Useless Conversation

[Murgos]

You can't say anything about the weather in New England that wasn't already said better more than 100 years ago.

There is a sumptuous variety about the New England weather that compels the stranger's admiration — and regret. The weather is always doing something there; always attending strictly to business; always getting up new designs and trying them on people to see how they will go. But it gets through more business in spring than in any other season. In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of twenty-four hours.

[Cyrrex]

Yeah, It's said about everywhere that's not the west coast or Florida, usually as "Don't like the weather? Wait five minutes," or "Don't like the weather? Stick around!"

You people have nothing on the midwest though. In the past month, if you just look at the highs, my area has had day-to-day temperature shifts of 19+ degrees five times, and throughout the month has gone from 69 to 40 to 67 to 34 to 73 to 57 to 80 to 36 to 54.

Atlanta and Tucson's average daily temperatures have not changed by more than 10 degrees in any day this month. Ours has done so five times.

This is maybe slightly weirder than normal for us.

Upon moving to the midwest 4 years ago, that was my observation as well.  I've never seen anything like it...going from low 20s one week to mid 70s another, and nobody acts like it's unusual.  You can be on a second solid week of toasty spring weather, and the ponds all around are still fucking frozen.  Summers and winters seem more stable, but fall and spring are just odd and unpredictable.  Crazy swings.

[ghost]

In Houston it's "wait five minutes".

All the Gulf states are pretty much the same as far as weather goes though.

In San Antonio if you wait five minutes it's guaranteed to be hot.

[Paelos]

In South Atlanta if you wait five minutes, you're guaranteed to get shot.

 

[Bzalthek]

Tennessee.  Snowing.  What?

[ghost]

So I've reached that point where I have so much shit to do that it's oppressively hanging over me and I have no idea where to start.  Therefore I'm doing the natural thing:  nothing.  Procrastination is wonderful.

[Nebu]

So I've reached that point where I have so much shit to do that it's oppressively hanging over me and I have no idea where to start.  Therefore I'm doing the natural thing:  nothing.  Procrastination is wonderful.

You and I need to have a beer.  You keep posting things that summarize exactly how I feel. 

This morning I came into the office to write two lectures, write two exams, finish a manuscript resubmission, finish a manuscript draft for initial submission, write my synopsis for a grant, write a project summary for an existing grant, and have a meeting with my research group.  Here I am posting on these forums because I don't know what to start on first.

 

[RhyssaFireheart]

As a Mistress of Procrastination, my suggestion is to pick whichever task you can finish the easiest/quickest and do that first.  Then take a mental break to read forums.  When finished, pick the easiest/quickest to finish from the remaining tasks, complete, read forums.  Rinse, repeat until either all tasks are completed or your post count has risen significantly, whichever comes first.

[Bzalthek]

I don't procrastinate.  I suffer from IDD

Inertia Deficiency Disorder

[ghost]

As a Mistress of Procrastination, my suggestion is to pick whichever task you can finish the easiest/quickest and do that first.

I finished those yesterday.  

Now I'm on the the difficult shit.  I'll probably have to go in on Saturday and maybe Sunday.  

You and I need to have a beer.  You keep posting things that summarize exactly how I feel. 

Agreed. 

[Chimpy]

I have been doing a lot of the ostrich head in the sand thing lately. I think it is mostly a symptom of my lack of job and going stir-crazy.

I had an assignment for my project management class due tonight that I did not really start until this morning, I had thought about it, but had not really sat down and done it. Not really happy with what I came up with, but I think that is as much due to the fact that when I wrote down the assignment in my notebook at the last session with the instructor who assigned it a month ago, I did not write it legibly enough for me to decipher everything I wrote down and I am sure I missed something.

Of course, had I spent the time I was not out in employment screening testing/job hunting/interview things the beginning of the week working on said project instead of watching the first 3 seasons of Monarch of the Glen on Netflix, I might have come up with a better result on my project.

[Sky]

We had an interesting IT meeting yesterday. Administration, me and my kinda-used-to-be supervisor. I just walk in with a notepad and pen, he's got a ton of notes and printouts. We start with current projects, I rattle off a solid dozen across a spectrum of disciplines, along with bringing up possible policy changes and implementations from new hardware and software I'll be adding this year. Basically detail out what I'm about to the end of the year, and of course holding out around three really good ideas I don't want to commit to while I'm swamped. Oh yeah, and pursuing a security cert on my own time with no funding from the library at the same time.

Then my old supervisor's turn. "Well, I've kind of been working on Google Apps. I made a spreadsheet to track my orders. Mostly it's been personal." Aaand...that's it. Guy's got 15 years seniority and probably makes double what I do, no way to get rid of him.

With the cert prep class, I'm trying to finish the week's work and tests on Wednesday, they're due on Saturday. Mostly so I can get a headstart on the next week, I know I'll need it as we get into more fiddly stuff (cakewalk thus far) and it should buy me a couple extra review days before the exam. It was a bitch working almost eleven hours and then coming home and diving straight into the books, luckily it was an interesting chapter (WPA/2). Can't afford to be my normal procrastinating self any more, but forty years of procrastinating was a good run imo.

[Ironwood]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/mar/30/dark-knight-rises-batman-christopher-nolan

 

What ?

[HaemishM]

Yeah, I thought the idea was strange too. They are going to reboot the Batman franchise with new cast and new director right after the third movie in a successful trilogy, a la Spiderman reboot. I think it's just going to be too soon.

[Ironwood]

That would be bad enough - I've already blown my rage over Spiderman doing that.

No, what freaks me the fuck out is doing it WITH THE SAME GUY.

What ??

[Chimpy]

No, what freaks me the fuck out is doing it WITH THE SAME GUY.

What ??

Because he has all kinds of alternative interpretations in his head, and wants to profit from them, obviously!

[Merusk]

I don't know why I expected organization from a bunch of Architects, really.  On the upside I can go to Keenland race track with them all next Friday. Woo, ponies!

Wait, did you get a job in Lexington and I missed it?

Edit:  If so, congratulations.  Keeneland kicks ass.  It's been years since I went.

Temp job at the only firm hiring in Cincinnati. (Seriously, the ONLY ONE.  Three more did additional layoffs last Friday as their projects completed.  Hooray for big international retail.)   I'm month-to-month at this point, but so is one other guy I'm working with and he's been employed since January, so :hope:.

I just happened to get hired-on the week before they do their annual "yay us" celebration which includes a drunken trip to Keenland. I shall plan on losing $50 at the track.

[Sand]

I don't know why I expected organization from a bunch of Architects, really.  On the upside I can go to Keenland race track with them all next Friday. Woo, ponies!

Wait, did you get a job in Lexington and I missed it?

Edit:  If so, congratulations.  Keeneland kicks ass.  It's been years since I went.

Temp job at the only firm hiring in Cincinnati. (Seriously, the ONLY ONE.  Three more did additional layoffs last Friday as their projects completed.  Hooray for big international retail.)   I'm month-to-month at this point, but so is one other guy I'm working with and he's been employed since January, so :hope:.

I just happened to get hired-on the week before they do their annual "yay us" celebration which includes a drunken trip to Keenland. I shall plan on losing $50 at the track.

Have you considered opening your own consulting firm?

[Merusk]

Yes, but I lack the funds to do so at the moment.  Just the software I need to do side work legally as a self-corp or LLC will cost me in the neighborhood of $7k.  Also, lacking an arch. license means any consulting/ drafting I do can only be for residential projects.  These are typically run by guys who think a literal sketch on a napkin is ok.. and in some municipalities they're correct, negating their need for me in the first place.   

[ghost]

Just out of curiosity, what would it take to get licensed?  Would it be major hoops?

[Selby]

Just out of curiosity, what would it take to get licensed?  Would it be major hoops?

If it is anything like engineering it requires working for X number of years with documented work and references from (hopefully) other licensed people.  Then an all day test over a considerably wide range of subject material related to the field.  In other words it is a pretty serious undertaking.

[Chimpy]

Licensing and Union/Professional society entrance exams also usually cost serious cash.

[ghost]

I figured about the dues/test issue.  I just didn't know if there was an internship of sorts to do.  EIT/PE are a bitch, but doable. 

[Sand]

Yes, but I lack the funds to do so at the moment.  Just the software I need to do side work legally as a self-corp or LLC will cost me in the neighborhood of $7k.  Also, lacking an arch. license means any consulting/ drafting I do can only be for residential projects.  These are typically run by guys who think a literal sketch on a napkin is ok.. and in some municipalities they're correct, negating their need for me in the first place.   

You're doing it wrong. All it takes to be a consultant is a business card and a website.
Consulting =/=  Side Work. (where you need that $7k in software)

Consultant is the business genius (YOU!) who comes in, does a weeks worth of research into their current org structure and management structure/style and then gives them a 30 slide Powerpoint presentation in how to reach their goals and maximize efficiency.

You're the "fresh faced" professional who tells them how to shake things up and accomplish their goals, rewrite/create their strategy, create their social media campaign, reinvent their marketing, organize their VP and above management structure, etc etc etc.

You take your years of experience and apply that specifically in the housing/construction/architecture business fields.  You arent consulting on the project, you are consulting on how they are operating on the business side. That takes no license.

EVERY field has a consultant now. Here is an entire consulting company dedicated to adventure travel of all things: http://www.xolaconsulting.com/index.php
Now you are saying, "adventure travel? really? There is enough business among adventure travel companies needing someone to tell them how to run their companies it can support a firm?"
Yes. Because first you make them afraid they dont know what they are doing and should hire you to tell them. Secondly if they are the only firm in the field they have no competition.

[ghost]

Cats that look like Ron Swanson

for Abogadro, and anyone else that might find this interesting. 

[Yegolev]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/mar/30/dark-knight-rises-batman-christopher-nolan

[Rishathra]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/mar/30/dark-knight-rises-batman-christopher-nolan

 

What ?

I'm really hoping that is just some April 1st thing.

[Johny Cee]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/mar/30/dark-knight-rises-batman-christopher-nolan

 

What ?

I'm really hoping that is just some April 1st thing.

They want to revamp Batman from gritty-grimdark-realistic to a version of the character that plays well with other superheroes, especially since there is a Justice League movie in development set for after the Superman reboot and the Wonder Woman movie.

I honestly don't have a problem with that.  I really can't see where the current film version of the Batman could go after the next Nolan Batman movie without retreading familiar ground or becoming a parody of itself.

[RhyssaFireheart]

You know what, asshole in Finance - it really isn't necessary for you to show your power over us lowly minions here in IT RA.  We get that you are "in charge" or whatever the fuck you want to call it.  So just approve my goddamn PO change notice finally so I can submit these final two invoices on that PO for payment.  It's only been sitting in your queue for TWO WEEKS now.  You really don't need to have one of your direct reports explain to you why we're increasing the PO a measly $6k when the change notice says what it's for.

This is a constant battle.  Our POs can cruise through the approval process like butter until they hit Finance. Above or below this person's approval level - smooth.  This person - it's like hitting a brick wall.

[Morat20]

They want to revamp Batman from gritty-grimdark-realistic to a version of the character that plays well with other superheroes, especially since there is a Justice League movie in development set for after the Superman reboot and the Wonder Woman movie.

I honestly don't have a problem with that.  I really can't see where the current film version of the Batman could go after the next Nolan Batman movie without retreading familiar ground or becoming a parody of itself.

I admit trying to shoehorn the current gritty-grimdark-realistic guy into a world where superheroes actually exist (as opposed to ninjas and psychos) is probably required.

However, I do hope they keep the gritty-grimdark as much as possible, insofar as IIRC Batman is generally the one with the plan to kill Superman, destroy the justice league, etc, etc, should circumstances warrant it. I much prefer crazy-perpared, gritty, "fuck you, I dose what has to be done" Batman.

Of course, the "No killing" thing is a bit of a bitch.

[Johny Cee]

They want to revamp Batman from gritty-grimdark-realistic to a version of the character that plays well with other superheroes, especially since there is a Justice League movie in development set for after the Superman reboot and the Wonder Woman movie.

I honestly don't have a problem with that.  I really can't see where the current film version of the Batman could go after the next Nolan Batman movie without retreading familiar ground or becoming a parody of itself.

I admit trying to shoehorn the current gritty-grimdark-realistic guy into a world where superheroes actually exist (as opposed to ninjas and psychos) is probably required.

However, I do hope they keep the gritty-grimdark as much as possible, insofar as IIRC Batman is generally the one with the plan to kill Superman, destroy the justice league, etc, etc, should circumstances warrant it. I much prefer crazy-perpared, gritty, "fuck you, I dose what has to be done" Batman.

Of course, the "No killing" thing is a bit of a bitch.

All they need to do is 100% copy the Timm/Dini animated/Justice League Batman.

[Morat20]

All they need to do is 100% copy the Timm/Dini animated/Justice League Batman.

Is that the one with Hamill doing the Joker?

[Johny Cee]

All they need to do is 100% copy the Timm/Dini animated/Justice League Batman.

Is that the one with Hamill doing the Joker?

Yes, and Kevin Conroy as Bats.

[Merusk]

Just out of curiosity, what would it take to get licensed?  Would it be major hoops?

If it is anything like engineering it requires working for X number of years with documented work and references from (hopefully) other licensed people.  Then an all day test over a considerably wide range of subject material related to the field.  In other words it is a pretty serious undertaking.

Pretty much, yeah.  There's a program run by NCARB called "Intern Development Program" (IDP) that you have to pay to run through in every state except Arizona (and even they might have changed to add it by now.)  You can only enter if you have a B. Architecture (not a B. Science) or better from an accredited program and it costs $200 for 3 years.   You have to do 5600 hours of work in the field, with a minimum of 1,800 of those hours being under the direct supervision of a Licensed Architect in a position as a principal provider of services. 

There's a bunch of "this but not this" stuff in regards to what does or does not fulfill that role.  The hours also have to be spread across 4 major categories (Design & Contract Docs, Management, Construction and Contract Administration, and "related activities"- aka. community service).   Then all those hours have to be verified, certified and approved by NCARB before you can sit for the test.

The test used to be a 3-day affair covering all aspects of the practice. Contract law, structures, building systems, schematic design, professional ethics, Site planning, etc.  It was only given twice a year and if you failed you had to wait until the next test date to try again.  The pass rates were like 70% and the 44+ year old guys all have epic stories about people breaking down in the middle of the test because of the pressure.  (You were all in one big auditorium, doing your design tests with tools you had to haul in yourself.) 

Now it's all electronic and done at certified testing centers across the country whenever you feel like it.  There's 7 parts to the test that you can do whenever you want and if you fail you have to wait 60 days to try that part again.  If you pass a section it's valid for about 4 years. Don't pass all 7 parts in those 4 years and you've got to start taking the older parts again.   Each division costs about $210 to take, which has come down a LOT thanks to the electronic process.   I remember hearing the cost of the test was $3,000 when I first started co-oping in 1993.

I'm only 280 hours short on being able to sit for the test.  It's all in Contract Admin and Management, which is why I'm jonesing for more commercial experience.  Unless you're working for yourself or a really tiny company in residential, you're not going to get that experience doing what I was doing because the full Architect role is broken across 3-4 departments.  However, even in a commercial firm I'll have got to work my up to being able to fulfill those hours because they're not just going to sit me down with a client without proving I'm not incompetent/ a psycho.   

I'm not sure how all that compares to engineering exams, but it feels like a LOT of BS runaround.  Yes, there's life safety issues involved, particularly on the fire and egress end of things but somehow I think it doesn't need to be quite that involved.  My general disgust with the system and it's transparent setup to limit the number of Architects are part of what's kept me from doing it for the last 10 years. (2 of my former classmates are at the firm I'm working for right now, both are licensed one is a Director.)  The other part is, I just like houses better and you don't need to have the stamp to do them. 

[ghost]

You have to do 5600 hours of work in the field

Fuck.  That's 140 weeks at a 40 hour week.