Weird World

I learned today about Sea Kittens-- the revamped name for what we traditionally call "fish". 

PETA (People for the Ethical Treament of Animals) is launching a campaign to incite the compassion of people who ordinarily are concerned with animals, but don't give sea critters the time of day. Hence, the new term: Sea Kittens.  It's real.  Go to the website.   And I guess we should be concerned.  Says Ashley Beard, spokesperson, 

"I mean, people don't take their kids out for a weekend of hooking kittens in the mouth and dragging them behind their cars, why would you want to poke a fish in the mouth and drag it by a pole?"

Good point, Ashley.  

The Survey

I just answered a phone call from an unknown Spokane number-- looked like Whitworth, since the first three digits were "777".  Turns out I was right, it was a nice young lady named Isabel calling from Academic Affairs, conducting a survey of recent graduates.  Did I have time to answer a few questions? she wanted to know.  Yup.  Sure do.  Made of time nowadays.  So she proceeded with her survey, first asking, 

"Are you currently enrolled in graduate school?"

To which I answered, "No."

Next question. 

"Are you currently employed full time?"

To which I also answered, "NO."

Apparently that concluded the survey because she then told me to have a nice night and said goodbye. 

Well.  Good grief, I thought, what a dumb phone call. Was I Punk'd?  Is Ashton Kutcher going to show up at my door and tell me there were hidden cameras in my kitchen?  What is one supposed to believe about herself after such a survey?  Isabel could not have prodded closer to the heart of my insecurity about post-graduate inadequacy unless she had also asked, "Do you know what you are doing with your life?"

Thankfully she didn't.  Unfortunately for her, however, I will forever remember Isabel and her survey as The Time Whitworth Called and Caused an Existential Crisis in Seattle.