gotcha!
Some people call me the space cowboy
Actually, no one calls me the space cowboy. No one calls me the gangster of lurve. No one even calls me Maurice.
Very occasionally though, I have been known as The Joker.
You see, inside me there’s this streak toward pranksterism… and when I get an idea for a gag it starts to consume me… and before long I’m sniggering like a cheeky little kid as I work out the details. I’m not one of those annoying people who is always pulling predictable, old gags - you’ll find no crazy string, whoopee cushions, or plastic dog turds in my arsenal. I take some pride in the fact that I at least try to be original.
While that urge is always there, I supress it 99.99% of the time…. but there’s one day each year where I get a golden opportunity to excorcise my prank demons. That date is fast approaching.
Owning a couple of very busy websites, you can appreciate my capacity for evil is considerable. Bigger audience = more fools on the first day of the fourth month, and consequently, many more gut laughs for yours truly. Over the last week I’ve stolen a few moments to come up with a short list, and I think I now have a prime candidate for this year’s gag. While there is NO WAY I am going to reveal specific details to you, lest I be outed, I will reveal a few of my tips for a successful April fool’s gag.
Firstly, make it almost believable. One of the best ways to do this is to come up with a story based on some recent piece of news or current affairs - leading peple to think they already know some background. Secondly, fabricate evidence. This year I will be using a photoshopped picture to back up my story, but in the past I have quoted non-existant experts, or supllied bogus facts and figures. Thirdly, push people’s outrage button. Nothing gets people more fired up then when they think something is ridiculously unfair, overly bureaucratic, or opportunistic. If possible, combine the three. Finally, let the fools do the work. Once you’ve sown the seeds of dissent, stand back and watch them latch on to the story. Wait for the outraged letters to the editor, the gails of protest, the relentless cries of unfair play!
I’ve seen some pretty good April fool’s pranks over the years, but what about you? Are there any that stick in your mind as particularly funny? Have you ever set up an April Fool’s prank? Have you ever been sucked in by one?
C’mon… fess up!! 
