New Species!

We're excited to share about a new exotic species that now calls the the Great Lakes system home.  

The rare spotted catfish is genuinely one of a kind. This elusive freshwater creature has never been seen by most, some even argue its existence.

Spotted catfish tend to have a docile temperament until you try to touch them, which is when they will bite you and swim away with a smug demeanor.  They have been known to eat other fish and will chase bright, shiny lights in the water.

 

Foolish Is As Foolish Does

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1.

Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious, refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1.

These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

Here's some inspiration.....

 

Foolish Is As Foolish Does

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1.

Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious, refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1.

These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

Here's some inspiration.....

 

Fools Day

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1.

Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious, refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1.

These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

Here's some inspiration..... 

 

Watch Your Back Tomorrow

The history of April Fool's Day - or All Fool's Day - is uncertain and is the subject of no small measure of dispute.  Some attribute it to a chapter contained in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales where a vain cock is tricked by a sly fox with the date March 32 (April 1).  Another theory is that its origins can be traced 1582 in France with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar under Charles IX.   Heretofore, most Europeans celebrated the new year from March 25 - April 1 and the new calendar moved it to January 1.

News traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change after several years had passed.  Still others, who were more rebellious, refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration - April 1.

These people were labeled 'fools' by the elites of the time and were the object of ridicule.  They were sent on fool errands including invitations to nonexistent parties along with other practical jokes. The butts of these pranks became known as a poisson d'avril (translation: April fish) as it is young and naive fish that are easily caught.  A common prank was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone's garments as a joke.

This harassment evolved over time and the custom of prank-playing persisted on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French.  Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on a decidedly international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own peculiar fashion.

In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced it had purchased the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell.  Hundreds of infuriated citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to voice their righteous indignation over this corporate outrage. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold as well. McCurry claimed:  It will now be known as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial. 

Keep your wits about yourself.

Learn more about the best April Fool Pranks here.

 

Watch Your Back

The history of April Fool's Day - or All Fool's Day - is uncertain and is the subject of no small measure of dispute.  Some attribute it to a chapter contained in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales where a vain cock is tricked by a sly fox with the date March 32 (April 1).  Another theory is that its origins can be traced 1582 in France with the adoption of the Gregorian calendar under Charles IX.   Heretofore, most Europeans celebrated the new year from March 25 - April 1 and the new calendar moved it to January 1.

News traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change after several years had passed.  Still others, who were more rebellious, refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration - April 1.

These people were labeled 'fools' by the elites of the time and were the object of ridicule.  They were sent on fool errands including invitations to nonexistent parties along with other practical jokes. The butts of these pranks became known as a poisson d'avril (translation: April fish) as it is young and naive fish that are easily caught. A common prank was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone's garments as a joke.

This harassment evolved over time and the custom of prank-playing persisted on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French.  Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on a decidedly international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own peculiar fashion.

In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced it had purchased the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell.  Hundreds of infuriated citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to voice their righteous indignation over this corporate outrage. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold as well. McCurry claimed:  It will now be known as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial. 

Keep your wits about yourself today.

Learn more about the best April Fool Pranks here.

Don't Get Pranked

The history of April Fool's Day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. The Gregorian Calendar was introduced, and New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (new year's week) to January 1.

Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Still others, who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1.

These people were labeled "fools" by the general populace, were subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them. The butts of these pranks became known as a "poisson d'avril" or "April fish" because a young naive fish is easily caught. In addition, one common practice was to hook a paper fish on the back of someone as a joke.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April Fool's Day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

In 1996 the Taco Bell Corporation announced it had bought the Liberty Bell and was renaming it the Taco Liberty Bell. Hundreds of outraged citizens called the National Historic Park in Philadelphia where the bell was housed to express their anger. Their nerves were only calmed when Taco Bell revealed, a few hours later, that it was all a practical joke. The best line of the day came when White House press secretary Mike McCurry was asked about the sale. Thinking on his feet, he responded that the Lincoln Memorial had also been sold. It would now be known, he said, as the Ford Lincoln Mercury Memorial.

Here's some inspiration for tomorrow.....

April Fools

Today is my last day at the day job.

Cheers!

BS Detection

Logitech is introducing an exciting new feature to our family of Video Conferencing systems. Using machine learning, Business Speak detection restores clarity to work communication by cutting out unclear and superfluous language.  BS detection.

www.logitech.com

 

 

 

The Fifth Season of the Year

click on the orange barrel to enlarge

It certainly didn't take long for the orange barrels and lane closures to materialize.  As soon as the last remnant of snow has melted, POOF!.  They're back.

Yesterday on I-43 between Milwaukee and Green Bay closures of up to ten miles or more popped-up like spring crocus.  One closure between Kiel and Manitowoc and the other south of Green Bay.  The northbound lanes have been reduced to a single lane for traffic north and a single lane directed south.  Both southbound lanes are shut-down in their entirety for what appears to be replacement of bridge decks.  That means that once the southbound section of I-43 is complete - construction will swap over to the northbound lanes.  

This is going to take all spring and summer.  Maybe into early fall.

Ah, you thought this was spring.  It is - and it is also construction season.  The fifth season of the year.  Happy Fools Day and plan your Wisconsin road trip accordingly.....

Sloganeering

On February 23^rd President Donald Trump made it exceedingly clear to US Steel Chief Executive Mario Longhie that Keystone XL had to Buy American:  We put you heavy into the pipeline business because we approved, as you know, the Keystone Pipeline, but they have to buy ... steel made in this country and pipelines made in this country.  

If you were paying attention to the President’s speech to Congress a few days ago You observed and heard this:  New American pipelines be made with American steel.  

Two statements from Trump.  Are they one and the same?  Or has the earth under the pipeline shifted?

Consider this.  Trump’s Executive Order calls for U.S. steel to be used in “all new pipelines, as well as retrofitted, repaired or expanded pipelines”.   Keystone XL (first proposed in 2008) is currently in the process of being constructed and as a consequence we learned today that it does not meet the definition of a new, retrofitted, repaired or expanded pipeline.  It does not count.

Alas, if I had to hazard a guess I’d bet The Base still believes that only good-old, red-blooded, all-American, US steel is going into Keystone XL because they heard Buy American.  And that's what will make America great again.   Correct?  

Nope.   

And the old switcheroo is slicker than snot.  Steve Bannon's fingerprints are all over this.  Nice.  The man is a master propagandist.  You can learn more here.

Alien Death Ray

Yup.

They're back.  The aliens.  And all of their bad intentions.

One of the trail cameras captured a photograph of their shenanigans.  You can see the glow of the thrusters from the intergalactic space ship.  Then they deliberately aimed their purple, laser death ray at a hapless deer wandering-about.

click on image to enlarge

And they missed.

Good thing.