Daily Dose of BS Dec 7 What the Fa-riday

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

Daily Dose of BS Dec 6 teaching

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

Daily Dose of BS Dec 5 non holiday gift giving

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

Daily Dose of BS Dec 4 graffiti

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

James Bond Music beat mixed

Bond, James Bond

Daily Dose of BS Dec 3 Toilet Paper

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

Daily Dose of BS Nov 30 Supertramp Give a Little Bit

Supertramp had it right with their song "Give a Little bit" back in the 70’s although they were singing about love, it applies to so many other things like your resources, think about it, the lyrics continue to say “give a little bit of your time to me” and at this time of year there are lots of needs out there from the need of Bell Ringers for the Salvation Army, to non-perishable food items for the many food pantries, to the La Crosse Jaycees Toys for Tots,  to the needs of your neighbors and your church.  Kind of weird that a song from the 70’s gives so much, back to more lyrics “now’s the time we need to share” from reaching into your pocket for change to the time shared to help a child, to holding a door for a stranger at the mall.  I think we get out of life what we give, so “send a smile and show you care.”

Daily Dose of BS Nov 29 the big disappointment

I did not buy into the big disappointment.  Did you?  The lottery drawing was last night and I did not buy a ticket so I am plus 2 dollars this morning.  I call it the big disappointment because I know if I won the whole 500 million I would be bombarded with calls and requests from every person with their hand out.  Not only that but think if you won the million dollar prize like 58 people did last night, they picked the right numbers minus the power ball number, and let’s say you were trying to decide to pick this number or that one, and you chose wrong, so instead of 500 million you only won a million, I am telling you it’s the big disappointment.  I was given a ticket by a random stranger at the bar down by my cabin with the words live the dream, and as I said I do not buy tickets but I did dream about the multi-million dollar prize when I slept that night only to be disappointed when I found out I didn’t even get a single number.  If you got a ticket or a handful of tickets, are you sad that you didn’t win?  Like I said the lottery to me is the big disappointment.  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 28 seeing red

I got new glasses yesterday, it takes a while to get used to the way they fit and how you don’t have to squint to see anymore.  The reason I mention this is that if you see me later today you may notice the different look, you may also notice that my right eye is a bit blood shot at least as I write this it is, weird cause I used the kids body wash to shave my head this morning and some of the soap got in my eye, I thought it was kids stuff, you know no tears, I didn’t cry so I guess it was technically no tears.  I did see red on Monday though as I had to drive down to the family cabin to get my sons I-pod touch that he thought he dropped out of his pocket while getting in to the car on Sunday, it was where he thought it was, we checked the deer cams and had 3 different deer on the cameras, nice.  The reason I saw red was on the drive home I passed a car going just under the speed limit and as I passed him I glanced over at the car to notice that the driver had his IQ showing, flipping me the bird, for what passing?  Give me a break, it wasn’t as if I pulled out in front of him only to turn on the next road.  Needless to say I saw red and wanted to pull over to see what his deal was, I didn’t but it took will power.  

12 Surprising Signs You Could Be an Entrepreneur

12 Surprising traits for the entrepreneur

Daily Dose of BS Nov 27 Rotary Lights

The Rotary lights this year are awesome; thousands of hours go in to setting up and running such a well-oiled machine.  Yesterday I spent a few hours down at Riverside Park, and I gotta tell you every year it is better than the year before, over 2.6 million lights shining and twinkling with the back drop of the mighty Mississippi.  If you are one of my friends who have never had the chance to see these lights, please come and visit La Crosse because you will not be let down.  I found out this year that 11 other Community Lighting displays began because of the gorgeous lights at Riverside Park.  One of the new things this year at the Rotary Lights display is the new Santa House, and after playing the big guy last night, anyone who goes and visits will not be disappointed, you get a full look of the beauty of the park, you get the sights and the sounds, plus you are out of the cold and wind, and next year a toy/gift shop will be housed in the same space.   Put the Ho-ho-ho back in the Holidays and do yourself a favor, visit the Rotary Lights, and don’t forget to bring a few non-perishable food items to help the Hunger Task Force.  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 26 Black Friday now cyber Monday

Black Friday has come and gone, I have been hearing over the weekend that this is not necessary the best time to buy, in fact one of the worst?  If you are looking for a specific item and it is on sale and the only extra cost to you is your time, isn’t it worth it?  I got up at 5:15 on Friday morning headed to Farm and Fleet and bought a trail cam and a pair of boots for half the cost of normal price.  I got to the store at 5:58, doors opened while I was walking up to the doors, they opened and the rats were scurrying to their predetermined  destinations, I mean they ran, I was glad I am a big boy, my son and I leisurely walked back to the hunting area, picked up the trail cams, walked over to the boot area tried on a pair put them in my cart walked by some super inexpensive toilet paper picked it up since I was going to close down the cabin and thought I could use it down there.  Bought only on my list and the super blowout toilet paper stood in line to buy was back in my car headed out the parking lot at 6:08 not too bad 10 minutes on the busiest shopping day of the year.  I talked to some friends that work retail over the weekend and the 8p opening on Thanksgiving cut in to the early morning shoppers.  Today more buying with cyber Monday, 1.5 billion expected to be spent today, is it all for Christmas gifts you think or is it for personal use?  Btw should I keep writing these longer posts?  

Not a good cook? Fake it...

Not a chef?  Fake it till ya make it.

Daily Dose of BS Nov 20 - Thanksgiving part 2

Thanksgiving week continues part two of thanks, brings me to the great area that we live in, I am a firm believer of if you don’t love something, do something about it.  Why live in an area that you don’t find beautiful, safe and worth exploring, too many people complain about where they live, don’t like it move.  I have lived around the Midwest, and visited most of the rest of the country, for me the upper Midwest is where I like living, and in La Crosse Wisconsin I am at home.  I am also thankful for my health, even though I have a couple of issues with my hearing and eyes (I think that most of us get to be glasses wearers at some point in our lives.), for the most part this big man is in pretty good shape, I guess that round is a shape right?  We are lucky to have such great health care right here in our backyard.  Education is a high priority and we are lucky to have access to great public and private education here without having to bus our kids for hours, plus the three higher learning facilities, bringing in great minds from all over, experiencing the beauty of the area.  Having a roof over my head, transportation and food on the table round off today, we all have many things to be thankful for, what are yours?  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 19 Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, there are no expectations, there is good food, football, friends and family.  This week I would like to focus on things that I am thankful for as often here I point out things that I am not too fond of.    I first and foremost am thankful and proud of my family, they are the people who put up with me at my worst, because they are truly the ones that see the good, the bad and the ugly.  For my family thank you and I love you.  My friends are next on the list for many of the same reasons, we may hold back a bit around them, but they pretty much know who you are and what you stand for, these are people with a choice, they choose to be with you, where your family is kind of stuck, friends are the people who choose to hang out with us, so thank you for putting up with my BS and for being a friend, it means so much.  My neighbors are next on the list, when you move into a new neighborhood you really have no idea what you are getting into, from the old man across the street to the couple and their kids next door, to my single neighbor down the street, to my buddy across the alley I wouldn’t trade who live by me for the world, neighbors take care of where we live, look after each other, and take pride in where they live.  And finally I thank my listeners you have a choice, and you choose to give me a moment of your life, a chance to share a story or a laugh.  Happy Thanksgiving week.  

Daily Dose of BS Nov 16 Gun deer hunt

This weekend is the opening weekend for gun deer season in Wisconsin, you will see blaze orange if you drive by any woods, fields or go by any restaurant or bar.  In Wisconsin the deer season is a right of passage, a bonding experience if you will.  You will not find a better and more fun group of guys than the guys that I share my hunting experiences with, and within the past 5 plus years my sons have began joining us and experiencing the joys of getting together and bonding with friends.  If you are lucky enough to have the camaraderie of a hunting group you know what I am talking about.  I never hunted when I was a kid, my Dad didn’t hunt and my Mom didn’t grow up in a hunting family so I never had the chance.  I love the chance to get together with my friends, tell lies, eat lots and play cards, oh yea we get into the woods too.  If you are out in the next 9 days be safe, and remember tab-k the rules of gun safety, Treat every gun as it was loaded, Always control your muzzle direction, Be certain of target and Keep finger out of guard and safety on.  Be safe, have fun and here’s to a successful and adventures filled hunt.

Hi I'm Bob Schmidt

Think that radio people say their names too much?
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Daily Dose of BS Nov 15 Twins and smokeout

Last night I said to both my twins that tomorrow is the Great American Smoke out and you should give up smoking for your birthday.  They both told me Dad I don’t smoke and I never will.  I responded that’s great please don’t ever start.  I was a smoker on and off for much of my teen years and into my 20’s and 30’s, I quit on my 39^th birthday which was 1,905 days ago, it was the best present I could have ever given myself.  In the 5 plus years since I quit I have been lots more active and feel so much better.  The weird thing about having twins is when I met Marcia she said that she wanted four kids and twins, she got what she wanted, I always said that I wanted to retire at 50 we will see if that will happen, I kinda doubt if it ever will happen.  When my twins were born I was scared, excited and full of love, now that they are turning 11 today I am scared, excited and full of love, it’s funny how the more things change the more they stay the same.  You would also think that two kids that spent 9 months together in the womb that they would be alike, that my friends is not the case, oh ye they are not identical, ones a handsome boy and the other a beautiful girl.  So to my twins, Happy Birthday and to those of you who are giving up smoking for the Great American Smoke out, good luck and congratulations on taking the first step to a healthier life. 

Daily Dose of BS Nov 14 - 37 days

37 days, a little more than a month, remember the last 37 days of school, the anticipation, of what is in store for us, the fear of the unknown, the excitement of something new, the wonderment of what was up next.  37 days till your wedding, how about when you started off your work life and your first vacation was straight ahead, or 37 days till you became a parent for the first time, the second time, the third and fourth times, 37 days.  Are we going to get all that we had wanted to get accomplished in our lives?  If you knew you had an expiration date would you change your life?  The Mayan calendar has the world ending in 37 days on December 21, 2012.  Ever given any thought that they may be right?  If you believe in the Mayan Calendar are you going to Christmas shop, if you do would that make you a hypocrite?  If we truly are headed for the end of the world, we haven’t really publicized it as it should have been, it could have been like the Crazy Larry tv commercials from the 80’s we’re not crazy just 37 days left for you to enjoy this new car, no payments until next year, heck we won't even make it to next year, buy, buy, buy.  It’s too bad that the world ends on a Friday, it would have made it lots better if we could have at least enjoyed the weekend.  What are you doing different for the next 37 days?  

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