I can clearly remember when I sold shoes way back in the day and my boss and a co-worker tried to get me to go into the rest room, where they’d rigged up a bucket of water to fall on me. The bait was a first aid kit that I knew was not “on the back of the toilet.” Yuck, who would put a first aid kit there?? Anyway, the point is that I did not fall for it, but I did appreciate their effort and I would have laughed at the drenching.

My daughter told me that her friends talked her into calling her boyfriend at school, they go to different schools, and telling him that she is pregnant. His reaction, “Well, my life is over,” which of course it would not be, but still my heart ached for him when I heard what she had done. It must have felt like an instant punch to the gut. He works so hard at school and every day he talks about his plans to become a firefighter. Why would she think that putting that in jeopardy would be humorous? 

She told me that her friend had a teacher from school (which seriously makes me question this teacher’s common sense) call her Aunt, whom she lives with, to tell her that she had been caught at school with drugs in her backpack. She said that she was going to call me with the same news, but didn’t have a chance. I was flabbergasted.

What is this kid thinking of?  Unplanned pregnancies and drug busts as humor?  When did April Fools turn into horrify your friends and family day? 

I tried to explain my point of view to her. I said, “It would be like me calling you to say that I had cancer, when I don’t.” She said that would be horrible, because cancer kills.  I tried to explain that these other things were huge and life-altering, as well. We did not have a meeting of the minds. We both ended up frustrated, which is no kind of fun or joke for anybody.

What do you think?  What do you consider an appropriate or inappropriate April Fools Day joke or prank?

Bucket of water on the head = funny
Teenage pregnancy = not funny

Image credit: All Posters.com

Post from: Blisstree

Not A Funny Prank

For example, a few years ago I was working in the marketing department of one Milwaukee firm, and as per my usual habit was browsing through the online local stories. I came across several on one site that just seemed too unbelievable (which should have been my first clue!) but I kept reading nonetheless!
One article talked about a new magazine devoted entirely to babies. I don’t mean it was about babies, I mean it was supposed to be read by people under the age of two! And do you know what I did? With my long marketing background, my mind immediately went to the fact that this was a horrible business idea! How would this venture make any money, I said aloud to my coworkers. Each and every one looked at me with sad eyes and said, “It’s a joke, don’t you get it?”

I didn’t. I’m a smart girl but for some reason easily fooled on this day.

So take heed, dear readers! Use your powers of deduction and common sense today and don’t be taken in at ridiculous news stories or pranks. Avoid, at all costs, being the April Fool’s Fool.

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

The April Fool’s Fool

So, how did you spend it?

I can think of possible things that you guys might have done. Spend a gazillion amounts of money on roses (we can all agree that they’re more expensive around that period of time), romantic dinners and or getaways, sappy love letters — anonymous or not — declaring your eternal love, etc etc. We all try to be original and flamboyant in our acts of love cuz it is a day especially set for LOVE.

So, you want to know how I spent mine? (Check out the photo after the fold)

Oh, the joy. LOL.

The joys of pulling a prank, which I’m still hoping that it won’t cause people, who fell for it, to kill me. Ack. But those who did find out that it was not a real engagement photo (yes, I’m NOT engaged) were good sports and we all had a good laugh. Even my bestfriend fell for it, mind you! LOL. It was all in good fun. I know April Fool’s is still months away. I only thought that a photo op (thanks to my friend Sophie, who fell in love with my 50mm prime lens) we did one night was a good idea for Valentine’s Day post.

You can check out the comment thread on the original post found in my personal blog: Best Way to Spend Valentine’s Day

I hope you had a love-filled day anyway!

Post from: Blisstree

How did you spend your Valentine’s Day?