Is someone telling the truth when they say "I've always tried to tell the truth?"

In response to last week’s question, "Is someone telling the truth when they say 'I've always tried to tell the truth?,' "  my writing and sailing friend Rich replied, "Show me a man who has always told the 100% truth and I’ll show you a man who has never been asked, 'Do these pants make my butt look big?'"

My temple friend Richard observed, "The key word is 'tried.' That doesn’t mean they are successful. Also, telling the truth is at times hazardous to one’s health or marriage (answering in the affirmative to the question 'Does this make me look fat?' for example).  and this week’s question did cause me to propose a new campaign strategy for the current Republican presidential front-runner: George Washington could not tell a lie.  Richard Nixon didn’t tell the truth. Donald Trump can’t tell the difference.”

My collaboration friend Tricia explained, "I believe in telling the truth - even when inconvenient. If I have to convince someone I'm telling the truth, I might not be. Right?  Just the same as when mean people say, 'I really try to be nice to everyone, but they don't deserve it.'"  In support of this, my cousin Greg wrote, "In the words of the great Jedi Master Yoda, 'There is no try, only do.' "

When my PR friend Stan share, "Technically, yes," my social media friend Mark pointed out, "Let me be honest (negating everything else I have ever said without the "let me be honest" preamble). No. They are not telling the truth. Nor am I being truthful when I end a compliment with "bless your heart".

My dad's beach buddy Bob pointed out, "The appropriate response would should have been 'When convenient,' " to which my equestrian friend Royce replied, "Only a politician."

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

What do you do with an extra day in your year?

Give me a sense of humor; give me the ability to understand a clean joke; to get some humor out of life, and to pass it on to other folks. 

Hal

Happy Birthday Leaplings.  You are special although the rest of us get 4 times  more birthday cake than you do.

The tradition for today, according to an old Irish legend, or possibly history, is that St Brigid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose marriage to men on this date.   Leap day is also St Oswald’s Day, named after the archbishop of York who died on February 29, 992.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.  Stop by NicheLabs to see what else I'm up to.

Can something be epically stupid and not regretted?

In response to last week’s question, "Can something be epically stupid and not regretted?," my birthday bud Jon declared, "First love," to which my dad's beach buddy Bob added, "Oh yes....like the girl I didn't marry because......she has since been divorced 3 times."

My writing and sailing friend Rich generalized, "If you're still alive to laugh about it later. Signed Too Stupid to Live."

My PR friend Stan explained, "Most definitely, especially when the coach of a football team I am rooting against makes a call that fails epically. We can call him 'stupid' and not regret our revelry in his  really bad call – and all the vitriol on social media and talk radio."

My cycling friend Ted  observed, "Yes! I just saw the movie "Deadpool" which was filthy. violent and almost porn! However, it was hilarious! No regrets!"

As my equestrian friend Royce wrote, "Now that is something to cogitate over," my social media friend Mark lamented, "The first thing that comes to mind is being a Republican."

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

Is someone telling the truth when they say "I've always tried to 'tell the truth?' " in memory of birthday boy George Washington saying "I can not tell a lie," Jimmy Carter saying "I will never lie to you" and Hillary Clinton making the above quote.

Give me a sense of humor; give me the ability to understand a clean joke; to get some humor out of life, and to pass it on to other folks. 

Hal

Today is the 284th anniversary of the birth of our first president, George Washington, which is also my PR friend Stan's son’s and son-in-law’s birthday.  Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.  Stop by NicheLabs to see what else I'm up to.

Is there a reason that red connotes love and is the color of a teacher's correction notes?

In response to last week’s question, "Is there a reason that red connotes love and is the color of a teacher's correction notes?," my PR colleague Stan noted that, "both make your face turn red."

My dad's beach buddy Bob concluded, "It is elementary..  Have you ever met a teacher who didn't just love to correct you," which my equestrian friend Royce added, "Could be a reminder of the crush I had on my 3rd grade teacher, Miss Rambonet..."

My temple friend Richard observed, "Red is the color of blood, which makes sense when you are discussing a teacher’s corrections. How does the color of blood relate to love? Well, as Nazareth noted many years ago in a song, “Love hurts. Love scars. Love wounds and marks.”

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

Can something be epically stupid and not regretted? from my cousin Marc

Give me a sense of humor; give me the ability to understand a clean joke; to get some humor out of life, and to pass it on to other folks,

Hal

Today is the 284th anniversary of the birth of…….the owner of "I can not tell a lie; I cut down the cherry tree" who also said

·         Observe good faith and justice towards all nations; cultivate peace and harmony with all.”

·         “We should never despair, our situation before has been unpromising and has changed for the better, so I trust, it will again. If new difficulties arise, we must only put forth new exertions and proportion our efforts to the exigency of the times.”

….our first president, George Washington.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.  Stop by NicheLabs to see what else I'm up to.

Did you just ask me if I ever had déjà vu? + a Valentines Day question

In response to last week’s question, " Did you just ask me if I ever had déjà vu?,"  my cousin Greg replied, "I could have sworn I've already asked you......" and my sailing friend Norm    queried, "didn't we answer that question before. It seems we did."  To this, my videographer friend Ivan added, "No, but I'm going to yesterday."

My equestrian friend Royce noted, "No, but Yogi Berra had it 'all over again,'  so evidently it repeats itself."

My dad's beach buddy Bob complimented, "No Hal, I know you haven't.  According to the definition:  involves having that feeling of knowing in a situation in which you are experiencing something totally new.  You have it all...Much like your father."

My temple friend Stuart "did  not recall much about déjà vu. I will ask if you ever had that feeling of vujà dé, that feeling that you've never been someplace before?" which another temple friend Lesley concurred, "The question is not familiar to me.  Is this a case of vujà dé?"

My friend Richard explained, "I’m at the age now where I have a sense of déjà vu when I can’t remember something and I suddenly realize I had forgotten the same damned thing at least once before.  There are, however, some advantages to losing one’s memory. For example, there is no such thing as leftovers. I also recall Groucho Marx’s great line:  'I never forget a face. However, in your case I’m willing to make an exception!' ”

And my cycling friend Ted suggested, "Crosby Stills Nash and Young know the answer to that."

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

Is there a reason that red connotes love and is the color of a teacher's correction notes?  

Give me a sense of humor; give me the ability to understand a clean joke; to get some humor out of life, and to pass it on to other folks. 

Hal

Make this a sweetheart of a week and show appreciation to the ones you love.  While chocolate is a popular way, expressing your appreciation, and explaining why goes a long, long way.  And in my case, along with my wife, my son, my dad and family who are so supportive and helpful, I'm fortunate to have some many friends who take time to reply to Hmmm and brightens my day.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.  Stop by NicheLabs to see what else I'm up to.

Why are there no female polygamists? + a Groundhog Day question

In response to last week’s question, "Why are there no female polygamists?,"  my writing and sailing friend Rich explained, "I asked my wife and she said that a Bee Hive has one queen, thousands of female drones to take care of her needs, and one male who dies as soon as his chore is done.  Who is she to argue with Mother Nature?"

My temple friend Richard advised, "I believe the reason there are no (or at least not many) female polygamists is that – unlike men – women try not to make the same mistake twice!"

Another temple friend, Tracey,  added, "Who's to say there aren't? I must say that I don't think I could handle two husbands. One is plenty for me." To this, my cable marketing friend Megan concurred, "Most women quickly realize that one husband is too much work.  Why do that to ourselves and double the work!"

My dad's beach buddy Bob responded, "I thought when they entered into such a relationship they also joined the clan.  Why do they always try to hang it on men?"

My birthday bud Jon admitted, "They are smarter than men," and my sailing friend Kate confirmed, "Because, as Harry Belafonte spelled it out in song: The Women are Smarter"…..as did the Robert Palmer and Grateful Dead.

When my equestrian friend Royce replied, "You can blame it on the Book of Mormon."   My sailing friend Norman queried, "Who said there are no female polygamists?  I bet there are many," to which my St George, UT friend Bruce declare, "But there are! I see them at Wal-Mart in their pioneer dresses in groups of three with their braided hair...SERIOUSLY!"

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

Did you just ask me if I ever had déjà vu? (in honor of the movie Groundhog Day)

Give me a sense of humor; give me the ability to understand a clean joke; to get some humor out of life, and to pass it on to other folks. 

Hal

And from my cousin Sunny, whose always helpful advice is at http://suncoach.com/ shared a response to the earlier "What is a donation of your free time worth?," by writing, "Ah, Hal…I so love this question because it’s mostly what I do now – mentoring and coaching. Free. At this stage of my life, the giving is so important – it’s what makes me feel most alive. I’m sure you understand this, too, or you would never volunteer as much of your time as you do!"

Tomorrow is Groundhogs Day and my sailing friend Cindy's birthday…..so have some extra fun just for the health of it.

Thanks to Demetri Martin, Steven Wright and George Carlin for the inspiration for Hmmm.  Stop by NicheLabs to see what else I'm up to.