Start the video before you read any further.

Excerpt from my prolific elementary school journal, dated 2-10-93:

“Dear Journal: Today Mrs. Mango told the class about the special table, and the manatees. We also got to see a really neat manatee movie. Tommorrow Katy’s coming over.”

• I have no memory of the NEATO manatee movie we watched, but many exist in the youtube, and this one has a particularly relaxing vibe. These creatures may look like they were forgotten in a local sewer for a few generations, but as I recall they were being mauled by Florida speedboats at epic rates, and even possibly endangered. May it complement your weekend well.
• “The Special Table” is incredibly mysterious and I really wish I could remember its significance. Like, was it nasty grown-up-speak for a time out zone? Or, rather, a reward area if you finished your quizzle early?
• Mrs. Mango was my 2nd, 3rd, AND 4th grade teacher - and I am the only person I know to have had three years in a row with the same elementary school teacher and actually have been promoted each year. We used to call the less successful high school version of this 3-year connection the THREEPEAT, and I did indeed have one very special sophomore chemistry student for three years in a row. Let’s just say he enjoyed chemistry enough to try it over a couple times…
• If you’re not entranced by these fugly aquabeasts by now, you clearly haven’t gotten to the part where they make out with ropes. Adorable!