Captain’s Log – 062022 – Assumptions and Progress

Assumptions

Yesterday I came across this post on the Facebook group, Cartoons and Jokes.  I subscribe to this group because they post a lot of funny stuff.  I thought the post was funny but somewhat inaccurate since I always open doors for the Navigator no matter the age of the car.  I responded, “Damn lie.  Been married a long time and I don’t have any new cars.  I always open the door for her.”  I felt it was important to add the comment because the post made a generalization that ALL men behave in the manner described in the post. 

This morning I saw somebody had responded to my comment with the question, “Does she not know how to open a door?”  That was pretty funny too and I gave it a laughing emoji.  When I shared the post with the Navigator during breakfast, she said the commenter was probably a feminist.  I checked the commenter’s name and found it was one of those compound names like “Jack and Jill” that suggested the account was shared by a husband and wife or a guy and his girlfriend. 

The Navigator’s remark and the commenter’s question started me thinking about how we make assumptions whenever we are faced with incomplete information.  I assumed the commenter intended the comment to be humorous since it was posted in a humorous Facebook group.  But what if they hadn’t?  What if they believed the act of opening a car door for my wife was somehow evidence of the patriarchal power structure trying to keep women subservient by convincing them they needed a man to do everything – even something as simple as opening a car door?  Or what if they really believed my wife was a prissy little snot insisting people hover around doing things for her she didn’t want to do herself? 

I replied to the commenter’s question – not angrily -with a few tidbits about the Navigator and why she was the last person on earth to be incapable of opening her own car door. 

We met when she worked in the BellSouth Corporate Data Center (CDC) and was one of the best Master Console Specialists there.  When that job was downsized, she passed all the necessary written and physical fitness tests to become a Services Technician (ST).  She completed her training which included basic telephony and climbing telephone poles up to 18 feet and driving a J hook into the pole with a line hammer.  This was a woman who had always worn nice shoes, skirts, and pretty blouses to work.  Now she wore steel-toed boots, jeans, long-sleeve shirt, and when working aloft, a hardhat.  Big change. 

She worked as a ST in the Little Haiti area and became one of the most efficient techs in her group.  She eventually was promoted to Facility Technician (FT) whose responsibilities included troubleshooting and repairing aerial and underground cables.  She became especially proficient at locating damages in underground cables. 

These jobs were physical jobs that were traditionally done by men.  They were not easy jobs.  Summers in South Florida are brutal with temperatures often reaching into the mid- to high-90s.  When she first went outside, the Company had not introduced air-conditioned vehicles.  I believe the skin cancers she occasionally suffers are a result of the constant exposure to the sun she experienced while working outside. 

From there, she was promoted into management and given responsibility for a new group that worked on Unbundled Network Elements (UNE).  She subsequently retired as a supervisor in Special Services which is the group that installs and maintains special circuits.  She is not even remotely close to being a dummy, and much less a prissy dummy.  Oh! I almost forgot.  During that time, she also raised four children and maintained our happy home. 

So, when I read that comment, even though I believe it was meant as a harmless attempt at a wise-ass remark, it touched a nerve.  I will be the first to confess I have made countless lame attempts at humor.  Some worked, many didn’t, but so be it.  I don’t care.  However, I felt it was important to respond to the commenter so they knew my Navigator was not your stereotypical maiden in distress. 

I also found it interesting the Navigator believed the commenter to be female.  I held the opposite opinion.  Maybe from her perspective it might be something an accomplished woman like herself would say about another woman she perceived to be wimpy.  But that’s just an assumption. 

Progress

The information contained herein is for entertainment purposes only.  This is what works for me but it may not work for everyone and it could even harm you.  Please consult a medical professional before undertaking any exercise or nutrition regimen. 

The average daily weight from Monday, June 13, to Monday, June 20, was 227.35, a loss of 3.38 pounds.  I am happy with that since it included another blast of YOLO on Father’s Day. 

We started the day with the Navigator treating me to an early morning breakfast at a nearby IHOP. I was a little leery because the last time the Navigator offered to treat me to breakfast she conveniently forgot her purse. I had a delicious omelet and a fruit cup. The Navigator had her usual 55+ Senior Sampler.

The children came over laden with pizza and since this is the only Father’s Day of 2022, YOLO!  I am getting a little bored of walking around the park and swinging dumbbells in the patio so I intend to mix it up this week with some visits to the gym.  Everything looks like it is still on track to achieve my year end goal for this challenge.