On being a woman in a man's world

I love my job, let me make that clear. Somewhere I think there is a rogue gene roaming around my DNA helix that causes me, as an otherwise pretty average female, to love all things electrical. I love the specific language of electricity. I love knowing how it works and the amazing power that it holds. I especially love the tools associated with the installation and maintenance of it. That being said, the profession is predominately occupied by men, who know nothing about the importance of accessorizing. I am attending an exciting seminar on the analysis of changes to the 2011 National Electric Code. I got up at 6 a.m. so I could do my hair, apply just the correct, subtle amount of make up, put on some pretty, but not over stated clothing, and best of all, matching accessories, not something really appropriate for normal, everyday inspecting activities (although I do insist on maintaining well manicured nails in spite of the raised eyebrows I get from most contractors). After a nice breakfast in a restaurant way more sophisticated than McDonald's, I arrived at the conference and checked in for my seminar. Some guy with a mustache that appeared to grow out of one ear, across his face, and back into his other ear, handed me a big, black pouch resembling the breastplate of a medievil knight's armor hanging on a black shoelace and said, "here's your Id badge. You must wear it throughout the seminar." I stared at it like he had just handed me a burning bag of dog manure. It would not only cover the stunning green gemmed necklace Jay got for me in Algeria, but it was beyond hideous. As I stared blankly at him, the girl genes organized with the rebellious genes and I smiled politely while in my mind I screamed, "there is no way in hell that thing is going around my neck!" Funny thing is, the badge police never stopped me once and demanded to see my ugly black apron of a name badge. However, I was the best accessorized individual there. I heard it said once that the only thing that separates us from the animals is our ability to accessorize. Men, you have a ways to go. Oh, in their defense, the guys from UL gave me a leatherman tool and matching nylon sheath. Okay, accessories aren't always about jewelry.