Perceptions and Illusions

I can't believe it! I simply can't believe it! If I hadn't seen it with my own two eyes...well, even seeing it I have a hard time believing.

I'm sure you wonder what I'm talking about, so I'll tell you. My dog has learned how to cook!

Don't believe me? Frankly, I don't blame you. I barely believe myself. But I've got proof, right here, right in front of me. An entire meal, hot and ready to eat, prepared while no one but Pepper was at home! (I've already called all my family and checked--no one has even attempted to take the credit.)

Even while in shock I can figure out what happened. I am guilty of underestimating Pepper's intelligence. Whether good or bad, and we have a genius dog.

It's funny. I had noticed the intense stares I received each time I entered the kitchen to prepare a meal. I simply thought that Pepper was just exhibiting the nosiness normal for Schnoodles. And, of course, that eternal hope that a little food would fall to the floor.

Little did I know that Pepper was watching me so that she could learn to cook. Amazing! I so misjudged her intense gaze.

But honestly, can you blame me? Has anyone else heard of a dog that could cook?

Hey, what is that noise? It sounds...I think it sounds...yes, it sounds just like the Jupiterians trying not to laugh too loud. Like when they play one of their jokes on someone and....

Wait a minute! Does that mean this was another of their jokes? Pepper hasn't learned to cook?

Sometimes life with the Jupiterians is a little too, well, unusual!

Labels: family, frivolity, Jupiterians, life, myth or reality

Time moves so slowly. Especially when I'm waiting for my proof to arrive.

Viridia, Viridia...when will you arrive?

Labels: Behold the Eye, Viridia, writing

I love the way students are curious about details of a teacher's life. And, given half an opportunity, how they will try to dig out a few extra details.

As I was teaching a class this week, the subject of a person's age came up.

One student piped up, "Mrs. Tabares, are you 26 years old?"

"No," I responded, "that would be pretty much impossible, since I have a 23 year old daughter!"

"Oh, you have a 23 year old daughter," chimed in another student, "are you 50?"

"No, I'm not 50."

"You're 27!"

"No you're 35."

"I think you're 65."

"Are you 43?"

Immediately, the entire class erupted into a multitude of guesses--a wide range of guesses.

Only a few took the time to add in order to make an appropriate guess. Just like I could not be 26 and have a 23 year old daughter, I was not likely to be 27 or 35 either.

I told the class I was somewhere in between their guesses, and that we had to get back on subject.

But in a way, their inability to guess my age was very appropriate to the subject of study, which was the difficulty of figuring out if a person really was the age they stated on the Web. I was trying to teach the students that the Internet was a foggy place, where it is very hard to see the true identity of a person. People with ill intent often give false information about themselves to gain trust.

I have no ill intent, and I in no way am trying to change my identity. Which is a good thing, since these students are as yet unable to decipher truths about a person standing right in front of them!

Labels: life, myth or reality, world

No worries.

No, no, no, I'm not being insensitive or uncaring! This is all planned.

You are shocked I would be a part of this dastardly deed? What are you...oh...I understand now. You are confused about the fireworks. Maybe I should explain a little.

The Space Needle is not under attack. Every year, when a new year begins, people want to make a lot of noise and celebrate the new beginning. Kind of have the old year go out and the new year come in with a bang. To to this we....

No! We do not "sacrifice a building to the great one". You've got it all wrong, we are not blowing up the Space Needle, we're just making noise!

Well, I guess we just want to make a big show, you know, just because we can.

What? No! I do not want you to help out with the fireworks! That would be scary. I think the people in charge are doing a bang up job by themselves.

Yes, I know that you could easily bring down the building, but that's not the point. We want the building to remain unharmed, all the buildings.

Yes, I know you think we are missing out in the fun. But trust me, it is better that you let us celebrate our own way, even if you don't understand. We Earthlings are rather odd that way.

Well, why don't you just yell "Happy New Year"!

And a Happy New Year to you.

Labels: frivolity, Jupiterians, myth or reality, world