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Random Thoughts, text version

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussion' started by Jernik, Jul 21, 2022.

  1. Jul 21, 2022 at 10:38 AM
    #1
    Jernik

    Jernik [OP] New Member

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    Thought I'd create this thread for discussion of the random stuff that pops in our heads that is not meme or cartoon related.

    Lately it's been really rough for me to find any motivation at work. Most days, I don't even feel like going in. And I've taken time off recently and spent a chunk of it outside the city in the middle of Missouri corn/bean fields. Still no drive.

    This isn't really new for me, I've never been the "live to work" type (like my wife is). But I've always been reliable and do above average work - if I do something I do have enough pride to try and get it right. But I'm not hyper-driven to be the best of the best.

    So this all leads to my random thought; do people really like to leave home every day and go to work, or is it just a load of BS to make themselves feel better about being forced to do something they don't really want to do (forced being they like to have a decent place to live, food, clothes, nice things, etc.). Because I don't get it. I've never been excited about work or career. If there is a "perfect job" out there for me, I have no idea what it might be.

    There are things I like to do. But I don't want to do them 5 days a week, 8 hours per day until I die. As an extreme example; If you told me I could drink beer and play with boobies to make my money, it would be great for the first few days! But after a while it would just be that thing I have to do to get paid.

    I dunno. Do you actually love work? If so, WTF is wrong with you why do you like it? Did you always know that is what you wanted to do, or did you stumble on it by accident?
     
  2. Jul 21, 2022 at 10:57 AM
    #2
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

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    I actually do. Server administrator for DoD.

    In my case, yeah, I kinda did...I was programming in BASIC at 6 years old. I was that nerd who got told to stop futzing around in computer class with other kids' computers. As I like to say, I've got an insatiable curiosity, a penchant for all things technological, and the ability to Google like nobody's business; and that plays well into what I do.

    Granted, there are things about the job I don't like, and there are indeed days I'm 'fed up' but it's always about work politics or some BS that hits me out of nowhere. It's never about what I do; I do indeed enjoy the hell out of the core of what my job entails. :)

    I WILL say I'm glad there's some amount of telework for our job now (pretty much a regular 3 on/2 off work schedule). Being the dork nerd geek dork I am, I (and others like myself) were doing the social distancing thing (or at least, girls were doing it FOR me lol) before it was fashionable in 2020 and beyond.
     
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  3. Jul 21, 2022 at 11:00 AM
    #3
    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    Alot of them
    Speaking of computers.....this happened at work last night. This was a DOD owned laptop.

    20220721_135909.jpg
     
  4. Jul 21, 2022 at 11:04 AM
    #4
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

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    Is that a Toughbook? I'd love to know the backstory on that one. If it's one of those Dell 'ruggedized' notebooks...I'm not all that surprised.

    When I was deployed (on the USS Enterprise from 97 to 01), a Panasonic rep wanted us to test the then-pre-sales Toughbook. I happened to be standing next to a ladderwell; and was talking with the chief in charge of the SEAL team aboard. The rep handed me the Toughbook to test; and I said "Thanks!" and tossed it down the stairs.

    Rep about lost his sh*t. I told him "Hey...if it can't handle that, it's got no business deploying with a SEAL team." SEAL chief nodded and smiled and said "I like the way you think, PO2." LOL

    I retrieved the Toughbook...it had a small crack in the screen but was otherwise fine. Soon as the SEAL chief said "I'll take 15 of them," suddenly the Panasonic rep was happy again. LOL
     
  5. Jul 21, 2022 at 11:08 AM
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    Tundra234

    Tundra234 New Member

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    It was a Panasonic Toughbook. It was ran over, yes, ran over, by an airplane. Young troop set it on top of the tire, aircrew showed up, and he forgot about it. The aircraft taxid, it fell off, and they ran right over it.
     
  6. Jul 21, 2022 at 11:11 AM
    #6
    Okiebug

    Okiebug New Member

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    I would venture a guess and say that 90% or more of people don't "love" what they do for a living. I don't, never have probably never will either. I "like" what I do for the most part...and the parts of my job that I don't enjoy I bid high so atleast there is the motivation of making good money doing crap I hate. I own a landscape business and have for 19ish years, I've had years where all I could think about was quiting and finding a 9-5 job. I just kept tweeking my business until it formed more and more into what I liked doing. For example 7-8 years ago me and my employees work week typically looked like this mon-wed we'd do landscape installs/sprinkler systems/pavers ect....then Thursday and Friday we'd mow. I hated mowing, hated the machine upkeep and so on but didn't think my biz could survive without it. I decided to take a chance and drop the mowing side, and it was the best decision I've made. I didn't realize how much it drug me down and stressed me out. So my advice would be to keep tweeking what is in your control over to things you like doing, it makes life much more enjoyably. Also I think the idea of finding work you love so much you can't live without it is unattainable to most people.....thats why I dropped that idea many years ago. Find something you somewhat enjoy and make a decent living.....thats a good life for most people.
     
  7. Jul 21, 2022 at 2:17 PM
    #7
    Geezer

    Geezer New Member

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    I have been retired for over ten years, but when I was working I did enjoy my job most of the time. There were a few short stretches when I had to do things I did not really like to do, but I never took time off to avoid going in. If you are so unhappy at work that you avoid it then you are overdue to be shopping your resume to find something more enjoyable.
     
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  8. Jul 22, 2022 at 6:53 AM
    #8
    Jernik

    Jernik [OP] New Member

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    It probably is time to look for greener pastures.

    General question for anyone; if you were going to change career at the midpoint of your working years, what would you look at getting into and why?

    I'd like to become a Lottery Jackpot Winner and spend my days exploring the world, but it doesn't appear that I will be qualified to get that position. :pout: :laugh:
     
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  9. Jul 22, 2022 at 8:26 PM
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    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    I don't know if this is the type of advice you're looking for but this was my recent experience:

    I was laid off in November 2020 by the company I'd been working at for 10 years. At that time, I was a process designer/project development engineer. Pickings were slim at that time but I was able to get a 10 month contract as a process safety engineer, which is something I'd been working towards at my previous company, in the same industry. From there, I got an extension on the contract and then a staff position.

    My new company is so much better than my old one. I'm doing something I like better for a company that treats us better and has better prospects in the coming years. I like my new team better and overall I'm in a better place. The only thing I lost when I was laid off was my defined benefit pension plan. But the interesting part is I never would have considered leaving my old company if I hadn't been laid off.

    This obviously won't be the same for everyone and I'm not saying the grass is always greener or you should run out on your current company with nothing to fall back on but sometimes change can be a good thing. If you're at all considering a move, you owe it to yourself to at least see what's out there.

    ETA: This probably doesn't really help you since I moved from one process engineering job to sight another, both within the energy industry.
     
  10. Jul 23, 2022 at 8:26 AM
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    Geezer

    Geezer New Member

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    [QUOTE="Jernik, post: 2848575, member: 44436"(snip)
    General question for anyone; if you were going to change career at the midpoint of your working years, what would you look at getting into and why?

    (snip)[/QUOTE]
    Personally, I changed careers several times during my 35 years of working for the same company. I was fortunate enough to work for a very large company which allowed me to try my hand at different things as I gained experience and education. Much depends on your abilities and qualifications. Opportunities can only be taken advantage of if you are prepared.

    What do you like to do that you are actually qualified for and, most importantly, pays enough for the life you want to live?
     
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  11. Jul 23, 2022 at 9:58 AM
    #11
    YardBird

    YardBird Native San Diegan

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    Aunty Acid Toxic.gif

    Once upon a time I met an older gal that had been a hairdresser her entire adult life. Started out working at a salon in a resort hotel then opened a shop of her own.
    She was an entrepreneur and the most social gal I've ever met. She lamented having retired ~ she really loved her "job" as a salon operator.
    "If you love your job, you'll never work another day in your life" ~ that was Doris. She's one of the very few individuals that actually enjoyed her work.
     
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  12. Jul 24, 2022 at 2:06 PM
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    Okiebug

    Okiebug New Member

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    I'm assuming you're around 40 or so? Are you good at working with your hands? Mind? Artistic? What skills do you currently have? Gonna need some more info if you want any advice.
     
  13. Jul 26, 2022 at 6:56 AM
    #13
    Jernik

    Jernik [OP] New Member

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    I'm closer to 50 than 40. I've been able to pick up most things I've tried to an acceptable level.

    I've had manufacturing jobs. Delivered/installed appliances, and have 20 years in corporate retail. So I'm familiar with the standard Microsoft Office suite and Oracle. Have a little sql experience, primarily for querying data. While I've held lead/management positions, I don't really prefer them. And while I can work as a team when necessary, I prefer to work on my own. Most of my "trades" skills were picked up doing projects around the house or working on my own cars. Nothing special there, but I can do it. I will say I'm not much for finish work - I don't have the patience to be good at it. I'll start off doing great work, but quality slips as I get tired of the tediousness and push to just be done with it. As I get older I have less tolerance for working in extreme heat/cold. I hated sales. Did that for a year, selling cars.
     
  14. Jul 26, 2022 at 7:01 AM
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    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    I don't know about other industries but the energy industry is making a big push for digitalization and automation right now so, if you have some skills in Oracle, SQL and want to learn programming, that could be a good way to go to get into something that's growing.
     
  15. Jul 26, 2022 at 7:27 AM
    #15
    Jernik

    Jernik [OP] New Member

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    There's a guy at work who is taking classes thinking he may try that path. It's not a bad idea.
     
  16. Jul 26, 2022 at 12:46 PM
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    Geezer

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    So, you have had experience in a variety of jobs, and you know what you don't want to do again, but you still haven't said what it is that your would enjoy doing.
     
  17. Jul 26, 2022 at 1:29 PM
    #17
    Jernik

    Jernik [OP] New Member

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    That's the hard one to answer because I'm not sure. I enjoy working on my cars, but not every day. Same for home improvement projects. Plus, with those 2 things I'm not comfortable working on someone else's stuff. If I ruin my own, fine. I don't want to ruin someone else's.

    I like BBQ, and with a little more guidance could probably be decent at it. But doing it for me or family/friends is different than cranking out a thousand lbs a day. I totally get why restaurant quality is so fleeting - it's really hard to maintain quality (you can get consistency with efficiency, but usually at the expense of quality) when the volume being produced goes up.

    Maybe I could learn to make wine?

    At this point I'm kinda burned out sitting at a computer, doing alanysis, reporting, and solving problems.

    Maybe I could be the guy that oils up the dancing girls before they go on stage? Who am I kidding, everybody doing that job is working for free! lol

    When I'm most at peace is when I'm in nature and away from "civilization". Whether that be by a lake, in the woods, on a hill overlooking a valley below, or surrounded by fields. Don't know that's so much of a career calling as it is where I go to recharge.
     
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  18. Jul 26, 2022 at 1:45 PM
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    Okiebug

    Okiebug New Member

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    Ok that's a start, I'd steer clear of the trades/sales jobs.....but sounds like you have enough tech skills to find something different you might like. You need to find some things that motivates you, doesn't have to be some huge goal or anything. Just something that makes getting up seem worth it. I take a couple of trips to the mountains with my son and ride atvs/camp/fish ect.....there are many days just the thought of having the $$ to do that keeps me going. Some people find motivation in getting fit, buying things, having financial security, building things or whatever but overall it sounds like you have a motivation problem as much as anything. Is there anything in your life that is killing your motivation....stress....low T.....lack of success.....
     
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  19. Jul 26, 2022 at 3:22 PM
    #19
    Jernik

    Jernik [OP] New Member

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    Not really any stress. Financially we're better off than we've ever been. Low T, don't know - I haven't been to a Dr. in 15 years.

    I am pretty disgusted by where we live, to the point I hate leaving the house and dealing with traffic. We've been quickly overrun by Houston and this does not sit well with me. Naturally, infrastructure comes much slower than the new subdivisions and people who inhabit them.

    We did buy land (3.65 ac) with intention of building a home on it for retirement (years down the road). However, we priced a garage with temp living quarters that fit restrictions in the neighborhood for a "weekend getaway" and got sticker shock. Granted, lumber was through the roof at the time, but still. Now that lumber is down, interest is back up. So we will wait, save cash, and see what the market does.

    I mention all that to say we would move out there tomorrow if the right opportunity presented itself. We have already began building relationships out there (it helps that a past neighbor and good friend of ours is in the area). So my guess is that psychologically I'm just done with where I'm at even though it was originally part if the plan to stay a few more years and bank funds for retirement and our property development. We're not where we need to be (or where I'd be comfortable being) to build a house there - even with the equity we'd have from selling from our current home.

    On edit: re-reading that I sound like some entitled rich guy whining about not getting my 2nd vacation cottage. We are blessed (but nowhere near millionaire status), and honestly never imagined we'd be in a place to even consider what we're trying to do there, but even with no kids and little debt it is still going to be a stretch to make the plan. We had 4ac when we lived in Indiana and absolutely loved it! Economics changed as we all know in '09-'12 and we moved here as a result (and got into our current, modest home for dirt cheap). Anxious to get back outside the city limits.
     
    Last edited: Jul 26, 2022
  20. Jul 26, 2022 at 3:25 PM
    #20
    Tripleconpanna

    Tripleconpanna Just an X who bought Bud Light from Target

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    Someone ran over their toughbook!!!!!
     
  21. Jul 26, 2022 at 3:27 PM
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    Tripleconpanna

    Tripleconpanna Just an X who bought Bud Light from Target

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    Best advice right here!!!!!
     
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  22. Jul 26, 2022 at 3:40 PM
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    Tripleconpanna

    Tripleconpanna Just an X who bought Bud Light from Target

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    I retired a few years ago, but I absolutely loved what I did. The politics and "political tones" were very frustrating at times, but when I was doing the work, it was dynamic and satisfying.

    Now that I'm retired, I'm quickly finding out that it may have been too soon. I promised the wife that if she put up w/work schedule and call outs, etc, that I'd work hard to set us up financially to be done and retired before 50; we accomplished that! But, now I find myself feeling 'without purpose' at times. Once you separate from work, you also realize pretty quickly how fast your relevancy begins to expire. Sorry, I'm digressing...

    Anyhow, if you find that you're not happy at work and that the components of that unhappiness is either a majority of your time or there is not a proper balance in your work time to offset that shenanigans, then you got to find another means of earning a living. Life is too short to spend the majority of your time doing something that you hate, especially when those feelings overwhelm and have a strong negative impact on the time you have away from work.

    Good luck either finding something that you love or finding something that gives you the balance you need in your life!
     
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  23. Jul 27, 2022 at 5:36 PM
    #23
    Jernik

    Jernik [OP] New Member

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  24. Aug 4, 2022 at 10:25 AM
    #24
    Jernik

    Jernik [OP] New Member

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    Does anybody else catch themselves looking under the bottle cap when opening a Coke to see if you've won a free one? :rofl:
     
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  25. Aug 4, 2022 at 9:40 PM
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    YardBird

    YardBird Native San Diegan

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    [​IMG]

    I can remember collecting the Coke bottle caps in the 1960s.
    If you completed the collection, you could trade it in for a bobble head . . .
     
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  26. Aug 4, 2022 at 10:30 PM
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    Retired...finally

    Retired...finally Utilizing that doctorate of procrastinatory arts

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