What made you happy today?

[Zag]

My Internet works again!! (I had to get a new ethernet card. Installing that fixed it.)

Plus, my #1 choice of the jobs I've been interviewing for just called and said that they would like to put together an offer, trying to figure out just how much leeway there is in what I told them I'm looking for. Since I already have one other company who has put the full court press on me to "join the team" I was able to say that I am not all that willing to negotiate. In reality, I think that the opportunity is a really good one, to head up the development of this product, which is currently being advertised in this very window (thanks to Google ads and their creepy stalking of everyone on the planet).

Also, I've just finished a good, solid 2 fingers of bourbon, as a way of starting off the long weekend with a good attitude.

[The Potter]

Good luck to Mackay and Zag! I most certainly know you both deserve it.

Hopefully I will be #3. Anyone have connections with Fisher and Paykel
(I am not really interested in starting a new job yet. But I am starting to look around at my options for 3D CAD designing in worthwhile areas.)

[Mackay]

Hooray for all of us!

Jedo: my hourly rate is actually going to start out at less than my hourly rate at the bar, as I'm just a trainee (but it isn't casual like the bar job so it includes benefits, leave, etc) - but I don't get drink discounts at my current work. So I guess it balances out. =)

After all my stress about my current job I'm still not sure I'm willing to let it go yet. The pay is amazing, I'm already only doing two or three nights a week since a couple of months ago, and I really do dig my coworkers and most of the regulars. I might just be using it as a safety blanket though, they've told me I'm getting into a very demanding and intense environment (oh my god I can't wait to use my brain) and a LOT of people don't make it through the training process.

It's an ongoing discussion with cp, who is as amazed as I am that I haven't immediately told my boss to shove it.

[Jedo the Jedi]

No drink discounts?! That's some crappy bar...I'm sure no place gives such a thing, but a guy can dream.

I'm sure it will definitely be an interesting transition for you. Ultimately though, you'll choose to do what you love most, and I don't think that will be hard for you to decide. Continued well-wishes as you go!
_________________
Paragon Tally: 18 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

[Scurra]

Doctor Who.

That is all.
_________________
_{still Quiz Olympiad champion. Must get a life.
New definitions: COFFEE - someone who is coughed upon}

[Dragon Phoenix]

Our new site went live today
Www.galerielus.com
_________________
My photography:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artrock2006/

[Mackay]

In about 2 hours, I am going to quit my bar job.

I don't know whether I'll ever have to work in hospitality ever again.

[Zag]

[Dragon Phoenix]

[MNOWAX]

That really sucks, DP.

On my own bit of GL related happiness, I have made it to spot 46 on the top 50 most posters on the GL. I also have the distinction of being the youngest (by join date) on the top 50.

In short, I have no life, and I like it that way.
_________________
The Man The Myth The Legend
MNOWAX

[Death Mage]

What made me happy today? My weekly EDH/Commander game night of Magic. I probably wouldn't even be playing the game anymore if not for this format. It is just so fun.
_________________
* These senseless ramblings brought to you by Insanity™. If you just can't figure the dang thing out, it must be Insanity™.
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[Pablo]

Two old fraternity brothers were here for dinner. One was my roommate in 1968, and he spent the night here with us. What a blast. I've seen each of these guys once or twice in the past 40+ years. Both are well....one an electrical engineer and the other a chemical engineer.
_________________
All religions are the same - Guilt....just with different holidays.

[MNOWAX]

[Scurra]

I have to say that whilst for me the "serious" side of Magic seems to have got stuck in a bit of a rut lately, the increasing attention they are paying to "casual" play is exceptional - Archenemy, Planechase and EDH/Commander have all blossomed into fun and interesting formats but without distorting the base game horribly, and without requiring insane outlays on cards.
_________________
_{still Quiz Olympiad champion. Must get a life.
New definitions: COFFEE - someone who is coughed upon}

[Zag]

Well, I suppose that this could go in "What made you happy and/or anxious and/or lukewarm, today?"

I accepted a new job. I'll be working on this product: StreamBase LiveView. It is a great job, and I AM looking forward to it, but it was my second choice.

My first choice was to be the Lead Developer for a different software product, one that I thought had great potential to become the flagship product for the company (since their current flagship product is computer-based fax, a business which everyone knows is only going to shrink). However, the company could not cough up a remuneration package that I was happy with. Frankly, why a company gets cheap over $5000 and a week's vacation I don't understand. They had asked in the beginning if there was some room for negotiation in my salary requirements. I said that there was, but if they had also informed me that their vacation and benefits package qualified them for the "Worst in the Software Industry!" award, I would have said no.

The primary reason that the job I'm taking was my second choice is that it is not a Lead Developer position. However, they said that the team is currently lacking leadership talent, and they are looking for someone to step into that role. It's just that they want to do it organically rather than by hiring into it, which I can respect. The only way that this will become a disaster is if there is someone already on the team who wants the role, believes he has the talent, but isn't really up to it.

Anyway, for those of you keeping score at home, this is my second job change in under a year. My current job is one that I was excited about when I started it last February, but I've discovered that the president of the company is a little, umm, socially challenged. Also, one of the crucial questions that I asked in the interview -- What is your client renewal rate? -- he just blatantly lied about. He told me that clients renew their subscriptions (which costs $8000 a year, more or less), at 65-70%, which is very healthy and shows that most customers feel that they get their money's worth. In fact, the real number is about 35%, and they've never even had a single month that was over 60%. So I'm very glad to be leaving here.

Now, of course, my give-a-shit level is in the toilet, so I'm hanging out on GL in the middle of the day. What are they going to do? Fire me?

[Dragon Phoenix]

Well, it's always better to have something to look forward to.
_________________
My photography:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/artrock2006/

[MNOWAX]

I know the feeling Zag.

As for what made me happy today, Jerry "The King" Lawler, a Professional Wrestler who had a heart attack live on the air, is doing loads better and is actually talking. This man is a legend in the business, and I'm glad he's doing better. Reports say he was "dead" for almost 20 minutes, so to have him even not being in a coma right now is remarkable to say the least.
_________________
The Man The Myth The Legend
MNOWAX

[Pottery*]

I finished several pieces... and gave/sold them to someone. I was given $500 but asked for nothing. The art world is strange. This is a story that I will type up later.

I believe I sold my house today... kinda cheaply. But I am ready to be done with it and quibbling over a few thousand dollars is no longer worth it to me.

And this should be my last post from Fairbanks. I am finally making it back to Kodiak for a bit before moving on to the next part of my journey.

~happy tears~

[Mackay]

Potter, your post put a smile on my face.

This is from last night, but I was too tired to post anything. I put in a long shift at the bar yesterday. At the end of my shift I handed in my work ID and swiper (no idea what the gadget is actually called). I got home and got to scrub the stench of other people's stale beer off my skin for the last time ever*, while enjoying the simple pleasure of a cold (non-stale) beer in a hot shower. Then we had Indian food and watched a movie. All in all, last night was highly satisfactory.

After nine years of being a bartender, I am now not a bartender. I am an accountant*.

Incidentally, it might still be too early to say, but I appear to have landed in the right kind of job for myself. I like it SO MUCH, to the point where I am a little dismayed when I realise my work week is over and I'll have to leave a task for a couple of days, and feedback from the senior staff seems to indicate that I am picking it up really well for a newbie.

^{*This is assuming I pass the six-month trial period at the accounting firm. Fingers crossed!}

[Chuck]

Two, Four, Six, Eight!
What should we depreciate?

Or don't accountants get cheerleaders?

[yevalent]

full next week off ............. only this news will make me happy .. can i expect that from my company ....

[Death Mage]

Finding out that my copy of Avengers is costing $10 less than I'd thought. Amazon.com's "best pre-order price guarantee" is awesome.

And hell, extra happy that I'm getting the 3D Blu-Ray pack for a mere $20! Whohoo! (That's 60% off and that's also it's current price, I would HIGHLY recommend anyone who's even pondering getting 3DBR in the future pick this up today.)
_________________
* These senseless ramblings brought to you by Insanity™. If you just can't figure the dang thing out, it must be Insanity™.
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[Jedo the Jedi]

The sound of a gentle rain nearly all night long and into the morning.

So peaceful.
_________________
Paragon Tally: 18 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

[Death Mage]

the Pre-Release structure and theme for the Return to Ravnica M:TG set is pretty awesome. They hand you a little box with all your packs in it, including the guild pack (and your promo, which you can include in your deck), a little information about your guild, a sticker, an achievement list, and a guild-colored countdown die.

But the die only has the set symbol on it, not the guild symbol. FOR SHAME!
_________________
* These senseless ramblings brought to you by Insanity™. If you just can't figure the dang thing out, it must be Insanity™.
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[Jedo the Jedi]

Not pregnant. I was kind of looking forward to the prospect, but I'm happy for it to wait until a later, less risky time.
_________________
Paragon Tally: 18 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

[Zag]

Well, grats, I guess, though it would be stronger grats if the news were the opposite.

Neither of our kids were planned (Sorry if this is news, Zahariel.) But both were wonderful experiences and I wouldn't change a thing. But definitely being on more stable financial footing before having kids would have made it a ton easier.

I will point out that even if you plan a pregnancy, you'll still have the combination of thrill and terror when it happens. This was just a taste.

[Buzzsaw]

[Jedo the Jedi]

I am. My wife is not pregnant. (There were context clues elsewhere. )
_________________
Paragon Tally: 18 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

[Buzzsaw]

Oh! okay, then.

[Dread Pirate Westley]

[Death Mage]

Better than me. I did go 3-0-1 (went to time in one round) in one of the tourneys, and 2-1 in another (only lost to a play mistake), but I didn't get anything all that epic. Only 2-3 shock lands, and no planeswalkers, but I did get Armada Worm, and the only two cards I wanted to add to my Green EDH deck.

Though I did get to play all five guilds, and ended up with more packs than a box for the same price, so score.
_________________
* These senseless ramblings brought to you by Insanity™. If you just can't figure the dang thing out, it must be Insanity™.
[YOUR AD HERE!]

[Neo]

Not quite happy but...

2012 has not been kind at all to me. The entire year has consisted of a lot of telling myself "this, too, shall pass" but without much to look forward to.

September was really bad. This past week not much better.

But just a few minutes ago, in the shower as I successfully fought off an asthma attack, I realized that despite everything, I've stayed physically healthy and lately managed to accidentally lose some weight.

So I'm alive. Fuck you 2012, I'll beat* you yet.


_{*Beating is defined as: not dying}
_________________
_{Ad Astra}

[Mackay]

I had beers with friends and it was nice. On the walk home, a lovely couple let me pet their Rottweiler. His entire butt turned into a wiggle when he realised that he was getting to say hello to a person. Then afterward the neighbour's sproingy Kelpie cross wanted to play with me too (presumably because I smelled like a Rottweiler).

I like dogs. Especially big ol' dogs like Rotties. Things are good for me right now, meeting puppies is just icing on the cake. A mild beerbuzz and my first weekend at home since starting the new job aren't hurting either. =)

[Zag]

Neo, I admire your attitude in posting here. Sorry to hear your life has been such a struggle this year, but here's hoping it looks up!

Mackay, I'm glad the new job seems to be working out. I have also just finished my first week at a new job. I'm a little more cautious about being as optimistic, but the initial signs look good. While it is not exactly the job I told myself that I was looking for, it is on an interesting project and my co-workers are really smart and friendly. The biggest downside is that the job is farther from my house -- more than an hour's drive each way. However, once I've established myself there, I'll be able to work from home a couple of days per week, which will reduce that stress considerably.

[Jedo the Jedi]

An hour's drive in Massachusetts is pretty significant. That must be some job.
_________________
Paragon Tally: 18 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

[groza528]

[Jedo the Jedi]

That's depressing.
_________________
Paragon Tally: 18 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

[Jedo the Jedi]

I'm a pirate and watching episodes of Inside the Actor's Studio on YouTube.

So far I've watched Jeremy Irons, Hugh Laurie, and Ian McKellen (I'm on a British kick), and they are absolutely fascinating. The only downside is there are 143 more episodes online and I'm supposed to be reading for school.
_________________
Paragon Tally: 18 mafia, 3 SKs (1 twice), 1 cultist, numerous chat scum...and counting.

[Zag]

Unfortunately, the hour's drive that it is is only true in good traffic. It can be as much as two hours, when that last 15 miles becomes more than an hour on its own. I'm working on learning the back roads, but I'm hardly the first person to try that, so they can get crowded, too.

It is a pretty great job. I'm a software engineer with more than 25 years experience, so I command a pretty decent salary and there aren't a lot of jobs at that level. Unfortunately, there were quite a few more options if I were had added another 15 minutes to my search radius, but I had to cut it off at an hour because it just becomes a soul-sucking nightmare otherwise.

--------------------

I totally agree about Inside the Actor's Studio. I've been a fan for years. James Lipton is such a great interviewer -- he clearly knows his subject thoroughly, but he doesn't feel the need to show off his knowledge like so many interviewers. (I'm thinking of Terry Gross, who hosts Fresh Air on NPR. OMG, does that woman love the sound of her own voice!)

[Jedo the Jedi]