Why do we choose from just two people to run for president and over fifty for Miss America?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “Why do we choose from just  two people to run for president and over fifty for Miss America?,” my dad’s beach buddy Bob observed “There is much more to look at that doesn't challenge your intelligence.”   My engineering friend Steve called out, “Because Miss America isn’t as corrupt and doesn’t have someone to “collude” with as the Dems and Reps do with each other,” to which my birthday bud Jon simplified it, ”Which would you rather look at fifty of?”

My social media friend Mark lamented, “That is all the qualified people they can find. Although they were wrong to think there were two qualified candidates for president last time.”

When my equestrian friend Royce responded, “Ya know I've been asking myself that same question for way too many years,” my cycling friend Ted answered, “Because Miss America has so many more better candidates!”

My workforce training friend Jonathan pointed out, “Uhm...have you seen the field if Democrats lately; looks like there may be one candidate for every state by the end of the summer,” to which my temple friends Kevin and Bill agreed, “The way the Dems are joining the race, we may well get to 50 before it's over.”

And my biz development friend Ray noted, “Have you ever compared the presidents to the Miss America contestants? Hands down, it’s who wins that "beauty" contest!”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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

What do people who write "u" instead of "you" do with all the time they save?  (from my interfaith friend Ann)

Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, 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.

Is chocolate the answer?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “Is chocolate the answer?,”  my cousin Valarie declared, “Yes! Yes! Yes! What was the question? :-) “

My temple friend Richard called out, “If chocolate isn’t the answer, then it is quite clear you are asking the wrong question,” to which my social media friend Mark agreed, “Yes, no matter the question,”

While my cycling friend Ted purported, “It is the answer to many a question!,” my biz development friend Ray countered, “The simple answer is YES.”

My temple friend Viv explained, “Chocolate is the answer to everything--even your health.  It has been proven that dark chocolate is healthy.  Therefore, I have to take care of myself and have some chocolate everyday.  Yummy!”  Then my college roomie John added, “Yes, it used to be milk chocolate, but now it's dark chocolate!”

My sailing friend Norm replied, “Yes and no.  Let's see, chocolate originally was native to Central and South America and now mostly is grown in Africa.  Coffee was native to Africa and the Middle East and now is mostly grown in Central America.  And nothing tastes better than a combination of coffee and chocolate.  So whether it is the answer to something, who knows. But when either or both are mixed with milk and sugar, they are irresistible.”   

With my equestrian friend Royce retorting, "In what fashion and/or form?”, my dad’s beach buddy Bob announced, “Ahh yes, consumed daily at my age beats sex.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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

Why do we choose from just  two people to run for president and over fifty for Miss America ?

Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

With today being Presidents’ Day, many people forget Lincoln’s Birthday was Tue, 2/12 and Washington’s Birthday is 2/22, so Presidents’ Day combined these 2 former holidays. Also in February, few know that Ronald Reagan was born on Feb 6* and fewer know that on Feb 9, our 9^th president was born, William Harrison.  October has the most presidential births with 6.

Then again, should we celebrate 45 presidents instead of 2?

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 imponderable question, “What’s the purpose of a beard? (in honor of Abe Lincoln’s birthday on Feb 12),”  my birthday bud Jon called-out, “It’s a distraction while my equestrian friend Royce shared the practical aspects, “It keeps your face warm in winter and the gnats away in summer.”

My IT support friend Kim declared, “A beard is like a bib.  It’s so you can catch all your food and save it for later,” to which my cousin Greg added, “It’s a good old-fashioned flavor saver.”

My temple friend Kevin noted, “To avoid shaving as much as possible,” while my sailing friend Norm countered, “It tickles the thi....s !”

My writing and sailing friend Rich explained, “To cover up for the fact that your genome does include number 157 (Kirk Douglas Chin) – Of course the one who passed on that genome to me, dear old dad used to say about my beard, “I don’t know why you are cultivating something on your face that I’ve got growing wild on my back side.”  

My friend in Utah Bruce  expounded, “The purpose of a beard is an outward social visual clue that you are not a hypocrite...follow me on this...As a man matures the  physical normal response to testosterone is the growth of facial hair. Now mixing this with the Peter Pan Principle that all men wish to remain boys, the subject (in an effort to appear young) removes the facial hair - thus becoming a hypocrite.” 

And my PR friend Stan suggested, “The beard could be considered the world’s first tracking device for men. The razor became a stealth device.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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

Is chocolate the answer? May Valentine’s day be a to appreciate those who love you.

Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

And for Thu, love the one your with:  Aretha, and by  CNSY.

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.

Would you rather be right or happy?

In response to last week’s imponderable question, “Would you rather be right or happy?,” my temple friend Richard concluded, “I am usually quite happy when it turns out I am right.  I am also usually quite surprised.”

My collaboration friend Paul gasped, “Jeez, Hal.  The easiest question ever (for those who have seen Wonder).   When given the choice between being right and being kind, choose kind.   Making that choice is much more likely to make you happy.”

My writing and sailing friend Rich cautioned, “I would rather be happy than say to my wife, ‘I hate being right as much as you hate me being right and I realize that no good will come from this.’”

My cycling friend Ted advised, “Oh just ask any married man--much better to be happy!” to which my college roomie John concurred, “I understand in order for a husband to stay married, it is better to be happy than right.  There are always exceptions to the rule!” And my cousin Wes added, “If you are a married man and want to be happy, then you are wrong and she is right.”  

My dad’s beach buddy Bob dreamed, “I would be happy to be right for once in my life when arguing with my wife.”

My optimist equestrian friend Royce declared, “...but I am always right and happy so I guess I am exempt” while my social media friend Mark lamented, “Apparently I’d rather be wrong and unhappy.”

My production management friend Ray shared, “Both right and happy are situational. I'd much rather be joyous. And I know I'm right in saying that which makes me very happy. Namaste.”

And my sister-in-law Lorrie called out, “I believe it would be a bit southern to say:  I'm gonna be right happy.”

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

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

What’s the purpose of a beard? in honor of Abe Lincoln’s birthday on Feb 12

Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile!

Hal

Heard by one of my sailing friends, “I’m not watching the Super Bowl this weekend.  I don’t really like baseball.”

As to Phillip' s comment about “What is public service?” the week before last, my cousin Wes asked, “does not Nancy Pelosi  have responsibility too?”

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.