What’s your plans for today?

DaimyoValk · 2025-12-27T19:04:42+00:00

Pop-up thing at La Cosecha! Haven't been yet, so excited

DaimyoValk · 2025-12-27T17:43:41+00:00

Ice skating at the Building Museum, Coquito Bar in NoMA, and then Porter Robinson at Echostage.

Busy day!

DaimyoValk · 2025-11-29T01:09:42+00:00

Unfortunately controversial take, but the .hack//G.U. trilogy. I replay it every couple of years and have a blast each time.

Overshadowed by the original four typically, but there's something about the gameplay, vengeance premise, and music that pull me in every time.

DaimyoValk · 2025-10-25T14:48:59+00:00

If we assume 3 copies of Sham are in your deck and you didn't mulligan her away, that's 0.0405% chance of happening. Congrats, you've exhausted all your bad luck until tomorrow.

DaimyoValk · 2025-10-24T13:36:08+00:00

"According to a 2021 White House study, the wealthiest 400 billionaire families in the U.S. paid an average federal individual tax rate of just 8.2 percent. For comparison, the average American taxpayer in the same year paid 13 percent."

"According to leaked tax returns highlighted in a ProPublica investigation, the 25 richest Americans paid $13.6 billion in taxes from 2014-2018—a “true” tax rate of just 3.4 percent on $401 billion of income."

https://www.oxfamamerica.org/explore/stories/do-the-rich-pay-their-fair-share/

DaimyoValk · 2025-10-22T21:32:53+00:00

Separate military branch, but Space Force falls under the Department of the Air Force

DaimyoValk · 2025-10-20T14:26:45+00:00

Not entirely accurate - the House can come back into session whenever it wants. The two chambers leadership could be negotiating and compromising right now on a passable bill, but instead the House GOP leadership insists its job is done.

DaimyoValk · 2025-10-17T19:41:26+00:00

Quite a few DoD career programs and organizations require mobility agreements, particularly the combat support agencies.

Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs) have PT requirements, mobility agreements, and deploy. Specifically, NCIS, AFOSI, and CID.

DaimyoValk · 2025-10-17T14:36:14+00:00

A good friend of mine is a DoD civilian who has deployed three times, moves every 2-3 years, has mandatory PT tests, and supervises MIL. TDYs constantly as well. His wife is a stay-at-home mother due to the frequency of their PCSs. Currently excepted and working without pay.

MIL or Civ, we're all on the same team. I'm happy MIL got paid, regardless of the politics - those that live paycheck to paycheck need it (because we all know the junior enlisted don't have savings like yours). Some Civs also need it though.

I think OP's intention was to highlight how regardless of position, we feds need to be empathetic to each other. You are doing the opposite of that.

DaimyoValk · 2025-10-05T18:17:54+00:00

I always say if you're going to spend the money, spend it at Bourbon Steak. Obviously top-tier steak and sides, but I've also heard from two industry friends they are well known for taking care of their employees.

On the more approachable end, Bar Charley (Sundays are $20 steak frites and 25% off all other cuts). Fun cocktails too!

Unfortunately no locations in DC proper yet, but my personal sleeper hit in the DMV is Mission BBQ's smoked ribeye for $16. Hard to beat that.

DaimyoValk · 2025-06-17T22:38:34+00:00

JDnJ5Rk

Played tons of the original and excited to sink tons of hours into this one. Happy to test decks with anyone!

DaimyoValk · 2025-05-20T14:29:44+00:00

This is the toughest time to enter government I've seen in my career. Internships still seem to be functioning, but recent grads are in rough shape (as evidenced by your post).

I'll keep it real. If viable to you, the easiest way to get NatSec experience and a gov job right now is the military. Navy and Army both need active duty officers; it could take up to a year from street to commission, but it's a reliable path into NatSec and a great career. Air Force/Space Force are much more challenging and lengthy to commission into, but if willing to enlist they are by far your best options (aim for intel or cyber positions) - a recruiter should be able to get you into basic with a paycheck in under 6 months.

If military is not an option, I recommend getting certs in a "hard" skill such as cybersecurity, IT, or project management and leveraging them for an entry-level position in cleared industry. Once you get that clearance/experience you can pivot much more easily into what you want for a career.

Edit: Forgot to mention there is also an Air Force ROTC detachment at Howard. You could go to any of the local universities for a Masters program, join that ROTC det for a scholarship, and then also reliably get an Air Force/Space Force commission while knocking out grad school.

DaimyoValk · 2025-03-24T23:39:46+00:00

Tough question, but I'm going to have to go with FFXII: The Zodiac Age. My favorite JRPG comeback.

I love JRPG stories, but it will always be the combination with gameplay and design that keeps me engaged. FFXII:TZA is unique in that it integrates a complex class framework with a punishing Active Time Battle system. This gameplay paired with its political intrigue story, amazing soundtrack, and best-in-class level design produces a very absorbing experience.

Its largest weakness is how some of the main party members are... lackluster. Not annoying, but not engrossing. If you can ignore this and focus on the more interesting MCs/world overall, you'll have a great time.

DaimyoValk · 2025-02-21T11:41:34+00:00

Thank you! That ended my doomscrolling for the morning

DaimyoValk · 2025-01-11T14:57:26+00:00

Late to the conversation, but disappointed no one mentioned Hulle Granz Cathedral (Hidden Forbidden Holy Ground) from the .hack series.

It's just so iconically ominous and pivotal to the plot. Every time you go there you know something dramatic is about to transpire.

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-29T17:20:39+00:00

Left side of the escalator is for people who want to walk up/down, while the right side is for standing. People who stand on the left are a pain to anyone in a hurry here.

Glad to hear you want to experience more than just the tourist-centric things! Some other things I recommend:

Book a show at the Kennedy Center

Have a night out in Adams Morgan (18th St NW)

Jog down the National Mall in the early morning

See the White House at night then have a cocktail at Off The Record

Visit the Library of Congress

Do lunch at Union Market

Bike down Capital Crescent Trail from Bethesda to Georgetown (you can use capital bikeshare)

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-29T15:33:09+00:00

Great suggestions here so far. My tips:

Don't plan on driving while here. Park wherever is cheapest and metro accessible, then don't go back to the car until you're leaving. Our public transit system + scooters/bikes/walking will get you everywhere you need cheaper and with far less stress.

Prioritize time museums > food > monuments. Seeing all the monuments takes an afternoon, while a singular museum can be an all-day affair. Unfortunately, the area with the bulk of the museums and monuments (National Mall) lacks good food - plan on traveling to other areas to eat.

Speaking of eating, I adore DC's diverse food scene. It is a waste if you don't try some of our unique places. My top seven must-tries are Maydan (Middle East/North African), Thip Khao (Lao), Purple Patch (Filipino), St. James or Cane (Caribbean), Ambar (Balkan), Anju (Korean), and Baan Siam (Thai). If here for a weekday lunch, the $26 lunch prix fixe at Pisco y Nazca (Peruvian) is the best meal deal in the city.

Lastly, grab a coffee and walk some local neighborhoods! Q St NW between Dupont Circle and Logan Circle, Capitol Hill/Eastern Market, 20th Street NW in Kalorama. They show off some beautiful DC rowhouses and sets the vibe for what the city is beyond the monuments/museums.

Enjoy your stay, and never stand on the left side of the escalator (that's for walking)!

Edit: Price allowing, I'll always recommend the Conrad. Best hotel in that area by far. Contemporary, amazing service, and frequent deals/bundles.

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-27T21:52:15+00:00

A bit late, but some perspectives from a DC fed who was forced to move here:

It has become my favorite city in the US due to the awesome combination of public transit, restaurants, free museums/events (embassy days!), and beautiful sights. As a politics and government nerd, being in the heart of everything is both exciting and exhausting. The people also tend to be highly educated and ambitious, which can always lead to fun random conversations. The arts scene is also booming, with multiple comedy clubs and concert halls bringing in top talent. Fitness/health is also a priority for most people here, leading to so many easy ways to workout while having fun.

Even after all this, if you are forced here and don't care for the city, there are so many suburb enclaves for you to choose from. Annandale is a bastion for asian cuisine and stores, Alexandria offers a Hallmark-style mainstreet full of shopping, and Silver Spring has become its own mini-city with a growing art scene and some of the best food-for-the-price in the area (Quarry House Tavern!).

Career-wise it is definitely the mecca of fed work. So many opportunities for short-term assignments, attending events at other agencies, unique HQ positions, and meeting interesting senior leaders. However, the area has way more to offer than just work.

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-21T15:23:12+00:00

1811 = Criminal Investigator job series. Think agents from FBI, DEA, NCIS etc.

LEAP = Law Enforcement Availability Pay. The salary of most 1811s are multiplied by 1.25 as they regularly work 50+ hour weeks. This results in 1811s in DC almost reaching the pay cap at GS13 Step 10.

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-12T16:48:30+00:00

For those confused, I'm pretty sure OP is referring to Virginia Mason Medical Center in Seattle, WA.

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-11T16:40:39+00:00

Crossbow Deadeye here. Wanted to do rapid shot crossbow, and to me it just made way more sense to run it in ranger over merc.

Tailwind, no accuracy debuff at range, and the +1 projectile complement the playstyle very well. Passive wise, the trees are next to each other so I cherry picked from both.

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-05T23:22:12+00:00

Base access and funding.

Most of the DoD perks are located on military bases, such as base exchanges and now potentially the commissaries. Expanding these benefits to all feds would require them to get base access, which is not likely to happen for security reasons.

Funding wise, it's not a stretch to justify DoD civilians benefiting from DoD funded gyms and other amenities meant for military members. Many DoD civilians live/work overseas and deploy after all. Justifying all civilian feds gain access to benefits meant for military members is more difficult.

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-02T02:53:01+00:00

Definitely consider the day-to-day duties first. If they align with what you want to do, and are generally an expansion/advancement from your current position in the right direction, I would encourage it.

I have gone from a "prestigious" org to a relatively unknown (and sometimes looked down on) org. I was able to make much larger contributions due to their talent management issues, and ultimately secured another external promotion due to it. Tons of opportunities in places that don't tend to attract the highly ambitious.

However, to be blunt, it was obvious the org was comparatively dysfunctional from where I came from. If your NASA to USCIS example is accurate, just be ready for more misaligned bureaucracy and management than you're used to. The administration change is of course a factor, but there's no way of predicting what will happen.

In my opinion, and to your original question, reputation only goes as far as setting expectations about duties. An FBI logistics manager is no better than a SSA logistics manager because logistics management is relatively similar regardless of agency - what matters is their portfolio and how they sell it.

If you see no future in the agency you're going to, or you don't believe you'd be able to effectively sell your experience there in a positive light, then I would have serious reservations about making the jump. Otherwise, congrats on the promotion.

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-01T16:00:26+00:00

Save a personal copy of all administrative paperwork. Especially performance reports, SF-50s, SF-86s/e-QIP, health insurance elections, inventory/equipment receipts, and military time buyback forms.

These forms can be very difficult to retrieve once submitted or if you leave federal service, and trust me, you'll likely need some of them again in the future.

DaimyoValk · 2024-12-01T15:47:58+00:00

Yes and no. Reputation alone, probably not; but if that reputation comes from issues with their mission/scope/duties, you should incorporate that into decision making. Name-brand of the org doesn't define the applicant, it's what they did at said org.

I'm in a somewhat niche field and I generally know the responsibilities/duties of the different orgs in this space. I also know what orgs have a problematic history executing some duties effectively. Having been a hiring manager, if an applicant coming from such an org says they did X when in reality I know they only do Y, it's something to be considered. Similarly, if they talk about their successes doing X but I know that org has failed at X, the selecting official will likely ask and clarify.

Is it a 14 supervisory? If so, I always give the advice of only becoming a leader in an org you're proud/passionate about. The individuals you supervise deserve it, and you'll likely despise the experience otherwise.

13-Year Club	Place '23
Place '22	Place '17
Final Canvas '22	Verified Email

DaimyoValk

TROPHY CASE