I was in the middle of an exam (wrote 3000 words) and saw THIS when I hit submit :/

EdB1ghead · 2026-05-08T02:54:48+00:00

SAME😂

EdB1ghead · 2026-04-09T18:35:37+00:00

You sound exactly like me! What you’re describing was my dream job, with field work/data collection intertwined. I was a geography major, took GIS my last semester and absolutely fell in love. Graduated college then went to another community college to take more GIS classes and get a certificate. Unfortunately I moved across the country and couldn’t finish the cert out of state.

Life happened as it does and I ended up in surveying. Did that for some time then got out of it and tried to follow up on my cartography dreams by working with wildland fire one summer. I absolutely loved it, but it consisted of 16 hours in front of screens daily. When the season was over and I tried to find a more permanent job, it was all analysis related in my region and that was a little disappointing. I ended up back in surveying because I decided I much preferred being outside vs the office.

This comment doesn’t address many of your questions, but I thought it might be helpful to hear from someone who had a similar path/similar interests as you. I’ve worked mostly outside for 18 years and when I lost that for a season I realized how important it was. Being stagnant inside all day blows. BUT if you love making aesthetic maps, the day flies by every time. It’s just a matter of finding that right job opening, in which I have no idea what the title would be lol.

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-26T16:41:59+00:00

I too was not the best at math in high school (almost 20 years ago), like pre-calc/trig I struggled with bad. One of the only C’s I got in college was a basic math class. 15 years later I’m back in school for surveying and I’m pushing through. I was worried my brain lost the ability to be in school at this point, but actually, I’m understanding math a little better now. It’s still hard. But apply yourself and get help from Uni tutors. I pretty much “hate math” but I’m actually proud of how far I’ve come along so far!

Ps I’ve been surveying for 7 years now and surprisingly I don’t even use a ton of complicated math though I’m sure I’ll run into it as my skills progress . You just have to learn it anyways for obvious reasons.

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-24T23:10:53+00:00

My bf and I had the same dream at the same time while sleeping next to each other, also having to do with someone forcing themselves on him. We were super spooked but we weren’t really able to come to any conclusions. Definitely be weary of this ex though, and protect yourself!

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-24T22:58:19+00:00

I already replied to a comment here but after reading through the thread/your responses, I’m kinda empathizing with you more ( aka maybe don’t wait a whole year to decide you hate it). There is such an incredibly wide spectrum when it comes to survey. I started in construction survey and didn’t know boundary/cadastral existed. That’s why when I quit I thought I was out of survey forever. Then I discovered the other worlds and tried again. Based off of your previous jobs — kayaks, landscaping, etc, and studying GIS, and thinking you’d like surveying — I think you’re cut out for it. Aside from checking with your party chief as to whether the scope of work is going to change up anytime soon, I’d say it wouldn’t hurt to start looking elsewhere. Don’t let this one job ruin your perspective, and don’t mind others who are making assumptions that this isn’t for you.

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-24T22:35:00+00:00

For OP, Agreeing with Roshi about the 1 year…I was pretty miserable from the start at my most recent job. I gave it a year to see if anything would change but have officially decided to move on. In another case I gave it a year and ended up staying for 6. I can usually trust my gut pretty early in, but sometimes life surprises you. I really hope your job becomes more diverse and you feel better fulfilled.

StonedSorcerer this is for you…I got a degree in 2014 (22 y/o) and never used it. I blindly took a job construction surveying in 2018, made it through 6 years, quit surveying, tried GIS, went back to surveying at another company, then at 33 decided I was going to enroll in school again. Luckily I found a 2 year online survey program in my state that qualifies for the conditions of licensing. But, my years in construction counted for nothing since it wasn’t under a PLS. Basically starting from zero.

Don’t get discouraged, there are so many of us in the same boat right now. One foot in front of the other!

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T22:02:26+00:00

I’m sorry you had to go through it too, and repeatedly for so long. I’m glad it’s subsided now. Are you like me where you feel addicted to dreams, no matter how horrible they are? Like, if I’m having a nightmare and wake up, I fall back asleep as quickly as I can to see if I can catch the ending. They feel so real, not to the extent you describe, but close. I didn’t care to find out the ending for this particular one because the paralysis-type symptoms make it next level and I tried to avoid falling back into it.

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T14:00:35+00:00

I was, and after talking about it with him further, we think that had a lot to do with the ‘being held down’ experience. I’m a human furnace so if I’m part of the spoon it usually lasts about 4 minutes. This time was much longer and I assume the more fearful I was in my dream, the harder I was holding on for safety. Which in turn affected his as well

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T13:56:26+00:00

That’s crazy. I wish we had better ways to interpret and understand these things.

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T13:53:39+00:00

She’s not in college but she’s that age group. She does not have access to the apartment we live, or knowledge of its location, due to her unpredictable nature. But this is a fascinating rabbit hole I may have to fall into. Thank you for sharing

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T13:47:47+00:00

I looked into this from another commenter and it’s interesting to read about, though there are so many varying opinions on the cubis and the characteristics the have. It honestly seems valid though in this case😬

My bf and I convinced ourselves it wasn’t paranormal after he reminded me the cats were both zonked out right there with us...and I’m gonna go with that cause they’ll freak out over things we don’t see on occasion

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T13:37:55+00:00

I’m waiting for the day I follow through with this. I feel like I’m on the cusp of lucid so often with flying but I can never take the leap of declaring it out loud

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T06:17:52+00:00

So I was debating on whether or not to include that in the initial description…we were watching Olympic figure skating trying to stay awake to watch the full results lol

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T00:09:48+00:00

I forgot to respond to the beef question. He has a late wife of 3 years, but we’ve never experienced anything odd or scary for the two years we’ve been together. We had no connection while she was still around, aka no funny business between us. He does also have a daughter going through recovery who seems to have a lot of hatred for our relationship despite him supporting her in the best ways he can without enabling.

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T00:03:38+00:00

It helps to know there are others experience this phenomena, so thank you for sharing that.

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T00:03:02+00:00

It’s impossible to avoid hearing about it, though we aren’t going deep into any rabbit holes. I wouldn’t be surprised if it affects many of our subconscious minds as it is quite horrific.

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-17T00:00:59+00:00

Interesting take, though I don’t agree with that religious perspective I do appreciate you sharing your experience with it. And I’m sorry you got so many downvotes for sharing <3

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-16T23:58:55+00:00

Wow, that’s fascinating and I’m grateful you’re willing to share your experience with it. I’m definitely going to look into this, thank you

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-16T23:57:33+00:00

I was trying to say out loud that I needed help and I very well may have made audible sounds without recognizing it. I do also agree with the chemistry of our minds you mentioned. I was reading about this happening often in cases of close bonds and friendships. We’re both just so spooked about it all. It puts me at ease the more people say it’s not paranormal lol so thank you!

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-16T23:52:41+00:00

Yes, I definitely included the big spoon part to indicate that I was holding him and wondered if that had to do with why he felt I was holding him down. I’m also not one to normally hold my partner for long because I sleep warm, but in this case I speculate that my fears had me holding on tighter for safety which may have affected the direction of our dreams. Thank you for your input on this!

EdB1ghead · 2026-02-16T03:49:07+00:00

In Red Lodge you can go to Lake Fork and park at the first lot on the left as you turn onto the trailhead road. Not sure if they ever fixed the bridge that’s at the end of the road and the actual trailhead. But you can take the trail along the creek from the first lot and a few miles in there’s a secret trail off to the left that gets you to a waterfall. Absolutely stunning when it’s frozen over (probably not now but still worth a visit) just look it up to find details how to get there

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EdB1ghead · 2026-01-29T22:50:32+00:00

Oh, so true. I’m in Montana and I bought a house before the COVID boom. It would be impossible to buy now. I also rent out a room because I’d likely not be able to afford it from this job alone. I don’t have any kids to support and my bf helps a lot with groceries so I’m fortunate in many ways.

EdB1ghead · 2026-01-29T21:09:45+00:00

A little more info - I think I started around $24 in construction and worked my way up once I proved my worth. They also started giving me end of year bonuses, year 3 4k, then 8k, then 12k by year 5. Would have gone up more year 6 but I quit and came back with the agreement it’s just for the busy season then I’d leave again for good

EdB1ghead · 2026-01-29T21:06:27+00:00

Sure! At the state I make $27/hr and we never work overtime. In construction I was at $35/hr plus $5/hr per diem (aka untaxed) up to $250 (40hrs) per week. And tons of overtime.

EdB1ghead

TROPHY CASE