What's the opposite of rehab?, and a Santa Claus question

In response to last week’s question, "What's the opposite of rehab?," my temple friend Richard replied, "Reelection" while my social media friend Mark suggested, "Rebinge."

Both my neighbor Al and sailing friend Norm declared, "Baher."   Not the  Palestinian neighborhood near East Jerusalem, they noted that spelling rehab backwards would be its opposite.

My collaboration friend Andy explained, "Retox: Verb. The act of doing all the things your nutritionist and trainer tell you not to do.  I think it's better as an antonym for detox, but heck, close enough.  :)      Used in a sentence: "Hey, we've been eating spinach smoothies all week, let's go have a burger and beer at Highland Tap to retox."

When my birthday bud Jon called out "Prefab," my cousin Valarie added, "Instead of habbing again, this is before habbing in the first place. But who habs anymore anyway, right?  : ) "   To this, my cycling friend Ted concurred, "It would be Prehab, or simply "Hab".  But my official answer is 'College,' which is what got you in to Rehab to start with!"

My PR friend Stan declared, "Unhab – especially easy to do at this time of year."

My sailing friend Angie commented about last week's post script, and then answered the question, "OMG - LMAO on sergeant......  I would participate but I am not that funny:  Opposite of rehab would probably be Happy Hour or a two martini breakfast."  (Yes, Angie, you are funny.)

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

How old is Santa Claus?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile.

Hal

Wed is the shortest day of the year.  December Solstice (Winter Solstice) is Dec. 21, 2016 at 5:44 am in Atlanta. With just 9:54:31 of daylight,  Dec. 21 is 4 hours, 30 minutes shorter than on June Solstice,.  So make the most of your night!

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

What don't you want for a gift?

In response to last week’s question, "What don't you want for a gift?," my product management friend Doug called out, "I don't want any gift that I can't give away, i.e. can't get rid of like non-curable venereal disease)," to which my writing and sailing friend Rich added, "I don't want the gift that just keeps giving.  Once is enough."

My managed IT friend Kosol replied, "Tickets to the Dallas Cowboys.  You can keep those" while my social media friend Mark  responded, "What I gave you last year, especially in the same gift bag."

My temple friend Richard announced, "The gift of 'gab.'  My observation is: 'When all is said and done, a lot more gets said than done.'  I prefer not doing the talking."

My cycling friend Ted recalled, "One of my daughter's favorite movies is 'Ella Enchanted'  If you watch it, you will agree that you don't want the "Gift" of Obedience (except if you are a Canine American)."

When my equestrian friend Royce declared, "My AMEX statement," and my sailing friend Norm said, "Clothes," my dad's beach buddy Bob shared this advice for the season, "Money or material things.  At my age, they are temporary.  We prefer a visit by a son, daughter, or a grandchild.  Everything else is less."

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

What's the opposite of rehab?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile.

Hal

In response to last week's answers, my temple friend Bob noted, "I haven't heard the term tallywacker in many years.  When I was at Fort Knox for basic training, the sergeant said, "Don't let me catch any of you maggots in the shower washing your tallywacker for more than 10 seconds."  My hiking friend Kelly who provided the initial response, replied to Bob, "Or the sergeant could have said, “Don’t let me catch any of you tallywackers in the shower washing your maggots!”

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

What is Victoria's secret?

In response to last week’s question, "What  is  Victoria's  secret?," my writing and sailing friend Rich determined it was, "That less is more." My gemologist friend Bill concurred, "From what I have seen not much," to which my temple friend Kevin added, "That people are willing to spend large sums of money on tiny, little outfits (not that I'm here to complain about that)."

My collaboration friend Andy put it simply, "Photoshop!" which led my sailing friend Norm and social media friend Mark to call out, "There not real!"  My engineering Steve friend added, Strong responded, "The fun is finding out on your own!"  (Editor's note:  Steve's response could go at the end of most other responses.)

My temple friend Tracey replied, "If she told you, it wouldn't be a secret" but then my cycling friend Ted disclosed, "She begged me not to tell anyone, but I can tell you that Victoria is anything but Victorian!"

My hiking friend Kelly though this would be called, "Tallywackergate" explaining that "She’s a dude!" to which my friend Bob expounded, "Victoria's secret is that she used to be Victor, and if you see her in the locker room at the gym, she still is."  Then my temple friend Richard shared an alternative version, "Victoria’s secret is that 'she' is actually a 320-pound cigar-smoking guy in the Bronx named Victor.   Victoria’s other secret is that the merchandise will not look anything like what appears in the catalog on any woman weighing more than 120 pounds, and even then only if she has not eaten in at least 3 days."

My dad's beach buddy Bob counseled, "A cleaver woman may tease a bit, but the ultimate price for a very smart woman is wearing a bridal gown."

My cousin Wes suggested, "Being able to help women be sexy for their men. What a secret trick."

And my networking friend Andrew proclaimed, "Google John Brown."  He was referring to John Brown with Queen Victoria saying 'We are not amused' and not referring to fantasy football info about Cardinal's John Brown).

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

What don't you want for a gift?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile.

Hal

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

In response to last week’s question, "You can be full of thanks.  Can you be full of grate?,"  my temple friend Richard replied, "Depends. Are people who grate on your nerves full of grate? I know one can be an ingrate. Can one also be an exgrate?"

My neighbor Al  concluded, "My ego says that I can," while my cycling friend Ted cautioned, "If a man tells you he is full of Grate, he is really full of s---!"

My dad's beach buddy Bob advised, "To do so, you must reflect upon the blessings that have been bestowed upon you and your family."  And to that, I say "Amen.".

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

What  is  Victoria's  secret?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile.

Hal

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me to catch up.

How can you tell who your friends are? plus a Thanksgiving question

In response to last week’s question, "How can you tell who your friends are?," my cousin Greg Faber proclaimed, " They are the people who laugh with you in the back seat of the cop car versus the people who bail you out."  

My collaboration friend Tricia replied, "This one is so easy. Friends are those who stay by your side even when you have absolutely nothing to offer them. I, for one, am grateful to call you my friend."  My neighbor Al went further, "The ones who don't ask me to pay back the money I owe them......"   My compliance friend  Karla shared, "I think you can tell who your friends are when things aren't going well and you might need help or encouragement.  And my artist friend Fred added, "My friends are those who don’t make me feel 'marginalized' or 'disenfranchised.' "

My writing and sailing friend Rich wrote based on experience, "In the sailing world, it is pretty easy.  If someone has spent a week on a boat with you and is willing to get on a another one with you, they are a friend." 

My temple friend Kevin explained, "They are the ones who know I am crazy, sometimes obnoxious, but would be there to help me at a moment's notice.  Kinda like you and Alison."

My birthday bud Jon replied, "Facebook?  At least it helps me know who my friends were in high school" while my equestrian friend Royce countered, "It certainly isn't the ones you see on Facebook."

My hiking friend Kelly revealed, "Tell them you’re gay.  That worked for me.  I am by the way.  You really find out who your real friends are."

My dad's beach buddy Bob recalled, "The wise person keeps them a little further from him than his enemies."

My temple friend Richard noted, "Echo location."

My social media friend Mark  announced, "They make you laugh once a week. Hmmm."

And my interfaith friend Debby pointed out, "I think last Thursday's celebration is just what we all need--it is one big example to show how diversity is fun, good, and a blessing. I love coming to the Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration every year and looking around the room at people from all cultures, religions, backgrounds.  The diverse faces are beautiful to behold, especially as we sing, reflect and later share food and make friends with one another. We all need to be able to be friendly, welcoming, kind and compassionate to everyone we meet. And a good laugh together helps too! I'm so thankful I was part of the planning committee this year--I learned so much and made some new friends."   Note:  Click here to watch the celebration on demand.

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

You can be full of thanks.  Can you be full of grate?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile.

Hal

Wishing you and your family a memorable Thanksgiving holiday.  May it be a time to enjoy your family, friends, good food and good times with excess of only good times..

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me so  I can share what  I'm up to.

Why can't we all just get along?

In response to last week’s question, "Why can't we all just get along?," my social media friend Mark asked, "A long what?"

My dad's beach buddy Bob concluded, "That is what the inhabitants of civilizations that disappeared did.  They just didn't want to get excited about the important things."   My cousin Greg concurred as he wrote, "Because we're lazy." 

My writing and sailing friend Rich wondered, "how many people would have answered that question same way if they had been asked it last Tuesday morning or Wednesday morning" to which my gemologist friend Bill added, "Hopefully this a question that we can all start trying to answer now." 

My PR friend Stan proclaimed, "Because we’d rather just have everyone agree with us."

My college roomie John recommended, "Serve me a good cold beer and I will get along with you" and my hiking friend Kelly advised, "Not enough people smoke the green version of tobacco?"   (As of last week, AK, CA, CO, MA, ME and NV should be getting along better.)

My collaboration friend Tricia pondered, "Maybe the question is why do people have to be so mean!?!  Or, how boring would it be if we all just compromised on everything and got along? But with no excitement, disappointment, or disagreement. Seems like the unanswered question."   To this, my managed IT services friend Kosol agreed,  "If we did, there wouldn't be any drama or excitement.  You don't want to miss out on excitement would you? "  (Like missing a reality show?)

And my cycling friend Ted contemplate, "This 'Hmmm' thread has been about humor, but in this case, I think it's time for a very serious answer. I remember in the 90's a very simple man named Rodney King. He was a victim of police brutality, which set off race riots in LA. I was always struck by the very poignancy of this simple question from a simple person that has such an inextricably complex answer, which to this day I still cannot entirely answer."

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

How can you tell who your friends are?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile

Hal

If you want proof that people are healing and getting together since the very mean election, please join us online Thu at 7:00p for something I'm involved in that is very powerful.  And if you are in East Cobb, join us in person.  Click here for details.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me so  I can share what  I'm up to.

Do you prefer a trick or a treat?

In response to last week’s question, "Do you prefer a trick or a treat?," my temple friend Lon shared, "Being single, I prefer a Trick, which is really a Treat!" to which my birthday bud Jon replied, "If you patronize prostitutes, it can be the same thing."

My dad's beach buddy Bob, "I prefer tricks as I am still in the learning mode and looking for new material, plus I have all the treats I can endure" and Bob is  both in learning mode and of retirement age.

My cousin Dave applied basic logic in replying, "Yes."

My social media friend Mark called out, "Never tried a trick. Think I'll go with treat" while my college roomie John recalled a Trump reference, "Thinking of dressing as a tic tac!"

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

Why can't we all just get along?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile

Hal

Even if you dislike both Clinton and Trump, if you haven't voted early, please vote tomorrow one of the many candidates available.  If you can't accept one of the two major parties' candidates, your vote for someone else will make that statement.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me so  I can share what  I'm up to.

On Halloween, how do you know if someone is wearing a costume?

In response to last week’s question, " On Halloween, how do you know if someone is wearing a costume?," my dad's beach buddy Bob suggested, "look them straight in the eye to see who blinks first" while my temple friend Bob repied, "If they're carrying a bag of candy, it's a costume."

My temple friend Richard pointed out:

(1)   If the person is under 5 feet tall, it’s a costume.

(2)   If the person is dressed as a movie character or celebrity, it’s a costume.

(3)   If the person is dressed as a zombie, requests brains, accepts candy when offered, it’s a costume.

(4)   If the person is dressed as a zombie, requests brains, rejects the candy, and repeats the request for brains…. Run like hell. It isn’t a costume

My sister-in-law Lorrie advised, "Only if they are not dressed like a clown," while my dental friend Ted added, "You really don't know-I know plenty of people that dress like Bozo The Clown every day.  Just keep it to yourself and throw them some candy and my business card in the bag -Edward A Chipps DDS)."

My engineering friend Steve declared, "With the new PC rules I didn’t think costumes were allowed.  I can’t find anything on Snopes that says it’s a hoax either.  (See infographic at bottom.)"

My college roomie John asserted, "To go with the political campaign, politicians seem to always be wearing a costume, especially the scary clown costume!" to which my IT services friend Kosol concluded, "You find out just like my buddy Donald T does.  Grab them by the "P$&@!" ? Lol.  Or you can pull a Bill Cosby."

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' ":

Do you prefer a trick or a treat?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile

Hal

Have a fun Halloween and best wishes to the MLB's Cubbies (and Indians).

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me so  I can share what  I'm up to.

Is saying 'I'm sorry' enough?

In response to last week’s question, "Is saying 'I'm sorry' enough?," my gem-of-a-friend Bill determined, "It depends on what your wife has accused you of doing incorrectly" while my birthday bud Jon wondered, "How many times?"   My sailing friend Norm was more clear, "To a spouse, NEVER enough!"  although my college roomie John suggested adding, "chocolates, probably dark chocolate!"

My Earthlink alumni friend Kerstin pointed out, "See the photo to the right that I took at Jimmy John's last week (love that team) in response to this week's question - it's not enough to say 'I'm sorry'..."

My dad's beach buddy Bob concurred with Kerstin, saying  "'I'm Sorry' is a good beginning, but it has to followed up with a demonstration by making amends in some way.  You cant steal, say 'I'm Sorry' and not at least replace what was stolen."  And my temple friend Tracey added, "No. Saying 'I'm sorry' is not enough. Actions speak louder than words. An apology has to be followed up with a change in behavior."

My social media friend Mark then cautiously advised, "Yes. Unless you go ahead and do it again anyway. Then, nothing is enough."

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' “:

On Halloween, how do you know if someone is wearing a costume?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile

Hal

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me so  I can share what  I'm up to.

What is special about a naked buck?

In response to last week’s question, "What is special about a naked buck?," my temple friend Ed concluded, "Donald Trump and Bill Clinton will be fighting over it."

My birthday bud Jon suggested, "Ask a naked doe," to which my social media friend Mark surmised, "the size of his antlers."  And my temple friend Bob replied, "There probably is a naked doe for him to talk to."

My dad's beach buddy Bob determined, "it has nothing attached to buck......I presume that means you are debt free.  BTW:  We are high and dry in Charleston, SC after Hurricane Matthew but a lot of the folks who ran inland are swimming in flood waters.  I hope they have naked bucks when they get home here on the coast." 

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' “:

Is saying "I'm sorry" enough? (from my friend Katie)

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile

Hal

Congrats to TKE and the Cobb interfaith community for completing the #16 Habitat for Humanity home. It is great providing a family with a safe home to build their life from AND it is a great thing to see people of different faiths work together for the common good.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me so  I can share what  I'm up to.

What makes pumpkin taste good only in October?

In response to last week’s question, "What makes pumpkin taste good only in October?," my Silicon Valley Parrothead friend Darcy called out, "Anticipation - Fall has arrived!" as my cycling friend Ted expounded, "The same thing that makes Christmas trees smell good in December."  And my writing and sailing friend Rich added, "Because October is the time of the Great Pumpkin."

My neighbor Al surmised, "Because before then they are probably not ripe and taste like crap!" while my hiking friend Kelly explained, "Beer!"

My social media friend Mark explained, "It might taste good in October if you put bacon on it. Otherwise I cannot think of any reason it would ever taste good" while my dad's beach buddy Bob replied, "because after October you have had enough of it to last for another year."

When my equestrian friend Royce queried, "Does it taste good?," my sister-in-law Lorrie declared, "What's wrong with this question given that pumpkin pie is a delicious staple for Thanksgiving dinner in November" and my college roomie friend John concurred, "I disagree, I can eat pumpkin year around, especially pumpkin pie."

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' “:

What is special about a naked buck?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile

Hal

Thank you to my colleague who made TAG Social & Collaboration's Savvy Awards program last week so successful and insightful!   The conversation to improve collaboration and be social continues is a very, very positive way.

And thank you to Shannon Hamilton and the Golden Retriever Rescue of Atlanta for making an awareness Rescue Romp yesterday.  Along with fundraising, it was 'fun-raising' and the first time our Sarah did dock diving and the lure course.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me so  I can share what  I'm up to.

Is it good being easy?

In response to last week’s question, "Is it good being easy?," my sister-in-law Lorrie concluded, "This is a loaded question.  The Big Easy (NOLA) is good and fun, my MacIntosh computer which is so much easier that most PCs is good, the guy who wants easy sex after the first date - not so good."

My networking friend Andrew clarified, "Depends on your perspective/gender. 'Easy' girls are generally not 'good', and vice versa!"   My dad's beach buddy Bob replied, "Good? Really?  Of course there are two types of being so called 'easy.'  They used to call me Mr. Easy but not in the same vernacular as the so called 'Ladies of the Night.' "

And my equestrian friend Royce wondered, "Is that the same as easy and good ?"

Please send me your thoughts about this week's "things that make you go 'Hmmm' “:

What makes pumpkin taste good only in October?

Live well...laugh often and heartily.... have a good week and never regret anything that made you smile

Hal

Happy New Year as my Jewish family and friends celebrate Rosh Hashanah and my Muslim friends celebrate Muharram.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.   I invite you to call or email me so  I can share what  I'm up to.