It's 1:30 on a Holiday Monday. I'm bored at work and have decided that rather than perusing the internet for hours on end, why not do something with my time? I like to write, although I can't say I have just one focused issue that I can write about continuously. I am more of an all-over-the-map kind of girl. Hence the title of this blog. Thought jot. I place to jot down my thoughts.
Right now my thoughts are bouncing around between my job, feminist issues, and my involvement in the world around me.
First, my job. I work two, but my most consistent one is reception at a used car dealership. And yes, it is just as glamorous as it sounds. I am paid to sit at a desk and do nothing for hours on end, surrounded by sleazy, dumpy, sexist, overly competitive car salesmen (and one woman). But despite the not-so-appealing description, I do love my job. The people are entertaining and it does give me a lot of free time to do things like read (which I don't get the time for anywhere else), and in today's case, to write. I also realize how fortunate I am to have a job where I am paid essentially to sit around and do whatever I like. I almost feel like I am cheating my employers, because it's so easy. Anyways, I usually bring my laptop to work to cheat boredom and pass the time. I keep my e-books on here and needless to say, having wifi offers unlimited entertainment. Lately I've been following This is a feminist issue, a blog written by two friends of mine. I've always been interested in feminist issues but I haven't gone far enough into the matter to be considered an activist myself. But lately, reading their posts has really caused me to reconsider my surroundings. It's funny how often I just casually brush off sexist occurrences in my everyday life. For example, here at the dealership, I am objectified at least once each time I work. In fact, at my interview for the job, before I was even hired, I was informed that the salesmen would most likely hit on me and that I had to be prepared for that. What kind of world do we live in when something like that can be casually mentioned as if it's no big deal? "By the way, be on the lookout for subtle sexual advances from your coworkers." And what's even more ridiculous is that, at the time, I simply said, "Oh, sure," and laughed it off. I guess that's just what comes from being exposed to that kind of thing as you grow up. I've become pretty de-sensitized to it. So when I'm at work and one of the salesmen says, "Oh you're 19? Great, that means I can hit on you now," or "Wow, look at your body," (I'm not making these up) it completely doesn't phase me. Is that normal? Should I be more outraged that my coworkers think they have the right to say something like that? Perhaps I should care more, but the truth is, I don't. Maybe I'm just the kind of person who was raised to brush things off. I know I'm a pushover. I know I'm a girl who is not easily offended and who keeps her mouth shut. It drives my loved ones crazy that I don't stick up for myself. But I am content being a pushover. But that is truly a whole other issue. I will come back to that another day.
Anyways, returning to my topic, reading up on feminism and examining it's place in my life is making me consider how involved I am in my community, both global and local. I've always been a busy person who tries to stay involved, but I am never content with how much I do. I always feel like there is MORE. Like I should be doing MORE. Sometimes I think I need to just slow down and realize that, as Billy Joel sings, Vienna waits. The world will wait for me, and I always forget that. It's not going anywhere, so why am I in such a hurry? I am too easily inspired, which is both a blessing and a curse.
Until next time, thanks for reading. :)
