OPEN BAR: I see you've come to PD. I too like to live dangerously

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I may not be on at all tomorrow; I am busing down to Eugene to interview for that Ford Foundation scholarship. Nervous as fuck. I'm bringing my laptop, so if U of O has unlocked wifi I'll get into the library and check the board while working on homework.

Best of luck!

Your intelligence, drive, and just raw awesomeness will come through no matter your nerves.

Aw, thanks Net!

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Big meeting at work with the new owners, today.

Basically:  Sorry, can't give you any dates or any hint of what we're planning, because, while deal is signed, it is not yet CLOSED.  Will be back in two weeks with more details.

Here is package describing benefits of working with new company.  Health insurance better, and slightly less expensive, also Blue Cross/Blue Shield, rather than little bitty company which now holds our pills hostage.  Vacation policy sucks eggs, I'd be back to 5 days a year instead of my current 13.  However, plus two sick and two personal days... however, those wouldn't kick in until my anniversary date, March of next year.

All of the above being totally meaningless, as all our employees convert to being THEIR employees as of June 1st.  Looks like, basically, we'll run the payroll through May 30th, paid June 6th.  After that, we'll probably run a couple parallel payrolls so they know they've got their shit straight, and I'm likely out by the end of June, best case scenario.  Worst case is they pitch us out on May 30th, run that last payroll themselves, and the guys at the shops (a blessedly small number) who have my personal cell phone number call me for the next couple weeks crying about what's fucked up.

Minor blessings, as they are closing down the 401k plan, I automatically become 100% vested, which means I get to keep the employer contributions, and have the option of either cashing it out on June 1st (taking the 10% penalty and the 20% tax hit), or just rolling it over and letting it sit.  Less than a full year's worth of contributions, but, it's something.

Also, they mentioned a nice sounding bonus for staying on as part of the "transition team."  We'll see how that works out.  My faith in bonuses has gone the way of the Easter Bunny and the fat pervert that watches kids all year and breaks into their houses.

On the plus side, they have a big contract with the parent company of the temp agency I use, and have already talked to them about treating those of us unwilling to relocate (fucking Dallas, I don't think so) with some preference.  Probably blowing sunshine up my skirt, yeah, but, who knows.

Holy crap, Luna... good luck with it! Sounds like a bit of a babyshambles.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

You know...

Wow. He really just manages to sum it all up right there, all by himself. Handle included.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

Oh hell yeah. I was trying to illustrate a common experience is all - being good at something you aren't interested in at the same time as finding the stuff you are interested in hard 

Hah, yeah. At the very least I assume it will be useful to me, especially if I go with the micro track.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

So the bus has wifi. This is my first time, ever, of using a laptop while traveling.

WELCOME TO THE FUTURE! Sorry I'm late.

[Junkenstein]

That sucks.

Are you open to unsolicited advice from a stranger on the internet?

Make that two strangers.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I am stuffed full of ideas today, but I don't feel like writing.

I need more sleep.

[P3nT4gR4m]

Oh hell yeah. I was trying to illustrate a common experience is all - being good at something you aren't interested in at the same time as finding the stuff you are interested in hard 

Hah, yeah. At the very least I assume it will be useful to me, especially if I go with the micro track.

Look at it this way - chemistry figures quite highly in biology, neuroscience and the like. When you need to get your hands dirty, at least it'll be over pretty quickly. If you were shit at chemistry, it'd take up a much larger timeslice of your project.

I'm wicked at SQL and I rock at PHP but I suck at Javascript and I fucking detest it. So if 5% of my code project involved javascript, 80% of my time would end up being spent on it. Hating it and swearing at the screen and being pissed off.

[Sita]

That sucks.

Are you open to unsolicited advice from a stranger on the internet?

Make that two strangers.

Any and all advice is welcome

[LMNO]

Well, then. Have you considered a temp agency? I dunno where you live, but if there's one in your area, it's a good way to get your foot in the door, and it's in the agency's interests to get you hired. Plus, a lot of them will help you out with interview prep, and some will even provide some basic skills training.

I got into my job through a temp agency. Once in, I proved that I was smart and capable, and a quick learner, so they took me on full time.  If you have the opportunity, it could be a good option for someone with limited experience.

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

I am stuffed full of ideas today, but I don't feel like writing.

I need more sleep.

I'm in a cockroach-infested hippie cafe in Eugene, Oregon, wondering if it's safe to leave my crap out in plain sight while I go find a bathroom.

[The Good Reverend Roger]

I am stuffed full of ideas today, but I don't feel like writing.

I need more sleep.

I'm in a cockroach-infested hippie cafe in Eugene, Oregon, wondering if it's safe to leave my crap out in plain sight while I go find a bathroom.

Probably not.  Haul it with you.  You can use it so smash bugs.

[Suu]

Somebody made a parody of the Dove Inner Beauty sketch thing with nutsacks. I'm floored. 

http://pixelbark.com/8866/forensic-artist-draws-mens-testicles-as-they-see-themselves-and-then-again-as-others-see-them

[Mesozoic Mister Nigel]

You guys, I think I just ate something vegan. What do I do?

[The Good Reverend Roger]

You guys, I think I just ate something vegan. What do I do?

Quick, eat a puppy!