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susandennisSwim class wasn't that great. It's hard to aqua jog and cough at the same time plus it sounds pathetic and people were looking at me funny. I had to split early anyway to make the weekly conf call so I just left a little earlier. It was fine. The call was boring as usual.
But, now, mid-afternoon, my cough has nearly disappeared. I am very short of breath. I helped Chef Anita out to her car with all her cheffy stuff and we chatted while we walked and when we got to her car, I was totally out of breath.
Now, sitting here, computing, not talking or moving, I'm fine. So as long as life is delivered right here, no problemo. Probably I can make it to the kitchen - at least I hope so. Anita left some amazing looking meals. But, I can now, at least, take a deep breath without turning into an instant pile of cough attack.
I think I set my sites on full recovery by Thursday. It could clearly happen.
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jwg wrote today about a Boston Globe article that mentioned 1986 as the year the New York Times finally started using Ms. as a title option.
In January of 1986, I got my first big promotion with IBM. With it came a move (from Charlotte, NC) to HQ in New York. The day the movers came, I had a little portable TV on the floor of the living room surrounded by boxes and I was watching the space launch while the movers did their things. The space launch was not at all successful - happily my career launch did better.
My new job was with the real estate division. We commissioned major buildings by important architects in urban areas and then leased the space we didn't use (most of it). My job was to be the IBM liaison to the real estate developers' marketing team. It was a dream job. I got to travel all over everywhere and sit next to Philip Johnson at dinner and attend cocktail parties and showings and basically just be a fly on the wall. One night I even got to go to a World Series game at Fenway Park, in a limo.
Part of the job was also working with the press representing IBM in these ventures. Having been a reporter this was not a problem for me in general. I had been on the job less than a month, however, when the New York Times called about the building we were doing on Wall Street. I gave the guy the info he needed - suitable for quoting - and then he asked me if I was married.
I was a little taken aback and asked him what that info had to do with IBM real estate. He allowed as how he had to have a title to go with the quote attribution. His choices were Miss or Mrs. I said Ms. He said that was not an allowable option.
Had I had any sense, being new on the job and young and not even that bright, I should have said 'oh, I understand, no problem, I'm divorced, use whatever you like.'
But, I had a head full of ERA and an exaggerated sense of my place in the grand scheme of things. I checked with my manager - 'does IBM require me to divulge my marital status to the New York Times?' 'No, of course not.' So I went back to the reporter and told him my marital status was not relevant. I suggested if he needed someone who's title was unambiguous, he could call my manager who was of the male persuasion.
I got no grief at IBM even though I'm sure they would have rather I'd taken door number 1, but my manager was clearly very relieved when he greeted me one morning with the news that the Times had changed their policy.
They were decidedly not the good old days but they were sure interesting times. I'm very grateful for having been there if only to more appreciate the now.
But, now, mid-afternoon, my cough has nearly disappeared. I am very short of breath. I helped Chef Anita out to her car with all her cheffy stuff and we chatted while we walked and when we got to her car, I was totally out of breath.
Now, sitting here, computing, not talking or moving, I'm fine. So as long as life is delivered right here, no problemo. Probably I can make it to the kitchen - at least I hope so. Anita left some amazing looking meals. But, I can now, at least, take a deep breath without turning into an instant pile of cough attack.
I think I set my sites on full recovery by Thursday. It could clearly happen.
jwg wrote today about a Boston Globe article that mentioned 1986 as the year the New York Times finally started using Ms. as a title option. In January of 1986, I got my first big promotion with IBM. With it came a move (from Charlotte, NC) to HQ in New York. The day the movers came, I had a little portable TV on the floor of the living room surrounded by boxes and I was watching the space launch while the movers did their things. The space launch was not at all successful - happily my career launch did better.
My new job was with the real estate division. We commissioned major buildings by important architects in urban areas and then leased the space we didn't use (most of it). My job was to be the IBM liaison to the real estate developers' marketing team. It was a dream job. I got to travel all over everywhere and sit next to Philip Johnson at dinner and attend cocktail parties and showings and basically just be a fly on the wall. One night I even got to go to a World Series game at Fenway Park, in a limo.
Part of the job was also working with the press representing IBM in these ventures. Having been a reporter this was not a problem for me in general. I had been on the job less than a month, however, when the New York Times called about the building we were doing on Wall Street. I gave the guy the info he needed - suitable for quoting - and then he asked me if I was married.
I was a little taken aback and asked him what that info had to do with IBM real estate. He allowed as how he had to have a title to go with the quote attribution. His choices were Miss or Mrs. I said Ms. He said that was not an allowable option.
Had I had any sense, being new on the job and young and not even that bright, I should have said 'oh, I understand, no problem, I'm divorced, use whatever you like.'
But, I had a head full of ERA and an exaggerated sense of my place in the grand scheme of things. I checked with my manager - 'does IBM require me to divulge my marital status to the New York Times?' 'No, of course not.' So I went back to the reporter and told him my marital status was not relevant. I suggested if he needed someone who's title was unambiguous, he could call my manager who was of the male persuasion.
I got no grief at IBM even though I'm sure they would have rather I'd taken door number 1, but my manager was clearly very relieved when he greeted me one morning with the news that the Times had changed their policy.
They were decidedly not the good old days but they were sure interesting times. I'm very grateful for having been there if only to more appreciate the now.
