Are you a miracle?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “Are you a miracle?,” my organizational guru Marya acknowledged, “Considering I've made it to 45 with the dumb stuff I've done in this life, I'm a hell of a miracle!  The dumb stuff also makes for great stories!  ;-) ”   To this, my cycling friend Ted noted that, “My mother says yes-- it's a miracle she didn't kill me!”

My temple friend Richard declared, “No. Smokey Robinson was a Miracle.  If I could carry a tune, THAT would be a miracle!” 

My adjunct executive friend Lindy shared, “The good book says I am fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139) but doesn't mention miraculous.” However, my dad’s beach buddy Bob concluded, “I think we all are.  The miracle of life from conception to delivery is a miracle of immense proportion.”  And to this, my sailing friend Norm concurred, “When you realize how complex the human body is you know your life is a miracle.”

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

What is dark good for? (in honor of the Winter Solstice)

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

Hal

Thu, Dec. 21 is the shortest day of the year.  That means on Fri, the days start getting longer!  December Solstice (Winter Solstice) is Dec. 21, 2016 at 11:28am in Atlanta. With just 9:54:31 of daylight, Dec. 21 is 4 hours, 30 minutes shorter than on June’s Summer 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.

We rest in peace. Why don't we live in peace?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “We rest in peace.  Why don't we live in peace?,” my cycling friend Ted concluded, “There is plenty of time in eternity for peace--We obviously need more excitement while we are here!”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob advised, “Somehow I think in life too many try to get satisfaction out of controlling others.  Once we give up the quest we are all at peace” to which my PR friend Stan observed, “We live our lives in many pieces.”

And to the prior week’s question, “What types of people don’t count?,” my videographer friend Ivan shared,

“There are 10 types of people.  Those that count in binary, and those that don’t.

People not related to royalty in any way don’t Count.  Neither do they Duke nor do they King.

Lap swimmers typically don’t count, they lose count.  I lost count once doing one lap, Ended up on the wrong side of the pool.

Unskilled Blackjack players don’t count.  The odds are not in their favor. If they get caught counting, the Pit boss will put and end to it.

People who drop of their diet quit counting calories.

This concludes my top Ten list of people who don’t count.”

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

Are you a miracle? (in celebration Chanukah this week)

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

Hal

Another imponderable for the week is the correct spelling of Chanukah, Hanukkah, Hanukah, etc.  Thanks to Google, Joe Maller compiled this entertaining report about 16 ways to spell the holiday.  What we do know is that holiday starts on Tue night, 12/12, through sunset Wed, 12/20.

Healthcare coverage note if you’re in ATL and looking for individual or group healthcare.  There is a disruptive solution to replace Blue Cross, Kaiser and AmBetter that starts with unlimited primary healthcare with no co-pays for $100/month, and combines with catastrophic coverage with no deductible.  Connect with me or visit www.HIPnation.com for more info.

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 types of people don’t count?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “What types of people don’t count?,” my temple friend Richard listed,

• Members of the party not in power during a U.S. census.
• People who disagree with the party currently in power.
• People who suffer from arithmophobia.

And he added, “Please note that I used “bullets” in lieu of numbering the list, lest I further frighten the arithmophobes among us.

My adjunct executive friend Lindy replied, “I learned from my son, Tucker, ‘There are three kinds of people in this world.  Those who understand numbers and those who don’t.’   My thought is the people in line at the Fewer Than 10 Items checkout counter clearly with more than 10 items.”

My writing and sailing friend Rich observed, “Those that show up at the restaurant with eight people and a reservation for four” while my banking friend Tracey advised, “The ones with negative balances in their bank accounts.”

My sailing friend Norm declared, “Those that don't vote!”  And my social media friend Mark responded, “You know. If you don’t know, you don’t count.”

My cousin Greg noted, “Those of us who aren't mathematically inclined” to which my interfaith-activities friend Ann expounded, “Non-statisticians, non-accountants, most businessmen and, dare I say it, blondes.”

My leadership training friend Stuart went deeper, writing, “Innumerate people don't count, just as illiterate people don't read.”

My website performance friend Taz called out, “Babies, because they haven’t learned, and they only think about themselves.”

My friends Paul and Bob simply pointed out, “Ones with no fingers,” to which my sister-in-law Lorrie added, “those with no fingers or toes.  Fortunately, there are very few of them.”

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

We rest in peace.  Why don't we live in peace?

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

Hal

Healthcare coverage note if you’re in ATL and looking for individual or group healthcare.  There is a disruptive solution to replace Blue Cross, Kaiser and AmBetter that starts with unlimited primary healthcare with no co-pays for $100/month, and combines with catastrophic coverage with no deductible.  Connect with me or visit www.HIPnation.com for more info.

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 would the Pilgrims think of the Internet?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “What would the Pilgrims think of the Internet?,” my birthday bud Jon knew that, “They would think it may flower someday.”

My writing and sailing friend Rich concluded, “The same thing Baptists think about dancing, tsk, tsk, tsk.”

In that same vein, my sister-in-law Lorrie called out, “Blasphemy!! All these blasphemous opinions coming not from G-d but from - out there, in the air” to which my sailing friend Norm added, “The Pilgrims, being very devout and religious, would have thought the internet was G-d.  After all, it is everywhere and it knows everything.”  

While my temple friend Bob replied, “They would have liked it if had helped them make progress,” my adjunct exec friend Lindy expounded, “They would probably be amused by what they learn, such as that they landed in Plymouth, when I believe  the Mayflower first landed at the tip of Cape Cod, which is now Provincetown.  And they weren’t all as puritanical as history leads some to believe.  They would probably have a good laugh at the errors on the internet, as we all should.

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

What types of people don’t count?  (from my conversation w/ my sailing friend Phil)

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

Hal

Hope you had a chance to celebrate Arlo’s 50^th anniversary of Alice’s Restaurant this Thanksgiving. If you didn’t, here’s a link to an American treasure. 

Healthcare coverage note if you’re in ATL and looking for individual or group healthcare.  There is a disruptive solution to replace Blue Cross, Kaiser and AmBetter that starts with unlimited primary healthcare with no co-pays for $100/month, and combines with catastrophic coverage with no deductible.  Connect with me or visit www.HIPnation.com for more info.

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 do we know if animals need glasses?

In response to last week’s question, “How do we know if animals need glasses?,” my writing and sailing friend Rich concluded, “They bite the hand that feeds them,” to which my dad’s beach buddy Bob agreed, adding, “I even know some people like that.”

My cycling friend Ted observed, “When the dog mistakes the cat for a fire hydrant.”

My temple friend Bob advised, “When we see them lapping water directly from a stream or trough.  Or, when Rover is humping your leg when there's a beautiful female collie nearby.”  Another temple friend, Lesley, shared, “If we could get an animal, other than a human, into one of these Autorefractors.”

My social media friend Mark replied, “If their face keeps falling INTO their drinking bowl, switch them to glasses.   As we age, drinking from a bowl is just too much, and a little undignified if you ask me.  (Or for glasses, did you mean spectacles)?”

And then my equestrian friend Royce called out the simplest reply, “If they are in the optician’s office.”

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

What would the Pilgrims think of the Internet?

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

Hal

Thank you to the hundreds of people who attended our 13^th Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration plus hundreds more who watched online.  After about 90 minutes of spoken reflections and music from people of many faiths, many colors and many origins, Rabbi Lebow offered a closing comment, “This is what America looks like.’

Best wishes for a moist, savory turkey this year.  We’ll be frying ours.

Healthcare coverage note if you’re in ATL and looking for individual or group healthcare.  There is a disruptive solution to replace Blue Cross, Kaiser and AmBetter that starts with unlimited primary healthcare with no co-pays for $100/month, and combines with catastrophic coverage with no deductible.  Connect with me or visit www.HIPnation.com for more info.

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.

Can you be predictably irrational?

In response to last week’s question, “Can you be predictably irrational?,” my birthday bud Jon declared, “Always.  Sometimes.”

My neighbor Al acknowledged, “Yes as long as there are women in this world,” to which my social media friend Mark added , “I refuse to comment this week, as my desire to remain married continues.”

My PR friend Stan cautioned, “Sure, just try to talk to me before I’ve had my coffee. After that, my irrationality is entirely UN-predictable.”

My thought-leadership friend Paul replied, “Dang, Hal.  One of my favorite books over the last few years IS “Predictably Irrational” by Dan Ariely.   Fun read for marketers or change leaders - turns out the ‘bad’ news is we don’t always act as economic or marketing theory would suggest (not rational decision-makers); the ‘good’ news is we behave consistently, so easy to adjust.”

My writing and sailing friend Rich called out, “If the sun came up this morning, it is pretty predictable that some knucklehead out there will cause me to have a nutty.”

My temple friend Tracey noted, “Anyone who is irrational a lot can be predictably irrational. I have several relatives like that.”

My temple friend Richard wrote, “I believe the headlines these days from Washington, DC, make the answer self-evident.  My cycling friend Ted replied, “Just watch CNN!! No particular president's name mentioned!” to which my temple friend Kevin pointed out, “Donald Trump.”

My equestrian friend Royce admitted, “In my case, some may want to know if I can be predictably "rational" while another thought leadership friend (and newest contributor) Anand wrote, “No, but I can be unpredictably rational.”

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

      How do we know if animals need glasses?

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

Hal

There were additional responses to the prior week’s question that didn’t get shared:  My photographer friend Thomas shared that, “A good scare is when the universe warns you about something while you can still do something about it.”  My social media friend Mark replied, “A good scare is one that is something that could really happen. And endures for a while.” My jeweler friend Bill described his good scare as, “a deposit in your bank account that you did not make.”

My temple friend Richard shared, “I had a sudden, albeit belated, though, “A good scare would be for a nonagenarian (90+ years of age) man to be named in a paternity suit by a 20-year-old woman. Of course, that might be more a source of pride than fear.”  And my videographer friend Ivan  wrote, “Joe. Joe MAMA!!!!  Ahhhh yes, mothers guilt trips, along with her favorite local wine (in NY whiney voice) “Why can’t we go to Miami?”  The Vatican is probably the best ticket seller of guilt trips having satellite offices all over the globe with agents operating the offices everywhere.  The Jews got tickets for guilt trips too of course.  How many Jews does it take to screw in a light bulb. (in NY whiney voice) "Don’t mind me, I’ll just sit here in the dark.”

Thu, Nov 16 will be an inspiring, uplifting evening to kick-off the holiday season.  I’m involved in the planning of the 13^th Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration, which is in Marietta and streamed online.  Here is event info to attend in person and if you want to watch it live.  NOTE:  If you are attending in person, plan to arrive closer to 6:30p and carpool if possible.

Healthcare coverage note if you’re in ATL and looking for individual or group healthcare.  There is a disruptive solution to replace Blue Cross, Kaiser and AmBetter that starts with unlimited primary healthcare with no co-pays for $100/month, and combines with catastrophic coverage with no deductible.  Connect with me or visit www.HIPnation.com for more info.

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 a good scare?

In response to last week’s question, “What is a good scare?,” my adjunct executive friend Lindy noted, “As I am a timid girl, I find the question to be an oxymoron.  There is no such thing as a good scare.  Not even thinking you’re pregnant to later learn it was a false alarm.”

My sailing friend Norm acknowledged, “At my age it’s when I’m driving in my own neighborhood and don’t recognize where I am and feel lost!”

My attorney friend Phillip warned, “Donald Trump with the nuclear codes” while my equestrian friend Royce cautioned, “A letter from the IRS.”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob replied, “When you have finally found your cell phone that you thought you lost 2 days ago.”

My IT management friend Kosol declared, “A good scare is when I’m not the person being scared.”

And my cycling friend Ted, who is also a private pilot, advised, “When you are flying a 1959 Piper Apache (twin engine) at night over hilly terrain and one engine quits! (But luckily a run through the emergency checklist reveals an unlocked fuel primer, and re-seating it restarts the engine! This was indeed pilot error for failing to check it before takeoff) A Good Scare is always educational for a soon to be Multi Engine Commercial pilot rating!”

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

      Can you be predictably irrational?

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

Hal

Healthcare note if you’re in ATL and looking for individual or group healthcare.  There is a disruptive solution to replace Blue Cross, Kaiser and AmBetter that starts with unlimited primary healthcare with no co-pays for $100/month, and combines with catastrophic coverage with no deductible.  Get a free ticket here to hear Dr Brian Hill and Herman Cain discuss this at Cobb Galleria on Tue, Nov 7 at 7p, or visit www.HIPnation.com for more info.

Thu, Nov 16 will be an inspiring, uplifting evening to kick-off the holiday season.  I’m involved in the planning of the 13^th Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration, which is in Marietta and streamed online.  Here is event info to attend in person and if you want to watch it live.

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 are you compensating for?

In response to last week’s question, “What are you compensating for?,” my sailing friend Norm admitted, “When I say something stupid, I am compensating for being too smart!”

My temple friend Henry concluded, “I’m compensating for the fact that everyone else is too tall!”

My adjunct executive friend Lindy acknowledged, “I often find myself compensating for poor grammar, such as sentences ending in prepositions.”

And my dad’s beach buddy Bob shared, “As I drink my 3rd martini (and instructing the bartender to mix a 4th), I try to find a compensating factor that allowed us to graduate the ignorant "D of F" students who then moved into the NFL to earn multi-million dollar salaries.”

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

      What is a good scare?

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

Hal

Here’s a Halloween treat – it’s a 21 second video to download.

Thu, Nov 16 will be an inspiring, uplifting evening to kick-off the holiday season.  I’m involved in the planning of the 13^th Annual Ecumenical Thanksgiving Celebration, which is in Marietta and streamed online.  Here is event info to attend in person and if you want to watch it live.

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.

Why is it called Uranus?

In response to last week’s question, “Why is it called Uranus?,”  my birthday bud Jon declared, “Because Myanus would just sound rude.  ‘Gee, I hope NASA decides to explore Myanus…’ ” to which my social media friend Mark added, “Who would name a planet after their own anus?”

My adjunct executive Lindy pondered, “Why not? It has to be named something” to which my cycling friend Ted called out, ”Cause Yours Ain't Mine!”

My neighbor Al advised, “Because at my age no one talks about my anus.”

My equestrian friend Royce determined it is “because it's at the ass end of our planetary system.”  Then my dad’s beach buddy Bob explained, “It's a Greek thing.  They estimate that there are at least 3100 persons in the world having this name which is around 0.001% of the population. The name Uranus has six characters. It means that it is relatively medium-length, not too long or far away from the real thing.”

And my Yiddish temple friend Bob sarcastically replied, “The planet was discovered by William Herschel, a British astronomer, born in Hanover Germany, who was of German and Czech-Jewish origin.  He first considered calling it Meinarschloch or Euretookus, but was talked out of it by his mother who preferred HerschelHighway.  It was his sister, Caroline, a fellow astronomer who finally decided on Uranus because of her fondness for cabbage.

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

      What are you compensating for?

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.

What makes something edible?

In response to last week’s question, “What makes something edible?,” my adjunct executive friend Lindy observed, “Anything is edible that someone is willing to put in their mouths.  Volunteering in church nursery, I’ve seen that absolutely everything is edible – if it can be put in your mouth, it’s edible” to which my dad’s beach buddy Bob added, “when you get beyond the smell.”

My writing and sailing friend Rich concluded, “Edible means you can eat it and survive. Delicious means you can eat it and get fat and happy.” My cycling friend Ted called out, “There is great Wisdom in Brevity, so: BBQ Sauce!” And my temple friend Vivian’s brevity was, “When it’s chocolate!”

My temple friend Richard shared, “My philosophy has always been that if I am hungry enough, I will eat anything that isn’t nailed down…and if I can pry it loose, it isn’t nailed down!  The other great description that I once heard (and have used more than once) is ‘I’m so hungry I could the northbound end of a southbound skunk.’ ” 

When my temple friend Bob  declared, “Hunger,” my social media friend Mark expounded, “Only two things. 1. Hunger (I’m gonna starve if I don’t eat something”) and 2. Alcohol (“hey y’all, watch me eat this”)

My cousin Wes  replied, “If doesn't kill you or make you deathly ill, with exception of anything made of beets (except sugar beets), or slimmy cooked spinach, or liver or….enough said.”

My neighbor Al noted, “Ed has the same rights as anyone. So you have to look at Ed's capabilities and limitations to see if he is able.”  My cousin Valarie agreed, sharing, “If it's something my favorite uncle, Ed, is willing to do, it's edible. And he's willing to do a lot--he has wound layers and layers of fabric around the frame of a Piper Cub airplane* to restore it (and then flown it for years!), played handball for decades, climbed Machu Picchu in his 70s. So anything adventuresome that brings joy to life is Edible.”

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

      Why is it called Uranus? (From my disc golf friend Blake)

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

Hal

*The Piper J-3 Cub is an American light aircraft that was built between 1937 and 1947, its fuselage a welded steel frame covered in fabric, seating two people in tandem. And I remember as an adult sticking my finger out through the gap where the door was held in place by a slide bolt!

Syracuse over #2 Clemson in football.  Syracuse’s biggest victory in, well, um, this century.  ;-)

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.

Is judging the fun part?

In response to last week’s question, “Is judging the fun part?”, my cycling friend Ted recalled, “Of course it is!! We did that in college with our notorious Beer Goggles on!”  Then my sailing friend Jan cautioned, “Judging is a burden. Not judging is liberating. "Let him without sin cast the first stone" and all that. Who likes to throw stones at people? It’s hard work. Having a beer with someone is much easier. “ 

My son Zak declared, “This is 100% of why the Internet exists.  There are plenty of metrics about attention.”

My temple friend Richard noted, “Being the judge certainly beats the heck out of being the defendant. However, in marriage, the rule is ‘Judge not, lest ye be judged…or divorced.’ ”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob observed, “I definitely think it would be great at a beauty pageant.  Selecting the best essay for a sholarship is not as pleasant because you know someone deserving will not get the help they need,” to which my equestrian friend Royce added, “Only if it's a Ms. Nude USA contest.”

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

      What makes something edible?

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

Hal

My temple friend Sherri wanted to pass along her appreciation, as a Jewish mother, for Richard’s reply last week, “They will book your guilt trip free of charge, even if you hadn’t planned to take the trip at all!”  

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.

Who is a travel agent for a guilt trip?

In response to last week’s question, “Who is a travel agent for a guilt trip?”,

Rich Jones For my sins the list is long and full of annoyed women. His is why my grandmother told me that I need to start every conversation I have with a woman with “I’m sorry”.  

My cousin Greg declared, “Usually my mother,” to which my adjunct executive friend Lindy pointed out, “In my experience, Catholic mothers but my son says mothers in general.” 

My temple friend Tracey said, “Definitely a Jewish mother” which she is one of.  My PR friend Stan and cycling friend Ted agreed, “A Jewish mother. Nu, who else?”  And my temple friend Lesley added, “Any Jewish female who is someone's Mother or Grandmother.”  (Best wishes to Lesley and his wife Melanie on their son’s bar mitzvah this weekend.)

My temple friend Richard explained, “Parents in general, and Jewish mothers, in particular, are the expert travel agents for guilt trips.  In fact, they will book your trip free of charge, even if you hadn’t planned to take the trip at all!  They are Travelocity and Trivago all rolled into one for guilt trips.  They get you there fast and there’s always room for you at the Heartbreak Hotel.  My college roomie John concurred, “As parents, we are guilty.”

My equestrian friend Royce replied, “Anyone that you can blame.”

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

      Is judging the fun part?

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.

“What is the role for today’s pirate?

In response to last week’s question, “What is the role for today’s pirate?,”  my baseball loving friend Richard lamented, “In baseball, most years it’s finishing out of contention for a playoff spot.”  He then added, “Pirates also serve as landing strips for parrots.”

My adjunct executive friend Lindy observed, “French pirates prefer croissants.  A British pirate might prefer English muffins. If there were Polish pirates, they would desire Bublik.  All rolls are not equal.”

My sister Lorrie declared, “Two words - Wall Street” to which my equestrian friend Royce’s two words were, “Wells Fargo.”  And my college roomie John concluded, “Hacking into a company like Equifax.”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob complained, “To blow smoke into everyone's face so they can't see what is coming......It's the political way of life.”

My collaboration friend Tricia explained, “I think pirates are good for Halloween costumes and funny jokes with Arrrrrr. Also, my favorite pirate is Captain Jack Sparrow  - for obvious reasons. Lol!  On the other hand, I think real life pirates remind us that the world is not a perfect place, but one of adventure and a quest for treasure. Aren't we all on a quest for some kind of treasure?  Hmmmm. Arrrrrrr we pirates?!

My cycling friend Ted recalled, “They give sailing lessons on Lake Lanier, coax you while you're out there, and then bring you back for some good beer and barbecue.”

And my sailing friend Norm’s research concluded, “Like always, theft and mayhem.  Just check out the quarterly Pirate Report in Cruising Outpost Magazine Spring 2017 Issue (see bottom of this email).

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

       Who is a travel agent for a guilt trip?

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

Hal

To my Jewish friends and family, wishing y’all a Happy New Year.  To them and everyone during these Days of Awe, may your be inscribed in the Book of Life for 5778.

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.

From Cruising Outpost Magazine Spring 2017 Issue:

ACTIVE PIRACY REPORT from the ICC - A Narrative of the Most Recent Attacks (as of press time) 

April 29, 2017 - 0737 UTC, around 47nm SW of Bonny Islands, Nigeria: Armed pirates in a speedboat approached and boarded a general cargo vessel underway. Alarm raised, SSAS activated and all crew retreated into the citadel. The Owners notified the IMB Piracy Reporting Centre, who in turn informed and liaised with the Nigerian Navy. A naval vessel was dispatched to assist the vessel. The pirates' damaged ship’s equipment, stole crew cash and belongings and escaped before the naval team boarded the vessel to rescue the crew. All crew reported safe. 

April 28, 2017 - 0620 UTC, Georgetown Anchorage, Guyana: Duty officer on routine rounds onboard a seismic support vessel noticed a boat alongside the vessel and raised the alarm. Seeing the alerted crew, five robbers were seen escaping with stolen ship’s properties. 

April 22, 2017 - 1442 YTC, Around 5.7nm East of Somali Coast, Somalia: Six armed persons in a skiff chased and fired upon a tanker underway. Master raised the alarm and sent a distress message, to which a warship responded. The skiff chased the tanker for nearly two hours and then moved away due to the continuous evasive maneuvers. One crew reported injured. 

April 22, 2017 - 0300 LT, Batangas, Philippines: Unnoticed, robbers boarded an LPG tanker at berth, stole the ship’s properties and escaped. The theft was discovered by the crew during routine rounds. 

April 19, 2017 - 0845 UTC, around 59nm SSW of Brass, Nigeria: Nine pirates in a skiff approached and fired upon a tanker underway. Alarm raised, fire pumps started and non-essential crew retreated to the citadel. Vessel increased speed and conducted evasive maneuvers. While the Master communicated with the escort vessel the skiff was seen aborting and moving away. Crew and tanker reported safe.

Is love the killer app?

In response to last week’s question, “Is love the killer app?,” my marketing friend Rashida replied, “The killer appetizer? Yes. It's a prerequisite for most things that are good.”  Amen.

My dad’s beach buddy Bob advised, “I have heard that "love is Blind" but if you keep your eyes open it can be most fulfilling.”

My cousin Wes  concluded, “Love means nothing in tennis which kills your chances to win.”  And my temple friend Richard cautioned, “Not sure if love kills, but we know it injures.  After all, in the 1970s, the rock group Nazareth informed us that “Love Hurts.”

And for the fun of a song from Buddy Holly…later covered by Paul McCartney.

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

       What is the role for today’s pirate?

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

Hal

Tuesday is International Talk Life a Pirate day!  Have some fun.  How many times can you say Aargh, or other pirate terms posted here or here?  Don’t be a bilge rat or scurvy dog; have some fun.

My friend Andrew shared this story about mensch, “My sister's high school drama teacher was named "Mr. Mensch", and he was. With his training, she went on to win a full drama scholarship to college, best drama student in college, and a 30+ year career (so far) in Hollywood. I wish there were more mensches in this world.”

FYI:  If you have Blue Cross/Blue Shield for an individual health plan in ATL, it is being terminated 12/31/17.  For more info about a fascinating alternative that I’m very familiar with; ask me about HIPnation.

Aaarg.  Are you preparing for Talk Like a Pirate Day on Tue, Sep 19?

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.

“If all nations in the world as in debt, where has the money gone?

In response to last week’s question, “If all nations in the world as in debt, where has the money gone?,” my cycling friend Ted declared, “It went to the same place as that missing sock in the dryer -- another dimension!”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob concluded, “Some of them are obviously lying or you can check with your banker who seems to be getting fatter by the day,” to which my sailing friend Jan suggested, “In the pockets of politicians and their corporate cronies.”

My writing and sailing friend Rich shared, “If you are married to an equestrian you know the answer that that question.”

My sailing friend Norm lamented, "In smoke or in boondoggles" as my engineering friend Steve replied, “Directly to the toilet, I suspect.”

And my equestrian friend Royce recalled, “I think Peter, Paul, and Mary asked that same question in the 60's with their top 40 song Where has all the money gone?"

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

       Is love the killer app?

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

Hal

To all of our friends and family in FL, GA and AL:  Be smart, be safe, and be well.  To all of our GA friends and family who have opened their homes to FL friends, family and dogs, you are what makes GA a great place.  You are all mensches.

FYI:  If you have Blue Cross/Blue Shield for an individual health plan in ATL, it is being terminated 12/31/17.  For more info about a fascinating alternative that I’m very familiar with; ask me about HIPnation.

Aaarg.  Are you preparing for Talk Like a Pirate Day on Tue, Sep 19?

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.

For stress, who is a carrier?

In response to last week’s question, “For stress, who is a carrier?,” my writing and sailing friend Rich declared, “Everyone but the man in the mirror (and I am not too sure about him) .  To this, my temple friend Richard explained, “Anyone who drives you crazy while they remain calm and serene. I have always joked that I will not get an ulcer from my job, but that I am glad to be carrier.”

My dad’s beach buddy Bob announced, “Chuck Schumer” while my equestrian friend Royce called out, “Blue Cross/Blue Shield without a doubt.”  (See note below)

My cousin Greg created a pun with “My carrier Verizon Wireless gives me a lot of stress.”

My recruiting friend Jason rationalized, “Ourselves. Stress is a normal function, and yet we don’t live in the world where our stress reactions evolved.”

And my adjunct executive Lindy replied, “I think we should give it all to Dee, so we can de-stress.”

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

      If all nations in the world as in debt, where has the money gone?

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

Hal

Blue Cross/Blue Shield is terminating individual health plans in ATL.  A fascinating alternative that I’m very familiar with; ask me about HIPnation.

Congratulations to the many event leaders and volunteers that made Noshfest 2017 such a success.  Great food, entertainment, crafts and fun.  And thanks to our local friends and community for their attendance.

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.

When is it right to be left in the dark?

In response to last week’s question, "When is it right to be left in the dark?,” my birthday bud Jon declared, “While driving in England at night.”   My adjunct executive friend Lindy called out, “If you're right next to the light switch. My friend Caroline, who is sitting next to me on the beach at this moment, says ‘when you want to take a nap.’”

My writing and sailing friend Rich concluded, “When my wife is going to bring home another horse.  Like a force of nature there is nothing you can do to stop it so it is better just not to know.

My dad’s beach buddy Bob pointed out, “When it is gossip about your friends and family.”

My social media friend Mark advised, “It is always right to be left” while my production management friend Ray cautioned, “When the right side of the tunnel is flooding.”

My equestrian friend Royce shared, “during those intimate moments after everyone has left the party.”

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

       For stress, who is a carrier? (from my friend Kathy)

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

Hal

If you’re in Cobb/N Fulton or Cherokee counties, please join us Sun 11a-5p and Mon 11a-4p for Noshfest! 

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 do you want eclipsed (or e-clipsed)?

In response to last week’s question, "What do you want eclipsed (or e-clipsed)?,” my adjunct executive friend Lindy called out, “Definitely some nights in college . . . maybe a few years of my past marriage . . . and some really poor decisions I made. But doesn’t everyone want something similar?” 

My cycling friend Ted listed, “Want E-clipsed: my son's X-Box.  Want Eclipsed: my wife's trash TV shows.  Don't want eclipsed: my view at the movies, when without fail, an NBA player usually sits right in front on me!”

My temple friend Phil yearned, “After last week's events in Charlottesville, the answer is bigotry and the enabler-in-chief,” to which my social media friend Mark specified, “The Donald.”   My dad’s beach buddy Bob wanted, “our entire political system” eclipsed while my engineering friend Steve replied, “Government, at least a partial eclipse.”

And my cousin Greg hoped, “It would be impressive if I could get a total eclipse of the heart.”  Not sure if he was referring to the music video.

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

       When is it right to be left in the dark?

 

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

Hal

Here’s to sunny skies so that you can see the eclipse, which is moving past the Earth at 1,800 miles/hr.

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.