"Women's work" has low value because anyone can do it. There is no special skill or training. There is no barrier to entry. It's like most assembly line jobs. All you need is a work ethic and a bit of training. "Man's" work is pretty much the same with the exception that most women can't do work needing brute strength. Men can do anything a woman can except bear children. Sadly, it's considered unenlightened to value a uterus more than a bicep.

It's become common for a woman to out earn her mate because she has a high paying job that doesn't require a man's physical strength. On the home front, a man's stronger physique is more useful. We can do all the woman's work plus we can do things like shoveling rocks, pouring concrete, and moving walls. Women can do these things, but our muscles make us far better at it. We're even good at raising kids -especially boys because they don't annoy us with their constant movement and getting into things. A female office bee and male home drone is a winning team.

Regardless, this one reminded me of an ex girl friend. She hated how I organized my cooking, stacked the dish washer, and lots of other things (hence the ex). I could only get some peace by sitting her in front of the television with some wine. Eventually, it was a ritual. I'd reach for the sauce pan and she'd reach for the sauce. Afterward, I'd be tired and she would be fed, rested, and tipsy. Very nice.

I'm so with you on the time thing. Even leaving the house to grab fast food wastes more time than it saves.

It's another one of those conspicuous consumption things. Being seen in the line to spend the money is an indication of value. Cooking a delightful breakfast at home is seen as being dull or impoverished. Sit down dinners with the family is considered red neck. Shuttling the kids to activities and play dates is considered good parenting.

Try habitats for humanity to skill up that "man work". I know a lot of people that volunteered for exactly that reason.

Ahhh, I see.

You have an inherited ailment called "shit finger". It's a form of Midas' touch.

I've also noticed a predominance of women in habitat crews. I don't volunteer but do get dragged in.

Amongst my friends, we tend to share the work and teach each other. Someone has car skill? Sounds like an invite for food, beer, etc. Make a day of it. Have a feast. Bring more cars and tools. Who own a pressure washer? How about a buffing machine? Bring that skinny armed kid to nab dropped bolts from crevices.

Many hands make light work.

Affluence is the enemy of working socially like that. You end up with contractors and maids instead of friends. It seems silly to spend your way to loneliness.

Glen, I know what a pain it is to keep asking and to keep getting turned away or ignored. It's part of the job. I maintain a "hassle list". It's a list of people whom I need to hassle for some reason. Sometimes it's about petty crap like money, work product, or a commitment. Sometimes it's because I need to talk to them about something or make a proposition. In your case, it would include people you'd like to interview. I work through my list every few days hassling everybody that needs it, adding names, and removing names. I don't do the whole list at a sitting (usually).

Anyways, keep a hassle list. It makes the pestering and people's responses feel like part of the job and not so personal. It also makes you a bit more relentless because you just keep coming back.

You're almost as bad as Kate H. what with connecting those uncorrelated dots.

Habitat values material more than labor because they have more labor than material. Furthermore, it's mostly unskilled transient and temporary labor. They don't expect anyone to run a concrete filled wheel barrow up a 2x4. Nor should they. Gender has no role.

Firefly, you fit in amongst the interesting but officially uncool kids. The cool kids always have money and scorn for people who are interesting at more than a surface level.

Oh - gender thesis. I think the consensus so far is that Kate H is having a bad hair day and needs to buysome hair color, rent a movie, and call a friend.

Marianna, you need a little finesse.

He won't wash his beer glasses/mugs? Take him by the hand, lead him to the sink, put a wet soapy rag in his hand, ... Repeat every few days until he figures it out. Subtle hints aren't received. Yelling just pisses everybody off. Treats (sex) for good behavior are counter productive unless immediate. Positive energy applied with calm assertive continuous pressure works on just about everybody. I learned this from Ceasar Milan.

Want the washer or dryer fixed? Take him to the laundromat EVERY time you go. Stow your own anger - it won't help. Calmly tell him he has to carry his own stuff there. Put it in a bag. Put the bag on his lap. Tell him you're going now. Slowly go to the car, then drive yourself and your own laundry to the laundromat. Repeat. Note: you'll end up with a couple bags of his laundry laying around. Leave them. If he hides them in the car, take them out and put them on his lap. "Nice try!" Don't yell. Smile.

I suggest you pay yourself. Watch out for the tax man.

It depends. Are you hot or are you like Larry Craig? Are you turning tricks for drug money? Do you thrust dance at the club while painted gold and wearing purple shorts? Do you look good doing it? Do you fancy yourself a high society whore? Do you service yourself anally? Can you touch lip to foreskin? Are you famous for any special tricks?

Details man!