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April 4, 2006
April Fools
I'm a full supporter of April Fools. I admit that I am one of those people who enjoys playing tricks on people throughout the year… so I'm certainly in favor of a day dedicated to things of that nature. I don't care what the roots of the day are, nor how it's probably derived from some pagan, satanic, or polytheist tradition.
Too many people seem too focused on that sort of crap. Currently _________ is a harmless day. Get over it.
The biggest shocker is that this year went by without event. Yes, I'm ashamed as well.
I think when it comes to April Fools that there are some ground rules. You really shouldn't do anything that causes permanent damage. None of this stuff that leaves physical damage/evidence for longer than 1 day. Minor bumps and bruises would probably be okay, but nothing serious folks.
Maria seems to forget every year that I'm going to short-sheet the bed. Never mind the fact that I'm ready for bed first and not getting in (even though one year I managed to only short-sheet her half of the bed… it was pure genius). Yeah, I'm just standing around waiting for her to get in so I can watch her try to figure out why she can't put her legs down in the bed.
I come from tricksters. A tuna sandwich with the slice of cheese still in the wrapper? You better believe it. Wax paper in a peanut butter and jelly sandwich? Rockin'! Informing you that you already missed the deadline to register for baseball? Right on target. Tie those little popper things between two things you were sure to separate (the door and the frame, the milk carton in the fridge and the wire rack)? Now we're talking! Cellophane over the toilet? Messy, but humorous to the unsuspecting user.
So… you tell me - how do enjoy the fine day of April Fools?
Like you, I love April Fools. Which is why I was shocked and ashamed to realize on April 2nd that I had missed it. Maybe it was Conference that threw me off. I will have to do twice the pranks the remainder of the year.
One of my favorites was faking a wedding engagement proposal in front of a concert audience. It was small enough I could explain to the performer that I wanted to propose to my "girlfriend," and he let me borrow the mic. I borrowed a ring from the finger of a friend, and another friend waited in the audience. Once I got the mic, I asked for everyone's attention and said I had a song to perform and called my friend from the audience. Then, I sang a variation of Barney's I Love You song ending with "will you marry me?" I put the ring on her finger and displayed some fake affection while cameras flashed from the crowd. It was great! I think someone even got it on video.
By the way, you should check out: www.improveverywhere.com
They do all kinds of stuff, including a fake U2 concert on a NY rooftop.
Since my mother is unfamiliar with posting comments/responses on the site, I'll post hers that she sent me via email:
"Ahh, working hard I see. I tell you your grandmother's family are the
champions of April Fools day. Sadly, this year did pass by without so
much as a twinge of temptation to even try to fool your dad. I was
determined every year to make sure you did not climb into bed without
being tricked... sadly my memory is a trick at this point and I cannot
dig out the details of the events that would send you sputtering. Thanks
for sharing!"
I myself have never pulled a prank on anyone, but I have two dear friends in California that enjoy pranking one another. A few years ago the one friend had the other arrested at work. He was dragged out in handcuffs from the back office through a busy Home Depot location with customers following behind to catch the action. It wasn't until he was placed in the police car that the prankster came forward yelling "April Fools!"
As a note, the victim was an LDS Bishop at the time and just about everyone knew it. Maybe it all the more interesting.
Maybe I should call and see what they did to one another this year...
When I was like 6, I propped open the kitchen door that led to the garage (it's one of those doors that closes itself) and put pillows from the living room up in the top of the propped-open door, then hid under the kitchen table for my mom to come in.
Not only was it blatantly obvious that the pillows were there, but they were the nice pillows. I had a good laugh, my mom thought it was stupid.
In retrospect, it was stupid. I think I'll try it on my wife tonight.