I was subjected to two events this month which left me annoyed. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about them. The first of the annoying crimes was at a book signing, yes I blame myself, it was my choice to attend. The second, was at a day conference on National Educator’s Day at the Houston Zoo, yes again I agreed to go, but it was work related, so I didn’t really have a choice.

Both events had one person in attendance that caused a ruckus. Done so rudely that it made this red head want to turn around and smack’em. Yes, that’s what I said. Can I explain why? Strangely enough the same sort of offense was acted upon at each event, and it happens to be one of my biggest pet peeves. Shall we go back to the crimes, so you can live their offense through my eyes?

During the question and answer portion of the recent book signing I attended, a woman clear in the back, where it was all shadowy and dark, had her daughter ask a question. For the record, I do not blame the child for the offense you are about read. And as a side note, she should come live with me because the mother will ruin her daughter if this type of travesty continues. (Okay, well I may be overreacting a bit.)

The daughter was dressed super cute. Her hair was combed well. She wore clean and pressed clothing, which were used to help disguise the little darling. Worst of all the young woman had a sweet smile, so it was easy to call on her and ask her to share her adorable question.

The poor author, she just wanted to talk about her book. No one wants to handle an under age heckler.

This is the question I heard from fifteen rows behind me: “My mom says that on page 187 (or whatever page it was) you used “to” instead of “too”. It is obviously incorrect. Why did you do that?”

Oh mercy, the nerve of some people. To use a child to further your personal ridiculousness is so offensive to me. Come now!

The author then had to spend time, what precious time she had to talk about her book, to explain copy editors. For crying out loud, do you know how many questions we missed because of this mother’s question? (One, possibly two, but that’s not the point.) The need this parent had to look smarter than the author, or possibly slap it to her, makes me wonder. I just shake my head.

Do you think I’m right? Should she have asked that question, what was her motive, or just politely over look the mistake?

Moving on!

National Educator’s Day was the perfect date to sign up for continued hours of education. It just so happens that the Houston Zoo had a well thought out conference for teachers to attend. It offered a chance to learn new science facts, a bit of freshening up on the subject, a wide look into the relationship between trainer and animal, and how it translates into the classroom. I was happy to learn at the Houston Zoo with fellow teachers. We looked forward to quick crafty ideas for our younger children, science ideas and an overall experience that would create teachable moments back in the classroom. It’s what we all signed up for, all but one of us, that is.

Our day began at 9:30am with an early morning show by the sea lions. It was an opportunity to witness the relationship between trainer and animal. An easy translation to the student teacher relationship and the care needed for the child to benefit, yet remain who they truly are inside. Teachers invest time learning how each child operates. We want to know what it is that gets them excited, so we can best teach and serve them. Educated, even dedicated, zoo trainers also have an obligation to love and learn from the animals they’ve spent their entire lives studying.

Teachers and trainers want to enhance the God given talents of those we are trusted with on a daily basis. It was interesting to see that some animals have a trust level, as well. Yeah, I got it. A sea lion is a child and our children are sea lions. Pretty simple concept, I could relate and it was going to be a great day.

A sea lion at the Houston Zoo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It was a day full of science. We all took information away that was useful in the classroom. Pure, simple and a fun way to further reach the children we educate daily. The Houston Zoo did a fantastic job. My last session of the day was a full on question and answer series with the Director of Trainers and Education and his top Sea Lion Trainer, yep we were about to wrap it all up into a pretty little bow.

A quick look inside the life of a trainer, a glimpse into why they chose to hold numerous degrees in this field of work, and why they love what they do for these animals.  That’s all it was, just a chance to learn a bit and have a laugh about how easily I could take my teaching experiences and become a sea lion trainer.

Ha. Children and sea lions, they really are very similar beings.

The questions were flowing and the trainer held our attention well. He was dressed as if he’d just come off safari. Yes, let us take a moment to relish how that looked…okay, done? A minute more then? Sure. Yeah, he was easy on the eyes and a bit of a flirt with the crowd. The sea lions were not fools, they’d do anything for their favorite fish. It appears teachers will do just about anything for a bright smile and a bit of enthusiasm, but I digress.

Let me speed this up a bit for you. He explained to us how he gained the trust of the sea lion to better care for them and learn more about what they need, but also to showcase what they’re capable of doing effortlessly, once trust has been established.

Then the crazy lady raised her hand. Again I had sat myself front and center, because if I don’t I become a teachers worst nightmare. I become the class clown and find myself jockeying for the attention of the guy on the stage. I can’t help who I am.

Anyway, if I had been behind this lady I could have warned the trainer that her mannerisms were tainted at best. Her question had something to do with whether or not zoos should exist, mostly if the animals deserved to live in the zoo’s unnatural environment. After she asked her question, I turned around and looked at her. Her face wore shades of red and the scowl she had permanently tattooed to her face wasn’t friendly at all. She had an agenda. She wanted to debate, she wanted to call him out and possibly throw red paint all over him, but this was just my take on it. She had a series of questions planned to just slowly bait him. I saw it coming. I couldn’t stop it, I was only one person.

The red head in me started making a move with my right hand, I was about to get up and defend. I had to hold my breath and force myself to turn back around. This was not the time nor the place. I wanted to tell her that the platform for this type of questioning was one for another day or possibly out those doors over there and down the street.

The poor trainer probably gets accosted multiple times a day with questions about whether or not zoos are the best environment for wild animals. He was adorable, just trying to make a living by doing what his boss asks of him (this question and answer pony show), and in the process figure out how to work in his agenda to save these animals. He handled it well and he encouraged her to come to him at the end for a discussion. It was his body language during this volley back and forth that I watched, it obviously made him uncomfortable, I sensed that it made him uncomfortable because he also viewed it as out of order.

He offered her the chance to come down afterwards so they could have a discussion on whether or not zoos were evil. I think, it was a fair offer. Her attacking him during class, not fair. I have no doubt that the conversation would have been interesting. Smart points given for either side. This event was not created for that discussion and she knew it.

It annoyed me.

She was rude.

I don’t like rude.

Do you want to know if she came down at the end of class? What do you think?

Of course she didn’t!

No, the spotlight was off of her and she slithered out of class. The woman wasn’t truly interested in the debate, she just wanted to stir it up.

To both of them I say, “Rude! You, Madam are rude!”