Small Talk: Behavioral Gabbing Unit

[Saje]

I'll be hanging with a good friend some of you know. She's setting me up with someone special - we'll see. Wish me luck!

[MCatry]

I'll be hanging with a good friend some of you know. She's setting me up with someone special - we'll see. Wish me luck!

Tons of luck!

[zannej]

I have sooo much stuff to do I won't even list all of it.. LOL.

But I have to pick up the trash my brother left all over the kitchen and front room. I have to clean the litterpans. I have to replace an outside faucet because the pipe burst. I have to clean up my bathroom, pull up the temporary flooring, grind down the botched self-leveling flooring, put down primer, measure out the new leveling mix, pour that and trowel it smooth, secure the vinyl sheet and trim it up, put down baseboard, hook up the water supply (involves going under the house and cutting the pipe to make it even and then gluing it), install the toilet, put another coat of paint on the vanity, install the door and drawer hardware, repaint the chest of drawers and put new hardware on, install new towel bars, shower rod, trim, etc... eventually I need to get a new shower surround and patch the spot on the tub where the tenants scraped the porcelain off..... and that's just the one bathroom. I have 2 others and a laundry room to fix up. For two of the rooms I have to rip the subfloor down to the joists and repalce it.

 

But I tend to have a weird sort of bad luck. Last night I managed to slice my fingertip on the foil for my cholesterol meds. I was pushing the pill out and the foil somehow managed to get at just the right angle to leave a half-inch wide slice in my finger. I didn't even know it was possible to get cut by that foil, but I found a way. I must have a special talent, because I've managed to cut myself on the metal part of a paintbrush that holds the bristles on. I also scraped my knuckles on the inside of a toilet tank when I was dismantling the flush valve assembly to clean it (so it would stop the toilet from running-- easier than just replacing the assembly). And I once cut myself on the inside of my computer chassis when changing out the CMOS battery.

 

Meanwhile, I'm reading up on plumbing code more. I was happy to see that the 4" from wall rule for lavatories (sinks) from IRC R 307.1 was removed (IRC = International Residential Code). I've figured out what fittings are needed and what runs I can have for the drain and vent pipes but I have to figure out the proper placement for cleanouts.

[smoker]

I think if I make a list it's going to take me forever so the first ones coming to mind are:

 

1. The shield, love it. 
2. Fringe, Broyles and Hotchner in the same room and I'll have a heart attack (I know, I know, I got a "strong and silent" type. Just add Mike from Breakin Bad and you got me a hat-trick).
3. Southland, absolutely awesome.
4. Justified (this one got a couple of seasons really weak, but the show still worths it)
5. Banshee, season 3 is just amazing,  I can't believe I almost drop it in the middle of season 1. Moreover, I would pay a good amount of money to watch anyone on Banshee beating the shit out of JJ or Morgan or both or JJ. 

 

*Special mention to the one sitcom in my heart: Frasier

[Saje]

Well, I came here to share Sherlock. For those of you into profiling and if you haven't seen it, a true treat awaits. I mean I'm not wrong when I tell you it practically takes it to the molecular level right in front of you.

 

I don't really LOVE LOVE anything else right now. Game of Thrones but everyone likes that and you're probably sick to death of hearing that you should read/watch it.

[Cobalt Stargazer]

From the Commercial section of the forums:

 

 

Franklin Graham is pulling Billy Graham Association accounts from Wells Fargo over ads featuring same-sex couples to "fight moral decay".  He is also calling on Christians to boycott Wells Fargo as well as Tiffany & Co. because the jeweler has advertised wedding rings for same-sex couples.

 

 

Turns out the bank that Franklin Graham transferred his money into is a major sponsor of Gay Pride Miami.

 

Because God don't like ugly. :-D

[Bookish Jen]

Hello everyone. I've been pretty busy lately and have a lot on my plate so that's one of the reasons why I haven't posted that much lately (well, that and CM being on hiatus).

Weird things are going on with work so I've taken on some freelance assignments. I'm also getting more involved with my church. My church has once-a-month film screenings from the fall through the spring, and I was asked to help out with the selection of the films. Because my church is so involved with social issues a lot of our films are documentaries and fictional movies that focus on race relations, gay rights, politics, immigration, income inequality, religion and feminism. I offered up a few film selections to the committee and they really liked my ideas. One of the committee members told me (and I'm paraphrasing), "Jennifer, you really get what we're all about, and I'm so glad you've joined us. I really appreciate your energy and insight." Let me just say those comments really made my day.

 

And I'd be remiss if I didn't offer a shout-out to our lovely Cobalt Stargazer. As many of you know, Co-Star writes some amazing fan fiction. Because of this I asked her to write a guest book review at my blog. Here is a link to her review of Denis Lehane's "The Drop." Enjoy!
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/27/guest-book-review-the-drop-by-dennis-lehane-guest-review-by-cobalt-stargazer/

 

Speaking of books, I thought this was very interesting:
http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/why-readers-scientifically-are-the-best-people-to-fall-in-love-with-dg/

Edited June 15, 2015 by Bookish Jen

[secnarf]

Hello everyone. I've been pretty busy lately and have a lot on my plate so that's one of the reasons why I haven't posted that much lately (well, that and CM being on hiatus).

Weird things are going on with work so I've taken on some freelance assignments. I'm also getting more involved with my church. My church has once-a-month film screenings from the fall through the spring, and I was asked to help out with the selection of the films. Because my church is so involved with social issues a lot of our films are documentaries and fictional movies that focus on race relations, gay rights, politics, immigration, income inequality, religion and feminism. I offered up a few film selections to the committee and they really liked my ideas. One of the committee members told me (and I'm paraphrasing), "Jennifer, you really get what we're all about, and I'm so glad you've joined us. I really appreciate your energy and insight." Let me just say those comments really made my day.

Your church supports gay rights? That totally made my day :)

What are some of the films that are being screened? And what were some of your ideas?

[Bookish Jen]

Your church supports gay rights? That totally made my day :)

What are some of the films that are being screened? And what were some of your ideas?

I'm a Unitarian Universalist (I was actually raised Roman Catholic), and UUs are pretty well-known for their progressive ideas and commitment to social justice. A lot of the films we see focus on various themes, and right now I can't come up with the titles. But here are some that I suggested for our upcoming season (this is from the email I sent to one of the committee members. The descriptions are from our local library system):

Miss Representation-Documentary:

"As the most persuasive and pervasive force of communication in our culture, media is educating yet another generation that a woman's primary value lay in her youth, beauty and sexuality--and not in her capacity to lead, making it difficult for women to obtain leadership positions and for girls to reach their full potential. The film accumulates startling facts and statistics that leave audiences shaken, armed with a new perspective"--Container

 

Fruitvale Station-Fictional Feature (could easily tie in with Black Lives Matter and police violence against young black men):

Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old Bay Area resident, crosses paths with friends, enemies, family, and strangers on the last day of 2008. Then he encounters police officers in a transit station. They kill him.

 

Sole Journey-documentary:

Documents a dedicated and courageous group of individuals who took a six-day, 65 mile march from the Colorado State Capitol in Denver to the Focus on the Family's headquarters in Colorado Springs to expose the well-funded, politically powerful organization that assaults the civil rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their families.

 

Inequality for All-Documentary:

Examines economics professor and Clinton Administration cabinet member Robert Reich's crusade to expose the problem of income inequality in the United States.

 

Electoral Dysfunction-documentary:

"The film opens as Mo makes an eye-opening discovery: The U.S. Constitution does not guarantee the right to vote. Mo sets out to learn why the Founding Fathers deliberately omitted the right to vote from the Constitution--and to understand the consequences of this decision. His quest leads him to Indiana, which has some of the strictest voting laws in the country. He meets two impassioned local activists--Republican Dee Dee Benkie of Versailles and Democrat Mike Marshall of North Vernon--who take him inside their efforts to turn out every vote. Dee Dee, a member of the Republican National Committee who worked in Karl Rove's office at the White House, has met her match in Mike, a veteran political consultant and former State Representative. Things heat up when the Republicans file a lawsuit challenging thousands of Democratic absentee ballots. As he progresses on his journey, Mo explores the heated debate over Voter ID and voter fraud; searches for the Electoral College; gets to know a former felon who mistakenly believed she was disenfranchised for life; critiques ballot design with Todd Oldham; and encounters a range of activists, experts, and election administrators, along with some highly opinionated third graders, who offer commentary on how voting works--or doesn't work--in America. Woven throughout the film are sequences in which Mo meets reformers working to bring greater fairness and transparency to our election system. Among these reformers are proponents of the National Popular Vote Campaign, who have devised a plan to reform the Electoral College without a Constitutional amendment. Although this pragmatic measure--which would result in direct election of the President--has already passed in 31 state legislative chambers, it has received scant attention from the mainstream media. These stories carry the film into the future while giving viewers concrete steps they can take to help bring about change." -- Provided by Producer.

 

 

[secnarf]

Thanks :) Those sound really interesting! I might add a couple to my (ever-growing) list of films to watch.

I was also raised Roman Catholic, and I would never categorize Roman Catholicism as progressive :P It's always nice though to see churches (regardless of the specific denomination) that are more open.

[Bookish Jen]

Thanks :) Those sound really interesting! I might add a couple to my (ever-growing) list of films to watch.

I was also raised Roman Catholic, and I would never categorize Roman Catholicism as progressive :P It's always nice though to see churches (regardless of the specific denomination) that are more open.

I found myself turning away from the Catholic faith as a teenager when I realized my burgeoning liberal views weren't going to fly with the religion in which I was raised. I'm pro-choice. I think women should be priests. I think priests should be able to get married. And let's not forget the whole "priests molesting children" scandal that has plagued the church for decades (that and the cover-up).

 

However, I did attend an all-women's Catholic college, and the nuns seriously kicked ass. And I'm a big fan of Sister Simone from "Nuns on the Bus." And then there was Father Groppi who was very active in civil rights issues here in Milwaukee.

 

So to me, the UU faith just makes sense and lines up with my values.

[MCatry]

First, I am so sorry about the deaths of your brother and sister. My father lost an older brother and I didn't find out about it until I was nearly out of my teens. I think we have so much TMI today because of social media, blogs, reality TV, talk shows, etc, that we forget there was once a time where you didn't talk about "certain things." In my family background, we have divorce, teen pregnancy, mental illness, addiction, adultery and countless other scandalous things. We even have a priest who impregnated one of his parishioners. I've also been told we have a saint in our family background, but take that with a grain of a communion wafer.

 

I can be a pretty private person myself. Granted, I have revealed some things here-being bullied as both a child and as an adult, being the victim of a brutal assault and my subsequent PTSD. Heck, I even revealed I once hung out with porn star Becca Blossoms at a slut walk (blushes demurely). But maybe I've revealed those things because there seems to be a bit of anonomity with the Internet. Plus, I haven't revealed my full name nor has anyone seen a photo of me.

 

I think there are some topics we may talk about that are easy to say if we are talking to strangers, because we fell a lot less exposed, and in a way we have this feeling that we won't be judged or reprimanded, or something like that.

So far, and after reading about your life, I thing I had an extremely lucky life. I've done pretty dumb things in my life, and I was lucky enough to just walk out of them completely unharmed (and most of the times, also unaware of danger)

I had climbed into a stranger's car on a heavy rainy day, since the guy took pity of me waiting for the bus and dropped me at my place (and I was 19 yo), and I never saw him again.

I was at Barahas airport just two hours before the bomb event, and I found out about that almost three months later.

I left my luggage unattended in Malaysia just to take a picture of a bird with my cellphone, and when I got back to where I left it (about 50 m away) it was jus there.

I lost my ID, my (back in those days) only credit card and some money (around three hundred dollars) while on a trip, and two months later a police officer knocked on my door to return everything on an envelope. Someone found my wallet, took it to the local police station, someone at the police station mailed it to my local police station, and someone else took time to deliver it to my front door. And you know what? Even the money was there.

I've never been robbed.

I've never even been on a car accident (not even a minor one)

I could go on and on, but you get the picture.

Maybe I have two guardian angels, even though I don't even care about God or religions.

Or maybe I am just extremely lucky.

In any case, I think I am compassionate, and I truly believe that most people is good and genuine. I don't think you need to experience hardships to be able to feel compassion, but I am pretty sure it gives you an entirely different perspective.

[Droogie]

I agree with you. McCatry. I think most people mean well. Not to discount those that don't, however.

You mentioning the Baharas airport... I was at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta just before the bombing there at the 1996 Olympics. We had literally just left and boarded the bus back to the parking lot when it exploded. Scary that we were mainly hanging out in the area the bomb was planted.

[secnarf]

I also think I've had a pretty lucky life. It's certainly not been perfect - the deaths of my siblings, issues coming out to my parents, depression, etc - but overall it could have been much worse. Of course, I'm still young (24 yo), and hopefully have a lot of "life" ahead of me.

 

I think experiencing hardships allows you to empathize more easily with others going through similar situations, but one can certainly be compassionate and empathetic regardless of their life experiences. I agree that it gives you a different perspective, though - one that is only gained through experience. However, I think the "near misses" also have an impact and can change your perspective.

 

I really like this quote by Harlan Ellison: “I know that pain is the most important thing in the universes. Greater than survival, greater than love, greater even than the beauty it brings about. For without pain, there can be no pleasure. Without sadness, there can be no happiness. Without misery there can be no beauty. And without these, life is endless, hopeless, doomed and damned."

 

As a complete aside, I am enjoying the CNN series "The Seventies", and the episode description for Thursday is:
 

 

Cults and Crimes -- America suffered through one of its most violent decades as crime rates soared and Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, the Son of Sam and the Jim Jones made headlines. We hear from Vincent Bugliosi, Lawrence Wright, and James Wolcott.

 

May be of interest to some of you on here!

[MCatry]

I agree with you. McCatry. I think most people mean well. Not to discount those that don't, however.

You mentioning the Baharas airport... I was at Centennial Olympic Park in Atlanta just before the bombing there at the 1996 Olympics. We had literally just left and boarded the bus back to the parking lot when it exploded. Scary that we were mainly hanging out in the area the bomb was planted.

We live scary times, thanks to crazy human beings...

Edited June 28, 2015 by MCatry

[Cobalt Stargazer]

I think experiencing hardships allows you to empathize more easily with others going through similar situations, but one can certainly be compassionate and empathetic regardless of their life experiences. I agree that it gives you a different perspective, though - one that is only gained through experience. However, I think the "near misses" also have an impact and can change your perspective.

 

I really like this quote by Harlan Ellison: “I know that pain is the most important thing in the universes. Greater than survival, greater than love, greater even than the beauty it brings about. For without pain, there can be no pleasure. Without sadness, there can be no happiness. Without misery there can be no beauty. And without these, life is endless, hopeless, doomed and damned."

 

On a related note, I went to see Inside Out yesterday (go see it if you can, because Pixar has done it again), and without giving away too much of the movie one of the lessons in it is that sadness, not joy, is what creates empathy. That bad experiences are what teaches us to feel kinship with others, without which we can't sympathize because we've never been in turmoil. I think I may have to see that movie again, it was that good.

[Bookish Jen]

 

On a related note, I went to see Inside Out yesterday (go see it if you can, because Pixar has done it again), and without giving away too much of the movie one of the lessons in it is that sadness, not joy, is what creates empathy. That bad experiences are what teaches us to feel kinship with others, without which we can't sympathize because we've never been in turmoil. I think I may have to see that movie again, it was that good.

I so want to see this movie!

[secnarf]

I am off work next week, and my sister and I are planning on seeing it :) I am very excited!

[normasm]

 

On a related note, I went to see Inside Out yesterday (go see it if you can, because Pixar has done it again), and without giving away too much of the movie one of the lessons in it is that sadness, not joy, is what creates empathy. That bad experiences are what teaches us to feel kinship with others, without which we can't sympathize because we've never been in turmoil. I think I may have to see that movie again, it was that good.

I want to see this movie, too! I think that sadness and joy together creates empathy. Joy is made all the sweeter when we experience sorrow, and i think it's vice versa, that sadness can be sweet as we remember joy. While i can imagine a person being sad all the time, I really can't imagine someone being joyful all the time, can you? Maybe relentlessly upbeat all the time, but truly joyful? I agree, if you don't know sadness, if you haven't practiced how to protect your heart, you probably can't as easily see others doing it. 

[Bookish Jen]

I want to see this movie, too! I think that sadness and joy together creates empathy. Joy is made all the sweeter when we experience sorrow, and i think it's vice versa, that sadness can be sweet as we remember joy. While i can imagine a person being sad all the time, I really can't imagine someone being joyful all the time, can you? Maybe relentlessly upbeat all the time, but truly joyful? I agree, if you don't know sadness, if you haven't practiced how to protect your heart, you probably can't as easily see others doing it. 

This is lovely, so lovely. Thanks for writing it, Normasm.

 

And I just found out Inside Out is playing at a theater just a few blocks north of me. I think I'll go see it this week-end.

[Bookish Jen]

Could you please send positive vibes my way? Our local transit system might go on strike and that's going to affect countless people in Milwaukee County including yours truly. Now I can walk to work, but there are far too many people who can't, not to mention the elderly and disabled who rely on the buses to get them to their various appointments.

http://www.cbs58.com/story/29443578/bus-riders-not-happy-with-idea-of-possible-strike

 

ETA: Well, it looks like the strike is official. It starts tomorrow. I better lose weight from all the walking I'm going to do.

Edited June 30, 2015 by Bookish Jen

[Old Dog]

Happy 4th July to all my American friends on here. Although of course you are still just one of our colonies really!!!

[Cobalt Stargazer]

I think you have us confused with Australia.

 

 

;-)

[Old Dog]

I think the comment the little ones use is ROTFL! God save The Queen!

[Danielg342]

Could you please send positive vibes my way? Our local transit system might go on strike and that's going to affect countless people in Milwaukee County including yours truly. Now I can walk to work, but there are far too many people who can't, not to mention the elderly and disabled who rely on the buses to get them to their various appointments.

http://www.cbs58.com/story/29443578/bus-riders-not-happy-with-idea-of-possible-strike

 

ETA: Well, it looks like the strike is official. It starts tomorrow. I better lose weight from all the walking I'm going to do.

 

Hopefully this gets resolved soon. I understand the strike is finished (just from what I saw from Google).

 

If you ask me, though, I would deem transit an essential service and forbid strikes. Just like the police, firefighters and healthcare workers- the public cannot be held hostage.

[Bookish Jen]

I hope all my fellow Americans had a fun and safe 4th of July week-end, and to all of you, I hope the start of the week is treating you well.

 

I was fortunate enough to have a four-day week-end, and I spent Thursday and Friday in Chicago with some friends. Thursday night we saw U2 at their final Chicago gig at the United Center. We've been fans of U2 for eons, and though we joke that U2 are totally corporate rock and Bono can be a bloviating git, something he admits to all the time-when he's not falling off his damn bike, U2 are just the most amazing live act. They totally blew us away! And when they dug deep into their musical history and played "Gloria" the entire audience lost their collective minds.

 

We decided to stay at a hotel, and guess who welcomed us to our suite? Scroll down...

https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/writers-block-16/

[Bookish Jen]

Reason 574,206 why I loathe Governor Despicable Fucknugget:

http://jezebel.com/scott-walker-noted-tool-is-trying-to-axe-wisconsins-l-1716314839

 

CM could spend entire season devoted to this motherfucker's unsub-like sociopathic leanings. I picture a scene where Spencer profiles Governor Fucknugget like a bad ass and then turns to me and says, "Go on, Miss Bookish Jen" and I kick this unsub in the nuts. Spencer finds this a total turn-on but mentally reminds himself to never piss me off.
 

[normasm]

He quite disturbs me, the lack of humanity.

[Bookish Jen]

He quite disturbs me, the lack of humanity.

This could be his 2016 Presidential campaign slogan.

[Danielg342]

The scarier part than Scott Walker simply existing is that there's a sizeable electorate who agrees with him. Chances are he wouldn't do these things if he felt that people wouldn't vote for him otherwise.

[Bookish Jen]

The scarier part than Scott Walker simply existing is that there's a sizeable electorate who agrees with him. Chances are he wouldn't do these things if he felt that people wouldn't vote for him otherwise.

So true, so true. I looked up some of my old HS classmates on various social media, and a majority of them are huge Scott Walker fans. Needless to say I won't be going to any HS reunions. And don't even get me started on Walker's main benefactor's, The Koch Brothers (shudder).

 

On a somewhat lighter note, this essay proves why I always preferred Aidan over Mr. Big when I used to waste my time watching "Sex and the City."

 

http://www.yourtango.com/2011121675/3-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-date-finance-guy

[Bookish Jen]

 

On a related note, I went to see Inside Out yesterday (go see it if you can, because Pixar has done it again), and without giving away too much of the movie one of the lessons in it is that sadness, not joy, is what creates empathy. That bad experiences are what teaches us to feel kinship with others, without which we can't sympathize because we've never been in turmoil. I think I may have to see that movie again, it was that good.

I saw this movie yesterday and absolutely loved it. I think the adults in the audience laughed more than the kids.

 

And on a much less positive note, Governor Despicable Fucknugget has joined the GOP clown car of 2016 Presidential candidates. I am so sorry. Wisconsin is so much better than this truly awful man. Cheeseheads, for the most part, are good people. Walker does not represent a majority of my state's citizens.

 

[secnarf]

He looks like such a sleaze in that photo. I don't know much about him (or US politics in general) but it doesn't seem like he has a strong chance of actually getting the Republican nomination, does he? If not, then settle for happily watching him lose ;)

 

Also, a small (un-related) rant: I work part-time while in school and full-time during the summers. I'm hoping to get a job at my current workplace once I'm done school and fully licensed to practice, in the same department but once I'm licensed it will be a different position than the one I currently hold. I've been working here for about 13 months now. One of my co-workers is driving me nuts. He's been there for ages and basically can do whatever he wants - exempt from working weekends and holidays (which everybody else is required to do), leaves 30 mins early with no repercussions, etc. He's probably 35-40 years older than me. I learned very quickly that if he doesn't like you, he can make your life miserable, so I made an effort to get on his good side, which seemed to work. Anyways, he's always kind of had borderline inappropriate behaviour towards me - standing too close, touching me in ways that are a little too "friendly", etc. He's like that with all of the female employees.  Recently, he has taken it a bit further with me, singing about telling me he loves me, telling me that if he was younger he'd marry me (and asking me if I feel the same, to which I quickly responded "NO"), and the touching has been getting more uncomfortable. I know other people have complained about his behaviour in the past, with nothing coming out of it except getting on this guy's bad side. Anyways, I just had a shift with him today and felt the need to rant about it, since this is the first time I've really felt like showering when I got home because of him.

I should add that my job during high school (totally unrelated to my current job) involved enduring significant amounts of inappropriate behaviour from the public, to the point where we were not allowed to wear name tags for our own safety, sometimes weren't allowed to leave work right when our shift ended, because of safety concerns, and on more than a few occasions the police were involved. I am very used to this type of behaviour and worse, but it's different when it's a coworker.

/end rant

[Bookish Jen]

If you are wondering what type of cheeseheads are Walker's supporters, please read this article and peruse the photos. The only thing I have in common with them is my skin color:

 

http://milwaukeerecord.com/city-life/we-went-to-scott-walkers-presidential-announcement-and-this-is-what-we-saw/

 

[Bookish Jen]

He looks like such a sleaze in that photo. I don't know much about him (or US politics in general) but it doesn't seem like he has a strong chance of actually getting the Republican nomination, does he? If not, then settle for happily watching him lose ;)

 

Also, a small (un-related) rant: I work part-time while in school and full-time during the summers. I'm hoping to get a job at my current workplace once I'm done school and fully licensed to practice, in the same department but once I'm licensed it will be a different position than the one I currently hold. I've been working here for about 13 months now. One of my co-workers is driving me nuts. He's been there for ages and basically can do whatever he wants - exempt from working weekends and holidays (which everybody else is required to do), leaves 30 mins early with no repercussions, etc. He's probably 35-40 years older than me. I learned very quickly that if he doesn't like you, he can make your life miserable, so I made an effort to get on his good side, which seemed to work. Anyways, he's always kind of had borderline inappropriate behaviour towards me - standing too close, touching me in ways that are a little too "friendly", etc. He's like that with all of the female employees.  Recently, he has taken it a bit further with me, singing about telling me he loves me, telling me that if he was younger he'd marry me (and asking me if I feel the same, to which I quickly responded "NO"), and the touching has been getting more uncomfortable. I know other people have complained about his behaviour in the past, with nothing coming out of it except getting on this guy's bad side. Anyways, I just had a shift with him today and felt the need to rant about it, since this is the first time I've really felt like showering when I got home because of him.

I should add that my job during high school (totally unrelated to my current job) involved enduring significant amounts of inappropriate behaviour from the public, to the point where we were not allowed to wear name tags for our own safety, sometimes weren't allowed to leave work right when our shift ended, because of safety concerns, and on more than a few occasions the police were involved. I am very used to this type of behaviour and worse, but it's different when it's a coworker.

/end rant

This creeper is a complete sleaze. From what you wrote it sounds like he is sexually harassing you and you do not deserve it. Please document his inappropriate behavior as much as possible, writing it down in a small notebook if at all possible and approach other female employees. It is very possible this creeper is using the same behavior and making them uncomfortable.

 

It's also bothersome that your management is so unresponsive to you and don't hold him accountable for his completely inappropriate behavior. Can you possibly go over their heads to their managers?

 

Please keep us updated. I'm really concerned about you.

 

And another place where nobody should work? Lululemon, the yoga-based retail company:

http://jezebel.com/lululemon-diaries-my-life-in-an-exploitative-libertari-1717441616

 

[Danielg342]

Secnarf, Bookish Jen, the Ministry of Labour has an obligation to investigate if the workplace doesn't, and inappropriate touching could likely involve the police as well.

Hope it works out for you, Frances. Your co-worker should never treat you like that, no matter how long he's been there.

[Bookish Jen]

Secnarf, Bookish Jen, the Ministry of Labour has an obligation to investigate if the workplace doesn't, and inappropriate touching could likely involve the police as well.

Hope it works out for you, Frances. Your co-worker should never treat you like that, no matter how long he's been there.

Thanks for the info, Daniel!

 

And this profile of Scott Walker from the Onion is made of win. And so spot-on:

http://www.theonion.com/graphic/candidate-profile-scott-walker-50828

 

Someone on-line said Scott Walker is too doofy looking to be President; he has resting derp face. Bwah!

 

[normasm]

That's exactly the sound my brain was making when he was talking: herp, derp, herp, derp

To secnarf's asking if he could have a chance at the nom-nom (Scott Walker), I will just say he is David Koch's fave candidate. Money buys a lot in elections, just saying

Edited July 15, 2015 by normasm

[Bookish Jen]

You know, I don't like to shame people about their looks, especially considering I've got plenty of nasty remarks about my looks. But this clown car of GOP 2016 Presidential candidates is really an unattractive bunch-Walker's got herp derp face, Trump's face looks like it's made of boiled foreskin, and Ted Cruz fell out of the ugly tree and hit very branch on the way down.

[Danielg342]

The Donald is leading the Republican polls...which is in of itself scary.

The good news- if you see it that way- is that Hilary is leading the overall polls by a wide margin. So the Donald's nomination may not matter much.

[secnarf]

This creeper is a complete sleaze. From what you wrote it sounds like he is sexually harassing you and you do not deserve it. Please document his inappropriate behavior as much as possible, writing it down in a small notebook if at all possible and approach other female employees. It is very possible this creeper is using the same behavior and making them uncomfortable.

 

It's also bothersome that your management is so unresponsive to you and don't hold him accountable for his completely inappropriate behavior. Can you possibly go over their heads to their managers?

 

Please keep us updated. I'm really concerned about you.

 

And another place where nobody should work? Lululemon, the yoga-based retail company:

http://jezebel.com/lululemon-diaries-my-life-in-an-exploitative-libertari-1717441616

 

Wow, I had no idea Lululemon was so awful to work for!! That's ridiculous.

 

This guy's behaviour definitely qualifies as sexual harassment, and I know he treats other female employees in a similar way - although recently his behaviour towards me has escalated beyond his baseline level of sleaziness.

I haven't mentioned any of this to our managers, I just know that in the past when others have, it has not been productive and in fact makes the situation worse. Once it is reported to our managers, they are obligated to talk to this guy about it, and then he is aware that you made a complaint against him and will make your life miserable - I have seen him do this to the two other female employees who have complained. And from what I understand, one of the employees complained because he pulled down his pants to show his underwear to her - which is obviously completely out of line.

My employment situation is more precarious than his; he is a permanent employee and I am on a contract. Also, in a few months I will be applying to a 1-year program offered by the department, which is really competitive (~200 applicants for 2 spots) but would be very beneficial for my career, and they try to pick people who are a good "fit" for the department - so if you "make trouble", you're not a good "fit". I really can't afford to rock the boat right now, especially since I have a pretty good idea of what the outcome would be.

With any luck, I only have another few weeks of this - I have the next two weeks off, and then three more weeks of work before I go back to school. After that, I'll only work on weekends, so I won't see him. And as a bonus, one of my remaining three weeks is over the August long weekend, so there's three days that he won't be there (although, I'm stuck working very closely with him for the other two).

If it was somebody else, I'd probably be telling them to file a complaint also, but unfortunately doing that is a risk that I can't take. I think that's the most disheartening thing - I'm well aware that there's an abundance of creeps in the world, but it is really demoralizing to realize the repercussions of actually doing something to try and deal with it, as well as the futility of reporting this.

He's got a daughter who is a couple of years older than me. I'm much more worried about her than I am about me.

 

That's exactly the sound my brain was making when he was talking: herp, derp, herp, derp

To secnarf's asking if he could have a chance at the nom-nom (Scott Walker), I will just say he is David Koch's fave candidate. Money buys a lot in elections, just saying

How exactly does the nomination process work? Like, I understand that there are primaries that candidates enter and try to win - but they don't have to enter any/all primaries and I'm not sure if every state even has a primary? And some primaries are more important than others...and then there is the convention and people vote for a candidate. But I'm not entirely sure about the connection between the primaries and the convention.

 

Anyways, I'm not really familiar with Scott Walker and probably wouldn't have paid any attention if I hadn't heard about him here, but an article came up on my newsfeed on facebook today that discussed his viewpoints on a couple of different topics. I couldn't even read until the end. I thought it actually was an article from the Onion, but it wasn't satire at all.

[normasm]

The nomination process has changed greatly in the last few years, because of Citizens United. There almost cannot be a grassroots campaign that forces forward, like Jimmy Carter did in the late 70s. It's all about money now. The primaries may cease to mean anything with the gutting of the debates by the Fox News rules of exclusion (top 10 of national popularity!!!) 

 

Don't count Bluttos like Scott Walker out of election possibility. Remember, "W" was nominated and elected, and re-elected. I will not live to be old because of it...

[Cobalt Stargazer]

The Donald is leading the Republican polls...which is in of itself scary.

The good news- if you see it that way- is that Hilary is leading the overall polls by a wide margin. So the Donald's nomination may not matter much.

 

I wouldn't worry about The Donald. His bid for the presidency is going to crash like the Hindenburg now that his sponsors or whatever are dropping him faster than bettors drop cash on the horses at La Jolla.

[thewhiteowl]

He is the new Ross Perot.

Why, yes, I am old.

[Bookish Jen]

Secnarf, this is for you!

 

[secnarf]

Thanks Bookish Jen! That made me smile :)

 

Today was quite the day - I witnessed someone get hit by a car this morning (and narrowly avoided being hit myself), and then spent all afternoon/evening at work with that guy. At least he left even earlier than usual today! And he's off tomorrow for Eid :) Small mercies.

[Bookish Jen]

"Oh, hi there, Matthew. Sorry, but this scares me more than "Mr. Scratch"

 

[Cobalt Stargazer]

"Oh, hi there, Matthew. Sorry, but this scares me more than "Mr. Scratch"

 

 

 

 

[normasm]

I have to say in defense of the Duggar children, they are innocent until they do something bad and their parents praise them for it. I seriously do feel for the children in this situation, and they are nearly legion...

[secnarf]

I have to say in defense of the Duggar children, they are innocent until they do something bad and their parents praise them for it. I seriously do feel for the children in this situation, and they are nearly legion...

I would say they're all innocent/naive except for Josh. Isn't he the one who molested his sisters and the babysitter? And yes, the parents (IMO) should be charged for the way they covered it up, but presumably they didn't outright encourage the behaviour.