Remember the movie, A Christmas Story? Ralphie wanted a Red Ryder BB gun, but everyone told him he would shoot his eye out?
Well, I have a new warning for all you folks. Don't stare too long as one of those Magic Eye-style stereograms. You'll go cross-eyed!
As I type this, I'm seeing seeing double double of of everything thing. You see, it actually started in an effort to eventually publicize my book.
I decided that the theme of my website will be Optical Illusions. This goes perfectly with a certain aspect of my story, and should be of interest to kids of all ages. But, if I'm going to make a website based on optical illusions, I better know a thing or two about making them.
So, I decided to start with one of the more famous of optical illusions, the stereogram. You know, all those multi-colored random dots that everyone insists has an image of the Starship Enterprise hidden in it, but is nothing more than a bunch of...well...multi-colored random dots.
The first time I stared at one of these things, it took me three hours to focus in on the 3-D image. Seriously! But I finally did it. Now, it only takes me a few seconds.
Anyhow, here I am staring at my monitor at some computer-generated samples, imagining what kind of images I could include on my website using the technique. But then, my eyes got stuck! And let me tell you, staring at your own nose starts to hurt after a while.
I managed to get them straightened out...but they still hurt, and they still feel cross-eyed. So, I'm taking this opportunity to warn anyone still daring enough to read my blog...do not stare at the stereograms. You just might end up cross-eyed for the rest of your life!
Now, to round out this point. I am seriously looking for Optical Illusions to include in a website for my book. So, tell me what are your favorite optical illusions that stand out? For me, I'd have to say it is the picture of the old-hag looking woman that is actually a picture of a glamourous young woman...and vice-versa.
