beccabirdspeak

Deplorable – Microsoft. Global Leader? hmmmm

Bird — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 10:03:27 +0000

Microsoft in new row over sexual harrassment

By Katherine Rushton, Technology, media and telecoms editor (November 13)

One of Microsoft’s senior executives told colleagues he had “zero pity” for the victims of the Japanese tsunami and would like to “create another”, it has been claimed, in a new legal row over sexual harassment at the computer giant.

The executive’s alleged remarks were exposed in a legal row between Microsoft and a current employee.

The executive, who is still a vice president of the company, is said to have made the comments in April, just over a month after the devastating tsunami and earthquake killed more than 18,000 people.

According to filings, the man, who is “known throughout the company for his disparaging comments about different nationalities”, said: “I would have zero pity for Japan. I would push them right under the bus and create another tsunami.”

Microsoft has 2,500 employees in Japan and has also come under fire for attempting to capitalise on the tsunami with a Twitter campaign offering donations every time users retweet marketing messages about its search engine, Bing.

It swiftly distanced itself from the remarks when contacted by The Sunday Telegraph.

“Microsoft would find any comment of this nature to be deplorable and in no way representative of our culture and values, let alone our response to this natural disaster to which the company and our employees have donated significant sums to aid relief efforts,” a spokesman said.

The executive’s alleged remarks were exposed in a legal row between Microsoft and a current employee. The case, filed in Texas, centres on claims that another executive, Michael Mercieca, sexually harassed former colleague Tracy Rummel.

Ms Rummel lodged a complaint with Microsoft, which was not upheld, but Mr Mercieca, who was born in Croydon, Surrey, to Maltese parents, is now suing the company, Ms Rummel, and a second woman, Lori Aulds, for slander and discrimination.

Mr Mercieca claims that various managers at Microsoft “subjected him to isolation and ostracised him, undermined him vis-a-vis other employees and his customers and subjected him to a hostile work environment”.

Ms Aulds and Ms Rummel have denied the allegations in court documents but they and Mr Mercieca declined to comment further when contacted by The Sunday Telegraph.

Microsoft said it would be inappropriate to comment on the case in detail but that it was “vigorously contesting these unproven allegations”.

It added: “Microsoft places great importance and focus on creating and maintaining a culture based on our core company values. These values include being open and respectful and fostering an environment that respects diversity and inclusion of all employees.”

The case comes after Simon Negus, its former UK second in command, was sacked amid allegations that he kissed a colleague. He is suing the computer giant for harassment and wrongful dismissal.

His case has yet to be heard but filings painted a picture of a culture of “excessive drunkenness” and lewd behaviour among senior staff at Microsoft in Britain.

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It’s interesting how Microsoft defends the company, but does not deny the alleged statements made by their executive.

Filed under: Politics & Issues, Uncategorized Tagged: corporate executives, Japan, katherine rushton, Lori Aulds, Michael Mercieca, Microsoft, sexual harrassment, telegraph, Tracy Rummel, tsunami

Our Show Just Got Extended! Circle Mirror Transformation at Hyde Park

Bird — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:11:44 +0000

God Bless Annie Baker…the twenty-something who won the 2010 Obie (World Cup for playwriting).

Thanks to her, Director/Actor Ken Webster and all the actors in this show, we have been extended one weekend – so six more shows instead of three!

I rarely ever make a fuss about my shows – I hate selling people things and repeating myself over and over, but audiences seem to absolutely love this one. Here is the announcement:

“engaging and hilarious” “wonderful” “a must-see”

Yes you heard me: we’re extending our production of Annie Baker’s Obie-Award winning Circle Mirror Transformation. That means you have just six more chances to see the show that’s getting, you know, this kind of review:

Austin American Statesman: “Engaging and hilarious . . . fast-paced, funny and ultimately quite moving. The ensemble is uniformly excellent, smoothly playing many layers of subtext beneath all the silliness.”

Spike Gillespie: “Wonderful . . . very, very funny and very, very thoughtful.”

Do512: “This is a must-see . . . effortless comedic timing.”

Austin Theater Examiner: “Hilarious, but always honest, . . . the real humor here comes from how believable these characters and their situations are. Baker has a talent for creating worlds which we believe we ourselves could inhabit, and here Hyde Park brings real honesty to the performance.”

We’ve sold out most performances (except some Fridays for some reason — are you guys having hard weeks?), so get your tickets online or call 479-PLAY (7529) today. It’s a lovely play, and we’re so proud of it. Come on out. And if you’ve already seen it, thank you so much, and tell your friends (tell them to come on Friday!).

The Straight Deets about Circle Mirror Transformation

Circle Mirror Transformation runs at 8:00 PM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, July 8 – August 14. Every Thursday is Pay What You Can Night; Friday and Saturday tickets are $19 ($17 for students, seniors, and ACOT members). Hyde Park Theatre is located at 511 W. 43rd Street. For reservations call 479-PLAY (7529) or purchase tickets online.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Two More Wkends 4 Circle Mirror Transformation & I am sad

Bird — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 19:03:02 +0000

So, I love doing comedy. It’s just such a relief from all the heaviness of life and I’ve done quite a few over the years, but I have to say that this play is by far the funniest. It’s not so much that the material is all that outrageous, it kind of creeps up on you and leaves you completely engaged. I have so much fun watching everyone each nite., these quirky characters. It’s an ensemble piece, so everyone has these great little moments.

The playwright, Annie Baker won the Obie award for it (2010) which is like..the World Cup for playwrights. And she is young, young, young so expect a long reign of great plays. Just really great playwriting.

Anyway – I’m sad to see this one close. This has been a rare and wonderful experience and SO MUCH FUN. We have two weekends left (and two cheap nights out of those)…Thurs the 29 of July and Thursday the 5th of August.

I’m hoping that if we continue to sell out each show, then we’ll extend for another weekend (Aug. 13-15). Some excerpts from the great media buzz are below and if you happen to be in Austin reading this, please come out to the show. If you don’t think it is a scream, I’ll wash your car. www.hydeparktheatre.org. Keep us employed.

Austin American-Statesman: “Engaging and hilarious – fast-paced, funny and ultimately quite moving…”

DO512: “A must-see…effortless comedic timing”

Filed under: Acting, Uncategorized Tagged: annie baker, austin arts, austin plays, Austin theatre, circle mirror transformation, hyde park theatre austin, Obie winner

Third Week into the Run – Circle Mirror Transformation

Bird — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:02:54 +0000

I’m a little self-absorbed right now because of drama off-stage, but thank God I am also performing this month at Hyde Park Theatre.

We have this cool trailer now for our show, but I don’t think it fully conveys how funny and sweet the show is. It’s been nice to have sold out houses and if it keeps up, then the show will be extended. Fingers crossed. I love this play. I love this cast.

Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker (won the 2010 OBIE award for best play!)

Our trailer:

http://vimeo.com/13391059

Come see it! Reserve: www.hydeparktheatre.org

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: 2010 obie, annie baker, circle mirror transformation, comedy austin, hyde park theatre austin, theatre austin

Circle Mirror Transformation Opens THURSDAY, July 8!

Bird — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 07:44:42 +0000

“sharply funny” “hilarious” “a gem”

Circle Mirror Transformation, by Annie Baker.

If you saw Body Awareness last month, you know how hilarious Baker is — this play is just as funny but even more complex and lovely. No wonder it won the 2010 Obie Award for Best American Play last month. But why take my word for it–listen to those cruel critics:

“The kind of unheralded gem that sends people into the streets babbling and bright-eyed with the desire to spread the word.”
- New York Times

“Absorbing, unblinking and sharply funny.”
- also the New York Times (they got excited and went twice)

“Hilarious . . . pays off in a big way, going far beyond the belly laughs it spends so much time convincing you are its only goal.”
- Talkin’ Broadway

“About real people exploring their lives through tiny leaps of faith and creativity.”
- Backstage

Circle Mirror Transformation stars Kenneth Wayne Bradley (BUG (see below!), Body Awareness), Katherine Catmull (me! Body Awareness), Rebecca Robinson (Sick), Xochitl Romero (Blackbird, Dog Sees God), and Ken Webster (The Collection, House, Thom Pain). And we’re directed by HPT Artistic Director and Austin Arts Hall of Fame member Ken Webster (Body Awareness, The Collection, The Pillowman).

The Straight Deets about Circle Mirror Transformation

Circle Mirror Transformation runs at 8:00 PM on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, July 8 – August 7. Every Thursday is Pay What You Can Night; Friday and Saturday tickets are $19 ($17 for students, seniors, and ACOT members). Hyde Park Theatre is located at 511 W. 43rd Street. For reservations call 479-PLAY (7529) or purchase tickets online.

Where do I . . .?

Hyde Park Theatre is located at 511 W. 43rd Street. Covered off-street parking for the patrons of HPT is available in the lot at 4315 Guadalupe Street, just north of The Parlor. You can drive through The Parlor’s parking lot to reach it. Evening HPT parking also available at Kenneth’s Hair Salon, just south of HPT, and at the Hyde Park Church of Christ on the northeast corner of 43rd & Avenue B. We are grateful to them all for their generosity.

Hyde Park Theatre: hydeparktheatre.org

Filed under: Uncategorized

Amazing Story by An Amazing Writer – Andrea Ball

Bird — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 20:43:46 +0000

Hey all – there is this woman I know (Andrea Ball) who writes for the Austin American-Statesman. She’s been working for a while now on a very powerful piece, and I hope that everyone will please check it out. The preview is on a link below, but the full story will run on Sunday.

Here is a note from her:

Since February, I’ve been working on a story about ACCESS, a team at Austin Travis County Integral Care that helps homeless people with mental illness. The 13-member group goes wherever the homeless live — under bridges, in camps, on sidewalks — and tries to get them the services they need.

Each year, the group makes contact with 4,200 people and works closely with 600 of them. Team members then link those folks with mental and physical health care, Social Security benefits, food stamps and other services.This story is not a commentary on homelessness. It’s not an analysis of causes and solutions to the problem. It’s a profile on the people who spend their days dealing with folks that many people consider untouchable.

I hope you’ll take the time on Sunday to read this story. I think it might offer some insight into what it’s like dealing with this challenging problem. Here is a link to a video story preview on statesman.com.

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: ACCESS, andrea ball, austin american statesman, Austin Travis County Integral Care, homelessness, mental illness

Morning commute notation

Bird — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 15:15:15 +0000

on my hour-long commute this morning I saw this cop on the side of the road with a radar gun?

I felt sorry for him because we were in a traffic jam.

Filed under: Uncategorized

My Favorite SNL Sketch

Bird — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:09:18 +0000

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: Bob Newhart, psychiatrist sketch, SNL

Sunday Night Battle

Bird — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:37:46 +0000

Every Sunday night I go into a depressive state in anticipation of Monday morning. I’m convinced that my body has a conversation with itself and it goes a little something like this:

Brain: All right everyone. It’s Sunday night and we need all hands on deck. Adrenaline – prepare for flight or fight!

Andrenaline: YES SIR!

Brain: Stomach? Last week was pretty mild. Let’s really get that acid churning. Look alive!

Stomach: I am sorry- sir! Ready to launch full force.

Brain: Jaws?

Jaws: Locked and ready sir.

Brain: Seratonin? Seratonin? Dammit. AWOL again.

Brain: Trapezius? Take off that skirt and don’t fail me now.

Traps: Knotted up tight, sir.

Brain: All right. It’s gonna be a tough one. Hold fast and remember – this is a team effort. We need everyone to give 110% ALL. NIGHT. LONG.

Give ‘em hell boys.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Dear Insomnia: I Hate You.

Bird — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 04:30:42 +0000

Hello Insomnia -

You are a total bitch and I effing HATE YOU.

You think you can steal my next day. You think it’s funny I fall asleep on my keyboard at work? And you laugh when I crab at my friends and family? That’s just rude.

The joke’s on YOU because last night I found whole new batch of infomercials like the Jack LaLane juicer and www.DWI.com.

Also – if I were well-rested, I wouldn’t be writing blog posts in the middle of the night, so suck it.

Take your nightmarish, drowsy-eyed, mind-racing, cover-kicking self to the nearest temperpedic store, nodd off and go to hell.

Love, Rebecca

Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: hate letter, infomercials, insomnia, tempurpedic