Don't ask me how it happened, but I found myself staring in front of a television set with a show called "The Bachelor" staring back at me.
This is, apparently, a show where a bunch of women with nothing going right in their lives show up to try and win the affection of some good-looking guy who can't seem to get a date without the help of some unctuous host and a mansion that doesn't belong to him.
Anyhow, a part of this show is for each woman to spend about five minutes with the guy to introduce themselves to him. They all wore the same dress, I think, and they all had the same hair stylist, and they all had great legs, which they all liked to show off, and they all wore jewelry, and they all were very intense and they all seemed incredibly insecure and they all seemed totally without humor and they all said this was their last chance at everlasting love. I mean, holy cow.
And one more thing that a lot of them had in common: about half of the women described what they were like, listing lots of qualities like "family oriented" and "friendly" and "funny" and "passionate" and "studious" and "smart" and "kind" and "committed" and "bold" and "happy." And after listing those things, they'd say, "and et cetera."
Except more than half the women who used the word, put an X in it. As in "eXcetera."
I'm not a rigid language freak. I think a good language, which English is, ought to have some flexibility. But not on this one.
I've known lots of people in my life who say "eXcetera." Generally speaking they are proud that they can use a big word like that and often grin after using it.
And watching "The Bachelor," I discovered, after hearing this, that the word "boob" has lots of meanings.
With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.
He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.
This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.
Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.
