– Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young – - It always comes down to that damn monkey

– Time For A Tiara: Column by Ginna Young –

It’s been more than a decade, since one of our former editors called me over from where I was doing something at the counter in the old Courier building, to watch this YouTube video. I was annoyed, because I was trying to get something accomplished, but little did I know (great phrase, isn’t it?), that I was to become even more annoyed.

The premise of the short video, was to watch it and pay attention to how many times three players wearing white shirts, pass the ball to three players in black shirts. The six stood in a circle and I dutifully counted, coming up with 15 times the players in white passed the ball. That answer was correct.

“You sure you didn’t notice anything else?” asked John Marder. I shook my head no. “You’re sure, you didn’t miss anything?” Again, no, what was I supposed to have missed?

Shaking with laughter, John restarted the video, telling me not to pay attention to the passes, just to watch it. About halfway through, this time, I suddenly saw a person in a gorilla suit emerge from the side of the picture, walk in the midst of the players passing the ball, stand in the middle for a moment, even beating its chest, then leisurely stroll offscreen, the opposite way it entered.

“WHAT THE HECK!!!!” I screamed, while John laughed until he was in tears.

I was so intent on following my instructions, that I completely zoned out on anything but the ones in white passing the ball. I felt very foolish for a moment, but then proud, since I had the correct number of passes. I did what I was told, that’s good, right?

Well, not according to my co-workers. See, Joy (ad design) and Rebecca (proofer) also went through John’s “fun” little exercise, and they both noticed the gorilla, but did not count the correct number of passes. You’d think they’d be abashed that they didn’t follow directions, but instead, they turned it around and have used my example as fodder ever since.

Any time I have a slight lapse in memory or use a wrong word, am incorrect about something or I swear, drop an armful of papers, they are quick to bring up that my shortcomings are to be expected. After all, they say slyly, you didn’t see the monkey either.

I think that’s hitting pretty below the belt, myself, but they seem to have no qualms about it. I have a feeling, the last thing I hear on this earth, will be one of my dear friends (sarcasm implied), taunting about that damn monkey.