Daily Dose of BS June 14 Amber Alerts

I don’t know about you but my phone got 2 Amber Alerts on Saturday.  Two alerts after many years of none.  Sure I looked at it after the first one, then thought I am far enough away, and I am not out driving, then put my phone away.  About an hour later there it goes again with another glance at the phone think to myself what the heck, and for a brief moment I thought why am I getting this alert when I am over two hours away.  Then as soon as that thought came and went, I thought those poor parents and shame on me for thinking this way.  I bet that many of you thought the same thing, a quick thought of why am I getting this to immediate regret for thinking that.  I thought what if it were my kids that were in danger I would want everyone and their sister to help.  Wouldn’t you?  Do you think that services such as the Amber Alert help or make us less sensitive to that around us and the more of them we get the more deaf we get to the system?  

Daily Dose of BS June 13 times are a changin

With no disrespect to Bob Dylan but -The line it is drawn, The curse it is cast, The order is rapidly fading, And the first one now will later be last, For the times they are a-changin'.  Look around at our community.  Look at the buildings, the roads, the people.   I hate to sound like my dad but things are changing, and I wonder if they are changing for the better?  I drive from the Southside of La Crosse everyday winding my way through the streets of La Crosse, and then through Onalaska to get to work.  Every day there is progress being made on our streets, in our neighborhoods and with the residents - we are evolving but evolving into what?   The buildings that were once part of the skyline are now reduced to rubble, the roads that moved people through the community are now being built for more people but at a slower speed, and many of the people don’t even look up from their phones to check the progress.  Yes the times are a changin but are they changin for the better?  

Daily Dose of BS June 12 hot and humid

As hot  and humid as it was over the weekend, thank God for Air Conditioning.  I must admit that the air is on at my house and will be for the next few days.  I do like to be able to fall asleep and not wake up in a pool of sweat.  I miss the old days when my kids were younger as with yesterdays heat, it would have brought out the sprinkler and a second hose for a water slide.  Instead of playing in the back yard 4 of us went to the La Crosse Loggers game, at least we got to see a win and a walk off homerun. Try to keep cool today, what are some of your favorite ways to beat the heat? 

Daily Dose of BS June 7 Kmart

Not sure if you heard yesterday afternoon or not but the Kmart on the south side of La Crosse is set to close on September 3.  I must say I am not surprised.  The last time I was there the store had a smell, the customer service was atrocious and the shelves were not stocked.  When I was a kid we used to call it came apart, and I am not even sure why, I grew up in Roseville, Minnesota where the first Target store was, and Target was the store we used to shop.  When I moved for my radio career I ended up in communities where Walmart was king, and then shopped there.  Now I try to shop with the local business, but how many local businesses, and I mean locally owned businesses sell toilet paper, not that many.  While I am sorry to hear that the Kmart will be closing, it won’t really change my shopping.  

Daily Dose of BS June 6 lemonade stand

Entrepreneurship often starts at an early age, don’t believe it look to the streets, yesterday I saw 2 lemonade stands.  I was only able to stop at one of them.  I try to make it a habit to stop and support the dreams of the children.  It truly makes the day of a child when someone stops and buys the Kool-Aid.  My youngest son was in the car and he asked why do I always stop at these, I said did you see the faces of the young entrepreneurs when we bought?  He did, I said that is why.   I like seeing kids have these dreams, and then work towards them, you never really know when one of these young lemonade sellers will become the next million-dollar philanthropist.  

Daily Dose of BS June 5 fridge

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

Daily Dose of BS June 2 cell phone

I have an addiction and it is getting worse.  Hi I’m Bob and I am addicted to my cell phone.  I constantly am checking it for information.  From my emails, to my facebook to what news is breaking locally, to using my camera to the maps and gps.  There is so much that the phone has become that I feel naked if I am without it.  When I got my first watch for my first communion, I started wearing it and have been a watch wearer ever since, when I got my first job, I started carrying my wallet, most of the time it is empty but always is in the right hip pocket, when I started driving my keys were always close at hand and now the phone is teetered to me constantly.  It is like an accessory that gives back tenfold, what other carry with do you have that gives you so much.  From the ability to go online, look up information, text, among other things, like a calendar and an alarm.  Oh yea you can also use it to make and receive calls.  

Daily Dose of BS June 1 politics

Saying crooked Hillary was annoying when Trump was a candidate for President but saying it as a sitting President I don’t think is very Presidential.  The tweet went out last night after Hillary spoke about who else is to blame about her not winning the Presidential race.  Clinton said “I take responsibility for every decision I made, but that’s not why I lost,” She went on to say several factors as the reason she lost, including fake news on Facebook and troubles at the Democratic National Committee.   How about start that at home, start off by saying that you are the reason that you didn’t win, and take personal responsibility.  Speaking of responsibility is it responsible for the sitting President to make fun and name call.  I think not.  But I guess that we are to blame since it was low voter turnout that allowed these two to even make it through the primary.  

Daily Dose of BS May 31 spelling

I have never been much of a speller or if you read my daily dose much of a writer either.  I think that this all started back when I was in grade school.  I never had the desire to learn much about English, I figured that we speak it how much should I really need to know, I bet on the wrong horse.  You need to know how to read, write and communicate in order to get anything done.  I really wish that google was around when I was a kid because as I mentioned I was a horrible writer and an even worse speller.  If google would have been around it would have saved me many hours of being frustrated as a young student.  Heck now if I don’t know how to spell something I use voice to text to come up with the correct spelling of the word.  As I am typing this up I notice a lot of squiggly lines all over the page, because I can’t spell.  I wonder if today I will get lucky and have all my misspelled words at least recognized.  There are times when there are no suggestions.  Which brings me to the reason for writing this, at least I know how to spell Wisconsin.  There are many in this state that do not.  BTW Minnesotans don’t know how to spell beautiful, and I also got that one right.  What words are difficult for you to spell? 

Daily Dose of BS May 30 Memorial Day

I was thinking a lot yesterday, contemplating if you will.  I believe that there are many out there that don’t know what the meaning of Memorial Day is.  The day was meant to be a day of remembrance of those that have fought for our freedom, and were killed while doing so.  I have many family members and friends who were in the Military and I know that one of the things that bug most about yesterday is when someone wishes them a Happy Memorial Day.  I want to know what is so happy about it?  Happy that it is the unofficial start of summer, sure I get that, but it was at least for me a day to remember and to reflect about the Men and Women who have lost their lives helping us to gain the freedoms that we have as Americans.  God Bless America and thank you to the families that had family members pay the ultimate price.  We all must remember that Freedom is Not Free.  

Daily Dose of BS May 26 drug testing

Drug testing has been on the table in the state for years, now Governor Scott Walker wants it to happen.  Federal approval is needed for Wisconsin to become the first state in the country to require adults without kids that are capable of working that are applying for health benefits to get tested for drugs.  If this goes through it could be a move that the rest of the nation could follow.  I am not sure I see a down side to this, the argument in the past has been what about the kids, or that person cannot work because of a pre-existing condition, this proposal takes both of them off the table.  The way I read this is if you don’t have kids and you can work, in order to get Medicaid, you must take a drug test.  There are plenty of places out there that require drug testing to keep your job, I don’t see why to get a benefit at the cost of the taxpayers, that you would think any differently.  

Daily Dose of BS May 25 sales

A lot of us live for the weekends, for rest, relaxation, getting the honey do list done but mostly weekends are famous in the Midwest for garage sales, I used to be a big rummage saler, I used to like to pick through someone’s sale tables and try to find the best deal possible, the once in a lifetime find. Those were the days, you used to be able to go to a rummage sale and find some really good deals, now I don’t think as much, people are pushing goods out their doors with Facebook Marketplace of Craigslist. And if there is a sale some people who have an unrealistic value placed on what is basically junk, but how often have you been to a sale and one of these four things were there, prices so high that you could buy new for cheaper, that the stuff was dirty, or junky or they were selling things like old cool whip and margarine tub and you wondered why they even bothered with the sale. Occasionally, you come across the holy grail of a sale but for the most part at least the ones I have seen lately have been stuff that I would probably just throw away, or at least put on the front boulevard with a free sign. 

Daily Dose of BS May 24 losey blvd

A few neighborhoods may experience a slowdown, there is talk about slowing Losey Boulevard down to 25 from the 30-mph posted speed limit.  I can honestly say that I thought that the speed limit on Losey was at 35, because that is the speed I usually drive on that stretch of road and I most of time am getting passed.  On my way into work every morning I drive down 2^nd avenue in Onalaska and they moved their speed limit down from I believe 40 a couple years ago, and I find myself being a creature of habit and must fight the urges to go faster.  Do you think that the city of La Crosse should slow the traffic down on one of the busiest corridors in the city?  Also, do you think that this is just the next step in a new North South corridor?  

Daily Dose of BS May 23 bombing in England

I am angry.  The lives of innocents and I mean real innocents will be changed forever.  In fact all our lives will be changed from here on out because of the actions of some jerk in Manchester, England.  22 children who attended the Ariana Grande concert have died at the hands of a suicide bomber and at least 60 others have been injured.  I am guessing that many more than 60 more have been injured, how do you explain to the most innocent that what happened won’t happen again, or will it.   Not only have lives been lost and the innocent no longer innocent but think of the sweeping changes that will be implemented around the world including here in the Unites States now, so that this does not happen here.  Or what changes will be made when you travel in and out of large areas of people?  This type of terrorism angers me, because what did these young children do?  They went to support the arts by enjoying a show.  

Daily Dose of BS May 22 circus

I remember as a kid the Greatest Show on Earth.  It wasn’t wrestling, a concert or even Disney on Ice it was the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus.  My parents took my brothers and I to see the circus a couple of times when we were kids and as a kid seeing all the action there was to see from the trapeze act to the animals and the most colorful characters of the show, the clowns.  The crazy antics of the most colorful group of entertainers with the over the top exaggerated makeup acting playfully, and getting paid for it.  It truly was the Greatest Show on Earth.  Also, you can’t forget about the person who ties it all together with their powerful voice and ability to turn your attention to the center ring.  The Ringmaster.  I for one will miss the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Baily Circus, it is sad to see an institution of 146 years close their doors forever.  

Daily Dose of BS May 19 Zaks last day of school

Two of my four kids have now finished high school.  Zak my middle son walked out of high school yesterday for the last time as a student at Central High School.  We spent some quality one on one time yesterday talking about the highs and the lows of school and how he felt a little weird walking out after his last class yesterday.  I remember my final day at school, and feeling the same feelings that Zakery was feeling yesterday, that, that was probably the last time that he would see or talk to most of those people.  And he is right, there are still many that I wonder about 30 years after the fact.  The nice thing about social media is that you can reach out to those you want to reach out to and you can get a peek in to what they want you to see.  Best of luck to the graduating class of 2017, the world is your to go and take.  Remember that working hard won’t kill you, to have fun and not to take yourself to seriously.  Life is meant to be lived.  Go out and live it to the fullest. 

Daily Dose of BS May 18 dangerous walking

Here is a big shocker that West Ave has more pedestrians and cyclists hit and hurt since the road has been redone.  I am not even going to say that I think what the DOT did to West Ave had anything to do with it, I think that reason that West Ave is more dangerous is because people don’t pay attention.  I am talking drivers, walkers, bikers none of the group pays attention to anything further than the few feet in front of their faces.  Don’t believe me take a few minutes today and just park in a lot that has a clear line to any street with traffic, people are not paying attention, they are futzing with their radio, looking at things around them as they drive by talking on the phone or with the people in the car with them or looking at their damn phone, either texting or Facebook posting.  Heck with the storms we have had the last few days I have seen Facebook live videos of people while they are driving.  And I have only just touched on the drivers, look at the cyclists and the pedestrians, they are doing the same thing.  And everyone is trying to prove a point by claiming the ownership of the road.  How about going back to what your mom taught you, be polite and share the road, and if someone lets you in give them the courtesy wave.  

Daily Dose of BS May 17 caffeine

Another day another story about kids drinking, this time it is caffeine instead of alcohol.  Reports say that A teen chugged a latte, a Mountain Dew and an energy drink. The caffeine binge led to his death.  About 75% of all US citizens use caffeine. This is nearly 3 out of 4 reaching for the either pop, tea or my favorite caffeine jolt - coffee. When I was a kid we didn’t have pop around the house except for a special occasion and that was on Mom’s bridge club day and a holiday when the relatives would come over and they would bring it. Funny if you fast forward 30 years that it is more common to see someone drinking a pop than not - not only at a restaurant but for lunch more than about anything else. Back to 75% of the population drinking caffeine, soda is the most common source of caffeine, followed by tea then coffee. Funny how now caffeine is even in foods and other drinks as well. We are seeing it in some jelly beans, marshmallows and some gums too, it is no wonder we have a society of jittery jumpy people.  I hope that the amount of caffeine in your daily routine won’t have the same effect as the young man who had enough caffeine to disrupt and ultimately stop his heart.  

Daily Dose of BS May 16 drinking

There are high school teenagers who drink.  They did when I was a kid and they will when I am long gone.  Some of the kids who drink are kids who play sports, when you get caught drinking as a high school athlete you sit out some games, and I think you have a mandatory class to take.  I don’t see a problem with this, and if it isn’t mandatory it should be.  Kids are going to drink that is a given, kids who drink sometime get caught, that is a fact.  When you are a kid who drinks and gets caught and you are let’s say on the varsity team, you sit out some games, when you sit out some games kids get called up from the varsity reserve team and from jr varsity, I get that.  However what I don’t like fact that when you get caught drinking and you move kids from one team to another that the kids shuffle to make a team pulling kids from vr and jv to come up and populate the team.  I think instead of moving kids around for these game that the games should have been forfeit.

Daily Dose of BS May 15 wannacry

Over the weekend the "Wannacry" computer virus crippled hundreds of thousands of computers in countries all around the world.  The virus is a ransomware that has the hackers demanding money for people to access their data.  The sad thing about this is that it was a malware technique purportedly stolen from the U.S. National Security Agency.  Reports say that the average ask for unlocking your computer is $300 dollars.  That all adds up.  You can protect yourself by running updates, using firewalls and anti-virus software and by being wary when reading emailed messages.  Regularly back up your data so you can restore files without having to pay up should you be infected, as there is no guarantee that paying the ransom will result in your files being unlocked.