Daily Dose of BS June 12 smoking

I used to be a smoker, I look back at it now an wonder why.  I see many young kids picking up the habit and think the same thing, why.  One of the smarter things I have done was to quit.  I have a few friends who still partake in the habit but for the most part they have all quit as well.  I have been seeing the e-cigarettes more and more and in the weirdest places, like while walking through the grocery store and in the movie theater.  Why is it ok to smoke these in public but not a regular cigarette?  I think you are still adding chemicals to what I am breathing right? 

Daily Dose of BS June 11 jaywalkers

If someone is in the cross walk I will stop and allow them to cross the street.  I am very much not a fan of the stoplights controlled by the students by Jade,  lots of times they will push the button and then cross without waiting for it change, it changes when cars get up there and you have cars stopped on West Ave without any pedestrians.  Kind of irritating.  I went south on highway 35 the other day cruise set at 58 when an idiot walked out in front of me, I found this much more irritating than a car pulling out in front of me cause if I was not paying attention I could have killed this guy, if you have no regards for your life that is one thing but if you are putting me and my family in harm’s way shame on you. 

Daily Dose of BS June 10 fist bump

I very much dislike the fist bump, and I always get caught with it, meaning I bump back.  I think I am old school when it comes to hellos and meetings I like the good old fashioned hand shake and eye contact.  I was at a bunch of graduation parties over the weekend and saw a dad of one of my sons friends dads and said hi, he turned said hi to the other guy at the table shook his hand gave a few pleasantries to him looked up to me, gave me a fist bump and a nod then moved on.  I have been kicking myself since for allowing this to happen.  I think I am going to start saying I’m not comfortable with the fist bump, either that or just not do anything.  I know that this is rude, but isn’t a fist bump just as rude?  

Daily Dose of BS June 7 they are watching

Big surprise here a disclosure of two secret surveillance programs.  I am shocked, and outraged.  You are asking yourself is Bob for real?  No I am no, how can I surprised or shocked?  I have assumed that all of our communication is monitored when we are using public airways.  Heck there are pictures of all of us and all of our structures online, thank you google and satellite images, why would our verbal or written communication be safe?  I would like to think that they, and by they I mean big brother isn’t looking at what I am talking or texting about.  Also if the government is looking at what we are looking for on the internet, maybe they can help me, I am looking for some good quality used windows and an outside door for my cabins shed.  Also if they really are here to help, I am also looking for a rear tined tiller.  

Daily Dose of BS June 6 Shipped my pants

Advertisements are everywhere.  There are some I enjoy and others I can do without.  The new Kmart campaign that is I believe an internet only campaign is awesome.  Have you seen the “Shipped my pants” ad or the “Big gas savings” ad?  Those are some creative commercials getting lots of extra play because they have gone viral.  Are there any commercials that you think have ranked up there with either of these two?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWeKbh000nI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL4lSavSepc

Daily Dose of BS June 5 couponing

I know I have talked coupons in the past, but I think it is important to talk food, and food savings every once in a while.  I admit I am a coupon and deal shopper.  I have gotten better on buying things that I need rather than buying things just because they are a good deal.  My brothers call me frugal, others may see me as cheap, but I don’t care.  I have been told in the past by men who I work with that dudes don’t use coupons.  I think that if you are not using them you are not a man.  What is the stigma of a couple of coupons?  The extreme couponing I don’t agree with, because who needs 150 bottles of anything, that is hording and another issue, but saving a buck or two with a couple of coupons in my opinion is the right thing to do.  

WHICH CAR GETS THE MOST COMPLAINTS?

Highlights of a new survey on customer loyalty and complaints …

• Nissan has the lowest loyalty among the large car brands; Ford has one of the highest.

• Most complaints have to do with powertrains, hardware, and electronics.

These are the cars with the most safety complaints …

5. Dodge … Model with most complaints: Grand Caravan.

4. Chrysler … Model with most complaints: Town & Country.

3. Smart … Complaints per 10,000 sold: 25.

2. Jeep … Model with most complaints: Wrangler.

1. Mini Cooper … No car brand received more complaints per 100,000 vehicles sold.

– Sourced from Edmunds.com

Daily Dose of BS June 4 safe in your own neighborhood?

In the past year there have been at least 4 homicides in my small town.  Four people’s lives have been ended prematurely.  There have been shootings, and stabbings and robberies, home break ins and lots and lots of drugs bought, sold and made.  The FBI have been here for drug busts and they have helped in murder investigations.  Welcome to small town America.  What happened to the white picket fences, and the neighbors helping hand?  When did the littler communities become a place for more than an occasional graffiti, toilet papering or shop lifting?  What is our country becoming?  Do you feel safe in your community, if not what are you doing to make a difference?  

Daily Dose of BS June 3 everyday extras

We all have them, the people in our lives that we don’t know but we see everywhere.  I saw a few of these people over the weekend and actually asked someone who that person was and they had no idea.  The weird thing is that I asked the host of a graduation party I was attending.  Do you recognize your extras?  Have you ever tried to engage them in conversation?  Some of the extras are the people you expect to see like the friendly face at Festival foods or at Kwik Trip, or they woman with the scarf and gloves, the anti-gravity lady that walks downtown, of the guy who rides his bike with the tank top and skirt on.  We all have them, don’t be the extra in everyone’s life be meaning for some.  

Daily Dose of BS May 31 craigslist

Craigslist is an amazing beast.  I have sold most of the things I put on there in just a few days.  I wonder the business model when it comes to making money on that site.  There is no advertising and no charge for listing.  What am I missing?  I am glad to see this business work because of what I was talking about earlier this week on how we want bigger, faster, and stronger.   This allows us to have this and to have it be new to us yet keeps it out of the land fill.  I also have found that people will be willing to pay a bit more for items on craigslist compared to if you were to sell it at a rummage sale.  Plus you can look for the bargains you are looking for and the best part of it all is you don’t have to have a rummage sale.  

Daily Dose of BS May 30 wants

We are on a constant quest to become happy, if only I had this or that or the other thing, always wanting bigger, faster and stronger.  When are we going to be happy with what we have?  I don’t know if that is ever a possibility.  I try for inner peace, I really do but with all the bright lights and constantly being bombarded with buy this, its newer, it can make you fill in the blank.  When are we going to say enough and be happy.  I am not sure if it is possible in world we live in, and that is too bad.  I don’t want to settle but when do we decide that we don’t need any more, that the widget we have is great and I can do without the upgrade.  I don’t think that that will ever be.  

Daily Dose of BS May 29 look me in the eye

I am a big fan of looking people in the eye.  I dislike when you’re talking with someone and they don’t look at you when talking with them.  That eye contact in business and personal relationship helps to build trust, and a bond with the person you are talking with.  I think that the smart phones are killing this with the next generation, just watch as your teenager has conversation with their peers and with adults, I’ll bet that they don’t keep that eye contact do they?  According to a survey that was just released adults make eye contact between 30% and 60% of the time in an average conversation they should be making eye contact 60% to 70% of the time to create a sense of emotional connection.  Try this at work today look everyone in the eye ( but don’t stare), ask questions and listen to the answers.  If you do this you will have a better work day I bet.  I interview people every day while at work and I sure prefer the face to face interviews better than the phone ones for this reason, I know that I have the person that I am interviewing’s full attention when face to face because of that eye contact.  

Daily Dose of BS May 28 friends

Friends are a great asset.  I have always known this but over the weekend I had a few step up and offer a helping hand.  I am so blessed to have a great group of friends who are willing to add expertise in just about any situation brought to them.  I have wanted to get a shed built at the family land and my friends hit it out of the park again.  From planning to the tools to leg work, 7 guys gave up part of their weekend to help with the task at hand.  The weather was a bit of a deterrent but after a 3 hour rain delay we accomplished quite a bit of the job.  I also got some apple trees and raspberry plants in the ground.  Who would have thought the last weekend before June that we would need stocking hats and gloves? 

Daily Dose of BS May 24 freedom is not free

Freedom is not free.  We have all heard that, and as a younger man I didn’t get it.  I do now.  Our freedoms are a gift to us from the generations of yesterday and our brave men and women who are currently enlisted in the military.  As we kick back and enjoy a few beers, and food grilled over the open fire this weekend, as we take in the three day unofficial start to the summer let’s spend a minute remembering the sacrifice that many before us have made, and let us not forget about the young men and women who are serving our great country now.  Without the bravery of so many, we would not be as free as we are.  God bless the people who work day in and day out to keep us free.  Remember freedom is not free, someone made a choice.

Daily Dose of BS May 23 big changes

Big changes in the Schmidt house, my oldest graduates from High School tomorrow and then off to his next stage in life, not only is he graduating but all my kids move on to the next step in their career.  My middle son graduates from middle school and on to high school, and my twins move from grade school to middle school.  Big changes.  I am excited for my kids as they embark in the next phases of their lives; I hope that they each find the path that is best for each of them.  One of the things I have tried to teach is that life isn’t easy and it is what you make of it.  That only they are in charge of their own destiny, and to think ahead, as my dad used to say to me that your head isn’t just a place to hold your glasses or hang your hat.  I think that is the best advice that I got.  Think.  

Daily Dose of BS May 22 oktoberfest

Big changes for Oktoberfest next year.  The fest is going from a 9 day celebration to a 4 day party.  I am not sure how I feel about this, I moved here in 1992 and have enjoyed fest for the past 21 years from the opening day parade all the way through to the end, multiple parades, lots of brats and you can’t forget the beer.  I moved here right after the beer throwing ended, for that I am glad, but the traditions of fest are changing.  I guess that things need to change or face doom, and I hope that this is going to be a step in the right direction.  I have been a part of enough organizations to know that there will be people bitching about these changes and bitching loud, but what I have found that most of the people who complain the most are not really even a part of the organization, because if they were they would have stepped up at a planning meeting and said something.  I for one and not sure of the changes but I also don’t have enough time to devote to keep things the same.  I am looking forward to the change and wish the Oktoberfest USA folks nothing but the best.  Because after all you can’t end September in La Crosse without Oktoberfest.

Daily Dose of BS May 21 tornado

Two days short of two years.  It is a sad situation when there is a tornado that rips through a community.  Just about two years ago the tornado that ripped through La Crosse and caused millions of dollars’ worth of damage was on the same day as the horrible tornado that killed at least 158 and injured over a thousand in Joplin Missouri.  I live in the La Crosse neighborhood that got hit the hardest, I was lucky that only a little damage was reported on my block but 3 blocks away trees were down, garages were tore from their foundations, and houses and businesses were damaged.  We were lucky here that no one was killed or even severely hurt.  Joplin wasn’t so lucky, their whole town was affected.  Now two years later almost to the day Moore Oklahoma has a twister that devastated this community.  My heart goes out to the families who have lost loved ones.

Daily Dose of BS May 20 medicine cabnet

My sons graduation party went well over the weekend, you could not have asked for any better weather and getting together with many family members was nice.  It was funny to hear our relatives from Minnesota say we better fill up here before we leave since the gas prices are usually cheaper there than here.  Having a party puts you in a vulnerable position.  I read that 39% of guests look in the medicine cabinet of the host of a party.  I just read this stat this morning after our party had I read beforehand I would have maybe added a surprise for the guests like a jar of marbles or a fake rat, or some weird fake something or another.  Then again who said I didn’t. 

Daily Does of BS May 17 idiot drivers

Idiot drivers.  Do not pull out in front of someone on a highway then not get up to speed and then turn at the next driveway.  If you ever wondered why people flip you off or honk at you this is the reason.  That is the clean version of what happened to me last night when headed back home from the cabin.  I had some idiot pull right out in front of me…ugghh.  I am sure I had a moment of happiness that there were no kids in the car with me.  Pay attention. 

Daily Dose of BS May 16 fuel costs

What the heck?  Gas prices are creeping up to where they were last year.  We are close to 4 bucks a gallon again, in fact in La Crosse we are 15 cents from that 4 buck gallon.  To me this does not make since, as we are using more wouldn’t the processing of gas be more efficient?  It happens every year about this time and we as consumers just take it.  The sad thing is that now when it dips to about 3.25 I have found myself and heard my kids say look at the cheap gas.  That gas is not cheap, because the cost of fuel is creeping ever higher it is taking away from the things in our lives.  Come on lets lower to cost of fuel.