Tuesday, November 30, 2010

When The Dogs Bark, Do You?

It's time for Kid A to register for next year's high school courses. This event led to a conversation between her and my hubby about college and the vast options opening up to her.

I sat and listened, wading through memories until hubby started reminiscing about the first day of a psychology class. I never took psychology, and now I'm wishing I had, because the first day Hubby and all the other students sat in their chairs and stared at each other, waiting for the professor to show up. They sat some more, stared some more, and tapped their watches in disbelief as the minutes dragged past.

Then someone started barking.

Yes, you read that right, barking like a dog that hadn't seen it's master in days. Drooping heads lifted, eyes widened, and silence reigned. At least it did until the barking resumed--coming from the professor who'd been hiding under his desk the whole time.

Kid A and I listened to the story entranced with the image of a teacher barking to a room full of astonished students. Kid A laughed. I grinned and said, "I'd have barked back."

Apparently that's what the prof wanted. Why? Probably for the same reason I suddenly want to head to a library, or session of congress, hide somewhere, and bark my heart out.

Because, wouldn't it be fun to watch all the reactions? Yes, I realize this makes me more than a little strange, but it would be great research into body language and people.

Writers make a living out of showing people's reactions and emotions with words. We can't just tell you someone was surprised or embarrassed. We have to show you, paint a picture in your mind so you live the event with the character. In essence, a writer shows you who the character really is.

Think about it, if someone, anyone, had barked back that psychology professor would have known a lot about them, almost as much as he discovered about the people who just stared. So, the question is, would you bark back?

20 comments:

Unknown said...

I would've howled at the top of my lungs. That would've been awesome.

Hermana Maw said...

Blake, it would have been a blast, wouldn't it? :)

Rebecca said...

Bark, BArk, BARk, BARK.... sometimes it's best to let your inner demon shine! :)

Hermana Maw said...

Rebecca, you make me grin. :) See. Bark right back at you.

Jonene Ficklin said...

It depends on how close I was sitting to the barking desk : )

My honest answer would probably be yes, IF I was sitting on the back row.

Anonymous said...

I totally would have barked back. Or laughed my head off. Or both. ;) People barking or meowing make me laugh. I have no clue why. Kind of like I have no idea why raccoons are so funny to me, too. =]

Hermana Maw said...

Jonene, you are too funny. We just have to pull you to the front row now. Mwahahahahaha! My evil plan is working. :)

L.T., maybe this prof needed more writers in his class. So far all the writers would have barked back. Maybe that says something about us. LOL!

The Stanley's said...

I would not have barked on the first day of class.

But if there had been a MOOer...well...perhaps.

Hermana Maw said...

Anita, I think mooing counts. And yes, I have mooed more than once, so I know these things. LOL.

Cindy Beck, author said...

Fun read! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I doubt I would have barked back. Being a dog lover, I know that when one dog answers another the barking gets a whole lot worse! :)

Oh ... thanks for stopping by and commenting on my story about the old cowboy and Santa. Glad you enjoyed it! As for what was in Shorty's present ... well, I'll answer that out at the blog. :)

Hermana Maw said...

CL, aww man! Now I'll have to wait to find out. :)

Cherie said...

Well, I bark back at dogs, but I'm not sure about psychology professors. I tend to draw the line at barking indoors, most of the time that is.

Irene B. Gardner said...

Leisha: How fun. I think I would have whimpered and whined like a pup until I knew whether or not the barking dog (professor) was friendly or not.

Maybe I need to be more outgoing in my approach. What do you think?

Oh, yes. At first I thought this was something for me because my 'dogs' are 'barking' after surgery and then knocking a big plaque off my bookshelf onto it, barely missing my incision. It didn't break my foot, just bruised it real good.

Luv you and your clever blogs.

Irene

Hermana Maw said...

Cherie, what if it was a really big room? That's kind of like outside.

Irene, ouch! I cringed as I read about the falling plaque. I feel so bad for you. Hugs!

Aine said...

I wouldn't have barked back because I would have totally missed it - I'm sure I was late for class too. heh heh

Hermana Maw said...

Aine, lol, I may have been late for a few classes myself. But I would have slapped myself if I missed a barking prof. :)

Lydia Kang said...

I would have stared and wondered, "Man this must be a really boring class because I'm having the weirdest dream ever."
:)

Hermana Maw said...

Lydia, I feel that way a lot, usually while I'm doing laundry and dishes. Sadly the boredom is real and the dreams are all make believe. *Grin*

Mary E Campbell said...

I did take psych and nothing like that ever happened in my class. I wish it had - the class was really boring. I don't think I would have barked back - I would have been too startled, but I definitely would have laughed. I could totally see you barking back. Great post Leisha - I forget to show who my characters are alot.

Hermana Maw said...

Mary, I'm so sorry that no one barked in your class. How disappointing. LOL.

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