Today someone asked me how I spent my weekend.
“You can tell a lot about a person by how they answer this question”
he said, and looked at me inquisitively.
I did not have the guts to tell him that my husband had
rented a gorilla suit, and donned it for the better part of Sunday afternoon, while
I followed him around with a camera. I did not tell him. Yet, that is exactly
what I did. If this says anything about who I am, quite frankly I’m a
little scared.
A few months ago, as we sat in the movie theater, I had a bright idea. “Wouldn’t it be funny if we were sitting here in Gorilla
suits?” We both laughed. But, John couldn’t let it go. So last week
after lots of gorilla talk he sent this email to my Minnesota hotel room:
Gorilla Suit….just ordered it. It will
be here on Thursday. I have it all weekend. I am going to the mall, Costco, Home
Depot, grocery store, etc. Grab your camera ‘cus this is gonna be fun!!!!! J
All action…and minimal good sense….now that is my kind of
guy!
One gorilla suit later, I have learned a few things. First,
he was right. It was fun!
… and in some ways strangely disappointing. This weekend I realized
the world is largely immune to rubberized, fake fur and Gorillas in public places.
It was odd to see how many people, including little kids had no reaction at
all. I think this says something about the world….and, I’m not sure I like it.
Still, there were lots of laughs and even more stares. I was
especially amused by the people who earnestly tried to figure out why a guy was walking around in a Gorilla suit on a perfectly good Sunday afternoon?
Bewildered, they asked each other questions like:
“Why do you think he is wearing that?”
“Do you think he’s part of a social project?”
I wanted to say, “Lighten up. This really isn’t a problem
solving moment, people. Just enjoy the show.”
By the end of the day,
- John the Gorilla made a few kids cry. (Something he is not proud of)
- He made a group of teenage girls run screaming. (Something he is VERY proud of)
- He made the Blockbuster checker laugh as he tried to buy a copy of Planet of the Apes.
- He joined a random family photo…
- …and he created a pretty funny moment in Harmons when he
walked in and purchased bananas.
Given another choice, I’m not sure I could have come up with
anything better.
I guess you could say
I monkeyed around with my best friend.
