Thought I would start a blog.

I figure, everyone else is doing it. why shouldn't I?!

Actually, the truth is, I am yet again seated in front of a computer with NOTHING to do. I am not complaining because I am getting paid for it. Paid quite well, I might add. But money doesn't eliminate the boredom that quickly sets in, and soon the food munching that follows. (I try to avoid that last part, but I think I have an oral fixation. which would explain my need to chew large quantities of gum.) Sugar free Extra if you must know.

Today I am at another Investment company. Only this time it is a satellite office. What does that mean you ask? It means that I have even less to do than at a normal office. with the plus side being i dont have to wear a business suit.

speaking of business suits. let me tell you two stories:

1. I had a job two weeks ago, where i was told to wear a suit to work. (Background: I work for a temping agency, and I am given a new job every day or week or so. Thus the word temp stands for "temporary")
Anyways, i was told to wear a suit because apparently a girl had come in a week before me with a jean skirt on and tennis shoes. NOT acceptable attire for a financial firm. But this posed a huge problem on me: I don't own a suit. I did buy a white suit from Banana Republic earlier in the summer because I thought, "I might need a suit one day". But when i put it on at home, i realized that my boobs just weren't quite mature enough to fill out the ample chest room in the coat. So I had to return it.

suddenly i was faced with a moment where i did need a suit..and i was without. Now, money is tight as it is, so going and buying a suit wasn't really an option for me. So I decided to go try to find a nice black suit coat. Thanks be to End of Summer Sales, I found a beautiful, fitted black suit coat at BR, that was on sale. Still a bit pricey, but affordable. I bought it, and it went perfectly with a pair of black slacks i had. I threw a white collared shirt under that sucker and viola! A suit!

Well, I proudly wore my suit to work at the new job, but as I surveyed the world around me in the office, I noticed. NO ONE WAS WEARING A SUIT. Just me. How sweet.

"Oh well" i thought. Tomorrow I will just dress down a little. And I would have, if it wasn't for the tiny, type "A", HR lady who came up to me at the end of the day.
"Tomorrow I need you to wear a GOOD suit," she said with a bit of disdain. "Not that THAT is not a good suit. You just need to wear a good suit."

I was so taken aback because, no one, not even she, was wearing a suit. And i couldn't fathom what she meant about a good suit. How could you get any better than a basic black suit???

I explained that i didn't have another suit. She said, "oh, well then wear another shirt under that one, or just be modest and professional."

I left in total disgust, but determined not to let her down. I borrowed my roommates skirt suit for the next day, and arrived promptly at work. Once again (and to my horror) as i surveyed the room, NO ONE WAS WEARING A SUIT. not even the HR lady!

I even asked the other receptionist, if they told her to wear a suit. "No! why?" she asked.
I explained what they had told me and she was just as shocked as I was. "how strange"

How strange indeed! I was not the happiest of campers to say the least. Not that i don't like suits, or feel powerful and womanly in them.. but well... it was just the rudeness and pretentious attitude it was delivered in that got under my skin. Oh well. In the end they liked me and said they would ask for me again. Not that I am entirely sure I want to ever go back.

Not that i am bitter or anything.

2. My other suit story happened last Thursday. I wore my suit again to a job, because i think it looks good. But by the end of the day i was a bit tired and disheveled. I ran to catch the train and as i slipped on, a homeless man was standing in the doorway. As i pushed passed him, he said "HELLO" abnormally loudly. I didn't respond, because a woman learns quickly in New York, that you can not entertain a homeless man's fancy. It is not charity.

So yes, i ignored the hello. He said it again so all the train could hear. Then as he stepped off the train and just before the trains closed, he yelled out to the entire train car. "There are lesbians in your apartments!. Watch out. There are LESBIANS in your apartments!" as he stared me down i felt my face burning.

I wanted to yell out, "I am not a lesbian! I promise! I like boys!" But I knew that would only feed the reaction he was hoping for. And really, who do i need to defend myself from? I don't know these people. they don't know me. But i realized that perhaps, i did look a little boyish... with my black pants suit on, and my jet black hair. Plus, i looked a little disheveled... but still... i felt so gross... and so out casted. how did this man do this. and i felt for a moment what women must feel if they look even slightly masculine... and even then, its all stereotypes...

Regardless. my suit has not provided my any joy. I think I will retire it until it is absolutely necessary to wear it again. and even then i may have some trepidation over putting on.