Monday, April 12, 2010

Gullibility and universal balance

Dear friends,

I wanted to write a really hilarious April Fool's post - one that would have you reeling in shock, and then rolling your eyes at your own gullibility in falling for it. But it turns out that, sadly, I do not have the prankster gene. Instead I have the complete opposite: what is known in scientific circles as "the sucker" gene.

For instance, when I was a young lass, my aunt and uncle kindly invited me on a trip with them to Myrtle Beach. I was thrilled because I had never been to the ocean before, and I wanted to leap through the waves like some sort of freakish dolphin-human hybrid. Then, my sisters got to me. They told me (snickering behind their hands) that it was shark season at the beach, and that if I set even one toe in the water I might as well lather myself up in ketchup and mustard and set sail in a giant hot dog bun for the sharks to gobble. Thus it was that no matter how hard my uncle tried to convince me that there were no sharks longer than 18 inches anywhere near the beach, I refused to swim in any body of water larger than the hotel pool (which, considering all the little kids peeing in it, was probably far more dangerous).

How I spent my summer vacation, by Susan.


All my life I've been easy prey for those of twisted minds who would seek out the simple and trusting for their own nefarious plans. Even when I try to be untrusting, I still inevitably give in to the evil logic used by people who are capable of pranking. If I was famous it would be me crying to my mom on the phone while Ashton Kutcher's hired hands "repossessed" my favorite guitars, instead of Justin Timberlake (incidentally, while that is the only episode of Pranked I have ever watched, it is also my favorite).

"Mommyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! Ashton's being mean to meeeeee!"


I've pondered about this problem. How is it that in the same family there can be two such devious masterminds as my sisters, and *me*? I finally realized that it all has to do with cosmic balance. In order for the universe to properly exist without blowing up, there must be yin and yang, black and white, good and bad, pranker and prankee.


So, long story short: the reason that I didn't try and trick anyone with a brilliant April Fool's joke is that if I were to be successful, the universe itself might explode. You're all welcome.

9 comments:

Kristina P. said...

Haha. It's so true. We all need balance. SO I think you.

Greg and Tammy said...

I hate to think it. But, I'm sure I was part of the "shark horror" stories that led to your demise. Please accept my sincere apology... but you must know that I was giggling through your post. :)

Garrett B said...

You definitely have the "funny" gene. Unfortunately, according to you theory of universal balance, you have taken it at the expense of the people at my work. Thanks a lot.

Janell said...

Listen, if it makes you feel any better, James and family came to visit me and stayed close by in a hotel. They got in late at night and the next morning James' wife called and said they were at the police station. Shocked, I asked what happened and she said James got in a fight in the hotel parking lot and they ended up at the station. I start freaking out and she laughs and says April Fools! Of course I don't know whats sadder, that I was suckered or that I could totally see this happening.

Lisa Sanderson said...

So one time I convinced a cousin of Holly and Mary's that the dark blue spots in bear lake were from an ink carrying plane crash. hehehehe...that was pretty funny. You got that gullible gene from Grandma Mary, I never knew anyone as trusting as her, and all her children knew it too.

MBK said...

And, no matter how many times your father and I told you to ignore the devilish people around you, everytime you believed THEM and not US. Hmmm, is there a lesson here somewhere?

However, you can always depend on the dog. She loves you best.

Rachel said...

I'm sorry, I'll pay for your (shark tank/exposure...hehe) therapy -- Rachel

PS - your blog's "making sure you're not a crazy internet virus thing" word is: cloggy. What a great word. I'm going to try and use it in a work meeting today, "this sentence reads a little cloggy." "your logic is cloggy." "your shoes are a bit cloggy."

bjohnston said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bjohnston said...

When you have two people who prank equally, it causes prank wars. These wars end up in Garrett hanging all my underwear from the ceiling and me hanging up pictures from lingerie ads in his bedroom and then telling on him to my mom. Not a pretty picture.