Apparently still a man's world

Recently, work has been more stressful than usual. My office is great, the environment is good for productivity, and I generally like the people I work with. Lately, it's been somewhat harrowing because entire days are spent in court witnessing the basest depravity of our nation's youth, and the fatal results of their actions. I haven't been in the office to do any of my regular work, so I'm not looking forward to the crazy game of catch-up I'll be playing for the next couple of weeks. Plus, I've got to catch up on what's been up with my peeps in Blogistan, world news, and celebrity gossip! :-)

Anyway, it has been hard enough to sit through 7+ hours of gruesome medical examiner's testimony, among other emotionally charged witnesses, but when you add into the mix the unthinking, offensive commentary of a colleague, it makes for a bad, bad day.

This afternoon I got into what I thought was an intellectual discussion with a colleague on how the judge may potentially rule. Before I knew it I was caught up in a full-fledged debate with tinges of anger in it. I had my point of view and expressed it, with the caveat that I could be totally wrong since I don't have a strong base in criminal law. However, as the "debate" continued, I was informed that "as a woman" I may be predisposed to thinking and deciding subjectively with my emotions rather than objectively through my intellect and education.

I don't know how best to explain how fundamentally offended I was at that comment. I was furious. F-U-R-I-O-U-S. Listen, I don't find offense with the notion that as a female I may approach conflict resolution with some measure of what makes me feminine, but rather I was beyond pissed that this person tried to continue with an explanation, and ended up saying that women only approach conflict resolution and the legal process with emotion, drama, and focused subjectivity, and therefore, are by definition somehow less intelligent or less able to function as attorneys or judges compared to males. Sweet!

I maintained my wits about me for a variety of important reasons and did not lose my head, but God help me, if the judge rules as I believe he will (in my humble, feminine opinion) I will dance a fucking jig in the middle of my office. I may even bring my tap shoes. Too bad they're not pink.

On my way home I got to thinking how American women had to fight for the 19 Amendment in August 1920 to have access to the ballot box, when ALL males were granted that right to vote in 1870. Sure, one could argue that in theory all men were granted the right to vote in the 15th Amendment, but in reality black men were prevented from comfortably and safely voting for many, many decades to come. However, that doesn't change the fact that at least on paper all male, black slaves, many of them illiterate due to the shackles of slavery, were still considered more capable of expressing their free mind as to politics than women were by more than 50 years. What a patently offensive way of viewing my gender.

And how very sad of an index of how much further we have to go as a society when it comes to the sexist views of many in our land towards women. It sucked having to be on the receiving end of a such a sexist dialogue, but I think I stood up for myself in a honorable fashion. I hope that before my time on earth is over we'll have gone a long way in dealing with the issue.

Let me move to a happier part of my day. My Belov-Ed and my boys are making sure my evening is more relaxing and more pleasant than my day. Ed's watching Biography or the History Channel. He's lounging on the couch next to me, looking adorable in his housepants/party pants.

I spent some time catching up on the news of the world, since I've been feeling disconnected these past couple of weeks. I hate not being at my desk with my computer. As you all know, I am a news addict. I need to know, and like to know, what is going on all around the world, whether that means earthquakes in China, cyclones in Myanmar, progression of power in Russia, elections in Kenya, or Britney Spears' newest dramatic anecdote. It is critically important to know and understand what your fellow man and woman is experiencing. It is living history.

Anyway, Milo is lying by me and Achilles is lying by the breezy doorway. He luuuuurves the breeze. I love my boys so much...

It was Ed's turn to make dinner and we had yum-yum-yummy chicken broccoli & veggie stir fry with noodles. So good I had to snap a picture of it! Surprise, huh?

Since he cooked, I cleaned up, which is an absolute BREEZE because Ed cleans as he cooks. That is an amazing concept for me since I can't be in the kitchen without setting off a cyclone. The kitchen always looks like a bomb site after I'm done cooking. Ed usually spends about 10-15 minutes cleaning up after I cook. Tonight, I washed two bowls, two forks, and one plate after our dinner. Probably done in less than a minute. I swear to God. This would be reason # 6,394,094,726,000 why I love Belov-Ed. :-)

I want to read my favorite blogs, but I'm so tired. I don't like reading my faves in a hurry or when I'm tired, because then I don't have the time or energy to leave the comments that I'd like to leave. You know that "give a penny, take a penny" dish at gas stations? Well, I like to leave a penny. :-)

I think I'll go to bed now. I'm teaching my spin class tomorrow and I want to get up a bit earlier and run on the treadmill. Good night for now... (yawwwwn)....