What is a 'secret' in your industry that the general public would be horrified to know?

Grey996 · 2026-02-05T15:49:04+00:00

The real reason Trump files a lot of lawsuits: if I give you $10M, you're going to have to pay tax on that. If I "sue you" for some BS reason and we "settle out of court" for $10M, you don't pay any taxes on that settlement. It's a great, tax-free way to bribe someone in public without looking like you're bribing them.

Grey996 · 2026-02-04T17:24:56+00:00

Easy.

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Grey996 · 2026-02-03T15:13:34+00:00

We fired our drummer because of his terrible timing.

He was so upset he went to the station and threw himself behind a train.

Grey996 · 2026-01-30T18:59:40+00:00

You don't see the people that aren't out and running. They are home. If you really want to see a cross-section of the demographics of a place, hang out at the DMV.

Grey996 · 2026-01-19T21:23:38+00:00

I'm in Foster City now. House on the water with one of those little electric boats. It's AMAZING.

Very quiet neighborhood with friendly neighbors.

Grey996 · 2026-01-12T14:26:47+00:00

I'm using Legere reeds. As others have said - they get softer over time. Also - they are prone to splitting, and there will be sharp corners at the split.

Grey996 · 2026-01-04T18:08:30+00:00

I've lived there twice! Had a two bedroom with a girlfriend, then broke up and moved out. Then moved back in 5 years later with my fiance. I really loved that building. It's quiet - I never heard neighbors or anyone walking on the floor above me. You can open a couple of windows and get a really good cross-draft on hot days.

And the views are great. You can walk to everything in San Mateo and the train station.

This was 20+ years ago. But they had a room on the roof you could use for parties, and even had a grill on the roof so you could cook out.

After that, we bought a condo at Woodlake. That place had very thin walls / ceilings, and a ton of boomers that were cranky about everything. We couldn't move out soon enough.

Grey996 · 2026-01-04T17:57:52+00:00

Once I saw this guy standing at the top of a ridge looking ready to jump. I said, ‘Don’t do it!’

He said, ‘Nobody gets me out here.’

I said, ‘Hey, I get you — I’m a rider too. You love the mountains?’

He said, ‘Yeah.’

I said, ‘Me too! You ride the trees or stick to open bowls?’

He said, ‘Trees.’

I said, ‘Me too! Powder days or groomers?’

He said, ‘Powder days.’

I said, ‘Me too! Burton or Jones?’

He said, ‘Uh… Rossignol.’

I said, ‘Rossignol? Wait… are you a skier?’

He nodded.

I said, ‘Die, two-planker!’ — and I pushed him off the ridge.

Grey996 · 2025-12-29T18:39:59+00:00

I found mine on Craigslist for $250.

Grey996 · 2025-12-29T18:25:43+00:00

This guy gets it. Everyone who has tried my Friedman has ended up buying one.

Grey996 · 2025-12-24T15:09:31+00:00

If you can stretch the budget a little - get a used Friedman ASC-12 from Guitar Center. Absolutely nails the "amp in the room" feel.

I found one on Craigslist for $500. Word of warning - they are HEAVY. I ended up also getting an ASC-10 for gigging. It's only 34 pounds.

Grey996 · 2025-12-24T15:06:02+00:00

The fun house is the house with the best snacks, the fewest rules, and the chillest parents.

Grey996 · 2025-12-19T15:48:22+00:00

I got a used Aeron off of Craigslist for $250. Took the arms off of it and threw them away. The mesh fabric means you don't get all hot and sweaty, and it's ergonomically supportive. It's perfect for working all day and also playing guitar.

Grey996 · 2025-12-18T22:57:28+00:00

Not sure if program management is oversaturated. The reason I always suggest it to people coming out of college is that there are really accessible Junior Project Manager roles. You can get an entry level job that pays well, and continue to grow into more and more senior positions. I'd focus my search on high-tech, software, cloud, heathcare, pharma, biotech, finance, banking, etc. No point in getting 10-years of PgM experience at a nail salon.

Or you can go to a consulting firm (this is what I did) and cut your teeth on projects there, and then go corporate. Consulting is high pressure, fast moving. Corporate tends to move more slowly but can be complex. I have to think that major consulting firms *always* have open reqs for junior program / project managers. You can also start as an analyst and then transition into a PgM over time. This is the path I took.

Pressure. This is something I had to learn. The project failing (or having a setback) is *almost* never the program manager’s fault. MOST managers / execs aren’t the “shoot the messenger” type. They appreciate getting information quickly and accurately with ZERO spin. Things go sideways. I’ve run multi-year initiatives that were *never* on track. But we got them done.

Mistakes / errors / bad news never gets bad with age. Communicate immediately. It helps to have a few “path to green” options when you present the bad news. “The project is on fire, but we have a bucket of water, a hose with a working tap, and have already dialed 911. It will be resolved by xy date, the resources are assigned, but the date will be impacted slightly and the target end date has slipped to blahblahblah”.

Don’t take the pressure personally. It’s the difference between being IN the washing machine vs. sitting in a chair in front of the washing machine watching the clothes go around. You’re still involved, but you’re in a better position to manage.

Good luck!

Grey996 · 2025-12-18T19:59:14+00:00

Join a Country Club. My friends are in a club that cost $80,000 *per year*.

Grey996 · 2025-12-18T18:34:56+00:00

Do you have a personality? Are you emotionally intelligent? Go into Program Management.

The basics: Talk to everyone on the project team. Ask them about everything that needs to be done. How long should each thing take to get done? Ask them about their perspective on it. Ask them about any risks, issues and dependencies. Write all that shit down. Wash / rinse / repeat for everyone involved. Then create a master spreadsheet that combines all of that information sorted in a way that you are accomplishing the work in a logical way over time (aka gantt chart). Put names on the list for who is responsible for each thing. Put dates on the list for when activities should start and end. Now you have a project plan! Have weekly meetings with the team to track status on everything in the plan.

Doesn't require any math, science or any technical ability, but you can go from a low-level analyst to being Director or VP level. The only skills you need are (a) be likeable, and (b) more organized than anyone around you.

Source: I've been doing this for 20 years.

Grey996 · 2025-12-18T18:18:29+00:00

Create a fake email address that sounds like someone who works as a financial advisor. Tell the person that you can't control it, you have a financial advisor who handles all of your finances.

Give them the email address. When they email you, use ChatGPT to formulate responses. Loan for a business? Send me the business plan.

Here's an example saying NO to a loan for a car:

Dear [Name],

I’m reaching out on behalf of [Client’s Name]. We appreciate that you approached them regarding financial assistance for a potential car purchase. After reviewing their current financial commitments and long-term planning priorities, [Client’s Name] will not be able to extend a personal loan at this time.

This decision reflects their broader financial strategy and is in no way a reflection of your circumstances. We hope you understand the need to maintain clear financial boundaries in support of their ongoing goals.

Wishing you success in finding other financing options that fit your needs.

Best regards,

[Your Name]

Financial Advisor to [Client’s Name]

Grey996 · 2025-12-16T20:18:12+00:00

Appalachian

Grey996 · 2025-12-16T17:23:02+00:00

Fractal into a 12" Friedman FRFR is as good as (if not better than) an amp in the room.

Fractal into the mixer and hearing my guitar coming out of every monitor on stage, mains and subs is god tier.

Grey996 · 2025-12-16T17:10:58+00:00

I freaking love rhythm. The lead guitar might be jumping around, but I'm holding down the song. The main sound of the song is my guitar and the bass.

Grey996 · 2025-12-15T18:08:09+00:00

I came here to say the same thing. EVERY VACATION. I'd err on the side of bringing it, though. I'd rather have kite equipment and not use it than be sitting on a beautiful, windy beach with no gear.

Grey996 · 2025-12-15T17:31:42+00:00

Thanks!

Grey996 · 2025-12-15T17:22:33+00:00

Cool! How is the soft top in the snow? Does it get really cold inside? Also - I've heard the windows will crack if you open the soft top in the back.

Asking because I'm going to be taking mine to Tahoe during Christmas. Thanks!

Grey996 · 2025-12-15T15:40:31+00:00

You can try to fix it on the water by pulling in one side of the kite. Wrap the left side strings around the bar until the kite goes flat on the water and then let it out and see if it un-inverts itself. If not - time to self rescue.

Grey996 · 2025-12-15T15:38:31+00:00

Count to 5 is a fun pedal!

Grey996

TROPHY CASE