What You Did Today Thread

[Raithe]

Still plugging away at all the job searches here. I wasn't expecting things to happen fast, but I was expecting to get some greater traction on things after 3 months or so.

 

I seem to be caught in that awkward position of lacking experience in specific areas for the middle and senior positions, but too old and out of date for the entry level positions. Because I'm over 24, there's no government funding helping out for apprenticeships, so that limits that possibility, since companies are happy to spend a grand training under 24's, but not so the twelve or so grand training costs without that government subsidy.

 

Everyone respects the responsibility of having spent 15 years caring for a parent, but that doesn't actually get you back in the door to the workplace.

The potential project work I was dealing with part time the last year or so seems to be falling apart, since the guys behind it just keep putting it on the shelf for months at a time, so that's pretty much heading the way of the dodo.

 

I will say it's kind of an interesting mix of depressing and nice to get the formal letters saying your CV didn't reach the short list for interviews. Depressing because its a negative, but nice that they actually responded and let you know.

 

Hm, on the random, is it me or has the forum been acting up the last week or so? I seem to be having lots of timeouts when switching threads these days, and since I'm not having problems with any other websites it seems focused on the Obs boards...

[Gfted1]

You probably mentioned it before, but what do you "do" or are applying for?

[Raithe]

You probably mentioned it before, but what do you "do" or are applying for?

 

Well, I did Computer Science and Business at degree level (well, until I had to drop out final year and start the caring), for the past oh, five years now I was doing sort of part time project work from home that I could fit around looking after my mother. That was more general research, systems engineering, modelling and analysis rather than out and out IT.

So I'm pretty much covering all those areas in the job search and applications.

[Hurlshort]

With Disneyland out of the way, I'm focused on planning a romantic trip with the Missus to Vegas in April.  I've got a flight booked, fancy room picked out, couple massage planned, and dinners reserved.  

 

I did have a brief moment of insanity and think about booking this exclusive dining experience called e by Jose Andres.

 

http://www.yelp.com/biz/%C3%A9-by-jos%C3%A9-andr%C3%A9s-las-vegas-3

 

It sounds amazing, but $500 is a bit steep for one night.  

[Leferd]

I know I made it as a degenerate gambler when I first received my VIP pass card -including getting comped at the Bellagio buffet.

 

Many blessings from the Great Eyes in the Skies and His prophets, the Pitbosses on the floor!

Edited February 26, 2016 by Leferd

[Gromnir]

am thinking we mentioned that one o' our grandparents is caucasian.  polish.  some o' the vegas folks will recognize bobby stupak? our mother were a close relation to bobby and had curious and disturbing stories 'bout bobby when he were younger.  'course our mother's family were involved in number running and a floating crap game (which sounds like something from a south park episode, but isn't)... among other questionable businesses. polish organized crime... in pittsburgh? *sigh* take with a grain o' salt. regardless, in part 'cause o' our family history, we can't think o' vegas as anything other than a big scam that tends 'towards tacky... which is unfair given just how much money vegas has invested in changing its image.  

 

HA! Good Fun!

[Guard Dog]

Ah Vegas, it's been too long. Actually it was just two or three years ago. I lucked my way into an all access pass to the rugby sevens championship. Now that was a lot of fun.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Guard Dog

[Hurlshort]

I just read a book on Bob Stupak, it was a great read and it started with his dad running dice games in Pittsburgh.

 

Honestly I do very little gambling.  I love the idea of winning some money, but chicken out very quick. I go for the alone time with the missus, the great food and drinks, and the spas.  Like Gromnir, I used to be thoroughly uninterested in Vegas and thought it was tacky and a money pit.  But then I went with my wife for a hockey tourney, and I realized you can get great rooms for great deals, experience a wide selection of amazing dining options for cheaper than I get in San Francisco, and there isn't a kid in sight (for the most part.)  As a person who has kids and works with kids all day long, going to a place geared completely towards adults is a huge escape.

[Guard Dog]

The only gambling I'd ever do there is blackjack and it's not hard to win or lose modestly at that game as long as you can do simple math in your head. I'm not talking about card counting just simple probabilities.

[Deadly_Nightshade]

I've noticed we seem to have lost our resident Islamic scholar since I was here last, did she fade away or was she actually banned?

[Hiro Protagonist]

I'm not a gambler and don't gamble at all. When I did go to Vegas, I decided since I'm here I might as well try it just to say I tried it. So I walked up to the window, placed my dollar bills down and said, 'Can I have $3 worth of quarters please'. The lady just looked at the three $1 dollar bills, looked up at me, looked back down, took the bills and changed it and said, 'good luck'. She probably thought it was my last three dollars I had.

 

I did win some money, just enough to buy me dinner and the amusement ride at Luxor. So I thought I came out al right in the end. Never gambled since..

[Blarghagh]

I've noticed we seem to have lost our resident Islamic scholar since I was here last, did she fade away or was she actually banned?

 

Requested to have her own account deleted.

[Leferd]

Basics of Card Counting with Six Decks.

• For any 10's to Aces, count -1
• For any card 2 to 6, count +1
• 7 to 9 are neutral.

          -It's easier if you count in pairs or quads. 

 

Keep your bets small until your count is in the double digits. Or ...use the "Wonging" strategy:

 

 

However, some casinos will have continuous shuffling machines and automated safeguards/countermeasures --in addition to observant camera monitors and pit bosses to foil card counters.

[Hurlshort]

Well card counting isn't illegal or anything, it is just frowned on.  If I ever made it to the point of getting interest from the pitboss, I'd consider that a success.  

 

I tried a few of those online drills to see if I could keep track, it's extremely hard unless you have a good head for numbers.  In addition you need a decent bankroll and all it really does is give you the edge instead of the house.

 

 

I'm not a gambler and don't gamble at all. When I did go to Vegas, I decided since I'm here I might as well try it just to say I tried it. So I walked up to the window, placed my dollar bills down and said, 'Can I have $3 worth of quarters please'. The lady just looked at the three $1 dollar bills, looked up at me, looked back down, took the bills and changed it and said, 'good luck'. She probably thought it was my last three dollars I had.

 

I did win some money, just enough to buy me dinner and the amusement ride at Luxor. So I thought I came out al right in the end. Never gambled since..

 

 You turned $3 into enough for dinner and a ride?  That's a pretty big win margin.  I'm pretty happy if I win enough for a dinner, but usually it's more like win $20 here, lose $20 there, slink away after 20 minutes.  

[Gfted1]

Craps is my poison. I can literally feel my heart beating in my chest when I'm rolling the dice. I also have a pretty low losing-my-money tolerance so Ill usually bail out when I drop $100.

[Malcador]

Listening to these 'bro' conversations at work certainly is something new. Never thought I'd hear so much talk about strip clubs and banging coworkers at work

 

So glad it is Friday though.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Malcador

[Vaeliorin]

Personally, I've never gambled.  Granted, the only time I was in Vegas I was 6.

[Leferd]

In addition to my FAFSA loans and and barely above minimum wage student bookstore job; poker was a good source of extra income during college. Hell I even wrote off my collection of poker book and videos on my taxes.

 

Profits definitely skyrocketed when I no longer had to drive to the Indian casino (Cache Creek) and could grind quad (eventually nine) tables at a quicker pace. Increased quantity of hands per hour allowed me to play at lower stakes with decreased variance, thus more stabilized income. Still had bad runs here and there, but definitely a strong net positive.

 

Considered taking it more seriously after college, but then I got a "real" job.

 

Online poker was re-legalized in NJ yesterday. Still waiting on California, then Leferd's back, baby!

[Calax]

In addition to my FAFSA loans and and barely above minimum wage student bookstore job; poker was a good source of extra income during college. Hell I even wrote off my collection of poker book and videos on my taxes.

 

Profits definitely skyrocketed when I no longer had to drive to the Indian casino (Cache Creek) and could grind quad (eventually nine) tables at a quicker pace. Increased quantity of hands per hour allowed me to play at lower stakes with decreased variance, thus more stabilized income. Still had bad runs here and there, but definitely a strong net positive.

 

Considered taking it more seriously after college, but then I got a "real" job.

 

Online poker was re-legalized in NJ yesterday. Still waiting on California, then Leferd's back, baby!

Huh... you went to college near where I grew up (sactown!)

 

Well, had the unfortunate event of my car's spring coil going out, When I took it to Firestone (get a discount with the specific shop we use w/Hertz) they basically said "Yeah, you've got about $1800 of work under here...." so I'm now gonna be hunting for a vehicle in the next six months because screw having to throw 2 grand into my car every 4-6 months.

 

Hopefully I can get one before I turn 30... On 4/20

[Leferd]

Yup. I was right down the causeway at UC Davis.

[Guard Dog]

I woke up at 5AM, made coffee, sat down and on a whim made a new PoE charachter and started playing. Next thing I know it's 9:45. How the HELL did THAT happen? It didn't seem that long!

 

That game is great. I hope they are not done with that franchise.

[BruceVC]

I woke up at 5AM, made coffee, sat down and on a whim made a new PoE charachter and started playing. Next thing I know it's 9:45. How the HELL did THAT happen? It didn't seem that long!

 

That game is great. I hope they are not done with that franchise.

Its not too violent GD? You didnt find yourself feeling uncomfortable with some of the adult themes ?

 

Its okay to be sensitive 

[Guard Dog]

Ok, I've got to stop playing this game and go do something productive.

[Blarghagh]

Back on meds. Was a while coming, really, I've felt off for a while and after a series of consecutive recovery periods (surgery, jaw infection, flu) I lost all the habits I built around myself like a wall. On the plus side, this new antidepressant feels fascinating. Time to work getting my habits back.

[Bartimaeus]

I've never been on any meds before, and I'm hoping I never will be. However, it does always make me curious as to what the effects of taking meds could be like, particularly because the rest of my family is or at least has been on them (ADHD, bipolar, and mildly schizophrenic sister, another sister with an even bigger host of problems than that, mother with depression issues, father with autism and depression issues, etc.)...particularly seeing as I have at least a few of the same problems.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Bartimaeus