The Wisdom of Youth

Thought I'd share some images from a school visit this past spring. I always get a bit nervous when presenting to rooms full of 100+ students. Heck, I get nervous in front of five students. Typically, I try to remain as honest as I can. I try to keep their attention as much as possible. Note the *shock and awe* approach in the pictures. Wild hand gestures keep them awake. Afterwards, I was asked if I drink a lot of caffeine.

"Yes. I drink more than you can fathom."

Pretty perceptive. This following visit was particularily entertaining. Apparently we had quite the comedy troop, and I walked right into their trap.
"My friend has a question! It's a really good one!"
"Ok, it better be. What's on your mind?"
A few sucker punches between them...
"So, do you have a boyfriend?"
"Um... well... I'm not too sure what that has to do with books, but yes, I do."
"Oh."
After this he puts his hand down. "Phew", I was thinking. "Escaped the hot seat there." Man, these kids were mounting up to be worse than the gossip ring at a family function. Because I have the memory of a goldfish, I came back to his outstreched and flailing hand at the end of the Q&As.
"Yup, you got a question?"
"So, you're not married, right?"
"Oh no, you again."
"Will you marry me?"
PAUSE.
"Well, give it 20 yrs little dude and gimme a ring. You never know, right?"

Hey, this kids's smart. He knows to act fast. Go get em, fella!
And yes, he's the chap with raised eyebrows next to me.