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Discussion in 'General Discussions' started by Baraka_Guru, Aug 2, 2011.

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Page 1764 of 1930
  1. Speed_Gibson

    Speed_Gibson Hacking the Gibson

    Location:
    Wolf 359
    My copy of The Stand is the 1990 update from 1994 when the mini-series was fresh. I was not happy with having a copy with Molly Ringwald and Gary Sinise on the front at the time, but now I actually prefer it.
     
    Speed_Gibson, Dec 17, 2014
    #35261
  2. Japchae

    Japchae Very Tilted

    I had a signed Walter Farley novel once...
     
    Japchae, Dec 17, 2014
    #35262
    • Like Like x 1
  3. redravin

    redravin Cynical Optimist Donor

    Location:
    North
    I have a couple of boxes of first edition Harlan Ellison books (all out of print).
    There are even a few English editions, the advantage to working in a used book store.
    The Dangerous Visions are signed because I met him when he came to Alaska.
    They probably aren't worth anything but I don't intend to ever sell them.
     
    redravin, Dec 17, 2014
    #35263
    • Like Like x 2
  4. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    I just had a wonderful chat with my sister-in-law. I love her to pieces and I'm so glad we chose to move close to their family.
     
    genuinemommy, Dec 17, 2014
    #35264
  5. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    I have signed, along with a personalized message (not to me), first edition of Papa John, by John Phillips of The Mamas and the Papas fame. Unfortunately many of the things that have come out, true or false, after the book was published in 1984 and after his death have soiled his reputation. And judging from my research he signed a lot of copies.

    Sometimes 1st editions can be tricky. The book might be, but the dust jacket isn't. Some 1st editions wound up with Book Club DJs. My 1st ed of Native Son by Richard Wright has a DJ revised by the publisher.

    --- merged: Dec 17, 2014 at 4:01 PM ---
    Ooooh......wait......"had...once".....ugh.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 24, 2014
    Chris Noyb, Dec 17, 2014
    #35265
  6. Fremen

    Fremen Allright, who stole my mustache?

    Location:
    E. Texas
    It seems @noodle 's husband's recent cold has affected him in an adverse way...

    [​IMG]
     
    Fremen, Dec 17, 2014
    #35266
    • Like Like x 2
  7. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    I'm now officially the "acting" Director of Quality Engineering for a government contracting firm.
    On top of my "real" role of Chief Technology Officer.

    This has been listed on the company's org chart for a submission for a contract that I'm helping bid on. (in a technical aspect)

    Now, this does not mean I will get paid. (yet...perhaps a bit of commission, perhaps a bonus, perhaps some as a FT employee, perhaps some thru my own new company...or all of the above)
    Or I'm a full employee of the company (yet, I have signed contingency paperwork)

    But, if they do win the bid, then I'll be aboard...IF they win. IF they don't change their mind. IF I stay on, agree to work for them at that time or I don't have another gig either. And IF they haven't changed that role or filled it either.

    Oh yeah, even though I've done QA...this is not my typical FT role or focus, but usually done "as needed" on a minor portion or task of everything I usually do...which tends to focus on databases and project mgmt.
    Can I do it? Sure, no prob. And I can do it well. BUT you need to have me in a project first...and paid.

    -------

    So, if you wonder how these companies win these contracts...it's a spitball technique. (See what you like, see what you can claim you've done aka "quals", write up some BS in formal govt. format and with lots of power words...see if they bite)
    If they do bite, they get lots of money...then you hustle to get people to actually do the job. (no telling if you actually know what this person can do...but that doesn't matter for now)
    And if you wonder why there's so much waste in the government...this is one of the reasons why.

    And they aren't the only ones....they ALL do it. (even the big ones...it's just the big ones usually have a few real people to pull into it once they get it...but even this is not guaranteed)

    The MO of the contractor is, "bid it, see if we can get it"
    The MO of the client, " you got the contract and money, just make it happen"

    Somewhere along the way...a person with some talent and integrity, actually does the job and executes decently. (but this is NOT guaranteed...and often NOT likely :eek: )
    And despite the clusterfuck around them, above & below them, satisfying BOTH the client AND contractor (which will often have two different agendas and directions)

    So basically we're fucked, except for those few heroes.

    Meanwhile, I need to find something that pays day to day. (business, bid, PT, FT, perm, Contract, whatever... Money is money...and a good service is a good service if done right)
    Until they win the bid, if they win the bid.

    It's a weird world.
    A lot happens by luck, not by intent.
    Much is based on illusions and presumptions.
     
    Last edited: Dec 17, 2014
    rogue49, Dec 17, 2014
    #35267
    • Like Like x 2
  8. Plan9

    Plan9 Rock 'n Roll

    Location:
    Earth
    Today's Shower Thought:

    Every day I hope that the disenfranchised in my neighborhood will trash my house so I know how it feels to... uh... have my house trashed.
     
    Plan9, Dec 17, 2014
    #35268
  9. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Days like today remind me why I love my job.
     
    snowy, Dec 17, 2014
    #35269
  10. Japchae

    Japchae Very Tilted

    Ding.
     
    Japchae, Dec 17, 2014
    #35270
    • Like Like x 1
  11. POPEYE

    POPEYE Very Tilted

    Location:
    Tulsa
    wow Rogue, I didn't get any of that. I work in a machine shop....but here's hoping you make money and lots of it!
     
    POPEYE, Dec 17, 2014
    #35271
  12. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC

    Meaning, a company posted me for a title in a government contracting bid...but the role isn't mine unless the bid is won.
    So, it's a big crapshoot, unlikely and probably months from now, even if so.

    It's called a contingency offer. And it happens quite a bit in my industry. (IT, computers)

    And I was noting that they took some "flare" in what they were calling me.
    Not that I couldn't do it, I could & would...it's just funny. (especially since my sister just worked her ass off to become Mgr. of Quality Assurance...then I get spontaneously called Director of Quality Engineering :p )

    But the result is the same, find something that brings income. Now.
    So, I'm saying...life ain't that fair sometimes. A bit kooky actually.
     
    rogue49, Dec 17, 2014
    #35272
  13. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    I am exhausted.
     
    genuinemommy, Dec 17, 2014
    #35273
  14. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    "Since I did you twice tonight, does that mean I can go 48 hours in between?"
    "Do you want to?"
    "Not really."
     
    snowy, Dec 18, 2014
    #35274
    • Like Like x 2
  15. oldkid

    oldkid Vertical

    There's a reason men are reluctant to say "I love you". The fear of not hearing an echo.:(
     
    oldkid, Dec 18, 2014
    #35275
  16. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    Shit, I think it's catching. We were discussing Star Trek.

    Me: "Well, Benedict Cumberbatch was really awesome."
    Hubs: "Awesome looking. But the movie sucked."
     
    snowy, Dec 19, 2014
    #35276
    • Like Like x 2
  17. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    I am way too sensitive to caffeine. 1 glass of dilute green tea 5 hours ago and I'm still buzzing.
     
    genuinemommy, Dec 19, 2014
    #35277
  18. healer

    healer Extra Medium

    Location:
    South Africa
    As you may or may not know, I used to be a club DJ in a previous life. Not a very good one, but I held down a residency or two as an opener/warmup DJ. These days, however, studying and a new baby sees me well occupied with no time to get behind the decks.

    Yesterday, however, I decided to pull out my gear and make a mix. It wasn't the best quality mix and I didn't spend days on track selection like I usually do, but I think it turned out OK. Mostly Nu-Disco and Soulful House stuff. Grab it here if you care to have a listen.
     
    healer, Dec 19, 2014
    #35278
    • Like Like x 3
  19. rogue49

    rogue49 Tech Kung Fu Artist Staff Member

    Location:
    Baltimore/DC
    I'm going to sell some of my inventions to make some dough.

    Hey, if it was good enough for Tesla, it's good enough for me.

    Damn you, Thomas Edisons of the world... (the elderly greedy one, not the young innovative one)

    *not that I'm Tesla level, but you get my point.
    **and the guy I'm going to is actually a nice guy and will do right by me...but you get my point here too
     
    Last edited: Dec 19, 2014
    rogue49, Dec 19, 2014
    #35279
    • Like Like x 2
  20. ralphie250

    ralphie250 Fully Erect

    Location:
    At work..
    just saw the first 2015 f150 here on the lot, looks very nice. i hope the all aluminum body stands up to what they say it will
     
    ralphie250, Dec 19, 2014
    #35280
    • Like Like x 1
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