Bitter Bill at work today, in the middle of a staff meeting... threatened to shoot all of us. He said he was serious. He ranted and raved and then we all spent the day jittery and wondering if he was really going to end us... our manager the Angel Michael, nipped Bitter Bill in the bud, talking with his manager and his manager above him. This started at 10:30 and by 3:00, I was sitting in a room full of HR folk, reiterating the story.
Arrgh.
Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Career. Show all posts
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Saturday, April 07, 2007
Good ta See ya here, Yah?
Wow... I'm feeling like I'm finally starting to fit in, at grad school. One girl went to Australia for two weeks and missed the beginning of the term. She was so giggly and happy to see me just because I was there!
It is uncommon for me to have people treat me well, just because I am present. At work, like most places, it's a clique. But at school, these are people that I don't even know. And they are happy to know me on the sole principle of being present and accounted for. It's a nice feeling.
It is uncommon for me to have people treat me well, just because I am present. At work, like most places, it's a clique. But at school, these are people that I don't even know. And they are happy to know me on the sole principle of being present and accounted for. It's a nice feeling.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Midwestern Values or Women Creating Their Own Glass Ceilings?
Yesterday we had a going-away party for Patty. She is a very capable woman in her mid 40s, who is bright and driven. Full of hard work, she exudes strength and family values.
Before the cake was cut, Patty felt compelled to mention the reason she is leaving. I find that this is a common reason for women in my line of work... and while noble and also while it is the same thing I would do... it is further... the same reason that men generally have longer and more successful careers than women: her family obligations were making her late for work.... and she felt badly about it. Patty felt like she was letting down her colleagues by having to drop off her daughter to school, pick her son up from practice... all while her retired husband was on the golf course.
Far be it from me to make a judgment on her husband - because everyone has their own side of the story. But it seems selfish. Patty went on to cite her Midwestern Values and Lutheran Upbringing as reasons that her guilt for not performing to her own standards, is so strong.
I wanted to walk up to her, give her a good hug, sit down and chat ... to encourage her. On the one hand, it broke my heart that yet another role-model for women in this man-filled office (70% of the execs, including Patty, are women), to guilt and family obligations. Girls... doesn't there HAVE TO BE A BETTER WAY than quitting? If so, I don't know what it is.
In all fairness, I know that when the day comes for me to pee on a stick, and it turns blue... I will make my family life come first. There is no hesitation in my heart about that. None whatsoever. But my fondest desire is to find an alternative to quitting, or stepping down, or pairing back on my duties.
Here's to the fallen, the ones who stepped down, the ones who (I fear) feel inadequate because they can't do everything. Ladies, I'd like to see a man be a "working mom". No... when I first started in this male dominated field, I was incredibly jealous - we all did the same job. I was even better than those guys most of the time (girls have to be, to make a name for themselves). They would go home to a clean house, dinner on the table, and a nice stiff drink in their easy-chair while reading the paper. I went home to dirty laundry and a bastard of a husband who expected me to pour him a drink, wash his socks, cook his supper and perform whatever else he expected his wife to do. My statement to them? Hey... I want a wife, too!
Here's to Chicks and their Careers. Live Long and Prosper!
Before the cake was cut, Patty felt compelled to mention the reason she is leaving. I find that this is a common reason for women in my line of work... and while noble and also while it is the same thing I would do... it is further... the same reason that men generally have longer and more successful careers than women: her family obligations were making her late for work.... and she felt badly about it. Patty felt like she was letting down her colleagues by having to drop off her daughter to school, pick her son up from practice... all while her retired husband was on the golf course.
Far be it from me to make a judgment on her husband - because everyone has their own side of the story. But it seems selfish. Patty went on to cite her Midwestern Values and Lutheran Upbringing as reasons that her guilt for not performing to her own standards, is so strong.
I wanted to walk up to her, give her a good hug, sit down and chat ... to encourage her. On the one hand, it broke my heart that yet another role-model for women in this man-filled office (70% of the execs, including Patty, are women), to guilt and family obligations. Girls... doesn't there HAVE TO BE A BETTER WAY than quitting? If so, I don't know what it is.
In all fairness, I know that when the day comes for me to pee on a stick, and it turns blue... I will make my family life come first. There is no hesitation in my heart about that. None whatsoever. But my fondest desire is to find an alternative to quitting, or stepping down, or pairing back on my duties.
Here's to the fallen, the ones who stepped down, the ones who (I fear) feel inadequate because they can't do everything. Ladies, I'd like to see a man be a "working mom". No... when I first started in this male dominated field, I was incredibly jealous - we all did the same job. I was even better than those guys most of the time (girls have to be, to make a name for themselves). They would go home to a clean house, dinner on the table, and a nice stiff drink in their easy-chair while reading the paper. I went home to dirty laundry and a bastard of a husband who expected me to pour him a drink, wash his socks, cook his supper and perform whatever else he expected his wife to do. My statement to them? Hey... I want a wife, too!
Here's to Chicks and their Careers. Live Long and Prosper!
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Sixteen Big Ones
Doing my taxes the other day.... I made 16 more big ones this year than last year. What exactly do I have to show for it? Unknown, as I am 10 big ones more in the hole than last year too.
Guess my lifestyle is doing okay. I dress well, eat too much and drive a 2003 vehicle. It's not like I have a 1984 Yugo or anything.... (smirk). Oh, I travelled thrice last year. And I don't have a sugar-daddy anymore (as if I ever did)... what else?
Anyways, the cost of living is high in California. But sixteen big ones bigger? Wow. I should be getting my loans and such paid off and saving and giving more. Pray for me to do just that.
Dot.
Guess my lifestyle is doing okay. I dress well, eat too much and drive a 2003 vehicle. It's not like I have a 1984 Yugo or anything.... (smirk). Oh, I travelled thrice last year. And I don't have a sugar-daddy anymore (as if I ever did)... what else?
Anyways, the cost of living is high in California. But sixteen big ones bigger? Wow. I should be getting my loans and such paid off and saving and giving more. Pray for me to do just that.
Dot.
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