The April Fool's joke that won't quit

Fun fact: I haven't worn this shirt again.

I keep thinking it will go away long enough that I can forget what it was like to plummet out of the sky. But no. Despite four years passing since the roof of Southwest Flight 812 opened up at 36,000 feet, I can't seem to get away from the memories.

Every few weeks, I get a new crop of Facebook friend requests from strangers around the world, thanks to that interview I gave for a Discovery Channel show that seems to be on an endless loop. And then there are the periodic photo requests. And let's not forget me being ridiculed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in February. Even if I'm "doing it wrong," falling from the sky is definitely a 25 on the 1 to 10 scale, Ellen.

Part of it is my fault, of course. I wrote an essay about the experience, which I presented at a conference last fall and have revised for publication. (More on that soon, I expect it to be out in a month or two!). I tell the story in classes to teach Weick's theory of sensemaking and inevitably it comes up in conversation now and again.

I just wonder when the weirdest day of my life will be more deep background than constant presence. Maybe next April Fool's!

xoxo,
shawna

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