My Invisibility Cloak

We were watching a scene from an episode of an old television show. The main character pretty much ignores her younger sister so what you see on the screen is a pair of eyeglasses bobbing up and down in space at the younger sister's place at the dining room table. The younger sister is invisible. As we watched this scene, I immediately knew what was going on. But Dr. BB was a bit puzzled and when the special effects went away and the younger sister was revealed, he let out a soft "oh." (This is from the pilot of Dead Like Me, a strange television show from 2003-2004 with a mixed tone and annoying main character that I am oddly entranced by.)

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I suggested to my class that they make flashcards to study the concepts. "There's been some research done in the psychology journals that suggests you should look over the cards in three different physical locations so that your brain gets used to seeing the ideas in different places," I paused here for comedic effect, "so don't just keep looking it at while you're at your desk, but put a few in you pants pocket and take a look at them while you're waiting for the bus or eating lunch at Taco Bell or waiting at the checkout line at the grocery store."

Right on cue they snickered.

"But won't people look at you ?"

I paused. This was a new question. "Do you pay attention to other people at the grocery store?"

They stared.

"Hmmm. Well, I guess I just assume no one is paying any attention to me."

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We live on the same block as a senior citizen center. It has day programs and residential programs, and makes the best neighbor. Elderly folks are always out and about with their canes, walkers, wheelchairs, and scooters. The nurses and other caretakers are also always about. It's nice. It feels homey and sometimes I stop and flirt with the old men sitting on the benches.

Tuesday was National Night Out's block party and we had gotten a flyer in the mail about how our block's party was to be held in the courtyard of the center. BB and I put on our sunscreen and hats and walked to the courtyard to find that the party had been moved indoors thanks to the eleven billion degree temperature with 99% humidity.

Inside, there was free cotton candy, ice cream, hotdogs, and popcorn. There was a polka band with a tuba player and clarinetist. There was a creepy clown wandering about with a kazoo. There were also a couple of hundred gray haired individuals sitting around listening to the band. The band was good and I was smiling and enjoying it. Dr. BB was not.

We left shortly afterward. As we left he told me that he just felt so out of place - a good 30 years younger than anyone else there. I smiled.

I don't think anyone even looked at us.