DTF Chat Thread v. "The Aristocrats!"

[Podaar]

 

Like trying to use an open source 3D modeler after using Studio Max for years? Not that I would know.

[Sir GuitarCozmo]

I have always used GIMP because it's free.  If I were using it all the time, for professional projects, I'd probably shell out the eleventeen brazillion dollars for Photoshop.

[BlobVanDam]

Like trying to use an open source 3D modeler after using Studio Max for years? Not that I would know.

Not quite that much of a contrast. At least GIMP tries to emulate Photoshop, which is half the problem when it deviates.
I've never actually tried any free modeling software, besides using Blender once or twice to convert an obscure 3D file. The only reason I even tried GIMP was because my computer was out of commission waiting for an upgrade, and I was trying to find something to pass time on another computer.

[cramx3]

GIMP is pretty simple, free, and as close to photoshop as I've seen.  Granted, I am not artistic so I pretty much suck overall when using it.  Now Adobe Premiere, I really enjoy using.

[BlobVanDam]

I use a lot of the Adobe creative suite. I literally have Photoshop permanently open on my computer all day regardless of what I'm working on it's that essential, and I use After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Audition regularly for all of my video and audio work. I use Illustrator occasionally, but I'd only call myself a beginner with that. I've always wanted to learn it properly, just never had the need to delve into it properly.

[cramx3]

Well I got a raise today, but no promotion.  I was really expecting a promotion to senior level.  I'm pretty bummed by this.  Starting to think I have no upward movement in this company.  The good thing is I got tons of stock options, and the company valuation has gone up (over 3 times the value since I started) so they kind of got me by the balls to stick around to see this company go public and actually make my money that way.  We shall see.

[ReaperKK]

At work and just got the news that one of my coworkers wont be coming in.

That could be a good or a bad thing depending on the co-worker.

I forgot to mention that it's great news

[axeman90210]

Hi everybody!

Well I got a raise today, but no promotion.  I was really expecting a promotion to senior level.  I'm pretty bummed by this.  Starting to think I have no upward movement in this company.  The good thing is I got tons of stock options, and the company valuation has gone up (over 3 times the value since I started) so they kind of got me by the balls to stick around to see this company go public and actually make my money that way.  We shall see.

See, now I see that as getting more money but not more responsibility, which sounds pretty good to me

I get it though, definitely want to feel like you have a path ahead. Sounds like you should be in pretty decent shape if you can stick around until the company goes public.

[cramx3]

Yea I get what youre saying, but I want to move forward and while I may have monetarily, it's not exactly helping me in the long run.  The extra cash over the course of a year isn't going to change my life in any meaningful way, but actually getting a promotion will help me in my career down the line.  Either way, the stock options are where it's at and I am definitely safe here and treated well so I need to stick it out so I can turn that paper into cash, but part of me wants to get a data center management position which I will never get here (my boss isn't going anywhere and he has a hook up with a relative being high up here).

[King Postwhore]

Cram, how long have you've been with the company?

[hefdaddy42]

First haul in a while - the move to Raleigh has me way behind in some areas, so I rectified that with an Amazon order.

CDs:

Haken - Affinity
The Neal Morse Band - Similitudes of a Dream
Nova Collective - The Further Side

Blu-rays:

The Neal Morse Band - Alive Again
Neal Morse -  Morsefest 2014
Neal Morse - Morsefest 2015 (preorder - should have it this week sometime)

So far I have finished Alive Again and it's fantastic, and I'm on my first listen of Nova Collective, and it's really awesome so far.

[cramx3]

Cram, how long have you've been with the company?

3 years

[King Postwhore]

I've been behind myself Hef.  I to just ordered,

Nova Collective -- The Further Side
POS -- In The Passing Light Of Day
Kyros -- Vox Humana
The Feeling -- Self titled.

[King Postwhore]

Cram, how long have you've been with the company?

3 years

Have you moved up yet into another position?

[cramx3]

Cram, how long have you've been with the company?

3 years

Have you moved up yet into another position?

Nope.  My boss told me within my first year he viewed me as a senior level technician and I perform at the same level as the other two senior level technicians including the one I trained (he was hired a year or two after I started, I even interviewed and recommended him).  That's what kind of bothers me.  Maybe if he never told me to my face so long ago then I wouldn't feel this way. 

I should really just look at the bright side, more money and no new responsibilities although I have to work till probably 1am tonight    Too bad this pay raise doesn't go into effect until April 1st.  Would have been nice to get that extra bump in my OT tonight.

[King Postwhore]

I would ask for a meeting and express your disappointment in not getting the senior level technician position.  It will show that you truly want the position.  If he then pulls you need to work on this first and that wasn't in your review you just got explain that you will never get the chance to move up if you don't know what deficiencies you need to work on.

[cramx3]

Thanks and I agree with that advice. 

[King Postwhore]

It never hurts to talk about your want to move up in the company.

[cramx3]

Yea very true 

[Chino]

Yea I get what youre saying, but I want to move forward and while I may have monetarily, it's not exactly helping me in the long run.  The extra cash over the course of a year isn't going to change my life in any meaningful way, but actually getting a promotion will help me in my career down the line.  Either way, the stock options are where it's at and I am definitely safe here and treated well so I need to stick it out so I can turn that paper into cash, but part of me wants to get a data center management position which I will never get here (my boss isn't going anywhere and he has a hook up with a relative being high up here).

This might not be the worst thing. Build up your salary now, and when the inevitable promotion does come through, your new pay scale will start that much higher. Have you talked to your boss about setting up a 12 month plan or something to get you there? I've found management responds really well to that kind of stuff. Tell him you want to put together goals and objectives to get you to senior level.

[cramx3]

My manager is not a typical manager by any means  and while I think he would put me in the right direction, setting up a plan like you say probably would not be something he is interested in.  Just to show, this is how he notified us in our chat room about the paperwork he was sending us:

in other news i am sending you fucks your raise paperwork...i am supposed to have some bullshit 15 minute discussion with each of you where i cup your balls and thank you profusely for the great work that you do for *company name*....so how about we "say" that we had this discussion and continue on with our day

FYI - you raises are tied to quarterly ratings...a 3 rating (meets expectations) has a 3% raise...and it goes up with higher ratings...so if you want more money next year then keep your ratings high

(hows that for a fucking pep talk)

[Chino]

Man, he speaks the same way my brain thinks. So jealous.

[JayOctavarium]

So re: the job thing with me


I was thinking about it.. one thing that would kind of turn me off of it is the unpredictability of the job hours, plus the fact it would involve A LOT of driving in my own car, which is on it's last leg.


But on that, I was doing some talking with my other half (Panda), and I could always drop down to part time in my current job, and spend time focusing on helping her with her job (She works in Social Media Advertising and PR type stuff)... And the extra income she makes from having more help would out weigh what I'd be losing from here. Plus I have my Mystery Shopping (which I am starting up again), and the events I work on weekends. Between all of that, AND the fact I would be able to pick up shifts here to supplement when needed (There is A LOT of overtime going out that I could help cut down on), I think I'd come out on top. 

[Prog Snob]

Jay, even this guy knows NY/NJ is the mecca of pizza.

Yo, you can fuck right off with those lies! New Haven CT is the mecca of pizza.

Stop with your delusions. Did you happen to look at the Top 20? NINE, that's right, NINE (five in Brooklyn alone) of the pizzas were from a NY/NJ place. THREE, that's right, THREE were from New Haven. Out of the whole countdown of 101 pizzas, thirty were in NY. There is no contest when it comes to pizza. Sorry.

[cramx3]

Eh, Connecticut pizza has nothing on New York City pizza.   I love my local pizza in NJ, but that's not as good as NYC either.

[Prog Snob]

And now I'm the mood for some but it's too late.

[cramx3]

I could definitely go for some pizza now

My network maintenance actually worked this time.  Been here for 18 hours today so now the long drive home 

[BlobVanDam]

The power just went out for a couple of hours because of thunderstorms today. They weren't even bad, but the power in our area is shitty when any kind of weather is involved.
I was stuck with whatever entertainment was on my laptop, so I finally got around to watching the BTTF Delorean restoration documentary.

[ReaperKK]

We had a really bad thunderstorm here last night, reminded me of Florida.

[jingle.boy]

Mother Nature spent the night blowing out the warm air.  It was 15F this morning, and ain't gonna warm up too much from that today. 

[TAC]

Yup. Supposed to be cold today but then warm up again for the weekend.

[Hyperplex]

Yep it's cold today, but by the weekend it's supposed to be in the mid 70s, just in time to drop 20 degrees for Sunday and then rise 15 for the beginning of next week.

[King Postwhore]

Morning. Getting furniture and a new toilet installed at my Dad's house.  Setting up for him to go home Friday.

[axeman90210]

G'morning all. Two extremely aggravating days at work, and today marks two months since we've started major home renovations. They began installing the cabinets yesterday only to discover that one is missing. If it doesn't turn up then we have to wait 2-3 weeks for a replacement. Seriously considering secluding myself in the basement this weekend and going on a bender 

[ReaperKK]

That sucks axe. That's been the story ever since we got our home. Issue arises and it takes weeks to get fixed.