Daily Dose of BS Feb 13 fast life

I saw a couple of posts on Facebook over the weekend about how fast life is and how things can change immediately.  I agree things can change in an instant sometimes for the good other times for bad.  One of my friends had the latter happen this weekend to her and her family.  The apartment building that my friend lived in was ravaged by fire over the weekend, and not only did she and her family lose all of their personal belongings but so did their over 7 neighbors, I couldn’t imagine losing everything in a blink of an eye.  When I was growing up my brother put some paper into the furnace because he had seen flames in there and wanted to see more, it was quickly extinguished and he never did this again.  Over the weekend I thought a lot about this and how fast life can change, I know for one I need to slow down and relearn how to smell the roses.  

Daily Dose of BS Feb 10 scouts

I read an article today that brings up the question of girls joining Boy Scouts.  I am an Eagle Scout and I learned a lot from the Boy Scouts and I honestly think that there should be separated groups of kids at that age just to get away from the pressures of trying to be someone who you are not.  Hear me out, when you are a teenage boy you have lots going on school life, home life, church life, friend life and in your mind dating life someday.  If you put the groups together, you are taking away that chance for a boy to be a boy without distractions around.  And if you introduce girls to Boy Scouts you will soon have to introduce boys to Girls Scouts.  And then you will see distractions there as well.  I have read, in many schools around the country schools have been experimenting with separating the different sexes to see how it works in education.  I say leave it be the Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts and let’s open the Selective Service to everyone. 

Daily Dose of BS Feb 9 budget

Governor Scott Walker is known for being a pretty conservative Governor.  His new budget is anything but conservative in fact a few news organizations are calling it a surprisingly liberal budget with a huge boost in funding for schools, sizable tuition cuts for college students and increased tax breaks for the working poor.  Not that I like taxes but I would like to see an increase in gas tax to help to pay the roads, I for one can only bitch so many times about the dang pot holes, these holes are large enough to swallow a car whole and spit out just the axel, but back to the budget.  The proposed state budget includes raises for state workers, the elimination of the prevailing wage and nearly 600 million dollars in tax cuts.  All this while saving a family of four $70 a year in state property tax.  I wonder where this money is coming from?  I am going to ask that question of the Governor at 6:45 this morning. 

Daily Dose of BS Feb 8 game of life

Our lives are really like a game, there is strategy and there is luck.  We all play it sometimes we win and sometimes we lose.  As I was thinking about what to write for my daily dose of BS this morning I kept going back to Sundays big game and how in the first quarter I heard Joe Buck and Troy Aikman talk about no team has ever comeback from a 2 touchdown deficit in the Super Bowl and how Tom Brady ended up pulling out a huge win for the Patriots.  And in November during the election when we kept hearing that there is no way Donald Trump could win, no way.  Here are a couple of examples of where the impossible happened, I guess what I am trying to say is never count anyone out, there is always hope for people and situations.  And in our continual game of life we just keep playing the cards we are dealt and bluffing our ways to victories.  

Daily Dose of BS Feb 7 driving

Every parent’s worst nightmare was realized by Justin McElwain’s parents yesterday as the body of the 22-year-old was pulled up from Swift Creek.  As a parent of four kids hearing that a car went over the embankment last Wednesday morning the first thing I did was to call my son who lives with his buddies to make sure that everything was ok.  I don’t mean to awful-ize here but as a parent you worry, at least I do and I am thinking that this feeling doesn’t go away when your kids get older, my Mom and Dad worry about my brothers and I am sure of it.  Back to the car going down the embankment, I do not know what caused the car to lose control, I do not know what caused the car to end up on the ice, I didn’t know him but I do know that the outcome is sad for all who knew this young man.  

Daily Dose of BS Feb 6 sidewalks

Reaching above freezing yesterday brought my wife and I out for a walk around the neighborhood, we haven’t hit the streets for about a month in a half and I’ll tell you what there are lots of people out there that have not shoveled their sidewalks and don’t even get me started on the corners, there were only 2 or 3 that were cleared enough for us to not have to climb over them and only one that would have allowed a wheelchair to pass.  I thought that the city insisted that the sidewalks get cleared within 24 hours of a snow fall?  Also when the corners aren’t cleaned the water that needs to flow to the sewers get backed up and then causes pooling and eventually more potholes.  And I think that we have enough of those already.  

Daily Dose of BS Feb 3 waffle bowl

This Sunday at the Schmidt house won’t be having wings, pizza or nachos.  We have a family tradition of waffles for the big game.  Waffles are not just a warm breakfast at a hotel.  We started this family tradition when our oldest was young then it just stuck.  We have renamed this coming Sunday Waffle Bowl Sunday because we will waffle over which team to cheer for and which commercial is the best.  For me it is hard to watch the game when I don’t know the players.  I will mostly be watching on Sunday for the commercials and this year I haven’t heard about too many of what is being offered for our viewing pleasure.  Hard to believe that the going rate for a 30 second commercial is over 5 million dollars and that is only for the air time not the production costs and the cost for talent.  Hope your weekend is great and whatever you and your family does during the big game that it is safe and fun.  Have a great Waffle Bowl Sunday and go team go.

Daily Dose of BS Feb 2 Girl Scout Cookies

Back when I was in Scouts I went door to door to sell first coupon books then popcorn.  I was one of the top sales people in my pack then troop, I had a goal.  I really wanted this cool pocket knife and I worked for it.  Knocking on doors and ringing doorbells, it taught a skill, one that to this day I use daily.  Make eye contact and don’t mumble.  Getting in front of people helps to build confidence, and teaches you think on your feet, if not for learning those skills back in the 80’s I am not sure what I would be doing today.  This Saturday the local Girl Scouts are going to be starting their cookie sales, I talked with Sally Egan about the cookies yesterday and found out they even have an app this year to find where you can buy them, I have also heard that the Girl Scouts are selling online, great but don’t expect me to buy any cookies from a website.  I don’t even buy from the sheet that is brought to work and put up with a note asking you to buy.  Want me to buy your cookies or popcorn come and sell me your stuff.  I buy from almost every kid that comes to the door unless my kids are selling the same item.  Having kids build up confidence is not a bad thing. 

Daily Dose of BS Feb 1 Len Bias

Yesterday I commented on the Len Bias law and pointed out the law was used recently in La Crosse to charge a dealer with homicide.  Do you think that the law should be used especially now since we are seeing more and more heroin and other drug overdoses?  Also where should it stop?  Should the law walk all the way to the top?  Should it stop with the farmer or the drug store where the chemicals were bought to make the drug?  Or does it boil down to personal responsibility?  If you take it and you die it is on you?  I am now and have always been a big proponent of personal responsibility but there is a point where someone sold you bad drugs mixed with something else that maybe takes some of that responsibility off the addict?  What are your thoughts?  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 31

There are a lot of things to talk about today from the travel ban to the amount of people who are so tied up in the political hate to the Len Bias law.  I don’t know where to start.  I think I am going to piss about half off by saying Trump won get over it.  You can’t hate that much, can you?  (So you know if Clinton would have won I would be writing the same thing) The election is over the cards are played and there is no reason to lose friends over the already divided landscape of America.  We should all work on trying to build the bridges of our friends, our families and our communities.  There is a political divided in Washington DC but does there need to be a political divide in La Crosse Wisconsin?  I don’t believe so, we can work toward change instead of protesting everything.  On to the Len Bias law, do you think that the drug dealer should be charged with homicide when someone overdoses on the drug sold?  And if so should it go right up the drug ladder to the top with each person charged with homicide?  And if we do this is it like charging Hersey Chocolate for each person who ends up with diabetes or fat? 

Daily Dose of BS Jan 30 great things

When I turned on my laptop this morning the picture was of a beach somewhere and for a moment I was transformed there then my eyes caught the words that were above the login button it said do great things.  Do Great Things, these are words that we should all strive for each and every day, I don’t always achieve this goal, but in the back of my mind it is something that I try to do.  I do try to do the things that put me in the right frame of mind to at least try to do great things.  I heard a quote quite a while ago saying something like this you don’t see successful people leaving the grocery cart outside the cart coral, and that got me thinking, you really don’t see that.  I guess if you start small and focus you truly can do great things.  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 27 border

Over the past couple days if you heard the news or looked online to any news sites you most likely have heard that the proposal for paying for a fence between the United States and Mexico could possibly be paid for by a 20% tax on Mexican imports, now I know I am not a mathematician or an economist but when I think of that kind of math, one that taxes things being brought in, my mind automatically goes to I am going to have to foot that bill when I buy things that were imported from Mexico.  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 26 tv

I like watching tv maybe even love watching tv.  I am finding that more and more there are moments on some sitcoms that push the limits, and I thought I had some pretty liberal limits.  There is lots on the television that push the limits of what should be available to the mass audience.  Don’t get me wrong I don’t want to censor anything or anybody but do you think that there should be censorship on tv?  There are many situations that are shown in tv that make the younger watcher question the reality of what they are seeing.  I recall watching shows with my kids in the room and having one or more ask to explain the situation or the question that arose often was “Is that person a good guy or bad person?”  The lines most certainly are blurred.  What are your thoughts on today’s tv? 

Daily Dose of BS Jan 25 telemarketing

I don’t know about you but I get phone calls just about everyday on my home phone and my cell phone from automated sales people.  I for one am sick of it.  I am on the no call list and I tell the people to take my name off the list, they don’t.   I thought that the government has put into play fines and other punishments for those that push the limits and call your home phone and your personal cell.  Apparently they are not doing anything about it as I still get calls everyday.  Lately they are telling me that they are about my credit card.   Umm not true it is paid off every month.  I am getting so sick of picking up the phone only to say hello twice and then have a good recorded voice tell me oh I’m sorry my headset slipped, and then go into a prerecorded spiel of bs.  It is getting to the point where I don’t even like to answer my phone anymore.  Stop the madness.  I hate telemarketing.

Daily Dose of BS Jan 24 Trump

Cut the guy some slack.  I said it 8 years ago and I will say it when the next administration takes over, give the guy a break.  You never ever stepped into a new job and were wonderful at it.  NEVER.  And add to it the eyes of the world on your every move.  I expect there to be mistakes, and tests pushing the limits of things, as with every new person in every new position.  Being a person who works in the public eye but not nearly as much as the president I know that there are going to be people who like you, and people who hate you.  I had a boss once that told me that you are not nearly as good as your biggest fan and not as bad as your biggest detractor, you are somewhere in the middle.  Give the man a break for the first few weeks, he is going to make some mistakes, we all do when we start out on a job.  I will however give one suggestion to the new administration, don’t lie to us, we and by we I mean Americans are pretty smart and can take a lot, however, lying isn’t an easily forgiven crime.  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 23 swearing at work

I read in the La Crosse Tribune yesterday, an article, that says swearing is just fine in the workplace.  I don’t know about your work place but at mine it is considered unacceptable.  Don’t get me wrong there is swearing that goes on at work, and sometimes it happens on the air, hell sometimes I even slip, but the words that are said on the air are the G or the PG of the swear words.  I have accidently said Schmidt on a shingle when talking about favorite breakfast foods, and one time when I was first in radio I let the granddaddy of all swear words slip off mike and far enough away but still it made an impression to not say that word in the studio.  Words really are important and help people to decide if they want to listen to you.  There are even some studies out there that say it is ok to swear and when you do you are above average intelligence. (as a person who knows my way around the swear word I am not sure I believe this, But)  http://thefreethoughtproject.com/studies-swear-messy-intelligence/  When it comes to words, I don’t care for slang words for any group of people, I am not a fan of labels that people place on people, we have to remember they are words, and my mom always said that sticks and stones can break my bones but words can never hurt me.  What words do you dislike?  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 20 Trump

I have heard he is not my president most of my life, I seem to recall when I started getting politically educated that even back in the 80’s people used to say he’s not my president.  I have to disagree with you, he is our president.  Whomever gets elected and then sworn in as the commander in chief is indeed your president.  You may not agree with much of what that person stands for but that elected person is your president.  With that being said, today marks the swearing in of our 45^th president and you bet there are many protesting, demonstrating and marching in Washington DC and around the country.  But on the other hand there are many cheering, celebrating and rejoicing as Donald Trump gets sworn in.  I am unsure of how things are going to go under a Trump administration but as with any change at the top there will be some shake up and some uncertainty.  I wish for nothing but the best for all in politics, as I do not want our country to fail.  God Bless America. 

Daily Dose of BS Jan 19 stamps

I can remember when it cost 14 cents to mail a letter either next door or across the country.  I recall walking to school through a parking lot when that thought hit me.  I have no idea why I remember that exact moment and who knows if it even is a real thought but I can vividly picture thinking it is only 14 cents to mail a letter and I am walking to school.  Like I said I was a weird child.  The reason I bring up the cost of stamps is if you are a saver and want to save some money before the big hike, you better purchase your stamps before the big hike on Sunday.  We are going back up to the 49 cents per stamp that we saw in 2014.   For some reason the price of a stamp went down to 47 cents in April of last year now returning to the 49 cents from before, I still think that the price of travel for our cards and letters is cheap.  If you want to save that 4% you better head to the post office before Sunday and buy your forever stamps.  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 18 stolen tires

I have always thought of La Crosse, Wisconsin as a safe place to live, low crime, low murder rate, good people.  Imagine my surprise when on Tuesday I heard from a co-worker that someone stole the four tires and rims right off her car.  I immediately thought that she has to have a cool car with super expensive tires and rims, it has to be the case right.  Wrong, someone stole the 4 tires and rims off a 2003 Toyota Corolla.  Who the hell steals the tires off a car to begin with?  But a Toyota Corolla?   What the?  The car was in her alley behind her house.  If this would have happened to my car my neighbors would have been awaked by me yelling.  This isn’t Chicago, or New York but La Crosse, Wisconsin who the hell steals the tires off a car?  By the way if you are missing a couple of car jacks I know where they are, contact me for that information, better yet call the La Crosse Police, I am sure that they would like to talk with you. 

Daily Dose of BS Jan 17 ice skaing on street

A weird thing happened in La Crosse, we had an ice storm like one that I have never seen in my 48 years.  I glanced out the front window about 4 yesterday afternoon and noticed that the street in front of my house was sheer ice.  I mentioned it to my son who asked if he could go out and skate on it, I said no so he went and slid on the ice with his shoes on.  When his brother got home he had a pair of his old skates on and said I’m going skating on the street and his brother then piped up saying me too, they grabbed their skates, I videoed them on my phone uploaded to Facebook and by this morning over a half a million people have seen the video, my kids were pretty pumped last night constantly giving us updates on how many people have seen the video, a friend of mine said it was on the national news.  Crazy.  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 16 gps

Over the weekend I wanted to go to a funeral to pay my last respects.  I found the address of this rural church and proceeded to go to google maps to find the driving directions, using the gps on my phone to navigate me to the rural church.  I didn’t make it to the funeral heck I couldn’t even find the church.  I have heard how people have had bad luck with the different maps out there and how gps units have told people to turn down wrong streets, but this is the first time I have experienced it where it had me miles away from my true destination.  Needless to say I missed the wake and the funeral, instead of getting upset about missing these events, we decided to explore some of the small towns we went through.  Not really what was planned for Saturday but wasn’t the worst thing going either.  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 13 Buck and Aikman

Joe Buck and Troy Aikman are Fox broadcasting number one broadcast team.  Some Packer fans are not happy with the duo calling the Packer games.  As a Packer fan I say to those fans that are complaining about having Buck and Aikman calling the games to get over it.  I personally like to watch the games when these guys are calling the games, and in fact don’t like when we get stuck with another broadcast duo.  At least when I am watching the Packers on Fox I know what I am going to get, when they move the games to a Sunday, Thursday or Monday night I don’t know who is going to be calling it, and not sure if I will even be able to watch the game since I don’t have cable.  I think that the 24 thousand fans who signed the petition to get Buck and Aikman off the Packers broadcast have it wrong.  If you want to not hear what they have to say, either turn down your tv and listen to the game on the radio or go to the game yourself and see the action.  I say keep Buck and Aikman.  Go Pack Go!!!!

Daily Dose of BS Jan 12 netflix cheating

Infidelity, the cheating spouse, it isn’t what it seems.  It didn’t mean anything.  I really only enjoy it when it is us.  It won’t happen again, I promise.  But the draw is there and the lines have been drawn in the sand.  You are home alone and that urge gets you, you are weak, you can fight her power, you can fight her draw, you can – never mind only one more time, yeah right.  The TV is already on and you have Netflix turned on and you have already started watching the show you and your spouse were watching together.  That draw is real, I feel it on a fairly regular basis, I am home alone often and the tv is on, and sometimes, I can’t help myself I want to only watch one episode, just one she will never know, but guess what she will.  It isn’t worth it, you can watch these shows together.  Speaking of Netflix cheating, what services do you have besides Netflix?  I also have Hulu and Amazon prime, and we just are finishing up Agent X.  What shows are you currently watching? 

Daily Dose of BS Jan 11 presidential

As we are getting ready to turn the page on American history as we say good bye to the first African American President and hello to a president who has had no background in politics except for donating to campaigns and parties to get things done for his businesses.  Are we ready to look back at the last eight years and think about the good and the bad?  I can honestly say that in the Obama presidency that I have had my career worst day and my career worst day.  I have seen the stock market make money and lose money, I have seen people at the top of their game and people at their worst.  There have been times that I wondered what the heck is going on and then how cool is this.  I guess what I am trying to say is that even though one President is getting ready to step aside, a person who if you remember was a pot stirrer and another person who is a pot stirrer getting ready to take over, that we are better off than we were 8 years ago, I worried about the next 4 years, no not at all.  Because we always find a way to persevere, a way to succeed, and always find a way to show the strength of our country.  God bless America. 

Daily Dose of BS Jan 10 follow through

What ever happened to follow through?  I bought a Santa beard and hair back in November from the world’s biggest box store.  I looked locally.  Couldn’t find it.  Long story short I got some hair but it was a Mrs. Claus hair set.  What the heck am I supposed to do with that?  I immediately contacted the company to try to get my hair problem taken care of.  Here it is 3 weeks after Christmas and I still have not got closure on this.  I did talk via email to at least 4 customer service people the person before yesterday’s conversation said yes they saw the mistake and yes I will be getting a refund in 5 to 7 days I waited 9 days before I contacted them again, yesterday’s person said to me I need to call the customer service number.  I didn’t have time to do that yesterday, but why have I had to jump through so many hoops for a 42-dollar refund?  At this point it is the principle of the thing.  I just always thought that when you tell someone you are going to do something you follow through with it.  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 9 racism

Racism is alive in 2017.  By now we have all seen the video of the 4 black suspects holding a young mentally challenged white man for hours while broadcasting it live on Facebook.  I have heard this act called a hate crime and I agree.  If any group of people pick on someone other than the group doing the picking it is bullying or hate.  I get good natured ribbing, I do it myself in group of friends, heck we sometimes go over the line, but at no time have I ever physically attacked anyone, if I did I would expect to be charged with a crime and if I were saying to them at the same time pointing out why I disliked them and all their differences I would expect to also be charged with a hate crime.  We are in 2017 and  by now you would think that we would like each other or at least get along with each other. 

Daily Dose of BS Jan 6 roundabouts

Prior to this morning I was gung ho about the new roundabouts here in Onalaska.  I have been driving thought them effortlessly over the past few months since highway 35 has re-opened, in fact I had conversation with someone from the Wisconsin DOT yesterday about a completely unrelated item and mentioned to him how I thought that the roundabouts were not that big a deal driving though.  Guess what I spoke to soon.  On my drive into work this morning I had to slam on my breaks and hit my horn narrowly avoiding an accident as the guy heading south on highway 35 must have either been in lala land or not paying attention or he had the whole panic what do I do attitude, I know I will just plow through and hope that the smaller vehicle stops to avoid hitting me.  Either way I am guessing it is going to take me a few more weeks before I am comfortable traveling though the roundabouts again. 

Daily Dose of BS Jan 5 Alexa

We have been inundated this winter with commercials for the Alexa from Amazon.  I ended up getting one as a gift for Christmas and I’ll tell you what it is pretty cool.  Ask it the question Alexa what is the weather and in her sultry computer voice she says the weather today in Lay Crosse is then she continues with the forecast.  Ask her to tell you a joke and you hear one of the cheesiest jokes you would ever hear, Alexa, do you want to go on a date? I like our relationship the way it is.  I have been having fun with her.  There is a concern now with Alexa always listening and the question is what does she hear?  Alexa is always on and always listening, can she incriminate you?  Also when are they going to roll out the Alexa that can do dishes and laundry?  I already have a house full of people that don’t like doing those chores. 

Daily Dose of BS Jan 4 exit 3

The state of Wisconsin just spent millions of dollars re doing the I 90 bridge over highway 35 and now it will be worked on again with big changes for the Exit 3 traffic design.  More stoplights will be added, some business entrances will be moved, some businesses will be moved, there will also be an eagle viewing area and trails added along the Black River.  The transition will be to give the area a new urban feel.  The dot will be getting rid of the cloverleaf loop, being replaced with diamond configurations and controlled intersections, slowing traffic.  There will be added medians, on Rose and West George streets blocking left turns requiring vehicles to travel new roads to gain entrance to existing businesses.  I drive this twice daily and something needs to be done.  I am shocked that it has taken this long to do so.  My biggest complaint is why did it take a couple of steps to get it done, why not do it when the whole thing was tore up over the past few years instead of finishing one project then making a whole new project.  

Daily Dose of BS Jan 3 resolutions

Did you set up your yearly lie? We are on day 3 of 2017 have you stuck to it so far?  Lots of us start the year ready for failure. How often have you said to yourself this is the year I am going to...it doesn't matter what the ... is since many of us have filled in the blank with some unrealistic goals. Like this year I am going to Start Exercising, Eat Better, Spend More Time with Family & Friends, Quit Smoking, Enjoy Life More, Quit Drinking, Get Out of Debt, Learn Something New, Have a positive frame of mind, Be Real, Think to the future, Smile more often, Respond to all emails in a timely fashion, or do things for me.  I am not buying that in your mind you think you are going to do those things, but lets get real. How often have you made those little promises to yourself?  To make your resolution better obtainable I would make it realistic, plan ahead, reward yourself, talk about it, remember that most people think that if you make a mistake that you've blown it...use your setbacks as a stepping stone or a learning experience.  Don't beat yourself up and understand that you will have set backs...it is not the end of the world to take a step back when your eye is on the end goal...basically quit lying to yourself and set realistic goals and have a plan of attack.  Good luck in your endeavor to become a better person.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 30 end of year

This time of year gives many the chance to reflect and remember.  As we wrap up 2016 and begin our journey of 2017 I just want to hit a few highlights of my 2016, my oldest son and I took a trip to Boston, to celebrate his 21^st birthday, he also graduated from Western Technical College, my middle son is now a senior and the twins started high school.  My favorite memory of my family was trumped every Sunday when we all got together and laughed and loved, topped by a family hike on Christmas day making a snowman.  My job is awesome and I wouldn’t trade it for the world but I did get to do the coolest thing I have ever got to do as a radio personality, this year brought lots of great interviews including talking to Paul Stanley from my favorite band in the world KISS.  Here is to the memories of 2016 and also to the unpublished pages of 2017, may they be the best ever.  Happy New Year.  

Daily Dose of BS Dec 29 travel

Over the river and though the woods, on your way overnight somewhere…. doesn’t matter where next door or across country.  Picture what you have to bring.  Why is it as Americans we feel the need to bring everything we could ever think of for the trip?  You have to pack your toiletry bag, a book, a swim suit, a change of clothes for each day, a laptop, some snacks, my cpap machine, an extra pair of shoes…. what else did I forget?  Oh yea my phone, my charger, the gps, coffee mug, winter hat, gloves, oh my goodness where does the list end?   Why do we need to bring so much crap then if there is more than just you, you need to multiply all that by however many are traveling with you, and if kids are along you need toys, videos, games more snacks etc.  As Americans we have too much stuff.  I feel bad for the people with those little wind up cars, how do you get all your stuff for your overnight in the vehicle?  Downsize, now there is a novel concept, would you NOT like fries with that?  Speaking of downsizing, what are your New Year goals?  

Daily Dose of BS Dec 28 death

Everybody dies.  I hate to sound like a crass uncaring person. But I have been seeing so many people curse the year for taking so many of our iconic celebrities. You know that every year we're blessed with new life and good news as well as death and bad news. Every year we have celebrity deaths.  I find as I am getting older there are more and more of my aged people dying and the celebrities that I grew up watching are getting older as well, with age comes death.  I was challenged yesterday when I posted something about this on my personal page that there are more celebrities that have passed in 2016 than other years, I google searched it, there are many who die every year.  It's not like we're losing more people were just losing more of the people that we grew up watching. It's sad when people die but it's also an opportunity for us to remember and memorialize. There really are only two certainties in life birth and unfortunately death.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 27 technology

As we were together this weekend for Christmas, watching movies on demand, I looked up from my phone at my kids and they were all on their phones also, we then had a discussion about how we are all addicted to our phones and technology.  Can you make it a week without using any computers at all?  My guess is that most of us can't make it a day, from our cell phones, to our cars, to our tvs to our watches, computers are everywhere.  I know I can't go a day without mine, I am an information junkie, I love that I can go to a computer or my phone or a tablet and go to a site like google and find out pretty much anything I want right at my fingertips, if I want to hear a certain song, watch a clip of tv or read a passage of a book, I could find just about anything I would ever want right there.  My job has come a long way from when I started in 1987, we used to play records and carts and recorded on to a reel to reel deck, now we don’t even have record players, cart machines or reel to reel decks our music is all computerized.  I bet your job is different now than it was 20 years ago as well.  Here’s to the past, the present and the future.  I am excited to see what could possibly be next?

Daily Dose of BS Dec 23 Christmas

It’s the friday before Christmas and no presents are bought.

You are feeling quite down, real sad and distraught

What kind of gifts can you buy now and not look real bad

Some last minute presents cause feelings of sad

There are things that can be bought and wrapped or downloaded and shared

And also items that showed that you cared

The trick to shopping last minute is easy

Is to not look like you waited, don’t make it look cheesy

As Boy Scouts have taught me to look all prepared

And when going to buy last minute gifts don’t look scared.

From BS with Bob and crew that work here.

Merry Christmas to all and have a great year.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 22 real or fake

I love the real ones and I love the fake ones.  I just like them.  The real ones are perky and look good at first then they start to droop as they get older, while the fake ones look good right out of the box but sometimes can be to perfect, and after looking at them for a while you can tell that they are fake.  We have had both in our house, but for the past few years we have used a smaller artificial tree for Christmas, with lights and some keepsake ornaments.  In years past we have gone to tree farms to harvest our tree and the last few times we have had real trees we got them from our family land.  So around the Schmidt household we have had successful Christmases with both real and fake.  I grew up with an artificial tree but honestly don’t care what we have in house at Christmas as they are both beautiful.  Which do you prefer? 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 21 beer

If you drive down Lang Drive and looked at the billboard there you probably noticed the billboard for Milwaukee Ice and that it now has 6.9% alcohol.  Prior to that billboard I don’t recall ever seeing a beer point out the fact that the alcohol content is higher, I am used to seeing advertising about the taste or the experience that you may get after trying a product.  Not the alcohol content.  The company claims that they are aiming for transparency so that way consumers can make informed choice, I call BS if Miller Coors wants customers to make informed choices then they should advertise all of their family of beers the same way and see what happens to the sales of their flagship beers.  I am guessing the reason for the 6.9% advertisement is so that way they can reach the beer drinker on the budget that is out for the buzz rather than the camaraderie of having a few beers. 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 20 movies

When the holidays roll around my kids always like watching the Home Alone series.  Over the weekend I watched two of the 3 Hangover movies.  I have always been a person who loves the slap stick movies like Happy Gilmore or the Naked Gun movies franchise.  There are lots of great movies out there that either bring a smile to your face or a tear to your eye.  Our family is more the funny movie family than the tear jerker movie watcher.  Holiday traditions are everywhere this time of year including the family getting together to watch a holiday favorite.  What is your favorite movie and is there a story that goes with why you like it?  I think that our family likes the Home Alone movies because we watched it when the kids were little because it dealt with Christmas and was funny enough to grab everyone’s attention. 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 19 politics

I was thinking about it over the weekend that if we as a country put any doubt into the presidential election that we are then diluting the process.  Think about it whether your candidate won or not if we put into question the outcome of this past election and we keep questioning it that it will put our whole process into question and if that process is in question than our whole government comes into question we must accept the outcomes of the elections and then fight to change them the next time.  We had our family Christmas over the weekend and it is funny even though I had mentioned to a few of the guests that I didn’t want to talk politics since I talk about politics and other events as my job, I like weekends and especially family time to be politic free, it was brought up.  I don’t think that we can ever please everyone when it comes to politics or anything for that matter.  Hope your politically correct holiday time is peaceful. 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 16 breakfast

They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  I will have to admit that breakfast is probably my favorite weekend meal because I get the chance to enjoy it.  I think that we are pretty blessed here as there are a lot of great breakfast places out there.  I have my favorite and I am guessing that you do as well.  I have a favorite for which ever food I am craving.  I got to say my favorite to get out to eat is American fries, with mushrooms, peppers, and onions add a couple of over easy eggs, a piece of ham and some rye toast and you have a happy Bob.  If you really want to be on my good side add some hollandaise sauce over the top and you have nirvana.  What is your favorite breakfast food and where do you like to go for breakfast? 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 15 yahoo

Yahoo has suffered yet another hack.  The breach is believed to be separate and distinct from the theft of data from 500 million accounts that Yahoo reported this September.  The stuff taken this time user account information including names, email addresses, telephone numbers, dates of birth, hashed passwords and possible encrypted or unencrypted security questions and answers.  I used exclusively Yahoo for my emails up until the last time they were hacked since then I have moved to Gmail.  I hate hackers.  I don’t get what hackers get out of putting malicious programs on someone’s site.  I really think that hackers are making our world a tougher place to live.  The real sad thing about Yahoo getting hacked is that I saw on Facebook before I got an email from the company letting me know.  Are they working on covering their own asses?  What about all the ones that they left exposed?  All these hackers breaking into small business websites and emails, is costing us all, time, effort and energy.  And what are they getting out of some of the hacks?  I don’t get it.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 13 America is great

Does America need a reboot?  The calls during the election were let’s make America great again, are we really not great anymore?  I have spent my entire life in America minus a few days and I for one feel like we are great.  Are there a few things that I would change, oh yeah, but even in the best scenario of the best events in your life there are still things that you would like to change.  I think that in our constant strive to always be bigger, better, faster, stronger that we don’t take the time to enjoy what has been built up.   Do we have things to do to make our county even better, yes we do, but is America not great?  I kind of think that we are but then again I am kind of biased. 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 14 online shopping

When is the last time you ordered something online?  25% of Black Friday purchases were online.  Free shipping day is coming up on Friday this week.  Many are shopping Amazon prime and all the deal websites out there are being shopped more than ever.  I see the UPS truck, the Fed Ex truck and of course the Mail truck hit up my neighborhood every day.  A couple of weeks before Thanksgiving I ordered something online from the biggest of big box stores because I couldn’t find what I was looking for locally, and I did look.  I was supposed to get my package on the 28^th of November and I ended up getting it on the 23^rd I was happy because it was a new wig for playing the man in red.  My gig was to be on the 3^rd.  I eagerly opened my package and it was the wrong wig, they sent me the Mrs. Claus wig.  (insert jokes here) I immediately jumped online filled out a return request and waited.  I thought that they would get me the wig I ordered in time for the gig.  Guess what it didn’t happen.  In fact I am still waiting after 4 times of contacting the company.   I guess long story short is if you are dealing with a company and ordering it online, be ready for disappointment.  

Daily Dose of BS Dec 12 shoveling

Obviously over the weekend snow fell, funny how soon we forget, I of course am talking about driving in the snow, I am sure I am not the only person that noticed that people do not remember how to drive in the snow. With the snow came some other events like shoveling and salting, and if you wanted to be young again snowball fights, forts and snowmen. Back to the business of snow, I shovel my walk when we get any amount of snow but I was wondering when other people shovel, my guess is that most people shoveled with the snowfall we just received but in your mind when is the right time to shovel the walk or plow the parking lot? I also wonder when the city decides to bring out the plows? Up through the weekend they didn’t have much practice time, but all the way to work today I had great driving, thanks to the hard working road crew.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 9 Big Mac

Do you have a favorite food?  I have a few favorite types of food but I don’t think that I could narrow it down to a one specific food.  "Big Mac Daddy" Don Gorske from Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin did something that I don’t think anyone will beat, he ate his 29,000 big mac sandwich from Mc Donalds.  29,0000 of the same thing.  Don has been having 2 a day for a long, long, long time.  I took 29,000 and divided it by 2 for the 2 a day and then divided it by 365 for the number of days in a year and came up with the number 39.72 so if my math is right Don has eaten 2 Big Macs a day for almost 40 years.  There is nothing that I like that much that would have me doing it two times a day for 40 years.  Nothing.  Back to the whole favorite food thing, what is your favorite food?  For me?  Mexican food, not a particular item but the category.  

Daily Dose of BS Dec 8 food

I made chicken noodle soup on Sunday.  Yesterday I went to reheat the leftovers for dinner.  I opened the bowl and cleared out the kitchen.  How did 3 day old soup turn from delicious to deadly?  I hate to waste food.  I usually make enough food for 2 meals when I cook so that way a day in the future will be a bit easier with the leftovers.  Have you ever taken out a bigger pack of meat and and forgot it on the counter, then went to bed?  I have also done that, thank goodness that this doesn’t happen too often.  I also dislike when other food gets tossed because of improper putting away like bread, or fruits of veggies. I searched for food wasted on google and it says that about twenty five percent of our food budget is tossed away every year. For a family of six they say the average food bill per week is $291 so about 15 thousand dollars per year. Wasting about 4 grand per year on throw away. It just hurts to think that, that much is wasted.

Daily Dose of BS Dec 7 earworms

Tis the season, for Christmas songs to be playing on the radio, in stores, as backgrounds in tv commercials, at church and generally hummed as people go about their daily business.  Yesterday I had the chance to be at a lunch meeting and one of the guys started humming fla la la la, well that song stayed in my head throughout the day and on my way into work this morning.  Ever had a song or jingle roll through your head at the moment you are ready to sleep, talk to someone, close a sale or just about any other activity?  These types of songs are called earworms.  According to Wikipedia an earworm is a catchy piece of music that continually repeats through a person's mind after it is no longer playing.  What are some of the songs that are the earworms for you, this time of year Christmas songs are mine, what are yours? 

Daily Dose of BS Dec 6 porch pirates

A lot of us have had packages delivered to our homes either from ordering online or gifts that have been delivered.  I know I have and with teenagers wanting to have the latest and greatest of things we have quite a bit delivered to our homes plus with the way the insurance companies are and the bulk medicines that are prescribed there are packages being delivered all the time.  I have been hearing of some big cities having problems with porch pirates, and by porch pirates I mean the people who help themselves to the items that you have ordered.  I really only thought that this type of thing only happens in big cities but no.  I was talking with my neighbor and she said that it had happened to her a couple of different times but when she told me she laughed a bit saying that they only got toilet paper both times.  

Daily Dose of BS Dec 5 Santa

In my 48 years I have seen some good Santa’s and some bad Santa’s.  You know the character I am talking about the jolly old elf in red with the white beard.  I too have played the part.  My favorite question is are you the real Santa?  I have always followed it up with what do you think?  If they say yes then I mention I just say yes just like you are real child and if they say no I follow up with why would you think that, and when pushed will say that there are many helpers.  Playing the part of Santa is not an easy job you have to listen, laugh, engage and smile.  The Mall of America is taking some heat for the hiring of their Santa.  The Mall has hired their first black Santa Larry Jefferson and from what I have seen a fantastic Santa.  Remember that Santa is a fictitious and legendary figure who brings gifts to the homes of well-behaved, as long as the part is played well, does it matter who plays the part?  And aren’t we all a little Santa this time of the year?  

Daily Dose of BS Dec 2 shoes

Here is something weird to think about but think about your shoes for a minute.  When is the last time you bought a new pair?  I just picked up a new pair of shoes.  I like a good pair of slip in shoes for heading into work, and for a quick shoe to throw on when around home or if I gotta run and do a few errands.  I found a pair of slip ons that I found super comfortable and wore them about the past 9 months only to have them wear out.  I returned to the same store where I originally bought them and they didn’t have the same color that I had but had black, I bought them, they aren’t the same, not as comfortable and don’t fit as well.  Same thing has happened with tennis shoes over the years, you find a pair you really like, your feet get used to the feel and you know the quality, you wear the heck out of the shoes, and when it comes time to replace you head to your favorite shoe store, you go looking for your shoes, and either they don’t have them or they have them and the quality has changed.  Why?  We spend most of our days with shoes on, you would think that the shoe people would want us to keep buying their shoes.  Wouldn’t you?