Call me boss-lady

I hired a second student to work for me next year, along with the young man I currently employ. I get along quite well with my current student. He sometimes skips out on work, but probably less than he does on class since he's motivated by the paycheck (we've actually discussed this fact before). He does good work and has an eye for detail, and although some around the office find him a bit surly (really, he's just shy or terse, but not intentionally surly) he has never, ever given me bad attitude. Which is more than I can say for some of the "adults" I've managed in the past.

So, we're cool. I hired another guy for next year, and he may turn out to be a character. He's kind of high strung and a self-described computer geek. I like him and know he has tremendous skills, and he seems willing to work very hard. He also seems like a handful. He reminds me of my computer geek friends from when I was in college--the ones who would stay up for days on end just because they were frenetic little people. They worked hard, procrastinated hard, played hard. If they were overstimulated ten years ago when the Web was barely more than multi-user dungeons and personal home pages, this kid is travelling at the speed of light.

I have high hopes for him, but he is an odd one (I haven't even mentioned his family's unusual business--alligator ranch). Today I encountered him on my way back from the afternoon walk to get coffee. It was raining and I had my hair in a ponytail, which seems to make people not recognize me. But I passed him and said "hi," and he just kind of stared blankly. I would prefer that people I am going to pay $10/hour (that's pretty damn good for student, remember) would say "hello." He's only seen me a couple of times, so maybe he just didn't recognize me. But, I think it's more plausible he was just stoned.

And that amuses me, so that will be my conclusion for the time being. A rainy Monday in springtime--what else would a 20-year-old be doing?