I am supposed to be an architect. I have all the paperwork to back me up, but I've never really felt that version of an architect that everyone has in their heads. The thing that really throws people off is that of course I'm a girl and I've got big boobs and I tend to show them off a lot. I don't wear those cool squared off architect glasses. I don't wear those classically cool and reserved outfits that most architect wear. I don't use big words like "juxstaposition" and I don't even know any other big architect words. I'm the mother of three, I'm hot and I married a rock star. Sure I've got this great office on the main street in town with drawings laying around and a big plotter, but no one really takes me serioulsy as an architect. It's probably my own fault. It would be easy to put on all the airs of a fancy architect, but that's just not me. I'd rather be looking around Amazon.com for the latest and greatest new chick lit book, or perusing Anthropologie for a dress that might actually fit my gargantuan boobs.
I've heard that architects are one of the top 10 most respected professions. People are automatically impressed when you can truthfully answer after being asked at a party "What do you do". Usually though I am constanly asked, "So what does your husband do? " It's like your husbands profession still defines your place in society. If I'm feeling bitchy I'll answer, "I am an architect" So as to let them know how repulsed I am by their mear idea that all I do is stay home all day and watch my three kids. Usually of course when I’m asked what my husband does for a living I'm wearing ratty old jeans and a too tight T-shirt with some kind of schmooze on it and wrestling my toddler in one hand and trying to yell at my overly rambunctious 3 year old to stop tormenting his older brother. Why would they even think that I might actually have a job, let alone run my very own architectural firm? What messes with people even more is when I answer that I am an architect and that my husband is a rockstar. Of course he's actually been retired for like 10 years and hasn't played the guitar in years. He was at one time in rotation on MTV and constantly stopped at the mall and asked for his autograph.
We just plain don't fit the mold that most people have for thirty-somethings with 3 kids.
I've been fighting the stereotypical battle of the sexes for years. Doing the whole should I work or do I actaully try and spend time with my kids thing. I'ts a horribly tough decision that no one should really have to make. But after years of sitting behind a desk and trying to look busy for a full 40 hours a week, asking permission to take vacations or stay home with a sick child, trying to constantly make up hours for not working my full 40 every week I just got sick and tired of it and said this is bull shit and ventured out on my own into the world of being a business owner.