The Water Cooler, Scuttlebutt, Chit Chat Thread
10-20-17, 05:49 AM
#1651
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I got to hang out with Gstein a bit this week at Disney. Turned out we were even in the same hotel - that may not sound like a huge coincidence, but there are about 50 hotels here. This place is huge.
Also, was asked at the airline check in counter if I’d mind sitting in an exit row.
Also, was asked at the airline check in counter if I’d mind sitting in an exit row.
Last edited by topflightpro; 10-20-17 at 05:53 AM.
10-20-17, 08:42 AM
#1652
Cat 2
TTOC, don’t sweat it too much. You’re a month out of school and on the job. I’m not yet 40, and I’m on my third career: newspaper reporter then editor, public relations/communications, and now marketing.
Going into reporting, I wanted to be a sports reporter. I took a business writing job because it was available, paid better than sports, and most importantly, was close to my then girlfriend (now wife). Business writing was the absolute last thing I wanted to do. Six months in, a spot opened on the sports desk. I opted to stay in business. It was a lot better than I realized. After a couple years, I moved to the metro desk covering city government. Then was promoted to editor.
I ended up leaving journalism and going into corporate PR for a bit, then academic PR/Communications and this year, I moved into marketing.
And this all came after I spent college studying to work on Wall Street, where I spent two summers interning. In fact, I was in Goldman Sachs lobby doing a full day interview when I decided I wanted to be a writer instead. Technically, I wanted to be a poet (I was a dumb college kid) but I realized that would likely mean living in my parents basement for the rest of my life. Journalism at least allowed me to write and earn money.
Anyway, my point is that careers are fluid. What happens today is not guaranteed to set you on a path for the rest of your life. Go with whichever one you think you will enjoy doing more and let the pieces fall where they may.
Going into reporting, I wanted to be a sports reporter. I took a business writing job because it was available, paid better than sports, and most importantly, was close to my then girlfriend (now wife). Business writing was the absolute last thing I wanted to do. Six months in, a spot opened on the sports desk. I opted to stay in business. It was a lot better than I realized. After a couple years, I moved to the metro desk covering city government. Then was promoted to editor.
I ended up leaving journalism and going into corporate PR for a bit, then academic PR/Communications and this year, I moved into marketing.
And this all came after I spent college studying to work on Wall Street, where I spent two summers interning. In fact, I was in Goldman Sachs lobby doing a full day interview when I decided I wanted to be a writer instead. Technically, I wanted to be a poet (I was a dumb college kid) but I realized that would likely mean living in my parents basement for the rest of my life. Journalism at least allowed me to write and earn money.
Anyway, my point is that careers are fluid. What happens today is not guaranteed to set you on a path for the rest of your life. Go with whichever one you think you will enjoy doing more and let the pieces fall where they may.
I slept on it last night and played through way too many scenarios where I end up homeless to be thinking rationally. Im pretty sure I want to go with the lab job that let's me get my hands dirty. I haven't enjoyed the desk life I've been living for the last 4 months all that much and a change is always good. I'll deal with the logistics fee commute.
It is nice to have multiple managers wanting you, though!
10-20-17, 09:28 AM
#1653
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To me, it seems that transitioning to the office from the lab would be easier than the other way around (plus, I like getting my hands dirty), so it seems that going the lab route would keep more options open later.
10-20-17, 10:49 AM
#1654
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+1 to the lab --> office comments. Might be a good idea to build your technical/hands-on proficiency now rather than later. Granted, I'm only a little ahead of you (2010 grad).
I started in the lab full time and now I'm at my desk about 2/3 of the time, have 5 direct reports and bring in more (lab) work than I can complete myself. It's a good balance for me.
Some of the super señor scientists complain that they never get to play in the lab and hate being at their desk all day... fortunately I'm not there yet
I started in the lab full time and now I'm at my desk about 2/3 of the time, have 5 direct reports and bring in more (lab) work than I can complete myself. It's a good balance for me.
Some of the super señor scientists complain that they never get to play in the lab and hate being at their desk all day... fortunately I'm not there yet
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
10-20-17, 11:16 AM
#1655
Senior Member
As mind numbing as my job has been at times, I've been pretty lucky to have relative stability for the past 14 years (straight out of grad school), and it's crazy to think I'm likely halfway through with my career. My wife, on the other hand, as always been in education but has had her career morph from classroom teacher, private sector consulting, and then ed admin. Life is interesting, you younger guys will be ok!
So I've been following this Amazon new HQ bidding, here in MA everyone and their mom is trying to get them to come to their town. I'm rooting for my hometown, as the site would be walking distance from my parents' house and they would get a sizable gain on their home value lol
So I've been following this Amazon new HQ bidding, here in MA everyone and their mom is trying to get them to come to their town. I'm rooting for my hometown, as the site would be walking distance from my parents' house and they would get a sizable gain on their home value lol
10-20-17, 01:01 PM
#1656
Cat 2
I appreciate the positive comments, everyone. I texted my manager to let her know after my ride today. We'll see how it all goes! Scary to be changing roles after only 4 months of working! I am excited to get to work on very tangible, physical pieces of hardware again though!
@hubcyclist, if a lot of communities saw what Amazon has done for Seattle they'd be bidding even harder, but scared. Amazon has caused a lot of gentrification in Seattle and made it nigh on impossible for "normal" people to afford to live in the neighborhoods of the city. On the other hand though, they created a ton of jobs at many different income brackets. I worked in the warehouse for a summer moving boxes and I've got friends out of college making 100k+ as software developers. It really is amazing the way they have taken over.
Google "Amazon killed Seattle" and read the number of negative articles. The rebuttals articles are also good to read.
@hubcyclist, if a lot of communities saw what Amazon has done for Seattle they'd be bidding even harder, but scared. Amazon has caused a lot of gentrification in Seattle and made it nigh on impossible for "normal" people to afford to live in the neighborhoods of the city. On the other hand though, they created a ton of jobs at many different income brackets. I worked in the warehouse for a summer moving boxes and I've got friends out of college making 100k+ as software developers. It really is amazing the way they have taken over.
Google "Amazon killed Seattle" and read the number of negative articles. The rebuttals articles are also good to read.
10-22-17, 06:14 PM
#1657
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I bought a new car (2016 Ford Focus) last February. It just turned over 20k miles this afternoon on the way back from DC to home in Louisiana. By this time next month, it'll have another 3.5k on it. I'm considering putting it up on blocks for the month of December. 
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Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Last edited by revchuck; 10-22-17 at 06:19 PM.
10-22-17, 08:10 PM
#1658
Cat 2
How do you like the Focus? I've always liked the focus RS model. My Honda still has a few more years in it, but can always lust after something new, right? Moving to a snowbound part of the country has me needing to learn how to drive in the snow and looking at rally cars is fun!
10-23-17, 05:21 AM
#1659
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I think you've got the Focus confused with another car. It's a sub-compact, the second-smallest in Ford's line.
That said, I like the car with the exception of the transmission's performance at low speed. When starting from a dead stop, it seems to want to "wind up" for a half-second or so, even when you floor it. Above 10 mph or so, it's fine. I'd like it much better with a manual transmission. OTOH, on the highway the transmission is great, downshifts and upshifts are smooth including when the cruise control is engaged.
The engine is decent at low (<3k) rpm and pretty impressive once above 3.5k. Real-world mileage is about 37-38 mpg highway (70 mph, cruise engaged, a/c on) though I got 43 and 39 yesterday on the way back from DC. Mixed is ~30 mpg. 70 mph = 2.4k rpm.
The suspension and handling are good. It's taut without beating you up on bad roads, and when you steer it, it goes there now. It's a good long-distance car, but road noise is pretty loud, especially on concrete pavement.
Re: bikes, my BB-saddle height is 81 cm. I have the hatchback version and with the rear seat folded down and the front wheel off, the bike just fits. I tested that before I said I'd take it.
That said, I like the car with the exception of the transmission's performance at low speed. When starting from a dead stop, it seems to want to "wind up" for a half-second or so, even when you floor it. Above 10 mph or so, it's fine. I'd like it much better with a manual transmission. OTOH, on the highway the transmission is great, downshifts and upshifts are smooth including when the cruise control is engaged.
The engine is decent at low (<3k) rpm and pretty impressive once above 3.5k. Real-world mileage is about 37-38 mpg highway (70 mph, cruise engaged, a/c on) though I got 43 and 39 yesterday on the way back from DC. Mixed is ~30 mpg. 70 mph = 2.4k rpm.
The suspension and handling are good. It's taut without beating you up on bad roads, and when you steer it, it goes there now. It's a good long-distance car, but road noise is pretty loud, especially on concrete pavement.
Re: bikes, my BB-saddle height is 81 cm. I have the hatchback version and with the rear seat folded down and the front wheel off, the bike just fits. I tested that before I said I'd take it.
__________________
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
10-23-17, 10:42 AM
#1660
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I think you've got the Focus confused with another car. It's a sub-compact, the second-smallest in Ford's line.
That said, I like the car with the exception of the transmission's performance at low speed. When starting from a dead stop, it seems to want to "wind up" for a half-second or so, even when you floor it. Above 10 mph or so, it's fine. I'd like it much better with a manual transmission. OTOH, on the highway the transmission is great, downshifts and upshifts are smooth including when the cruise control is engaged.
The engine is decent at low (<3k) rpm and pretty impressive once above 3.5k. Real-world mileage is about 37-38 mpg highway (70 mph, cruise engaged, a/c on) though I got 43 and 39 yesterday on the way back from DC. Mixed is ~30 mpg. 70 mph = 2.4k rpm.
The suspension and handling are good. It's taut without beating you up on bad roads, and when you steer it, it goes there now. It's a good long-distance car, but road noise is pretty loud, especially on concrete pavement.
Re: bikes, my BB-saddle height is 81 cm. I have the hatchback version and with the rear seat folded down and the front wheel off, the bike just fits. I tested that before I said I'd take it.
That said, I like the car with the exception of the transmission's performance at low speed. When starting from a dead stop, it seems to want to "wind up" for a half-second or so, even when you floor it. Above 10 mph or so, it's fine. I'd like it much better with a manual transmission. OTOH, on the highway the transmission is great, downshifts and upshifts are smooth including when the cruise control is engaged.
The engine is decent at low (<3k) rpm and pretty impressive once above 3.5k. Real-world mileage is about 37-38 mpg highway (70 mph, cruise engaged, a/c on) though I got 43 and 39 yesterday on the way back from DC. Mixed is ~30 mpg. 70 mph = 2.4k rpm.
The suspension and handling are good. It's taut without beating you up on bad roads, and when you steer it, it goes there now. It's a good long-distance car, but road noise is pretty loud, especially on concrete pavement.
Re: bikes, my BB-saddle height is 81 cm. I have the hatchback version and with the rear seat folded down and the front wheel off, the bike just fits. I tested that before I said I'd take it.
10-23-17, 08:49 PM
#1664
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The lower-model ST is still souped-up and fun compared to a stock focus, kinda more at my price point. Or maybe a mazdaspeed (3).
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"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
10-23-17, 09:49 PM
#1665
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I like my speed 3. Easy to do a few mods, fast enough I can get in trouble, room to put stuff.
10-23-17, 11:51 PM
#1666
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My gf drives a Mazda 3 Grand Touring and it's a nicely balanced car. I really enjoy driving it. I have a Corolla LE of a similar year and the 3 is better in just about every way.
If I was to spring for a new car I would get a speed 3 or a focus ST.
If I was to spring for a new car I would get a speed 3 or a focus ST.
__________________
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
"Your beauty is an aeroplane;
so high, my heart cannot bear the strain." -A.C. Jobim, Triste
10-24-17, 04:31 AM
#1667
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I thought the ST was the top of the line, glad I've been set straight.
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Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
Regards,
Chuck
Demain, on roule!
10-24-17, 06:22 AM
#1669
Cat 2
The vw golf r/gti, Mazda speed3, subie wrx sti and focus rs (and I guess st) are all cars I'd love to get to drive. I think I just like hatchbacks though.
Too bad I actually don't know how to drive a manual lol. Like I get the concept/mechanics and could probably pick it up in like a day, but I've never had an opportunity to learn.
Too bad I actually don't know how to drive a manual lol. Like I get the concept/mechanics and could probably pick it up in like a day, but I've never had an opportunity to learn.
10-24-17, 06:59 AM
#1670
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Unfortunately, at 6'2 (and not as flexible as I used to/should be) I don't fit in these little subcompacts as fun as they sound to drive. My first car was a manual Mercury Lynx that was (I think) ~12 years old at the time. The seat wouldn't go back far enough and the steering wheel wouldn't adjust, so I learned to drive stick bowlegged sort of straddling the steering wheel with my knees at like 9 and 3, but I loved the zippiness and gas mileage, and it was great going up hills in the winter passing all the macho kids in their pickups who'd gotten stuck in the snow/ice because they didn't know how to drive.
10-24-17, 07:04 AM
#1671
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My father tried to teach me to drive a manual. It was a disaster. I ended up buying a manual for my first car and kind of figured it out on my own, but there was a lot of bucking and stalling before I fully got it.
My father also tried teaching my brother to drive a stick, with similar results.
I took my brother out and had him doing it really well in about two min.
My father also tried teaching my brother to drive a stick, with similar results.
I took my brother out and had him doing it really well in about two min.
10-24-17, 07:18 AM
#1672
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10-24-17, 09:19 AM
#1673
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Unfortunately, at 6'2 (and not as flexible as I used to/should be) I don't fit in these little subcompacts as fun as they sound to drive. My first car was a manual Mercury Lynx that was (I think) ~12 years old at the time. The seat wouldn't go back far enough and the steering wheel wouldn't adjust, so I learned to drive stick bowlegged sort of straddling the steering wheel with my knees at like 9 and 3, but I loved the zippiness and gas mileage, and it was great going up hills in the winter passing all the macho kids in their pickups who'd gotten stuck in the snow/ice because they didn't know how to drive.
Yeah, I figured. I think I've heard rumors that it'll be back in the next couple years, but I dunno. My main complaint is that it isn't AWD, but with snow tires I'm perfectly fine with FWD. Plus it's fun when the boost hits and the torque steer tries to rip the wheel out of your hands.
10-24-17, 09:36 AM
#1674
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Have you tried to sit in one lately? The Speed3 at least isn't a subcompact, it's more of a mix between a hatchback and a wagon. You won't be putting a child seat behind you (because they take up approximately 700 feet of space, seriously, people wonder why everyone drives giant SUVs when they have kids, try fitting an infant seat or worse a rear facing convertible in a normal car) but you'd fit fine in my car probably. I'm 6 feet and have no problem.
10-24-17, 10:54 AM
#1675
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Have you tried to sit in one lately? The Speed3 at least isn't a subcompact, it's more of a mix between a hatchback and a wagon. You won't be putting a child seat behind you (because they take up approximately 700 feet of space, seriously, people wonder why everyone drives giant SUVs when they have kids, try fitting an infant seat or worse a rear facing convertible in a normal car) but you'd fit fine in my car probably. I'm 6 feet and have no problem.
Yeah, I figured. I think I've heard rumors that it'll be back in the next couple years, but I dunno. My main complaint is that it isn't AWD, but with snow tires I'm perfectly fine with FWD. Plus it's fun when the boost hits and the torque steer tries to rip the wheel out of your hands.
Yeah, I figured. I think I've heard rumors that it'll be back in the next couple years, but I dunno. My main complaint is that it isn't AWD, but with snow tires I'm perfectly fine with FWD. Plus it's fun when the boost hits and the torque steer tries to rip the wheel out of your hands.
We gave in and got a Honda Odyssey. I was totally against it at first, but it is so damn useful and flexible that I wish I'd gotten one a long time ago.