Random Thoughts

This is one of those weeks during the year when I have a number of random thoughts. Rather than one subject, I feel the need to discuss a variety of topics.

*I am all for small business owners and managers to ask their employees to "up-sell" their customers so that the worker has a chance to receive a higher sales commission. Whether it be at the post office or gas/convenience store, customers are often being asked if they want to try the daily special or if they need more stamps, etc.

But I was a little taken aback this week when I stopped to get a cup of coffee at a local Kwik Trip store when the clerk asked me if I wanted any lottery tickets with my purchase. Since when did gas stations start promoting gambling?

*Is it just me or does Haas Sons Inc. of Thorp,WI, have the contract for just about every road construction project is West Central Wisconsin? I found out earlier in the week that the company does not have union workers on its payroll, which is presumably why it is the low bidder on municipal work. But I feel bad for the homeowners and small business owners who watched heavy construction equipment sit idle for days on end while the weather was nice - wondering when their arterial street would ever get done.

*Unlike the National Football League negotiations with its players this past summer, is anyone going to miss the National Basketball Association if they don't play any games until January? And, if they ever do come to terms, does anyone really care if they play at all?

*I have often stated that I root for the Green Bay Packers except for when they play the Chicago Bears. But I have to admit that I have a soft spot in my heart for the Detroit Lions, even though they beat my favorite NFL team last Sunday. How great would it be for the Packers and Lions to play on Thanksgiving Day with both teams undefeated?

*I have a difficult time checking on my E-Trade account when the stock market swings are so wild. In fact, I have not checked my account for at least three months and am not sure when I'll make another trade.

I intend to find one subject to write about next week, but sometimes I have simple thoughts about a lot of different things.