My Dude-fu is stronger than yours...

Like many modern stories, it all started with an email.

The job ad was for a position with what appeared to be a non-profit called Ipas..

It paid pretty well..

"Interesting" I thought speculatively.

"Wonder what they do?"

I browsed to their web page, misusing company property, and read about what they did.

"ah.. " Women's reproductive health issues.

"hah, good, great."

Don't get me wrong. I love the ladies. Love 'em. They deserve anything they need/want. I understand that it can be damned tough to be a gal at times, and from what I can tell a bit complicated as well. I mean I'm not a dick. I have a mother...

Like most guys though, I just rather not be around when such things are discussed. I blush and stare at my shoes. Not much help. That's just the kind of guy I am. A bit old fashioned perhaps. Dad taught me well. We'd bond standing outside store entrances while the girls did whatever, holding the shopping bags. Chatting about the markets, what-have-you. I'm not the guy standing in the delivery room aiming a camcorder as things "happen". I'm the sort who discreetly stands with his back to the doctor, or better yet outside. You know, a Dude.

All of this made me a tad hesitant. However when the better pay scale and the den of fucking inequity where I was working at the time factored in, I was ready to go. It was an IT job for heavens sake. IT is like Switzerland... You know neutral, not necessarily uncaring, but you don't really ask for their opinion either.

Besides the idea of working for a non-prof rather intrigued me. I'm an Economist by training you see. We're not generally allowed or expected to get too carried away or excited by causes. Meddling in natural events isn't something we're big on. Best rely on the usual forces to get things done. You know profit motives etc. But like any dude, the idea of making a difference kinda intrigued me...

So after a successful interview and pay negotiation, I decided to take the job.

I was a bit nervous.

...

That was a year ago. Went by in a flash really. There have definitely been ups and downs..

Last year I accidentally went to the talent show..

But overall its been a larf. The IT job turned out to be a good internship that turned into a good job. I've also met a lot of interesting people. In truth I find I rather enjoy working for the hippies. True believers are more fun to be around than you're usual dead-end-jobbers.

I'm much more informed about the problem as well. As a member of the web team I often find myself reading the literature. As a result I've started picking up facts and statistics about women dying around the world because of poor or non-existent medical availability. After the first few months I joked about it, but I find it less funny as time goes on.

Plus if you're looking for a crowd who like me hate the current administration with a white,hot rage, well.... look no farther.

Yep.. I'm like two shades shy of being an advocate now. I can't tell if that's good or bad, but it is more interesting that working for an insurance company..

I'm also a little less gun-shy around the shop. These days when I see a female pelvic model or the various implements/tools lying on somebody's desk I no longer spasm in panic. I just keep my cool and try to ignore them. The eyes glaze over..

Its like I've attained a new belt in being a Dude.

Good thing too..

Cuz, In this game you've got to keep your head.
El Jefe