title or a misread forecast, and not death and mayhem, I guess when I miss speak maybe you will wear a coat at the wrong time, or buy the wrong song, but not die.  I see why insurance rates keep rising.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 5

What a difference 24 hours makes.  Yesterday at this time I was in shorts, was aware that it was going to get cold, but was in shorts.  Last night while getting ready to ride in the Oktoberfest Torchlight parade, I had to dig out the long pants, winter jacket, hat, and gloves.  What a difference that 24 hours makes, I hear that Northern Minnesota and Western North Dakota got hit with a winter storm with up to a foot of snow blanketing the area.  Way, way, way too early.  This weekend is an exciting time for a bunch of kids and their parents, a learning experience if you will, this is the official youth deer hunt weekend giving children between 10 and 15 a chance to get into the woods with an adult hunter a month or so before the more seasoned hunters and the regular hunt at the end of November.  I have done this hunt every year for the past at least 6 years with my boys usually heading to hunt with a group of great friends in Wonewoc Wisconsin this year my son Zak wanted to try it with just the two of us at our family land, I will let you know the results come Monday.  So if you are headed out to the woods this weekend, be safe remember the rules, be respectful and most of all have fun.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 4

Talk about uncomfortable.  Watching the debate last night, was like I felt when I was a kid getting lectured by my parents, the uncomfortable look that each candidate had when the other was talking was at times hard to watch; from the look around, to the awkward smiles, eyebrow raises, and face scratches I am sure that that is what I did when I was getting talked to when I was a kid, heck I bet I do it now when the boss calls me in the office.  Where was the control of the debate?  Jim Lehrer in my eyes didn’t have control of the debate at all, as a friend of mine Chris posted on facebook last night “Jim Lehrer is like the grandpa at dinner table who falls asleep and wakes up randomly shouting.”  I heard a news story yesterday afternoon that said the candidate who blinks less usually wins, so of course I noticed the eye blinking, they both were big blinkers, I felt like I was following a car with the blinker stuck.  The think about these debates is that it seems like the candidates try to get their talking points out for the public to hear rather than answer the questions.  And I don’t know if you caught the bowling hall pin crash toward the end of the debate (what the heck was that?).  I am not sure if these debates help or hurt a candidate, who in your opinion won the debate?  And why?

Want to publish a book?

How many books you think are published yearly?
http://ptbertram.wordpress.com/2012/04/17/how-many-books-are-going-to-be-published-in-2012-prepare-for-a-shock/

Daily Dose of BS Oct 3

I am proud of my friend Jennifer Livingston she was called a bad role model for young girls because of her weight.  Jen has taken an email from a viewer, a negative email and flipped it into a positive thing, Jennifer standing up for herself and using this negative moment in her life as a teaching moment has me and a hundred thousand others including the national news shows, and Ellen standing and cheering in her corner.  As a person in the public eye you get ridiculed and are often put under a more powerful microscope than the average person, also for some reason people feel the need to point out your flaws.  Didn't your mom teach you about those in glass houses?  We all have our crosses to bear, our kryptonite if you will that weighs us down.  As Jennifer so eloquently put it “to all the children out there who feel lost...who are struggling with weight, the color of your skin, your sexual preference, your disability - even the acne on your face...listen to me right now. Do not let yourself worth be defined by bullies.”   Jennifer went on to point out that October in National Anti-Bullying month.  I leave you with this be yourself, live life to its fullest, love yourself, and be proud of who you are.

Movie catch phrases

ALL-TIME BEST MOVIE CATCHPHRASES:
According to a new Now TV poll, these are the best-ever famous lines from films …
5. “Life is like a box of chocolates …” – Tom Hanks in “Forrest Gump” (1994).
4. “May the Force be with you.” – Harrison Ford in “Star Wars” (1977).
3. “Houston, we have a problem.” – Tom Hanks in “Apollo 13” (1995).
2. “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” – Clark Gable in “Gone With the Wind” (1939).
1. “I’ll be back!” – Arnold Schwarzenegger in “The Terminator” (1984).
– WENN.com

Daily Dose of BS Oct 2

Today marks the 3^rd anniversary of my life changing.  Three years ago today I got called into the operations managers’ office and my program director was in there, they said sit down.  I think in the back of my mind I knew why I was called in but didn’t want to believe it.  I was working at my former employer for 15 and half years, 15 and a half years all coming crashing down around me.  I was one of a handful of people I knew in the radio business that hadn’t been laid off.  October 2, 2009 that all changed.  It was the biggest kick in the shorts that I could have had at the time, Christmas was coming up and the 4 kids wanted i-pod touches.  It’s funny to look back at it now, I thought that my job was what defined me, I thought of what I did, was who I was.  Getting laid off was in retrospect the best thing that happened to me; it allowed me to know that radio is not the definer of Bob Schmidt.  The reality check was there, it gave me the chance to grow my personal business,  Kooler Promotions LLC and my www.LaCrosseWisconsin.com , it also gave me the chance to work on my relationships with my kids, friends, and family, it gave me the chance to spread my wings and grow as a person.  At the time I wanted to yell and cry and I did do both, but ended up in a better and a place, a place where I am appreciated and that is a much better fit for me.  For the guys that laid me off, thank you for giving me the chance to spread my wings, and for my team at the La Crosse Radio Group thank you for giving me the opportunity to grow.  

If its rusty you must be a teenager....What your car color says about you

Green – You’re an optimistic, well-adjusted joiner who likes the good things in life. (Only someone really materialistic could want a money-colored vehicle.)

Red – You are impulsive, athletic, and quick to speak your mind, but suffer emotional ups and downs. (Most likely to give another driver the dastardly digit.)

Blue – You’re relaxed and at peace with yourself. (No wonder you only drive so damn slow … move it, gramps!)

Brown – You’re conservative and like to plan everything out carefully. (Like never having to wash your car.)

White – You’re honest, nurturing, supportive, and need to feel needed. (You’re a mom.)

Daily Dose of BS Oct 1

Best fest parade ever.  I usually hate parades, I have had to be in them on and off over the past 25 years because of my chosen profession, and they usually are long and the weather is usually less than desirable, this year we got thru the parade in about an hour and a half, with a perfect temperature.  It is funny if you have something to giveaway there are always people with their hands out wanting the freebie, that is fine with me since it is a parade and but when you expect it that is where I have a problem with it.  I don’t owe anybody anything especially someone whom I have never met how is on the parade route asking for a can cooler saying I love your music or you are my favorite station when wearing another stations t-shirt.  First of all we are a Talk station so music wise we don’t play any and when it comes to wearing another stations t-shirt cool I have a bunch of station t-shirts from over the years, but don’t tell me I am your favorite and then not know where we are on the dial.  Got a few beverages from friends both old and new at the parade and Olys Donuts brought me over a bag of mini donuts.   Wrapped up the night at the Duct Tape Lodge with friends, happy rest of fest.  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 28

After living in La Crosse since 1992 I have been around Oktoberfest for 20 years, participating in the parade many, many times over those years, watching it multiple times and always amazed at the amount of people who come out of the wood work to watch and cheer.  I drove the long way to work yesterday morning to see if there were people lined up on Copeland Park and there were, ok, I understand that the parade is fun and a party in its self but aren’t there things going on, such as life?  Do people take vacation to go stake their claim of park land or boulevard for a 5 hour parade?  I have never staked my claim to city property for parade watching, I am more of a floater.  On the years when I didn’t ride in the parade I would start in one area, and kind of party hop.  I hope that this years parade is more manageable in time than some of the years when it ended up being a 5 plus hour parade.  Here is to a safe, fun, trouble free Oktoberfest.  Gemütlichkeit, Ein Prosit and Old McDonald has a farm, ummm I mean EiEiEio…have a great fest. 

Daily Dose of BS Sept 27

Went to comedy last night and the comedian and I were BS’ing after the show talking about the economy and how great it is, he mentioned that he has to take a “real” job soon to make ends meet after the price of gas is flirting with 4 bucks, he mentioned that if you think about it we spend more on our cars than on our homes, I called BS of course cause that is what I do, anyway he walked me through it and asked how many cars have you had in your life?  What about the other cars in your household, what was the total cost of all vehicles?  What did you pay for your house?  He continued saying and that is how we spend more on our cars than our houses.  Weird right?

Bad call Monday night....be mad....tell the world

http://www.oppermacher.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=OPP&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=WORST_CALL_EVER

Funny the price is 12.07 what the score would have been without the blown call

Daily Dose of BS Sept 26

They say that parents get stressed out with putting together a kids lunch before school.  Did your mom, or do you get stressed putting together the perfect lunch for jr?   Personally I look forward to the quest to putting together the best quote breakfast that I can, using building blocks of last nights supper, leftovers from the fridge from a day or two ago and possibility a dry good as well.    I do have a fridge when I get to work so if I have leftover meat or vegies and pasta I do have a place to store it before it gets reheated in the microwave.  I think my adventurous way with food began when I was a kid my mom was in a bridge club and when there was left overs we and by we I mean the kids my brothers and I always had creative ways of eating the leftovers, mom used to multi purpose the food, for example one time there was lots of leftover nacho cheese dip, that became a building block for sandwiches, add a few chips to it and you have a crunchy spicy lunch.  I bet if you ask the other Schmidt boys about the pancakes, they will say mom put syrup soaked pancakes on the bottom of a bowl and it got topped with chili when mom and dad went out for dinner that night.  So for that, my adventurous food creations and for the many other great memories I think you Mom.   

Daily Dose of BS Sept 25

I am not going to lie I am a bit upset this morning.   I thought that each of the touchdowns that are scored are checked and double checked, the Packers lost on a bad call, Rogers was sacked 8 times but they may have been the victim of a bad call.  Now to what has me really upset today, I lock my garage every night before I head in for the night, this morning when I was letting out the dog, the garage door was open.  And I know it was closed since I locked it last night after returning from a birthday dinner with the family, all six of us, it was amazing.  My dog usually barks at things going on outside, last night not so sure either that or I slept really well.  Any way a crow bar was used to break in to the garage, the fridge in the garage was left open, I am glad that I drank all the beers, there were a few pops left in the garage fridge, a few things moved around and my car was gone through, and I mean really gone through they took everything out of the glove box, the ashtray, the arm rest storage and left it all on the seats, I am not sure what they found if anything cause there really wasn’t anything in there, I did get a chance to meet a nice La Crosse Police officer, Officer Roden, she was there in minutes, we went through my garage, looked at the evidence, a cigarette that was left on the top of the car, talked about safety, putting lights up in and around the house.  There have been more and more break-ins in La Crosse we have had murders and drugs making headlines.  What happened to the friendly small community that I moved into 20+ years ago?

Funniest Movies of all time

FUNNIEST FILMS:
A new study of classic film comedies rates them on the number of laughs they generate per minute. Results show that a 1980 Leslie Nielsen film tops all others, generating 3 belly laughs per minute. The top 10, according to their ‘Laugh-A-Minute’ scores …
10. “Life of Brian” (1.2 laughs per minute)
9. “Shaun Of the Dead” (1.3)
8. “Bridesmaids” (1.4)
7. “American Pie” (1.5)
6. “Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy” (1.6)
5. “Borat” (1.7)
4. “Superbad” (1.9)
3. “The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!” (2.3)
2. “The Hangover” (2.4)
1. “Airplane!” (3)

Daily Dose of BS Sept 24

I am 44 years old and still have to sit at the kids table.  This weekend we drove north to East Grand Forks for my Father in Laws 81^st birthday, 8 hours in the car each way.  Gas prices suck there too, speed limit is a bit higher in Minnesota than Wisconsin, you can go 70 on the interstate, and in North Dakota you can go 75.  I drive a minivan, don’t feel to cool going 75.  Back to family time, my wife is the youngest of 6 and I am younger than her by 3 years so when I first fell into the family I was much younger than the rest of the group,  I remember rocking out my zubaz and had long hair and earrings.  My things have changed now no hair and no earrings but I still have my 25 year old zubaz.  The birthday party brought out the usual, everyone brings their A game best pot luck food, I bring my appetite and my smarty pants attitude, the sister inlaws were all sitting around talking about 31 bags ( much more fun at the kids table ), I overheard it that conversation and said 31 bags there are only 6 of you.  I guess I no longer wonder why I have to sit at the kids table.   

More on Absentee voting

http://travel.state.gov/travel/living/overseas_voting/overseas_voting_4754.html

Daily Dose of BS Sept 21

After tomorrow 24 of the 50 states will have absentee ballots available.  Why?  We are 45 days away from November 6^th 2012 I can see if we open it up for a week possibly two weeks before an election, and longer if you are in the service overseas, but why do we need 45 days before an election to open the vote?  I am a huge proponent of getting out to vote in fact I have said countless times in my life on the radio and elsewhere if you don’t vote you can't bitch.  (I’ve been called on the carpet for saying that also since this is America and we can bitch just to bitch ya know) but really why open the vote 45 days before an election?  I have been able to make it to my polling place every single time including primaries for at least the last 15 years and have voted in every single general election since I have been 18.  I even cut a trip early as so I could make it home for a primary election.  I am all for making it easy to cast our vote, maybe online voting, but for one how can we assure that there is no voter fraud when it is mailed out and also how can we make it tamperproof when allowing online voting?  What do you think are the best solutions? 

Daily Dose of BS Sept 20

Got a call from a listener yesterday and he was saying he wasn’t pleased with the parking downtown, that got me thinking and I woke up with a song in my head, want to hear it here it goes.
Parking lots are going away eieio
LHI is going to grow eieio
With a good job here and a decent pay there, here a job there a job Don Webers employing a Mob, mob
Work is done I’m parking here eieio
Guess its time to grab a beer eieio
We’re in Wisconsin this is true, that’s all the song I got for you.

Daily Dose of BS weekdays on 1490 and Magic 105
Thoughts?  Call 608-782-2554

Daily Dose of BS Sept 19

In Cranston Rode Island they took away the Father Daughter dance, saying it violates state law because not all kids have a daddy.  The ACLU moved after receiving a letter from a single mom who complained that her daughter was not able to attend the father daughter dance.  HUH?  I can't throw a football but wanted to be the quarterback when in high school cause they got all the girls, I also want to be the boss here at the station cause I wanna be.  Heck since we are at it I want to get the discounts for AARP but am too young, what if I don’t make it to 50?  Grandparent day was a couple of weeks ago and I don’t have any grandparents anymore so I want the whole holiday taken away.  This is about as stupid as people saying that they don’t want Christmas or Easter because they don’t believe.  Why take away something that others believe in and are enjoying.  This would be a great teaching lesson for the mom she could sit her daughter down and use this as an example of how sometimes life is not fair, that things happen in life.  I am guessing that if the mom had any male friends that one of them would take her daughter.  I have been to the YMCA’s father daughter dance and it was a great bonding time for my daughter and I.  Taking away a special night for all these dads and daughters would be devastating, if it is that big of a deal to this mom, make a special day for your own kid and don’t take away the special day for these other children.  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 18

Getting a bit scared, not sure what to do.  When I was a kid we were able to drive around for the night on 5 bucks and yesterday we inched closer to the 4 dollar mark for gas.  It moved up to 3.969 yesterday 3.969 wow it is kind of upsetting, the prices surged when the hurricane was hitting the Louisiana area because of the refinery’s down there, and I understand it moving up for situations like that but wouldn’t you think that the prices would then drop?  Don’t we have oil sands in North Dakota and aren’t they able to get gas from there for cheaper than it is than it is importing from other countries?  What can we do as a society to bring the prices down?  Will a change in the White House bring change in the pump?  I really don’t see how it could, because if it were possible don’t you think that every president would try their darndest to get the prices as low as possible, especially since the election is just around the corner?  Since I brought up the president I am already sick of the politics as usual.  Is there such a thing as usual anymore?  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 17

If you had any conversation with anyone from La Crosse over the weekend, I will bet that the conversations started off like this, “What the hell is happening here?” or “a double murder wtf?” the word WHY pops in to my head. I have no idea what is going on here, we are supposed to be living in a small town. We now have the most murders locally since 1992 - 4 - I know people who don’t live in a small town think that four isn’t so bad, but when there usually isn’t any, this number is huge (I think that many of us live in a small town for the fact that it is more neighborly, and when murders are happening in the area, it puts a scare into us, makes us feel less safe) , drugs are big problem, robberies are happening more often and we have lots of other crap that is happening here each and every day stuff that used to be exclusive to big cities. What do you blame the rise in crime and drugs on? Got an opinion share it on the radio (608) 782-2554

Daily Dose of BS weekdays on 1490 and Magic 105

Packer fan vows to keep drinking....

Funny video

The guys from the Onion did it again.  Bet you find this funny.
BS

Daily Dose of BS Sept 14

I don’t have the NFL network, I didn’t feel like going to a bar last night, I missed the Packer football game and guess what I didn’t die, don’t feel cheated and am ok this morning.  (the Packers won by the way)  I think that the NFL is pushing us to become even more addicted to the game.  It used to Sundays and Mondays on the networks, the networks that are broadcast, then Monday night football got moved over the ESPN then the NFL came up with their own network offering up everything football and special games, games like the most rivalry teams of all time the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears.  We now have preseason games that people watch and fantasy leagues that are another excuse for us to get together and talk football and imbibe.  Do you think it is all part of a conspiracy?  

Traveling with your dog?

Woof

Daily Dose of BS Sept 13

People love their dogs.  But sometimes it is annoying to watch.  For one I think if you love your dog, love it enough to put in a restraint while in the car or at least in the backseat.  It kind of ticks me off when I see people with their dogs in the front seat, or on their lap while driving, not only do I feel that this is dangerous to the others on the road, but to your puppy as well, if you stop quick little fido will be flat little fido.  Also when you walk your dog clean up after what your dog does, I have had a few times this year while mowing the lawn where I stepped in a land mine, the intials are BS not DS it would however be worse stepping in that big of a pile, but seriously when you have a dog, please pick up after it, keep him leashed while walking, on a leash you can handle, also please try to avoid the retractable leashes, (ask me to see my finger) and travel with her in the back seat not crawling all over you and your steering wheel.   Love your dog, but also love your neighbor. 

I'm at a payphone

And you thought they were dead.....check it out

A new use for a payphone

Daily Dose of BS Sept 12

We have been bombarded with the public service announcements for bicycling in Wisconsin, we just finished up a couple weeks ago with Bikefest and we are seeing more and more bicycles on the road, literally with the painting of the bikes on the streets with the arrows, if you haven’t seen the big white painted signs you are not driving on 16^th street among others in La Crosse, the message is Share the Road, and I agree we should share the road, but shouldn’t we also SHARE THE RULES?  How many times have you been in your car and at a stop sign when a bullet of spandex with a helmet shoots right by you and through the stop sign without regards to the oncoming traffic and when there is a car coming the bicyclist will either flip off the car or yell them?  These people are giving bicyclist a bad name.  I’m ok with share the road, but if you are sharing the road with motorized vehicles, then you should share the road rules.   

A day we will never forget

Ready for a lump in your throat and tear in your eye?  Click Here

Daily Dose of BS September 11th

We will never forget.  We will never forget.  Well we will never forget when it is in our schedule, when it fits in to what we have planned for the day, week, month, or year.  We will never forget.  I hate to be so crass as to say it, but I think many have forgotten.  I think that many of us are busy being busy and do tend to forget what has happened in the past, what lives were lost.  What sacrifices hundreds of thousands of families have made, on and since the date 11 years ago.  I have had many friends who have in the past 11 years been over fighting for us, for our freedoms, thank God that they have all made it home.  What were you doing on September 11^th, 2001?  I was at work, and I remember shedding many tears and still to this day wonder why this had to happen.  It was a day that I will never forget.

Caffeinated lip balm

Feeling sleepy and also have chapped lips? Thanks goodness for caffeinated lip balm!

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Just don't kiss someone with a caffeine allergy.....

Daily Dose of BS Sept 10

It was great to have football back on the television.  I for one enjoy sitting in my living room and watching the Green Bay Packers.  I love going to baseball games and all the sports my kids play but for football you can’t beat a comfortable chair, a refrigerator, a bathroom without lines or at least long lines and a remote to pause the action, or to review plays at your will.  Watching yesterday’s home opener for the Pack was difficult, not only because they lost, and didn’t look as good as I was hoping but ya gotta love all the late flags, missed and bad calls.  Then this morning you wake up and hear that the Chicago school teachers are on strike.  Haven’t they learned by watching the Division 2 refs so far in the NFL?  Have a little give and take between the brass and the workers and work to get a fair contract between all involved so that way people don’t suffer, us as football fans, and fans of good and right calls and the students in Chicago in the other case, there really can't be anything good for the kids to come of the teachers strike, can there be?  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 7

Hang on, strap in and get ready for a bumpy ride.  Working on the air I find myself thankful that the politicians spend money with us, filling up and selling out our air waves, but at the same time I am upset that the politicians are filling up our air with their BS lies, and the negative finger pointing ads, you know the ones I am talking about.  Who are these ads trying to sway?  Most of the people I have spoken with have already made up their mind, they have a politician in mind, a political party they like and are ready to vote on November 6^th.  60 long days till its over.  With Wisconsin being one of the battle ground states and La Crosse being close to 3 states, I am guessing we will get a few political bigwigs stopping in our fair city.  I am all for the national exposure, and for the politicians coming here, because it is beautiful, but there should be a rule of no spreading political BS when you are here.   The BS part is my job.    

Daily Dose of BS Sept 5

Do we have a drinking problem?  You’ve heard the old saying you drink, you get drunk,  you fall down no problem.  We have a couple of Universities in La Crosse and plenty of bars, mix young men and women getting away from home for the first time moving to a new city, coupled with cheap drinks, peer pressure, and you have a recipe for disaster.  We have had many young men end up dead in the river over the years and had a missing student in La Crosse this past Sunday into Monday.  A 22 year old from West Salem went missing for about 8 hours.  As a parent I could not imagine what kind of thoughts went through the parents head.  I am glad that this young man was found alive, but still drunk at 10:30 the next morning.   According to a news release from the La Crosse Police Department at least 7 patrol officers, 2 supervisors, 6 investigators, 2 deputies with k-9, and 8 firefighters were involved in the search, not only did this stunt cause his buddies to worry not to mention his parents but look at the labor costs associated with this.  I am all for going out for a few beers with some friends, but stay with your friends and get a designated driver.  By the way over the weekend La Crosse cops handed out over 50 citations for underage drinking.  

Daily Dose of BS August 31

I have never been a motorhead.  I have had cars, motorcycles, trucks and vans.  The reason I bring this up is that my car that I drive each and everyday I have had for about 5 years my Mom gave it to me because they got a new car and thought this car is on its last legs plus it got better gas mileage than my full sized van.  My Honda Accord has 341,660 miles on it, it starts right up, and moves right along, when my Mom and Step Dad owned it they did all the maintenance, when you were supposed to.   I really believe if you keep up on the maintenance it will keep your vehicles running to their full life.  I am only the second owner of this car.  My truck on the other hand has 203,000 miles and I believe to be on its last legs, which bums me out, I have had this truck for 7 years and my vehicle with the least miles is my full sized van with only 108,000 miles on it, but I can't afford to drive it with gas flirting with 4 bucks a gallon.  I think I could start the Schmidt junk car lot on the south side.  What has your favorite and least favorite car you have had?

Daily Dose of BS Aug 30

Facebook is an amazing beast, yesterday was my birthday and I had over 10% of my “friends” wish me Happy Birthday.  It is heartwarming that someone would take a few seconds out of their day to so that, for that I thank you.  It is funny about birthdays when you are a kid you can't wait for it and can hardly contain yourself with excitement when it comes to the gift time, when older I am not going to lie, I sometime forget how old I am, some days I feel as though I am in my 20’s others I feel in my 60’s I guess that is good that I am now 44 and right in the middle of where I feel.  This weekend is Labor Day weekend the last official weekend of the summer and the last bit of freedom for the public school kids of the area, here is hoping for a great safe weekend for you and yours and also a super learning filled year for the up and coming school year.  

Daily Dose of BS Aug 29

As Brewer and Shiply sang about in the 70’s new research is showing that being one toke over the line as a teen is linked to later declines in your IQ.  I have heard the saying don’t be a dope by smoking dope, but now they are saying if you are a teen who routinely smoke marijuana you have a long term risk of having a dropping IQ, the researchers didn’t find the same for those who waited until they were older than 18 to become a frequent pot smoker.  I for one do not smoke pot but know many who do and have routinely thought why don’t they make it legal?  I believe that if we do that the government will get us out of debt or at least or at least on the path to being debt free, the way we could make and save money is through taxes, tax it at a higher rate of tax, in turn it would bring that money in.  The people who are in jail for smoking it would be free to become a productive member of society,(or as productive as a pot smoker can be) those that sell it would be able to focus their skills at selling to other illegal things, and end up in jail again anyway, as you can't save stupid. 

Daily Dose of BS Aug 28

As a radio guy in a small market you are not going to get rich.  You can make an ok living but getting rich beyond your wildest dreams ain’t going to happen.  You know what I am ok with that, I made a choice and am happy with the choice that I have made.  I share my office with another guy here at work and I came across a coupon for something I was going to buy later in the week while I was reading the paper, I proceeded to rip the coupon out of the paper.  I got shot the what in the hell are you doing look, then the comment real men don’t use coupons talk.  I would have to disagree, I think that men that don’t use coupons are not the real men, isn’t it part of my job to add to my families wealth?  Add to the bottom line?  Make sure that the family has food on the table and to try to have extra money in the bank account at the end of the week?   Isn’t that part of what a man does?  Plus I am comfortable with who I am and ok with presenting a coupon, I questioned in return, asking what is wrong with it, and got the response at the it just isn’t what a man does.  Your thoughts?

Daily Dose of BS Aug 27

I hate late.  The fog this morning was horrible; I had a hard time seeing a half a block.  It was bad then good then bad again.  Driving blind is not good.  How safe do you suppose that is?  The one thing about the fog is that slows people down and makes them drive more defensively.  I didn’t even see a single phone out this morning and usually I see the glowing light of a phone in an oncoming car.  The slow down was taken to the extreme while driving through Onalaska, a semi was going 10 miles per hour, 10 miles per hour, it the driver crazy?  There are people that have to be somewhere, cause most people don’t just go driving at 4:45 in the morning.  I felt my blood actually getting warmer as I was stuck behind this person driving at a turtles pace.  I was glad when I got the chance to finally pass.  I was kind of surprised the after I passed that someone didn’t pull out in front of me off one of the side streets only to turn on the next street.  I guess when it is foggy people tend to slow down and pay attention.  

Daily Dose of BS August 24

Is it weird that when I was driving into work I was excited to get to work, not for the fact that I love my job which I do, but for the fact that we have a water cooler with ice cold water, and for some reason this morning I have been craving ice water.  While driving in I heard that Lance Armstrong has given up the fight to clear his name.  I do not get this, I always assumed that we as Americans are innocent until proven guilty, guess we are sometimes.  I got a call and a letter from the DMV about 5 or 6 years ago telling me I owed them money.   Huh are you kidding me what for, they said I way underpaid for a van that I bought, saying I underpaid by 6 thousand dollars and that I owed the taxes on the 6k and also a fine for lying.  I wrote a nice letter back to the state explaining how I got the van and kindly reminded them that I was innocent and that they needed to prove I did wrong, it was dropped.  I think that Lance Armstrong should be cleared for doping also, because he has had to jump through hoops and at every turn he has given up his fluids when ever asked.  Have I mentioned, I am glad to be at work.   

Daily Dose of BS Aug 23

I forgot my watch again, this seems to happen a few times a month.  I am addicted to my watch, not that I look at it lots but I miss it around my wrist, I get a constant wrist hug all day long.  My watch is one that my Mom gave to my Dad when we got his Masters Degree, they are divorced so my Dad gave me the watch.  I bet if you go back and read the Beloit College mindset list that wrist watches made the list long ago, my kids all have watches but never wear them.  Back to the mindset list, a list of things that incoming college freshman have always known.  Like there have always been blue M&M’s and that there are no tan ones.  There has never been a romper room, Starz has always been on Direct TV, Mr Burns replaced JR Ewing as the most shot at man in TV, history has always had their own channel, and the Lambeau Leap has always been.  See the complete list at http://www.beloit.edu/mindset/2016/ 

Daily Dose of BS August 22

I hate moving.  Not standing up and moving my body from here to there but the act of packing up all my stuff into boxes and loading it into trucks, vans, cars and into the care of others to a new location.  I bring this up because there are no less than 5 houses within a block of where I live up for sale.  This I don’t get, if we as a whole don’t like change isn’t moving to a new location one of the biggest changes that you can make in your life.  I know that moving to La Crosse was the best move that I ever made, it happened just over 20 years ago.  I moved here to work for the Eagle radio station and have not looked back, when I first moved here it was my goal to get to the Twin Cites as a radio personality, I ended up falling in love with the area and built my life around La Crosse.   Since my move here, I have lived in two locations, I rented for a couple of years and been a home owner for over 17 years, 17 years in the same space, kind of weird I know but new walls have been built others tore down, colors, furniture and the feel has changed, and as I started this out, I hate moving.  

Daily Dose of BS August 21

Ever listened to someone talking, someone who should know better and scratch your head and say to yourself what the hell?   We all have been hearing about Congressman  Todd Akin, the Republican nominee for US Senate in Missouri who is running against Senator Claire McCaskill, and his opposition to abortion rights even in case of rape with a claim that victims of “legitimate rape” have unnamed biological defenses that prevent pregnancy.  HUH?  Did he ever take a science class?  Then claiming he misspoke.   The Republican party is now waiting for him to pull out of the race so that way they can point someone else to run against Senator McCaskill, McCaskill seems to be the only person who wants Akin to stay in the race.  What do you think?

Daily Dose of BS August 20

There are some basics that we need every day like food and sleep.  I get plenty of food because I can control that, but sleep is one thing that I don’t think I get enough of, I go to bed plenty early but of late have been having a harder time sleeping, from not being able to hit the bed sleeping like I used to, to waking up multiple times in each night and then not being able to fall back to sleep, because I have an active mind.  I have even tried to keep a pen and paper by the bed so when I get a life changing idea I can jot it down, well my penmanship is so poor when I am awake it is even worse when sleeping so I stopped doing that, so there is a tape recorder by the bed now, my voice sound lots deeper at 2am than it does when I am at work.  About 5 years ago I got a cpap machine and that has helped, but not as well lately, any advice for a better nights sleep?

Daily Dose of BS August 16

There are a lot of Americans who are not proud to be Americans, there are thousands who could care less about our Country.  People are out there bad talking us, burning flags, committing crimes and not giving a damn about a country that I and millions of others love.  These are people who were born here, raised here and have had the world handed to them, had the best of the best not because of what they did but what our forefathers have done.  There are natural born citizens who don’t care for America and could care less.  This ticks me off.  Then you look at some citizens who fight hard to be in America and bring their kids with them looking for a better life when they come to our country to be in the land of the free, home of the brave, yet they get looked down upon.  Correct me if I am wrong but don’t we all have our roots somewhere else if you go back far enough?  Yesterday was the first day of the Deferred Action Immigration Event, allowing thousands of young undocumented immigrants who want to be here, that want to work that have not been in trouble with the law, are in school, have graduated or have served in our military.  I guess if someone wants to be an American, and follow the rules, I welcome them with open arms.  For those of you who  don’t like it here or don’t want to be here, what is keeping you here? 

Daily Dose of BS August 15

Have you ever happened across any of the slight disappointments in life?  You know the disappointments that I am talking about right.  The ones such as pouring a bowl of frosted mini wheats and finding only a slight amount of frosting on the cereal?  You know what’s worse than that is getting the bowl of cereal ready have the hunger for the cereal then going to the fridge for the milk only to find out that there is either not enough milk for the cereal or worse yet pouring the milk taking the first bite of the cereal and having the milk be bad.  How about after enjoying a Chinese dinner and opening up your fortune cookie only to find you have been jipped out of a fortune?  I know that these are slight things to be upset about but there are many of these slight disappointments that add up to many disappointed people, how about when you finish up a job in the bathroom only to find that the person who was there before you didn’t replace the paper or maybe you’re out of soap or paper towels, not anything that will kill you but make for disappointments.  

Daily Dose of BS August 14

Today is an important day, don’t get me wrong every day is an important day, but today is extra special.  Today you could be part of the solution, you get to help choose many different elected seats from Congressional, to United States Senator federally to Legislative and State Senate, to Representatives to the Assembly, District Attorney and Clerk, Treasurer and Register of Deeds.  Voters may vote for candidates in the primary of ONLY ONE political party, if you do not designate a party preference and vote for candidates of more than one party then no votes will be counted, so please read the directions when going to the polls.  Voting takes only a few minutes, but the results are resounding.  The primary in my opinion is one of the most important votes you will make, since it is less attended than the main election meaning your vote really counts you also get to help to shape the election from a bigger pool.  Please get out and vote.

Daily Dose of BS August 13

 Last week was the first time I got to sleep in every single day for an entire week in over 2 years.  It was also I am assuming the last family vacation I will be taking with my entire family, my oldest goes for his senior year this year and already is growing wings.  I spent a few years in Scottsbluff Nebraska working in radio 20 years ago and would drive thru South Dakota to get home to the Twin Cities a few times a year and saw the signs for Wall Drug and The Worlds only Corn Palace and always just drove by.  On vacation I made sure we stopped at the above places and also many other roadside places.  We did the Corn Palace a week ago Sunday stayed at a great place off the Interstate at The Thunderbird Lodge, it was the first time I have ever stayed in a place with enough beds for the 6 of us.  What a great night’s sleep, plus it was close to the Corn Palace.  Next up was our trek across the state of South Dakota to Custer State park, stopping in the Badlands and if you have never been there, would greatly suggest it.  We were passing and getting passed by the bikers on their way to Sturgis, pretty sad that all the hotels and State Parks boosted their rates for the half million bikers and others coming into their state.  At Custer Park went on a Buffalo Safari and saw up close, close to 200 buffalos it was breath taking.  Off to the faces, and a pioneer dinner.  We then headed south to Scottsbluff to visit some friends we hadn’t seen in 20 years stopped at a restaurant we missed and then off to visit friends in North Platte Nebraska.  It is good to have friends, catching up and reliving the good old days.   

Daily Dose of BS August 2

The .9 isn’t fooling anyone, when gas is 3.64.9 why don’t they just say 3.65?  I am not fooled and most of the American public isn’t either, if that is the case why do it?  I guess that is why cars are 44,999 or other things are 1.99.  Why not make it 45 grand or 2 dollars.  The extra cent isn’t going to make or break anyone will it?  Wait let me take that back, we are getting nickel and dimed these days at the pump these days.  Gas prices are up again this week, we are up about 15 cents in the past couple weeks.  At 10 gallons that is a buck fifty every time you fill up, and if you thing back to about 14 years ago we had a bit of time when gas was 99.9 cents a gallon, my wages haven’t gone up 4 x in the past 14 years has yours?  In fact I think my wages have gone up .9% a year.

Daily Dose of BS August 1

All too often we get upset with service, either bad service for this or bad customer service for that.  We have all had our share of bad service.  If we get bad service we tend to complain under our breath and move one, only to return to that store to spend our money there again.  Kind of a sad commentary of us I think.  I am as guilty of it as the next guy.  When we get good service or even exceptional service when have we even said anything about it to the manager or whomever it was that gave us that service, I think in the back of our heads we expect that service every time we go somewhere right?  Unfortunately it isn’t the case; I so rarely receive superb service that when I do I say something, like thank you or you are doing a good job.  I went through the drive thru lane at Taco Johns last night on way to Logger game and blown away by the customer service that was given to me.  I had three contacts with the young lady working the drive thru, from the loud speaker to the purchase to the handing off of my food and each of contacts was better than the last.  I mentioned to her, thank you for doing your job well, for the positive attitude and for making it easy to be a customer.  I made an effort to save the receipt but must have tossed it, I think the name on the receipt said Chelsy but I may be mistaken, but whatever business ends up with this young lady working for them in the future, will be lucky.

Daily Dose of BS July 31

The James Holmes shootings in Aurora Colorado has brought up some interesting topics.  I believe that we all have the right to bear arms.  I feel that we should be able to conceal carry if we are properly trained.  I also think that guns are too easy to get.  Why would anyone other than a police officer or someone in the service need or even want a rapid fire semi or automatic gun.  If you are a hunter these take out the sport of the hunt and the only other reason I can see you having one is so that you can shoot something many, many times.  Why?  Also why do we need to buy 1000’s of bullets at a time?  Why can we buy them without ever having to see anyone, or register your bullets?  If you are buying over a certain amount of ammo don’t you think that it would be safer for us all if the person who bought massive amounts of ammo should have to register it somewhere, or at least see someone?  Don’t get me wrong, I think we should all have guns if we want but they should be registered legal guns.  If you’re not causing problems or plan on doing something illegal why would you care if your bullets are registered and why would you care if someone knows you have the bullets?

Daily Dose of BS July 30

The rabbits in La Crosse have been doing what is expected of them.  I don’t think I have ever seen more rabbits in my life as I have around my neighborhood.  I remember when I was a kid growing up in the Twin Cities, that my buddies and I tried catching rabbits with a box and some carrots, never having enough patience to wait until they actually jumped into the box so that the string could be pulled.  To be honest with you I don’t know what I would have done with the rabbit if I would have ever caught one.  The reason I bring these pesky four legged luck bringers up is that the luck on at least one ran out this morning, it was on the other side of the road and wasn’t moving, it didn’t move that is until I drove by then I am guessing the boredom of being a rabbit overtook the rabbit and he decided to play chicken with my tires, the car won.  Too bad that he chose my car to play it with, cause when it happened I felt bad, bad enough to think about it for more than a minute, bad enough to write about it and talk about it.  Ok, I’m over it now, but come on rabbits it’s not cool to play rabbit roulette with the four tires of a car, eventually you will tire.  

Daily Dose of BS July 27

We are going to be seeing the best of the best after the Olympic opening ceremony opens up the annual 4 year games tonight.  There has already been some controversy with the uniforms that the American Athletes will be wearing; in fact Harry Reid called for the burning of all uniforms and start over.  I don’t know about you but most of the clothing I am wearing unfortunately is made overseas.  I would more likely say lets burn the uniforms because they are ugly rather than that they are made overseas.  I am hoping for lots of positive stories to come from the Olympics, but as we know from prior years there competition sometimes brings out the worst of the worst.  Remember the Olympics from 18 years ago, if I say skating and Olympics what is your first image?  I think of Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan, I was ok with their friendly rivalry but once the clubbing happened, come on.  This isn’t the only time that controversy has taken center stage at the Olympics either.  Let’s hope for more of the positive stories to come from the next couple of weeks as thousands of amateur athletes and hundreds of professional athletes take center stage, here is to good sportsmanship and positive outcomes.  

Daily Dose of BS July 26

Couple of things I am thinking about this morning there are so many times that we let things go, for example I have a piece of siding that got blown not off my garage but is not in the track and is about 16 feet off the ground this happened last March when the tornado went through my neighborhood, I see it once in a while, but it’s one of those things that doesn’t bother me, it’s on the honey do list but is not at the top and someday it will get done, most likely today since I am making a deal about it, but there are many things on that honey do list that just keep sitting there like, paint the door jamb in the basement or build shelves for the cabin I have a list that keeps growing.  I sometimes get to the list but more often than not, the list grows, and I am guessing that mine isn’t the only list to keep growing.  Do you have items on your list, if so what kind of items are on it?  The second thing that is on my mind is that I put together a lunch most nights so I don’t have to do it in the morning, I went to grab my lunch this morning and over half of it was eaten, thanks to my 17 year old son.  

Daily Dose of BS July 25

I really dislike the phrase No Worries.  It implies that I was going to worry about whatever it was that I said that made someone say not to worry.  To me that is very presumptuous of you to think I was worried about it to begin with I would have said something or I would have just worried about it but now I have the free pass of not worrying about it at all.  Well thank you, thank you  very much thank you for the free pass thank you for allowing me off the hook, thanks for the chance for me to have a free conscious.  Thanks for making me not think about what I did anymore, what if I wanted to worry, what if that was my main purpose in life at that moment.  I sometimes like to worry about things that may or may not have been I sometimes sit and think what if they would not have said no worries and then thought what if I did worry after they said not to, it is no wonder that I go through so many tums and rolaids and other antacids.  All this because someone offered me two words after I answered them an answer, the two words of no worries, is what started it all. 

Daily Dose of BS July 24

A six year old is among the 12 dead, I am sickened by the fact that this monster James Holmes went in guns blazing to a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises, last Friday in Aurora Colorado.  This is unacceptable, a travesty, a horrible chain of events.  I am not claiming to be a great parent, we all have our own situations that we have to deal with as a parent but I don’t think that I would have brought my 6 year old or my 4 year old to a movie at midnight.  Especially to The Dark Knight Rises, these movies are made for an older crowd; a crowd that understands what it going on.  I sometimes get questioned by my own kids when we are watching things if they are real (and they are older than six), and when you see things that are in the movies that are presented as real we sometimes get caught up in the “realness” events, then bringing your kids to a midnight showing which is way past the bed time of a typical 6 year old.  I am not trying to start anything with this especially with 71 people shot and 12 dead, but don’t you think that having kids at that young age in the movie theater is inappropriate.  I am angry, actually mad as hell that this happened, just like the rest of the nation but come on there is a reason that Bambi isn’t playing at midnight, it is not a movie show time for kids.   

Daily Dose of BS July 23

Be a tourist in your own community.  In the economy we are enduring and gas prices un the upward swing again I think we should look at the great things we have in our own back yard the things that we take for granted like the rivers, and lakes.  When was the last time you were out on the water here in our backyard?  How about the bluffs and the many miles of trails both on the bluffs and through the parks, I have been exploring these trails more in the past year than I did in the first 19 years that I have lived in Gods Country.  I also invite you to take in the great local shops in Downtown La Crosse or a short drive to the north there is the La Crosse Fairgrounds Speedway, many different foods can be found here and you can't forget the salute to this that and the other thing, almost every single weekend we are blessed to live in an area that has fest fairs and fun weekly.  So look around and take in what is around and live life to its fullest.  And share what you have found, don’t just sit on that diamond, let everyone know.   The reason I bring this up is I was in Stevens Point over the weekend for a baseball tournament and when I told a few people I was going there, everyone mentioned to go to Belt’s for ice cream and when I posted on fb I was going to Stevens Point everyone there said go to Belt’s when someone says I am going to La Crosse what do you tell people to check out?

Daily Dose of BS July 20

When you are in line at the grocery store and you write a check, why would you not put the name of the store, the date, and your signature on the check while you are in line instead of waiting until the last possible second to do it?  I have been stuck behind people in the shortest line at the grocery store and 9 out of 10 times this will happen.  Why do the people writing the checks not use the debt card and why would they wait until the last second to fill in what could have been done earlier?  And why is it that these people who wait do not seem to have a care in the world that maybe just maybe this is why they are buying cat food for 10 and food for one.

Daily Dose of BS July 19

I got a new toilet at my house it is a 10 when it comes to the flush at least according to the flush scale, why in the world would anyone get anything less than the best when it comes to flush power?  Do you like to embarrass your guests by putting it as the guest bathroom toilet and see who comes out and asks for the plunger?  For my top of the line 10 flusher I paid under 200 bucks, 200 bucks for a piece of equipment that takes everyone’s ummm Schmidt.  The reason I bring this up is that the sound of the toilet is not a nice flushing sound of cascading waters gently flowing around the bowl but a hack if you will of trying to get something unstuck from the back of your throat, forcing the mess to its final resting place, the noise will wake the dog and the kids from a quiet nights sleep, scare the heck out of you the first time it happens and when you happen to be napping on the recliner in the other room.  It may be a low water user and it may be a 10 on the flush scale, but on a decibel scale it is deafening, so next time you flush one of the new toilets flush and plug, I better clarify flush and plug your ears.   

Daily Dose of BS July 18

Move over; don’t wait until the last possible second.  Where there is road construction there are going to be idiots.  I don’t get it.  You know that when there is road construction that you need to move over especially when there is construction that is ongoing like the Hwy 35 construction in Onalaska or the Losey Blvd construction in La Crosse, it should not come to a surprise to you that you are going to have to switch to either the right or left lane, you should know that.  Unless today is your first day in the city, or your first day driving, when you are the car that waits until the last possible second to merge how did that make you feel?   Did you feel like the b.m.o.c?  Was it a feeling of power?  Was it your winning moment of the day, if so I am sorry that your life is so boring that you need to put yourself and your passengers in harm’s way along the way putting my life in danger and in turn ticking me and everyone else behind me in a bad mood at least for a second.  Um if I am talking to you when was the last time that someone did that same thing to you?  Did it tick you off?  I bet it did and here you are doing the same thing, wonderful.  Have a pleasant day, and don’t let the idiots tick ya off. 

Daily Dose of BS July 17

If you listened to any radio over the weekend, you may have heard that the credit card companies are now going to allow stores to pass on the 3% usage fee to the customer.  Now correct me if I am wrong, isn’t that cost already being passed on to us as the cost of business?  I guess I can honestly say this right now that I for one will try not to spend my money with businesses that are adding the credit card fees to my bottom line.  I can say as of right now this is how I feel, but in the grand scheme of things, I hope that this fails miserably and falls back on the credit card companies and every business that implements this outrageous fee, unless of course they drop the fees straight across the board for all the prices at the store for people who pay cash.  I can say this now but will most likely it will be about as meaningful as a celebrity saying that they will move from the country if x is elected, I don’t recall anyone of these loud mouthed celebrities moving from the county.  If they did move would we miss them, most likely not but if we all complain about this, maybe just maybe we can make a difference.   

Daily Dose of BS July 16

Do we give in to our kids too much; are we taking too much crap from our kids?  Are the inmates running the asylum?  I see it at my house and at others around, when I misbehaved I got the look and if that didn’t work I got the threat of wait until your father gets home.  That was about all it took, I am sure I was a good kid, not like the many that are running all over their parents now.  I am not pointing fingers at least not too much but when was the last time you saw a kid ask either mom or dad for something heard the parent say no and then the kid turns on the tears, attitude, and anger only to have mom or dad give in to the kid.  It kind of makes me a bit mad to see this, because what is this teaching these kids, that if they have a fit they will get what they want.  I am sorry to burst your bubble kid but that is not going to work once you get in life.  In fact I am not against punishment for misbehaving, I am not saying beat your child or even raise your hand but what is wrong with a few days break from the tv, computer, gaming system or even a day or two off of spending time with friends.  I feel we need to get our lives back and it can start at home, getting respect from our kids.  It really does hurt to see a kid walk all over their care giver, parents do your kids and yourself a favor and take back the house. 

Daily Dose of BS July 13

Billboards are great reminders, the one that stands out the most to me is the one that ran a few years ago that said “Buzzed driving is Drunk Driving.”  I am not a stupid man and never really thought about it but it made sense to me.  It was a wake up call that made me realize just that.  Since that billboard came into my life, I have changed the way I drive, and when I will get into a car.  I lucked out and I am guessing that you may have also.  It was an easy and simple message but it hit home, the people who put that message followed it up with a few car crash billboards with the caption under each that said drunk driving and showing a smashed car and the same picture with the caption buzzed driving under it.  Bam wake up call.  As I said in a few moments ago, wasn’t something I even though of, so for the people who put up that campaign thank you for saving some lives.