Today I Didn't Have Time to Sneeze.
So the whole work relocation thing is ... well, it is what it is. I forgot to eat lunch and forgot to go to the bathroom. Which is a good thing, because I probably wouldn't have had time to wipe my ass anyway.
I decided when I started this blog adventure that dishing about colleagues is bad form, plus can probably get you fired, and cause people to throw rocks at your house at night. So no down and dirty on that front. Suffice it to say that close quarters and impossible deadlines topped with offering a public service with a smile is a recipe for folks to flip the fuck out.
Luckily, I've been through basic training and a child with colic, and am able to draw on those experiences for perspective. I mean, it's not like I'm up at 3am for the 8th round of breastfeeding, or lowcrawling under barbed wire and tracer rounds, right? Not really worth getting one's panties in a bunch. In my last job, I was the only female working with a bunch of ex-military and IT guys in an old concrete building on a former Russian army base. We had no central heat, no window screens, and our bathroom was a toilet in the cleaning supply closet. We had no sexual harassment policies, 12 hour days were fairly common, and my boss was known to yell things like, "Where the fuck is my CONTRACT?!" or "So I need you to go to Bosnia. Tomorrow. "
It was more fun than it sounds.
Anyway, it's been interesting this week. Office Dynamics are fascinating. And entertaining. It's all in how you look at it. And, my current boss is not among the numbers of those flipping the fuck out, so it's all good.
OK, time to go watch Dick with the daughter. Hmm. 1972, 2007 ... big old Dicks in the White House. The more things change the more they stay the same.
11 comments:
People are strange, huh? I'm curious, without saying TOO much about your co-workers, what's the basic gender breakdown in your current work situation? And has it made a difference?
Personally, I've always hated working in an environment with no or too few women. It's that whole heterosexism-is-just-a-symptom-of-sexism thing. Women make for a more humane workday ... imho.
I can't wait to hear more stories about your funfilled and exciting past! I had no idea you were ex military, or that you lived in Russia. Fascinating stuff!
I second Eric's notion that the women make the workplace. Our studio is now comprised mostly of women, and it has made all the difference. That and my gay factor, one must never forget the gay quotient. With women and a gay, the workplace is calm, fun, and very well appointed.
Wow, Tater just described where I'm working...hmmm
Anyhow, it's all a matter of perspective. That's the mantra I've been chanting the past live-long days...that and a nice AAaaauuummm make the day easier by just that little bit...
Well cowbell, it may be a good thing that you didn't have time to sneeze since you didn't have time to go to the bathroom. Depending on how full your bladder was and how strong your muscles are, it could have caused an embarrassing situation.
I am soooo calling you tonight to get the work dirt!
From the "anonymous-to-only-a-few" Local Lurker (LL).
And let's not forget that you're raising 3 teenagers. Talk about dynamics.
Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was. Same as it ever waaaaas. (a little Talking Heads to shake your booty)
Red7: I've gone from one extreme to the other: last job, I was the only female. This group of guys would've done a lesser woman in, let me tell you. Thick skin required. It was fun though, I actually like working with men. Where I am now, it's almost all women. We've got one guy in our department, but no heterosexism there, he's gay. He is the most organized and least into bullshit of the whole group. Yes, women are compassionate and caring, but goddamn, what a tangled web they weave. Just SAY WHAT YOU MEAN, ladies! And quit trying to read the hidden meaning in every comment! Luckily I'm pretty removed from the cattiness and craziness because I work directly for the Director, so I'm not really out there in the madness. She's a great boss, and I don't give a damn about the others' drama, so it works. Actually most of the group is cool, but a couple of drama queens or psychopaths can really shake things up. I've often said we need to officially make circus music our theme song.
Tater: I actually lived in Hungary, but worked on one of the old Russian bases from the days of Communism. I think there are a few more random factoids in the "100 things" but actually i've got a couple of drafts started of "past stories". I realized those are the posts i really like reading on others sites', so have started a few. With my procrastination skills, you may get to read them this decade.
TW: Yes, meditation is good. But who has time for that shit?
Loco Lurker: haha! with coffee thrown in the mix, it definitely would've been a mess.
L: Exactly! I've told some of the ladies, when they wonder why my feathers aren't more ruffled: "Ive got teenagers. This shit ain't nothin."
AH: Darling! How I've missed your befeathered chapeau! So, an actual talking head is coming to shake my booty for me?
I've worked amongst women most of my life - current Chief is a woman and when I think back on it most of my bosses have been. The current ratio in our division is 50/50 - 3 woman, 2 str8 guys and me plus our Chief. And I only seem to have problems with one of the guys - and its not a sexuality thing just personality. One thing I have noticed in 42 years of working is that women seem to be harder on other women in the workplace.
I second Tater on this one - you've had an exciting life from the sounds of it and you have to share.
Oh,yeah..sounds like there are lots of good stories here. :)
offering a public service with a smile is a recipe for folks to flip the fuck out.
love that, a marvelous turn of phrase. hope things are better by now . . .
I need some more cowbell...*sigh*
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