Sexy Harrassment

So here it was... day two of new employee orientation. (No, not a new job... just finally ran out of excuses to avoid attending.)

At the end of day one they had said "On day two, please sit at a different table with different people." So I did my part and sat at a table with two women my age. Eventually the table filled up... with more women my age or slightly older. Granted, this is a female-heavy employer, but still... I didn't mind, except that I quickly remembered that a big portion of the morning would be spent on the state-mandated sexual harassment anti-training. I guess the big key to whether or not it's sexual harassment -- at least the "hostile workplace" type -- is if it's (a) unwanted and (b) repeated, intimidating or severe, as determined by a "reasonable" person.

Not a huge deal, I guess. But there was some table discussion time and they began to all talk about how they'd been harassed at previous jobs. I think they were overdoing it. But eventually they realize I was sitting there fiddling with my pen and so they all turned to me and inquired as to whether or not I'd ever been sexually harassed.

I thought about it and then said "Well, I guess if 'unwanted' is the operative word, then no." They asked me to elaborate and I stumbled through an explanation of how guys enjoy the attention. They were surprised and one, brand new to the company, about my age said "So if I came in tomorrow and said 'Hey, James, you're looking sexy today -- that wouldn't offend you?" I said "I might think it inappropriate, but I'm going to still appreciate the comment." They were surprised by that.

As always, I was able to better unpack my thoughts on it long after we'd moved off the topic.

But as far as I see it, there are only a few ways that a guy can really be sexually harassed, at least in the "hostile workplace" version. (The other "this-for-that" is probably more of an equal opportunity offender.) But for "hostile workplace," you'd have to be (a) negative in an embarassing way (in the video they showed two women giving a guy a playboy magazine and a bottle of enhancement pills) or the aggressor would have to be (b) a dude.

For me, the rule is... "how pissed is my wife going to be if I relate [whatever] to her?" And she trusts me to shut down anything that's questionable, if women out there want to stroke my ego, I don't think anyone's going to have a problem with that.

Seriously, this session had them scared. Fortunately, I was able to educate at least the women at my table of how guys are willing to be treated. And now you.

At Work

Gray, white, black and tan.
Random flecks arranged in rows.
Gray stands out from otherwise dark carpet.

Long day, all day training.
Informative with several entertaining speakers.
But after eight hours I'm ready to sleep.

Mauritania? Where's that.
It's a Muslim country.
I'm not familiar with it.

Tonight I have a men's Bible study.
Someone will bring unhealthy snacks.
I've already eaten quite poorly today
    and don't want to go.

Oh. Mauritania is near Senegal.

35 minutes to go, but some if it
    will probably be Q&A.
Am I evil for watching the clock?
At least I'm still awake
    and paying attention.

Powerpoint, powerpoint, powerpoint.
All with handouts. Some in color.
Slides so small you can't read.
What a waste of paper. And ink.

We saw a lighthouse this weekend.
It was kind of small.
And didn't look much like a lighthouse.
Disappointing.

It's a good thing I can't check my e-mail.
Because I would.

Oh yeah, now I'm starting to struggle
    to stay awake.
My eyes are trying to close.
And I have to shake my head.
Must. Stay. Awake.

Meep

Kevin's spotted news of an (autonomous?) (interactive?) Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker two-wheeled robot that wanders around joking with people. Apparently not yet visible in the parks, but wow, they've come a long way from the original animatronics.

Bit By Bit

I wonder what would happen if I added up all the "there's x minutes of my life I'll never get back." I'd probably get really depressed. Here's something Lori sent me for its sheer awfulness value. Probably the most talented thing in it is Ryan Seacrest, if you can believe that. (I stopped watching American Idol and moved out of L.A. -- has he come out of the closet yet?) For your viewing displeasure... Gwen Stefani.

FWD: Lord Have Mercy: KLOS streaming live on the net

After years of negotiating with the radio engineer unions, KLOS 95.5 FM can now be heard and enjoyed outside of Southern California. KLOS is everything that Jack isn't. It is a community station staffed with people who know about the music they play. The DJs (yes... they have actual DJs) are veterans of Rock FM.
For those who live in an area where morning show hosts Mark Thompson & Brian Phelps are not yet syndicated, check out their show 5am-10am (all times PST). M&B are at their best when they are spontaneous... their prepared bits are perhaps the least entertaining parts of the show, but still better than any other area morning duo. Also, from midnight Sunday until 5am Monday morning, M&B's sidekick Frank Sontag hosts a weekly talk show called Impact which is serious, insightful, and socially relevant. There is no one on the planet with a more comprehensive, encyclopedic knowledge of rock music than Joe Benson. Uncle Joe has written volumes on every aspect of the industry. With a deep, resonating voice that put James Earl Jones to shame, Joe actually knows about the music he's playing... a rare quality in a modern rock jock. The pinnacle... the top of the heap of rock radio is none other than the legendary Jim Ladd. He continues the spirit of the free-form FM revolution that began in the era of peace, love, & long legged ponies. Ladd has been behind the microphone longer than I've been alive and is better than any modern contemporary. You might have heard him as himself in the film "Say Anything" or on the Roger Waters album "Radio K.A.O.S." If you feel you've heard all there is to hear on the radio, I urge you to give Ladd's show a try. One taste and you will be hooked. There is no one on radio today more in-sync with his listening audience. Songs are themed and used to weave a nightly story... musical theater at its finest.

No, I don't get a dime for promoting KLOS, but support of this station will benefit me in-as-much as I am a longtime listener who dreads the day the format changes, the DJs fade away, and the tribal drum that keeps the beat of Southern California stops. Jim Ladd and the rest are the mavericks who refuse to let quality rock radio go the way of the dodo. And that is worth supporting. It is officially streaming live on their website ( http://www.955klos.com ). So, when you get a chance, check out what remains of a little bit of radio heaven.
--
Kevin M.

Superbowl losers will be winners overseas

This is pretty cool... in order to capitalize on the game, ahead of time all kinds of memorabilia has been created heralding the Colts -- and Da Bearssss -- as the winners of Superbowl XLI.

Wasteful, no?

Well, not exactly, but you'll soon learn why it costs so much for that winning jersey or cap. In reality, you're paying for two... one with the Bears logo and one with the Colt logo.

In the past, the losing team's merchandise was destroyed. But for a number of years now, the NFL has donated the merchandise to World Vision where it's shipped overseas to provide clothing to those who otherwise don't have.

Also, apparently when the U.S. Customs seizes counterfeit products (sports memorabilia or other), if it can be reused, it's given to World Vision. In the past, the Customs agency was responsible for the cost of disposing of the seized goods. Now, it, too, is turned over to World Vision. For counterfeit goods the first order of business is to remove the labels and then tag all the merchandise with the World Vision logo so it's identifiable later that it wasn't legitimate goods in the first place.

So, saving the U.S. Government money (aka us taxpayers), keeping stuff out of landfills (or incinerator smoke out of the air) and helping to clothe the rest of the world. That's pretty cool.

Feb. 1

A new month. And then some. I feel so old.