More Winter?

Earlier this morning, shortly after six bells--Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow in Pennsylvania and spotted his shadow.  That means six more weeks of winter...at least for the folks out on the east coast.


That's fine and dandy, but we're in Wisconsin.  So, we wanted to rely upon Jimmy the Groundhog in Sun Prairie.  (MUCH closer to home!) Well, Jimmy's whereabouts were a bit fuzzy, like his head.  Apparently officials in Sun Prairie are saying the weather down there would prevent Jimmy from making an appearance.  We're not sure what that means.


After further thought, we decided to have our own furry groundhog-like prognosticator, Bill Graul from Stormteam 8 step outside and see what HE could see.  I mean, he's WAY closer to the Coulee Region anyway than Phil or Jimmy.  This would be the prediction that would count!


Well, Groundhog Graul did NOT his shadow.  So, that means an early spring!  Sources indicate that snowmobile enthusiasts are starting the process for a recall.


~Jacklyn  

Welfare Drug Testing

I've seen a lot of Facebook posts and Twitter "tweets" about this issue over the past several months and now there's a new twist in the "Welfare Drug Testing Bill" that has been working it's way through congress.


There are two sides to every story, but this one is quite salacious.  On it's surface, the concept seems solid to me.  If you are a recipient of government assistance, you must be subjected to a drug test.  A drug test that you pay for out of your pocket.  If you pass it--you are refunded your money for the test and your benefits from the government continue.  If you fail it--you don't get benefits for a full year.  Fail it again and you don't get benefits for three years.


I'm sorry if you're reading this and happen to be offended by this concept.  I actually approve of it--despite many people squawking about it being unconstitutional.  I've worked at many jobs that required me to be subjected to random drug tests.  My "number" came up quite frequently, but I never balked at the pee cup.  I just did it.  I had nothing to hide.  And more importantly, I valued my job.


I fail to understand how having to do a drug test is unconstitutional in this case.  You receive money from the government--tax dollars that the rest of us pay from our income.  Many of us who pay taxes take the same test which are mandated from our employer.  Why should welfare recipients not be required to do the same?  For some--the government pay check IS their job. (sole income)  If it were private donations that welfare recipients were receiving, I'd feel a little different, but the funds are from taxpayer's hard earned dollars.


Ben Franklin had a great quote on this.  "I am for doing good to the poor, but...I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in pverty, but leading or driving them out of it.  I observed...that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer.  And on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves and became richer."


That makes perfect sense to me.  But now here's where it gets interesting.  Some lawmakers have amended the bill to also require legislators to be subjected to the same drug test.  Bazinga!  All of a sudden, the bill is being withdrawn.  Seriously?!  I don't know about you--but I have EVEN LESS confidence in our elected officials after hearing this.


When you think about it, the exorbitant paycheck that they draw, the benefits, the retirement that they all receive for "serving their constituents," is ALSO funded by our tax dollars.  Again--I fail to see the problem with this amendment to the bill.  If you're going to put your hand in the cookie jar, you should be willing to also put your neck on the line to continue to have the privilege to keep reaching into said cookie jar.
~Jacklyn
What do you think?  Drop us an email.  

A star of one of my all-time favorite shows died yesterday. Former Welcome Back Kotter star Robert Hegyes died yesterday morning from an apparent heart attack. He was 60.  Hegyes is best known for playing Jewish/Puerto Rican ?Sweathog,? Juan Epstein on the70s hit series.  In addition to Kotter, Hegyes appeared in Cagney and Lacey. For those too young to remember Welcome Back Kotter, it was the show where we first met a certain young actor named John Travolta.

What's the Difference?!

The San Francisco 49er's tight end, Vernon Davis pulled off a 73-yard touchdown last night in the NFC Championship game against the New York Giants, then promptly jumped up on a cameraman's stand and struck a pose.  Officials threw a penalty flag for "illegal celebration."


I was not alone, as Twitter was ON FIRE with people thinking the same thing as me.  "How is THAT any different than a Lambeau Leap?!"


Commentator Joe Buck, took the time after the commercial break to explain to the viewers that the "Lambeau Leap" was "grandfathered in" and still allowed.  Now while I was grateful that Joe Buck could finally share some pertinent information, let alone something that wasn't filled with an Eli Manning tongue bath, I found myself with a one-word response.  "PFFFFT!!"


Seriously?  Jumping up on a cameraman's perch is considered using a "prop," but dunking the football through the goalposts, as Davis did last week against the Saints was not using a prop.  ??


I'm thoroughly confused.  It's not like he kept the cameraman's stand hidden in the padding of the goal post, only to whip it out like Joe Horn of the Saints did with a cellphone to call his children after scoring a touchdown in 2003.  (Granted, the move garnered a $30,000 fine--but it was still kind of cool.)


Why must the NFL (No Fun League, as it's been referred to lately) crush the spirit of celebration?  It's bad enough you can barely hit the quarterback anymore without being penalized.  Now you can't be creative when you score.


I blame this society where we want to give everyone a trophy, even if they didn't win, based solely on participation.  Gag!  There are winners and there are losers.  Deal with it.  As a Vikings fan--I'm more than familiar with this concept and have swallowed my pride more than I'd like to admit.  But I would never deny a celebration after a touchdown.


Besides, if they're going to "grandfather in" things, such as the Lambeau Leap, couldn't they also grandfather in any defense bulldozing Tom Brady without penalty? I mean, who wouldn't enjoy watching that?!
~Jacklyn
Share your thoughts, if you'd like.  Drop us an email.

Losing a Parent

It doesn't matter how old you get, it is never easy losing a parent.  Blake Shelton just lost his Dad, Dick.  According to The Boot, he had been battling health issues for quite some time.  But even knowing someone close to you is in declining health doesn't make a loss any easier.

The two were quite close--going hunting together often.  The photo above was one that Blake tweeted from one of their last hunting trips, when his Dad landed a big ol' buck.

Fortunately, Blake will have those memories to hold onto for the rest of his life.  It all makes for a stark reminder to the rest of us to be sure we take the time to spend with people who mean a lot to us.  You sure don't want to wake up someday and be wishing you could have done more or spent more time with that person.  Regrets suck, plain and simple.  You are the captain of your life ship.  I know I'm guilty of not making enough time for my family.  And I know I'll be making phone calls and plugging in family time ASAP.
~Jacklyn    

Would You Rather...

Have you ever played that game with friends?  We were tossing a few questions around the other day and it brought on some interesting conversation.  So we'll ask you the questions.


Would you rather find true love or $1-million?


So, love or money basically.  I'd opt for love, without a doubt.  Money is swell, but it also causes problems.  And if you're savvy enough, you could by rights save and invest enough over the years to garner a cool $1-million.  Not that I have said skills to do so, but the potential is there for everyone with hard work and dedication.  But regardless, I'd take love over money any day.  It's what makes life worth living.


Would you rather be gossiped about or never talked about at all?


I'd take being gossiped about over never being talked about, because it happens enough in my life as it is and it really doesn't seem to phase me anyway.  Got something negative to say about me?  Great.  I'm happy for you. The people who buy into your garbage don't matter and those who are smart enough to know you're full of malarkey will only think ill of you for spewing such things.


Would you rather give up movies or music?


This is such a tough one.  I really enjoy movies...but I don't think I could survive without music.  I like to write and be creative.  I think I'd have "movies" going on in my head anyway.  I would keep music.  What a dull world it would be without it.


Would you rather fight Mike Tyson or talk like him for the rest of your life?


Ugh.  I wouldn't want EITHER of these options.  Mike Tyson would probably kill me.  Unless he decides he shouldn't hit a woman, but I don't think his history has shown that's even a consideration for him.  But TALK like him?!  Egads!  I would never be able to keep my job here at the radio stations!  Although...I might be able to land some cartoon voice-over jobs with it.  A little marketing and an agent working it for me and I might be able to find viable work with that cheese-@ss voice.  So, I'd opt for the voice...begrudgingly.  Honestly, that one is a no-win situation.
~Jacklyn
So what do you think on these?  What would your answers be?  Drop us an email!  

Why Do I Feel Bad?

I have no explanation for it, but I feel bad for you Packer fans.  As a Viking fan, who has been the butt of jokes for quite some time now--I should be relishing in the fact that your defending Superbowl Champions won't have a shot at a repeat performance in the big show.  But I don't.  I actually feel your pain.

Now, certainly the pain is NO WHERE NEAR what you diehard fans are experiencing today.  That should go without saying.  And quite frankly, it bothers me that I can't get myself to rejoice over this turn of events.  I mean--some of the Packer fans have been downright brutal to me over the past several seasons.  But yet, here I am...feeling bad for the Packers and all of you.

Is it because I married a Packer fan?  Maybe.

Could it be that I just have a kind heart?  Doubtful.

Perhaps it's because I will miss the photo bombing by Aaron Rodgers on the team captain photos.  That's actually very probable.

In reality, the more I think about it--I believe the reason I feel so bad for the Packers and their fans for this horrible loss is the fact that there won't be as many stories and photos of Aaron Rodgers or Clay Matthews each week.  Yes--I admit it.  It is probably hormonal why I feel bad for you guys.  And I have no shame for that. ;)
~Jacklyn

Butchering 

of the National Anthem

Apparently, Rosanne Barr was not available to do the National Anthem for the BCS Championship game last night.  So, the powers that be, instead nabbed Anthony Lacuira--long lost Super Mario Brother--to "sing" our National Anthem.  I use the term "sing" loosely.

I realize that this guy is an American operatic tenor, who according to Wikipedia (if they have it, it MUST be true, right?!) was "a boy soprano."  Quite frankly, I would've believed he was not an American--given the horrible pronunciation of the lyrics of the National Anthem--let alone making up words for it.

Was he really the first choice for the BCS to sing?!  I guess he's lucky he sang in New Orleans, because there is a law on the books in Indiana that could result in a monetary fine for incorrectly singing our National Anthem.

Regardless, the butchering set the tone for the game.  It was a horrendous snoozefest.  Add insult to injury when Brent Musburger failed to consistently allow any of us to play along with the drinking game named after him for his cheesy commentary and cliches.  I was forced to dump my beverages down my gullet in disgust.

Add it all together and it equals an EPIC FAIL.  But then again--isn't the whole process of determining who plays in this game exactly that anyway?!  What do you think? Drop us an email.
~Jacklyn

Propaganda Machines

Buckle up baby...we're just getting started with the political rhetoric.  My friend Bruce signed me up for the Obama campaign emails, just to bombard and annoy me with more of that type of stuff, back when we had our last presidential campaign.  I never unsubscribed to them, as I found it interesting to read what the "spin" was coming from their camp.

Oddly enough, it's almost identical to the "spin" from the Republican camps.

It makes it all quite laughable, really.  I'm always amused when talking to a staunch Democrat or Republican who actually believes that their "party" is so much better than the opposition.

Here's a quote from the latest Obama campaign email:  "We'll be facing an onslaught of unprecedented spending from outside groups funded by corporations and anonymous donors.  In Iowa alone, so-called "super PACs" spent $12.9 million on almost exclusively negative ads." 

*gasp!* 

That has NEVER happened in the Democratic party!  Outside groups funded by corporations and anonymous donors?!  Negative ads?!  Say it isn't so!  Bahahahaha!  Do you see what I mean?  It's ridiculous for one side to accuse the other of this because they ALL do it--quite consistently too, I might add. 

But after reading this email, it got me to thinking... are there people out there who actually believe everything "their party" puts out there?  Do people not think for themselves anymore?  How frightening is that?!

Honestly, I don't care if you affiliate yourself with the donkeys or the elephants, as long as you don't swallow every line they put out there.  Try to remember that you were given a brain and you should use it as much as possible to decide for yourself if what you're being told is indeed factual or just a bunch of spin.  Unfortunately, nine times out of ten--it's just spin.  That's how politics work.

I am registered as an Independent and I plan to remain that way.  There's just too much drivel on both sides of the aisle to tie myself in an undying way to either of the parties.  And I'm not going to lie.  I'm not exactly thrilled with any of the horses in this next presidential race.  Not the candidates seeking the Republican nomination, nor the current Commander-in-Chief.  So that means that I'll be having to put my little ol' brain into overdrive to try and pick through all of the garbage put out there by their respective political machines to figure out who truly is worthy of my vote.  No easy task, but certainly worth the effort.  I fully intend to exercise my right to vote, which will ensure my right to complain down the road.  It's the American way.
~Jacklyn     

Curious Questions 
About Conjoined Twins

Everyone has been talking about the conjoined twins recently born in Brazil.  The boys, named Emanoel & Jesus, because their mother considers them "Christmas Miracles," each have their own brain and spinal cord, but share all other organs.  (Sources indicate they've taken to breast feeding quite nicely and have a "healthy appetite!")

I recently watched a video on a set of conjoined twins from Minnesota.  Abby & Brittany Hensel got their drivers license.  (Apparently, they had to take the test twice...once for each girl.)  I have to admit, I'm FREAKING OUT watching this video.  I am astounded by how they move so fluidly.  And I end up with more questions about who controls what parts and how that shared "control" works.  Watching them drive a car in this clip is downright astounding.

These girls are amazing--that goes without saying.  And I'm not intending to make light of their situation...but seriously.  The girls are now 20...soon to be 21.  Hello alcohol!  How bizarre would that be to not want to have another drink, but your conjoined twin insists on tying one on?  What if you get "sick" after a bender?  Ewww!!

A bigger question I have is in the romantic department.  How will that work?  Is it going to be one lucky guy who ends up marrying them both?  Hard to fathom.  Bottom line...I'm fascinated.  I know I would have an incredibly difficult time operating in life as a conjoined twin--so I applaud all that the Hensel twins have been able to accomplish!  What do you think?  Drop us an email!
~Jacklyn

More Acts Added to JAM!

It's a "Melting Pot o' Hotties!!"  I am so excited about the line up for Country JAM so far this year...and there's still more to come!!  But now we just found out about another three acts, which are sure to warm the cockles of anyone's heart, should they find a pair of tickets in their stocking for Christmas!!  Jake Owen, Craig Morgan and Montgomery-Gentry have just been added to the already sweet list of good lookin' country artists!  I should add that they are all phenomenal live performers too.  I mean, it's not ALL about their backsides...right?!  :)

Bad Year for Fantasy Dictator League

Wow...lots of dictators have bit the dust this year.  Is it a sign from above??  Hard to say.  With the most recent--North Korea's Kim Jong Il, it leaves more uncertainty than any of the others.

This guy was a head case for sure.  He inherited power from his father in 1994 and North Korean legend has it that Kim was born on Mount Paektu, one of Korea's most cherished sites in 1942.  A birth heralded in the heavens by a pair of rainbows and a brilliant new star!  Soviet records, however indicate he was born in Sibera in 1941.  But when you're a dictator--you can spin a tale any way you want and your people are forced to believe.

Kim died two days prior to the official announcement of his death.  I guess officials wanted to make sure everything was "perfect" prior to letting word get out to the public.  Makes me wonder if he actually did suffer a heart attack on a train.  That almost sounds too "nice" of an end for this guy, who had an affection for nuclear missles. 

His eldest son, Kim Jong Nam is apparently the black sheep of the family after trying to enter Japan back in 2001 on a fake passport--saying he wanted to visit Disney's Tokyo Resort.  The twisted humor in me pictures a great advertising campaign for the entertainment giant now:  Opening shot of a newspaper headline with the announcement of Kim Jong Il's death...fade to a shot of his eldest son, as an announcer asks, "Kim Jong Nam...your dictator father has just died...what are you going to do?!"  And he replies with a huge, beaming smile, "I'm going to Disney!"

Suffice it to say--Kim Jong Nam won't be taking over the reigns of the country.  Kim Jong Il has two other sons by another woman--Kim Jong Chol and Kim Jong Un.  Both boys are in their 20's.  It's expected that the youngest, Kim Jong Un will be the successor of power.

We don't really know a whole lot about him.  I've read that he loves James Bond movies and basketball great, Michael Jordan.  That--and he's only been "groomed" to take over the leadership role for about 3 years...that's not much, compared to the 14 years that his father received from his father.  Sources say that Kim Jong Un's uncle, Jang Song Thaek will likely rule from behind the scenes. 

Regardless, I think the world will be walking on eggshells for quite some time.  I'm hopeful that the new young leader has a better understanding of compassion and peace.  That would be the ultimate Christmas Miracle!!
~Jacklyn

No Effin Allowed

Ann Marie Kennedy, a Limerick University employee in Ireland, has been campaigning to get her hometown of "Effin" acknowledged by Facebook.  At this point, the social media monster has not allowed her to enter Effin as her hometown onto her profile, due to it resembling a shorthanded four-letter word.

Kennedy says she's "a proud Effin woman" and that there are lots of other Effin people who would like to see Facebook allow them to list Effin as their hometown.

The irony of this whole Effin deal is that Facebook has had a European headquarters located in Ireland since 2008, so one would think they would be familiar with Effin.

Sources indicate that Facebook is taking another look at its Effin decision.  What do you think about this Effin situation?  Drop us an email!
~Jacklyn

Hairy Situation for Braun

Over the weekend, ESPN's Outside the Lines broke the news that Major League Baseball's National League star, Ryan Braun had tested positive for performance enhancing drugs.  A huge blow for Milwaukee Brewer fans who had enjoyed watching him lead their team to their first divisional title in 30 years, and score the National League "Most Valuable Player" award as well.

Braun is disputing the charges, as anyone would expect.  A second test has reportedly come back with a negative reading.  That test indicated that the testosterone was "exogenous," meaning it came from outside of his body.

Now, I'm no expert on performance enhancing drugs and the tests that MLB perform on the players, but I do know a little bit about the psychology of people.  Here's my take on this:  Braun, who is 28 years old...after enjoying a phenomenal year--has allowed society to make him take a harsh look at himself.  I mean a guy who was that outstanding in his field (yes, pun intended) surely must have flaws SOMEWHERE right?

Enter the biggest thing that men fret about, but act like they don't.  Hair loss.

Yep.  I believe that Ryan Braun had begun to use something along the lines of Rogaine and it marred the first test he took.  It's certainly possible.  And he has been sporting longer locks as of lately, which is what most guys do when they fear they are losing their hair.  Grow it longer.

You might question this theory of mine, as his hair wasn't exactly looking like it was thinning a whole lot, but who here hasn't ever heard the old saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?"

And what guy wants to own up to fretting over losing his hair?  Better off to take preventative actions than to deal with it after everyone has already seen a prominent receding hairline.  Case in point:  NASCAR's Matt Kenseth (ironically also a Wisconsin favorite) had been battling the old widow's peak.  After he started tasting success with the big boys, lo and behold--just like that--his hair started to "grow" back!  Magic Bananas!

And Kenseth has taken a lot of ribbing by some for his "vanity" to take those measures to fix his hairline.  He's actually quite sensitive about it, as I've heard him comment to one snarky reporter at an event.  He was polite, but asked the jerk to please "let it go."

So, yes...men are sensitive about their hair and the possibility of being without it.  I'm going with this storyline as to why Braun got the positive reading on one test, but not the other.  I guess we'll find out soon enough if my thoughts are indeed correct and he avoids a 50 game suspension and saves his reputation...as well as his hair.
~Jacklyn

"A Day Which Will Live in Infamy"

Today marks the anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  I'm a history buff and enjoy looking at old movies and pictures, but watching the footage from that day is haunting.  This is no video game.  It's real lives lost.  Chilling.

 Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve in our military.

  

Calling Mars

I know there are inherent differences between the sexes, but there's one distinct characteristic of men that tends to drive me insane.  Cellphones.  Not just the phone itself, but the way men handle their calls.

For instance, when I call my guy--and leave him a message--he never listens to it.  Instead, he'll just call me directly and say, "What did you want?"

Which is usually followed by my stock response, "Did you listen to my message?"

"Nope.  I just called you back."

Now in his mind, I KNOW he thinks he's "saving time" by just calling me, rather than listening to the voice mail message.  (At least that's how it's being justified when I ask him why he didn't listen to it.)  But seriously, why leave a message if he's not going to listen to it?

So when I decided to not to leave a message, then he "worries" something is wrong.

To make matters worse, if your guy neglects to ever listen to his messages, invariably his voice mail box will fill up and no longer be able to accept messages.  But then maybe that's his desired end game?

I've talked to one other listener who agreed wholeheartedly with me that it's maddening when her guy does that too.  So at least I know I'm not alone.

It begs the question though...is this an across the board "guy thing?" Like the "Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus" differences outlined in that famous book?  Or are there actually guys out there who listen to their voice messages BEFORE returning a phone call?  And actually clean out their voice mail boxes periodically?  Drop us an email!
~Jacklyn  

Just Can't Help Myself

As most people know, I am an avid Minnesota Viking fan.  And as anyone with a brain knows, it's been incredibly difficult to be a Viking fan this season.  Actually, let's be honest--it's been incredibly difficult for the past several years.  But I'm not complaining.  You're welcome to give me all the grief you want, but you have to respect anyone who continues to stand by their team through thick and thin.  And as long as we're being honest--Packer fans, who are not recent to the bandwagon, are fully aware of dark stretches with their own team.  Every team has those dismal times...when NOTHING goes right and you are perennially the butt of every joke.  I'm there right now.  (Good thing I'm a fan of butt's.)

Combine this bleak season for the Vikings with my inability to stop betting on football.  Now mind you, I'm not betting big bucks here.  It started innocently enough with my office-mate, Chris Callaway--a major Packer fan.  We bet lunch on the initial Viking-Packer game this season.  Obviously, I lost.  We bet on the rematch at Lambeau.  And I was feeling pretty confident because afterall--the Vikings looked pretty darn good with the new quarterback, Christian Ponder.  But alas...I ended up buying Chris lunch again the following week.

Then along came Thanksgiving.  By now, it was just spite.  I figured FOR SURE the Detroit Lions would beat the Packers in that game, so I made the lunch bet again...and lost...again.  And I was ready to give up the ghost on the whole "betting against the Packers" deal, until some discussion with friends, who said--"if the Packers are going to lose a game this season, it's this week against the Giants!"

Sold.  (Apparently, I'm gullible.  That, or God really IS a Packer fan.)  And so here I am--having to buy another lunch for Chris, as his Packers have won yet again.  

I've justified this whole ordeal as I'm helping a young man who is just starting out in his career.  A guy who is 6 foot-4 with two hollow legs probably never gets enough to eat, right?

That theory works for a little while, until I see his smirking face in the office...pouring over online menus and salivating onto his keyboard...but I digress.  I think I'm just going to call this my charity work for this season of giving.  I AM giver.  What can I say?

But I think I'm done with this betting against the Packers...except maybe that last game against the Lions.  Maybe.
~Jacklyn  

OMG!  Holy Yearbook Photos!!

Ok, we've all been horrified by past school photos that lurk in boxes at our parents house--praying that they never see the light of day again.  But when you're a celebrity, chances are there are plenty of former classmates who have a yearbook with those horrid snapshots...and they just can't help themselves.  They need to put those pics out there!  

So, we're sharing them.  I know, it's slightly mean.  But given that these country superstars easily have seven-figure bank accounts, I'm sure that these pictures would have them laughing all the way to the bank anyway.

On the top left, it's Faith Hill.  Below her, it's Blake Shelton.  On the top right, it's Charles Kelley & Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum.  And below them...Toby Keith!!  To see more country artists--check out the spread HERE by The Boot.


And if John and I are able to dig up our yearbooks, we'll share some of our photos tomorrow.

Stupid Is As Stupid Does

I don't know about you, but if I had a Corvette--I sure as heck wouldn't be this stupid behind the wheel.  I mean, don't get me wrong...I'd sure "give 'er berries" from time to time, but it's a bit pathetic the lack of skills one of these drivers has that ultimately causes the damage.  This is from the Houston, TX area on Thanksgiving day.

Let's just say--I'm pretty sure the driver is wishing this wasn't becoming an internet sensation that shows how horrible of a driver he is.  Check it out for yourself.  Are you embarrassed for this idiot?  Drop us an email.

Better Than "The Club?"

What is the best car-theft deterrent?  A high-tech alarm system?  "The Club" steering wheel lock system?  Or is it just a plain old stick shift car?!

Apparently, it's the later, as was the case in California over the weekend.

A man was unloading groceries in front of his house, when three men forced him, by way of waggling a gun around, to hand over his keys.  The three thugs hopped into the man's car, but promptly bolted away on foot, when they came to the realization that none of them could drive a stick shift!  What a bunch of nincompoops!