Author: Miles Rausch

If you’ve purchased a Red Bull within the last twelve years, that company lied to you. At least, according to Benjamin Careathers. Mr. Careathers filed a lawsuit on Jan. 16th of 2013 in U.S. District Court alleging that the slogan “Red Bull Gives You Wings” (and other advertising practices) were “deceptive and fraudulent.”

Read more on Law360, BEVNET, Google and the actual settlement website. Red Bull decided to settle rather than fight it out in court. A statement by the company said, “Red Bull settled the lawsuit to avoid the cost and distraction of litigation.”

Essentially, Careathers won, and everyone who’s enjoyed a Red Bull since 2002 can join him and claim money or (ironically) some Red Bull products. Which brings us to the part where I’m furious.

Continue reading “Red Bull’s Hit”

My last words to LaVonne Rose Gregg, as she lived and breathed, were likely, “It was so nice to see you.” I’m sure I could pinpoint the likely moment, but that would bring with it the realization of how poorly our last words fit our relationship.

I’m sure LaVonne responded with the promise of sweet corn or beef, and I would have sincerely begun the work of mapping a path for retrieval. But it wouldn’t happen, not until she no longer lived nor breathed.

News that she was sick came suddenly. Although she had been living with cancer the past year, she had been as LaVonne always was: bright and sassy. Then Holli’s mom, Carol, sent a group text message on September 24th at 6:11 PM.

> They have taken grandma to the hospital
> She stopped breathing.

Those messages started a process of grief for dozens of people. Holli and I made plans for her to head to Hawarden that night. She’d return to teach the next day, but would otherwise be near the family should LaVonne breath her last.

LaVonne didn’t. She lived unassisted for two more days in the Hawarden Hospital before passing peacefully in her sleep.

Continue reading “Last Words With LaVonne”