Learned'd VIII: Less Bewbs, Same Nonsense

[MinisterofDOOM]

So, it's 6* F outside right now (that's an improvement of 15 degrees over yesterday at this time) and snowing and I am helping move everything to our new office building today. I get to drive a 2WD uhaul over ice-and-snow roads shared by college kids from states where snow is a myth, all with expensive equipment in the back! Huzzah!

Oh well. I manage just fine in my LS8. Hell, better than fine. I manage with a gigantic grin, while all the locals drive around in their pansy-a** economy-model Subarus and CTS4s (who the @#$% buys an AWD CTS?! That's like buying a FWD F350.).

This is also the first winter that I've sprung for decent winter-focused all-seasons on the LS8, and I am impressed to find that AdvanceTrac is actually NICE on occasion. With actual traction to work with, it's pretty damned smart sometimes (but just as often very dumb). It allows moderate throttle steer and yaw while maintaining longitudinal traction quite well. Best of all, it tries pretty hard to make up for the open diff on ice. It's no fancy intelligent diff, but it does at least use braking to get traction to the right side.

Ended up renting a house instead of buying. Couldn't find anything that made me want to own it. Accept for maybe one but the driveway was gravel and incredibly steep. So steep that just driving up while it was dry, at a very low speed - basically just crawling, had the tires shooting out rocks and slipping near constantly. The damn thing already had one switch back in it too! My wife was having none of that, she already dreams that we meet our doom with me behind the wheel as we careen off something very high and plummet to our certain death.

Hahahaha awesome. I love windy driveways. My grandparents used to live up in the Wasatch mountains where most homes have very long, steep, winding, tree-enclosed driveways that always made me a bit jealous. Of course, most of the owners of those driveways would happily give them up when winter arrives and they get the worst of the snow on the high, west-facing mountainside.

I hate renting, though. I can see not wanting to buy a house you don't want to stick with. But I'm sick of throwing my money away. My next important life priority is buying a house with a damn garage. Fortunately, there are LOTS of homes around here with high-ceiling 2-car-plus-RV garage layouts, which is amazing. Looks like an opportunity for a permanent engine hoist to me!

[breadbox]

Hey Erbody. Its been a while.

The Craft Brewery I have been working at for that last couple years is about to Move into a larger Facility, Currently we make alittle more than 5000bbl a year. One Barrel is about 31Gallons. The new place will hopefully be around 18,000bbl a year. I am excited, because not only will we make more beer, but will have more steady schedules so I can hopefully build my RB20 S13 by my birthday in April, and hopefully make it to NICOfest next year.

Also I will have time to clean out my Garage and finally use my lift for myself and not fixing everybody else's shizz.

Also I drive a mazda Pro5 nowadayz and miss my sluggish KA with torque.

[float_6969]

I'm a HUGE craft brew fan, where do you work?

[Looneybomber]

I'm a HUGE craft brew fan, where do you work?

+1 I heart homebrew. Having some now

[float_6969]

I got a double dose of Avery tonight. The 19th Triple and the Czar Imperial Stout. I'm going to buy another of the Triple and let it get lost in the basement for a year and see what it's like. A VERY close second to the best triple I've ever tasted.

[sx moneypit]

Good morning!

[frapjap]

What up Ben? How about that Josh McCown? Think they'll trade him off as high value or sell off Cutler?

[numbnuts240]

as much as i want to hate the fact that it's snowing right now, i can't wait to go home and play with the new snow blower.

[nissangirl74]

You guys can keep the cold. I hate this s***. We don't have snow or sub zero temps but when you're used to living in a desert and the low temps fall below freezing a few nights in a row, it SUCKS.

Also, Tito

Brian - renting sucks but at least it is temporary. I hope you find something cool soon.

Dave - food poisoning sucks; that is all

Ray - I hope you get the job!!

[frapjap]

Thank you Becky.
Morning fellas. Sit down interview time with the VP today, lets hope some good comes from it!

[sx moneypit]

Mornin' Ray!

Good luck with the interview !

[WDRacing]

Good luck Ray!

PODS get delivered on the 17th, finally have our own place again! Unfortunately, we're stuck with dsl...slow dsl. Can't even watch Netflix without buffering every 2 minutes. Pretty much the polar opposite of the FIOS service we're used to.

[frapjap]

UGH. DSL is the worst man. I feel for you. I hate to recommend it, but is Charter in your area? At least its cable internet.

Interview wasn't what I had hoped for. Was told that one of us (3 in our department) was likely going to be put into the position. He was glad that I showed interest and asked what I like to do/where my strengths are. Next, he explained how he was planning on re-organizing the R&D department and that would happen in the next 2-3 months. I guess thats when I'll learn more about moving up. Its just frustrating because I've been on hold for 1.5 years and am at the bottom end of the compensation department of the bell curve when it comes to industry wide salary surveys. Its hard to want to stay here despite the benefits and interesting projects going on in the company when you aren't paid equally well.
I have a third interview for an entry level management position next week and I'm pretty confident that I'll get it, but their benefits are lame in comparison to this company, but the pay will likely be a larger bump than I'd get here, but the drive is about 45 minutes. The question becomes- do I go after the money, or hold tight, suck it up, shut my trap, and wait it out?

[float_6969]

You guys must have crappy DSL where you are. I have ATT U-verse and I have had zero complaints about it since I got it. I'm not even at the fastest available level. Although I can say that it's fiber-optic based until it gets to a local hub, then goes out over the telephone lines, so maybe that's why it's been so good. If it's available in your area, check it out, I can't recommend it enough!

[WDRacing]

UGH. DSL is the worst man. I feel for you. I hate to recommend it, but is Charter in your area? At least its cable internet.

The question becomes- do I go after the money, or hold tight, suck it up, shut my trap, and wait it out?

I'll look into Charter. 45 minutes driving time will eat up a good chunk of $$ in gas. Factor that in when compensation time comes.

You guys must have crappy DSL where you are. I have ATT U-verse and I have had zero complaints about it since I got it. I'm not even at the fastest available level. Although I can say that it's fiber-optic based until it gets to a local hub, then goes out over the telephone lines, so maybe that's why it's been so good. If it's available in your area, check it out, I can't recommend it enough!

DSL is all about distance from the hub. If you're near a hub you're golden, if not...

[breadbox]

http://www.oconnorbrewing.com/

We are small and will continue to be relatively small on a national scale.

Our stout is amazing. Most people rave about the Agave IPA known as El Guapo.

[float_6969]

Apparently no love for the midwest. No outlet within 1,000 miles of me.

[frapjap]

Funnies for Friday

[Dattebayo]

Just got the floors done at my place...

New and improved with refinished hardwood floors!


We had a ratty old brown shag carpet and fleas in it, so it had to go.
We apparently had white oak and didn't even know about it. What a gem! It only cost a few hundred to get it done, too. (my parents kicked in for it...)

[Dattebayo]

Also, this:

[float_6969]

OH LEE SHLITZ.... that is hot

[nissangirl74]

UGH. DSL is the worst man. I feel for you. I hate to recommend it, but is Charter in your area? At least its cable internet.

Interview wasn't what I had hoped for. Was told that one of us (3 in our department) was likely going to be put into the position. He was glad that I showed interest and asked what I like to do/where my strengths are. Next, he explained how he was planning on re-organizing the R&D department and that would happen in the next 2-3 months. I guess thats when I'll learn more about moving up. Its just frustrating because I've been on hold for 1.5 years and am at the bottom end of the compensation department of the bell curve when it comes to industry wide salary surveys. Its hard to want to stay here despite the benefits and interesting projects going on in the company when you aren't paid equally well.
I have a third interview for an entry level management position next week and I'm pretty confident that I'll get it, but their benefits are lame in comparison to this company, but the pay will likely be a larger bump than I'd get here, but the drive is about 45 minutes. The question becomes- do I go after the money, or hold tight, suck it up, shut my trap, and wait it out?

A 45 minute commute in your area of the country would make me suicidal, or homicidal. Take your pick. It'd have to be a LOT of damn money to get me to spend that much more time on the road. The questions is, where do you see yourself in 5 years with your current employer vs. the potential employer? Opportunities and money don't always go hand in hand.

[frapjap]

Oddly enough Becky, the 45 min isn't with traffic, its an odd (though easy) all highway route that avoids the major traffic unless there is an awful accident. But you're right- do I really want to spend that much time on boring straight roads? The person who recommended me for the job (it came unsolicited to me) says its worth much more than I'm making. In 5 years with the current employer, I may not be making as much, but it'll put us where we want to be geographically speaking. Its a huge killer in my mind, interrupts LOTS of thoughts about what the greater good is. But, until we know more about a number, its tough to make a decision. Regardless, I'll definitely be having you guys weigh in once I know more specifics. (if ya'll don't mind).

[MinisterofDOOM]

http://www.oconnorbrewing.com/

We are small and will continue to be relatively small on a national scale.

Our stout is amazing. Most people rave about the Agave IPA known as El Guapo.

I LOVE craft beer!!!
And I love stouts.
Stouts and doppelbocks. Everything a body needs in one bottle.

[Bubba1]

A 45 minute commute in your area of the country would make me suicidal, or homicidal. Take your pick. It'd have to be a LOT of damn money to get me to spend that much more time on the road.

FWIW Bex, I did that long kinda commute for over 20 years on bumpy crowded PA/NJ roads, and I didn't mind it a bit. The key is being entertained. Things like satellite radio, audio books, driving a fun car, taking a fun route, establishing the (insert car model) land speed record without getting arrested, or maximizing your gas mileage (hypermiling can be fun too), or having conversations (decades ages ago it was CB, now it's cell phones), making shopping stops on the way home, you'd be surprised how easy it is. I did it all of those things and more. The only downside I felt was not the investment in time, but the the mega miles I put on the vehicles I used.

[frapjap]

A 45 minute commute in your area of the country would make me suicidal, or homicidal. Take your pick. It'd have to be a LOT of damn money to get me to spend that much more time on the road.

FWIW Bex, I did that long kinda commute for over 20 years on bumpy crowded PA/NJ roads, and I didn't mind it a bit. The key is being entertained. Things like satellite radio, audio books, driving a fun car, taking a fun route, establishing the (insert car model) land speed record without getting arrested, or maximizing your gas mileage (hypermiling can be fun too), or having conversations (decades ages ago it was CB, now it's cell phones), making shopping stops on the way home, you'd be surprised how easy it is. I did it all of those things and more. The only downside I felt was not the investment in time, but the the mega miles I put on the vehicles I used.

Is this where having a luxury car that is less stressful on the body comes in handy? I could imagine picking up a used Inifinti for such a commute. The route is 3 straight highways, no entertaining turns and twists off the main route aside from the on/off ramps. I used to drive ~40 minutes on one straight road before I moved so I'm no stranger to the epic amounts of boring, but after a year or two, it got old. Either way, the cost of the drive is a contributing factor to my budget and overall decision.

[elwesso]

I can tell you that without my XM radio, I would go crazy. On my drive (about 42 miles one way), I can't get the same radio stations from my house to work, so having to switch in the middle of your favorite song really sucks. For long drives, having satellite radio is well worth the expense!

[Bubba1]

[
Is this where having a luxury car that is less stressful on the body comes in handy? I could imagine picking up a used Inifinti for such a commute. The route is 3 straight highways, no entertaining turns and twists off the main route aside from the on/off ramps. I used to drive ~40 minutes on one straight road before I moved so I'm no stranger to the epic amounts of boring, but after a year or two, it got old. Either way, the cost of the drive is a contributing factor to my budget and overall decision.

Depends on the person, Ray. For example, my commutes were virtually all major highways, and I did almost 400K of those miles between a stock S13 and a stock 4runner (both manual transmissioned). Neither vehicle was luxurious and frankly, it never bothered me at all. But if my wife had that kind of commute, she would certainly have wanted a luxury sedan.

As far as the cost to commute, that's true with any job, whether it be commuting by car, train, bus, rickshaw, whatever. It's always a consideration. What I learned with long commutes is a spare car makes things much easier, as it's inevitable the primary car will need service periodically.

[Kompresshun]

I prefer a comfy sedan for my commutes or a SUV personally. I have commuted in mess less comfortable vehicles though and it hasn't ever been an issue.

I can tell you that without my XM radio, I would go crazy. On my drive (about 42 miles one way), I can't get the same radio stations from my house to work, so having to switch in the middle of your favorite song really sucks. For long drives, having satellite radio is well worth the expense!

XM radio is overrated these days and overpriced, but I don't listen to the radio in any car. I have Spotify and 300+ MP3s, which is enough for any trip for me.

[Bubba1]

XM radio is overrated these days and overpriced, but I don't listen to the radio in any car. I have Spotify and 300+ MP3s, which is enough for any trip for me.

I agree with Wes. I've had Sirius for several years. Huge selection of channels, Howard Stern (longtime fan), every NFL game, it never goes out of range, and it's only $14/month. It's not overpriced if you drive long distances regularly.