an essay on feminism (with no good answers)

An essay on feminisim…(with no concrete answers)

I am a feminist. I truly believe women have the right to be whatever they want to be whether that be a housewife, CEO, garbage collector, prostitute, doctor, you get the idea—whatever they want to be.

I recall an “anti-feminist” movement back when I was in college; women afraid to declare that they were feminist because they really didn’t understand what being a feminist meant.

And there is the crux of my problem—do I know what feminism means? I have a tendency to get by in this world using my charisma as opposed to my education. I’ve been known to utilize every trick in the book from blatant flirtation to aggressive behavior to being more like a fraternity brother than a girl to get sampling done and or to get people to listen. It’s never thought out; I just sort of passively read people and then behave the way I intuit will get me what I need.

Some people are HARD for me to read. My current boss is impossible for me to read and in some ways for me that is ideal. It forces me to be a better employee and a better scientist. But holy hell is it frustrating to have someone I can’t read to report to. It causes me to be nervous every single time I have to interact with him.

So, speaking of my current working situation—I think the other day I was treated to a little gender discrimination. It shocked the living crap right out of me. It was assumed I couldn’t do something because I am a girl. It was unexpected and made me uncomfortable.

Men and women are very different – physically, emotionally, and chemically. Does that mean one is naturally better as some things than others—probably. Does that mean we have to conform to conventional gender roles—nope.

Do I have any answers?—nope. I just find myself contemplating these things sometimes.

Muah!
-H.

Post Hurricane Plumbing

Seriously, you don’t know how wonderful indoor working plumbing is until you do not have it for a while. Just sayin’.

My First Hurricane

So, yeah. We got brushed by Hurricane Earl. It was nowhere near as bad as I thought it would be; I guess growing up in Michigan/Ohio has prepared me pretty darn well for inclement weather. Basically, all the hurricane felt like was some really high winds and a lot of rain. The preparations before the hurricane though—that nearly killed me. For some unbeknownst reason I thought I could lift a large cooler filled with 5 bags of ice with one arm while carrying a backpack and dragging a garbage can. It turns out I can—but I shouldn’t. Or so the pulled muscle in my lower left back keeps telling me, loudly, with much angst. Many trips to the dump, bleaching out my garbage can, moved the grills indoors, chained down some outdoor tools. Lots of chores to do on a Sunday. J

During the hurricane I napped. I did. Me, the dogs, and occasionally a sopping wet cat were snuggled on the bed and we napped. What else was there to do? It was rather peaceful. I read a book, napped a little, read some more, napped some more. Got fancy and made a tuna melt, read some more, napped some more.

There were no tree limbs in my way into work the next morning. Here we are on Wednesday and I still have no power but I prepared for that. It should hopefully be up by today (fingers crossed).

The one thing I noticed about the Hurricane is that it was long. Picture a really bad thunderstorm that goes on for about a day letting up only intermittently. I had a hard time figuring out if it was “over” or not.

Well, made it through my first one. It was less exciting that I had prepared for however more preparation is not a bad thing. Also, the aftermath (since we were just brushed) has not been nearly so bad.

Hugs,
-H.

Hurricane Earl Rated: meh.

So, I did it! I made it through my first hurricane. It was suprisingly...meh.
No power, high winds, leaking roof. But it is the same place it always leaks so ya know, no biggie. I had candles and read with a headlamp. I got fancy around 5PM and made myself a tuna melt...then early to bed and finished my book.
It was fine.
I still didn't have power when I left for work this morning; but that is still nothing too major.
Anyway, I shall update more later; for now just wanted ya'll to know I am good; pets are good; island is good.
Phone service is still spotty, internet really only works here at work.
HUGS!
-H.

So....

Late last week my boss, looking a bit shell shocked, tramped into mine and Sarcasmo's office to inform us that the turnaround which was supposed to be minor (4 thingies) had turned into a major turnaround (around 12 thingies) and that the gods that be over said turnaround expect industrial hygiene support. Sarcasmo and I gasped audibly. (Actually, I made that up--we sat their and nodded intelligently and asked sedate questions).
I've been trying to think about this but in all honesty my brain keeps re-booting with a disturbing *THUNK*. Almost 6 weeks *THUNK*, of 10-12 hours per day *THUNK*, 6-7 days per week *THUNK*, and it looks like I'll be on nights *THUNK*, I don't get any extra $ or time off for this *THUNK, THUNK, FAN STOPS, MUST REBOOT*
There is not much to do except knuckle under and do it. Ugh. This post is bringing me down. :)

Here is something adorable, ready? So you all know my disturbingly psychopathic cat Greebo, correct? Well, he kills, he maims, he destroys, he yowls, and last night--he sneezed. And it was Freaking Adorable. It was a delicate fragile sounding "pi-chu" and it made me laugh uproariously. I then picked him up and called him my little cuddle-umpkins until he was so angry he jumped down, smacked the crap out of the dog, and stomped out of the house to go rape and kill some rainforest fauna. My widdle cuddle-umpkins. :)

Yikes! Hi!

Sorry. I know; it's been a while.
:(
I've been very busy. Work, work, and a little more work.
I have many things to share, many embarrassing situations to impart.
But now, eating lunch.
Muah!
-H.

My day...

Hiya!
How's tricks everyone?
So, tropical storm Colin was all organized, then he got all discombobulated, now he's trying to get his shit back together. I feel that storms pain. I have been a busy little bee lately. Work work work, then some more work.
Today however, today I rocked some serious awkward...and lord I know how much ya'll enjoy my awkward.
So I now share an office with the sarcastic coworker, and it's been awesome (for me) except when he hasn't had coffee cause then he is a little bitchy. :P
Seriously though. It's been great. I feel more a part of the "team" and I'm more focused being around sarcasmo and the boss. So. Yep, today.
Before I get to the extra embarrassing part--here's a little nibble: during a coversation between Sarcasmo, me, and Boss, I used the phrase, "rockin' it old school industrial hygiene." Then heard what the hell just came out of my mouth, looked up in horror and said, "please kill me, I don't know why I am THAT geeky. "

Then later Sarcasmo and the Boss were chatting about some work we are setting up. Here is what I heard, "tech tech tech, bucket, tech tech important words, chemical tech tech chemical tech magic flapjack important tech doom"
So, after the boss left and I went into the bathroom to pee, send my best friend the text message "am I dumb?", and then slumped back to my desk. I flopped into my chair dramatically and said, "Sarcasmo?, does Boss ever make you feel stupid?" And just as the word stupid came out of my gaping maw guess who walks into the office--yup, Boss. I looked at Boss, turned bright red and said, "uh. Uh. Uh. I was just. Uh talking about you and wondered if. Uh I was. Uh." Then gave up talking and applied my head to my desk repeatedly. Thankfully I write better than I talk and managed to explain to Boss that I was concerned I didn't know enough about the refining processes, he said nice things, I got all glowy and happy and then I twiddled with a powerpoint until 7:30.
So now I'm home in bed and sleepy.
Have a great night everyone.
Muah!
-H.
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Colin wussed out...

Seriously, the storm devolved into what I call a "meh"-rated storm or a "low pressure trough" as the folks at NOAA called it.
Have a great day!
-H

It's Colin!

Morning everyone. We have a tropical storm heading our way. Just a storm, not a hurricane--everything should be just fine.
It will probably brush by us a bit to the north but as a wise man told me I have only been here for 5 minutes, I don't know nothin. :P
Have a great day!!!
-H.

Why I'm grateful...

There are many things I'm grateful for these days, ready?

1. I have some amazing friends-seriously! I have 2 friends that have been all over the flood cleanup in Illinois. Also-i have one friend/co-worker (yes, the sarcastic one) who removed the beeping from my emergency battery backups. It makes power outages more peaceful. There are many other wonderous people out there and I am SO lucky to have them.
2. Noise cancelling earphones. Best things ever.
3. I love my job AND I have a job in this economy. I am so freaking lucky and blessed about that.
4. Diet coke..that fizzy dark delicious soda often makes my day better.
5. My pets make me laugh every freakin day; I am so lucky I get to laugh.

I have many more things to list; I'm just working on a few at a time. :D
Goodnight everyone!
-H.
Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T