What is a donation of your free time worth?

In response to last week’s question, "What is a donation of your free time worth?," my videographer friend Ivan advised, "To the Sand Dollar that I spent 3 seconds to pick up and throw back in to the ocean, it meant everything."    To this, my cycling friend Ted added, "To those who need it, it's priceless!"   And my wise collaboration friend Tricia counseled, "A donation of one's free time is immeasurable. You can never know when you might change someone's life with a single moment, a smile, a kindness. And you may never know at all, however, you can be sure that doing good is never a waste of time or energy. Go out and donate your time."

My dad's beach buddy Bob noted, "It depends on your competence level in what you are offering," to which my temple friend Lesley expounded, "It is worth the gain to the cause receiving the donation plus whatever satisfaction one gains from helping."

My writing and sailing friend Rich declared, "If you have learned that there is no such thing as a free lunch after our time together, then my time with you will have been priceless."

My IT support friend Kosol replied, "Many people say time is money.  To me, time is more valuable than money.  You are unable to buy time that you have lost or time that has passed.  With everyone so busy with their lives, day to day tasks, and family,  being able to donate time to someone else or for a cause is truly priceless.  So when someone does donate their time, understand what they are sacrificing in their lives for you or your cause." 

My temple friend Richard pointed out, "Since price tends to rise as availability of a precious resource shrinks, I would say my free time is priceless. However, some would argue that 'valueless' is more accurate in my case. I’m not much, but I’m all I’ve got."

While my dog rescue CPA friend Kate replied, "A lot!," my social media friend Mark responded, "Whatever you can slip by the IRS," to which my equestrian friend Royce disclosed, "A value of my donated time is contingent upon whether or not I owe the IRS."

And my temple friend Bob again called upon his "uncle Leo, who says, 'it makes you feel good about yourself.' "

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

Why are there no female polygamists?

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

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.

What is the measure of basic intelligence? + an MLK Day question

In response to last week’s question, "What is the measure of basic intelligence?," my writing and sailing friend Rich declared, "It is known as the 'hey dude, watch this' test.  If you burn off a single eyebrow you score a 3, if you burn off both eyebrows you score a 6. If you don’t survive then the measure is taken using the Darwin scale. See Dina Soars 'Extinction is Distinction' for additional information."  

My thought-leadership friend Paul noted, "Easiest question you’ve ever asked.  How much you realize you don’t know."  My dad's beach buddy Bob pointed out "It's the ability to determine what is good or evil."

While my temple friend Bob references "my uncle Leo," another temple friend Bill observed, "I am not sure what the unit of measure would be, but with some people I have run across it would have to small to measure."

My network management friend Andrew explained, "it's the ability to program in the BASIC language (one of the first programming languages, created at Dartmouth in the 1960s. Yes, I have programmed in it.)."

My cycling friend Ted declared, " 'Basic' intelligence is not having to remind a teenager to shower or brush their teeth. However, expectations and reality are 2 different things."

My cousin Valarie shared this logic, "The MEASURE can't be FEET because basic intelligence doesn't get one very far. Can't be POUNDS because no one can pound intelligence into another. Certainly not LIGHT YEARS because that goes way beyond basic. Anyone who has observed college graduates knows not to measure by DEGREES. Maybe GRAMS because basic intelligence doesn't seem very weighty. And when someone is MILES ahead of others, it usually refers more to book learning or scheming. Could be WATTS since a really intelligent person is considered bright, and basic intelligence is closer to dimwit. I know the measure! My grandma would say of someone, "he ain't got an OUNCE of common sense." I'll bet basic intelligence could be measured the same way."

My equestrian friend Royce queried, "And with so many stupid people roaming around one has to ask 'What is intelligence?' " to which my hiking friend Kelly quoted, "Stupid is as stupid does – Forrest Gump."

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

What is a donation of your free time worth? in honor of MLK Day being a national day of service

Life  is too short for drama and petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, and forgive quickly.

Hal

Martin Luther King Day has become a national day of service.  Whether you help someone or something today or any other day of the year, it is this spirit of helping our fellow citizens (including the 4 legged ones) that makes our society strong.

And 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.

What do you see when you reflect back?

In response to last week’s question, "What do you see when you reflect back?," my writing and sailing friend Rich offered, "A gray haired version of the 10 year old me, who still likes to ask for forgiveness instead of permission."

My sailing friend Kurt confessed, "I wonder what the guy on the other side of the glass is thinking, and does he laugh at some of the really dum s--t I've done. I know I do."  My neighbor Al noted, "Mostly hair.  I've always had a hairy back."

My dad's beach buddy Bob professed, "A few people I would like to croak.  They were pure evil and sacrificed others for their own gain."

My videographer friend Ivan replied, "Redundancy.  (Reflect.  Reflect Back comes from the department of redundancy department.)" to which my social media friend Mark concurred, "I cancelled out your double negative for a clearer picture and I don't see nothing."

My temple friend Tracey replied, "My big, fat butt! Time to start that New Year's diet."

And my equestrian friend Royce wisely advised, "To paraphrase the immortal Satchel Paige: Don't look back 'cause those past reflections may be catching up with you."

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

What is the measure of basic intelligence? (from my friend Corey)

Life  is too short for drama and petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, and forgive quickly.

Hal

And 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.

Who is your person of the year?

In response to last week’s question, "Who is your person of the year?, my sailing friend Mike cautioned, "It sure isn't Caitlyn Jenner."

My temple friend Lesley interpreted my question as more of an answer, " Yes, Who is my person of the year," adding that when Chin-lung Hu played for the Cleveland Indians a few years ago, "it was hilarious!"

My temple friend Tracey declared, "Definitely my husband, who puts up with me every day," to which my neighbor Al concurred, "My wife, Elaine.  Anyone who can put up with me for 33+ years deserves it."  My writing and sailing friend Rich also gave a shout out to his spouse, "Sweet Jane, She still makes me laugh."  

My cycling friend Ted wrote, "Considering all the butt heads out there in the world it seems like the only one I can count on is my wife! So I nominate Carey Chipps!"    And my BBQ friend Alan teased, "For Runner up, you for being my friend.   For #1, Your wife for putting up with you!" 

My dad's beach buddy Bob pointed out "I  have another week to contemplate that question.  Dr. Ben Carson is at the top of the list."  Meanwhile, my equestrian friend Royce wrote from a rainy beach, "Does anyone really care?"

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

What do you see when you reflect back?

Life  is too short for drama and petty things, so kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly, and forgive quickly.

Hal

And 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.