Learned'd VIII: Less Bewbs, Same Nonsense

[Bubba1]

Thats okay, its not a necessity, just a pretty cool addition.
I think you need all three. Use the Toyota in the winter and alternate between the 240 and the Z for summer. The Z can be your luxury cruiser.

I am going to try to keep all of them right now,i just need to figure out if i can afford the insurance on all of them.The insurance on the Z is fairly expensive(about $800 a year).

$800? Dang, that's cheap compared to insurance rates in NJ. Congrats on the new addition.

[sx moneypit]

No senior discount?

I would hate to know what it would if i wasn't an old fart!

[sx moneypit]

And thanks Joel, its quiet a bit more refined than my other cars.I think i might have to get me a good catback system though.

[frapjap]

And thanks Joel, its quiet a bit more refined than my other cars.I think i might have to get me a good catback system though.

And a turbo (or two) and some cams, and a front mount intercooler...

[sx moneypit]

And thanks Joel, its quiet a bit more refined than my other cars.I think i might have to get me a good catback system though.

And a turbo (or two) and some cams, and a front mount intercooler...

Maybe when i get her paid down a bit.

[frapjap]

Well, the company I work for is being sold.
Time to hit the open market.

[sx moneypit]

Ray, that sucks.So are they eliminating your job?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I just ended up with an iPhone for work. Who the @#$% decided that one button should do everything, and that the "back" function should be on the opposite end of the phone, but only when it feels like being there at all? After years of using just about every mobile OS under the sun on one device or another, I still can't see how iOS is supposed to be intuitive or simple. It's just clunky.

[Kompresshun]

Ray, sorry to hear that about your job man! So are they kicking you to the curb or are you just not wanting to stay with the company after the switch?

Hello to everyone else too BTW! Ben i'm quite jealous of the Z34 purchase. I can't wait to see pics!

I just ended up with an iPhone for work. Who the @#$% decided that one button should do everything, and that the "back" function should be on the opposite end of the phone, but only when it feels like being there at all? After years of using just about every mobile OS under the sun on one device or another, I still can't see how iOS is supposed to be intuitive or simple. It's just clunky.

To me it's no worse than Android dropping hardware buttons for onscreen ones. That being said, I still feel like Android's overall navigation is 100x better. It's so good that iOS 7 tried to copy a lot of it. Kinda funny.

There are things I like about iOS a lot, but it is sort of clunky and hard to get used to when you're used to Android. I've had about every OS under the sun though aside from the newer Windows phones, but I still prefer Android to all of them in most cases. I still am planning on buying an iPhone though if there isn't a new Nexus by January. I will not have any other Android phone now unless it's a Google branded phone.

BTW... HOW IN THE HELL IS BLACKBERRY/RIM STILL IN BUSINESS?

[sx moneypit]

Good morning folks!

[WDRacing]

Morning Ben!

[Kompresshun]

Mornin' Gents!

Ben, have you ever done a timing belt on a Honda Passport/Isuzu Rodeo with a V6?

I have a chance to pick up a 98 Honda Passport 4x4 for cheap, but it sounds like they snapped the timing belt while driving it one day. It's a non-interference engine, so it should not have damaged the engine components but i'm wondering if it's worth my trouble or not to fool with. It's looking like I can pick it up for around $500 and it's in really good shape.

[sx moneypit]

Mornin' Gents!

Ben, have you ever done a timing belt on a Honda Passport/Isuzu Rodeo with a V6?

I have a chance to pick up a 98 Honda Passport 4x4 for cheap, but it sounds like they snapped the timing belt while driving it one day. It's a non-interference engine, so it should not have damaged the engine components but i'm wondering if it's worth my trouble or not to fool with. It's looking like I can pick it up for around $500 and it's in really good shape.

Mornin' Chris,Brian!

Chris,i have done several of those.It is a pretty simple repair.Takes about 3hrs.

[WDRacing]

Did you do it with the motor out or in Ben? I have done a couple with the motor out, pretty easy really.

[Kompresshun]

Yeah I looked at a couple of how-to's and it seemed fairly simple. If I do it myself, I may be a able to clear a decent little SUV for less than $1,000.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/4091115430.html

[sx moneypit]

Did you do it with the motor out or in Ben? I have done a couple with the motor out, pretty easy really.

Done em with the engine in,just gotta yank the radiator out.

[sx moneypit]

Yeah I looked at a couple of how-to's and it seemed fairly simple. If I do it myself, I may be a able to clear a decent little SUV for less than $1,000.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/cto/4091115430.html

If that truck isn't a rust bucket underneath you should snatch it up!

[Kompresshun]

I am a BIG Paranoid Android fan. I love their ROM's. I need to load one on my GNex, because i'm tired of how screwy it's been with CM 10.2 lately.

I've been fine without the hardware buttons, but there are times that I miss having them too. Honestly though with Android, it doesn't matter if you have them or not because when it doesn't want to do something it doesn't matter how many times you hit the button - it just won't do it.

Yeah I don't know how they haven't pulled off lockscreen SMS either. I don't care though, because with CM you can reply to texts right from the notification drawer and that's close enough for me right now.

[Dattebayo]

Well, obviously, with the right kind of work you can make hardware buttons do what you want as well. I just tweaked my home button to allow me to wake the screen. But it's obviously not as easy...

[frapjap]

Ray, sorry to hear that about your job man! So are they kicking you to the curb or are you just not wanting to stay with the company after the switch?

BTW... HOW IN THE HELL IS BLACKBERRY/RIM STILL IN BUSINESS?

Ray, that sucks.So are they eliminating your job?

First, they're still in business because I still have one and refuse to switch!

Second, yes to all three of your questions, potentially.
The purchasing situation:
- The company buying us has made 3 acquisitions in the past 3 years, each one being a larger company than the last. They have CASH.
- The company buying us has 2 plants, one small with fixed lines and little adjust-ability, in NH. One HUGE that does what we do with changeovers and such. That plant is NOT at capacity. However, its location in Newport News is less than favorable for interstate and transportation of products and secondarily, hourly employment for the plant.
- The primary reason (IMO) for the purchase of our company is to get market share in the large National Accounts that we supply and they do not currently have- BK, Wendy's, LJS, etc.
- The president of our company hasn't said a SINGLE word to us and morale around the business has been in the dumps for a month or more. The purchase was rumored, but never confirmed or denied.
- President left and has an empty office and apartment as of Friday.

My situation:
- I'm the most senior person in my position. However, my boss is more senior in experience, but he was also part of our acquisition from last year and isn't as well versed in our products; though he knows enough about them to be competition for a position against me. Also has wife, 2 kids, blah blah blah. My feel is that he'll be chosen over me for potential to stay on working indefinitely for the purchasing company.
- My gut feel is- best case scenario- that I have 3-6 months to assist in transition of the acquisition. However, Tuesday is pay-day and the first of the month and they might send us all packing. BUT, since this is the time to build up for Lenten business (seafood), I think they need our plant to produce. This doesn't necessarily mean they need me. Their own folks might be just fine with the learning curve. Its a toss up.
- Maybe they'll keep me and move me up to NH. Doubtful, but the senior mgm't of the company doesn't want to and has not moved to VA to HQ their business. They're all New England guys and wish to stay that way. However, they are unlikely to keep our plant for a lot of reasons, and I don't expect them to.
- I've already entertained interviews.

My question to you guys is, knowing what you know above would you:
1. wait it out, hope for a severance (which may or may not happen), and go on unemployment and wait/hope for something to show up and be available when the time comes? Hope to not have to sell of cars, etc.
2. wait it out, hope they intend to keep some employees, and hope to be kept on by making yourself invaluable to them and hope you're not going to VA?
3. Screw this company and the buying company, and interview and take the next best offer with a stable company?

I'm leaning towards 3 since I have debts- student loans, a car, rent, etc. I don't want to default on anything. I have a second interview in place for Tuesday- which is coincidentally also the rumored day that we'll be told for certain what's what in regards to the purchase. I will definitely skip the meeting and take my interview. My chances of being hired somewhere else are good- 6 years of SOLID experience in many facets of any potential job responsibilities in the industry.

I could really use some advice, ya'll are a well rounded group of folks and I take everything you have to say into consideration.

[WDRacing]

I like option 3. Honestly, option 3 would be something I'd entertain on a regular basis. You're always increasing your value through education and experience, make sure you're getting paid for it. The easiest time to interview and job search is when you're currently employed.

Continue to interview and hope for the best. In the worst case you'll end up on UI for a bit of time while continuing the job search.

[audtatious]

Doin a drive by

[Bubba1]

I like option 3. Honestly, option 3 would be something I'd entertain on a regular basis. You're always increasing your value through education and experience, make sure you're getting paid for it. The easiest time to interview and job search is when you're currently employed.

Continue to interview and hope for the best. In the worst case you'll end up on UI for a bit of time while continuing the job search.

I agree. #3. It's much easier to find a job while you have one, plus no disruption in benefits.

[Dattebayo]

The president left and has an empty office and apartment? That's shady as f*ck.

That and no mention of anything to change morale speaks largely of bad things to come IMO.

[frapjap]

Morning guys. I'm guessing its gonna be a reaaaaaal productive day here in the office (not).

Thanks for the advice. You guys are right, #3 and being consistent is much smarter, even if there is a potential severance.
Consistency > uncertainty.

[Hijacker]

Morning guys!

Just sitting here in physics. Woo...

[ADDirishboy]

Good morning from NICO HQ! I woke up with a cat and a dog laying on either side of me. Damn animals.

[300ZXttZMAN]

WOW! So dad and I are looking through the applications we have for a parts puller and dad picks up the phone and calls the number on one when a lady answers the phone.

Lady: Hello
Dad: This is David at tops auto recycling I'm calling for "BLANK" in reference to a job.
Lady: "he committed suicide yesterday".
Dad: /speechless for a moment - I'm very sorry to hear that.
Lady: Thanks *hung up*.

WTF!!!

[frapjap]

SNAP! Thats a kicker. Gotta wonder if you called earlier if he would have stayed alive because he had a job or if he was hoping to jump into your car crusher.

[300ZXttZMAN]

SNAP! Thats a kicker. Gotta wonder if you called earlier if he would have stayed alive because he had a job or if he was hoping to jump into your car crusher.

For real!