Rob_Haswell's Blog

As a kid growing up in Canada, one of the most important days on the calendar was November 11th. Here we call it Veterans Day, Canada calls it Remembrance Day but either way it is indeed one of the most important days all year. It's a day to pause, step back from all we do everyday and remember those that gave their all so that we could live the lives we do today.

I remember every year in grade school, we'd learn this poem and I still feel it's among the greatest ever written so I thought I'd share it with you.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Well, it's happened... I have become a stereotypical suburban Dad.  My entire week - outside or work - consists of shuttling my kids from one event to the next or staying at home the babysit the ones that don't have something that very minute!  And my kids do far far less than many others we know!

Last night for example, my daughter Nyla had gymnastics, soon she'll have dance and probably swimming lessons.  Add to that my son has Tiger Cubs and hockey and soon swimming lessons.   And you can add the school assemblies, fund raisers and events too!

That's really not that much but you know it always happens at the same time!  So we carpool with friends, make up elaborate drop off and pick up schedules and try to stay focused on one event at a time to avoid going totally nutso!

I know other kids his age that have all that and more and have parents who work even more than I do so I am not really complaining.  Sort of but not really.

My bigger point is ... WHEN DID THIS ALL HAPPEN?  I don't remember doing all this when I was a kid!  Or did we?

So tell me your extracurricular nightmares and I am open to any scheduling tips or short cuts you have discovered!

Did you hear the story about the man who shot his lawn mower?

If not here is a short version of the Chris Goodman story on Fox 6:

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EVER BEEN SO ANGRY AT YOUR LAWNMOWER, YOU'VE WANTED TO SHOOT IT?

POLICE SAY 56 YEAR OLD KEITH WALENDOWSKI HAS, HE'S NOW IN JAIL OVER IT.

IT HAPPENED WEDNESDAY MORNING.

COURT DOCUMENTS SAY WALENDOWSKI WHO LIVES IN THIS HOUSE WITH HIS ELDERLY MOM TOOK A SAWED OFF SHOTGUN AND BLEW A HOLE IN HIS LAWNBOY LAWNMOWER.

THE CRIMINAL COMPLAINT SAYS WALENDOWSKI APPEARED TO BE INTOXICATED WHEN HE SHOT UP THE MOWER.

HE TOLD THE OFFICER, HE GOT UPSET BECAUSE THE MOWER WOULDNT START SO IN HIS WORDS, I GOT MY SHOTGUN AND SHOT IT. HE CONTINUED TO SAY I CAN DO THAT, ITS MY LAWNMOWER AND MY YARD, SO I CAN SHOOT IT IF I WANT.

WALENDOWSKI WAS CHARGED WITH FELONY POSSESSION OF A SHORT-BARRELED SHOTGUN AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT WHILE ARMED.

HE FACES SIX YEARS AND THREE MONTHS IN PRISON IF CONVICTED.

IN THE NEWSROOM, CHRIS GOODMAN, FOX 6 NEWS.

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Now first let me say this is in NO WAY ACCEPTABLE. First, owning an illegal firearm is wrong and dangerous. Second, operating a lawn mower let alone a shot gun while drunk is a VERY bad idea. And last but not least shooting anything, anywhere that someone could get hurt is incredibly stupid and illegal.

That said... tell me you haven't wanted to shoot your lawnmower or at least take a bat to it after about 400,000 pulls on that stupid cord with no results?! I have. I admit to kicking an old clunker of a mower I had more than once!

I actually don't mind cutting the grass but when the mower won't start and you're about the break your rotator cuff pulling on the start cord, it can be the most frustrating thing in the world and even a Saint would lose his temper!

My father was, um, famous for his temper. Well, famous in our family at least. He once go so frustrated with a lawnmower that wouldn't start that he threw the thing ( and I do mean threw ) into the trunk and promptly drove to the store that sold it to us to complain and get it fixed.

Dad was certain he'd been sold a clunker.   To prove i,t he dragged the salesman out into the parking lot to show him that the mower wouldn't start. Dad was so confident in the malfunction, that he decided to pull the starter with the mower still IN the trunk.

Problem was, the lawnmower wasn't broken, Dad had just flooded the engine so on the 20 min ride to the hardware store, the engine settled down and was ready to rock. Yes, it fired right up and mulched EVERYthing in our trunk. The sales guy and I jumped back and took cover. Dad just screamed, "son of a BLEEP" and turned it off.

Fortunately for all of us, the trip to the store had not only settle the mower engine, it had settled Dad's temper and after a few embarrassed moments, we all had a good laugh!  Much to my father's chagrin this story still makes us laugh when it comes up at family get togethers!

I try to remember that story when my old mower won't start to help keep my temper from leading me into an embarrassing story for the next generation of Haswell kids. 

One of the many things I enjoy as a Canadian/American ( that is how I see myself these days ) is a whiz bang party week to kick off July!

Of course, I will be joining you in celebrating the July 4th holiday - my kids are even in our local parade but I'll also be celebrating Canada Day on July 1st!

What's that? 

Short answer:  July 4th for Canadians.

Semi short answer:  It commemorates the date in 1867 when what was then Upper and Lower Canada came together to form a new and independent nation called simply Canada.

If one were to ignore the obvious flag differences, you probably wouldn't be able to tell a Canada Day party from a July 4th party.  All the same things occur.  Backyard barbecues are common although with more back bacon and fewer brats.  Fireworks are a standard with huge shows in most of the major cities.  Parades are also a part of the fun as people dress themselves up in Red and White and people run around drawing little maple leaves on your face!  Community picnics are big but so are family get togethers and just like here you're likely to see a backyard football game - just with a larger ball - or maybe some street hockey with friends and family.

In my almost 3 years in Milwaukee I have made contact with a few fellow Canadians who, like me, have found a home here in Wisconsin so to you I say Happy Canada Day and I extend that to anyone looking for another excuse to party this week!

If you're still reading and still interested, the really really long answer to the question of "What is Canada Day?" is below.  It is from the official Canadian Heritage site so you'll see some different spellings on some words like "colour".

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On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

On the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the valour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe.

The next big celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. It was highlighted by the laying of the cornerstone by the Governor General of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the inauguration of the Carillon in the Peace Tower.

Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada's national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination. The format provided for a Trooping the Colours ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill in the afternoon, a sunset ceremony in the evening followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display.

Another highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.

The format changed in 1968 with the addition of multicultural and professional concerts held on Parliament Hill including a nationally televised show. Up until 1975, the focus of the celebrations, under the name "Festival Canada", was held in the National Capital Region during the whole month of July and involved numerous cultural, artistic and sport activities, as well as municipalities and voluntary organizations. The celebration was cancelled in 1976 but was reactivated in 1977.

A new formula was developed in 1980 whereby the National Committee (the federal government organization charged with planning Canada's Birthday celebrations) stressed and sponsored the development of local celebrations all across Canada. "Seed money" was distributed to promote popular and amateur activities organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities. The same approach was also followed for the 1981 celebrations with the addition of fireworks displays in 15 major cities across the nation.

On October 27, 1982, July 1st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".

Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally. Grants are provided by the Department to those committees.

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I told you it was the LONG answer! :-)

If you're a regular viewer or blog reader, you know I don't get political and I try to steer away from controversial topics.

That being said, I want to get on a bit of a soap box here because I do feel passionately that Wisconsin needs to strengthen its drunk driving laws.

All too often (almost all the time) when we report on drunk driving or driving under the influence, it is NOT the first or second time it's quite common that the driver has had 3 or more charges.  The most recent tragedy involves a driver that was charged with DUI just days before destroying a family. 

What's happening now just can't go on unchecked.

Tougher laws will protect our children.  They will protect you and your family.  They will protect us all.   In fact, tougher laws even protect those who drink and drive by making it harder for them to let their problem lead them to something far worse like vehicular homicide.

I will be writing to my representative today to ask him to support tougher laws and I ask you to do the same.

It is almost Memorial Day once again.   It's a day to pause and remember the sacrifices made to protect us and our way of life and to honor those who continue to stand up for us and protect us by putting their lives on the line.

This Memorial Day I will take a moment to remember the members of my generation and generations past who have paid the ultimate price for our freedom.  I will remember my Great Grandfather who fought in Africa with the British forces and other friends and family who have served their country.

However, top of mind for me this year, as it has been in many recent years will be a man I have known almost my entire life.  His name is Brad McCaughey.  As I write this, sitting in my climate controlled office, sipping an ice cold soda, he is on the sandy soil of Afghanistan serving with NATO forces.

I met Brad when I was five.  It was the very first day of kindergarten during our very first recess.  Picture two, very shy kids, leaning against the wall wondering what to do on this enormous playground.  If Brad's older sister hadn't come over and said," do you two want to be friends?", we might have just stood there all day.  But she told us to go play together and with that, we did.  We played together that day and every day after and for most of the days we spent at elementary school.

I'd like to say that even back then I knew Brad was the kind of guy that would put on a uniform and serve his country but I didn't and he probably didn't either.  He was painfully shy.  We were both on the short side and most certainly not among the most athletic.  We spent most of our time trying to avoid the "big kids" or trading hockey cards.  We played a million games together but I don't remember even once playing soldier or war.  Back then Brad just wanted to be a truck driver like his Dad.

Later in high school we drifted a bit.  Brad would spend his lunches in the library doing homework or talking computers with fellow techno-geeks while I found my calling in the Radio/TV Club and  becoming the President of the Drama Club.  While I came out of my shell, Brad remained a shy, somewhat introverted guy.  He just never seemed to find his niche.

Fate took us to the same college.  We even roomed together!  But even there Brad didn't feel he fit in and after just 6 months he dropped out and moved home.  At the time I remember thinking that this would be the end for him and that he might never really find his place in life.

I was wrong.

A year later, I was shocked beyond belief when I heard that Brad had enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces.  I have to admit, I didn't think he'd make through basic training but he did.  He not only made it through, he excelled.  He went from the stereotypical 98lb weakling to a musclebound military machine.  He quickly rose to the rank of Master Corporal and became a technology specialist.

He found his niche in a world that no one who knew him would have ever expected.

Needless to say I am very proud to call him a friend and I wanted to take a moment this Memorial Day weekend not only to remember his sacrifice as he works to defend us in Afghanistan, thousands of miles from his wife and kids, but also to introduce you to a man that I consider to be a hero.

I also hope my story about where Brad started and what he was like early in life will serve as a reminder to never judge a book by its cover.  That meek, nerdy little kid might just be the next one to step up and and put on a uniform to protect the way of life that we have come to enjoy and all to often take for granted.

Here's a wonderful photo of Brad posing with a great symbol of that way of life he's working to protect - the Stanley Cup!

You know, as a father of three, including a 3 month old, you'd think I'd be pretty comfortable with human poop.  I do clean up baby poop on a regular basis at home but descending into a septic tank is quite another event indeed!

As part of my on going "Hey Rob, Do My Job!" series, I went out with a septic pumping service to see what that job was like.  In some ways it wasn't as bad as you might thing but in others it was much much worse.

Strangely when the tank was full it didn't smell as much as when we emptied it.  That makes sense if you think about what happens when you disturb a dog dropping or still the manure pile! 

Pumping wasn't too bad as you can get a bit of distance and try to stay upwind but when we had to go inside the tank to examine the walls for cracks and other damage, that was nasty.

I'm not claustrophobic but  when it comes to being entombed in a poop-tank I do draw the line.  It was as bad as you can imagine and I am glad that I only had to spend a brief moment or two down there.

If you want to see the story go to the new "Hey Rob" page.  CLICK HERE

I thought I'd write a follow up to the "Hey Rob Do My Job" segment on Tuesday since I got so much feedback from viewers!

If you didn't see it, I was cleaning out the tanks on a paving truck.

This is a once a year job and requires climbing inside a 6 foot by 4 foot tub that is caked with dry asphalt and sealant.

The stuff is just full of chemicals and can cause burns on your skin but I was well covered and didn't really spend too much time in the tank.  It usually takes 6 hours to clean the whole thing but I had help from the owners so I was only there for a couple of hours.  Still it was enough.  The claustrophobia was bad  enough for a just a little while, I could never do it as long as was necessary to get it clean. 

The owner of the paving company was a great guy and really knows his stuff.  He also had some interesting stories about some of the challenges of the job like guys forgetting the proper foot wear and melting their sneakers!

It was hard to see on the video but the steam just poured off that crack filler tank and it was piping hot!  Scary stuff if you got that on you! 

Coming up on Tuesday the 13th, we'll be doing a septic job with Jam and Sons septic.  If you thought it was nasty in the paving tank - wait until you see the inside of a septic tank!

Well, the powers that be are sending me out into the world of real work!

Yes, I'll be getting my hand dirty trying out a few different jobs this May.

I have some great jobs lined up for our newly renamed series "Hey Rob Try My Job!" but I am looking for one or two more.

We've already done:

A Llama Farm
Washing Dirty Hockey Uniforms
Cleaning Up at the Zoo
Cleaning Up and Breeding Beetles
Doing an Oil Change on a Train
Changing the blade on a Zamboni

And a whole bunch more!

We have some great ones lined up for May but we're open to suggestions so if you have a job you think I should try please email me or post a comment here with a way to contact you.

Thanks!

As you may have heard here on Fox 6, there is a MASSIVE property tax hike for Milwaukee county residents to cover MPS schools.  They rolled it back to 9 from 16 but it's still high.  I don't live in Milwaukee county but I feel for those people who have to shoulder this. 

 

The schools need the money and the real issue is how our public school are funded. The formula and the state rules are crazy!  The biggest school district in the state - by population - needs some financial support and property owners shouldn't always have to take the hit.

 

That being said... I can't stand it when people say "I don't have kids so why should I pay?!"  That's just so uniformed and short-sighted it's frightening.

 

First, education is a right and children are citizens so they have a right to funding from other citizens to provide them with education.  Just like you have a right to a lawyer and my law abiding tax dollars go to pay for public defenders.  I've NEVER needed a criminal lawyer and hopefull will never need one but my taxes pay their salaries and I wouldn't expect ONLY those accused of crimes to pay.

 

Then there's the fact that even if you have no kids, you are benefiting from other people (many with no kids at the time) before you who paid for you to become educated.  You're also benefiting from others who grew up to be docters, dentists, policemen, firemen etc. who now serve you.

Think about it, if you're a 28 year old single and you never have a kid, the kid you're helping put through public school today could be the doctor who cures your cancer when you're 68.

 

Plus, for your own safety you need to pay for schools.  It's proven that good education reduces crime and poverty.

 

I know it's frustrating, and possibly even wrong, to hike property taxes but don't blame families with kids.  Kids really are our future and they need everyones help to get a good education.

Now this:

BEES STORY 

 

is why I had to "nuclear" on the bee's that were taking over my retaining wall and garage!

 

 

On this anniversary of 9/11, my prayers and the prayers of the Haswell family go out to all of those who lost loved ones on that day and in the on-going war on terrorism.

 

May God bless you and your families.

 

 

 

I love email.  I enjoy my blog and reading your comments but nothing beats a good old fashioned letter.  Too bad, I never get those anymore!!

 

These days, it's all junk or bills.  Now the junk is better than the bills but day after day, I wait for a nice letter.  Heck even a post card!  But nobody writes anymore!

 

Part of my empty mailbox is my fault because I have repeatedly told my friends and family not to bother sending a birthday or Christmas card if you're just going to sign it and drop it in the mail - I mean, what's the point of that?  I don't care what the Hallmark or Shoebox  people want to say and I know what your signature looks like!  I want to hear from you!

 

I truly miss getting letters.  My wife and started our relationship mostly through the mail while she was travelling abroad and sending letters back and forth to "keep the fires burning" as they say.  So perhaps that explains my love of "snail mail".

 

Maybe I'll write myself a letter!

 

What about you?  Do you write letters anymore?   Or do you hate so-called snail mail?

I'm a big talk radio fan.  I listen all the time.  Everything from all news stations to all talk and NPR is on my AM presets.

 

Of course, talk radio is supposed to get you riled up and the hosts are supposed to push your buttons but I heard something this morning that really bothered me...

 

I won't say what station but it was a nationally syndicated host that is usually on during the day but re-runs in the wee hours of the morning.

 

She had a rant this morning - with callers backing her up  - slamming the British troops taken hostage by Iran.  Why?  Well according to her and many of her callers, they were wimps because they allowed the Iranians to tape staged confessions and accepted gifts from the Iranian president when released.  She says " I would have thrown them back in his face" and quipped "what ever happened to name rank and serial number?"

 

Now, I am not even close to being a military expert so I am not going to comment of the proper duties of captured personnelle but I will point out that Britain is NOT at war with Iran and so the Geneva conventions - assuming Iran would even follow those - could be considered non-applicable meaning these troops were possibly open to any range of mistreatment and extended detention in a less than friendly nation.  Britain set the tone when their Navy allowed the sailors to be taken instead of escalating the situation with military intervention.  Theses men and women were just doing what they thought would keep the situation calm and expedite their release.

 

But that is besides the point... maybe I'm wrong, maybe they didn't follow the proper duties of a detained military person but that isn't really what offended me about this radio diatribe.

 

What happened to Support the Troops!?!  This particular talk show host uses that as a constant refrain and I most certainly agree we should support the troops - but that should apply to ALL the troops who fight for our freedom and security.   This host needs to put some credibility behind her words and live by what she preaches - Support The Troops - don't call them wimps on your radio show!

 

Another talk radio rant that I have for you today is this:  Why do so many talk radio types seem to have a grudge against all climate and weather prognosticators?  Even Punxsutawney Phil!

 

I recently heard a local radio guy go off about "exposing" a hurricane forecaster as a "fraud"!  Granted I have never been a fan of long range trend forecasting either but fraud infers an intent to deceive.  There's no intent to deceive or pull the wool over the public's eye with long term forecasts!  Just an effort to help prepare for everything from a busy hurricane season to a wetter than average spring!  He's entitled to his opinion of course but I just don't understand the bitterness and aggressive stance against a group of scientists who are trying to do some good!

 

Of course, there is another local chatter that regularly goes off on Global Warming with less than accurate information but in an effort to avoid a Rosie O'donnell type media feud, I will let that one go - for now! :-)

 

Hey, at the end of the day I guess all of these show hosts have done their job.  They got me to listen, they got me to think and they got me to tell other people about their show!  Hats off to them on that one!

 

If you watched Wake Up this morning, you know we got into a chat about the dollar coin. Most of the Wake Up crew didn't like the idea but I have to say I am very much for it!

As you may know, I grew up in Canada where they have a one and TWO dollar coin with no paper bill equivalent.

Here they are:

But my Canadian upbringing isn't why I am for the coin idea. I actually agree with the idea because it is a long term cost savings!

I costs our government thousands to mint and dispose of old dollar bills. Coins last for decades where as bills have a very short life span. A coin can last 30 years whereas the average bill lasts about 2 years at best. Plus, the costs to the government of maintaining the quality and integrity of coins are lower than they are for notes, which must be inspected individually for fitness and counterfeits. To put it another way the government would have to produce 20 one-dollar notes over a 30-year period to match the life span of just one coin.

Here's more on coins vs. bills if you're curious:

On a side note: one of my favorite coins of all time has always been the quarter. Specifically the US quarter.

I used to save them when I was little and living in the land of Johnny Canuck. I always thought they were so cool and I would look at the year and imagine which cool event the coin might have been at. Think about it - because of the long life of a coin, that quarter could have been spent by a real hippy at the original Woodstock. Famous people might have had the exact coin you have. It's cool and fun to imagine if you ask me. In two years, how far could a bill really go?

My other favorite coin is the British one pound coin.

 

It has cool writing around the edges and it's very thick. It feels cool in your hand.

I'm actually not a coin collector, even though it sound like it! Ultimately, whether it's a coin or a bill, I'd just like few more of them every day!