I need to find me an accountant!

Gee, where I have heard that one before?

So I’ve been a fed for nearly a year. It hybrid when I started, 2 days a week, til February of this year. Sigh.

My last job went full remote in April 2023. And was hybrid since Spring 2021. And it was pretty liberal hybrid, like sometimes I’d show up one day a week or every two weeks.

But I heard from friends still at that job that they recently got ordered to RTO. At least those still in the area where HQ was + the CEO. Though I think the staff is getting caught in a fight between the board and the CEO. Staff just happens to be collateral damage. Either way, seems like opportunities are fading.

Honestly, I’d even take one day of WFH per week.

Haven’t commented here in awhile. Week is going OK so far. Took Monday (and last Friday) off for mental health days. Was just kinda in a “blah” mood. Think it’s “emotional contagion” from listening to friends’ problems and such. Glad to do it, to be there for them, but every once in awhile, it makes me think about stuff and my own life.

But otherwise, I’m back to it. On a plus side, I get to work from home today (Thursday)! My apt complex is closing the streets to do repaving. Rather than messing around with temporarily parking my car elsewhere, I asked my supervisor and he’s like “Yup, that’s cool.” I work for the US govt, and regular telework is verboten. But here and there? It’s acceptable. Besides, it’s only the first time since February that I’ve teleworked due to a personal situation.

I was talking to my dad today. He’s close to retirement and he was kinda reminiscing about his early days with his employer, the US fed govt, especially with all the shit lately.

He told me the story again of how he got his first federal position. He went to some job fair in like 1990 after he finally finished his degree, and the guy manning the booth offered him a job on the spot. And the rest is history.

I’m also a federal employee. It took me 15+ yrs of applying for numerous federal positions, having to do stupid aptitude tests online, or even in person – I once flew across the country to literally sit for an ACT/SAT-type aptitude test, on my own dime – all to get two interviews over that whole time period. It was only in 2023 that I finally got an offer, which I started like 5mo ago.

Offer on the spot at a job fair? That’s unheard of these days. I don’t even see the point of going to job fairs anymore, since all they do is say, “just apply online!” The few I’ve been to in the past weren’t even accepting resumes in person or doing any on-the-spot interviews. Then what’s the point of this?

And having sat on the “other side” of the table, helping conduct interviews, it’s all shit. Not the candidates (well…sometimes), but the process. If the whole rigmarole is to help find and select better candidates, then it’s not working. I’d rather pick a couple candidates, hire them on probation for 90 days, and evaluate them that way. Then let go of the less-performing one. Or both if neither are worth it. We’d be able to really evaluate them, while at least they’d maybe learn something and get paid.

Very interesting article. I’m not a Washingtonian, so don’t have much to say, other than that the state certainly has some hard decisions to make going forward. Especially in the face of a likely hostile federal trifecta, even if weak.

Not that I care about TikTok one way or another, but one of the best arguments I’ve seen against banning it dealt with supposed protection of Americans’ data. And I’m pretty sure that’s the approach that lawmakers have taken with this; it’s not that Chinese propaganda is bad, it’s that China shouldn’t have this much private info on Americans. I believe that’s the primary angle they’ve taken to get around First Amendment concerns.

Anyway, the argument is, “Oh, but it’s OK for US tech companies to harvest data? That’s it’s OK that we have weak privacy and data protection laws? As long as US companies are doing it, then it’s not a problem?” Because, remember the laws says that the company becomes “unavailable” in the US if not sold to an American company. Presumably, if TikTok were sold to a US company, then the app could continue with no issue, tracking and collecting tons of data on Americans to be packaged and sold to the highest bidders.

I will admit, I was somewhat more pro-ban before hearing that argument. But now I’m more neutral. I don’t use it, so I’m not/shouldn’t be affected. But the government trying to hide behind data privacy and protection to ban TikTok does feel rather empty.

Oof, sorry to hear that. Lots of illnesses going around this time of year, which is expected, but Strep can’t be particularly fun. Nor getting your tonsils out. When I got back from visiting my family for Xmas, I definitely picked up a little something. Had a scratchy throat, minor body aches, and a low fever. But it was gone within a couple days.

Otherwise, pretty chill this week so far. Unplanned WFH on Monday and Tuesday due to snowstorm. Then today (Thurs) is a paid “holiday” for Pres. Carter’s funeral, and I took Friday off to make a 4-day weekend. So yesterday (Weds) was the only day I went into the office. I could’ve WFH again today, but thought I should make an appearance. Been a week since I was last in office, due to holidays, and next week I’m full WFH for online training. It was good to see people, anyway.

Thinking about visiting NYC for a day or overnight trip this weekend. I’d just take Amtrak up. I’ve been all over the States, but somehow never to NYC. So why not do something other than game and sleep for 4 days? Only thing I’m worried about is another potential snowstorm headed to the region. I don’t want to get stuck in NYC if trains get cancelled for weather. But right now, the plan is to go. Just need to, you know, actually buy the train tickets and perhaps book a hotel room. The important things.

Wonder when we’ll see US-style tariffs in Europe on Chinese vehicles, particularly EVs. In the name of protecting European jobs and auto marketshare. Which would be unfortunate, given the need to move to EVs to mitigate climate change. As an American, I would’ve loved to have a $20k Chinese EV. I don’t think there are ICE vehicles in the US that cheap these days.

But I also get the jobs issue, too. I think much of the West is in the situation we’re in because of offshoring of jobs and competition from cheaper labor overseas. Loss of jobs, income, ability to support family, etc.

Curious to see how this plays out.

Hope everyone’s 2025 plans come to fruition!

Oh god, please no. I need some mind’s-eyebleach.

Oof. I’m in DHS. I’m assuming that in the event of any shenanigans, that’d be a “safer” place to be (though some components like FEMA and TSA maybe less so). But HUD? Definitely top of their list.

Here’s hoping for the best. Because that’s all we can do right now.

I started a job with the federal government two months ago. I’d been applying for like 18yrs; finally got one! Now a part of me wonders if I’ll even have a job next year. Potential for Schedule F designation, layoffs of the federal bureaucracy, whatever other shit a hostile administration throws at us.

Last warning. Be(e) nice.

How do one sign up to get one or a few of these twink concubines? Asking for a friend.

FYI, you’re on Beehaw. Be(e) nice. I know times are crazy right now, I get it. But we still expect people to follow our rules here.

This is normal shit in Missouri. The state voted for medicinal and eventually recreational marijuana. But then they sent people to state legislature and offices who vehemently opposed it. Can’t remember which type it was, but IIRC, the courts had to step in to force the state to license dispensaries and grow ops and such.

They voted lobbying and redistricting reform. But then they sent pols who absolutely didn’t want it. This time, the pols got their way and lobbying and redistricting reform went away before it ever got put into practice.

Every so often, the GOP-controlled legislature sends RTW legislation to the people. The people reject it time and time again, but they don’t reject the people in the legislature who keep bringing it up time and time again.

So I was super confident that Amendment 3 in MO would pass, based on past results. But I was also super confident Trump, Hawley (fuck Josh Hawley), and a multitude of other GOPers would be voted in. Based on past results.

Because Missouri makes no fucking sense.

If you don’t vote, I’ll be sad. Please don’t make me sad.

90s. Late 90s, as I was in middle school.

Some folks from my last job were in town on Wednesday, so they invited me out to dinner. I say “last job,” but I’m now a contractor/consultant for them; no longer a FTE. So I guess they’re still my coworkers. It was nice to see them in person. My boss was there, so of course he asked how my new job was going. From my previous post, I’m not sure I’m enjoying it. But I couldn’t tell him that.

But I started with, “It’s interesting…” And his eyes widened and he got a gleam in his eyes, lol. He thinks that anyone who leaves the company is crazy. And there’s some truth to that as I’ve worked for the company twice. The first time I left…I don’t want to say it was a mistake, but it wasn’t everything I hoped for. I eventually came back a year and half later. Which he loves rubbing in my face and anyone who contemplates leaving. So I fudged it a bit. And he deflated, lol.

Either way, I’m glad I got to see them, and just spend a fun evening catching up over drinks and dinner. Gordon Ramsey’s Hell’s Kitchen is excellent.

This weekend, just watching F1 and League of Legends Worlds. Let’s go Red Bull and T1!