Jump to content
gdf

Life

Recommended Posts

Awesome news SAM!

 

The man and I just bought and assembled new office chairs. Here's to a future without back problems. :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I dreamt last night that a young Mark Rylance came into the pub I was playing pool in. I was about to approach him and let him know that I knew his biggest fan but then a fight started and my dream moved on. I think my subconscious is telling me I should stop teasing pabosher...

 

(Also, congrats SAM! Hopefully your kid will gain amazing nuclear superpowers on some future Bring Your Kids To Work Day)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ug, somehow each year the lease on our townhouse catches me by surprise. This year they want to jack up our rent $161, just after having the place ripped apart for 3 weeks for plumbing replacement. I know it's silly to complain about this stuff as we're in the financial situation where we could afford the extra cost, or a different place if we decide to go that direction. But man, apartment hunting sucks and fills me with dread.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Ug, somehow each year the lease on our townhouse catches me by surprise. This year they want to jack up our rent $161, just after having the place ripped apart for 3 weeks for plumbing replacement. I know it's silly to complain about this stuff as we're in the financial situation where we could afford the extra cost, or a different place if we decide to go that direction. But man, apartment hunting sucks and fills me with dread.

 

I hear you. With the price of rent eating up so much of my wife and my household income, I don't know how we could be expected to save.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Awesome news SAM!

The man and I just bought and assembled new office chairs. Here's to a future without back problems. :D

What did you get?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What did you get?

We got DX racers. They're tall bucket seat style computer chairs with a bit of cushion. They look a little goofy because they're marketed "for Gamers" but they're exactly the kind of thing I wanted for sitting up straight at a desk with an arm rest that doesn't kill my elbow.

 

Anyway it's a great change from the horribly uncomfortable wooden sitting chairs we've been using for years that didn't do anything for our backs. Plus we ended up with a %30 (~$90) discount which the store held for us after the sale ended. :D

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

We got DX racers. They're tall bucket seat style computer chairs with a bit of cushion. They look a little goofy because they're marketed "for Gamers" but they're exactly the kind of thing I wanted for sitting up straight at a desk with an arm rest that doesn't kill my elbow.

Anyway it's a great change from the horribly uncomfortable wooden sitting chairs we've been using for years that didn't do anything for our backs. Plus we ended up with a %30 (~$90) discount which the store held for us after the sale ended. :D

Nice! Enjoy!

For others looking for a more comfortable chair I have been using this for better part of a year now and can recommend 100%:

http://m.staples.com/Staples-Hyken-Technical-Mesh-Task-Chair-Black/product_990119

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Back in November I applied for a bunch of PhD positions, got offered some and accepted one. I've been there for a few months and it's not the thing I'm most passionate about, but it's not awful either. I did have another outstanding application though that I thought was too much of a long shot to turn down the other offers and gamble on getting (because then I'd just sit around with no job). To my surprise I got flown out for a multi-day interview thing and now I even got offered a position. It's within the field that I'm most interested in and also at fairly high ranking institution. Seems like a no-brainer right?

The problem is I feel like shit even at the thought of resigning. Right now I'm being taught stuff from the people who are quitting soon, so if I quit then they have no one to pass on their know how of all the lab equipment etc. to. It feels like such a dick move and I don't know if I have enough anxiety meds to get me through a month of mean stares or whatever, or even to walk into my supervisor's office and say the words to him. On the other hand, I'm not doing anyone a favour by staying there for four years and regretting every day of it. I know this is a great problem to have in a sense but that doesn't make me feel better. I'm sorry if I sound utterly spoiled.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

That's a tough one, but if you're not really invested in where you're working now, they're not going to be getting your best work anyway, especially when you have that offer that you always wanted but passed up hanging over your head. If you're like me, every little frustration with the current position will just remind you of what you might have missed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Back in November I applied for a bunch of PhD positions, got offered some and accepted one. I've been there for a few months and it's not the thing I'm most passionate about, but it's not awful either. I did have another outstanding application though that I thought was too much of a long shot to turn down the other offers and gamble on getting (because then I'd just sit around with no job). To my surprise I got flown out for a multi-day interview thing and now I even got offered a position. It's within the field that I'm most interested in and also at fairly high ranking institution. Seems like a no-brainer right?

The problem is I feel like shit even at the thought of resigning. Right now I'm being taught stuff from the people who are quitting soon, so if I quit then they have no one to pass on their know how of all the lab equipment etc. to. It feels like such a dick move and I don't know if I have enough anxiety meds to get me through a month of mean stares or whatever, or even to walk into my supervisor's office and say the words to him. On the other hand, I'm not doing anyone a favour by staying there for four years and regretting every day of it. I know this is a great problem to have in a sense but that doesn't make me feel better. I'm sorry if I sound utterly spoiled.

 

First, I suggest getting over your feelings of obligation to your current position. Particularly since you haven't been there for very long. Once you're sure you want to accept the offer, I'd schedule a 1-on-1 with your boss and talk to them about it. Thank them for the opportunity and explain that this is something you simply can't pass up. Don't go into detail, but let them know that this was an unexpected offer and it's a significant career move for you. They may be disappointed and maybe even a bit angry, but I'm sure they'll understand. Just be prepared to be asked to walk right then and there. How things are handled once you say you're going to leave varies widely from situation to situation.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Eot, that actually happens fairly frequently. Not constantly, but it's not a completely crazy thing to do. Your supervisor will be pissed, mainly because if you had told them you were waiting for another offer, they could have held the place for you, but now they have to start the search all over again. However, I'm sure they'll understand, as I said, it's not like it's never happened before.

 

My only advice in terms of moving institutions is that the reputation of the institution is less important for a PhD than it is for an undergrad, at least within academia. The outputs you generate and the people you work with are much higher up the list. If the lab you would like to move to hasn't got much published work by PhD students, then it may actually be a worse move for your career.

 

If it's in the US, those high ranking institutions are brutal when it comes to authorship. As in, it's based around putting multiple people on a project and letting them compete for first author. Which may be effective for the supervisor, but it's a disgusting work environment. My old supervisors both had brief stints in the US as postdocs, and both of them returned to the UK immediately after citing the horrendous conditions as the reason. 

 

I'm not saying don't go for the one you're most interested in, I'm just saying think about everything before deciding. No one really cares if you get your PhD from Pen State but didn't publish. People will be impressed if you publish more than once in a moderately ranked university. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for your comments. I'm going to mull this over for a while.

@Gridde it's not in the US (it's abroad for me though) and I wasn't thinking so much in terms of prestiege, it's more that there are a lot of very smart, well funded people there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I've just booked flights the last week of June for a conference in Odense, Denmark. It's a great opportunity, I know, but I don't travel well at all. Is there anyone on the forums from Denmark who can give me advice, especially on traveling by train from Copenhagen to Odense and maybe on good accommodations near the University of Southern Denmark? I would be embarrassingly grateful.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Coming home tonight I had my first ever big boy accident! A guy hit the crosswalk button on 8th street, so I stopped for him. The Acura behind me didn't. I'm fine, blew off steam by running 5k when I got home. If I can still do that on a Wednesday night at like 8:30 in March, I must be ok.


 


Car is mostly ok. All the vital car-bits are unscathed and he managed to miss my lights so I'm still legal. Big difference is that my back door is now concave where it was once convex and the hinge to open and close it is all kinds of fucked up. Thank god for a rear-mounted spare tire, as that actually took the brunt of the impact. Tire's now a write-off, but I salute it and it died with valour.


 


Called insurance, gonna get the damage assessed tomorrow after work. First time in my life I've had to make a claim. It's a fun adventure! On the plus side, you can't really get more "not at fault" than stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk with the lights flashing.


Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I'm glad you're okay and that it's ultimately just an inconvenience and nothing serious!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Back in November I applied for a bunch of PhD positions, got offered some and accepted one. I've been there for a few months and it's not the thing I'm most passionate about, but it's not awful either. I did have another outstanding application though that I thought was too much of a long shot to turn down the other offers and gamble on getting (because then I'd just sit around with no job). To my surprise I got flown out for a multi-day interview thing and now I even got offered a position. It's within the field that I'm most interested in and also at fairly high ranking institution. Seems like a no-brainer right?The problem is I feel like shit even at the thought of resigning. Right now I'm being taught stuff from the people who are quitting soon, so if I quit then they have no one to pass on their know how of all the lab equipment etc. to. It feels like such a dick move and I don't know if I have enough anxiety meds to get me through a month of mean stares or whatever, or even to walk into my supervisor's office and say the words to him. On the other hand, I'm not doing anyone a favour by staying there for four years and regretting every day of it. I know this is a great problem to have in a sense but that doesn't make me feel better. I'm sorry if I sound utterly spoiled.

A few months is nothing in academia! Plus, the only real job perk is getting to do something you really want to. Everyone should understand that you should really move on, even if they are disappointed.

Your current department would have to advertise for a new student, but that's nothing like as problematic as filling a postdoc or professorship; these are very niche roles where highly specialised knowledge is a prerequisite. PhD students are generally recruited fresh from undergrad, so basically need to be keen and have good grades.

Maybe you could offer to document everything you know for the next guy.

Oh, and smart, well funded people greatly improve your chances of success, just so you know :P

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Coming home tonight I had my first ever big boy accident! A guy hit the crosswalk button on 8th street, so I stopped for him. The Acura behind me didn't. I'm fine, blew off steam by running 5k when I got home. If I can still do that on a Wednesday night at like 8:30 in March, I must be ok.

 

Car is mostly ok. All the vital car-bits are unscathed and he managed to miss my lights so I'm still legal. Big difference is that my back door is now concave where it was once convex and the hinge to open and close it is all kinds of fucked up. Thank god for a rear-mounted spare tire, as that actually took the brunt of the impact. Tire's now a write-off, but I salute it and it died with valour.

 

Called insurance, gonna get the damage assessed tomorrow after work. First time in my life I've had to make a claim. It's a fun adventure! On the plus side, you can't really get more "not at fault" than stopping for a pedestrian in a crosswalk with the lights flashing.

 

I got rear-ended in a similar experience and everything health/repair/insurance-wise all went OK, so I hope it's the same for you, Miffy!

 

Definitely keep an eye on how you feel in the next few days, but early signs seem good!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

very unfortunate.  i presume you got a police report reporting fault, etc.  Unfortunately the inconvenience of getting hit is incredible - you have to file the claim, you need to get the estimate, not have your vehicle for X days, and all that scheduling involved.  

 

Granted on the other side - the person at fault gets a ticket, potential rate hike or drop of coverage, and all the above BS

 

 

i was rear-ended last fall and only had bumper damage...still a quick 1k fix for the poor gal who i think looked down to light her cigarette.  It was on a known slow & frequent stop on-ramp - so should have probably waited till a complete stop before looking down.

 

I actually had a very good experience working with the other insurance company (state farm) and made my (allstate) feel like a bunch of fools.  I've known my agent for going on 15yrs...so there is that..

 

But the people around her in the giant machine that is a nation wide insurance company seem like fools.  I am sure they have dozens of integrated systems and have people in call centers all over the states...which just creates more havoc and no one seems to have your best interest in mind

 

Whereas the Statefarm claim i made was with a local office; took care of my quote, rental, and pick up.  

 

Grass is always greener i guess?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Spent the last few months trying to job hunt while keeping my anxiety at bay. Eventually found a job through some connections, but it was in a rough part of my city. Like, first day, one of the other cashiers got assaulted by a shoplifter. By the second week, I was spending my entire days off just worrying about what could happen at work and entertaining fantasies of just running away and hiding somewhere. Started with a new supervisor yesterday; maybe the most toxic human I have ever encountered. Went out of her way to embarrass me in front of customers, and just generally made me feel like shit for six hours. At the end of my shift I just went to the manager and quit. Honestly, it makes me feel hyper-aware of my privilege that I can just back out of a toxic situation like that without much repercussion (I live with my parents and am going to college). 

 

So, back on the job hunt...Really gotta learn how to talk to other humans without exploding at some point. 

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just had to send my first ever pair glasses in for the second time in a month. :/ The first pair was straight up chipped and the second pair had a rough edge that while not super noticeable I was worried that it was just going to get worse as it wore in til it was a problem.

 

My vision is okay with out them but it takes five to seven days to get them back in and it's just a pain.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

×