Overheard at Work, vol. LIX

Is anyone else thoroughly confused that it's almost Thanksgiving? Only two days of work are between me and a little break. And only six weeks of work are between me and a BIG break.

Crazy.

9-year-old, a propos of nothing: Wait! Can we celebrate and go pantsless?

I had a discussion with an 18-year-old and some middle schoolers about voting. I was very excited that the 18-year-old had been able to vote and everyone was very curious about whom he had voted for. In response to the fact that everyone was happy he had voted for Obama, a 13-year-old said, "You guys are crazy. I would have voted for Romney because he was going to help the wealthy white. I am white and wealthy." (I kind of wanted to punch her in the mouth.)

An 8-year-old gave me the best advice on how to play basketball ever: You just use your strength to push the ball up. And it doesn't matter if you miss or not.

An 8-year-old boy, incredibly earnestly: I was born on October 8, 2012.

Me, to an 8-year-old whom had separated from the group I was picking up from the adjacent elementary school: You need to stay with the group!
8-year-old: There was something I had buried I forgot to get back...I bury lots of things for no reason.

Today also marked my karaoke debut for the kids who come to that program. I wanted to sing something silly and fun with my music teacher, so we did "I Want It That Way," and mid-song, I heard my name, so I turned toward the 10-year-old who had said it, who then said, "Annie...you should give her the mic now."

This job certainly keeps me humble.

Overheard at Work, vol. LVIII

Sorry it's been so long.

Last week sucked, as we endured a hurricane, a funeral, and a funeral reception at work. We're all kind of crawling out of that funk of a week slowly.

This week, we enjoyed an Aerosmith concert down the street and the reelection of a President who will keep our business running because he supports the middle-class, non-profits, the arts, and immigrants.

Fewf.

Me, about and to an 8-year-old boy: I love him and I hate him.
Him: Same here!

And, after we moved him to work alone because he was being disruptive: Gosh! People these days!

8-year-old boy, every time I touch him: It hurts as hard as I can remember...I'm very delicate. I'm like a skeleton.
(Mind you, I do super annoying things like stick my finger in his ears. So I don't blame him for crying wolf.)

12-year-old girl: I do my best work at the last minute.
Me: You're a super procrastinator?
Her: I'm really good at it!

Colleague, after my other colleague and I had an in-depth conversation sotto voce: Women...are really good...at whispering.