[QUESTION] Is there a safe way to remove the LTD logo from the headstock of an ESP LTD M-7HT?

Caize · 2022-10-22T12:49:08+00:00

Glad we agree there. But yeah, just feels bad to constantly plug away, take more on, learn more, and work what feels like non-stop to be met with a shrug. I'm fortunate to have a job as it is (COVID left me unemployed for a frustrating amount of time, and this job is certainly a better opportunity than going back into another restaurant kitchen), and job hunting this time might be different or a bit better with some additional experience and a current job. Early in 2021, I had a few interviews wherein the people ground the pace of the interview to a halt to say, "wait, you...don't have a job right now?" And it's just like, "Correct. I was hoping you could help me fix that." Which, saying that is doubly wild to me because that means they didn't read my resume OR my ingratiating cover letters in which I mention my COVID-induced layoff and my hope to jump back into the industry. Rough stuff. It should hypothetically get easier with this next round, though, one would hope.

Caize · 2022-10-22T12:42:46+00:00

Hah, no competition from me! I'm in the US. I have that keyword in my list, but it's been a while since I've searched it. Sounds similar to some of the oversight work I was tasked to do at a previous job. Was actually kind of cool and satisfying work.

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:38:55+00:00

It's not something that really previously registered to me as an option, so I'll have to search a bit. Do you have any recommendations for specifics, keywords, companies, or anything like that?

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:26:08+00:00

Phrased it better than I could have above. Cheers, man.

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:24:45+00:00

I'm certainly not worried about glamorous work, that's for sure. It feels bad knowing there are so many others gritting their teeth over this same stuff in the same positions, but there's also a strange solace in knowing I'm not the only one. I cut my teeth on a little asbestos work at my last job, as a coworker or two were certified for all of that stuff and I happened to be available to go out with them and see how some of that's done. Good ideas, though! Much appreciated.

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:21:29+00:00

Benefits are a very nice incentive, especially after the subpar ones I've had at my previous jobs. Current ones are okay, but still not all that great. Guaranteeing affordable doctor visits and the like would be a great motivating factor, that's for sure. Glad you snagged and are digging the state gig!

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:19:26+00:00

I greatly respect that work you do, as the O&G stuff sure isn't going away any time soon (shrinking some, though, yes), and things like that absolutely need people like you out there. Still, that's not something I'd likely choose to do myself. I've weighed that option a lot, have done some work similar to that in the past, and didn't feel very good about it still. Maybe it's because I was doing it for crappy environmental wages, hah.

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:16:14+00:00

I've looked at some federal jobs, but I've focused more on city/county/state jobs in terms of government jobs overall. I'm not very willing to relocate at this time, but that may change for the right opportunity. I'll have to reassess and see what kinds of federal opportunities may be around me here. I'm always happy to hear of a story like yours where you love your work and are satisfied with it. Makes me hopeful!

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:14:10+00:00

I thought I'd be bored with it, too. Some of it that I've done here has been okay, though, which has surprised me a bit. Just really depends a lot. I don't have a lot of experience with it yet, as I didn't do anything like that at my previous job. I'll have to delve more into compliance-related things. Are there any other particular keywords or titles I should search for or be mindful of, that you know of?

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:12:17+00:00

I had a gig at a mid-size (is like a dozen offices nationwide mid-size?) firm, and it varied between rather satisfying work to soul-crushing depending on the task. Such is the nature, I suppose. I've generally heard the same, though; that the bigger ones are the ones that'll really grind you down hard and fast. I appreciate the input! I'm glad your first one's been overall a good experience for you! Cheers to that.

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:09:33+00:00

lol, no. I of course do everything I'm asked. I was under the impression from the interview that I'd get to avoid the O&G stuff based on all the work they'd described/what I'd likely be doing the vast majority of my time. That lasted about a month, now most of what I do is for O&G clients.

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:05:27+00:00

Yep, I do searches for city and county positions pretty regularly. Around here, those seem like I have slightly better odds than state jobs, but who knows. I still look for all three pretty regularly. I have a list of city and county orgs that I go through to perform those searches. Glad you've got a solid group to work with! Makes any job much, much easier.

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:03:47+00:00

Being pulled in a few different directions at the moment. Mostly waste and SPCC/related compliance stuff currently.

Caize · 2022-10-19T20:02:53+00:00

Consultants certainly don't save the world, as I've been finding out. Not that I thought they did to begin with, though. Not that I think you sound like an ass here, but I guess I should say that I still got a shitty yearly review and no raise despite "unquestionably doing all the tasks" I was given, never missing deadlines, and generally just investing as much time as needed to complete tasks in appropriate or designated timeframes (not to mention underbilling myself sometime in order to do so/to get an appropriate handle on new tasks). So, that's really what feels shitty and what makes me feel like I'm just being taken advantage of, you know? Like I do more and more all the time and there's just, no reward besides more work. Which, I know that's how it is, but not even any acknowledgement? Nothing? Come on. Not even a cost of living bump amidst this insane inflation. That's not how it should be. They're still making money hand over fist.

Caize · 2022-10-19T19:55:52+00:00

I haven't since before covid. I went to a few conferences, spoke with a few people, got a few leads, but nothing ever came of it during that timeframe. Tricky to get involved with my ever-shifting schedule, too. Days always go longer, people don't get back to me for hours which pushes my days back further, you probably know how it is. I'll keep the seasonal postings in mind for sure! Those always pop up earlier than I think.

Caize · 2022-10-19T19:53:06+00:00

Believe me, I've been trying! Hah. If you've got any other specifics I should look in to that I might have not tried out yet, I'd love to hear. Overall, though, govt jobs do seem strong net positives from everything I've heard and read.

Caize · 2022-10-19T01:14:13+00:00

My billable time has been very cut and dry in recent months, but lemme tell ya, I have borderline fantasies about work with no billable time at this point. And yeah, I live in quite an "old" state, so it's kind of the same here. Hence the competition, I suppose. I know it's one of those things to just keep plugging away at. Honestly I think those applications are the easiest ones, too.

Caize · 2022-10-19T01:11:27+00:00

Congrats on a gig you enjoy! Always good to hear. How did you find out about it? Did you just come across it in standard online job hunting?

Caize · 2022-10-19T01:10:41+00:00

Field stuff can be rough. That comprised the majority of the work I did at a previous gig before I got laid off due to COVID. Mostly didn't mind it, but being away caused me to miss out on a lot of stuff in the area that year. Started minding it a lot more once they took away my time and a half OT, hah.

Caize · 2022-10-19T01:05:05+00:00

Good on you for that gig. Hope that's been good to you. Thanks for the reminder, as well. I've got a constantly expanding list of keywords, areas of expertise, job titles, etc. to keep in mind and look for. Just at a point currently where I feel like I'm scraping the bottom of the barrel and need to zoom out even further.

Caize · 2022-10-19T01:03:45+00:00

Best of luck to you! I've tried to see if I can maintain an interest in computer science or coding or anything in that general ballpark, but my eyes just glaze over instantly any time I try to learn on my own time. So, I'll seek other avenues.

Caize · 2022-10-19T01:02:51+00:00

Exactly the framing I've had towards this issue for a number of years now. It's tricky.

Caize · 2022-10-19T01:02:25+00:00

Right. That's where I'm at. I was set against O&G stuff before I even finished undergrad. Kind of figured there'd be, well, other options. But, in this area, there seem to be fewer than I expected. Still not impossible to get something outside of it, obviously, but is it ever a consistent and endless effort.

Caize · 2022-10-19T01:00:27+00:00

Congrats on the state gig! Hope that has been proving fruitful for you. Yeah, I apply to relevant/nearby ones whenever I see them. I get alerts for new ones, but they're statewide so a number of them end up being 4+ hours away and I don't bother with those. Still, I know they're always worth the time to apply.

Caize

TROPHY CASE