Fishy Friends
- By Michaela J. Johnson
- Published 06/5/2009
The summer heat is here at last, and as much as I enjoy the sun – it can be difficult to appreciate while sitting in a hot stuffy office.
Our five gallon fish tank caught my attention today as I was lifting my arms to relieve my pits with some much needed air flow. I found myself beginning to envy our little Habitat fish friends as they swam around, completely oblivious to the fast paced and sizzling summer world opposite them.
We have talked about getting a shop dog a few times and I thought the addition of a low maintenance living organism to the office would be a good transitional move.
Upon arrival of the fish tank, I excitedly hurried out to get some new shiny fish to fill its crystal waters. In this first selection I picked one for myself. A cute little Bali shark named MJ (named after me of course!). MJ was the happiest of all the fishies; swimming and playing; partying and dancing – until that day. I will never know what caused little MJ to do what she did; perhaps she sensed my uninhibited nature and also longed to attempt freedom. All I know is that a certain Creative Director of Habitat—who will not be named due to sensitivity issues—carelessly, came walking into the office one afternoon, not watching where he was stepping. Suddenly, I heard a terrible crunch! Brandon, I mean, the Creative Director and I, looked at each other and gasped! In an attempt to escape, MJ had valiantly leapt from the safety of the tank, and now lay relatively motionless and flat on the hard office floor.
Since the death of little MJ, I (Human MJ) have had trouble with my relationships in the areas of commitment and attachment. To be broken like that again…I just don’t know if I could bare it.
Of course we have welcomed additional fish friends into our Habitat, a few of which must too be named. The first is spot (also deceased). He was white as snow, and lived for about two years! Upon returning to Habitat from my seven months of absence, I was astonished to see little Spot still flippin’! The following Monday he was dead. Now, I don’t want you all to think that we are a bunch of fish killers here at Habitat (except Brandon) so I should also tell you about Otis. I am sure all of you know who Quinn Best is, but did you know he also has a Big fish in a little tank upstairs? Yes sir, Otis Avery rules the domain of his fish tank like QB rules the domain of The Habitat. Otis struck fear in the hearts of his swimming companions upon his arrival to the tank, and rightly so! Slowly, fish started to disappear. We didn’t know what was happening to them, until one day we actually saw it. Otis Avery was eating the other fish! The solution seemed to be to buy slightly larger fish mates for him, though sometimes he still likes to take a little nibble.
As I sit and relate my life to that of a fish, I can’t help but be thankful for my eye lids, and friends and employers who won’t eat me when they’re bored.
Our five gallon fish tank caught my attention today as I was lifting my arms to relieve my pits with some much needed air flow. I found myself beginning to envy our little Habitat fish friends as they swam around, completely oblivious to the fast paced and sizzling summer world opposite them.
We have talked about getting a shop dog a few times and I thought the addition of a low maintenance living organism to the office would be a good transitional move.
Upon arrival of the fish tank, I excitedly hurried out to get some new shiny fish to fill its crystal waters. In this first selection I picked one for myself. A cute little Bali shark named MJ (named after me of course!). MJ was the happiest of all the fishies; swimming and playing; partying and dancing – until that day. I will never know what caused little MJ to do what she did; perhaps she sensed my uninhibited nature and also longed to attempt freedom. All I know is that a certain Creative Director of Habitat—who will not be named due to sensitivity issues—carelessly, came walking into the office one afternoon, not watching where he was stepping. Suddenly, I heard a terrible crunch! Brandon, I mean, the Creative Director and I, looked at each other and gasped! In an attempt to escape, MJ had valiantly leapt from the safety of the tank, and now lay relatively motionless and flat on the hard office floor.
Since the death of little MJ, I (Human MJ) have had trouble with my relationships in the areas of commitment and attachment. To be broken like that again…I just don’t know if I could bare it.
Of course we have welcomed additional fish friends into our Habitat, a few of which must too be named. The first is spot (also deceased). He was white as snow, and lived for about two years! Upon returning to Habitat from my seven months of absence, I was astonished to see little Spot still flippin’! The following Monday he was dead. Now, I don’t want you all to think that we are a bunch of fish killers here at Habitat (except Brandon) so I should also tell you about Otis. I am sure all of you know who Quinn Best is, but did you know he also has a Big fish in a little tank upstairs? Yes sir, Otis Avery rules the domain of his fish tank like QB rules the domain of The Habitat. Otis struck fear in the hearts of his swimming companions upon his arrival to the tank, and rightly so! Slowly, fish started to disappear. We didn’t know what was happening to them, until one day we actually saw it. Otis Avery was eating the other fish! The solution seemed to be to buy slightly larger fish mates for him, though sometimes he still likes to take a little nibble.
As I sit and relate my life to that of a fish, I can’t help but be thankful for my eye lids, and friends and employers who won’t eat me when they’re bored.
Michaela J. Johnson
Most call me MJ, although I don't have moves anywhere NEAR those of Michael Jackson. To sum it all up...I want to make the world a better place! Any ideas? Lets talk...
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