2024, education, Family, Farming Update, Travel, Weather

What Day is This?

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The weekend Farm Report comes to us from Ben.

I have been completely discombobulated since returning home from Seattle. The weather did hamper our Sunday return flight and because I had purchased my plane ticket separate from Kelly and daughter, Delta automatically rebooked me on a redeye from Seattle to Minneapolis, while leaving those two on their own. Eventually they were able to get on the same flight. We left Seattle at 12:30 AM Monday, arriving at MSP about 5:30 AM and back to RST about noon Monday. We were all exhausted and needed naps.

But the extra day in Seattle allowed me to see the ‘gum wall’.

It’s… something.  It’s kinda gross. Glad I didn’t have to pay for that.

The dogs were mildly excited to see us. They had good sitters while we were gone, and those people said they did their best to turn the dog’s loyalty. I think a few more days they could have done it. I laughed that all the dog treats were gone. No wonder the dogs liked them best.

I attended that workshop called “Psychology of Stupidity”. It was presented by a group called ‘Risky Business Resources’. The room was full, standing room only in fact, which I thanked the crowd for being that interested in safety, and kudos to the presenter for his title. If he had called it ‘Analysis of theater Safety’, it wouldn’t have been so full.

We discussed how people make decisions, and the factors that lead to people making mistakes. He had us play ‘rock paper scissors’ with our left hands, while thumb wrestling with our right. It can’t really be done. Some takeaways: Sleep debt and fatigue increase risk taking. Underestimating risk is a big one.

What stuck with me the most was discussing step ladders. We’ve all stood on that step second from the top. The one that says not to stand on. So why is that step even there?? Some ladder manufacturers have tried removing that step. People complained the ladders weren’t tall enough then. And there was nowhere to put the sticker saying not to use that step. It made the whole room laugh.

On the last day, I took part in a Kazoo parade.

It’s part of a fundraiser.

By Tuesday I was right back into things. A ceiling leak at one theater. Striking lights at another. Back to my set at the college.

I saw a killdeer! It’s nice they’ve returned.

I ordered some extra tough shoelaces off amazon. I got some that are fire and heat resistant. I could  see the need for that if I was a firefighter. But if I need shoelaces that are fire and heat resistant, I’m doing something wrong.

WHAT’S THE DUMBEST ATTRACTION YOU’VE SEEN?

54 thoughts on “What Day is This?”

  2. I’ve been to the House of Balls, I’ve seen the giant ball of string, but I think my vote for dumbest would go to the entirety of Wisconsin Dells.

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  4. Rise and Laugh Out Loud, Baboons,

    Ben, your entire post made me laugh. The Psychology of Stupidity is a brilliant title of a workshop. It appears the title was backed up by actual content about how stupid mistakes happen! Wow.

    I cannot think of any “attraction” as “nothing” as the gum wall, but I do remember a psychology workshop I attended which was also the soul of “stupid psychology.” This was local and featured a speaker whose name or specialty I do not remember. We arrived for this thing which started at the stroke of 8am (never do that)and was advertised to end at 5pm.  There was no coffee, tea or water, and no snack or munchie was present. Once inside we were seated in an auditorium. The speaker entered. There was no introduction, nothing. No warm up. It just started cold. She spoke rapidly, in free flow and was difficult to understand. At the morning break a full rebellion was in place. By noon most of the audience had absconded. I left and did not return. I later heard that the presenter returned after lunch to an empty auditorium. As a future trainer and presenter of many trainings that taught me many lessons:

    1. Always have coffee and snacks

    2. Warm up your audience.

    3. These attendees are paying you for a day off. Some of the experience must be pleasant.

    4. Have something to say and say it understandably.

    I am agreeing with Bill about the Wisconsin Dells. The chocolate Moose Pie was the only thing I liked about the Dells.

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  5. And then if we get into virtual “attractions” there’s Social Media in general – I can’t believe how I get sucked into spending time on Facebook. I love it for the LOL factor, but really, I need to get a grip, some days.

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  6. OT#1: My reply just posted without a huge big deal maneuver. WP might be temporarily operating effectively.

    OT#2: Today I have to pay my taxes and clear out our bathroom in preparation for the long-planned bathroom renovation which starts Monday and Tuesday. I will do those tasks sooon to get them out of the way and not ruin the rest of my day. I am at this moment, experiencing dread. I hate this stuff.

    OT#3: Working on attitude re-adjustment at this moment.The sun is shining.

    OT#4: The daily PT over the last 10 days has significantly strengthened Lou and he will probably return home next Friday.

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    2. Glad to hear Lou is doing better. I’m sure you have a mix of emotions about all this, especially since the bathroom isn’t done yet! Deep breaths! It will all fall in place and he’ll be home where he and Nurse Phoebe will be happier.

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  7. Wall Drug is pretty dumb, as is the monument for the geographical center of North America in Rugby, ND.

    Flights in and out of the Dickinson Airport are dependent on the weather here and in Denver, as that is the only place we can fly to. I am relieved that Tuesday our weather and Denver’s weather are both clear and sunny.

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    2. i believe wall drug is the pinnacle of excitement in the Dakotas

      i have boots and hats to remind me and many wonderful family photos of our stops

      might be second to the world largest cow

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    3. I agree on Wall Drug, the Corn Palace, and I’d probably even throw in Mt. Rushmore. (I consider the latter to be a defacement of epic proportions.)

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      1. At least the subjects of Mount Rushmore are not cringe-worthy, but I agree. Stone Mountain in Georgia, on the other hand, is an abomination.

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  8. That gum wall looks absolutely disgusting. Ick! That’s arguably going to be a tough one to beat in this category.

    That said, I’ve seen a contender: A guy juggling a running chainsaw at Newport Beach. What could possibly go wrong?

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  9. My thoughts run to labeling that, while true, is unnecessary. For a short time in the early 80s, a friend had a job selling ad space in a magazine for foreign business visitors to Taiwan. A manufacturer of flashlights bought ad space for his product, in which he insisted that “Runs on Batteries” be the main feature. So the shoelaces, I assume, could have also been labeled “high fiber” and “gluten free”.

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  10. I too was going to reference Wall Drug.

    My “appreciation” of Wall Drug was shaped by my one and only visit in 1970. Having looked at the recent photos and attractions, tells me that a return visit is not warranted despite restaurants.

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  11. Things I’ve seen on Interstate 94.

    New Salem Cow

    Gladstone Enchanted Highway

    Jamestown Buffalo

    Alexandria Big Viking

    Rothsay Prarie Chicken

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  13. I haven’t seen many attractions. I’ve heard a lot about the House on the Rock, but so far haven’t been there. I’m told it’s bizarre and peculiarly fascinating.

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      1. I was concerned that you guys went most of the day yesterday, and no one mentioned House on the Rock until the very end. Because that’s my vote. What a complete waste of time

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        1. Shades of Baader-Meinhof—

          I was just listening to a podcast interview with Neil Gaiman as I walked at the gym and he talked briefly about the House on the Rock.

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  14. OT – I’m not a churchgoer. Actually, I’m not even a believer, but I have to admit that I sometimes miss good church music. Happy Easter, baboons, however you “celebrate.”

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    1. Yes, that was the main room, where the big presentations where. I only saw one thing in there. Most of the classes were in small conference rooms.

      Because this is mainly an educational event, the office has a lot of college students as workers and ushers. Setting up, covering doors, scanning badges, ect. I met a Rochester kid I knew from one of the high schools who is going to school in Mankato now. She was interning for the event and making a lot of networking connections.

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