A Potpourri of Puzzling Problems

Give your head a break with some lighter news

Published: Monday, March 13, 2017 - 12:01

Our universe seems to be in a state of flux, discombobulation, and transmutation. Every day a new issue surfaces that boggles the mind. It could be a debate on the number of people at the inauguration, a discussion of “alternative facts,” the Dakota pipeline access, severe snowstorms on the East Coast, European terrorist attacks, criminal and police confrontations, building of walls, and illegal immigrant deportations. And that is just in one day.

So let’s lighten the atmosphere somewhat and look at some other issues that might be less provocative.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, besides ruling a rogue country, has the world’s strangest haircut. No one walks into a beauty parlor and says: “Give me the Kim Jong Un” unless you live in North Korea and are in fear of your life.

Lots of radio stations play the Oldies—songs from the ’50s and ’60s that are classics. Years from now will the songs and rap we hear nowadays be considered “oldies” and played on those stations?

Baseball administration wants to shorten extra-inning games. The plan, which will be tried out in the minor leagues, is to place a runner on second base at the beginning of each extra inning. The thought is that a single will bring in the winning run. This is not baseball as far as I am concerned, so leave it alone.

Speaking of changes in sports, there are some who want to eliminate the flip of a coin to decide who gets the football in overtime. We saw that happen during the recent Super Bowl LI when the Patriots won the toss, elected to receive, and won the game. Fair? Yes, that’s how the game is played.

Kellogg’s is laying off hundreds of employees because we evidently are not eating as much cereal for breakfast as we once did. There are so many choices now for breakfast that I guess fewer people like the sound of snap, crackle, and pop from Rice Krispies at 7 a.m.

Potholes in my area are so large that squirrels are making homes in the crannies. Perhaps instead of tar, the various road commission employees should bring peanuts.

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, who will be in jail for the next 28 years, lost his appeal for a pardon and now wants the money he owes the city to be reduced if not completely eliminated. I guess he figures the 38 cents an hour he gets for various chores around the hoosegow will not pay down his debt.

Disneyland just raised its one-day fee to $115. All that to interact with a couple of mice. For that price I would want the Seven Dwarfs to wash and clean my car and rotate the tires.

So there you have it. Hope I brightened your day.

About The Author

Bill Kalmar

William J. Kalmar has extensive business experience, including service with a Fortune 500 bank and the Michigan Quality Council, of which he served as director from 1993 through 2003. He served on the Board of Overseers of the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program and has been a Baldrige examiner. He was also named quality professional of the year by the ASQ Detroit chapter. Now semiretired, Kalmar does freelance writing for several publications. He is a member of the USA Today Vacation Panel, a mystery shopper for several companies, and a frequent presenter and lecturer.