They just give stuff away.....

I like to win stuff on the radio (or TV for that matter).  I don't care what it is, if they're giving it away I like to win it.  I am either the fastest dialer or the luckiest guy around, because I win lots of stuff.  Lots.  Mostly concert tickets, but other stuff as well. 

I remember the first thing I ever won on the radio.  I must have been in the fourth or fifth grade.  It was a t-shirt--Twoallbeefpatiesspecialsaucelettucecheeseonasesameseedbun.  Think I wore it out.  I won a few albums (vinyl thing with music on it), a few tickets to ball games, stuff like that.  Sometimes you need to know some trivial things, sometimes the questions are hard.  Most of the time you just need to be the right caller.  About six years ago, I had my biggest win, a pair of earrings with a value of 5K (so the appraisal says).  Should have saved them for the anniversary or birthday, but I just tossed them to the Misses.  Kinda hard to top with an anniversary gift.

So the last year and a half or so I have been on a roll.  A guy at work and I have a little contest going it seems.  Don't know if it's the phone I'm using or where I'm calling from or just dumb luck.  But at the risk of ruining my good karma, I've decided to list winnings from the last 18 months or so.  And I don't know if it's complete---memory sometimes runs together on this stuff.....

Shows
The Monkees--gave 'em to the sister in law.  She's a big fan, glad she got to see 'em before Davy passed.
Toby Keith--gave 'em to the neighbor--she really wanted to go, so she went
Jackson Browne--2 sets.  Sold one set.  Great concert, once I got the guy next to us to stop singing along.
Oak Ridge Boys--Mom loved 'em
Little Big Town---This was a great show with the meet and greet......just don't look into her eyes....
Paula Cole---not good.  Bad.
Patty Smith.  She is the Warrior---why is she still out singing?
1964 The Tribute---2 sets.  Couldn't give 'em away
Taylor Swift---Sent the daughter.  She loved it.  Thinks she is in the video....
Gordon Lightfoot--2 sets.  Sold 'em both for $50/pair.  Who woulda' thought....
Glen Campbell--gave 'em away.  Guess this was a sad one. 
Jason Mraz---who?  Daughter went, but left early for free Maroon 5 show...
Don Williams--older than dirt, but mom liked him (me too)...
Brad Paisley---really wanted to go, but I got $120 a piece, so.....
John Tesch--Christmas show---kind of corny.  Guy has huge hands and feet, and a terrible  comb over....
Nickleback--gave 'em away.
Miranda Lambert--Went with the Misses.  We both had a good time...
Lady Antebellum--going in June
Dave Matthews---Sending the boy--maybe

What else in the last year and a half or so.  Movie tickets, a pile of Summerfest tickets, a bunch of cd's, some dvd's,  tickets to The Nutcracker, West Side Story, The Million Dollar Quartet, Cirque du Solie.  Bucks tickets, Waukesha County Fair tickets, Fireside Theater, restaurant gift cards, Lord of the Dance, Wisconsin State Fair and a hundred dollars worth of Cuddleduds-- to keep the Misses warm in the winter.   I also won a 48 inch state of the art flat screen, but didn't have eligibility so I had to use Joe's name.  He got the TV, but kicked me a couple of hundred for the effort.  I really don't have room for a TV like that anyways.  Some stuff I went to, some I gave away, others I turned into beer money....

Obviously I have to be one of the luckiest radio contest people around.  Hope my luck holds, because the summer concert season it right around the corner.  Can't wait to see what they're giving away.....

Memorial Day Weekend

Seems that everyone is all geared up for Memorial Day weekend.  There are parades, picnics, sales.  People travel all over the country.  They say the roads are going to be packed.  Folks are heading up north to open up the cottages.  There are fishing trips planned, golf to be played.  Others have yard work they are going to do.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.  It was established to honor the Union dead shortly after the Civil War. Southern women had long honored the southern casualties of the war, and different areas of the country had these traditions on different days of the year, but most of them were in May.  Since cemeteries were the parks of there day, soon people were honoring there deceased relatives whether they had died in  a war or not.  The term Memorial Day was first used in 1882, but was not made the official name until 1967.  It was  always held on May 30 until 1971 when congress decided to make it the last Monday in May.  Guess they liked the idea of a three day weekend more often than once every 7 or 8 years.

I plan on getting up early (I always get up early) and hoisting the flag up, first all the way up, then dropping it down to half staff to honor those who have died in wars.  Then its back all the way up at noon to show that they have not died in vain.  I'm going out to the cemetery to put a flag on Dad's grave (a vet, although he didn't die in a war).  (Kind of odd that although I don't like funerals I don't have any problem at all with cemeteries.)   I plan on spending the day with the family and friends.  Maybe a little work around the house, but not too much.  Hope to have some great weather and to just relax.

So I hope you all enjoy your barbeques and the extra day off from work or school, spending time with family and friends, working in your yard or watching the races.  Travel safe if you're heading anywhere.  It is the unofficial start of summertime.  But try and take a couple of minuets to remember those who sacrificed so much for our freedoms.

Cars

I need to get a new car.  Not necessarily a new car, but I need to replace the Nissan.  Exhaust system needs to be replaced--$1400 minimum.  Cracked windshield.  Relay problem.  Brakes seem to be fading.  !55,000 miles. Starting to rust.   I just can't see sticking the money into the thing to fix the problems. The only reason we keep the Caravan is to haul the kids stuff back and forth to college.  We'd probably be better off just renting a truck--although I dread that idea as well.  And it has nearly 120,000 miles on it as well.  The Camrey is in good shape, but after 5 years the miles are starting to pile up on it as well.

I hate the process of getting a different car.  I've bought new cars and used cars, from dealers and from private parties.  I've bought them from friends and acquaintances.  I'm always worried somebody is trying to get the best of me.  I have buyers remorse after I get a new car.  The last time I bought a car I did it entirely over he internet.  I actually got three dealerships to bid against each other, and once I got a price I liked it was a done deal.  But that was on a new car.  Don't really think I want to go that route this time. 

Nobody puts car ads in the newspaper anymore.  Everything seems to be on Craigslist or the like.  Everyone has the same information as far as values for different options and conditions and whatnot.  And everyone thinks their vehicle is worth more than I think it is.  My dilemma is if I buy from a private party I can probably get a better price, but if I buy from a business I think, as far as condition goes, the car will at least have been checked out.  My problem is I have to decide how much this "peace of mind" is worth to me.

The one thing with cars I hate worse than buying them is selling them.  I never think I get what they are worth.  And I always worry I'll sell the car and something will go wrong with it.  I especially worry something likes brakes will fail and there will be an accident and someone will get hurt.  That is the reason I will never sell a car to somebody I know.  Probably send another one off to Bart.  No worries about it then.

I look at a car as nothing more than transportation, a way to get from point A to B.  I don't really care if its the most popular or best looking vehicle on the road.  All I want is for it to start, have heat in the winter and not suck fuel like its water.  Oh, and I need to find it at a price I find fair.  Ya think it would be easy enough.  I'll let ya know....

Gambling.....

It was a little over 25 years ago that the voters of Wisconsin approved having a lottery.  They didn't know that a federal judge would rule that by approving the lottery they would also have to allow Indian casinos.  There are now 17 of these Indian casinos in the state, with everything from bingo to slot machine to board games (blackjack, poker, etc).  The net win for the casinos last year was 1.18 BILLION dollars.  They paid about 50 million to the state a rate of 4.2%.  The lottery pays back about 28%.

A little less than a year ago some co-workers took me to the local casino for the first time.  It was quite the experience.  Dark, no clocks, no corners, easy to get lost.  They showed me a few of the ins and outs of some of the games, and I had a good time.  Won a little bit of money, had a few beers, enjoyable afternoon with some buddies.  Figured that was the end of it.

I have gone back.  Probably 10 or 15 times now.  They make it so easy, those nice Indian friends of mine.  They send you offers in the mail for free dinners and free gambling---just enough to get you started.   They will even transport you to the casino if you'd like.  I figure I am somewhere about even.  I play nothing more than 2 cent slots, and I enjoy myself.  I sometimes go before work so I don't have time to lose too much---just enough time to use the "free plays" they send out.  I eat the meals at the restaurants.  Real good food and the prices are right!  I don't win much but I don't lose much and its fun to play.  And addictive....

I know a few people who have lost a ton of money at the casino.  They always figure they are going to hit it big.  Don't we all.  I see people there who are in a bad way.  I hear them talking about how they need to make money to pay the rent or the utility bill.  People come up and ask for money, or try and sell you stuff.  Help one out and you'll have a load of people asking for things.  I have seen homeless people at the casino in the morning.  It's warm, and as long as you keep moving I don't think they bother you.  I also saw a couple of guys try to rob a guys machine one time (staged fight), but there are so many cameras and security people I just kind of laughed.

Proponents of Indian casinos will tell you how many jobs have been created and how much money they pay in taxes and pour back into the community.  They don't tell you about the people who lose the rent money.  They don't tell you about businesses that went broke because people spend there money in the casinos.  Back when I worked for the beer distributor I called on a tavern called Bendolls.  Ben knew that gambling was coming, and said if they don't allow slots in bars the little corner places would be gone.  There are a lot of other reasons as well, but I guess he was right about gambling hurting business.  And how many bars have these video pokers games in them now "just for fun"?  Count your credits, they'll pay you off. You wonder if tax revenue to the state wouldn't be greater if people were spending this gambling money at the local grocer or tavern or any other business.  When I go to the casino, if I lose a hundred bucks, I'm not happy, but it doesn't kill me.  I don't worry about paying bills.  For some it seems to be make or break.

Well, casino gambling is here to stay.  Kinda' like putting toothpaste back into the tube.  Not gonna' happen. If you choose to go  to one of these establishments I hope you are able to do so responsibly.  Don't believe the advertisements.  Don't  take food out of your families mouth trying to hit the big one.  Take it for the entertainment that it is.

Summer is Coming!

I love summertime!  The weather we've had the last couple of days has been just great, and I hope it's just a sample of things to come.  There seems like there is so much to do in the summer, maybe because it is so short around here.  I try to cram as much in as I possibly can.

Summer has always been vacation time for us, what with the Misses teaching and what not.  We had some wonderful and memorable trips over the years, and I wouldn't trade them for anything--think I'll save details for a later blog.  With the kids working and taking classes and doing all else they do, I doubt if we'll get away anywhere this year so I'm starting to plan what else I like to do in summer.  So....

...there is going to be outdoor dining this summer.  There aren't many places that I really like to go and eat, and I know the smokers are out there, but I am going to eat outside anyhow.  As long as the bugs aren't too bad.

...I'm going to the auto races.  Used to go all the time with Dad, when I worked at the Fair Park, and with some pals.  Haven't been in years.  I am going this year, already have the date picked out (June12).  Going with a couple of friends.  I'm gonna' have a good time. 

...I'm going to a few ballgames.  Brewers, yeah probably---but definitely high school and little league.  Kids play because they want to.  They have fun.  It's fun to watch.  And it's a lot cheaper too.

...there will be a trip to Milwaukee County Zoo.  If I have to go by myself, I'm going.  It has been too long, and it is a wonderful zoo.  And I have great memories of the place.

...there is going to be music, and lots of it!  I am off the entire run of Summerfest.  I am going.  Stop and see me and I'll buy you a beer! Check the Miller area, I have friends there, they may know where I'm at.  I am going to State Fair---will be there Aug 4 for sure, probably the 3rd as well.  Stop and see me, I'll buy you a beer.  Check the Benno's tent, your odds will be better.  There are so many other music venues around here with all the festivals and what not---keep your eyes open, you see me, I'll buy you a beer!

....there will be beer.

There are some other things I want to do as well.  I know I'll be at the Hervey's for the 4th of July.  I'll probably get up to Oshkosh for a couple of events.  The county fairs are always a good time, and I'd like to get out and get a hike or two in---guess we'll see.  There are a few graduation parties to hit, and I think there is a wedding in there as well.    And of course there is always Chuckapalooza at the end of summer, I'm sure we'll have something going on for that.  Sounds like a busy summer season, but that's how I like it.  It is too short to just let it slip away.

Best invention of your lifetime.....

My Pops always used to ask me what I thought the greatest invention of my life was.  I always used to say for him it must have been the wheel.  He'd call me a few names, and then go on about how television was the greatest invention ever.  He was always amazed about how he could watch sporting events from around the world, or fishing, or whatever.  Then when he got cable it was over.  All the different shows!  He'd often call me and say did you see this or that, or you gotta' come over and see this. He was convinced that television was the greatest invention ever....and I tended to agree with him.  This was thirty years ago.  Asked this question today,  I'd have to say the greatest invention ever would have to be the personal computer, and everything that came with it.

I still remember back in college when there was one computer for the entire ten story dorm.  Shoobie would mention something about the internet and how you would be able to communicate with other people and get information.  I didn't really pay any intention to him.  How in the world was I going to work a computer.  If I wanted to talk to somebody I called them on the phone.  If I needed information about something I went to the library and looked it up.  Heck, if I wanted to be real cocky I'd call a TV station and get their reseach department.  They would call me back in an hour or so.  Wish that I'd paid more attention to computers and the internet back then. 

I learned about PCs and the internet.  I bought stuff from clothes to new cars sight unseen.  I refinanced my house without talking to anyone until I sighed the papers.  I have sold stuff to perfect strangers. As some of you are aware, I found out there is all kinds of information available on the internet.  I tracked down over a hundred people I haden't see in 25 or 30 years for the UW-O reunion a couple of years ago.  I watch movies, view photos, find out what is happening around the world almost instantly.  I am able to keep up with people through social media.   I have downloaded thousands of songs---some for free!  I have repaired major appliances looking up information on the internet.

Of course, now there are devices you just carry around with you.  IPhones or whatever they are called by different companies.  Talk about an all in one device!  Phone, camera, gps, personal computer, darn near everything all in one.  Just think of a device you can carry in your pocket that lets you access basically all the information known to man.  Try going back in time and explaining that to someone from even 1975 or so.  They may have been hard pressed to believe what has happened.  And happened so fast.  Whenever I think about it, as you all know, the personal computer and all the extensions that go with it have really changed our lives.  I'd have to say it's the best invention of my life.

Dr. Phil

Recently, for some reason, a number of people have been coming to me with their personal problems.  I do not know why.  I will be the first to admit that I am not the smartest guy around.  Heck, I've only read the internet once (so far).  Some of this stuff  I find basically stupid.  Some of it I find way out of my league.  Some things I really don't care to comment on, while other things I do have to think about---and be careful what I say!  Feel free to help me out with some of this stuff if you'd like, you don't even need to leave your name if you don't want to (drop down menu ).  A few examples.....

A friend of mines daughter is graduating high school.  She just now decides she would like to go to college.  No problem here so far, but........no concept of deadlines!!!   Financial aid forms?  Due today?  Not even filled out yet!  Ah, she'll get a scholarship.  Really?  Ooops.....Geez, I called them, why won't they give her more aid?  Loans? Ah, she'll get a good job and be able to pay 'em off.  I directed him to a few articles I've read over the  years.  Guess we should have planned better he says.  I says check into the military.....basically stupid.

Another guy has a 19 year old daughter away at college.  Now so far this sounds familiar.  Tells me she is not coming home from college this summer, is planning to stay at school and take a couple of classes.  Okay, so?  He finds out the new boyfriend also is spending the summer at school.  He figures he knows what is going on, and it ain't going to be studying.  I laugh, but inside am thinking about my kids.  Thinking for a second, I ask him "What are ya' gonna do?"  When it comes right down to it, she is an adult now and can pretty much do as she chooses.  He says he holds the hammer, as he pays the tuition and things.  I do the same!  But this is what I tell him.  There is no way your going to be there every second.  You need to hope you've raised them right.  Probably best not to make your kid mad---just tell her your expectations and see what happens.  What else ya' gonna do?  Common sense I think....

Now I don't work with many women, and I talk with even fewer.  Why on earth would one of them try to talk to me about what she thinks her husband is doing on the side?  No no no no.....too much information, can't help ya there, not getting involved.  End of this story right now!  NO COMMENT!!!

Finally, I have the friend whose son comes home from college and brings the girlfriend with him.  I say that's nice.  Then he drops this one on me.  Kid asks the parents where the girlfriend is going to sleep.  Now this is interesting (thinking to myself again).  These kids are over 21 and have been away at college.  I once was over 21 and away at college.  I remember what goes on at college.  I have 2 kids away at college.  Not sure I'm comfortable with what I remember.  I ask him what the options are....he tells me he told them they could sleep where they wanted.  I told him I thought he was very open minded about things, good for him.  He said bad for him, wife was not very happy.  So I asked him what he did when he was his kids age.  He thought about it for a bit and said he probably had to have a little talk with his wife.  I thought about it for a bit, and decided I'd better do the same----before I had that conversation myself!  Gotta do some thinking here...

I don't know how I turned into the local Dr. Phil.  Suppose I should be honored people seek my opinion, but I'm always fearful of bad advice.  And I try not to say anything unless asked.  But if you ask me......

Everyone is Home!

Well the weekend trips are done and the kids are home.  I really like to drive, but the back to backs kinda got to me.  Maybe it's getting old, or maybe it was the foolishness of the previous two evenings.  Hope it was the later.  Just a few observations on my trips.

The drive from Milwaukee to Minneapolis is a much nicer drive than the one from Milwaukee to St. Louis.  Very much more scenic.  Illinois IS flat and wide open, Wisconsin is tree lined and rolling.  Just a nicer view to drive in.  Both places are real nice to see when you get there though.  Like both places, couldn't pick one over the other (well, maybe in winter I could).

Seems like there are more of those wind turbines popping up, and closer to the roads as well.  They are huge.  Wonder how many birds get clipped by those things. And speaking of birds getting clipped....

There sure are a lot of animal carcasses strewn on the highways.  Lots of dead deer and raccoons, along with various other animals and birds.  I know a number of years ago they stopped picking up dead animals, but I thought they at least dragged them off to the side.  Guess not anymore.  They sure do make a mess. 

Finally, we have a lot of junk sitting around out there.  Old farm machinery sitting around.  Pretty sure nobody is going to hook a horse up to that old plow to till the field when the giant tractor is doing it just fine.  And all those old cars are never going to run again.  Maybe people are waiting for the Pickers to come around and make them rich.  Bet that isn't going to happen.  And there seem to be a lot of buildings out there that I am pretty sure are housing nothing more than various critters.  I know I wouldn't go anywhere near them.  Just seems like we could use a little general cleanup along the highways and byways. 

Well we are going to start settling in to having us all home now for a couple of months.  Going to try and squeeze in as much as possible---have already been informed it will be the last summer we are all together.

Time To Collect The Kids

Well its time to go get the kids and bring them home from college.  Saturday I'll head to Minneapolis to get Aleah from University of Minnesota, then on Sunday it's back to St. Louis to get Stew from SLU.  Good thing I practiced driving with the trip to U Mass. last week. 

I am looking forword to having the kids home.  It is going to be different though.  I am certain they are not the same people they were when they sent to college last fall, and am pretty sure they will think the Misses and I have changed as well.  Between classes and working and whatnot, I hope we get to spend some quality time together as a family.  Although I don't see any big vacations, maybe we can even get away for a couple of days.  Maybe a ballgame or the State Fair or something.  I'm sure I'll bring up the zoo or the museum, and I'm pretty sure they will both come up with some excuse.  They're gonna have to work, or run, or study, or hang out with friends. I get it.

The thing is I don't have any idea of how much more time we have as a family living together.  It would not surprise me in the least bit if one or the other--or both for that matter--don't come home for summer vacation next year.  Truth be told, I'm kind of surprised they will both be here this year.  They are certain to have oppurtunities in their collge towns, and I hope they take advantage of them.  That being said, I hope to take advantage of the time we have together.  So we'll have some meals together, hit a few events, I'll tell some bad jokes and listen to them groan.  I'll put them in the chair of trurth and ask them questions they don't want to answer (may have to bring in Mr Hervey for that), and before you know it they will be heading back to school.  I'll be happy for them, but sad for me.  The time with the kids has gone way too fast.  And it marches on.

Choices

I've been thinking about how the choices we make affect our lives.  Everything we do involves making a choice.  You choose what to eat, where to go, whom to hang out with.  You choose where to live, what to wear, when to do things.  Some choices are good, others are bad.  Sometimes choices are made for you.  Sometimes you wonder if you made the right choice.

Think about where you live.  When you"re young, generally the choice is made for you, you live with parents or guardians.  As you get older though, you start to have choices.  Stay where you grew up and are comfortable, or move on to a new location, possibly where you know nobody and start anew?  It's a big choice--it's easy to stay where you know people and places.  Nothing wrong with that at all.  Nothing wrong with moving on either.  Kind of how the country was expanded.

My Dad used to say you pick your friends, you're stuck with your relatives.  Pick your friends well.  I would hope you would choose as friends people you can depend on.  People you can laugh with, discuss things with.  People you can disagree with, even argue with and fight with and still remain friends.  Sometimes it is difficult to keep friendships alive.  Sadly, sometimes friendships end--people and feelings change through different experiences.  Some people grow, others grow in different directions.

You choose your career.  Some people have greater opportunities, and therefore more choices.  Make your choice wisely.  You may think the high paying high profile career may make you happy.  Make sure you know what it is that makes you happy.  Some choose a more simpler life, where they know what they will be doing everyday.  Maybe more time for family or friends.  I know people who have high paying high profile jobs, and while they may have more "stuff" than I do, I would argue I'm just as happy (or more so) than they are.  Maybe I'm wrong.  Maybe not.

Probably your most important choice is who you choose to go through life with, your spouse or significant other.  You'd be best off to choose someone you like as a person, someone you can trust, someone who makes you a better person.  Infatuation fades.  Something you thought was cute at 20 gets old by 25.  Hopefully you are going to spend a lot of time with this person.  Choose someone to share your life experiences with you.  I think it's a lot more fun that way.

Life is full of choices, obviously some much more important than others.  If you are able to make more good choices than bad I'm pretty sure things will work out.  They always seem to, one way or another.

Roadtrip Rumblings Part 2

First off all I had a wonderful time at the A10 track meet the past couple of days.  Saw some good performances, lots of prs and some medal winners as well.  Wonderful group of student athletes these Billikens are--good luck and best wishes to the seniors, looking forward to seeing the rest next season.  Get yourselves healthy and work to improve (and have yourselves some fun this summer!).

A few other things on my mind.....

If bugs would fly 4 or 5 feet higher a lot less of them would hit windshields.
  
Wish that I had more time on this trip.  One hundred and twenty miles from NYC.  Never been, would love to go.  Missed Niagara Falls by 20 minutes.  Seen it, but would love to see it again.  Missed Cooperstown, basketball hall of fame and the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland.  All things I'd like to do.  These are the types of things I plan on doing in retirement.  Hope I get the opportunity.   

You hear about these countries where there are a lot of people in very little land area.  We have a lot of land in this country that doesn't have people living on it.  A LOT!  Could probably be one of our greatest natural resources....

Leaving Massachusetts the sign says thanks for visiting, come back soon.  Can't imagine ever coming back really.

Okay, that's it for now.  Nine hours of driving to go--piece of cake from here on in.  TTFN.

Roadtrip Rumblings

As some of you know, the Misses and I took a little jaunt to watch our son and his friends compete in the Atlantic 10 conference track meet.  A few things crossed my mind on this trip.......

Fifteen hours straight is a long drive.  Tends to get a little monotonous.  But had pretty good weather, minimal construction and no traffic---after about midnight.

Took a rental on this trip.  Cost me $ 96 on the Priceline.  I show up to pick up the car, they give me a 2012 Chevy Malibu with 3 miles on.  Yup, 3.  Well, its got 1135 on it now, and we still need to get home.  Car is considered a full size vehicle.  Has gotten a little over 29MPH, handles pretty well.  Embarrassing when you don't know how to put gasoline in it though (no button or lever to open the gas door--you need to push it and it will open).  Also not so hot to sleep in--just couldn't get comfortable.  Had to sleep in the car for about three hours because no rooms available on Fri night.  If I'd have known we'd have made such good time I would have gotten a reservation.  Anyways, thanks MickyD for the accommodations.

People drive rather poorly.  Illinois is the worst.  Might want to take a look before you decide to change lanes.  And what is the obsession  with driving in the left lane?  If your passing somebody, pass them and get back in the right lane!  New York has big ol'signs everywhere saying this.  I thought it was common knowledge....

Gas prices are all over the place.  Saw a low of 3.59 per gallon to a high of 4.07.  Don't know why there'd be such a difference.  Sometimes stations very close to each other had the large spread. 

Farmers work their asses off.  All times of the day I saw guys out in the fields.  To those of you who don't think farming is hard I dare you to try it.  Bet you wouldn't like it.  Less than 5 percent of our population feed the rest of us.  I thank the farmers, hope you will too...

Best part of the trip has been day 1 of the A10 meet.  Lots of pr's and school records for the Bills, got to meet some nice people and kids from other schools and connect with some Billikens and their families.  Hope everyone is heqalthy after day 1, looking forward to day 2.  And the ride home as well....


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Suicide....

Famous football player Junior Seau killed himself yesterday.  He was a twenty year veteran of the NFL, and had no history, ever, of concussions or head injuries.  I think he just didn't tell anyone when he was dinged up.

Worldwide, there are about 1 million suicides committed each year, while there are anywhere from 10 to 20 million attempted.  There is thought these numbers are actually under reported, because people may kill themselves in single car accidents and the like.  Women attempt more suicides than men, but men are more successful.  Suicide is the third leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 24.  Among causes are depression, anxiety, eating disorders and substance abuse.  Bullying also is in the news now as a cause of suicide.

The effects of suicide on surviving friends and family can be devastating.  Suicide survivors often feel conflicting emotions when suicide occurs, including  grief or sadness for their loss, helpless to prevent it, longing for the person they loss, anger at the person for taking their life, to relief if the person had been mentally or physically ill.  Emotions tend to be very complicated for those left behind.

I have always though of suicide as a chicken sh*t way to get out of things.  I feel badly for the survivors, family that has to put up with all the questions, asking themselves all the whys and what not.  I think I understand a little more now that people have issues that sometimes make them feel like there is no way out. 

Off the top of my head I've known three people who have committed suicide.  I was about 10 or 12 I guess when my grandparents neighbor hung himself.  His wife had passed away during the previous year and I suppose he just couldn't go on.  Then there was Slivon, a guy I hung out a little bit with in high school.  He didn't graduate with us, and I was told he said there was no way he was going back for another year of high school.  He saw no future, so on the 4th of July in 1978 he took a twelve gauge to the park and did the deed.  Finally, Saltzman was a guy I worked with at the PO not long after I started.  He had a rough time of it, and the more people got on his case, the more he whined about it, and it just escalated.  Suppose you'd call it bullying.  He wasn't good at the job, but he was an okay guy I guess (I had transfered out by this time). Anyways, he finally had enough and went up to the Dells with a gun and took his life.   I wasn't real close with any of these people, but it does make you think. 

I have always wondered what could be so bad that no life is better than the one you have.  I am sure there are circumstances that seem bleak, but I think of the ones left behind.  I hope that you haven't had to deal with this in your lives, and if you have that you don't blame yourself.  Try to learn some of the signs of suicidal behavior and stay on the lookout.  And if anyone out there or anyone you know if having the thought, please talk to somebody and try and get some help.  There is always an alternative.

Youth Sports

Spring time is Little League season around here, and that always gets me to thinking about youth sports.  It all started off innocently enough, a little soccer and t-ball at the Y.  Soon enough it morphed into something more.  Something much more.

When I was a kid we spent most of the time outside playing with other kids in the neighborhood, whether a little older or a little younger, it didn't seem to matter much.  I don't think I played "organized" sports until I was in 7th grade.  If it seems that kids are playing on more organized  teams these days, it is because they are!  It's almost like an arms race---somebody might get better than you.  I don't care to get into if it's right or wrong, it just happens. 

As I said, my experience with youth sports as a parent started at the Y.  Everyone gets to play, learn a few of the rules, feel good all around.  The kids get a little older, they start keeping score!  The parents start getting "involved" (myself included!), and I think maybe the kids start having less fun.  More practice (drugery?), more games, more sports.  I think some kids start to burn out on it.  On the other hand.....

Some seem to really like it!  Soccer turns into a year 'round sport.  You need to squeeze softball and baseball in.  Basketball in the winter, but still have indoor soccer and tournaments to contend with. A little volleyball and swimming can't take too much time.  Of course, there is indoor practice for baseball --somebody else may be hitting!  After a while, if your good enough--or just feel like putting in the time, you no longer play on the rec teams, you move on to the select teams.  No longer do you just play in your hometown--you travel!  More uniforms!  Paid coaches!  Paid officials!  Parents treat you and expect you to act like pros--even though you're still kids (guilty here!).  Some kids start to concentrate on one sport (they're specializing), while others will play many (cross training you know).   Are your kids (mine) better athletes?  Maybe, maybe not.  But they do have better opportunities because of......

Money!  It costs!  You learn real fast how to sell stuff for fundraising.  T-shitrts, coupons, wrapping paper, all kinds of stuff.  And you don't cover it all.  Sometimes you gotta' dig.  Traveling?  Gas, lodging and food add up.  Better teams, better coaches, more coach pay!  Equipment---shoes! 

I actually started looking forword to high school sports when the kids were in 7th grade or so, because I knew they couldn't play on club teams anymore--oops.  Still get to play soccer year round.  Fall ball for baseball and softball.  Okay, spring too. Summer basketball.  And then track and cross country reared its head....  At least the travel was less.  

Looking back, I wouldn't have missed any of it for gold.  I got a chance to coach my kids some.  I watched them do things I never thought I'd see them do.  I saw them win, I saw them lose, always with grace and honor, win or lose.  I was very fortunate, in that I seldom missed any event they played in.  Sometimes this took a little bit of fancy footwork on my part...and I admit I may have had to exceed the speed limit once in awhile.  And the next thing you know its over and done.  No more teams for them to play on, no more school to represent.  I remember a neighbor once said to me that I didn't have to go to every game.  To which I replied I go, because you never know when it'll be their last....every last mile traveled, every last cent spent on equipment and coaching and lodging was worth it.  I loved it....which is why.....

I'm driving to UMass on Friday for a TRACK MEET!  The boy may run for no more that 5 or six minutes, and I'm driving 17 hours one way.  Crazy?  Probably, but there aren't that many events left, so....I go...