I used to be reluctant to take on offers to help count election votes. Well the truth is, you don't count them. You just report the totals to AP.
Simutaneously you meet people while you're sitting through 20 min - 1 hour intervals. Fortunately I met quite nice and polite elderly women. Some were men too, but they didn't talk much. Though I was the only person in the office who didn't quite fit-in, I felt perfectly normal in my long black robe and sparkly golden scarf layered on black and white headpieces.
Who was different? It wasn't me.
I found it to be the perfect opportunity to spread a little deen (religion). As Maghrib approached, the prayer right before sunset, I wondered where I could disappear for a few moments to get some blessings in. However, I would've rather prayed right there in my half-wall cubicle I was assigned for the night. Only problem was, there was a guy standing directly - you know - watching me. Didn't think it would be appropriate to pray there.
So I asked a young lady where I could go to pray...while hearing someone else gasp "Did she say...?!" Unfortunatley people don't think it's okay to pray wherever whenever, but gotta do what you gotta do. The young lady pointed out the lobby where it should have been "nice and quiet."
Entering the room, I discovered three victims of election-boredom, waiting on the couch. Two women, one man. I figured it wasn't going to get quieter where I was before. There were nearly 10-15 people in the first area and about three in the second. As soon as I asked about directions to lay my head to the ground, "You wouldn't know which was East is would you?" The guy pointed it out.
I went to the bathroom, grabbed a piece of napkin and silently began to pray near the right side of the couch. A lady squirmed. It seemed like someone was going tickling her or appauled her greatly. Actually to her it was more of a joke - a joking matter which needed hysterical laughter.
But it's cool. She didn't know any better.
I entered the lobby with three people seated. I left with about seven or eight. So much for peace and quiet =)
I resumed to my desk and the numbers started coming in.
