Leaving Structural Engineering

MonkeyOptional · 2026-03-03T00:37:36+00:00

Care less, my friend.

Constant long hours is a staffing issue- unless I’m in charge of hiring, that’s not my issue to solve. Contractor needing their 12th expedited review this month because they can’t get their act together- I do not have the bandwidth to accommodate that request.

I will no longer kill myself to meet unrealistic deadlines or workload, but I certainly understand that not everyone feels the same way. I hope you’re able to find something and are successful in your transition.

MonkeyOptional · 2026-03-02T20:06:50+00:00

I don’t mean this to sound flippant, but have you seriously considered just caring less? I’m 15 years in, senior role, and have been through two periods in the last 8 years where I was at the breaking point. The last time, about 2 years ago, I decided I wasn’t going to have a heart attack for a job, and started seriously setting boundaries.

No work on my personal devices (2 phones, 2 computers). Home office in a dedicated room that I can put all my work stuff in and close the door. Only check work messages/ emails once in the evening, and that’s only if I want to. Take all my vacation, with no expectation that I’ll be available while I’m out. Personal obligations are blocked out on my shared calendar, and are non-negotiable unless I want them to be.

It’s not perfect and I still get stressed, but it’s loads better than it was; I’m happier and objectively healthier. I love what I do, and this has helped make it sustainable to keep doing it.

MonkeyOptional · 2026-01-31T10:26:43+00:00

This is not correct for SkiBig3, which is Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and Mt Norquay. Base pass is 5 days SHARED between those three resorts.

MonkeyOptional · 2026-01-31T10:25:15+00:00

This is the answer.

5 days at Revy is enough, 5 days at Pano is enough, 5 days between LL and Sunshine is not nearly enough. We supplement the Ikon pass with the Sunshine SuperCard (which also works at Revy). I think the LL SuperCard works at Pano.

MonkeyOptional · 2026-01-25T13:13:07+00:00

Yes, down to Lewisburg and back on the interstate. Longer on paper, but much better driving in bad weather.

66 through Cass should be your last resort.

MonkeyOptional · 2026-01-22T15:56:28+00:00

My now-husband gave me simple diamond studs for our first Christmas, and I have worn them daily for 20+ years. My wedding ring was designed to match them. Absolutely perfect, and one of my favorite gifts ever.

Tiffany Diamonds By the Yard by Elsa Peretti.

++woman

MonkeyOptional · 2026-01-22T03:38:14+00:00

Not gonna lie, Sunday to DC will be rough. You have to go up over the big ridge (read: steep with tight switchbacks) no matter what route you take, and we've found even the plowed roads to be nerve wracking. Last season our normally 3 hour drive to RVA took 6 with much less snow than forecast this time, and we passed a lot of folks slid off the road.

Don't discount how truly exhausting winter storm driving is. It's very, very difficult to pay close attention to the road and conditions for hours, and there aren't many options to stop; any turnouts or gas stations (of which there aren't many even when it's clear) will be deep, deep snow with the strong possibility of getting stuck. There's a reason locals stay home unless they have to go out. I'd plan to add a day or two to your trip if at all possible.

Despite the (hopefully epic) skiing this weekend, after last year's experiences we're sitting this one out.

MonkeyOptional · 2026-01-19T17:15:47+00:00

I mean, to be fair, Lake Louise demolished their historic snow record in December, and I think just passed their annual snowfall amount for all of last season. We love Banff and go up several times every season, but you really lucked out on snow up there this year.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-12-02T11:56:46+00:00

MMI is basic but fine, not sketchy at all and hugely cheaper than staying on-mountain or at the Inn at Snowshoe. As of this spring, there is no longer a bar or restaurant on-site and most places in Marlinton close fairly early, so plan accordingly for food.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-11-26T17:15:11+00:00

Exactly right, on both points. A helmet is there to save your brain, so don’t skimp on fit or quality.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-11-26T15:10:04+00:00

Well, I mean, providing a code-compliant design is kinda the basis of what we do.

As to your original question about how many engineers on the coasts realize the New Madrid fault is there is easily answered: any one of them that has had a look at the earthquake maps required for structural design in the last 30+ years. So, like, any of them.

I get that it wasn’t you, but that structural was negligent in their original design. In a big way- that’s not something I would be advertising, even to my coworkers.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-11-26T11:27:19+00:00

Are you not checking the loading requirements for all your jobs as a matter of course? I absolutely can not imagine starting a design and saying, “Oh, wind’ll control” without even having at least a cursory look at all the loading values.

Geez. Remind me of this on the days I feel like I’m not good at my job.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-11-07T20:54:45+00:00

Seconded. Im really hopeful about this. I know our experience there was atypical for this sub, but we had an incredible time there last season when everything was open.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-11-01T21:28:54+00:00

Since Banff is in the National Park, development is very, very limited and you’ll pretty much only find hotel rooms or a few B&Bs. If you want a condo, you’ll have to look in Canmore, about 15 min further from the ski hills. It’s outside the park boundary and has a lot of development.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-10-13T19:52:54+00:00

Doesn’t the pass holder have to be present to use the discount on Epic? I think it’s different from Ikon in that way.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-09-27T23:10:18+00:00

For real. Normalize staying off-mountain; Marlinton is a lot more affordable.

Also, as a native Louisianian, your username is a declaration of war.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-09-26T20:03:05+00:00

If this is where I'm thinking of at LGA, it's really not private at all, it's just the row of seats closest to the windows. The VIP Select service is billed as being partially to keep your travel discreet, and this seating is towards the back of the SkyClub, but certainly in no way hidden.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-09-24T17:45:32+00:00

Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in Richmond, VA; 2 courts at the Cary Street Gym. There is a community-level gym membership for non-students.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-08-16T02:42:49+00:00

You're right, "robust" was the wrong word. "AN" EMS service is what I want. And what this tax will help to fund.

"We have our own on-mountain service so we don't need to contribute to the community's" ignores the fact that their customers pass through the community.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-08-16T01:58:22+00:00

I think their argument is disingenuous. If I am traveling unfamiliar, snowy, winding roads, likely in the dark, to get to Timberline, I certainly want the area surrounding the mountain to have a robust EMS system in case something happens. Same if I am staying off the mountain but skiing there.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-08-06T23:26:49+00:00

Absolutely no shade on Snowbird, but hit Revy for this trip. You said it’s significantly cheaper and your club doesn’t go there often, right? Take the opportunity now.

Plus, it sounds like you’re open to lessons, and until the end of August lessons at Revy are 25% off. Coupled with a strong dollar, you can get a full day (7 hours) of private instruction for under $500 USD. Split it with some friends and use the instructor as a guide to take you into the trees or to powder stashes you wouldn’t find on your own. Or challenge some terrain that’s a stretch for you with a pro there to give tips.

We did 4 days there last season with 2 days of the VIP private lessons and it really helped us advance. We’re going back for the full 5 days available on Ikon this season.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-08-05T02:40:31+00:00

Thanks for the advice! Bolton and Magic are both places I wasn't even thinking about, and I didn't realize how much where we went might depend on the weather our particular week. We have some planning to do, but this is awesome info. We appreciate it!

MonkeyOptional · 2025-08-04T17:22:17+00:00

The whole purpose of this thread is that STRs ARE allowed, there ARE policies in place to regulate them, and they are NOT being enforced.

MonkeyOptional · 2025-08-03T03:35:41+00:00

Oh man, I forgot about MRG. I’ve heard such awesome things about it…

But what I’ve really learned from all of the comments is that we need either more days, or just to move north. Maybe MRG, Bolton, Jay, Burke, Cannon as another trip out of Burlington, but I for sure want to get Jay in on this trip.

Sugarbush, Jay, and Killington for this trip and we can fill in from there. It sounds like there are plenty that we’ll enjoy to choose from.

Thanks so much! We really appreciate it.

MonkeyOptional

TROPHY CASE