Jay's Interest: November 2017

As I’ve stated many times before, writing a once-a-month newsletter in today’s world is
almost impossible due to the simple fact that rarely a day goes by that we aren’t stunned, shocked, embarrassed, or flat-out mortified by the happenings of the day. My head never stops spinning because I’m struggling to decide what I should be concerned about. As of today, I’m still saddened about what happened in Las Vegas, but I’m no longer horrified about it because we no longer have time to dwell on things. When President Kennedy was assassinated the country was in shock for months. Today when 59 people are killed at a music concert the shock is gone after a few days and we move on to the next big thing.
Unbelievable.

Before I give you my unsolicited view on what happened in Las Vegas, I need to come clean with this disclaimer: I’m not a gun guy. I don’t own a gun, and I sure as heck don’t know how to load one, shoot one, clean one, or buy one. So yes, I’m one of those people who sit and watch the news and think to themselves “why do we need assault weapons again”? I’m not questioning the need for guns in this country – I’m questioning the need for automatic guns in this country. I read an article a year ago (I think after the Orlando massacre) about Eugene Stoner, the man who invented the AR-15 semi-automatic assault rifle. In the article, the family of Mr. Stoner was interviewed and they wanted the public to know that their father invented the gun for the sole purpose of being able to defend U.S. troops against the Russian AK-47. They added that he would have been horrified to know that these guns are in the hands of civilians and being used to commit mass murders.

Believe me, I have no problem with the 2nd Amendment. But let’s be real - it was adopted in 1791 and I’m pretty sure our forefathers at that time had no idea what types of weapons would be invented over the next 200 years. If they were alive today, I’m guessing they would agree that some weapons should not be available to the general public.
I know it was a first world problem, but isn’t it great to have a car wash back in town?? I was using it the other day and had a flashback to high school when I washed my entire car at a gas station using only the windshield squeegee. When you have no money and you’re trying to keep your parents from knowing you drove their car on a dirt road, you’ll do just about anything.

Now that my kids are 6 and 10, I’ve started to pay much closer attention to some of the very
interesting things that are said in the Burdic house on a daily basis. So here is my list of the
top 5 phrases/questions uttered in my house over the past month:

• Beau: ‘Dad, what’s life insurance??’ I didn’t even attempt an answer…..
• Beau: ‘Dad, who is more bad to the bone, boys or girls??’ I had to side with boys on this one….
• Emersyn: ‘Dad, this is how brothers and sisters are supposed to treat each other’. As a guy who remembers turning the water to hot while his sister washed her hair in the sink, I really couldn’t come up with a valid argument.
• Beau: ‘Mom, you’ve got swag’…When asked if I have swag, he said no, citing my hairline…
• My wife and I (daily): ‘That’s from your side of the family’…..

I read the other day that scientists have discovered a way to generate electricity from human
tears. Now I’m not a scientist, but I’m guessing that much of their research is being
conducted at University of Nebraska home football games.

How about the East Mills girls’ volleyball team?? By the time you read this we’ll know if
they beat Essex to advance deeper into the playoffs. I’m a big believer that having strong
sports teams can transform a school district, and I was very happy to see that Halloween trick
or treating was moved up a day so more fans could attend the game in Tabor on Halloween
night. I know that many of these girls have been playing together for years and it’s great to
see all of the hard work paying off. Great job girls!

Shameless plug of the month: my wife will be opening The Blooming Barn for 2 weeks
starting November 25th. Stop by and enjoy a barn full of Christmas décor and fresh greenery!

And finally, I read recently that Thailand, after a year of mourning for their dearly departed
King Bhumibol Adulyadej, sent him off in grand fashion with a $90 million cremation ceremony
that included 10 million Sandalwood flowers to help guide him to the afterlife. Just for
the record, I’ve come up with a ceremony for me that will save everyone about $89,999,900 –
just parade me through town in my golf cart while everyone in town pummels me with
marshmallows and Hershey bars. At the end of the parade route you can all enjoy Smores
over a bonfire made from all of these newsletters that nobody read.

I’m out of space, but ISU football deserves some love right now…Incredible!

Jay