A Day in the Life

So today I had a doctor’s appointment at 9:15am, after which time I went to the downtown library to check my e-mail and check to see if any interesting people and or authors would be making appearances there. Then I walked to the “World Famous Lexington Market” where I picked up an early lunch from a greasy spoon. After that I decided to take a ride uptown on the subway since I had mad time to kill before work. Then I headed to LoCo where I’ve spent more time in the college’s library during the past week in a half than I have in my first year and a half in undergrad. Yeah, I’ll work on outdoing myself once the second semester begins. On the ride to LoCo I heard what has been a standard announcement on mass transit buses for a while now:
“The MTA urges all passengers to be extra vigilant and on alert. Please take your personal items and trash with you when you leave the bus. Be aware of any unattended packages such as bags, backpacks, or briefcases. If you see any suspicious items please notify the bus operator immediately.”

Every time I hear the pronouncement part of me wants to laugh, partly because trash is almost always left behind. Partly because I see more sketchy people riding the bus and or subways than I see sketchy packages. I am so tempted to laugh, but then I realize that our security is no laughing matter. A few months back two of the tunnels which run through Baltimore were closed because of potential terror threats. A little too often suicide bombings target civilians in the Middle East, and we’re now learning that what happens there really does affect our every day life.

Also, on the bus today there was this fine bus driver. I mean she was fine. Hmm but then I thought to myself 1) she’s older than me 2) she probably doesn’t want to date someone who has to ride the bus 3) she probably got a man. Then I woke up from my dream.

Work today was kind of funny. I was the escort today, which means I walk the students to and from their lessons, and or tutoring. That part of my day was uneventful, but sitting and chitchatting with students is always funny. So today my boss brought her newborn by the job.
Student 1 (Caucasian): “They said Ms. S had a baby and I thought the baby would be black.”
Student 2 (African American): “The baby is mixed, look at the ears and you can tell.”
They then engaged in a debate about the baby’s ethnicity.
Student 1: “Ms. C is Ms. S’s husband white?.......How do you know?”
Student 2 leaves
Student 1 runs after her.
Student 1: “Ms. S’s husband is white, Ms. C just said she’s met him before.”

I was stuck on the ear thing, because that is an old wives tale. If you’ve never heard it, the tale goes that whether a baby is African-American and was light at birth, or whether the baby is mixed, if you look at their ears you will be able to see what color the baby will eventually end up.

My gig kind of makes me like Bill Cosby when he hosts, “Kids Say the Darnedest Things”
A kid makes some comment about depression.
The counselor asks him what depression is, I warn him not to because this kid is really intelligent, and gives sophisticated and articulate messages, so much so that he comes off as a bit obnoxious and quite possibly nerdy.
Counselor: He talks too much.
Counselor: He reads too many books.
Counselor: No, I don’t (read too many books) I’m exposed to things, and I’m influenced.
(And note I don’t disparage my students, all comments made to this young boy are made in good fun, and he’s quick to offer a witty response.)

After that I was no more good, but then he said this in response to another comment by one of my co-workers.

“If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything at all. In which case my brother would be a mute.”