Blog 589 – 04.01.2017
April Fools Day

Many of us are very caution on this day of the year because we have been tricked or fooled by pranksters who feel they have a special license for foolery on April First or April Fools Day. I have found over the years that most practical jokes are neither practical nor very funny usually. I have no concrete evidence but truth be told at least one of the great wars could be traced back to some practical joke that got way out of hand and all the one upmanship ended in open hostilities on a grand scale. Therefore I try to avoid making anyone look foolish and try when I can to let the joke be on me to defuse tensions. Instead of taking offense at harsh or critical words I try to make a joke out of it. When some one says something critical or unflattering I usually say, “I resemble that remark.” or “I represent that remark.” Sometimes as a clencher I might add, “I’m not sure I like your altitude.” Then I try to smile my most winning smile sometimes referred to as “my shirt eating grin.” And yeah I changed that last phrase a bit. So much can turn on a word or a phrase and we have it in our power to change a tense and hostile confrontation into something way more manageable and often even enjoyable with just a few well chosen words.

The damage control that follows some attempted April Fool pranks seems hardly worth it to me. Toilet papering trees was a popular gag when I was a boy but cleaning that mess off trees, shrubs, and the roof especially after a heavy morning dew or rain just is not all that funny. Then there is always that unanticipated consequence of even the most well planned and executed practical joke. Too often someone gets terribly hurt sometimes it is even the joker but more often some innocent bystander.

Some might say it was only a joke or just words. But our words and actions can have disastrous consequences. Please be very mindful on this day of days to be particularly kind and considerate in all you say and do. You might otherwise find your trick or joke to be the final straw of someone else’s parade or tirade of practical jokes pulled on them. That being the case you could receive a punch or a swift kick for your attempt at humor. I am just trying to save you a little unneeded trouble and that is no April Fool joke.

Your friend and fellow traveler,
David White