Raithe Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 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in that awkward position of lacking experience in specific areas for the middle and senior positions, but too old and out of date for the entry level positions.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... "Cuius testiculos habeas, habeas cardia et cerebellum." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gfted1 Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 You probably mentioned it before, but what do you "do" or are applying for? "I'm your biggest fan, Ill follow you until you love me, Papa" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raithe Posted February 23, 2016 Share Posted February 23, 2016 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. 1 "Cuius testiculos habeas, habeas cardia et cerebellum." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurlshort Posted February 25, 2016 Share Posted February 25, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leferd Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 (edited) 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 1 "Things are funny...are comedic, because they mix the real with the absurd." - Buzz Aldrin."P-O-T-A-T-O-E" - Dan Quayle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gromnir Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 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! "If there be time to expose through discussion the falsehood and fallacies, to avert the evil by the processes of education, the remedy to be applied is more speech, not enforced silence."Justice Louis Brandeis, Concurring, Whitney v. California, 274 U.S. 357 (1927) "Im indifferent to almost any murder as long as it doesn't affect me or mine."--Gfted1 (September 30, 2019) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guard Dog Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 (edited) 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 "While it is true you learn with age, the down side is what you often learn is what a damn fool you were before" Thomas Sowell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurlshort Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guard Dog Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 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. 1 "While it is true you learn with age, the down side is what you often learn is what a damn fool you were before" Thomas Sowell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadly_Nightshade Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 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? "Geez. It's like we lost some sort of bet and ended up saddled with a bunch of terrible new posters on this forum." -Hurlshot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hiro Protagonist Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 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.. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blarghagh Posted February 26, 2016 Author Share Posted February 26, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leferd Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 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. "Things are funny...are comedic, because they mix the real with the absurd." - Buzz Aldrin."P-O-T-A-T-O-E" - Dan Quayle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hurlshort Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gfted1 Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 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. 1 "I'm your biggest fan, Ill follow you until you love me, Papa" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malcador Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 (edited) 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 Why has elegance found so little following? Elegance has the disadvantage that hard work is needed to achieve it and a good education to appreciate it. - Edsger Wybe Dijkstra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vaeliorin Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 Personally, I've never gambled. Granted, the only time I was in Vegas I was 6. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leferd Posted February 26, 2016 Share Posted February 26, 2016 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! 1 "Things are funny...are comedic, because they mix the real with the absurd." - Buzz Aldrin."P-O-T-A-T-O-E" - Dan Quayle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calax Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 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 Victor of the 5 year fan fic competition! Kevin Butler will awesome your face off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leferd Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Yup. I was right down the causeway at UC Davis. "Things are funny...are comedic, because they mix the real with the absurd." - Buzz Aldrin."P-O-T-A-T-O-E" - Dan Quayle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guard Dog Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 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. 4 "While it is true you learn with age, the down side is what you often learn is what a damn fool you were before" Thomas Sowell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceVC Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 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 "Abashed the devil stood and felt how awful goodness is and saw Virtue in her shape how lovely: and pined his loss” John Milton "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw "What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead" - Nelson Mandela Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guard Dog Posted February 27, 2016 Share Posted February 27, 2016 Ok, I've got to stop playing this game and go do something productive. "While it is true you learn with age, the down side is what you often learn is what a damn fool you were before" Thomas Sowell Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blarghagh Posted February 28, 2016 Author Share Posted February 28, 2016 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartimaeus Posted February 28, 2016 Share Posted February 28, 2016 (edited) 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 Quote How I have existed fills me with horror. For I have failed in everything - spelling, arithmetic, riding, tennis, golf; dancing, singing, acting; wife, mistress, whore, friend. Even cooking. And I do not excuse myself with the usual escape of 'not trying'. I tried with all my heart. In my dreams, I am not crippled. In my dreams, I dance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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