January 14, 2005
don't call it a comeback. i've been here for years. --ll cool j
some experiences, however inconsequential, simply cannot pass by without comment.
today, a baby shower luncheon was scheduled for one of three women in our office who is pregnant. earlier in the day, much squealing was going on around the corner from my office, so i popped out to see what the fuss was about. several female staff members had gathered around “mom”. it seems that she had just been presented with a “baby”...one of those creepy, “lifelike” infant dolls that parents sometimes use to teach their little girls (and sometimes boys, if mom and dad are striving for gender-neutrality) how to nurture.
okay....?
the expectant mother was encouraged to carry around “baby” for the entire work day. so far, i believe she has. at the luncheon, when she presented “baby” to her husband (who had been invited in for the occasion), he took it reluctantly, held it for a hot 3 seconds, and promptly returned it to her, with an absolutely priceless look on his face.
as if the whole “baby” thing is not scary enough... “baby” actually belongs to another woman on staff, one of 3 vice presidents who is in her mid-50s and has children in high school and college. apparently, it had been a gift from her staff (including 2 of the 3 now-pregnant women) last year. apparently, she had really wanted it. apparently, she thinks it’s “precious.”
the workplace? it can be frightening.
p.s.-- yeah. i'm back.
3:20 PM
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