| Posted 10:50pm, Tuesday, December 10, 2002 Today I asked a coworker what time she went home last night. She replied 11pm. I answered, “Not bad.” Then I caught myself. Is this what business has come to? When leaving the office at 11pm is considered “not bad”? Has our fucked up economy driven us to depths of fear so great that working insane hours has become part of normal practice? I have a pocketful of cab receipts I need to expense from nights working late. I think twice about processing the paperwork. What will the president say when he sees my expense report for over $100 in taxi receipts? Will he commend me for being a hard worker… or, the more likely scenario, blast me for spending so much on taxis? Whatever. I have expense reports to file.
Speaking of taxi rides… My usual fare home (since my recent move) is around $20. Last night, I got a crazy, speed-demon cab driver. He was flying over the San Francisco hills like Steve McQueen. My ass left the seat on more than one occasion. He even apologized for getting us airborne. I felt my teeth rattle. I considered putting my wallet in my mouth to prevent myself from biting my tongue off. He dodged in and out of traffic. He drove places where no car was intended to be. He made illegal turns. The total fare was $15.40.
I’m sure a lot of you work at an office. Every office has attractive women (well, most of them). And in these groups of attractive women, there’s always one who’s particularly unfriendly. You know the one. You say hi, she ignores you. You smile good morning; she glances your way and moves on. I was talking to some guys at the office and the subject of the unfriendly hot girl came up. “You mean the one who never smiles?” And one of us articulated the reason we each were thinking. The secret world of babes. When you’re a hot girl and have grown up attractive and get hit on your entire life, you must develop a cold front; a veneer that says, “I’m unapproachable… stay away.” It must be some defense mechanism to repel unsavory suitors. Unfortunately, this wall of protection also pushes away people who have absolutely no interest in you as an object of desire. Not everyone wants you. Some of us men are just being good neighbors. (Right....)
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