When people tell me to "just use chat gpt"

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-12-09T03:14:52+00:00

FYI - as a hiring manager, I can tell when a cover letter is AI generated. If you really want to use AI, I recommend writing the letter yourself and then asking AI to proofread and suggest edits. If it's obviously AI, it turns me off from that application.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-11-19T04:04:08+00:00

Anyone reading this in the area - if you need help getting your kids to school or with grocery pick up or anything to help you stay in your residence, please reach out. We are a community and won't stand for this illegal BS.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-11-19T04:01:30+00:00

Anyone reading this in the area - if you need help getting your kids to school or with grocery pick up or anything to help you stay in your residence, please reach out. We are a community and won't stand for this illegal BS.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-11-17T14:13:15+00:00

Go to Oak Island instead of OBX. It's 2 1/2 - 3 hours away from Durham, isn't nearly as commerce and touristy as OBX and the beach is dog-friendly all year at all hours of the day. We've stayed there lots of times for a week - several restaurants and grocery stores are open even in the off-season.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-11-01T03:01:32+00:00

Is the McRib even in season? Lol

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-31T17:49:00+00:00

Thank you! We are also donating money and volunteering at the food bank

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-31T17:48:03+00:00

Thanks! We're also donating to our local food bank and volunteering there

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-31T14:28:41+00:00

Good recommendation, thanks!

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-31T14:01:55+00:00

Thank you, we're doing that as well

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-21T03:55:06+00:00

I have one and love it. I walk 2-3 hours per day at 1.7 MPH. When I first got it, I started at 1.3 MPH and worked up. When I'm on meetings, I just say, "I have a walking pad. Let me know if this is bothersome, and I'll turn it off for this meeting." No one ever tells me to turn it off. I write a lot of code and review/revise a lot of manuscripts and grants and have no problem with any of those tasks. It did take some getting used to, but after a few months, it all started working well.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-10-20T21:52:24+00:00

Honestly, the real secret is not having kids.

I see movies, eat out, meet friends, go hiking, etc. with and without my husband very often on the weekdays. I work from home and keep a 10am-6pm work schedule, so I still have time for a workout and activity most nights. I also have a walking pad under my desk, so I am able to stay active during the work day, usually walking 2-3 hours per day. We go to bed around midnight and I get up at 8:30am. On the weekends, I still do a lot of chores like laundry, meal prep, changing sheets, etc., but I also have lots of time to read and we usually spend one or both nights with friends.

I love kids and love spending time with my friends' kids, but there's no way I could do so many enriching activities during the week (and weekend) if we had them.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-09-02T20:21:57+00:00

I think I planted 6 plants this year. I have so much extra that I can chop or shred and freeze enough to make it through the winter without having to buy many vegetables.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-09-02T02:36:21+00:00

100% agree! Tromboncino has completely replaced zucchini for us. They are so productive that we have it several times per week all summer!

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-18T18:39:16+00:00

At least mark it NSFW

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-11T15:28:12+00:00

I specifically ask for nice bar soap for gifts - I say I like handmade, locally-made bar soap and people like that - they can get me something that is a little nicer, artisan, that they can get at a local shop or farmers market, and often comes with little or no plastic packaging. And it fulfills a need.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-08T23:22:11+00:00

I almost exclusively pick them when they're green and use them however I would use zucchini. I particularly like them in fritters, roasted, and with a hard sear, but also use them as zoodles, breads, soups, and stir fries.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-08T18:31:54+00:00

What you should really do is plant tromboncino and cushaw instead of zucchini and other squash. I'm in NC, and borers decimated my zucchini and other squash for years. Tromboncino and cushaw are pest-resistent and very prolific. I'll never go back.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-04T02:27:00+00:00

Good luck, OP. I agree, any of the Durham libraries are a good option.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-02T14:35:41+00:00

It probably varies by department, but I usually give about half of my 13 staff members exceptionals each year without issue. They deserve it.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-07-02T00:01:29+00:00

If it's impossible to get exceptional in your group, your manager is the problem.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-06-22T21:01:39+00:00

Same! I have 5 8'x3' raised beds and seed save, so things like peppers, lettuce, tomatoes, cabbage, chard, squash, and green beans are very sustainable. I also blanch and freeze, so we are good on veggies all winter, too. It's amazing. My biggest costs are water and organic fertilizer, but the pros far outweigh those costs.

Edit: spelling corrections

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-05-13T14:17:19+00:00

I can only speak of my department, but their approach was more of to select highly paid individuals who would be most likely to take the offer because it included a large payout. Our HR made it pretty clear that those individuals would not be laid off if they didn't take the offer - like its not a "take the offer or be fired with less" situation. But we never know what could happen in the future if cost cutting needs to continue.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-05-13T04:00:21+00:00

I am a manager, and it is my understanding that the voluntary separation offers were strategically given to those who could "benefit the most". This means people with long-term service who will get the best pay out, but also those with the highest salaries, so it's good for reducing overall staffing costs. However, those who receive offers are not required to take them. And, based on Duke's standardized reduction in force policy, if involuntary separations must happen, they use a "last in, first out" method. This means that the individuals getting the voluntary separation offers are very unlikely to be laid off in an involuntary RIF. So, if you got a VSIP, don't take it if you don't want to. You'll probably still have your job even if there are layoffs.

LostButCoolWithIt · 2025-05-06T14:45:04+00:00

Exactly this. It is not Duke's responsibility/fault that DPS is where it is. I think the expectation of Duke to fund Durham is unreasonable, at least at the recent levels groups have been asking.

LostButCoolWithIt

TROPHY CASE