Daily Dose of BS Oct 16 obesity rates

Well we did it again we proved that we can go above and beyond, this time it isn’t so good, this time our above and beyond is our weight.  Nearly 4 in 10 of American adults are not only overweight but are obese, that number is a bit less for kids, that one shows that 2 in 10 kids 2-19 are considered obese as well.  These big numbers mean shortened lives, and higher incidences of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and chronic conditions.  It goes to show that life is short, too short in fact.  I have always said that life is too short to be married to someone you don’t love, work a job you don’t like or to drink shitty beer.  But I am going to change that up a bit and also add to that, that life is too short to eat the foods you don’t like.  What foods don’t you like?  For me not a fan of liver, brussel sprouts (however I used to like them), and pie crusts.  You can also add beets, anchovies, and circus peanuts to that list as well.      

Daily Dose of BS Oct 13 city council

How many times have you driven by an old farm and thought to yourself why didn’t they do the maintenance on that building and are allowing it to fall down?  I have driven by many of those buildings over the past umpteen years.  I am glad to see that the city of La Crosse is doing something to some of the structures around La Crosse before they get to dilapidated and beyond repair.  Yesterday I brought up the old Plaid Pantry, last night the city had a city council meeting and they voted to spend money on fixing up the Isle la Plume marina, also to spend some money to fix up the bandshell in Riverside park.  The city council also voted to allow Ron Pishke to tear down the old building on 3^rd street.  In my mind all good decisions. 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 12 Plaid Pantry

When I first moved to La Crosse I rented a place on 5^th avenue, it wasn’t the best neighborhood I ever lived in but for a couple years it was home.  While living there if I needed a few grocery items mostly canned goods at that time, I would walk a few blocks to the Plaid Pantry and buy them.  Most of the time I went to Quillins and once in a while I would go to Stritmatters,  and Cub for my big shopping.  Funny how none of those grocery stores are even around La Crosse any more, I guess that Quillins has a small presence but the others are long gone.  New life will be breathed into the former Plaid Pantry as the city of La Crosse will purchase that builing for 55 thousand dollars with the usage as a neighborhood center.  I like that our city notices a need like this and works to help a neighborhood rehab.  It is sad that it has taken so long for this to happen, but am happy to see something finally go in that spot.  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 11 recall election

Today is the 9^th day after the recall papers were turned in to try to recall Onalaska school board member Jake Speed.  The organizers who started this drive ended up with 613 more signatures on the recall papers than needed.  I don’t live in Onalaska but if I did and I was asked to sign the papers I would have said no.  I never do sign them, in fact when they have a recall election I make sure I go and vote for the person who they are trying to recall, I think that a lot of people do this.  The person got elected by a majority and deserves to fulfill the term elected.   I really think that if this much effort would have been put forth in the general election then a different candidate would have won.  If the outcome comes back not the way the recall committee wanted this time around, are they going to want another recall?  A recall of the recall?  I am not a fan of this recall or any recall that requires a special election, we get the chance to recall every candidate every election cycle.

Daily Dose of BS Oct 10 new holidays

We didn’t get mail yesterday I don’t know the reason why.  So I asked, did you know that yesterday was Columbus Day?  Or you more likely know it is the newly renamed Indigenous people day.  Indigenous people what?  I don’t even know what that is.  I had to work did you?  I was thinking about this, not for very long mind you but what if we got rid of all the holidays that are out there, and just had a couple of random Monday or Fridays off per quarter giving us 8 3 day weekends a year.  That may make things easier for everyone.  We wouldn’t have to deal with people saying Merry Christmas if we didn’t want to hear it.  We wouldn’t have someone getting mad over the name of this holiday or that one, we would all have the day off and you if you didn’t get the day off you would make double time or you could choose the following Friday off or something.  If this idea went through we could name the 3 day weekends based on the quarter and which break it is for example quarter one one, and quarter one two, etc.  much easier don’t you think?  

Daily Dose of BS Oct 9 Pence

It seems like the Vice president leaving of the Colts game was a PR stunt from the get go, the political stunt that sent Pence went from the game to an evening fundraiser in Los Angeles, and flying Air Force Two to Indianapolis and back from the West cost taxpayers over $250,000.  I can think of plenty of other things that could use that kind of funds.  Just think all that taxes that your family and mine paid last year plus most of my friend’s tax dollars were spent to make a statement.  Hummm.  Waste of money.  I think that if you want to protest the games then protest the games, don’t watch them, don’t talk about them, just don’t.  My Dad quit watching baseball after the strike many years ago, and I believe that he still is a hold out.  I protested the way I was treated at a store by not shopping there, but I returned.  It is hard to protest something that you like.  I think that we want to offer second and third chances, I guess for the NFL we will give 16 chances and maybe more depending if our team goes all the way.

Daily Dose of BS Oct 6 are we free

In the wake of the shootings in Vegas do we want gun control?  I’ve read many headlines saying that Americans are calling for tighter gun control, but are they?  Not all Americans, I think that some Americans are calling for tighter gun control.  I am not sure that is the answer.  We have called for strict speed limits, no texting and driving, not talking on the phone in a construction area, have you driven without your seat belt, peed outside, jaywalked, or sang Happy Birthday in public?  If you have done any of those things you have broken the law.  At what point is a law only a law in the books, and when does it become one that you listen to?  They say that “Freedom is not Free”.  Do you agree?  Are our freedoms free?  We are free at what costs? 

Daily Dose of BS Oct 5 Christmas

It is not even Halloween and already we are seeing signs of Christmas. What the heck? I am wondering why we are seeing the commercial part of the holiday creep into our sights earlier and earlier each year, yet the religious part fade away? When is it too early to start pushing Christmas?  Also, what do you think the take away for Christmas is these days?  It certainly doesn’t have the same meaning as it did when I was a kid.  Christmas used to be enjoyed in December not pushed down our throats starting in October.  Are the people who hate Christmas going to not shop at these stores or is it a conspiracy for all of us to be so unsensitized to Christmas and everything to do with Christmas that we start to not pay attention to it? If you know please explain cause I am at a loss. Ho Ho Ho happy October.

Daily Dose of BS Oct 4 Joshua Coburn

A good friend of mine who is a motivational speaker posted on his Facebook yesterday that he was looking for videos of how he made a difference in people’s lives, how the things that he is preaching and teaching has helped his Facebook friends.  As soon as I saw that post I immediately thought of the smiles that he brings just by being in a room, the shunning of conformity that he displays, the nonjudgmental attitude that not only does he display, but the rush to judgement that I will be willing to be that he gets.  You see my friend is covered in tattoos from head to toe, he has gages which have stretched out earlobes, he has scarification on his face and implants on his hands.  My friend Joshua has helped me to not notice the art but to notice the man.  By having Josh in my life has helped me to open my heart and my mind to explore those that are not like me.  Manners and Motivation a couple of things that we all could work on.   

Daily Dose of BS Oct 3 Vegas

I always thought that we could be safe at work, church or school.  I thought we could go and enjoy a concert or a walk in the park.  Is there really anywhere that we can go and be safe?  59 people killed, over 527 injured, and a nation in shock.  When I woke yesterday to the news of the shooting in Vegas I was like the rest of us, I was in disbelief, wondering how something like this could happen and what kind of a monster would do something like this.  Serious question where can we go for safety?  Is there any place where you could go be out of someone’s line of fire?  This shooting also brings up the gun control question, how can we civilly have a conversation that includes both side?  I am not sure that this is even possible.  Not that you asked but In my opinion I don’t think that there is a good reason for anyone to own a fully automatic gun.

Daily Dose of BS Oct 2 Oktoberfest

Over the weekend the size of La Crosse swelled to about double the normal amounts of people, unless you were in a coma, you know that Oktoberfest swooped in on Thursday and left after the last band last night, I would be interested in knowing the economic impact on the area that this fest has.  I heard from at least one board member yesterday that the tapping of the golden keg on Friday was about 35% larger than it was last year, I wonder if it had to do anything with the weather?  The things that I love about Oktoberfest is that it is a chance for people to get together and laugh and have fun.  It is great when people flock to our city and then are excited to see all the sights and sounds.  The one thing that I hate about Oktoberfest is some of the people and the fact that they think of our city as a trash can, if you were anywhere along the parade route after the parade on Saturday you know what I am talking about and if you were on West Avenue between King and La Crosse Streets you also know, and don’t get me started on Vine and Pine.  Enjoyed another fest, disappointed in people not picking up after themselves.  

Daily Dose of BS Sept 29 Golden Brat

Today is slicing of the golden Brat at the American Legion Post 52 on 6th Street in La Crosse, and many are hitting up different places getting ready for Oktoberfest. As we roll through town today hitting up whatever prefest, festivities please think before you hop in a car. We are going to be seeing many people drinking to excess this weekend. It unfortunately is a fact. I know that you can go to Oktoberfest and either drink just a couple to be social or not drink at all. I have been on both ends of the spectrum over living in La Crosse for the past 25 year, I gotta say the years that involved less drinks were just as fun and maybe even more fun than the ones that had overindulged Bob. I understand that at festivals and especially ones where everyone seems drunker than the next person, you feel the pressure to drink to excess, as I try to show my kids that moderation is ok, but don’t let it get away from you. Think before that last drink.

Daily Dose of BS Sept 28 Oktoverfest

Are you ready for the annual La Crosse holiday?  Oktoberfest begins this afternoon with the Lederhosen Luncheon, the special fester carnival after that and the torchlight parade tonight.  Tomorrow morning swing by the American Legion for the annual slicing of the Golden Brat an over 90 pound brat severed up with all the fixings.  After living in La Crosse since 1992 I have been around Oktoberfest for 25 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 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 Google Birthday

Think back to 19 years and one day ago, there was no google, there was no easy search for your computer, no google maps, no chrome, no google play, no you tube, no android system for your phone, heck not many mobile phones back then no gmail there is a lot that this 19 year old company has done.  Think back to when you turned 19, what had you accomplished?  By 19 I had graduated high school, earned my Eagle Scout, but I am not sure of any global events I was part of.  Heck I would be hard pressed to say I have had that big of an impact on the world outside of my circle and maybe a bit further, but I wonder how many have that bigger influence?  I guess one of the ways we can make a bigger impact is to try new things, and not be afraid to fail, because I think that often times our failure leads to bigger and better things.  Happy 19^th Google, I am excited to see what you do in the next 19 years.  Oh and I did try something new yesterday, had honeycomb for the first time, I liked it.

Daily Dose of BS Sept 26 Trump Tweet

Are we headed for war?  A North Korea Diplomat say that his country has the right to retaliate and shoot down United States planes.  President Donald Trump tweeted that the North Korean Government led by Kim Jong Un “won’t be around much longer” was taken by North Korea as a declaration of war.  I knew that random posts on Twitter would end up getting us into trouble.  How can this tweet by the President be taken any other way than what was said and I quote “Just heard Foreign Minister of North Korea speak at U.N. If he echoes thoughts of Little Rocket Man, they won’t be around much longer!”  To you is this legit, or is it drawing the line in the sand, or is it school yard name calling or bullying?  Any way you look at it, the rhetoric and exchanging of threats and insults from both sides has reached a new level in recent days.  Who is going to step in and moderate this? 

Daily Dose of BS Sept 25 end of the world

Well we dodged another bullet, I think there were 2 bullets that we have dodged in the past week, wasn’t the world supposed to end either last Wednesday or on Saturday?  If you are reading this I guess it didn’t happen.  I think at one time in my life I was worried about the world coming to an end, but now.  Not so much.  I wonder how many people based their life on a life expectancy of an arbitrary day or date that someone has picked?  I think if we live our lives to their fullest, do the things we like to do with people that we like to do things with, it really won’t matter when your clock expires.  Would you really want to know when the world is going to end?  I can think of at least a dozen days that have come and gone where I have heard that this is going to happen or that is going to happen, but really, I think if you live your life to its fullest each and every day, take advantage of opportunities that are put your way and try to smile and pass on your knowledge by either teaching, or mentoring you are doing well.  Holding grudges is a waste of time and so Is worrying, I am not saying I don’t do these things but I do try.  Have a great Monday.

Daily Dose of BS Sept 22 look

To the entitled college girl who threw up your hands after you walked out into the middle of street on West Avenue yesterday afternoon wondering why no one stopped for you, I am sorry I am one of those people who didn’t stop.  Apparently, you are not familiar with the physics of a car, if you are traveling at let’s say the speed limit of 25 miles per hour, and no one is truly driving at 25 but let’s say it is a perfect world.  So, for my car to stop at 25 Mph, there is a Thinking Distance of 25 ft a Braking Distance of 31 ft and a Stopping Distance of 56 ft, You and your college mind may have forgotten this, you expect when your dumb ass walks out into the busy street to immediately stop.  I will tell you this entitled college student one of the first things I taught my kids was to look both ways, and wait for a safe time to cross.  Don’t be stupid, because apparently, you were smart enough to make it to your ripe age of 19 and obviously, you were smart enough to make it to college.  Stop and look before crossing, it is only common sense. 

Daily Dose of BS Sept 21 world troubles

In-between the hurricanes, the earthquakes and the political turmoil around the state, the country and the world are we going to be able to rebuild and grown as a world?  I look at just what the hurricanes have done in the continental United States then add the most recent Puerto Rico hit by Hurricane Maria add to that the devastation that hit Mexico with the earthquake and sprinkle in the political unrest in the rest of world and we have the potential for unraveling, if you look the thread is hanging there and it will just take a couple of pulls to send us into either an economic crash, a world war or ultimately an implosion with the mad grab for everything.

Daily Dose of BS Sept 20 wash your hands

I have talked in the past about how too many people have been witnessed just walking out of a restroom and sharing with the world what they just deposited.  I just saw a report that said that our cell phones are pretty dirty also because we are on the things all the time including while on the throne.  But did you know that your money is one of the dirtiest things out there?  $1 bills from a bank in New York City were swabbed to see what was living on paper money. The scientists found hundreds of microorganisms with the most abundant were ones that cause acne, they also identified vaginal bacteria, bacteria from mouths, DNA from pets and plenty of other viruses.  They also found that nearly 80% of our money has traces of cocaine.  By the sounds of it we need to wash our hands way more often. 

Daily Dose of BS Sept 19 foxconn

Well he did it.  Governor Scott Walker signed the Foxconn incentive bill worth 3 billion dollars to help to bring the flat screen group to the state of Wisconsin.  If you think about the dollar amount 3 billion dollars that is a scary number considering that it is a 3 with 9 zeros after it, but if you divide that number by the amount of people in the state it is a lot smaller number it ends up being $519.12 per person still that is $519.12 that I personally don’t have and that money won’t be helping me at all.  What are your thoughts about the state going after this type of business?  Foxconn is the world’s largest contract manufacture of electronics and they will have that technology here in Wisconsin and will have the opportunity for our kids and our children’s children to have the opportunity to work with cutting edge technology.  But the big question is one that I learned in economics class, at what cost?