Thursday, June 10, 2010

A New Adventure Awaits...

As regular Nylon Gene readers have surely noted, for the past few months I've not been posting with near the frequency with which I once did. Due to reasons related to the economy, it was necessary for ActivSkin to curtail my marketing and publicity activities beginning around January of this year, which has necessitated seeking fulltime employment opportunities elsewhere.  That search came to a successful end this past week...

Beginning in July, I will begin working for the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in the District Office located near Newark, OH.  I will be working with traffic, safety studies and public involvement, among other things.  This is a bittersweet turn of events.  I am eagerly looking forward to my new employment and getting to know what seems to be a great group of people, and it is a mixture of the engineering-related background for which I was educated (see my Sept. 16, 2009 article: A Very Unique Career Transition) and some of the things I've been engaged in during my past year as Director of Marketing for ActivSkin.  That is, engaging the public, writing, working collaboratively with others, etc.

On the other hand, I've thoroughly enjoyed being so deeply involved in bringing ActivSkin, and the men's legwear trend, more visibly into the public eye, and raising awareness of the many benefits that men have been missing out on all this time.  I believe we've made considerable strides in persuading the public that sheer and opaque hosiery have legitimate applications for men complaining of achy, tired legs or wanting warmth-without-bulk for athletic and cold weather outdoor activities--and many others. 

Since this effort began, the word 'mantyhose' has begun to enter the public lexicon.  Yes, it may sometimes be used derisively, but the same was once true of male earrings, too.  More often than not however, it has come to be used in a generally neutral context--if not actually positive in some cases.  I believe we can take some credit for that. 

Now, before any loyal Nylon Gene readers get ready to go out and hang themselves using a pair of ActivSkin A677 mantyhose out of despair--fear not.  I won't be shutting down the blog.  It has served us well for the past 15 months, and I see no reason it shouldn't continue.  I will still post the occasional article as time permits.  It will just be as a peripheral effort rather than a central focus, and of course occur outside of my normal day-to-day activities.  I'll still be an active proponent of men's legwear and it's benefits.  My new colleagues will certainly learn of whom my former employer was, if not already aware.  Of course, my resume included ActivSkin/GLS Hosiery at the very top, though it didn't come up during the interview.  Who knows, maybe some will be reading these words I'm typing right now.  Being in a traditional office environment, I'll have to become accustomed to long trousers once again.  One thing I'll miss is having my work attire include shorts most every day.  Ah well... can't have everything, can we?

Finally, I'd like to thank all the thousands of people who have read this blog regularly since it began, or just occasionally stopped in to see what's new.  Keep coming back, as I'll try to still provide new content as time permits.  Keep the comments coming and feel free to email me as well.   

8 comments:

  1. Thank You Steve, I wish You all the best on Your new job. You certainly have done a lot since many fashion designers in Estonia now include sheer pantyhose as mens legwear, an example: http://f.elu24.ee/f/2010/05/31/376855t54hbb73.jpg
    and here: http://f.elu24.ee/f/2010/05/31/376848t54he11f.jpg

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  2. I was very upset. Good luck.

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  3. Hi Steve,
    After reading this,I'm glad that you are continuing your blog.
    A little bit sadend,but you have to do, what you have to do.
    Thank you for all your efforts.
    I wish you well.
    Richard

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  4. Steve
    A big congrats on the new job and best of luck, I look foreward to reading your new posts as you transition into the new job and how you plan to get even more men in hose. (lol)
    Billy

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  5. Steve,

    Good luck on your new endeavor. You da man!! Check out what happened in FL:

    http://www.allvoices.com/s/event-6073108/aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRzLm9ybGFuZG9zZW50aW5lbC5jb20vfnIvb3JsYW5kb3NlbnRpbmVsL2J1c2luZXNzL34zL2pZRkN1LU1rZk13L29zLWRpc25leS1uZXctYXBwYXJlbC1ydWxlcy0yMDEwMDYxNCwwLDIwMTEwMTguc3Rvcnk=

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  6. So, the article said female workers no longer are required to wear pantyhose. Didn't say anything about whether male workers would now be allowed to wear them. Hmmm... not sure of the implications for The Nylon Gene. But, thanks for the link. (readers trying to follow it should make sure to include the '=' at the end. The first time I used it, it didn't work until I added the equal sign at the end).

    Thanks to everyone for the well wishes...

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  7. I don't mind a business requiring any man or woman dressed too short on the legs to wear pantyhose.

    As for the poster on the FL article, Mickey Mouse looked like he was wearing black tights under his shorts. :)

    P.S.: Good luck Steve in your new job and if traffic congestion conditions improve in Ohio, I might be motivated to leave MO and move to OH. :)

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