I have a separate account from Beehaw, which I use on a different Mastodon instance. I created it about a year ago. I also recently created a Bluesky account (I know, I know, proprietary social media…)

So for Mastodon, I’ve noticed it’s harder to find the content I’m interested in. My instance is small, but active, so I find that I mostly interact with the folks there. Which is fine, it’s our own little community of mostly political memes and life and work and such. That said, our instance is well-federated, so I do get some interaction with others outside of it.

But on Bluesky, maybe because it’s algorithmic, right away I’m seeing content that I’m interested in. Gaming, anime, arts, news, tech. And in some ways, it feels more like Twitter back in 2009, when I initially created my (now-deleted) account there.

90s. Late 90s, as I was in middle school.

Some folks from my last job were in town on Wednesday, so they invited me out to dinner. I say “last job,” but I’m now a contractor/consultant for them; no longer a FTE. So I guess they’re still my coworkers. It was nice to see them in person. My boss was there, so of course he asked how my new job was going. From my previous post, I’m not sure I’m enjoying it. But I couldn’t tell him that.

But I started with, “It’s interesting…” And his eyes widened and he got a gleam in his eyes, lol. He thinks that anyone who leaves the company is crazy. And there’s some truth to that as I’ve worked for the company twice. The first time I left…I don’t want to say it was a mistake, but it wasn’t everything I hoped for. I eventually came back a year and half later. Which he loves rubbing in my face and anyone who contemplates leaving. So I fudged it a bit. And he deflated, lol.

Either way, I’m glad I got to see them, and just spend a fun evening catching up over drinks and dinner. Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen is excellent.

This weekend, just watching F1 and League of Legends Worlds. Let’s go Red Bull and T1!

My work is now tracking mouse and keyboard inputs for productivity.

Oof, wtf? I love when these managers turn to IT to “solve” productivity “issues.” As if mouse/keyboard tracking can’t be faked/fudged. Like does mouse/keyboard movement really prove productivity? I can sit on Tildes or reddit all day and that would see my keyboard/mouse look busy.

Or even if someone is working in like Excel or Word, doesn’t mean the work is productive, if it’s not being done well or right at all. But again, it’d “look” productive via tracking.

Technology does not fix management issues.

Appreciate the kind words. Here’s hoping!

Jfc. Can’t, or rather won’t, refurbish? That’s beyond stupid.

Yeah that’d be cool if the opened it up and recreate it as a platform for people to mess around with it. Like a rPi or Arduino or something. Because in it’s current form…pretty much useless. But you’re right; they’d have to drop that price point significantly and incentivize people even if it were open.

I’m into week 7 of this new job. It’s moving by really quick, which is a plus. But I’m having doubts.

It’s way more chaotic and unstructured than I expected it to be. Which is weird because, aside from a quick 3mo stint at one place, the rest of my ~19yr professional career has been in small businesses that were often chaotic and unstructured! At my last job, where I did a total of ~17yrs over two separate stints, I was the only IT guy; I was constantly winging it and figuring things out. I practically had no training, supervision, nor oversight when it came to making things work.

I guess I expected that, since this new job is an enterprise-level place, the technical environment I’d be in would be enterprise-level. But it’s not. It feels like a small business again. But somehow worse. Just today I was in my first meeting with the supposed networking group, and one guy was going through the laundry list of issues. One being that there are numerous people outside of this team who have the same powers and permissions as this team! And this issue, among others, seems to exist in multiple related areas, including those that I’m supposed to be managing. And there’s no one to say “Stop that!”

Plus, I was hoping I’d be able to get trained in some of this. There’s a lot of stuff here that I’ve never touched before. Unfortunately, my role is essentially brand new and the group I’m supposed to be working with and sorta helping to lead was literally created two weeks ago. Along with my practically my own job! No joke, I nor my employers knew what exactly my job was until two weeks ago. Plus, I didn’t even think I would be leading in any fashion. I feel like I’m just getting tossed in and being told to figure it out, which is not at all what I expected or wanted.

On the other hand, I wonder if what I’m feeling is just because I’m new. I’ve only been new to a job three times over the 19yrs. So I’m not used to not knowing about things and not being the “expert.” Which is uncomfortable. And when I feel uncomfortable, my default action is to run away.

I don’t hate this job. And nearly everyone I’ve worked with or interacted with so far has been friendly and helpful. When I have questions, they answer to the best of their ability. So it’s not like I’m truly in a sink or swim position. Plus, given how things are run here, I don’t think there’s strong pressure from above to quickly take action to clean things up. Those above also recognize that this whole division or whatever we are is a WIP. Supposedly, my whole team doesn’t even officially exist, lol.

Obviously time will tell, and of course, I don’t have to stay here forever. But I’ve definitely been on the lookout. I know these days it’s normal to always be looking for the next opportunity. I also can’t quit without having something else lined up either, as I just moved across the country, spent a shitload of money to do that, and still have a year on my lease. So quitting without a new job would be very, very, very bad.

I think I just have to take it day by day, week by week, month by month. My goal is to get to 1yr.

Ah well. Tomorrow is another day. And by Friday, it’ll be 8 weeks. Only 10 months to go.

6ys is definitely a long time for a phone. Personally, I’m trying for 5yrs on my 13 Pro. It’ll be 3yrs in February.

For each iPhone I’ve had, I’ve extended the time between upgrades by a year. 4S to 6+ was about 2yrs. Then to the X was 3yrs. And then 4yrs til my 13 Pro. The cost is one of bigger reasons driving me to do this, but I take the opposite opinion: the advances model to model aren’t that major to me. I don’t need a more powerful/capable camera or a screen with a deeper black or whatever. Aside from calls, messaging, emails, and reading news, and the occasional photo/video – usually of nothing of great importance – nothing I do really pushes my phone to its limits.

That said, I’m somewhat considering doing an earlier upgrade because of that satellite connectivity feature. Not that I go off-grid or anywhere with poor reception with any regularity, but I feel like that’s a nice safety feature in case of an emergency.

Gasp, that would never happen! =D

I didn’t say it since I didn’t want to bring US shithousery politics into the thread.

Philippines has gotta stop with these actors and celebrities entering politics. And also the dynasties (sometimes composed of entertainers). How does being on a variety show or a soap opera qualify someone for high office?

Congrats! I know what you mean about the imposter syndrome. I just started a new job, and was super worried. But having got here, seeing the work, doing it, I’m like, “why was I even worried?” I’m sure there’ll be something new, but given that the “base job,” is familiar, I have confidence I’ll be OK. And I’m sure the same will apply to you.

Enjoy your time off. I took 4 weeks off. I miss it already 😭

I’m a week into the new job. And so far it’s fine. In some ways, very different from my last job, but in other ways it’s very familiar to me. So far, the work doesn’t seem like anything crazy. It’s mostly stuff I’ve done before.

I’m having to commute again, which kinda sucks, but at least the commute isn’t any longer than what I used to do before I went full remote at previous job. At least by car. I still need to give public transit a try, though I have my suspicions that that’ll be longer.

And at some point, probably soon, I’ll be able to do a hybrid schedule, at least a couple days a week. So that’ll be nice.

Not gonna lie, after a month off of work, it was tough to have to wake up early again and work! I need to win the lotto or something.

Getting used to living in my new city. After 3 weeks of living here, I’m still liking it. That said, I haven’t gone out as much as I’d’ve liked because 1) I’m still trying to get things unpacked and situated, and 2) I’m a homebody hermit. Easier (and cheaper) to just stay home and chill.

Maybe that’ll be the reason I go back to visit: BBQ!

I use it since I subscribe to Proton for email. It seems fine. I used to use Windscribe – or rather still do since I have a lifetime subscription – but I tend to alternate between the two services these days. Proton seems to have tons more servers though. I’ve torrented on both and have had no issues with either.

I finally moved! Made the 16hr journey from Kansas City to the Washington. DC. My dad and brother flew out last Thursday to help me load the truck and drive across the country. Got into town late Sunday and unloaded the truck on Monday. Still unpacking and setting things up, and of course getting my bearings, but so far it feels good. I will say that the drive through the Appalachians is stunning. Obviously not the Rockies, but in some ways, I think the Appalachians are more beautiful.

It was definitely a little sad leaving a city that I’d grown up in, that I’d been at for like 30yrs. As I passed through suburbs where I lived or went to school at, I was definitely tearing up a bit. I’d driven east out of the metro to visit St. Louis, Chicago, Columbus, and beyond many times over the years. But this time I wouldn’t be coming back “home.”

I was the last of my family to leave the area, and while I have a few friends there still, we’ve grown apart as we’ve gotten older as they’ve got their own families and such. As such, unless I move back, I’ll probably never return. Or at least, very rarely.

Anyway, I still have like 10 days before I start my new job, so in the meantime, I’m just relaxing and enjoying it. Hopefully this move will be worth it. I think it will be.

I thought alcoholism would be it. And someone would be at least making money off it (sans bootlegging).

We’re being flippant, but god, what a waste of human potential. Absolutely pointless war.

I finished reviewing the whole thing about an hour ago. Looks good; went ahead and signed it! Of course, when I go on to the resident portal to pay the first month rent and such, it has the wrong amount -.-

I text messaged the specialist – because no joke, that’s their preferred method – and told him that once he fixes it tomorrow, I’m ready to pay. Let’s see if that gets done in a timely manner.

Welcome to Beehaw!

So I finally got this stupid apartment complex that I’m trying to move to respond to me. Had a couple questions on the lease, but the most important was that I was supposed to get like 2wks free rent, but the lease didn’t show that. They sent me the lease last Wednesday, expecting me to sign within 24-48hrs, while promising to “answer my questions promptly” but then it took them 4-5 biz days to get back to me. I emailed, called, and texted every day. I told them that I’m not signing anything until I get my questions answered. I was getting worried as I already put down a small deposit.

When they called today, I was half expecting to have to argue with them, but luckily the leasing specialist said “Sorry about that; I’ve sent you a new lease with the concession.” And it was there. Still need to review this new lease in its entirety, in case they added anything that wasn’t in the first lease. Which has happened to me before elsewhere; I had the apt managers redo a lease twice, because they kept messing it up. Only signed it on the third try. Don’t know if they were incompetent or trying to pull as fast on me; honestly, probably the first given how that place was run. Anyway, always read over your entire lease, even if they just corrected one little thing.

Hopefully get this signed by Friday. Once this is finished, I’ll be able to book a truck and fly some of my family out to help me.