Plot Twist

"BoulderZ" (BoulderZ) 08/26/2014 at 01:22 • Filed to: None

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Well, not unexpected. Laid off today, with somewhere between some 5+% of the company, or division, depending how you measure it. Really, the specifics don't matter. This happens about every 3 or 4 years. We had a big round last October, which I had survived. I'm old enough to know better, though, and I had kept my eyes open. I started looking a long time ago, with the idea that I'd force them in to severance and uncontested unemployment. If you're going to change jobs, you may as well get someone else to pick up the transactional costs. Job prospects are quite good here, and with a nice combo of degrees, skills, references, publications, and experience I feel confident about what lies ahead.

I can't say I'm stoked to have to do all the usual job-seek stuff even if I knew it was coming. But it's not difficult, and I do get a chance to catch up on long-neglected house projects. and maybe even some honest multi-hour bike rides and Z drives.

A Z pic, at speed on track, for your consideration. Good wishes to you all.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BoulderZ 08/26/2014 at 01:25

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Aw man, I'm sorry

BoulderZ > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 08/26/2014 at 01:27

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Thanks! It was a good run. Not quite 14 years at that company. I can't complain. Some good options around here. We'll see what happens. It's a good scene.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BoulderZ 08/26/2014 at 01:28

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At least your wife still has a job, and you can live off that for a while until you find another job. Hey, Did you end up running into Performance on Saturday?

BoulderZ > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 08/26/2014 at 01:35

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Exactly! We learned in grad school, 20 years ago, that two incomes is the only possible way forward in the US. Severance is not a bad thing, either. If you can, make someone else pay for the change. I did not make it to Perf on Saturday. Turned in to a toddler day. Lovely in it's own right, but not flexible on agenda. I have a bit more free time for now, though.:) Hope to make it there soon. No doubt your bro is doing well! It's madcap new academic year here, full swing.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > BoulderZ 08/26/2014 at 01:46

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You have a very good attitude about this. I would typically be curling up in a ball with a bowl of ramen watching Futurama reruns.

Best of luck

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BoulderZ 08/26/2014 at 01:46

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Well a toddler day is fun too, kids make it all worth it. My Brother works weekends (well at least saturdays, they set the schedule for the following week on saturdays so he cant really know for sure). We actually haven't heard from him since we dropped him off, well other than a few quick texts to my mom. We're going back up there sometime soon to bring him some stuff, maybe I'll see you now that you are have more free time.

BoulderZ > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/26/2014 at 01:49

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Thanks! I can't claim any great Zen outlook, honestly. I substituted Bombay Sapphire and Oppo for Ramen and Futurama. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to, no? :) Plus, I have a great family/social arc on the important side of the job/life circle.

BoulderZ > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 08/26/2014 at 01:54

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I'm sure he's doing great! I went to pick up my wife on campus, and there was line around the block at the stadium for some kind of welcome-to-campus event. For the first day of classes, it's been pretty even-keeled here (I love it, every year, but you do hope everyone does okay). Seems like all fun and wide-eyed future there, as it should be. Let me know on timing. If these afternoon storms knock off (seriously, I just want to build a sandbox for my kid!), I'll bring the Z or the turbo truck, for fun. Hope all's well for you and your family!

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BoulderZ 08/26/2014 at 02:00

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That sounds like fun, I remember my first sandbox. I dont even know what day we're going yet. We're pretty much at the mercy of my brother when it comes to timing. But it sounds like you are pretty flexible so it would probably work out just fine. I hope the rain stops too, I want to stop being able to listen to CCR and have the song describe what I'm seeing out my window

Have you ever seen the rain.... I wanna know...

BoulderZ > Denver Is Stuck In The 90s 08/26/2014 at 02:09

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:) A long time favorite song of mine. How did you discover CCR, and that tune? It's not exactly in rotation, wasn't even 20 years ago. Not sure how I came on to it. One of my high school or college summer job commutes, maybe, where I could only get about 2 radio stations. Of course, I grew up in a much more precipitation-oriented climate, and that song was more apropos. Still. Just let me know if you might be in town. At the moment, flexibility/free-time is one thing I have. Some opportunities on jobs here look quite good, but I hope to be a bit more less subscribed for a month, anyway. I can't believe how many to-do items have built up in the better part of some time. Stuff needs to get done somehow, and a little "vacation" might help.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > BoulderZ 08/26/2014 at 02:13

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My dad has an old cassette tape of willy and the poor boys, I kinda stole it from him when He traded in his Accord wagon. I've always liked classic rock. Stuff like Ram Jam, Zeppelin, Van Halen, CCR, Janis Joplin, Clapton, The Stones etc... I'm glad you have things to keep you busy and you wont be twiddling your thumbs. I'll definitely let you know when I'll be in boulder, I have your number We'll keep in touch. And Feel free to text me for any reason, Even if you are just bored. Im free to text most of the time

Grindintosecond > BoulderZ 10/09/2014 at 12:48

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I know it's a late post, but i saw the words -long bike ride- and some Z enthusiasm. Hows the job prospects coming along and where do you usually ride? I'm with the BCC but can't find the schedule to go ride on tuesdays lately.

BoulderZ > Grindintosecond 10/09/2014 at 13:21

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Job prospects are great around here for an earth science type with software/coding and business skills, as long as you're at least a little adaptable. Though I have some ideals in mind, I'm pretty flexible in what I'm looking for as long as it's earth science / geospatial. I have some opportunities I'm very excited about. The hardest part is just waiting, as hiring understandably moves pretty slowly in most organizations. I'm using my long postponed home improvement project list, along with cycling and auto stuff, to pass the time. My favorite road rides, locally, would be Carter Lake, any kind of Peak To Peak loop, or even a quick Nelson or Neva road loop. For local MTB I'm partial to Dirty Bismarck, and the associated southern trails. Looking forward to the new underpass on 93. That was my favorite dawn patrol loop, and I really hated having to play Frogger there to complete the loop; even before 0600 it can get busy enough to concern an experienced cyclist. I thought I just saw some calendar of rides, and I thought it was BCC, but it might have been BMA. Friend of mine rides with BCC a lot, and I know he's still doing Tuesday rides. Usually winds up at Southern Sun, I think?

Grindintosecond > BoulderZ 10/09/2014 at 13:31

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Their Tuesday rides start/end at the boulder brewery on valmont. (awesome quesadillas and beer!) Still there unless they changed sponsors or something. Routes do up to nelson and down 63rd or out to Niwot or south to the wall south of Costco/flatirons mall or even NCAR. Last week Monday I rode almost up to Ward but got caught in that thunderstorm and was miserable so i turned around two turns before town! I didn't hit my target of 60 miles. I was more miserable going down hill for an hour. I like the carter reservoir loop and sometimes do the rabbit mountain/apple valley climbs around Lyons. Time and weather has been a problem. Since weather looks bad for a while i'm going to start work on the mini again. It deserves more than sitting on jackstands.

BoulderZ > Grindintosecond 10/09/2014 at 13:36

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Oof, yeah, the weather. Just started putting a final coat of polyurethane on the last interior door to be replaced, and it started to spit rain here. In a panic, I got the door and both sawhorses in to our back room to finish it. Fingers crossed, it should be alright, but the house stinks now. Wanted to drive the Z today, but no way am I taking it out with that much rain in the forecast. Good luck with the mini! Is it still on the rotisserie, as in your photo, or are you somewhere in the reassembly phase?

Grindintosecond > BoulderZ 10/09/2014 at 13:51

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That's someone elses picture. mines on jackstands. (post soon on starting it today) I have to make some room first to put the subframes and then build the contraption.

My dad had a '71 240z. metallic blue. it's what got me addicted to this stuff.

BoulderZ > Grindintosecond 10/09/2014 at 13:59

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Ah, I see. Good luck! I did my '78 entirely on jackstands. I kind of wish I had done a rotisserie, but it's just not possible with my garage (who knew people and cars in the 50s were so tiny?).

Funny how old Z's can do that. I got hooked from my older brother's '78 280Z.

Grindintosecond > BoulderZ 10/09/2014 at 14:09

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Man id like to see that car some day.

BoulderZ > Grindintosecond 10/09/2014 at 14:17

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I'm thinking about going to the CUSCC mini-meet coming up in a few weeks to get a baseline dyno pull. I've never had it tested, and it's not stock. It'd be nice to know what I've got on track at HPR. I'm still the weakest part of the car, performance-wise, but I would like a clearer picture. Alternatively, we could meet up some other time. There're a lot of gearhead events around here this fall.

Grindintosecond > BoulderZ 10/09/2014 at 14:45

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Absolutely. Speaking of HPR there's an older gentleman a few streets over that tracks his yellow BMW 1602. Realy neet to see that driving around here. Has an orange 2002 tii as well....about 5 bimmers all over his driveway i think.

BoulderZ > Grindintosecond 10/09/2014 at 17:23

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How funny, I think I know that house! He's not very far from me. Always wondered if he tracked any of them. There are a ton of motorsports people around Mike Pettiford (Go4It racing) was living on Moorehead for awhile, but I think he moved again. Let's see what pans out weather and schedule wise over the next couple of weeks. Hopefully I'll have to work it around a new job, too. :)