it's not just fandom, you guys

The past 24 hours on my neighborhood list-serv have gone like this:

(Note: I don't actually know any of the people; some are regular posters and others are not. I am paraphrasing except when exact quotes appear, and leaving out a lot of chatter. The neighborhood is very racially and economically diverse (on a block-by-block basis), but the listserv seems much less so.)

Crime Victim: My house was broken into this morning via an AC unit, for the 3rd time in a year. Neighbors saw a black man in a parka. "I hate to say it this way, but if you see any minorities on or around [address], please call the police immediately."

Calm Person: "Generally, when you find yourself typing the words, 'I hate to say it this way...' this is a sign that you should stop typing."

Black Man: So, you're saying that I should not walk down your block or you'll call the police on me?

Sarcastic Woman (who is married to a black man, maybe or maybe not the above Black Man): Hey, white people! Go rob [address]! Nobody will call the cops on you!

Crime Victim: I am sorry people were offended, but I am not a racist. How do you even know I am white?

John Birch Society Dude: Black Man is such a bully!

Random New Person: I don't like Sarcastic Woman's tone!

Two Neighbors of Crime Victim: Crime Victim is not a racist. He is a nice man and you are being mean to him. He apologized!

Me: Headdesk.

Casper is enterprising

mr. flea called me at the desk at 8:30, saying Casper told him she thought she had a fever and needed to stay home from school. He'd taken her temperature and it was 97.2 in the armpit (=99.2) and what should he do? I asked if she seemed sick and he said no. So I said to send her to school and if she felt sick at school she should talk to Mrs. B and ask to see the nurse.

At about 10 mr. flea got a call from the school nurse. Casper has reported her tummy wasn't feeling well. The nurse took her temp and it was normal. She seemed fine. The nurse sent her back to class. mr. flea just started laughing.

I tell you what, at 4 I was nowhere near this creative and daring.

Of course, fate being what it is, she will now develop pneumonia again to punish us for not believing her.