What’s This About?

Lots of Questions…

I had a nuclear stress test Friday. One of the technicians asked me if I had any questions. I said I’ve got one:

“I’ve noticed that horse races often start at odd times, such as 1:43 pm. Why is that?”

Of course, she had no answer, but she acknowledged it is “a good question”. (I often use that question when asked if I have “any”. In every instance, that wasn’t the type question the questioner expected.)

There are many such ‘mysteries’ in life. Such as, why are the lapels on men’s suit coats folded at different lengths?

Why was I experiencing hallucinations during part of the test: I was wondering, among other things, why one wall to my right was plywood and not extending to the ceiling? (There was no wall there, and there certainly would not be a plywood one in a hospital!)

Why are some traffic lights, which should be traffic-actuated, not? There are at least two in my town that seem to arbitrarily turn against on-coming traffic, causing — in a residential area with little traffic — unconscionable delays and wastes of gasoline.

When is A ‘Dollar’ Not a ‘Dollar’?

The fastest growing category of food/general merchandise markets in the US is the ‘dollar store’ sector. Of the three largest companies — Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree, only one — Dollar Tree, prices everything at $1.00. Neither of the other two actually offer much if anything for one dollar. Why is that?

Why, in song and real life, do people say the likes of “empty bottle of beer”? If it’s empty, it’s not a bottle of anything.

Why do so many people, including many in the business, pronounce the word ‘Realtor’ as if there were an ‘A’ between the ‘L’ and the ‘T’?

Why, in Britain, is the hospital department where emergencies are treated referred to as the “Accident and Emergency” one? Isn’t an accident serious to require immediate medical care an emergency?

Why do so many commercials (and actual people, as well) say something is available “for free”. What’s the ‘for’ for?

No doubt you have questions of your own. Chances are I don’t have answers for those, either.