Daily Dose of BS Sept 20 fist bump

Howie Mandel does it, I see political candidates doing in now as well as business owners and sports stars.  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, but it has to be a good handshake with a firm grasp, hand not too sweaty.  I had a handshake the other day that I had to wipe off afterward, and I don’t like that.  A while back I was at an event and saw a dad of one of my sons friends 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.  After that I have been saying I’m not comfortable with the fist bump.  Is that rude of me to call the fist bump out?    

Daily Dose of BS Sept 19 terrorism

It is 2016 and it is important for us to be vigilant and protect ourselves.  With the terrorism that happened over the weekend we have to go back to the see something say something that was all so important after the past terrorism that was perpetrated against us in the past.  The see something say something is probably something that we shouldn't have ever given up, even in our own neighborhoods.  Tomorrow night I will be hosting a Crime Stoppers Forum at the Weber Center focusing on neighborhoods.  As we look around and see the issues with our world today it makes me wonder are we ever going to find peace, in the world, our country, our own backyards?  What can we do to make our families and our friends safe?  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 16 5 second rule

I think that all of us have heard of the 5 second rule, it was a rule I have been living by for most of my life, from the very first time I heard it as a child at the Burger Chef in Roseville Minnesota when my Grandmothers burger fell on the floor and she actually ate it, to just this past weekend when my family and I were enjoying some family time on the back deck and some of the popcorn that my son was eating fell on the ground he proudly claimed the 5 second rule and picked it up.  New research shows that the 5 second rule isn’t really a thing that bacteria can instantaneously contaminate your food, and with 1 in 6 people in America getting sick due to food borne illnesses each and every year, I don’t think that it is worth it.

Daily Dose of BS Sept 15 household income

The average household income in La Crosse County rose about 7 grand in the past year to just over 73 thousand dollars.  This is the largest 1 year gain in 5 years.  While the average household income rose so did the county’s overall poverty rate from 12.5 percent to 15.2 percent.  Nationwide that number dropped about 1 percent.   While the county of La Crosse had quite a jump in average household income, there is still about 15 percent of our neighbors living in poverty making only $11,770 per individual or $24,257 for a family of four.  Didn’t I hear a few weeks ago that it takes about a quarter of a million dollars to raise a child from birth to 18, how is that even possible with a person living in poverty?   And what about the saying that it takes money to make money, if 15% of our neighbors are in poverty, how are they making money?  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 14 phones

It isn’t the first time that I have heard this, not even the second time.  How often have you heard about a business not wanting your money?  I have been a customer with a cell phone company for 12 years now.  12 years of loyalty to the same company, at the time a when the industry was new and everyone was working to become the go to phone company.  I had a good contract, one that I really didn’t want to let go but then the phones became smart, smarter than us, and the deals changed.  You needed to add on the services that included more than just phone, and phone calls.  Now mind you 12 years ago my wife and kids didn’t have phones, there was just a single phone, with no texting and no data.  Now with 6 people at my house with cell phones and 6 people with data and texting, the bill has definitely inflated.  Inflated to the point where I want to shop my phone contract out to other businesses, to see what kind of a deal I can get or if I am getting the best service I can.  I have asked for information from a company more than twice, and that is unacceptable.  Who have you had good service and a fair price within the cell phone market?   

Daily Dose of BS Sept 13 fests

Soon it will begin, day after tomorrow in fact, with La Crescents Applefest, then the parades hit the area and hit us hard.  This coming Sunday, is the King Apple Parade, and again the La Crosse Radio group will get the chance along with Bauer’s Market to hand out thousands of apples, to parade goers that line the streets of La Crescent.  Up next lighting up the vehicles on September 29^th for the Torchlight Parade on the North Side of La Crosse kicking off Oktoberfest 2016.  The Edelweiss Parade is Friday morning leading to the tapping of the Golden Keg, then the gran-daddy of all parades begins on Saturday Morning with the Mapleleaf Parade.  I always think that the Rumor of almost 250,000 people line the streets of La Crosse for the Mapleleaf, is a little far-fetched.  Don’t forget about the events that speckle in fun for Oktoberbest, like the Slicing of the Golden Brat, at American Legion Post 52, an 8-foot brat that made GMA last year.  I like our celebrations of fall for the area with Applefest and Oktoberfest, what are your favorite memories of fest?  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 12 Hillary

Health is not something to mess with.  Yesterday at the 9/11 memorial in New York City we saw Hillary Clinton swagger and then many step to her rescue.  Then the security team encircled her and didn’t allow her to be photographed.  I get that health is important.  The shared diagnosis of her swagger was that of pneumonia, something that is curable and something that may take on some of the same symptoms of her ordeal, I too have pneumonia and it isn’t something to laugh about in fact when I do laugh I start coughing.  I also have a cough similar to Hillary’s cough and the doctors have been working on fighting that for me.  I haven’t lost my footing or missed any work over it, but it does take a toll on you physically.  Here’s hoping for you to have a healthy day.

Daily Dose of BS Sept 9 September 11th

This weekend will be a weekend filled with emotions from the Steppin Out in Pink walk tomorrow where 6500 people walk for breast cancer, to the Freedom walk Sunday and all the emotions with that.  Fifteen years ago this Sunday is a day that most in our generation will remember like the landing on the moon of the generation before, and the death of President Kennedy of the generation before that.  The patriotism that America felt, the American Pride that you had for the days, weeks and months after the tragic 9/11 attack at the World Trade Center.  I was working on the radio here in LaCrosse when a listener called and said a plane crashed into the World Trade Center and then a few minutes later another caller and then even more callers called with the news.  We reported the news and the feelings of the people who were living it, experiencing it, seeing it.  It was weird to have all air traffic cease after that day and when it finally resumed, remember how weird it felt and sounded?  I hope and pray that we never have to relive another 9/11 type attack on America.  God Bless America. 

Daily Dose of BS Sept 8 suicide

A handful of disability rights groups in the state of Wisconsin are working to stop a 14-year-old Wisconsin girl from killing yourself. The 14-year-old girl Jerika Bolen is in terrible awful pain every single day; the pain is so intense that on the pain scale of 1 to 10 she is at least 7 even on her best days.  Jerika, who has an incurable illness said that she would attend high school and her prom this year then, and enjoy a final summer with her mother, and when that is done she would then kill herself.  A disability rights activists are asking Child Protection agencies to stop the teen from ending her life.  When somebody is in constant pain should they have the right to end their own life? I know that it goes against everything that many believe in but doesn't pain and suffering have some sort of trump card over committing suicide?  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 7 Jacob Wetterling

I don’t recall the date but I do remember the fall of 1989, I was dating my wife and we were planning our wedding, I had left a radio job in Mason City, Iowa to be closer to Marcia.  In the fall of 1989 I was working for a group home that my friends’ family owned, I had learned how to play cribbage and life was carefree.  I don’t remember the exact moment that I had heard that Jacob Wetterling had been abducted but I recall the images of Jacob being shown on the news, in the paper and all over the place.  The abduction happened within 60 miles from where I lived.  I recall the feeling of loss and truly feeling like I couldn’t do anything.  I have often thought of what happened to Jacob, I have interviewed his mother Patty a few times in my radio career and over the years had unfortunately forgotten about him, that is until this week.  The thoughts came flooding back with the recent discovery of his remains, the feelings of these poor parents and the thoughts of I hope that monster who did this burns in HELL.  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 6 trust

I took a break from reality over the past few days, spent 5 days and 4 nights at the family land, it is pretty rustic compared to city living, by rustic I mean no running water and no cable.  There is no shortage of things do there as I have better cell phone service there than I do in the city.  Which brings me to my break, I stepped away from Facebook for a few days and guess what it didn’t kill me, I didn’t go crazy and as a matter of fact I feel a little bit smarter for doing so.  When I turned my computer on this morning I had 87 notifications and a handful of messages to return and a few friend requests, all in all it was a good break.  On my way to the cabin I stopped in New Albin, Iowa at the Valley Ag to pick up a few things for my non-existent garden and wasn’t sure if I had enough cash to pay for all I needed, the guy behind the counter said that is ok, I can bill you.  HUH?  You don’t know me, I said, his response floored me, he said you look honest, I know you’ll pay.  What ever happened to this kind of trust and service?  BTW I did have enough cash to cover it.  

Daily Dose of BS Aug 31 internet

The other day at work we lost our internet, It is amazing how much we use internet technology in such an old school job.  The national programming on our talk radio station comes over the internet, all five of our radio stations get special programming and commercials sent over the internet.  News, sports, weather and more - all internet.  So when our internet goes down here there are issues, I also believe that some of our old school corded phones are internet based also. Its kinda scary that when internet is down our show prep goes down also, plus when the internet goes down we can’t check emails, or go on facebook.  Plus how are we supposed to watch cat videos?  On a side note,  I am going to take my yearly break from the internet, well Facebook over the weekend, wish me luck, going to attempt a good 4 day break.

Daily Dose of BS Aug 30 National Anthem

Does Colin Kaepernick have the right to sit out during the National Anthem absolutely he does. Is it going to help him win friends and influence people? Absolutely not is it going to help him to further his stance on whatever it is that he is fighting for absolutely not. Doesn't make him look like a baby yet does Kaepernick sitting down during the National Anthem put him in the bad graces of most around the country? My guess is absolutely it does. I get you have the right to protest what you want, but isn't there a time and a place for that rather than at your job? The 49ers said “The national anthem is and always will be a special part of the pregame ceremony. It is an opportunity to honor our country and reflect on the great liberties we are afforded as its citizens. In respecting such American principles as freedom of religion and freedom of expression, we recognize the right of an individual to choose to participate, or not, in our celebration of the national anthem.” The NFL went more to the point: “Players are encouraged but not required to stand during the playing of the National Anthem.”

Daily Dose of BS Aug 29 smoking

Today it has been 9 years since I was a regular smoker.  The reason I say since I was a regular smoker, because I had one cigarette about 2 years ago, and it reminded me why I quit, I wish I had all that money back and the health that went with me starting smoking.  I had been a smoker on and off from the time I was in high school till 9 years ago, I quit for 4 and 5 years in there at different times but 9 years ago I decided after my oldest son caught me smoking to give it up for a year.  I gave it to myself for my birthday, it was a one-year contract that I had with myself.  I then continued to give myself that gift.  That time I quit was easy, as I was doing it for my kids and for me.  Don’t get me wrong there were times when I really wanted to light up, especially when faced with stress, but each day it got a bit easier and the cravings less.   I am happy to say that I am giving myself the gift of non-smoking again this year.  If you are a smoker and you want to quit, I know you can do it, if you really want to. 

Daily Dose of BS Aug 25 monopoly

Here's a good case against monopolies.  Look at the EpiPen.  The EpiPen cost has risen 600% in the last 9 years.  There seems to be so many people out there that have allergies these days, and so many people out there that are on the verge of death once they come in contact with their life threatening allergy.  And one of the only things between living and dying is the EpiPen.  Really Mylan officials you are you are going to raise your wages on the backs of those in need?  This doesn’t seem like the right thing to do.   I'm kind of sick of the entire Pharmaceutical industry as a whole, this isn’t the first time that we have heard of big pharm raising prices once they have the consumer where they want them.  I get that there is millions in research and trials but, come on. 

Daily Dose of BS Aug 24 homework

I have always hated homework, disliked the fact that we had to do work outside of our school day, and as a parent, I really don’t like it because it shows me what I really don’t know.  I had problems helping my kids with math after the 7^th grade and now my youngest ones start high school in a week.  With school starting and I am assuming that kids today like homework about as much as I did when I was a kid, it was nice to see a viral post yesterday about a teacher who doesn’t believe in homework.  The note begins “After much research this summer, I am trying something new,” then goes on to say “Homework will only consist of work that your student did not finish during the school day. There will be no formally assigned homework this year.”  I would love to have had this teacher.  What are your thoughts on homework?  Personally, I think that the kids get too much when your kids bring home more than 90 minutes a day, that is too much. 

Daily Dose of BS Aug 23 lochte

I think if you make a mistake and someone points it out you should fess up.  If Ryan Lochte and his fellow teammates would have just said yes, we were dumb and yes we got drunk and yes we wrecked a bathroom.  I am sorry, I am made a mistake and it will never happen again, I believe that he would have looked like a hero to some and this would have been over for him.  But since he went on and lied about his stupidness that this is going to be in the news for a while longer.  I read this morning that he has lost Speedo and 3 other endorsement deals because of the back lash of his actions.  I have also heard that because of this he stands to lose 11 million dollars.  That is a big loss for a night of stupid.  On top of it all he is in his 30’s and on the tail end of his swimming career so redemption is probably not in the cards.  I hope that with this act of stupidity and his lying to try to cover will at least teach us that you can’t lie your way out of a lie. 

Daily Dose of BS Aug 22 crime

Yet another reason I don’t want to be a cop, oh let me count the ways.  My wife woke me up this morning at 2:10, with a nudge and the words there is someone in our house.  It took me a second to respond, after the initial shock of what was said, glasses went on, and heart started racing and I was up and out of bed.  I heard a girl yelling and saw flash lights flailing, my first thought is wtf, then I got to call 911.  I then noticed realized that it was a scuffle outside in my yard, a woman was yelling at police officers in my yard at 2:10 am.  I saw at least 3 cops, in the yard, and another one or two drive by, when the suspect was finally contained I asked one of the officers what went down and why my yard, the as because she took off and we had to pursue her.  I thanked them for doing what they do and tried to go back to sleep for two hours, just try going back to sleep after something like that happened in your yard.  

Daily Dose of BS Aug 19 hacks

We were in a meeting the other day talking about using Facebook live, and incorporating it into our radio shows.  Heidi said if you are looking for a way to hold your phone use a coffee mug and it will hold your phone in a perfect angle for going live on Facebook.  I liked that idea, it made me think of other life hacks that are floating around.  I have just seen a few online that work well for this time of the year like turning your steering wheel 180 degrees to keep you from burning your hands when you start driving or using a Ziploc bag for keeping your phone dry on rainy days.  I have also rubbed my house key on a candle to help to lubricate the lock, and that works great.  What life hacks have you tried and had work? 

Daily Dose of BS Aug 18 politics

I think the younger generation hates when us Gen X’er of the Baby Boomers talk about when we were kids, but here is something that I think will straighten up all that is wrong politically in our county.  This is so simple and something that anyone over the age of 40 has heard and heard more than once.  Are you ready for some earth shattering, ear blowing words of advice from days gone by?  Here it is, keep your political opinions to yourself, opinions are like bellybuttons, everybody’s got one.  Back when I was a kid people never talked about religion or politics because it would ruin the family or a friendship.  I think that if we go back to that way of thinking that we would be a better country and not have all this fighting amongst families and friends.