Commuting - I'm a superhero!

So my boss says to me this morning,

You're amazing, rain or shine, I see you coming in here year round, always 10 minutes late, in your superhero outfit, go in the bathroom, and 10 minutes later, you come out fully dressed, almost a productive member of society.
I was like, "man, that's deep...... I'm gonna go change now."

yes when you change into the bike gear it is like superman or a super hero. you are a superhero. you couldnt' bike with your super bike powers if you didn't have spandex or lycra? could you?

otherwise, it is good your boss sees you are a biker and it is a positive thing to be a biker. come rain, or shine, or snow or sleet they can't keep you and your bike off the street.

I would ride in the rain/snow. Think I have enough determination..But, recently on tour. I was told you ride in snow..Bottom bracket prpblems insue almost every year? True..All the crud goes down the seat tube.
Like your bosses comments. Superhero. As it should be. Saving the world from an extra car using gas and backing up traffic one more car length over the George Washington Bridge.
Do they make Bike jerseys to resemble Superman's ? And yes. Superman wears Lycra. Why the anti lycra sentiment of so many?..Just stay away from the kryptonite. How would Superman's muscles be revealed w/o his Superman suit.

I just got a mental image of your avatar as a character in The Incredibles (played by Samuel L. Jackson) running around yelling, "Where is my supersuit? Woman, where is my supersuit?!"

Do they make Bike jerseys to resemble Superman's ?

I don't think so. But if you wore a Green Lantern jersey, would people mistake it for the green points leader jersey? I think I'd wear a Green Lantern jersey. Maybe Batman too... the Dark Knight, not the campy '60s version.

always 10 minutes late

okay I'm curious, why are you always 10 minutes late?

They can keep their Spiderman suit, etc. ..Superman's the real McCoy.

okay I'm curious, why are you always 10 minutes late?

Me too :p

okay I'm curious, why are you always 10 minutes late?

Yeah what's up with that? With your superhuman abilities, I'd think you'd be there early every day. :)

Why not get a custom jersey and then sell it like crazy? But how aerodinamic is a cape?

You ~NEED~ to buy this jersey and wear it to work!

and all this time............. we thought the "S" was for Superman !!

it was really for "Slvoid" !!

http://cgi.ebay.com/SUPERMAN-Cycling-Bike-Jersey-New-M_W0QQitemZ7182471414QQcategoryZ58064QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Right now it's $30 on ebay...

Slvoid, you rock!

I don't think so. But if you wore a Green Lantern jersey, would people mistake it for the green points leader jersey? I think I'd wear a Green Lantern jersey. Maybe Batman too... the Dark Knight, not the campy '60s version.

i am not a fan of jersey's but if they made a super hero one i would get that.
maybe green lantern? bat girl?
wonder woman?

that would be ok then.

10 mintues late, that's pretty good. i've been 15-20 mintues late for the last 4 years.

...and 10 minutes later, you come out fully dressed ...

And while we're at it, what's with taking ten minutes to change? What you and your glove doing in there?

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR......

If you can consistantly be 10 minutes late
You can constistantly be 10 minutes early!
My pet peeve!

No respectable Super Hero would be late for anything.
You're not worthy of Lycra!

...always 10 minutes late..

Funny thing is, when I drive, I'm almost always 5-10 minutes late. However, when I'm on my bike, I'm almost always 15-20 minutes early.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR......

If you can consistantly be 10 minutes late
You can constistantly be 10 minutes early!
My pet peeve!

No respectable Super Hero would be late for anything.
You're not worthy of Lycra!

EXACTLY!

So you're 10 minutes late everyday & take another 10 minutes to change. Think your boss is a little ticked that you don't start work until 20 minutes past your required start time?

Wonder how your co-workers feel?

No respectable Super Hero would be late for anything.
You're not worthy of Lycra!

A Super Hero always shows up right on time... exactly at the moment he or she is needed. No sooner, no later. Slvoid must have his own finely tuned internal super hero clock. You don't know how many times he's had to save the universe before work. Obviously it's everyday... and it takes him ten extra minutes.

Even Superman was late to the Daily Planet once or twice. And what's with Superman having a job... he's Superman for crying out loud. Spiderman... sure, he's right out of college. But Superman?

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR......

If you can consistantly be 10 minutes late
You can constistantly be 10 minutes early!
My pet peeve!

No respectable Super Hero would be late for anything.
You're not worthy of Lycra!


Hey, now! What are you trying to say? Because we have the super-human ability to ride our bikes for long distances, through multitudes of weather differences and still be perky enough to work we are not allowed to occassionaly get stuck in traffic? You are SO not going to get my vote as guild leader!

So you're 10 minutes late everyday & take another 10 minutes to change. Think your boss is a little ticked that you don't start work until 20 minutes past your required start time?

Wonder how your co-workers feel?

Yup, sounds almost like a warning.

When I take the subway, I get up, get dressed, and leave my house at 7:10 to get to work at 8:30.
When I bike, I get up, have a light breakfast, watch the news, play unreal tournament or something for a bit, catch up on bikeforums, stretch, and go to work at around 8, it takes me around 40 min so I end up consistently 10 min late.
I come in, take around 5 minutes to cool down at my desk, then go change, which consists of completely wiping down and cooling off in the private bathroom, changing, and hanging my clothes by the boiler to dry. So 15 minutes later I'm ready to walk down the block and get breakfast. But I always end up leaving after 5:30 anyway to make up for the time in the morning.
10 min to change doesn't sound too bad, how long does it usually take you guys to change?

Can you imagine how Superman would perform if he did not have perfect time keeping. How would he save the street below from falling objects if he wasn't prompt.

I like your philosophy about work. You gotta tell them about your idea of how a one hour lunch works. lol. I loved that one!

So you're 10 minutes late everyday & take another 10 minutes to change. Think your boss is a little ticked that you don't start work until 20 minutes past your required start time?

Wonder how your co-workers feel?

Well, during my last review.. he did bring up 3 points.
1) Show up on time more consistently (though I didn't hear him once say, leave on time more consistently since you leave late almost every day).
2) Dress more appropriately, that long tail on the shirt, that's meant to be tucked in.
3) Tone down the talk about turning our products into explosives or missiles, it's creeping me out.

They like to call these late meetings at like 5pm and I end up staying an extra 30-60 minutes a lot, so I think hey, you want me to stay late, don't complain if I come in late too. I guess everyone feels it's justified, its been going on 3 years.

You ~NEED~ to buy this jersey and wear it to work!

and all this time............. we thought the "S" was for Superman !!

it was really for "Slvoid" !!

http://cgi.ebay.com/SUPERMAN-Cycling-Bike-Jersey-New-M_W0QQitemZ7182471414QQcategoryZ58064QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem


Right now it's $30 on ebay...

Er... I think that's just inviting some serious ridicule from people. :p

When I take the subway, I get up, get dressed, and leave my house at 7:10 to get to work at 8:30.
When I bike, I get up, have a light breakfast, watch the news, play unreal tournament or something for a bit, catch up on bikeforums, stretch, and go to work at around 8, it takes me around 40 min so I end up consistently 10 min late.
I come in, take around 5 minutes to cool down at my desk, then go change, which consists of completely wiping down and cooling off in the private bathroom, changing, and hanging my clothes by the boiler to dry. So 15 minutes later I'm ready to walk down the block and get breakfast. But I always end up leaving after 5:30 anyway to make up for the time in the morning. 10 min to change doesn't sound too bad, how long does it usually take you guys to change?

You a bit passive aggressive?

Subway:
Leave: 7:10
Arrive: 8:30
Start Work: 8:30

Bike:
Leave 8:00
Arrive: 8:40
Start Work: 9:00

It doesn't sound like your boss buys into the idea of time shifting. Why not start the cyclecommuter day 20 minutes later than subway rather than 50 minutes later?
Bike:
leave: 7:30
Arrive: 8:10
Start Work [after breakfast**:]: 8:30

Curious minds want to know. Beside the fact this was one of the three top issues on your annual review, means you need to address it so it doesn't appear on another review or in severance interview.

You a bit passive aggressive?

Curious minds want to know. Beside the fact this was one of the three top issues on your annual review, means you need to address it so it doesn't appear on another review or in severance interview.

Hehe yes I am.
I don't think breakfast bothers him. Cause a lot of times he comes over and I'm eating breakfast and he either starts chatting about random stuff or he'll say, "oh sorry to bother you, i'll come back when you're done with breakfast." Unless its really urgent, like one of our products broke and killed someone.
As long as I get my work done, I think he's happy. What'll get me is when they print out my internet activities list and it's like, 50 pages of links, all bikeforums and slashdot.

As long as I get my work done, I think he's happy. What'll get me is when they print out my internet activities list and it's like, 50 pages of links, all bikeforums and slashdot.

Ok, just checking. Anyone who doesn't think companies have this info available are living in the dark ages.

Funny thing is, when I drive, I'm almost always 5-10 minutes late. However, when I'm on my bike, I'm almost always 15-20 minutes early.
That is exactly how it works for me.
On the bike I like to get out quick and know the earlier I hit the road the less traffic there will be. I also know that if I leave before 6:45a I beat high school and parents dropping kids of traffic.
But in a car, I get lazy, hit snooze, know I have an easy way in.

Al

I'm usually late for work by a few mins when I ride.

*shame*

I know I should leave earlier, but when work starts at 7am it's just so hard to get up early enough....

When I take the subway, I get up, get dressed, and leave my house at 7:10 to get to work at 8:30.
When I bike, I get up, have a light breakfast, watch the news, play unreal tournament or something for a bit, catch up on bikeforums, stretch, and go to work at around 8, it takes me around 40 min so I end up consistently 10 min late.
I come in, take around 5 minutes to cool down at my desk, then go change, which consists of completely wiping down and cooling off in the private bathroom, changing, and hanging my clothes by the boiler to dry. So 15 minutes later I'm ready to walk down the block and get breakfast. But I always end up leaving after 5:30 anyway to make up for the time in the morning.
10 min to change doesn't sound too bad, how long does it usually take you guys to change?

It sounds like your boss wasn't making the comment to call you a superhero -- it's sounds like it's his way of telling you about being late. I have two guys in my department that are consistently ten-twenty minutes late almost every day. It bugs me and I hear the comments other people make about them. Since I bike every day (I don't have a car) 12.5 miles, am consistently 30-60 minutes early, and leave later than they do, it doesn't make them look too good.

Er... I think that's just inviting some serious ridicule from people. :p

It's too late for that! :D

I was just seriously ridiculing you.

So my boss says to me this morning,

I was like, "man, that's deep...... I'm gonna go change now." how do we interpret this? is this a compliment, or an insult?

how do we interpret this? is this a compliment, or an insult?

I think it's more of a friendly joke. I mean, I get my work done and he's happy. The only reason why he wants me in early is he comes in like an hour late 4 days a week so he needs someone to cover for him in case somethign goes AWOL in the morning.

I think it's more of a friendly joke. I mean, I get my work done and he's happy. The only reason why he wants me in early is he comes in like an hour late 4 days a week so he needs someone to cover for him in case somethign goes AWOL in the morning.

The key phrases to how you get away with it!

I think it's more of a friendly joke. I mean, I get my work done and he's happy. The only reason why he wants me in early is he comes in like an hour late 4 days a week so he needs someone to cover for him in case something goes AWOL in the morning. i can come in anytime i desire! i guess as long as the bottom line gets done that is. i don't ride in the rain though, i just drive my car then. i guess i have to start it sometime otherwise it will freeze up & i'll have to pay for a funeral for the dead battery!

My superhero identity in shorts+jersey+helmet+gloves is

TURBODORK

as in "Let me change out of my TurboDork outfit and I'll be right with you"

I'm thinking a jersey inspired by the Woverine's might look sharp.

Those claws would be just the thing for payback of bad cagers!

:roflmao: Get notice and credit for staying late? Is this your first office job, Svl? They'll notice when you are not in on time, they will notice when you are not in, they will notice when you are late coming back from lunch, but they will ignore the extra time put in after work or working through lunch.

That's just the way of the world. It isn't fair, but why should they comment on something they are getting for free?

To their credit, many office workers, waste at least a third of the day in unproductive behaviours...

Oh and by the way, the underwear goes under the pants, mr. superhero...(I am impressed by your commuting skills, for the record).

Bikeforums and slashdot... awwww yeah.

I think most superheros wear the underwear OVER their clothes.

10 min to change doesn't sound too bad, how long does it usually take you guys to change?

I am in and out of the bathroom in 3-4 minutes. I am not really a stinker though and rarely have to even wipe down.

I think most superheros wear the underwear OVER their clothes.
Yea, you're right, I suppose. Isn't that where Seargent Skidmark got his name?

Curious minds want to know. Beside the fact this was one of the three top issues on your annual review, means you need to address it so it doesn't appear on another review or in severance interview.

In my opinion, people like you are what is wrong with the work culture in this country.

In Europe, people start jobs with three weeks of paid vacation. They go home at night to see their families and generally forget about work.

In America, people work 60 hours a week, often start with no vacation, and act like being 10 minutes late is worthy of being fired! In most office jobs, it really doesn't matter one whit if you're there precisely on time or not. Out here in Silicon Valley, I work 10-6, and rarely eat lunch. No one cares if I get in at 10:10. If they can't find more significant things to discuss in my annual review, I'll find a better company.

Now, if you're working retail or some other job which requires specific hours, I can understand timeliness being a serious matter. On the other hand, if you're an office knowledge worker, well, damn, who cares?

- Warren

If I was always 10 minutes late I'd be an unemployed super hero.

If I was always 10 minutes late I'd be an unemployed super hero.

True, true! You know, if you are running late you can always duck into a starbucks to change quickly...I used to do that and they started calling the bathroom my "phone booth".

In my opinion, people like you are what is wrong with the work culture in this country.

In Europe, people start jobs with three weeks of paid vacation. They go home at night to see their families and generally forget about work.

In America, people work 60 hours a week, often start with no vacation, and act like being 10 minutes late is worthy of being fired! In most office jobs, it really doesn't matter one whit if you're there precisely on time or not. Out here in Silicon Valley, I work 10-6, and rarely eat lunch. No one cares if I get in at 10:10. If they can't find more significant things to discuss in my annual review, I'll find a better company.

Now, if you're working retail or some other job which requires specific hours, I can understand timeliness being a serious matter. On the other hand, if you're an office knowledge worker, well, damn, who cares?

- Warren

I have to agree. I'm a manager for a company and one of the biggest obstacles I face with my staff is to make them understand that it doesn't matter how many hours they work, but that they get the job done and done right. My best employees are the ones that come in on time or a little late, work quickly and efficiently during the day, and then go home on time. My worst employee is one that comes in early and then just hangs around 2 or 3 hours after everyone else is gone - she's not efficient and not focused on the task at hand and usually has tons of errors in her work. It's all about quality, not quanity - at least in my business.

One of the things is, if you keep everyone on a tight schedule, then all they're tempted to do is get through the day.
I think my boss is actually pretty good, he's pretty happy with my performance overall and I knew he was really happy during my review, so he had nothing else to try to get me to improve on other than the 3 things, which were pretty trivial.