I Work

Mike Royko is on vacation. In his absence, we are reprinting some of his favorite columns. This column was first published on April 25, 1978.The young couple had a bitter quarrel. From the angry words that drifted to others in Billy Goat's Tavern, the dispute seemed to be over whether he or she was the better racquetball player. She loudly declared that she was through with him forever and flounced into the night, leaving him to brood over his beer.After considerable brooding, he squared his shoulders and with a sob in his voice said: "I feel like jumping off the bridge and ending it all."

In some ways it would be easier if this co-worker were overtly sexually harassing you; you could, at least, know what to do. But what he's doing instead is spending what seems like 37 hours out of every 40-hour week trying to get you to date him.Luncheon invitations. Flowery compliments. Sappy notes. Dinner invitations. Theater tickets. Chatty phone calls. More notes. Flowers. You're beginning to feel like a plump bunny with a wolf on its trail.If this male colleague were making persistent and unwelcome sexual advances toward you, you'd know what to do -- rebuff, record and, if necessary, report them.

Good NewsI wanted to take this opportunity to let you know of some editorial practices of The Baltimore Sun of which I heartily approve.I have, on occasion, considered switching to other newspapers, particularly since I work in Washington and am interested in the district's local news.The content of The Sun, however, as well as the flawless delivery service I have received, has caused me to remain loyal to The Sun.I particularly enjoy The Sun's willingness to publish encouraging articles of positive people and events.

As often as we criticize the State Highway Administration, Intrepid Commuter feels an obligation to praise the agency's good works.Here are some of our favorite things about the SHA:Many of the lines its workers paint on the pavement are straight.Its roads are fairly hard.Highways described as southbound generally are.Its bridges usually don't collapse when new.But wait, there's more. Consider two criticisms of a state-maintained highway recently brought to our attention by faithful reader Frank A. Cirincione of Parkton, who commutes daily along Interstate 83.First, Mr. Cirincione writes, "The construction of the Warren Road exit off I-83 in Cockeysville . . . seems to be proceeding extremely slowly.

It's hard to curb your passion and control your own behavior when you're in love with someone at work. And it's downright impossible to curb or control the way other people may react to your relationship.Two women who've run into 1960s attitudes about 1990s relationships at work contacted me this week. The first, a 42-year-old secretary, talked to me in Bangor, Maine; the second, a 26-year-old sales executive, wrote from Orlando, Fla."I've read your columns about the way people should act if they're having a personal relationship with someone at work.

Julie Schwait's closet chronicles the changes in her life -- from single career woman to stay-at-home mom to working mother.It's a Ruth Shaw-meets-the-Gap kind of existence for Ms. Schwait, 42, director of alumni activities and annual giving at Park School.While her former profession, accounting, required a more corporate style, she now turns up for work in trousers and a sweater, an outfit that also works when she's in her Homeland home with her husband and 3-year-old son.How did having a child change your style?

Loreena McKennitt ought to be just another traditional folk artist. For one thing, the Canadian performer's roots are firmly in the Celtic tradition, particularly the sound of Ireland; for another, her instrument is the harp -- and not the massive, steel-stringed type found in symphony orchestras and Marx Brothers movies. What McKennitt plays is the smaller, gut-strung variety Irish harpers have played since the days of Turlough O'Carolan.But as much as she might draw from the well of tradition, McKennitt refuses to let her music be defined by it. As such, her current album, "The Visit," fleshes out the Celtic cadences of her songs with everything from drums and electric guitar to balalaika, tamboura and Indian-style fiddle licks.

The Credit Thief. The Detail Junkie. The Prima Donna. A lot of you are working with The Worst Co-Workers in the World. Since a recent column about these vampires, gremlins and trolls, you've been writing letters to add to the list."

Today's career question is: Should you work at home?Of course the home is not the ideal place to do certain types of jobs, such as coal mining. But many modern employers are willing to be flexible. The Ford Motor Co., for example, recently started a pilot program under which employees who don't want to leave their preschool children may elect to build Taurus station wagons in their homes. Oh, there have been problems. Some cars wouldn't start because of what was later diagnosed as Play-Doh in the cylinders.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Leo Gomez probably isn't going to win the Gold Glove at third base this year, but he says his defensive skills will continue to improve as he gains more experience at the position.He was charged with his first error of the spring in the Orioles' 8-3 exhibition victory over the Montreal Expos yesterday, but that doesn't change the fact that he has improved his defensive game tremendously during the past 18 months.Gomez knows that his skill with the glove was very much in question when he came to spring training last year.