New Years Resolutions

Well it's about that time of year again.  Time for the fruitless exercise (for me) of the new years resolutions.  This is the time of year when people come up with all kinds of things they are either going to or not going to do.  Whether it be quit smoking, eat better, be a better friend, cut out the swearing, there is always a multitude of things peple plan on doing.

I have had many new year's resolutions over the years.  I have resolved to take better care of myself, to keep in touch with friends and families, to get my financial house in order, to keep my nose out of other people''s business.  I have resolved to lose weight (more than once), cut down my alcohol intake, see a doctor once in awhile.  I have resolved to unclutter my life, to clean drawers and closets, all kinds of things.  Unfortunately, few if any of my resolutions have lasted more than a week or two.

There are people I know who are able to make resolutions and keep them .. I envy these people.  They say they are going to do something and then they do it. So far I have been unable to accomplish this.  Well enough is enough.  I have decided that if I start with just a few small things I say I am going to do and get them done, maybe it will lead to bigger accomplishments.  I'm hoping at least.....

......so here goes.  For 2013, I resolve to---

not only cut the weight, but to keep it off this time.  Gonna take a life style change or two, but I'm gonna do it.  I resolve to get the will and living trust updated.  Should be easy, but I've been putting it of for years.  Needs to be done.  And I resolve to start unloading some of the stuff around here.  Hard to come up with a volume number, but if it hasn't been used, I getting rid of it.    And finally, I resolve to finish the projects I have started around here before I start another.  There are all kinds of partially finished things around here that need final touches.  Everything gets done before I start anything else.....

Well I think that's a good start.  Maybe now that it is on here people can keep me honest.  I hope those of you who make new year's resolutions have good ones, and that you are able to keep them.  And for those of you that don't, I'm happ for you.....

Merry Christmas

Christmas means so many different things to different people.  From the getting together with family and friends to the baking, from the Christmas cards to the television specials, there are so many things to do and enjoy this time of the year.  Sometimes it seems that there is just so much going on that there isn't time to get it all done.  Everything seem to be more commercialized now more than ever--I guess it is just the chasing of the almighty dollar.

Christmas for us here has obviously changed for us as the kids have grown.  I'll never forget Stew's first Christmas when he fell down the stairs due to his excitement.  Or how the kids always sat at the stop of the stairs until Santa and his elves were ready for them to come down and open their gifts.  And of course I remember helping ol' St. Nick assemble all that stuff....The gifts have changed from toys to athletic equipment to electronics to stuff for college.  There have always been new clothes, probably something with the Packer logo, and usually something for the house.  Somebody usually gets something that makes us all laugh as well.

As I get older, I find myself reflecting on things more this time of year.  Those of you that know me know that I am not that religious, but as I look around I find myself thinking that all this stuff hasn't just happened.  I find myself thinking about friends and relatives who have passed away.  I find myself thinking about what the future holds, not just for myself, but for my kids and their kids to be.  I worry some, but also find some measure of peacefulness. 

So I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years.  I hope you all enjoy being with friends and family if that is what you choose to do.  I hope you all have a safe holiday season, and are able to enjoy the spirit of the season all year long.  And I hope for my Christmas wish  comes true, that we all can learn to get along. 

Desiderata----L. desired things

Back in the early '70s there was a "spoken word" record titled Desiderata.  I haven't heard it probably since then.  I remember that the words were printed in my religious school book, and that I had cut it out and saved it.  I even remember sticking it on the mirror in college, and I know where my copy is today.  I can say I haven't even thought about it in at least 25 years, but a couple of weeks ago I woke up with it on my mind.

Well we all know what the internet is, so it was pretty easy to look it up.  I found out it was written by Max Ehrmann in 1927, and that Adlai Stevenson had planed to include in in his Christmas cards the year he died.  All interesting or not.  I have no idea why this thing popped into my head after all these years.  Maybe it's all the complaining I've been hearing from people lately.  Maybe it's age.  Maybe I think I need a little religion and think this fits the bill.  No clue.  But I think it will give people something to think about, so I'm putting it here.  Have a good day.....

      Go placidly amidst the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

     Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit.  If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

     Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

    Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full or trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

     Be yourself.  Especially, do not feign affection.   Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

     Take kindly the counsel of years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.  Many fears are born of fear and loneliness.

    Beyond a wholesome discipline,  be gentile with yourself.  You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

     And whether or not it is clear to you, on doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.  Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.  With all its shams, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful.

     Strive to be happy.

Sandy Hook

What a sad sad day.  Twenty children killed, as well as six others.  What a sad time we are living in.  What could be so terrible in a person's life that they feel the need to shoot defenseless school children.  I don't really care to say anymore on this, because there is still too much unknown.

What are we going do about this shooting, as well as the others that have been happening all too much recently.  Are we going to turn all the schools into fortresses?  Are we going to stop going to theaters and shopping malls?  I'm still waiting for something to happen at a sporting event--kind of surprised that they haven't already.  Are we going to get rid of the guns, or are we simply going to have everyone armed? 

I feel so sorry for the surviving kids and their families, for the families who have lost family members, for the entire community.  As a father, I thought my number one job is to make sure my kids were safe.  What a helpless feeling those parents must have.  I feel for them.  Sadly, their lives will be changed forever. 

I thing it's time for our elected officials, our leaders, to get out in front on this.  There are way too many of these incidents happening now.  Whether it's stricter gun control, more security, harsher sentencing---something needs to be done.  Sooner rather than later, I hope.

Christmas Spirit

Where is my Christmas spirit?  I have none.  No motivation to get the house decorated.  I just keep thinking that the more stuff I put up the more I have to take down.  I have no interest in any of the Christmas specials on TV.  I think I must have seen them all dozens of times by now.  Even listening to the Christmas music on the radio does nothing for me.  Of course, it doesn't help when they play the same songs over and over and over again.  Heck, we haven't even started with the decorating the house with the snowmen. 

There will be no holiday party with the neighbors this year.  Too much work.  Don't feel like shopping, nobody has said they wanted anything, and I don't care to fight the crowds anymore.  We have the tree bought, but it's just sitting out back, and I'm already worried about cleaning up the needles....

So why am I feeling this way?  No idea.  Maybe it's another year now with the kids not around as much.  Maybe I'm just getting old and don't want the aggravation anymore.  Maybe it's the even greater emphasis on material goods.  Maybe it's because Thanksgiving fell early this year and there was no sense of urgency to get things done.  Or maybe.....

.....we need some damn SNOW!  Yeah I know it's a pain in the butt, but I like snow for Christmas!  We don't need feet, but a couple of inches would be just fine with me.  Think that it would really jump start the ol' Christmas spirit.  Then all I'd have to do is break out that old Muppets Christmas special and I would be all set...can't wait.

Obituaries

Lately--well, the past year or so--I've been paying a little close attention to the obits. Don't know what it is, maybe just a case of getting older.  That, and the fact that a few guys I went to college with have passed away. 

I always check for the long obituaries first.  Usually it is from an older person, and you can actually learn quite a bit about a person in just a couple of paragraphs.  A lot of soldiers have been passing on of course, and it seems that a lot of them were successful in their lives after the military.  They were the "Greatest Generation".  Then you have the stories of the people with lots of kids, or teachers for decades, or successful businessmen who started with nothing and made it to the top.  Seem like interesting folks, and when I see someone who lived until they were eighty something I really don't feel so bad for them, as they had a long life, which says something.

I don't like reading about kids who have died.  Especially those who pass accidentally. Feel so sad for them, and for those they leave behind.  I wouldn't have known how to deal with a loss some of these people face.  Of course, every so often you read about a young parent who passes away.  I really feel sorry for the kids left behind. And then you have the people who die who are your age.  This really gets me thinking.  Sometimes I wonder why them and not me?  Good living?  Dumb luck?  Who knows.......

Every so often you come across someone you know.  An old neighbor, a friend you haven't seen or thought about in years, an old teacher, maybe a long lost relative.  These always bring back a rush of memories for me...What was the person doing since I last saw them?  Where were they living?  Family?  There almost always are nice stories or tidbits about folks who pass away.  It's always nice to know that someone has a good word to say about you when your gone.  Hope they don't have to lie when my number comes up.....

Just Sayin'...

Today is small business Saturday.  They want us to go out and shop at the small businesses in our towns and eat at the local restaurants.  Heck, they even had Michael Bloomberg, the mayor of New York (and the richest guy in the state of New York) promoting this idea.  I suppose this is a good idea.   But maybe they should have thought of it before the Walmarts and McDonalds and Home Depots of the world took over.  Just sayin'.......

I'm wondering when people are goin to take down the election signs from their yards.  It doesn't seem to be one party over the other, but both sides.  Are people just lazy?  Do they think there is going to be a recount?  Have they had this stuff in their yard so long they just think it's part of the landscape?  Just sayin'...

I really don't see the appeal of the Black Friday sales.  Oh I have been there.  The mad dashes, the must have gifts.  But it is crazy.  People can get hurt. Every year the sales seem to get earlier, who knows, maybe next year they will start before Thanksgiving.   I think I'll just use the computer from here on out and let them bring the stuff to the house.  Just sayin'.

I miss the days before cell phones and Ipods and what not.  People don't seem to spend any time just talking to each other anymore.  You walk down the street and people have their ear buds in, you barely get a nod.  Go out to dinner and you hear beeps and buzzes and what not, and half of conversations.  I realize that times have changed, and I have guilt here as well.  But what is so important?  Just sayin'....

The Powerball jackpot is $325 million.  It is the 4th largest jackpot in the history of the lottery.  If you win the pot by yourself, you can take $213 million lump sum or $11 million a year over 30 years.  That is a large pile of cash.  I have no idea what I would do with it, but I am willing to give it a shot.  Remember, if you do not play, you cannot win.  But also remember, play responsibly.  Just sayin'....

Well, we are entering into the hustle and bustle of the holiday season here now.  Holiday parties and visiting relatives and shopping for gifts and everything else that people do this time of year.  Please remember to travel safe, watch out for the other guy, and don't forget the reason for the season.  Just sayin.....

Thanksgiving

Well, we're just about at the start of the holiday season.  Thanksgiving means many different things to different people.  To some it's the start of the shopping season. For others, it's a day full of football.  Others are lucky enough to spend the day with their loved ones, while others are just happy to have a day off of work. 

When I was a kid it seemed like we always had Thanksgiving at my grandparents house.  My aunts and uncles and cousins would be there, and Gramma always made a big feast.  I still would like to know how she made those mashed potatos.  Boy they sure were good.  The Mrs. and I don't really have much family around.  We will be spending the day with my Mom and the kids, and maybe my sister will show up with her family.  I know it is a far cry from how some people will spend Thanksgiving, but we'll have a good time and it will be nice to spend time together.

I started thinking about the things I'm thankful for.  I'm thankful to have a loving wife who takes great care of me.  I'm thankful for my wonderful children who would seem to have decent futures in front of them.  They have never caused me any (meaningful) distress, another thing I'm thankful for.  I'm thankful the Mrs. and I have our jobs, jobs that have provided a pretty good life for us.  I am really happy that there really isn't too much that I want to do that I haven't been able to do. 

I'm thankful that when I flip a switch the lights come on, and when I twist a handle the water (clean) flows.  I'm happy to have a roof over my head.  I am thankful to be well (over?) fed.  I am thankful everyday for all my friends.  I am thankful to live in the greatest country in the world, even with its flaws.  It is better than any alternative.  I have so much to be thankful for, and I need to remember how lucky I have things.  Hope everyone is able to spend time with family and friends, and remember to be thankful for what you have....

Exit Strategy

I've been noodling around with what comes in the next phase of life for a while now, and have finally decided it is time to take things a little more seriously now.  I want to try and get things in order so if (when) something happens to me the Mrs. will be somewhat taken care of.  It ain't as easy as it may sound.

First of all, everyone has an opinion and of course they are all correct.  So you read it and take some of it and come up with your own answers.  Insurance, social security, health care, all important thins to consider.  There just can't be one correct answer for everyone, so you need to take a look at this stuff from all different angles.  You never know what the future will hold, and conditions change all the time.  Still, there comes a time when you need to start having some sort of a plan, and I guess the time for me has arrived.

I have 8 semesters of college to take care of.  Can't believe Stew will only have a year left, and Aleah will be half done come summer.  The Mrs. and I are covering the tab.  We have told the kids this is there inheritance, and not to expect there to be anything left when we pass on.  Don't know if here will or not, but if you don't have expectations you won't be disappointed.  We are fortunate to be in a position to do this, but we saved over the years and it's worked out.  I don't think of it as a burden but a privilege.  The only other thing is the mortgage, and the house is worth more than we owe, so we are okay there.  And the rates are so low I don't think you really want to pay it off early, except for piece of mind.  We'll work on that after the tuition is done.

Need to look at the insurance.  More life insurance?  Probably not---don't want to make myself worth more dead than alive.  I have to sleep here ya know..only kidding Cath.  Life insurance is good, need to look at long term care though.  That is probably my biggest fear, winding up in a nursing home just having it suck away everything you ever had.  Also have to look at the health insurance for retirement, especially before Medicare kicks in---if it will still exist.

 The Social Security deal is another vexing problem.  Draw and suspend.  Spousal benefit.  Wait until your seventy.  Draw at 62. My dad died when he was 67.  I'll be damned if I am going to wait until I am 70 just to have a bigger check.  I  need to find a chart or a web site or probably just do the math to figure out how long you have to live before it makes sense to wait to draw Social Security.  Right now I'm thinking a bird in the hand.....

Of course, the Mrs. and I are fortunate to have traditional pensions, with defined benefits.  I have to laugh at people who give me static about it too.  All you high fliers from the 80's with your high paying jobs who had all the travel and fancy gizmos are now complaining about me having a pension.  But guess what?  There isn't one of you who couldn't have done the same thing I did.  Dream job?  Hell no.  But it paid the bills and actually will allow for a comfortable retirement.  Good for me.

So what are we gonna' do if I can get all this stuff figured out?  Well I don't really think the kids are coming back here after college (who knows), but if they don't I don't really see us staying either.  I really am disliking winter the older I get.  Too far south is too hot for me though.  We need to find some place in the middle of it all--would like to somehow avoid the devastating weather too.  We'd like to travel, and am sure we'll get some of that in as well.  Just take some time and enjoy the world around us. 

Actually anxious to see how all of this is going to work out.  I hope the health holds out, and the economy holds out, basically the world holds out to see what the stage of life is going to hold.  Hopes it's good

The Day After....

Just a few thoughts the day after the 2012 presidential election---

First of all, I'm glad it's over.  I thought it was a very negative campaign on both sides.  Lots of talking points, but you really had to did to get to the meat on the issues.  I wish the candidates would have gone more in depth on their ideas.  Guess I can dream....

Exit polls say that women, Blacks, Hispanics, college aged men tended to vote for President Obama.  White males tended to vote for Romney.  Problem for the Republicans is that white males are shrinking as a percentage of the voters.  The demographics are changing.....

The spin is out there.  If this or that, .2% vote different or whatever.  That's Monday morning quarterbacking.  You can spin numbers anyway you'd like.  And you could do it for most past elections as well.  Time to face reality and move on.

Democrats may think they have some sort of mandate, but I don't think so.  What I really see is that we are living in a very divided country.  I think that Congress and the President had better start working together and get some compromising  going so we can get the country moving again.  I'm looking for a hero.  Maybe a new guy like this Angus guy from Maine.  Maybe one of these new women Senators.  Maybe somebody in the House who doesn't care about getting reelected.  Maybe the President.  Somebody needs to have the guts to put themselves on the line, take the lead and get a coalition together and get something done.  Hold folks accountable.  Make them explain why they are voting one way or the other.  Be open and honest with the American people.  Who knows, might just lead to the Presidency. 

Couple of fun and interesting facts I learned over the past couple of days....

Linda McMahann drops $100 Million of her own cash on two losing runs for the Senate.  Guess we'll see a couple of extra WWE events coming up.

It's been 84 years since the Republicans have won the Presidency without a Nixon or Bush on the ticket. 

Can't comprehend the money spent on these elections---is there a better way?

I think Karl Rove is a tool.

Well that's it for now.  I am (sadly) sure that both parties are already planning for the next election.  I am sure they are going over the exit polls and trying to figure out how to win the next election.  I want to wish all the Senators and Congressmen and the President the best of luck.  They will need it.

Political Mail

Happily it is Sunday, so I won't have to sort through all the political mail I have been receiving.  It seems like there is more each day, mostly presidential and senatorial, but even some stuff from people running unopposed.  I hadn't really paid much attention, but decided to take a little time to read some of the stuff.

Got a couple of pieces from the NRA.  They are concerned about my right to bear arms, or to go hunting.  I am concerned with all the shooting of people going on.  I don't know anyone who goes hunting with an assault rifle.  I don't really think anyone is going to be able to take away your hunting rifle.  I think we need to keep military weapons out of private citizens hands.

I got some mail concerning family values.  About Godless politicians.  About gay marriage.  I don't really care about gay marriage---what you do is your business.  And my family values probably don't dovetail with yours either.  Find it interesting that some folks (including some friends of mine) preach this family value and religious stuff but practice conflicting things.  Better get your own house in order first....

Then I get the stuff about student loans.  Now you have my interest, as I have a couple of college students, and know a ton more.  I hate the fact that higher education prices have gone up so much.  I think part of the deal there is that aid became too easy to get, and schools just raised tuition and fees to tap into it.  I don't like the amount of debt kids graduate with.  I think we need to keep interest rates down, but also think this is a problem we will be dealing with, sooner rather than later. 

A lot of mail has been about jobs.  About the need to create more jobs.  About how we have to keep the jobs we have.  I think everyone would agree we need more well paying, family supporting jobs.  I think there are too many company executives only looking at the bottom line and their own checking account.  I would agree people should be rewarded for their hard work and diligence.  I would also state, though, that we are going to wind up with a two class society.  And that upper class is going to be awful small.  We can't just let people keep slipping into the lower class and poverty.  Check your history---start about 1885 or so....

There has been other stuff as well--where and when to vote, vote early, stuff from unions, from PAC's, even a position paper on President Obama's plans for the next four years.  I have gotten (and delivered) all kinds of election mail, with all kinds of different positions on different subjects.  It is a lot of information to go through, but it important to figure out what is important to you and to vote accordingly.  Good luck!

Sandy

I've been following the storm and the aftermath of it and am just amazed.  The destruction and loss of live is really sad.  The amount of flooding that occurred is really what gets me.  I know what water does to things, and there will probably be problems for years to come.  People's homes are gone.  Entire areas are cut off from the rest of the country.  I can't imagine being without power for three of four or however many days it has been or will be.  The stores are out of food, and gas stations have no power to pump fuel.  

And other fallout.  The election will be affected, everything from not being able to vote early to flooded polling places to Republicans praising Democrats.  Glad to see in the days leading up to the storm the fine merchants were engaged in price gouging (not).  I'd be really leery about buying a used car anytime soon.  I would imagine prices will rise for all of us when this all shakes out.

This was really a far reaching storm.  Blizzards in West Virgina, flooding up and down the east coast, heck there were even voluntary evacuation notices here in Wisconsin.  The damage across the country will be way up in the billions when all is said and done.  But things will get better.  They will get the tunnels pumped out.  Electricity will be restored.  People will rebuild their homes and get things cleaned up.  I don't see how people can say things will get back to normal though, because I'm not sure what normal is anymore with the weather.  Just seems to me that the storms are more intense, and things are on a larger scale than they used to be.

So help.  Don't send food or supplies, they have no place to put it yet.  Make a monetary donation if you can.  Say a prayer or two if you are so inclined.  Give blood--the need is great.   And take some time to make some plans of your own for when the natural disaster hits you.  I have a feeling it may be sooner rather than later.

Oh, and for you runners out there.  The New York City Marathon is still scheduled for Sunday, so if you can get there the competition may be light and you might have a shot at a good finish.  You never know, good luck.....

St. Louis

Spent a nice weekend in St. Louis with the Mrs. and our son and his roommate.  I really like St. Louis.  I can remember vacationing there as a kid, and vacationing there with my kids, heck the Mrs. and I even honeymooned there (saw a Ray Charles concert under the Arch--incredible!).  Decided to take a little time here to compare and contrast Milwaukee and St. Louis--the place I live and one of my favorite places to visit. 

Guess I'll start with some of the obvious---both cities are beer towns.  Probably the two biggest in the country.  Now it is down to just the two big boys, and neither is locally owned anymore.  Milwaukee has Miller/Coors, and St. Louis has Budweiser.  Both have eliminated the local competition over the years, but now both have been bought by larger companies.  It's close, but I give the nod to Miller---they have Leinenkugel, and didn't screw up Michelob.

Milwaukee has the Brewers.  St Louis has the Cardinals.  Brewers are a nice team, Cards are the Cards.  Big edge to St. Louis.  St. Louis has the Rams.  Milwaukee has the Packers (don't start!).  Big edge Milwaukee.  Both cities at one time had the NBA Hawks, now neither does, but Milwaukee has the Bucks.  But St. Louis has the Blues--one of the great teams names.  Call it a push.

Milwaukee has Summerfest, and all the other festivals.  St. Louis has Veiled Prophet Fair, Taste of St. Louis, bunch of other festivals.  Summerfest is world class.  Easy edge to Milwaukee.  Milwaukee has the Calatrava.   St. Louis has the Gateway Arch.  Easy edge to St. Louis.  Both cities have all kinds of ethnic neighborhoods and the foods and fests that go with them.  No advantage there.  St. Louis is on the Mississippi.  Milwaukee is on Lake Michigan.  Both could probably be utilized more.

St. Louis has Ted Drews, on historic Route 66.  Milwaukee has Leon's, on Highway 41.  One would have taken you all the way to Arizona in it's day, the other to the tip of Florida.  Both have great custard and history.  I highly recommend both, it's a push. St. Louis has the Fox.  Milwaukee has the Riverside.  I think they both use tye same booking agent.  Another Push.

Both of these cities have wonderful zoos, museums and park systems.  A good number of years ago the people of St. Louis voted to tax themselves to pay for the parks and zoo and museums, and they continue to this day.  I think this is a wonderful thing, and the current residents of St. Louis owe a big thank you to those who originally taxed themselves.  I have seen the increase of admission fees to different attractions in Milwaukee and what I see as a decline in the park system here.  It saddens me that things become out of reach for some and the quality declines in other areas. Edge to St. Louis.

Milwaukee has Marquette.  St. Louis has St. Louis University.  Both urban Jesuit schools.  Both Division 1 schools.  Both have worked hard to revitalize their neighborhoods. Both fine institutions.  Edge, easily, to SLU, because campus is more complete (athletic facilities, dorms, etc.), I know more people who go there, and a Billiken is better than a Golden Eagle.  Now if they were still Warriors......

Sadly, both of these cities have probably seen better days.  Many industries have moved from these cities over the years, taking jobs with them.  They both have plenty of urban blight.  Both have high unemployment, and high crime rates.  Both have work to do on these issues, no advantage here.

I like both these towns.  Dig a little bit and you can find plenty to do in both of them.  Hate to say it, but the deciding factor may be the weather.  Milwaukee gets hot, but St. Louis gets hot AND humid.  Quite.  I think the winter weather last longer in Milwaukee, but more tornadoes in St. Louis.  Guess you'd have to pick your poison there.  A person could make many arguments about why one of these cities is better than the other, but they could be countered.  A lot of it would probably come down to civic pride, where you're from, where your people are.  Objectively?  I gotta' go with

The Presidential Election

Figure it is about time to weigh in with my two cents, so let's get started.  First of all, make sure you are REGISTERED!!  This is especially true to my first time voting friends, and to those of you away at school who will not be coming home to vote.  If you forgot to sign up for ABSENTEE voting, you are TOO LATE!!  You now need to get yourself  REGISTERED to vote wherever you are living.  It  isn't that hard, call up the local election commission or check on line.  You CAN do it...

Now on to the candidates.  Please take a little time to find out about the candidates, and their running mate for that matter.  Please DO NOT simply vote the way your parents did, or the way your employer tells you to, or because of the way a person looks or the religion they practice.  I think you need to look at how the ISSUES are going to AFFECT you.  I don't think that either candidate (I'm sticking to the nominees here, don't think and third party folks have a chance--or a voice, sadly) is going to have the perfect answers for you on EVERY subject, so you need to pick the things that are most IMPORTANT to you and go from there.  Things like JOBS, and TAXES, and  EDUCATION, and DEFENSE, and WOMAN'S RIGHTS and any of the other issues that affect you and your family. 

And then you need to get your butt out and VOTE!  You can go stand in the lines on election day, or in many parts of the country you can VOTE EARLY in a place like your local city hall.  People often say we have the RIGHT to vote.  I feel it is more like an OBLIGATION to vote.  If you vote you can talk about he way things are going, if you don't as far as I'm concerned, you CAN"T.  And once the voting is done, one way or another,  I hope we can come together as a country and get things done--because there is much to be ACCOMPLISHED.

Oh, I almost forgot, I'd like to encourage you to vote for.....

It Sucks To Be Me?????

So some of you may know that I won a trip to Jamaica from a local radio station.  Nice trip, but lacking a passport and a few other things  meant I couldn't go--no big deal.  Then I get a call from the general manager of the radio station  and he wants me to call him back.  I'm thinking some tickets or a dinner or something.  I finally get a hold of the guy and he says "It sucks to be you".  That's it.  No nothing.  Just "It sucks to be you".  Really?  Time for a little inventory.......

I'm still kicking, so I got that going for me.  I'm not cold, not hungry, have a nice place to live.  I have a job that lets me actually live rather comfortably.  I have a loving wife.  I can think of a dozen people right off the bat that would be here fast if I made the call. Easily.  I'm not in great shape, but I'm not complaining.  I'm actually rather healthy.  Like it or not, I live in the greatest country in the world.  I have been able to travel and see many parts of it.  I have cable TV.

I have two healthy children who have never, ever given me any kind of problems.  They have also given me a lifetime of memories, things I will never forget.  I have accumulated more stuff than a person should ever need.  I throw parties, and people come to them.  I get to broadcast games on TV.  I know stuff.  Stupid stuff, interesting stuff, important stuff.  People seek my opinion, and use my advice.  I can build things, I can fix things.  I have tools.

Just about anything I have ever wanted to do, anyplace I have ever wanted to go, anything I have wanted to own I have done it.  I have simple wants and desires.  Is everything perfect?  Of course not.  But it sucks to be me?  I don't think so.  More like who wouldn't want to be me......luckiest guy I know........

Fall---or is it Autumn?

So I've been spending the day kind of putting away the summer stuff and getting ready fall--or is it autumn?  Whatever...I used to really enjoy fall, the changing of the colors, the cool evenings and what not.  The thing is I'm not all that wild about it anymore.  Putting out fall decorations?  All that means is they have to be put away.  I don't even care to carve up pumpkins anymore.  I enjoyed all the fall activities when the kids were young, the decorations and the costumes and the trick or treat.  Now I just want it to get over so we can get through winter and get back to summer. 

There are things to do.  There are harvest fests and Octoberfest beer and various homecomings.  There is playoff baseball, and football season.  But there are also leafs to rake, furniture to put away, lawn to get ready for winter.  The cars need to be serviced, and the furnace needs to be checked out as well.  And there is less daylight to get all this stuff done in.  I don't like the short gray days.  And going to work when it is dark and then coming home when it is dark is no treat either.

I think I'm just getting old.  I don't seem  to care put in the effort anymore with the decorations and what not.  I'm always looking for shortcuts now.  The thing is I always like it when the house is decorated or the chores are accomplished.  So what am I going to do?  Well, keep raking leafs and putting away the summer stuff and putting up the Halloween decorations.  I'll even go and get a couple of pumpkins to carve.  And I'll remember all the fun Autumns I had with the family, and think about those days ahead when I won't be doing all this "fun" stuff.

Dad's Birthday

Today is my Dad's birthday.  He would have been 78 today.  He was born in 1934 in West Allis, Wi to Fred and Henrietta.  His was the youngest of three, his sisters being Janet and Sue.  His dad died when he was in grade school.  He hung out with the Werry boys, graduated from West Allis Central, went to Korea with a mess of other guys.  He came home married to mom, had me and my sisters, and set about living life.

Some of my earliest memories of Dad are him driving truck for the bakery (sometimes I got to go with), playing catch, going to grammas and grampas on Sundays and holidays.  Christmas presents and traveling around the country.  Cub scouts, George Webbs.  Watching Packer games. Watching all sports. Guess I had it pretty good as a kid.  There were some choppy times after that for the both of us, but got it all worked out eventually.

Dad was happy when he turned 50.  He was the longest living male in his family line.  He smoked way too much.  He drank too much.  He didn't get exercise, and ate poorly.  Eventually he needed bypass surgery.   He did take better care of himself after that.  Him and mom were divorced by then.  He was working at the car parts store, and seemed okay with it.  And he started fishing.  All he would do and talk about was going fishing on the weekend.  In the first 25 years or so of my life I don't recall him ever fishing.  I never fished.  He said he loved fishing---always had.  Seemed strange.

Dad was so happy when Stew and Aleah came along.  They were showered with gifts, and doted after  as grand kids always are.  He took them fishing!   He died when Stew was in 4th grade, Leah 3rd.  Dad was just starting to figure out soccer---he would have been so proud of both kids with all they have accomplished in school and sports and what not. 

I have a picture around here somewhere of the last time I saw my dad.  He was living in Arkansas by then, retied and fishing.  It was the summer summer of 2000, and we were heading home on one of our family vacations.  We spent a couple of days with him and Arlene.  He seemed okay, was just starting to embrace the computer age.  He would have been amazed.  We would talk on the phone (not enough), and he seemed okay.  He was getting ready to take an Alaskan cruise in 2001 when he decided to have a physical before his trip.  They found something with his heart, told him he needed surgery.  He called from the hospital.  I offered to go down t Arkansas, but he said not to worry, he would be okay.  He never made it out of surgery though. Dad died Feb 12, 2001. 

I tried to learn from pop, both the good and bad.  He definitely wasn't flawless, but he was my Dad.  So happy birthday Dad.  I miss ya......

Replacement Referees

So it has been almost two days now and I have calmed down some now.  Went through and entire range of emotions---anger, rage, disbelief, sadness among others.  The poor guys have been taking grief for the whole season, and rightfully so.  They simply are not up to the task.  I see the one guy is a high school ref, the other guy gets fired from the lingerie league--what kind of penalties are you calling there?  Sad that it came to that.
 How about the money that betters won/lost?  Millions in Vegas because of the spread and what not, and then you have the folks in all the different pools and fantasy leagues and such.  No wonder everyone is hacked off.  Then you have to wonder about the other effects of "The Call".  What about if the Packers don't make the playoffs, or if they do, what if they don't host a playoff game ?  They say the economic impact for that happening would be around 8 million bucks.  Maybe not that big of deal in New York City, but huge in northern Wisconsin.  Playoff money and endorsement deals or the players?  Who knows.  Fines?  Would figure they are coming.

The poor refereeing affects the entire league.  Standings will be skewed.  Guys may get hurt.  The whole league is starting to be a joke.  So what to do?  How about making the job a full time gig.  Pay 'em ninety or a hundred grand or whatever.  Make them train, know all the rules frontwards and backwards.  Make them study film, pay the good ones extra for the playoffs, and be done with it.  Get some younger guys, ones who can keep up with the players.  You don't need bankers and lawyers doing a weekend job for the extra cash.  Get some spare guys ready in case of injury and to keep refs on top of their game, or they could be replaced.  Don't know what it would cost in salary and expenses, but it would certainly be better than using the clowns they have now.....

I see that the league and the referees may be near a deal.  This isn't going to change what has happened, and if I hear one person say something about good coming out of the GB-Seattle game I think I will become ill.  It will be interesting to see the effects of this "loss" throughout the rest of the season.  Here's hoping the Pack can overcome the "calls" of the last game, and that Seattle gets what is coming to them as well....

ACLU

I am now angry at the ACLU.  They have done many things over the years, some I have agreed with, some not.  But now they have gone too far......

Thanks to the ACLU, father-daughter dances are now banned in Rhode Island, as "gender discrimination".  Probably will take hold everywhere now.  Apparently a single mother complained that her daughter was prevented from attending the father-daughter dance.  Now I feel for kids who for whatever reason don't have two parents.  I think it makes it tough on them.  But to complain to the ACLU because your kid can't go to a dance?  C'mon. 

I have some "news" for some of the people out there.  As much as we'd like it, not everyone gets to do everything.  You may not like it, and it may not be "fair", but it is a fact of life.  People have different opportunities.  Some people have more money, some have more smarts, others more athletically inclined, others come from better home lives.  This seems to me like one of those situations where "If I can't have it, nobody else can either".  Well wah....life ain't always fair.  Get used to it.

I remember going to the father-daughter dance with my daughter when she was in the fifth grade.  I had a wonderful time, and hope she did too.  And guess what?  Not all the girls had a father there.  I saw other relatives, friends, and even mothers....I don't recall anyone complaining.  I suppose my friend Jim should have been angry, because he only had sons.  Probably should have cancelled the event because he couldn't participate.  Yeah right.  With all the problems going around, this is what they choose to sue about?  Maybe the University (public, I mention it) will have a father-daughter dance---I'd be there in a minute....

Food Rationing?

So I've been reading about how the United States is grossly overweight as a whole, and how the problem is only getting worse.  There are some scary stats out there about how the obesity problem will continue to affect the health care system.  Is there a problem?  I would say yes.  How are we dealing with it?

By mandating what we feed the kids for lunch at school?  They are now limiting choices, counting calories for the kids, stuff like this.  The problem is that the kids aren't all put together the same.  You've got kids playing linebacker on the football team trying to get by on the same calorie count as the hundred pound girl on student council.  Now I know that you can bring your own lunch..  I also know there are a lot of kids who depend on a school lunch for their main meal of the day. 

Now I think I know what they are trying to do.  They want the kids to eat more fruit and vegetables.  They want people to eat healthier, and they think that by only offering "healthy" alternatives at the school lunch people will learn to eat better.  So here is my question.  What has happened to personal responsibility?  What has happened to taking responsibility for your kids health?  Why are we depending on some bureaucrat somewhere telling us what we can or can't eat?  Or how much of it?  I know there are too many fast food places around, and sometimes it's a pain to cook.  I also know that you shouldn't eat garbage all the time, but I think you need to be able to make your own choices too.

So now they are telling the kids how to eat healthy at lunch.  They won't let me buy a giant Coke in New York City any more.  What's next?  Can only eat seafood on Friday, gotta have meatloaf on Monday?  Gonna limit how much water I can drink?  As a nation we are fat, so we limit student lunch calorie input because it's better for health in the long run.  Well what about smoking, or drinking?  Not so good for the health either I think.  Wondering where it's going to end.  Whaddya think? 

Stuff

Recently I've begun to think about where the Mrs. and I are going to live when we get done with the working times of our lives.  When the kids aren't around here this place is sure large and empty.  There are rooms around here that we don't even go into for weeks.  I am sure we don't need a place this big, but.....

What to do with all the stuff?  We've been here for almost twenty years now.  I am a saver.  I think that as soon as I get rid of something I'm going to need it.  We have accumulated all kinds of things.  We have boxes of stuff that we are saving for the kids.  We have boxes of stuff that was saved for us by our parents.  I know there are boxes of stuff that we moved in here nineteen some odd years ago that HAVE NOT moved!  So the Mrs. and I have decided that things have got to go. 

This is not going to be that easy.  The clutter, that won't be so tough.  The books, newspapers and magazines, those things only have memories for me, and I'll look at them as they go.  The stuff saved for different projects, well the projects probably aren't going to happen so it's time to let go of all that stuff.  The yard decorations, well I'm not as motivated anymore, so some of that stuff might just as well be tossed as well.  But that stuff is all easy.  We are hanging on to a lot of stuff thinking maybe someday the kids will want it or need it.  Furniture and tools, and some of their old clothes that were so cute on them.  Will they need it, or want it?  Who knows.....

Then there is the house itself.  When we moved in here, I said that's it, next time I move it's feet first.  Well my thoughts on this have evolved some.  This place is too big for two people to live in.  Too much yard to maintain, too much house to clean (for the Mrs., not me!).  We have great neighbors, like it here in the Falls, but I sure don't like winter as much as I used to.  Where we are going to live is a decision for later, but I don't want to be that last of the "originals" in the neighborhood either.

So what's the plan?  We'll sell some stuff off, toss some stuff out, give some stuff away.  We are going to think long and hard about any new major purchases like furniture, and I'll remember what a mess it was going through my dad's stuff when he passed and get started on weeding stuff out now to save others the headache later on.  I'll miss all my stuff, but I'll get over it.  I think....

GREEN BAY PACKERS

I am a fan of the Green Bay Packers.  So was my father, grandfather, in laws, aunts and uncles, mom, wife and kids.  We are all in around here.  One of my earliest memories is of the '65 championship game.  Packers beat the Browns.  I was five.  I remember the mud, thinking that the Pack could outsmart the Browns because the 15 on Starr could be confused with the 5 on Horning, and cutting out all the pictures from the papers in the following days.

I watched a lot of Packer games with my Dad when I was a kid.  Hot ham sandwiches and chips were usually the meal of the day.  We would pick the winners of all the games and then see how good of predictors we were.  We had a good run with the teams of the 60's with the Super Bowls and all, and then of course everything went down hill.  Oh well. 

I remember the first Packer game I went to.  It was in November of 1969.  Dad and I went to Milwaukee County Stadium and watched the Pack lose to the New York football Giants.  I sat in the top row of the right field bleachers, right on the end of the row closest to the grandstand.  Froze half to death.  It was fun.  Went to number of games over the years in Milwaukee.  Finally got to Lambeau when I got to college.  Don't recall much of that. 

It was hard being a Packer fan for a long time.  Boy there were some cruddy teams from the late 60's to the early 90's.  No players wanted to be there, coaching was bad, people were happy when the Pack got to .500---or near it.  The fans kept going to the games though.  Finally we got Wolf and Holmgren and Favre.  Success finally returned.  Happy days.  We had a big Super Bowl party and the kids were running all over the place and it sure was fun.  Thought it would last a long time, alas it was not to be.  But one Super Bowl win was better than none.  One of my favorite memories of Stew (the boy)  was after the Packers lost the Super Bowl in 1997.  I was (understandably) in a sour mood, but he told me "At least the Packers usually win."  Boy if he had lived through the Bengston, Starr, Gregg coaching eras.....

I have many memories of the Pack, both good and bad.  I hate the Bears and Cowboys.  I don't like the Lions or Vikings, don't have many strong feelings about any other teams.  I can still name most of the players (and their numbers!) from the great 60's teams ( that's how I learned my times tables).  Heck I even know obscure guys from the rotten 70's teams.  I remember the first time I took Stew to Lambeau (beat Phiily 6-3) and the last (lost to the Texans--the Texans??).  We've been to the Hall of Fame, and tail gated in the stadium lot in the middle of summer.  I remember games with the neighbors in the street, in bars, and alone in front of the set.  Spent a lot of time and money on the Pack.  That's how it is when you're part owner ya' know. 

So the Packers are pretty good again, have been for a number of years.  Plenty of good players, considered one of the better teams in the league.  Won another Super Bowl a couple of years ago.  Haven't had very many "bad" seasons for 20 some odd years now.  As I have aged I try not to let the results get to me as much as they once did, but tonight will find me in front of the TV rooting them on, hopefully to victory.  I'll be happy if they win, angry if they lose (especially to the damn Bears!), but either way I'll still be a fan of the Gren Bay Packers!!!

What's Going On......

So what's going on around here?  Things are actually a little quiet.  And that's not necessarily a bad thing.  The kids have been gone for a couple of weeks now.  I don't hear from them much, so I imagine they are well.  Miss them lots.  The Mrs. is back to work, and busy, so there are times I don't see much of her.  The fests and fairs are over, but there are still plenty of concerts to consider.  We'll see.  As much as the folks around here would like to think different, the Brewers aren't going to make the playoffs. 

Ah but the Packers start playing Sunday.  That will be front page news come Monday.  People have such high expectations (myself included!), but I am sure there will be some disappointment along the way.  And it always makes for long days when the Pack loses.  People are in a sour mood, the days seem to take forever, just not a good thing.  I always laugh when people say "we" regarding the favorite sports teams.  "We played great". " We won big".  Always wonder what part of the team they are.  Hopefully the Packers win more than they lose, make the playoffs and go from there.

Oh there is a presidential election on the horizon.  It's about 60 days away now.  Millions to be spent, mud to be slung, all the while problems need to be solved.  I think that it's about time we have a little compromising.  Nobody is all right, nobody it all wrong.  We need to find some common ground and get to work on the problems or we'll all be doomed.  Check your history.

I've got some volleyball games to announce in the next couple of weeks.  Don't know how I really got into this, but I'll be doing the play by play for the local cable outlet.  It's fun to keep in touch with the high school, but there are fewer and fewer kids there I know.  I'll do some stuff this year, maybe a little next year, but that will probably do it.

Looking forward to Mel's Pig Roast at the end of the month.  Such a great event for great causes (Google it if you'd like more information).  Tom and Nancy do such a great job, and I always like seeing who I'm going to run into.  Hopefully we'll have nice weather and a great day.

That's about it around here for now.  Have to start thinking about getting the house and yard ready for the winter (hope we have winter like last year!),  and there are a few other projects to look at.  There will be some dinners and shows with neighbors, and we'll just take it as it comes for awhile.  Ta ta for now.....

 

That Was Fun......but.....

Well Chuckapalooza has come and gone again.  Twenty years of Labor Day weekend parties.  It was great to see some old friends, Mary and Julie, Dan and Chris, Shoobie and a special appearance from Ken.  Nice to see them all.  Of course the neighbors were here, and some co-workers as well.  Big thanks to Super Dave for the beer and great fireworks show.  That was a real treat.  Plenty of food and beer, and the weather as always was wonderful.   If you didn't have a good time it's your own darn fault.

Now for the but.  This may have been the last hurrah for the ' Palooza.  Although it may be a surprise to some, there is a lot of time and work put into the party.  The Mrs. does a lot of chasing shopping and planning things.  We gotta get the chairs and the tables and the tents and whatnot.  And the setting up and getting ready is the easy part.  Cleanup the day after is really a pain in the butt.  And this year was actually pretty easy (especially for me)--  The Mrs. did most of it, but putting all the stuff away is a chore. 

And most of the kids are gone!  This was conceived as a kind of family picnic type thing, and there aren't really many families showing up anymore!  People have other things to do, don't seem to want to make the trek here to the Falls.  And I don't blame them.  I'm thinking I might have other things I want to do as well.  It is the end of summer after all.

So we'll see.  All good tings come to and end.  If you asked me right now I'd say this is a wrap.  Heck, even Jerry had to retire from the Labor Day gig.  I'm sure I'll have different thoughts as the date rolls around, but if this was it we sure have had a good run.  Hope everyone has enjoyed it as much as we have.

Chuckapalooza

Labor Day weekend is upon us, and that means one thing around here.  No, not parades or labor rallies or Jerry Lewis.  It's time for Chuckapalooza!  Chuckapaloza ia a little get together we have here at the house--this year will mark the 20th anniversary.  It will be a good time.

The 'Palooza has quite the varied past.  Like many great events, it didn't even have a name at the start, just a little group of friends sitting around having a couple of beers and some corn on the cob.  Actually was at the old place in Milwaukee the first year.  When we moved to the Falls we decided to keep it going, kind of a celebration to the end of summer.  The Packers also used to open the season on the Sunday before Labor Day, but the NFL screwed that up for us--we've moved on.

Chuckapalooza has evolved through the years.  The Mrs and I had gone to company picnics when we were kids with our and we families, and we decided that was something we wanted our kids to experience.  Lacking companies with picnics, that's what we decided to do with the 'Palooza.  So we invited the neighbors and co-workers and relatives and college friends.  We had piles of kids here, so we had kid games--three legged race, gunny sack, balloon pop, all kinds of stuff.  We had ribbons and other little prizes for the kids, and food--tons of picnic food!  Folks would bring a dish to pass, we'd cook burgers and brats and hot dogs, always a good time.  The Packers would play, we'd have a couple of beers, always a good time.

As the kids got older games changed.   More volleyball, touch football, soccer.  We kept the other stuff as well.  One year we awarded a car as a prize for corn hole.  Sadly the winners didn't claim their prize so we had to donate it to charity.  That's okay.  One year Dave brought a busload of folks from the Rainbow foods--they had a good time!  No more football games, but that just made more time for visiting and eating and dancing and drinking.  More people would show up. Sometimes the local police would even show up for a visit.  We always have good weather and a good time at Chuckapalooza.

People have come and gone over the years.  We've had babies to grandparents.  Folks plans and families changed, and we wouldn't see them for years, only to see them reappear.  That is always a treat.  The kids got older, and their priorities changed.  There were years when we had a couple of hundred people here to years when there were less than 30.  There we a couple of times when we though about ending the 'Palooza, but something has always kept us going.  It's a lot of work, but the memories are great.  From all the little kids who are now grown and in college, to having the local TV station here to talk about the Packers, to friends and relatives we don't see anymore to those who have moved away or passed on. 

So you know where we will be on the Sunday before Labor Day.  If you've been invited once, you are invited for life.  If you know me, you're invited.  If you know someone who knows me, you're invited.  If you're reading this, you're invited.  Only one family has ever been uninvited, and they won't be here---but they will wish they were!  We will have games and food and music and beer.  Throw together a dish to pass, grab the kids or grandkids or grandma, and feel free to stop in for a visit.  We'd love to see you, that's what the Chuckapalooza is really all about.....

The Summer Concert Season That Was.....

Decided to review the past summer concert season, with a little comment or two about what I saw and what I liked.  It was sure a fun time.  There were a few I wanted to get to but didn't (Gary Allen, FUN), some I had tickets to and didn't go to (Beach Boys, Jimmy Buffet, Neon Trees, Band Perry), and some of the smaller ones I have probably forgotten about.  There were also some acts that I really enjoyed but they didn't crack my top ten of the summer (Thompson Square, Rodney Atkins, Stevie Nicks, Mavis Staples, and, sadly, Here Come The Mummies).  So without further delay.....

10)  Eli Young Band--Dodge County Fair    Went with my daughter Aleah.  Good show, but they have a       limited catalog.   Good, energetic show.

9)  Kool and the Gang---The Mrs. and our friend Cheryl.  Great way to start Summerfest, lots of funky oldies...

8)  Cheap Trick--Williams College at Lake Geneva.  With Shoobie and Roy.  Most beautiful venue of the year.  Little far from the stage (general admission) but a great show.

7)  Montgomery Gentry  Washington County Fair.  Went by myself and had a great time.  Lots of patriotic and drinkin' and drivin' and songs about where they come from.  Fun.....

6)  Brantley Gilbert   Summerfest, by myself again.  What I call country music with attitude.  I think he's good.  Didn't disappoint.  He might get big....

5)  Lady Antebellum.  Summerfest Amphitheater  With the Mrs. and neighbors Jim and Laura.  Very good show.  Seemed like they were having a real good time.  Enjoyed all the big hits, and the ones that probably will be...

4)  Bonnie Raitt  Performing Arts Center.  With the Mrs.  We had talked about not going, be certainly glad that we did.  Excellent show.  And the lady sure can play the guitar....

3)  Darius Rucker  Summerfest,  with the Mrs. and Jim and Laura.  Surprise here--opened for Lady A, put on a killer show.  All his country hits, some Hootie, real good show.  Surprise of the summer.

2)  Neil Diamond.  Summerfest, with the Mrs.  Decided to go see the icon, and was treated  to a fantastic show.  Obviously he's done this before, but he seemed really sincere.  Had a good time, great way to end Summerfest.

1)  Unbelievably, a 67 year old man and his band put on (what I feel) was the show of the summer.  Yup, Rod Stewart---at the Bradley Center with the Mrs. and  Shoobie and Lisa.  High energy, sounded good, great seats, tons of songs to choose from, and fantastic seats equates to a show I won't forget.  And possibly the most talented (definitely best looking!) backing group I've seen.  Fantastic!!

There you have it, my reviews of my summer concert season.   Couldn't have done it without the generosity of the Milwaukee radio stations and the folks who went with me.  Hope they had as much fun as I did, and am looking forward  to see what's coming up next.....

Well That Was Quick......

......Summer with the kids that is.  Yeah, they're both back at college now, Stew in St. Louis, and Leah in Minneapolis.  They both seemed excited and ready to go back, but that doesn't really make it any easier on me.  I realize they were here for a little over three months, but it sure didn't seem that long.  Stewart is back with his track "family" at SLU now.  They're a really neat group of kids, all kinds of personalities.  He really seems to have a great group of friends.  Can't believe he is in his third year already.  And my little girl Aleah is back with her fraternity friends at Minnesota.  She seems so focused on everything.

I think that this was the last summer that we will all be together.  Stew has more or less told us he probably won't be home next year as he has some class to take to stay on schedule.  And Aleah has her place on a year lease, so I wouldn't be real surprised if she stays in Minneapolis next summer.  I think they finally realized this as well towards the end of summer.  Don't know how else to explain Aleah going to the county fair with me, or Stewart going to the batting cages, or both of them going to the zoo with Granny and me. 

And I guess they are both ready for it.  I am very proud of both of them, and think they are both prepared to head out into the big ol' nasty world.  I will still worry about both of them, complain that I don't hear from them often enough, harp at them to make sure they take care of the books, and encourage them to have some fun.  I hope their friends keep an eye on them, and that they keep an eye on their friends. 

I realize that the kids growing up and heading off on their own is all part of the deal.  You do the best you can and hope for the best.  And the Mrs. and I have done that.  But that doesn't make it any easier on me, and I don't have to like it.  Because every time those kids go off to college, although it is quieter and less congested and more organized around here, I loose more than I gain.  Happy and sad at the same time.......

Milwaukee County Zoo

The Milwaukee County Zoo is renowned as one of the finest zoos in the country.  I can remember going to the zoo a few times when I was a kid with school and what not, remember Samson (even when he moved around!), went to a couple of company picnics, all good times.  Things changed for me though when my kids came along.

I think the kids were three or four years old when my mother got us a family zoo pass for Christmas.  It was great.  We would go to all the special events like "Boo at the Zoo" for Halloween, Zoo ala Cart, pancake breakfast, everything. But my favorite days were when the kids and I (and sometimes Granny) would swing by the zoo after I got finished with work.  We would get there and the ticket booth person would say "We close in an hour" and I would think great.  Most people would be gone by then.  And you know what?  We would have parts of the zoo all to ourselves.  We would pick one area to see and just visit that.  One time the bears, next time the cats.  If the weather turned bad, we'd go to one of the buildings.  And the things that we'd see.  We learned when feeding time was---very interesting.  The animals would seem to be more active.  We'd get a chance to talk to some of the zookeepers, at a relaxed pace.  I really enjoyed all of our visits to the zoo.

Alas, the kids got older and their interests changed.  Youth sports, school, and just growing up led them to other things to do.  The visits to the zoo became less frequent and more of a chore.  We stopped renewing the family membership, and didn't go to the zoo for years.  A lot of years.  I drive by the zoo nearly every day, and when I think of it I always have such great memories.  Which made last night so special for me.  I got the kids and Granny to go to the Zoo ala Carte.  We walked around and saw most of the zoo.  There are quite a few things that have changed since our last visit--new buildings, zip lines, fun facts written all over the place.  But my favorite part was the memories.  My mom said that there was a time when the kids could have given tours of this place, and says right.  But seeing them go off to look at different exhibits and animals just brought all the old thoughts of the great times I had at the zoo with them.  And I realized that this was more than likely the last time this was ever going to happen, which really saddens me.  I realized just how special the times with the kids were, and how lucky I was (am).  Hope the kids have great memories of the zoo (and other things as well!), and can't wait for them to make somemore memories of their own...

The End of the Summer Games 2012

Well the Olympics are winding down and I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed the games.  I liked the archery and shooting events.  I liked all the team events that you seldom see, like water polo and team handball (love that sport).  I enjoyed the mainstream sports like basketball and soccer.  Heck, I even kind of enjoyed the gymnastics and diving.  Of course, I paid special attention to the track and field, and as always was amazed with the performances of the athletes.  Looks like the USA has won the all important medal count, so all must be well for the US Olympic committee.  Some of the more interesting performances in my humble opinion....

Woman's 10k marathon swimming.  10k and marathon seem to be an oxymoron to me, but that is what they call it.  Swimming for about 2 hours out in a lake.  And Haley Anderson of the US finishes in second by 4 tenths of a second.  And 3 seconds back is the third place finisher.  Unreal.

I tend to keep a close eye on the men's 800m.  So Rudisha goes out and runs a 1:40:91.  This is difficult to comprehend if you haven't been around these things for awhile.  You can get below 2 minutes in high school and be pretty good, but you're still about 20 seconds back.,  Run in the low 1:50's in college and you'll be good, 1:49 and you win some meets.  Still back by ten seconds.  Runners cover a lot of distance in ten seconds. 

The mens 10000m was won by Mohamed Farah.  He beat Galen Rupp by about a half a second.  The thing I find interesting about this is that they train together and are both coached by Salazar.  Guy was a great runner, must be a great coach.  If I was a skilled young runner who could cover 10k in a half an hour or so, I think I would seek him out....

How about outstanding performance by a non athlete?  Thought that Doc Rivers did a fantastic job, not only talking about basketball, but about team handball and soccer and other sports.  Seemed like he sincerely was happy to be in London and not just taking in basketball, but watching other sports and meeting other athletes.  Also was nice to see athletes watching sports they weren't competing in.  

There were so many more great stories in these Olympics.  The Americans goin one and two in the decathlon.    The marathon runner in representing the IOC because he has no country to run for.  The double amputee 400 m runner. The female runner from the middle eastern country, the first from her country to be allowed to participate.  All the British athletes doing well.  The Irish boxer. The US diver being the last qualifier in the 10m, then winning gold.  Bolt.  Phelps.  Although sometimes the announcers were a little grating, I thought NBC actually did a pretty good job.

I must say that I have had a good time watching the games.  Not that much negative, plenty of human interest stories.  I find it interesting watching these "lessor known" sports, and still enjoyed watching the stuff we see all the time.  Wish they would show more of the track and field events, less of the gymnastics would be okay, but I suppose that is what America loves.  I'm actually looking forward to Rio in 2016, in the meantime only a year and a half to Sochi.....

Olympic Stuff On My Mind

Just some random stuff on my mind heading into the last weekend of the thirtieth Olympiad.....

How come we don't have team handball in the good ol' USA?  Quite the exciting sport if you ask me.  Kind of reminds me of indoor soccer.  Lots of action.  The announcer says they are all professional players.  I'd watch.

What's the deal with Felix Sanchez.  Cat wins the 400m hurdles in 47.63 seconds.  At age 34.  The exact same time he won the gold in at Athens in 2004.  Huh?  And he runs for the Dominican Republic.  So?  He was born in New York City.  He was raised in San Diego.  The places are in the USA, not the Dominican.  I'm putting his gold in the USA column.  Yup!

Now I gotta' get to gymnastics.  Really.  First of all, the judging seems to be pretty subjective.  A tenth for this, a tenth for that.  Whatever.  Very athletic people--I'll grant you that.  But I finish 4th, I get to file a review?  The announcer says you are taking a chance, the judges may find other things to dock you points for.  Tell you what.  I take that chance every time I finish fourth.  Find something else wrong and now I'm in 5th or 6th?  So what---I challenge every fourth place from here on out.  And all these sports like diving and gymnastics and trampoline--trampoline???---I'm not counting these medals with all the judging of scores.  I'm counting the things that are timed or weighed or scored that I can see, like things with a ball.  Enough of the tenths multiplied by 3 throw out the high and low then work back from a tie.  Toss 'em and bring back softball.

I read there are about 10,800 athletes at the Games.  I also read that they are partying pretty hard after their events are completed.  Excellent.

Oscar Pistorius is the South African 400 runner who is a double amputee.  He made it to the semi finals.   I watch the story that showed how the blades didn't give him any advantage.  He says he doesn't want to be considered handicapped. Okay with me.  Why then is he in next weeks para Olympics?  I don't get it.

Liu Xiang won the gold medal in the 110m hurdles in 2004.  He made the Olympics in 2008 and 2012, yet was never able to clear another hurdle.  Odd.  And is LoLo Jones the most famous Olympian to never have won any medals?

Bolt is fast.  Don't know if he can play soccer.  USA will win basketball--men and women.  Nice to see the home team doing so bloody well.  USA mens boxers are lacking.  Track and field are the most enjoyable to watch, except for women's beach volleyball.  Nice to see some of these countries in the middle east allow women to compete.  This is the first Olympics that the USA has sent more women than men to the games.  Looking forward to all the finals in track and all the finals in the team sports.  Go USA!!! 

Olympics again....

What a great weekend for the Olympics.  Have to admit that I have not been watching everything in real time, but picking and choosing after recording the events seems to be working for me.  Just have to stay away from the spoilers!!

So Micheal Phelps is the most decorated Olympian of all time, some are calling him the most impressive Olympian of all time.  I'll give you greatest swimmer,  but I don't think you can call anyone the greatest Olympian.  I never thought there would be a photo finish is a sport such as triathlon, but that certainly was an amazing race by the women.  Too bad about the flat tire for Jorgenson.  And Bolt is still the fastest man in the world.  To be able to win the 100m twice in the Olympics is amazing. 

I have also been learning about a few sports that I am not too familiar with.  Picking up on some of the rules for field hockey (and learning that the men play as well--although I guess not too well in the USA), trampoline judging and of course everything synchronized.  There have been some good games in the team sports, and not all of them involve the USA.  Sometimes it's nice to just watch games where you don't know who everyone is.

So swimming is just about over now (couple of 10k left), and it seems most of the pool play is winding down in the team sports.  The track and field has finally started, with some medals already claimed and other events getting their qualifying  races completed.  We have seen some amazing performances and seen some heartbreak as well.  Hope that the weather holds up in jolly ol' England so we can watch the athletes perform at their best. 

How about a few fun facts I've learned from watching the games?  I'm certain that most people know that the 5 rings on the Olympic flag are the colors they are because every flag in the country has at least one of the six colors in it (gotta count the white!).  Did you know that sailing and equestrian are the only two Olympic sports where men and woman compete against each other?  How about this number--4437?  That's how many of those little sparkly things on the USA women's gymnastic team's uniforms.   

The USA trails China again in the all important medal count, but it is close.  Not much change is expected on day ten, but we shall see.  Looking forward to more track and field, and some medal round games in some of the team sports.  It's been petty enjoyable to this point, hope it continues.

Wisconsin State Fair

Those of you that know me know I love the State Fair.  There is so much to see and do!  Much to my sadness, it was better in the old days.  The history of the State Fair is that it was basically an agricultural event, showing off the newest equipment and techniques of the era.  They actually used to grow crops on the grounds and harvest them as demonstrations.  Of course, it was an agricultural lifestyle.

I remember going to the fair when I was six or seven years old.  I remember the old horse barns, and the old coliseum.  I remember a show in the Mall area with a couple of people on sway bars swinging back and forth--must have been 100 feet up.  I remember some of the old shacks that sold the food and whatnot. And of course I remember the flower building with Senator Bill Proxmier shaking everyone's hand.  I can remember when I was 11 or 12 that I started going to the fair by myself.  Boy the fun I had.  You could get in for a buck, a baked potato was a quarter, and they had good entertainment on more side stages.  I always seemed to have a good time.

After my freshmen year of college I actually got a job with he buildings and grounds department.  I worked all summer (and a couple of winters as well), so not only did I get a different look at the fair, but all the other events as well.  I learned a lot--how to fix and build things, where the good deals were, who would give you a free meal--so the pay wasn't great, but it paid off in other ways.  And I made some real good friends as well. 

I've seen a lot of changes at the Fair over the years.  Everyone used to set their own prices on things, now they are more uniform so nobody gets an "advantage". I seen a lot of buildings come and go.  The old Administration building, the Women's building, the old exhibit buidings, the Lutheran Diner, the Tavern on the Mall, heck even the old grandstand.  I miss the Midway being in the south parking lot, and the Pine Hut. And the Mexican Village. And And I miss the different characters I worked with and met through the years--Ziggy and Dolittle and Jim Nanson and School Teacher and Joe Tevz, and Mark Clark and of course Billy Griener.  And the plumbers and electricians. Boy I had some fun.

And then when the Misses and I had kids we would always take them to the fair.  And we always say it all.  Milk the cows, watch the judging, eat the food, climb on tractors, watch the parade, go see Smokey Bear--everything I ever liked about the fair, we did.   We always found something fun to do at the fair.

Alas, things change.  All the old buildings are mostly gone.  The Flower Building still stands, but it has all the 4H crafts and art stuff and the judging stuff in it.  Not many flowers at all.  Most of the exhibitors are in the big hall now, not spread out.  There seem to be more cops and security around--and of course it's all about them.   Geez, they don't even have the pictures of the year in the Journal Building anymore.  There doesn't seem to be as much variety anymore either.  You really have to search (go to Ag Products building--best local deals and variety).  At least the cream puffs and sweet corn are still there--can't miss them on a trip to the fair!  And the animals are still there, along with all the memories, which means I still always have fun at the fair!

More Olympics!

Well we're about a week in to the Olympics now and I have a few observations.  There sure are a lot of sports that you don't think about except during the Olympics.  Don't usually think much about badminton, or team handball, or sailing, much less them being Olympic events.  I have found out that you can watch any and all of the events in real time on the ol' computer, which is cool, but it being summertime most of my viewing has been of the highlight or taped delayed variety.

I note that there already have been a few controversies.  The "interesting" scoring in the boxing matches, the badminton ladies playing bad on purpose, and of course the subjective scoring system that they have in gymnastics. Oh, and I like the tie breaking system.  Go back and see who did what best in the events, but some count more than others and.....what????  I don't know....I see that some think that the USA was running up the score in the basketball game against Nigeria.  Except they really didn't do much out of the ordinary (for them) except not miss many shots!  Nigeria needs to play a little D instead of watching the other guys shoot!   Don't see anyone beating LeBron and his boys in this one...Oh, and what about the kyacker whose mom is a judge in his events?

Swimmers and gymnasts are amazing at what they do.  I find it interesting that so many of the swimmers are so good with the different strokes.  It would seem to me that if you just concentrated on one stroke you would be able to beat a guy who is doing six or seven events.  Maybe the swimmer with more events has more pool time or is just naturally faster in the tank or just has more drive.  The women gymnasts are amazing with all the flips and vaults and whatnot, and they are obviously very strong.  My question is how do you do some of these thinks for the first time?  Stand on a beam and decide to do a flip and land back on the beam?  Swing around on a couple of "uneven bars" and just fly between them?  Then jump off this stuff, flip around and "stick the landing". Definitely skilled, but they need a better scoring system.

There have been the normal thrill of victory and agony of defeat moments already.  Favorites winning, close loses, upset victories.  There is the usual controversy about PEDs by some--no proof, there never is.  They must have new masking agents!  The back stories have been interesting, and the Youtube stuff is hilarious--I recommend Call Me Maybe Phelps Lochte Music Parody--I laughed.  It was nice to see Will and Kate sitting with the commoners and doing the wave at the tennis match.  Also happy to see the good ol' USA has the lead in the all important medal count.

I will be taking special interest in the next week as we finally get to the track and field events.  The 100m has the four fastest runners ever in it.  It'll be quick.  Also will be looking to see if I see my boy Stew at any of the events.  He is heading over the pond for a week or so to take in the Games.  I told him to paint up his face as that would be sure to get him on the telly--if you know him (as I know him) then you know this isn't happening!  Really just hoping to hear from him a time or two while he is gone!!  Hope everyone is enjoying the Games as much as I am.  Looking forward to some more Olympic moments in the upcoming days.  

The Olympics

We are well into the first week of the Olympics.  I like most things about the Olympics.  I like all the oddball sports you only see on TV every four years---like archery and air rifle shooting and sword fighting.  I like the back stories they always provide.  The people who have overcome hardships in their lives or moved on from underdog status to favorite or the real old guy who you can't believe is in the Olympics to the young girl who you can't believe does the things she does.  I like the pageantry of the opening ceremonies.  And I like how the teamwork plays out, not only for an athletes particular sport, but for the entire team.  It's cool to see athletes from one sport supporting those in other sports.  I like how NBC tries to tell us who the big breakout stars are going to be--and that sometimes they are wrong....

There are a few things I am not really that fond of as well.  Some of these announcers seem to think they are bigger than the event.  Quite down already.  I'm not wild about the professionals in the Olympics either.  They just played Wimbledon a couple of weeks ago---it's like watching a replay.  The NBA has so many foreign players now that the Olympics is like watching the exhibition schedule--you know some of the guys, others you never heard of, but the stars will take over,  Except for the All-Stars, er I mean the USA team.  I like all the coverage that is provided, but I do find it difficult at times to figure out what is on where.
I still don't like the eastern bloc countries.  Nothing against their athletes, but I grew up watching the Olympics in the iron curtain era.  I remember the (seemingly?) questionable refereeing and judging of the past.  Suppose they see it differently from their prospective.  Still like to beat them.  I miss softball, baseball not so much. 

As I sit here on Tuesday we are tied with China in the medal count, although they lead in gold.  There is a heck of a lot of Olympics left to go.  Still lots of swimming and volleyball and biking.  And of course we have probably the most exciting and watched events, Athletics----that would be track and field for those of you not in the know. 

I enjoy watching all the different events and the athletes representing their countries.  I hope that their are no controversies with judging and scoring, that nothing like what happened in Munich happens again, and that all the competitors have abstained from the banned substances. I hope all the competitors and spectators get the Olympic Spirit, and that there are all kinds of wonderful stories from these games.  I am certain that I will revisit this subject again (maybe more than once!!), and next time I will have some fun facts to share!

Happy Birthday Aleah

I find it hard to believe that it has been 19 years since my daughter was born.  I find it even more difficult to believe that I had to help with the delivery.  The way I remember it......

Unlike the birth of the first child, we pretty much had the delivery date and other birthing matters planned out for child number two.  We arrived at the hospital at the appointed time, checked in, got all situated.  Dr. Clyde (OB/GYN) introduced us to the nurse and a "kid" who was a med student  who was going to observe and "help out".  Whatever.  They got the Mrs. all ready, hooked up the Pitocin, and Dr. Clyde said he'd be back in awhile, he had to go to his clinic across the street.  Then the fun started.

The Mrs. let me know in the way that only women giving birth can that it was time.  Seemed pretty quick to me, but I hit the buzzer to call the nurse and told them it was go time.  The first person to enter the room was our new friend the med student.  He took one look and hit the floor.  He did not look good, looked really ill actually, but now I was worried.  I started hitting the nurse call button again--quite rapidly and repeatedly this time.  When our nurse arrived she said there was no time to wait for Dr. Clyde.  Then she told me to get some gloves on.  Huh?  I can find some tree branches to set your broken limb, and I can apply pressure to stop the blood flow from the gaping wound you sustained, but I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin' no baby.  Luckily for me our nurse was quite skilled and knowledgeable on the subject, and I was able to follow her instructions with ease (turns out I really didn't do that much at all).  Dr. Clyde finally showed up to make sure everything was good (it was), and the rest of our visit was typical.  Don't know whatever happened to the med student, never saw him again.

So I sit here today the proud father of a beautiful, intelligent, funny and insightful young woman.  She has been a pleasure to be around and to watch grow.  She has never made any decisions that have made me question her in any way.  I enjoy being around her, and miss her when she is not here.  I realize this is going to be happening more, and I accept it, but I don't have to like it.  And no matter what she thinks, she will always be my little girl.  So happy birthday Aleah, I love you very much.

Good News

Around 25 years ago or so, I had a friend who worked for the local newspaper.  I asked him why he never had any good news to write about.  He told me that if I found any good news to let him know and he would print it.  I did, and he did, and it was kind of nice to read.  So in this day and age of war and drought and shootings and economic hardship, I have decided to find some good news.

And where better to start than by Googling good news.  What I find is mostly religious news, businesses that have good news in their name, and the local Dairy Queen--don't get that one.  I also find a web site for the Today Show.  What I find here are are human interest stories about military homecomings, oddball stories (woman lost memory, earns college degree), and other stories of the like.  I suppose it may be intersting, but a lot of this stuff is old news. I also find little happy notes about all the Today Show personalities, but I don't find this to be good news.  I need to dig deeper. 

I decide to check the local paper.  Lots of not so good news, but that is not what I am looking for.  I see some dog saved a woman's life, a missing girl is found safe, and some 92 year old guy finally has his bar mitzvah.  I decide to check on the community news.

I see the birth announcements and the college news, which is certainly good news for those involved.  I note that Kohl's Department stores are keeping their headquarters here in Menomonee Falls, which is great news for those of us here.  I also see the Piggly Wiggly is coming to town and that the Falls Fest is this weekend.  Weee...........

It is very apparent to me that good news is had to find.  The national news seems to be all about doom and gloom.  Maybe that's what we've come to, I don't know.  It seems the closer to home you look you can find some good things going on, but I guess a lot of it is how you perceive things.  Perhaps it's familiarity.  I know I'd like to pick up the paper someday and not see any news about war and poverty and senseless killings and people struggling to get by.  Guess those days are gone for good.  I suppose good news is how you perceive things, and you have to get it wherever you can.

Aurora, Colorado

I am in a very sour mood.  What kind of a SOB goes into a movie theater and just randomly starts shooting people?  What kind of mind does such a person have?  Then they talk to his mother and she says "You have the right person", and "I need to call the police".  They talk to some guy who met him in a bar and he says he seemed like a smart guy to me.  He seemed normal, never would have thought this from him.  So we have 71  people shot, and 12 of those are dead.  Some are in critical condition.  Now what do we do?

They say the guy (I know his name, refuse to use it) bought all the guns legally in the last few months.  Now I'm as much for the right to own firearms as anyone, but I fail to see the need for a civilian to be using an A 15 assault rifle.  The thing was designed for military use.  Common sense tells me it is a weapon of destruction.  Why are they allowed to be sold at a gun show?  Suppose the gun companies need to make money...  Others will argue that this was a time that if a few of the movie goers were armed they could have "taken down" the shooter.  Well, most people don't go around with body armor and gas masks.  I wonder how many people would have gone down in the crossfire of that scene. 

Do we start having metal detectors  in every pubic place we go?  Armed guards?  Ever thought about the damage some nut could do at a sold out sporting event?  Do we not go out at night anymore?  Do we not go anywhere where there might be a lot of people?  Or do we just continue living our lives and hope such tragedies don't happen to us?  Any input will be greatly appreciated.

My daughter went to the premier of the Batman movie last night with some of her friends.  Other neighbors and friends went and saw it too.  Nothing happened to any of them.  My deepest sympathies to those in Aurora Colorado who are unable to say the same.  God help us all.....