Comparing other men to my husband leaves them sadly lacking. He wasn't perfect and he was private (hello, 2nd life insurance policy when I didn't even think he had one) BUT he was not an a-hole jerk. Yet 3 out of the 4 men in my department are certified creeps which causes issues since I'm the department chair. However, as befits my status as the Grieving Widow, I feel a little bulletproof, hence I called them out at the last department meeting. Several friends who were there told me later, "YOU ROCKED!" I really don't seem to give a d*mn these days and I went after (for good reasons) a couple of our male department members, in my professional(yet cutting) way. Why would I want to help/mentor people who lie and are manipulative, as well as clueless and self-serving? ARRGHHH! Besides work, I've been out to dinner with a few of my high school friends, hosted Book Club and tried to keep as busy as possible. It IS the end of the semester, thus students are suddenly doing make-up work, the infamous ah hah moments that our principal talked about. *sigh* And I've finished the program for my husband's service which I'm not super satisfied with, but you know that I probably never would be. As I stated above, if anyone has any criticisms of anything I've done, I don't really care. They can, as the saying goes, bite me. And that's a nice way to say it. ;)
Perfect.
Posted by: Adrasteia | January 24, 2013 at 08:54 PM
Men in all professions seem to think they know more than anyone -- and white men are especially bad about this. Just read the last Newsweek physically published -- about how women up until the 1970's could NEVER be reporters, but even in the '70's the men editors thought the women reporters / editors should handle their laundry. Your program looks wonderfully thoughtful -- and we wish we could be there to celebrate Patt with you all. Nothing is perfect, of course, including Patt's life -- but he would be so proud of how you are "keeping on" keeping on. MGW
Posted by: Melissa | January 24, 2013 at 09:16 PM
I would have loved to hear you call people out! Sounds like it was way over due!
The program looks beautiful.
Posted by: mccgood | January 25, 2013 at 03:43 AM
I continue to be blown away by Tonya's poem. I LOVE the cheese hat photo. I think you did an awesome job.
I totally get the not giving a crap feeling. There's something about life-altering circumstances/events that changes one's perspective...
Posted by: Michelle | January 25, 2013 at 05:34 AM
I love the very idea of you calling out the bull at your department meetings. You do so rock! And that is a lovely tribute for Patt.
Posted by: Zazzy | January 25, 2013 at 07:42 AM
I am DELIGHTED that you ripped the male creeps in your department! Sure sounds like they deserved it -- love that you went all "Hillary" on them! (And I'd love to hear the particulars!)
Great job on your program!
Posted by: Tonya | January 25, 2013 at 09:56 AM
Well done. On all counts.
Posted by: Ally Bean | January 25, 2013 at 10:04 AM
I echo Ally's comment. Well done on the program, and bravo on calling out the jerks in your department.
Posted by: Stephanie | January 25, 2013 at 10:21 PM
That's a great program. :)
People like your coworkers are the reason why our school district has a new way of deciding who will stay or go when staff needs to be reduced. It's a hell of a lot of work, as we now have to "justify our lives" in writing based on rubrics. Good for you for calling them out!
Posted by: Marie K | January 26, 2013 at 08:14 PM