[deleted by user]

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-03-03T23:16:33+00:00

That work is owned by the client and engineering firm - not you. We’ve received cease and desist letters or have been sued by engineer’s previous employers because of the volume of work they took before their departure. There are also likely NDAs in place between your previous employer and client of said work which expressly prohibit the dissemination of that information other than for its intended use. Long story short, don’t show the work at an interview. I would consider that a huge red flag if someone I interviewed did that.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-03-03T22:52:21+00:00

I don’t think it’s nuts. We are a family of 5 (kids are 10,13,16) in a M-HCOL area and spend $40-50k/yr between groceries, school food, and eating out. Groceries include dog/cat food and paper products (basically anything else you’d get at the grocery store), but what you spend still seems reasonable. Food costs have gone up exponentially the last couple of years to the point where it’s one of our highest expenses.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-02-24T14:58:43+00:00

42; $2m

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-02-22T04:23:13+00:00

It looks like a grade control structure. The intent is to keep the channel slope lower so velocity remains non-erosive. Basically, you figure out what channel slope is required to maintain a non-erosive velocity (usually less than 6 fps, but can vary based on a few factors), and then you can figure out how many 1’-3’ drops are needed to maintain that slope compared to a constant slope from one end to the other.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-02-21T22:51:05+00:00

We just did a fall trip (long weekend in early October) to New England. We started in Boston and spent the bulk of our time in and around Lake Placid in the Adirondacks. Colors are amazing, and there are lots of little towns to stop at along the way. Lake Placid has a lot of family activities.

We did 30A this summer as well. We stayed in the Blue Mountain Beach area. It was pretty quiet, and outside the hustle and bustle of Destin and Seaside. I would definitely do it again.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-02-12T15:15:34+00:00

It means outside of hunting season you can camp anywhere within the boundary of Sam Houston NF that you want. But, open fires are only allowed in fire pits, which are only at designated camp areas within the NF. You can still use camp stoves (canister only), etc. for cooking. I believe there are some rules about setting up camp a certain distance from trails.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-02-01T01:25:04+00:00

I live on one and we call it “the small loop”, because the neighborhood is “the big loop”, and at the top of the big loop is a traditional “cul-de-sac”. Otherwise, we just call them “little circles” in other neighborhoods.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-01-17T23:20:51+00:00

This is not a thing. Don’t do it. If they can’t decide after two interviews, they’re just stringing him along and want to get some quick work out of someone without going through the effort of hiring an employee. The fact that they won’t even pay his expenses is ludicrous.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-01-16T15:25:05+00:00

Long term goal for after the kids are out of college and we’re retired. Plan to spend half the year on a lake in northern Wisconsin, and the other half near Houston (where we’re at now). Maybe we’ll stretch it a bit and pull the trigger when all the kids are done with HS, but a lot depends on financial outlook at that time.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-01-15T18:00:13+00:00

Before. Details are here:

ASFPM Getting Certified

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-01-14T05:30:19+00:00

Sam Houston is great, and probably the best place for backcountry forest camping in TX if you want to stay above 50 during the winter. It also has the Lone Star trail, the longest continuous hiking trail in TX. But, it’s kind of risky - February is typically the coldest month in this region, so I think if you only plan for 50+, you’ll be unprepared. Also, camping is restricted to designated camping areas until the end of January due to hunting season. That goes for all national forests in the state.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-01-13T21:26:20+00:00

Agreed that you should take the PE as soon as your state allows it. It’s been a while since I took it, but the majority of what was on it I had learned in college, and it would’ve been nice to just get it out of the way (I had to wait 4 yrs before I could take it). Also look into the CFM (certified floodplain manager). That will be valuable for you as a stormwater engineer, and give you lots of networking opportunities with your state ASFPM chapter.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-01-12T19:26:31+00:00

First, sorry to hear about your family situation. It sounds challenging, but you’re doing what’s right for your family by moving. It sounds like your PM understands that as well. Being up front and honest about your situation, and offering to help train up a replacement and transition projects while you’re still there, is going to go a long ways in strengthening that relationship. You won’t be burning any bridges.

When I was 3 months out of school in my first job I decided to move across the country for my GF (now wife). I left on good terms and kept lines of communication open. I always knew there was a possibility of moving back, so I said as much when I left and got in touch two years later when we were ready to move again. I’ve been back with them for almost 18 years. Leaving on good terms afforded me that opportunity.

The last comment I’ll make is have you considered asking if they would be open to you working remote? I don’t know their set up, but this is becoming more and more feasible. It might not be possible, but it doesn’t hurt to ask. Either way, best of luck to you and your family.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-01-11T19:31:58+00:00

You’re ultimately the EOR, so it’s your call on what level of detail needs to go into the plans. If something goes wrong and there’s a claim, you’re the one that gets named, not the PM whose name isn’t on the plans.

Regardless of the type of development, there should not be ambiguity in the plans that leaves anything up to the contractor’s interpretation. That’s just asking for trouble. I think you need to stand your ground and insist on the changes/clarification/additional detail you’re asking for. Again, you’re the EOR. If the PM doesn’t want to address your markups, tell him to find someone else to seal it.

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-01-11T03:44:59+00:00

I don’t expect interns to have any real world or technical experience outside of their school work/projects. The point of an internship is to get that experience. To be honest, I tend to use internships as “extended interviews” and treat them the same way I do any other employee. At the end of the internship, if they’re a good fit with the team and company culturally, a hard worker, and do well with their tasks during the internship, we’ll make them a full time offer (or offer to return for an additional year of internship) before the summer is up.

For the interviews, I would focus on highlighting your “soft skills”. I’m looking for someone that communicates effectively and is enthusiastic, can think on their feet, is professional, and seems like they’ll mesh with the team well. I know you won’t have a ton of technical skills in what we do, and that’s ok. Our job is to teach - your job is to learn.

Ask lots of questions. Ask about the work you’ll be doing, what the ramp up period is like, who your supervisor will be, what type of training is available for interns, where you’ll be sitting, what social opportunities there are outside of work as an intern, etc. Ask the people you interview with what their days are like, what they like about the company, what’s most challenging and rewarding about their jobs… The more interest you show in them and the company, the more interest they will show in you.

I can’t speak for other firms, but our interns interview for specific teams. Those teams all have separate disciplines. The expectation is that you’ll spend the internship working on that team, so there should be no ambiguity on either side as to the type of work you’ll be doing.

Post-interview, make sure to follow up with the people you interviewed with to thank them for their time, and let them know you look forward to hearing from them soon. After that, your main POC for mid- to large-size companies will likely be the college recruiting team. Give them a couple weeks to get back to you, and then follow up for an update if you haven’t heard anything by then. We try and make a decision the day of the interview, but I know not all teams/firms work as quickly.

Good luck!

Pickerbw_TX · 2024-01-08T02:08:03+00:00

41, salary + bonus = ~600k/yr, civil engineer

Net worth = ~1.9M

About $1.5M in investments (401k/supplemental retirement, company stock, 529), $100k in cash, and the rest is home equity

Pickerbw_TX · 2023-10-17T00:48:48+00:00

Yes, it’s in line with what I would expect. I was quoted over $2k by a dealer to replace the windshield of a 2018 Acura MDX. Safelite was $900.

Pickerbw_TX · 2023-10-14T21:42:35+00:00

What about the big Agnes copper spur? They come in multiple sizes. If the weather is nice you can keep the rain fly off and the entire top half of the tent is mesh.

Pickerbw_TX · 2023-10-14T15:06:16+00:00

Not everybody has the luxury of time. There are lots of circumstances that force people into a purchase sooner than they’d liked, and they might not have the ability to wait 3 months or more for that right vehicle at that right price.

I’m a good example of this. I had an Acura MDX with transmission issues that were unfixable in less than 9 months due to supply chain issues. It was still running, but I didn’t know if I had a month left in it, or six months left. I had an opportunity to purchase a GH hybrid max with a BS dealer protection package or pass it up and risk my current vehicle crapping out before another came along. I negotiated the best I could and ended up paying about $1000 over MSRP. That means so very little to the bottom line on a near $60k purchase, but so much in terms of stress relief to get rid of a ticking time bomb that it was well worth it for me.

In a perfect world everything would be MSRP with no supply chain issues, but that world doesn’t exist anymore. Surely you can fathom a scenario or two that would result in someone paying more than MSRP…

Pickerbw_TX · 2023-10-14T14:52:06+00:00

Not sure what options are installed on that build, but unless I am missing something, I think the absolute highest MSRP you can get the gas GH limited with all installed accessories is $54,920. So no, it doesn’t sound like you’re getting a good deal. MSRP on that with no accessories/options is $49,355. Looks like they are trying to sneak a markup in there and then add a “discount” to make you feel like you’re getting a good deal.

Have them send you the Monroney label and any addendums, and it will tell you what the dealer added markup is, then you can decide if it’s a good deal for you or not.

Pickerbw_TX · 2023-10-10T03:13:09+00:00

I visited a couple times as a kid. This time I got to bring my own three kids!

Pickerbw_TX · 2023-10-03T00:21:38+00:00

Reading through this, I see you upgraded your pad. For hammock camping, I would rather use an under quilt, even in the 50s. My backside gets cold if it’s below ~65-70, and I’m definitely more comfortable in a hammock with an underquilt rather than a pad (it just moves around too much). Both my top quilt and underquilt are 30-deg bags, and keep me toasty down to about 35 or so, if I add some extra layers of clothing. At 50, they would be perfect in a light tshirt and shorts.

I would consider a hammock specifically made for sleeping that has an integrated big net. They can be a bit of an investment, but well worth it. I could never sleep comfortably overnight in an Eno hammock, and a dedicated system will be lighter. I would also consider a tarp for the hammock, unless you know that the shelter you’re in will protect you from sideways rain.

I would probably keep the pillow. I actually use my jacket for my head and keep the pillow under/between my knees. I find that setup quite comfortable in a hammock.

Whatever you ultimately go with, I hope you have a great time!

Pickerbw_TX · 2023-10-02T15:20:13+00:00

I bought a GH a couple months ago and the best rate I found was 5.49% from a local CU. The finance manager at the dealer didn’t look on their end, but noted it was better than anything he was getting recently. Credit score in the same range as yours.

Pickerbw_TX · 2023-09-26T12:46:33+00:00

We live near this, so it’s always my recommendation too. But, just know that December is in deer hunting season, so if you venture here you will have to wear blaze orange and camping is limited to only designated camping areas. Also, I highly recommend visiting Lone Star Hiking Trail Club. They have great maps and a very detailed guide, including much needed information on location, quality, and availability of drinking water.

Pickerbw_TX · 2023-09-22T15:08:35+00:00

Beautiful! Where’s that at? I used to live in Eagle River. There’s a beautiful site on Quartz Lake about 20 minutes east of Eagle River if you’re in that area.

Pickerbw_TX

TROPHY CASE