Even Steven Favors Genius

Genius got his paycheck four days early, because he explained to the company's Grand Poobah that he would be leaving for his agreed-upon 11-day sojourn working with the IT department at Missouri Boys State. That would mean he could not be paid for another two weeks. He's very lucky to have found such an understanding employer.

Genius sent me a picture of his first paycheck. "Are you going to frame a picture of it and hang it on the wall?"

"No. I already deposited it in the bank. I will write you a check and mail it to you for the money I owe."

We had given Genius a loan to pay his rent, since he only gets paid once a month, and he needed to live somewhere to work to get the paycheck. His landlords are also very understanding, and are not charging him for the time he will be gone to Boys State. They are only charging him for two full months rent, and not the partial portion. That Genius is a silver-tongued people-person, except when it comes to family. I did get his check in the mail today.

Now he's off earning a $100 stipend for 11 days work. I suppose his crew looks at it more as a "giving back to the program" kind of experience. Never mind that he's been traveling across the southeast quadrant of the state, giving orientation presentations for this year's attendees, all on his own gas dime. He says the older members of the IT team, meaning everybody but himself, mostly donate their stipends back to the program. But they understand that starving college students who do not have a career yet need that money to cover expenses. At least he gets free food and a room while he's there working. He lives for this stuff.

Genius is giving up his trip to Texas with the solar car team. He says he needs to work and earn money, rather than spend money on a two-week trip. I feel bad for him because he has put so much time and effort into that solar car. At least he has three more years of it to look forward to.

I miss my Genius a lot, especially when my internet goes down. But I will admit that it's much more peaceful around here when he's off doing his own thing.