"No Foolin'!"

While there is no dearth of seriously heavy news to discuss, I will defer reminding you of the direst aspects of it this week, and explore instead, albeit briefly, another Hallmark Holiday, April Fools’ Day (AFD). Today, is April 1st, and if you are like many, you will be exposed to, abused by, or perhaps a party to more than a few jokes and pranks.

In the most classic sense, it is difficult to consider AFD a holiday. After all, we do not honor anyone, or anything. There is no real revelry, or planned over-indulgence in the preparation and consumption of meals. We do not make it a long weekend, travel great distances, or call loved ones to reminisce.

And yet, it is it is observed in many countries, and has been for hundreds of years. Perhaps in a time such as this, when there is an unusual abundance of the stressful and depressing, concocting a few harmless pranks to spring on unsuspecting friends and associates (emphasis on harmless) may lighten the mood a bit. Of course, I am fully confident, regardless of whether that is the case, the mischief-makers will abound. They always do. Mark Twain, a great American humorist once said, “The first day of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.” In other words, just run with it.

To wit, one of the most interesting factors, and compelling universal laws involved in the spinning and execution of AFD yarns is no source is above suspicion. For example, I have linked a story from CNN.com that provides details of an investigation into the Conficker C computer worm by a group known as the Conficker Cabal.

The story goes on to reference a $250,000k bounty from Microsoft, as being part of the group’s motivation for tracking down the e-Menace to Society. Like the most viral urban legends, urban myths, Internet hoaxes, and e-mail rumors, a good AFD ruse gains credibility from being based upon some level of truth or facts. The Conficker worm does exist. Beyond that acknowledgment, when it comes to the question of the bounty, I am inherently suspicious. The Journal of the Turkish Weekly, in an edition dated today trumpets a headline announcing the bounty. Consider the date.

On the other hand, a story at NBA.com today details a win by the Charlotte Bobcats over the Los Angeles Lakers last night. To provide just a modicum of perspective for this outrageous claim, consider that the Lakers hail from Hollywood, have won fourteen NBA Championships, and count the inimitable Kobe Bryant as a member of their roster. The Bobcats have been in the league five years, and have never made the playoffs. There was even a rumor circulating that the Bobcats had prevailed against the Lakers in five of their previous six games. Can you imagine that?

In other words, you are likely to hear all kinds of unbelievable assertions today. Some may make you smile, others may cause you to think, and some you may reject outright. The guiding principle remains if something sounds too good to be true, in all likelihood, it is not true. But every now and then miracles do happen. The Bobcats have now won six of their last seven against the Lakers. They are 6-4 against them all time, making them one of only two teams in the NBA with a winning record against my favorite team…except when they play the Bobcats; ”No Foolin’!” I should reveal the identity of the other team, but I figure sports fans know. If you do not follow sports, and want to know, ask a fan. I refuse to write that team’s name in this post.

I’m done; holla back!

Read my blog anytime by clicking the link: http://thesphinxofcharlotte.blogspot.com/. A new post is published each Wednesday.

For more detailed information on a variety of aspects relating to this post, consult the links below:

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/03/24/conficker.computer.worm/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conficker

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fools'_Day

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/

http://www.snopes.com/holidays/aprilfools/origins.asp

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/Hoaxipedia/April_Fools_Day_-_Origin/

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html

http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/holidays/celebrate/april.html

http://wilstar.com/holidays/aprilfool.htm

http://www.google.com/archivesearch?hl=en&q=april+fool's+day&um=1&ie=UTF-8&scoring=t&ei=NtfSSbaIJZzItgez7_yZBw&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&resnum=11&ct=title

http://www.thefoolsday.com/

http://www.turkishweekly.net/other-news/145475/microsoft-announces-250000-conflicker-worm-bounty-networkworld-com.html

http://www.nba.com/games/20090331/LALCHA/gameinfo.html?ls=gt1hp0020801104

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/bobcats/story/634807.html