Crete's Corner

[ABB]

Yup, that's the thing with the wet wipes... it's fine if you use 1-3 of them to supplement your normal wiping.

Idiots will use half a crate and flush them, then wonder why their line is clogged.

"It says they are flushable!!!"

they're not flushable, even if they say they are. the wipe companies did some serious damage with that claim. if they were flushable and broke down efficiently as TP does, they wouldn't work as baby wipes, you'd have shit on your hands every time you changed the baby.

 

[ABB]

I can't believe they made it a week. These are the people that will die first in the apocalypse.

right? I recall thinking the same - how TF did you not have a full-on clog within 1 day. Diapers expand more than anything else out there besides foam insulation. not sure how it took a week to fully shut down a 4" waste line.

 

[osubuckeye4]

Per Gemini:

I get angry emails (not to me directly, to all owners/renters) from our property manger at least once every 4 months.

I guess they are more universally despised than I realized.

 

[osubuckeye4]

they're not flushable, even if they say they are. the wipe companies did some serious damage with that claim. if they were flushable and broke down efficiently as TP does, they wouldn't work as baby wipes, you'd have shit on your hands every time you changed the baby.

I agree, with those things it's not a matter of if they week eventually cause clogs... it's when and how bad is it going to be?

 

[ABB]

property manger

 

[mrducks]

I have a little memory that I want to post about a guy (man and boy) that used to be my friend as a teenager, growing up in Pasadena, Maryland.

Don't know where it is appropriate to post this memoire, so I'll do it here.

I grew up with a guy we called Clyde. He was a hairy dude, monkey like, so I think we called him Clyde because of that--from that movie "Every Which Way But Loose." Left turn Clyde, if you remember...

Our parties in high school, and after high school during college, always had Clyde there as a permanent fixture. He was funny, and strong as an OX. Every time there was a fight, he would get into it. He usually solved the problem, but not always. He would always, at least, get involved and try to solve the situation.

Clyde liked to drink. One day he went through the Taco Bell, which was our after-party food establishment, and he got into it with someone in the restaurant. He took out his gun and shot the sign at the drive through. Yes, he got arrested and took to jail. That's one occasion.

I used the lawyer that got Clyde out of that deal, when I got arrested too around the same time.

On another occasion, I took Clyde with us to the Parrott Head (Jimmie Buffett) concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion, in Columbia, Maryland. That was when I WAS with my fraternity, probably in about 1995. I took Clyde there, and he went off somewhere, and we couldn't find him at all at the end of the night. We went to security, and apparently, he got into a fight and was sent to jail. The security person told us where, and we went and bonded him out of jail for the night.

Clyde was a great guy, just a little crazy. He was a tough dude, and a fighter.

Wasn't about a year after that, that Clyde had done something stupid, and was running from the cops down Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena, Maryland, and on a motorcycle. He ended up flying off the motorcycle and impaling himself on a tree. Dead.

We still remember our buddy Clyde. I loved the guy--he was such a good dude and one of the old crazy, tough guys. I'll never forget him. Rest in Peace my buddy Clyde. I hope you found Jesus before being killed on the motorcycle.

 

[Joben Global Inc.]

I have a little memory that I want to post about a guy (man and boy) that used to be my friend as a teenager, growing up in Pasadena, Maryland.

Don't know where it is appropriate to post this memoire, so I'll do it here.

I grew up with a guy we called Clyde. He was a hairy dude, monkey like, so I think we called him Clyde because of that--from that movie "Every Which Way But Loose." Left turn Clyde, if you remember...

Our parties in high school, and after high school during college, always had Clyde there as a permanent fixture. He was funny, and strong as an OX. Every time there was a fight, he would get into it. He usually solved the problem, but not always. He would always, at least, get involved and try to solve the situation.

Clyde liked to drink. One day he went through the Taco Bell, which was our after-party food establishment, and he got into it with someone in the restaurant. He took out his gun and shot the sign at the drive through. Yes, he got arrested and took to jail. That's one occasion.

I used the lawyer that got Clyde out of that deal, when I got arrested too around the same time.

On another occasion, I took Clyde with us to the Parrott Head (Jimmie Buffett) concert at Merriweather Post Pavilion, in Columbia, Maryland. That was when I WAS with my fraternity, probably in about 1995. I took Clyde there, and he went off somewhere, and we couldn't find him at all at the end of the night. We went to security, and apparently, he got into a fight and was sent to jail. The security person told us where, and we went and bonded him out of jail for the night.

Clyde was a great guy, just a little crazy. He was a tough dude, and a fighter.

Wasn't about a year after that, that Clyde had done something stupid, and was running from the cops down Fort Smallwood Road in Pasadena, Maryland, and on a motorcycle. He ended up flying off the motorcycle and impaling himself on a tree. Dead.

We still remember our buddy Clyde. I loved the guy--he was such a good dude and one of the old crazy, tough guys. I'll never forget him. Rest in Peace my buddy Clyde. I hope you found Jesus before being killed on the motorcycle.

Sir, this is an Arby's. Please move on.

 

[Joben Global Inc.]

Love you duck hunt.

 

[bconcrete]

Howdy folks! Sorry I let this thread drop, but life got busy in the best way possible lately.

Since I last had a thought to share, I'm a year older, a (mildly) successful birdwatching expo in the books, and have gotten a new job that comes with a 15% raise, an extra week of PTO and much less of a commute. To say nothing of having a smart, happy, healthy kid, and a relationship that seems to somehow be getting better after nearly nimlne years.

Left my previous job today, have nothing to do tomorrow (except fox one of the shutters, God I'm hoping for rain so I can put that off), so I will be back then with a thought that has been on my mind during all this.

 

[IOB WORLDWIDE]

Howdy folks! Sorry I let this thread drop, but life got busy in the best way possible lately.

Since I last had a thought to share, I'm a year older, a (mildly) successful birdwatching expo in the books, and have gotten a new job that comes with a 15% raise, an extra week of PTO and much less of a commute. To say nothing of having a smart, happy, healthy kid, and a relationship that seems to somehow be getting better after nearly nimlne years.

Left my previous job today, have nothing to do tomorrow (except fox one of the shutters, God I'm hoping for rain so I can put that off), so I will be back then with a thought that has been on my mind during all this.

Gary

 

[Webble]

Fantastic update and congratulations on the job and just life in general

 

[bconcrete]

Alright! We're back!

So, as I mentioned above, been having some life changes (although nothing like @IOB WORLDWIDE , congrats on finally starting the hormone treatments and being your true self ma'am. Well deserved), particularly around my career, and that has had me thinking.

For some context, the job I'm moving to has been in the works for damn near six months. I had applied for another role, been through four rounds of interviews, and ended up losing out to someone with some more experience. But they really liked me, and told me they were looking to create a role and bring me on board. I was skeptical, corporate and all, but it ended up coming to pass and becoming a thing.

And that kinda put me in a pickle. There are definitely issues with the place, small company, I was stagnant without much career progression. Like a lot of small companies it could get very cliquey, and the ownership was also the executives and the managers, which is a bit of a dicey spot. But it was comfortable, the pay was good, the workload wasn't killer, and I was good at it. I could've easily coasted there for a while and not worried about a thing. But I chose to go back into the bigger corporate world, a job that's a step up, with more expectation and responsibility. Sure, my commute basically goes away, I get a big raise and an extra week of PTO, but I have the voice in my head wondering if it's worth it and if i made the right call.

And that got me thinking...Crete Thoughts #10: when you have two good options on the table, how do you pick between them? How do you know if you're making the right decision or fucking up?

Honestly, I think these are some of the hardest decisions to make. Its's not choosing between good or bad, or being forced to do something, you have to pick between two good options. You're having to choose between something good, or something that could be better. I know all the math cases and opportunity costs and blah blah blah. Personally, I don't find all that very helpful. To me, those can justify decisions, but I find it impossible to fully quantify every variable properly to use them to actually make the decision. I have to use my gut and just pick what I think is best, and hope I'm not making a choice that'll fuck my life up.

But I'm wondering how y'all do it? How do you approach and make these decisions where there are two good options on the table? How do rationalize your choice at the end?

 

[Webble]

In your situation it would depend on my priorities at the time do I need the current security and to coast because of my out of work life? Or am I in a position to take a risk that if I hate it there are jobs around to move to or savings to live off short term worst case?

I would also if I had the luxury choose the job I would enjoy the most

How much pto do you now get? I have 27 days plus our 8 bank holidays and struggle to use it all

 

[bconcrete]

In your situation it would depend on my priorities at the time do I need the current security and to coast because of my out of work life? Or am I in a position to take a risk that if I hate it there are jobs around to move to or savings to live off short term worst case?

I would also if I had the luxury choose the job I would enjoy the most

How much pto do you now get? I have 27 days plus our 8 bank holidays and struggle to use it all

25 now. That'll be nice.

And you didn't answer the question! It's not what you'd do in my situation it is how do YOU pick between two good options! Don't make me go all motives on you.

 

[Webble]

25 now. That'll be nice.

And you didn't answer the question! It's not what you'd do in my situation it is how do YOU pick between two good options! Don't make me go all motives on you.

You wouldn't dare!

What I would do would depend on my life situation at the time. I currently live alone with a mortgage to pay and am well paid and secure in my current job, to that's worth a lot even though I'm often bored. I would take the new job if I thought I could find an alternative easily if it didn't work out for any reason

 

[FunnyHoneyBunny]

But I'm wondering how y'all do it? How do you approach and make these decisions where there are two good options on the table? How do rationalize your choice at the end?

I am very bad at making decisions with too many unknown factors because in my head they will always be the worst outcomes.
How will the new bosses be? Probably horrible.
How will the workload be? Probably too much.
So i rather tend to not take any risks. Which is often good, often the worst thing you can do.
Since i don't have any kids and am easy to satisfy i always try to go for the choice that gives me the most freetime and the least amount of stress. Money is one of the least important factors for me.
So i rank the choices like that.
Most freetime? Still enough money for now and later?
If yes, that will most likely be my choice.

I am so happy for your lower commuting time, because this is the biggest time consumer that no boss cares about. And why would he obviously.
Everythingelse sounds great as well. Wish you the best

 

[osubuckeye4]

Alright! We're back!

So, as I mentioned above, been having some life changes (although nothing like @IOB WORLDWIDE , congrats on finally starting the hormone treatments and being your true self ma'am. Well deserved), particularly around my career, and that has had me thinking.

For some context, the job I'm moving to has been in the works for damn near six months. I had applied for another role, been through four rounds of interviews, and ended up losing out to someone with some more experience. But they really liked me, and told me they were looking to create a role and bring me on board. I was skeptical, corporate and all, but it ended up coming to pass and becoming a thing.

And that kinda put me in a pickle. There are definitely issues with the place, small company, I was stagnant without much career progression. Like a lot of small companies it could get very cliquey, and the ownership was also the executives and the managers, which is a bit of a dicey spot. But it was comfortable, the pay was good, the workload wasn't killer, and I was good at it. I could've easily coasted there for a while and not worried about a thing. But I chose to go back into the bigger corporate world, a job that's a step up, with more expectation and responsibility. Sure, my commute basically goes away, I get a big raise and an extra week of PTO, but I have the voice in my head wondering if it's worth it and if i made the right call.

And that got me thinking...Crete Thoughts #10: when you have two good options on the table, how do you pick between them? How do you know if you're making the right decision or fucking up?

Honestly, I think these are some of the hardest decisions to make. Its's not choosing between good or bad, or being forced to do something, you have to pick between two good options. You're having to choose between something good, or something that could be better. I know all the math cases and opportunity costs and blah blah blah. Personally, I don't find all that very helpful. To me, those can justify decisions, but I find it impossible to fully quantify every variable properly to use them to actually make the decision. I have to use my gut and just pick what I think is best, and hope I'm not making a choice that'll fuck my life up.

But I'm wondering how y'all do it? How do you approach and make these decisions where there are two good options on the table? How do rationalize your choice at the end?

All you can really do is take all the information available at the time, weigh one side against the other, and go with whatever your gut is telling you is the right call. I've found that once you do that, the best approach is to put blinders on, focus all your effort on the path you took and actively try not to look back and play the 'what if' game.

I think a good personal example of what I'm talking about is, about 10-11 years ago, I got offered a Director level job with a company called EDMC (Education Management Corporation). It paid a good deal more than I was making, but the commute would have been horrible and the more research I did into EDMC the less excited I got about the opportunity. Essentially, the writing was on the wall that they were either going bankrupt, or, there would be serious restructuring. My end analysis was that if I took it, the position was going to be temporary, but, that I could have got 'Director' on my resume and that could have opened up future opportunities.

I ultimately ended up passing on it... my daughter was 3-4, my wife was starting to have her health issues, and I really valued the stability. The horrible commute didn't help either.

Flash forward 18 months from passing on the offer and EDMC indeed did go bankrupt and they had a TON of horrible press as it all unfolded. I'm sure many who were let go ended up finding employment, but I'm also sure that the interview process was uncomfortable for the vast majority of them.

You'd think that I'd consider that I made the right decision, but I still honestly don't know. At the time, I thought I was on the pathway to becoming a Director at my current corporation and possibly VP within 5-8 years... but, that all ended up backfiring (we didn't go bankrupt, but our growth came to a halt and we had multiple CEO changes and I kind of got put to the side and watched newcomers rise past me on the org chat). I ended up leaving management and went the analyst route.

I try to not put much thought into 'roads not taken' or come to a conclusion that "I definitely did/didn't make the right decision". If you had asked me 18 months after, I would have said I absolutely made the right choice. If you ask me now, it's much less clear that I did. Point being, you start arriving at a lot of really weird hypothetical destinations when you do that... and, the old saying is true: "past results do not predict future outcomes". If there is another Director level offer presented to me, I'm not going to look at what happened to EDMC and let it impact that decision, I'll do all the due diligence/research and make an informed decision based off of that information.

 

[Brick]

But I'm wondering how y'all do it? How do you approach and make these decisions where there are two good options on the table? How do rationalize your choice at the end?

Depends on your age. Early on, I'm going for it, and taking the option with the long-term upside. Later on in life, I played it pretty safe, taking easy jobs I knew I could kill with minimal effort and riding out the last few years. Sounds like you have more than a few years left for sure, so why not swing at it.

 

[Tosh]

@bconcrete @FunnyHoneyBunny
In regard to decision making, I've always done these three things. I make a pro/con list.

I run the details past three people I know and trust whose opinions and choices have proved highly successful.

I negotiate. If you aren't a good negotiator, or can't wrangle yourself into a position of power, consult a trusted friend or relative in business or law or your preferred profession, run details past them, get a game plan.

Today, I would add do research. Go old school using old newspapers, school records, accomplishments, education et al that can be verified. Anyone today can boast of and make look authentic, anything. If you only use Google or the internet to research your potential employer/partner/other, you are doing yourself a disservice and putting your future at risk.

 

[Ulf Murphy]

I like Tosh's answer. All of the big moves we did were similar. Pros/cons list. Talked to family/trusted friends. Put both a success plan and a failure plan together. Prepared. We did this before we had kids. Before we made our move 1200 miles away. Before we bought our business.

When looking back, I also think that it is easy to get comfortable in a job/career and the next thing you do is wake up 10+ years later and you wonder where it went. That was happening to us when the girls were little and we were living in a small town in Pa in a house we would never outgrow with all our family within 2 hours and a good friend network. Then my wife got an offer that we almost turned down. If not for that list, and the glaringly obvious choice to move to Florida, I am sure we would not be where we are today. Things would certainly be more difficult. Our girls would be completely different people. Life would be harder financially, but easier in responsibilities.

So, at the end of the day, I think that everyone's situation is different, and making big changes is extremely difficult, but with proper work, planning and preparation, the opportunities that come along that will change your life become obvious in the difference between opportunity and pipedream. And the work to make that decision helps alleviate the fear and reinforce the plan to accomplish your goals.

And for us, once we did all the work to plan and prepare, before we made the final decision, we both asked ourselves "If we do not take this risk, will we be content to not wonder what would have happened?". If the answer is no, then you either need to do more work on the problem, or take the risk.