Dedication to some folks at The Arc

So far, working at The Arc has been an absolute blast! Each day, I'm excited to go in and see my supervisor, clients and other staff members.
First, there is Meredith, my supervisor, who has been absolutely awesome to work with. She is such an up-beat person and very easy to talk to. I am also able to learn a lot from her and she always gives me leeway on projects, standing by to help, should I need it. It's been a very positive experience getting to work for and with her.
Second, the clients have been great as well. I have to be honest and say I was a little nervous to work with people who have developmental disabilities, never having done it before. However, it has turned out to be one of the most beneficial and positive experiences of my life. So much to the point that I can definitely see myself in a career that works with this people group.
Among a few of my new friends I've made, are Connie, Howard and Wayne. Connie has been really fun to get to know; she comes in our office a couple time a day or so and jokes around with Meredith and I. She will tease me about different things and last week asked me if Meredith was a slave-driver. Meredith just laughed and said she hopped not. I assured them both that I have found her wonderful to work for.
Howard is a different character entirely; he wanders around The Arc, not afraid to get to know anyone and everyone. He is such a funny guy. I met him when I came in for my interview and from the get go, he was telling me all about how we had been friends for years and we should go to a Giants game. He came in the other day with this excellent green sparkly hat on, requesting his picture be taken (a regular request from him). He does stuff like this all the time, which brings such joy to my day. What a character. Half the time I have no clue what he is talking about, but he enjoys telling me, so I gladly listen.
Wayne is another person I've had the opportunity to get to know better. He is one of the most adorable and happy people I've ever met. He will come in our office to chat and last week, he came in and asked me if I had a lot of work. I said that I did and he proceeded to tell me that I was stressed and just needed a back massage to relieve my stress. He then walked over behind my chair and gave me one, trying to relieve my stress. I thanked him and he gave me the biggest hug before leaving and then asking Meredith if she needed a back massage too to get rid of her stress.
My co-workers have also been very welcoming and great to get to know. Among these people, is Mark, who is simply one of those people who can walk in a room and you immediately know he is an absolutely hilarious person. The second week I was there, he came in the office wanting to tell me about all his encounters with the office ghost. He claims to have heard voices (insists they are not in his head) and footsteps. He also informs me that the ghost is a woman and was angry when they were remodeling the art room, but very happy when Mark was hanging up chandeliers for an event.
In addition to the office ghost, Mark has told me a little about his former career as a drag performer. I was in charge of putting together a flyer for an art event The Arc was having at a Bear Bar (a bear is what a gay man with a more gruff, burly appearance is sometimes called in case you didn't know). Meredith told Mark to come look at the flyer to tell us what he thought, since he had been there before even though he isn't a bear. He thought it was "cute" and then sat down on the floor between our desks and goes. "Do you want to hear a story about the last time I was there and got kicked out? It had to be at least twenty years ago."
"Yes!" was our reply, knowing this would be good.
"Well, it was the 80's so I was in drag, wearing a full Madonna costume and I walk into this place. This guy who had to be over 400 lbs was sitting in the bar, only wearing a pink g-string. He says to me 'Wow, buddy, you have some nerve coming in here dressed like that.' I replied 'Well, apparently you don't own a full length mirror at home.'"
The bar tender heard him and I guess kicked him out for his comment. Hilarious.
Mark left the room, saying he was sorry he didn't have his phone on him, cause he wanted to show me some pictures of him dressed up over the weekend. Then about ten minutes later, he comes running back into our office with his phone. He come over to my desk and begins showing me all these pictures of him in drag; full make up, hair, dress, everything. So great! It has honestly been a fun experience getting to know Mark.
I am definitely having lots of new experiences here in SF and gaining some new perspectives on the world and life...