April 13, 2010

BTK here. Ok. Title is still not real creative. Sorry. We talked about that last time and I'm working on it. Read on and see about this week.

A new topic. My employer has now required Anti- Harrassment training. It is being offered as a required online course to be completed by May 26, 2010. While I am not opposed to such training, I have often thought that reasonable, intelligent human beings should not need to be taught how to treat each other in a proper way. I will complete the training as ordered by the policy. However, you can read my comments, if you dare.

In the old days, co-workers of both sexes could share jokes, in good taste, share friendly borderline comments and even deliver sexual innuendos without anyone being offended. Today, you can barely say much beyond "Good Morning" to a co-worker, that you do not know, without risking a confrontation or a potential harassment complaint. I have always respected ethnicity, race, creed, sex, disability (duh) and most of the other "protected characteristics" before it was law to do so. Obviously, times are changing.

I will find it difficult to change so quickly. I am a friendly person. I like women. I enjoy my female colleagues and hopefully some of them feel the same about me. To those who do, I let them know that, both verbally and physically, with their approval (i.e. a hug, a peck on the cheek) that I appreciate their friendship and positive response. I never overstep the individual bounds which each one sets. If you're not a "hugger" I leave you alone. I respect each individual's feelings and temper my response accordingly. I also know that one single encounter does not govern all the rest. Mutual understanding & respect are most important. I am very, very careful.

I must say, in conclusion, that this is just one more example of how reasonable people (an SCOTUS term) have failed to deal with each other respectfully. We need these rules because of the men and women (I use those terms losely) who don't, and will never, understand and deal with each other properly.

On a personal note, C and K of (C, K and the Littles") have been sick this week with allergies and other ailments. I can only hope that they are well enough by Saturday to keep our "date for some fun"

Some of you may know that I have been honored to be designated as a godfather-to-be for a special needs child. Bella , who is six months old, has joined us in this world with challenges, which among other things, probably will render her blind for most of her life. We can hope for future research which reverses this trend. But, for now, we deal with what it is.

I want to understand how to advocate for Bella as she grows. To do that I have enrolled in an on-line advocacy class at Chicago's Hadley School for the Blind. This is the first of many courses to allow me to understand and actively participate in the life that Bella will lead... more later

Lastly, this week I visited my office today. I have worked from home since July, 2009. I have been productive and happy in that pursuit. However, until today, I did not realize the importance of staying personally connected to my friends and work colleagues. Today, their in person visits and kind words let me know that I was still a valued member of the team. As if that was not enough, I received a personal phone call, when I arrived home, from our CEO, a longtime friend and colleague. I missed him personally during my office visit and still he felt obligated to call. Friends like this don't happen a lot. I cherish al lof them indeed.

Thanks again for reading... comments welcome