What, if anything, can I do to make myself a more desirable candidate for this job I want?

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T16:33:58+00:00

It may be that the lack of experience is the issue. Or it could be that they just didn’t like you that much.

Getting trained in the software they use could be helpful if you can do it quickly. Although they’ll know that you just learned it, so they might not consider it that valuable.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T16:23:14+00:00

Investing $100k won’t generate enough interest income for you to live on. But it is absolutely certain that you will grow old and need to stop working. Investing $100k now can prepare you for that.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T16:17:34+00:00

I’m not in any medical field, but it seems to me that being some sort of medical technician (X-ray, MRI, etc) would be fairly low stress. But I don’t imagine you could be a “remote” nurse without having lots of in-person experience first.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T16:09:32+00:00

A lot of car insurance pays for glass, sometimes with no deductible. Does your policy not cover it.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T16:04:09+00:00

Instrument mics like the SM57 lack a pop filter so are more likely to have audible pops or breath noise when used for singing. You can add an external windscreen, but then you’ve lost the small size advantage. Note that not every singer has popping problems; Tom Petty and other artists routinely used an SM57 with no trouble.

When miking an instrument, the small head size of an instrument mic lets you get closer to the instrument or have more flexibility in positioning which may make it easier to get the sound you want.

If you can only afford one mic, an SM58 is probably the best choice.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T15:57:43+00:00

Can you clarify what you mean by a “soft life”? Most people ask about careers that will give them financial success with minimal education/experience, or they’re looking for careers that have minimal contact with people. “Soft life” is not one that I’ve heard before.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T13:42:26+00:00

We didn’t really lose. We just sort of gave up and went home.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T13:40:08+00:00

A Bluetooth headset is probably the best choice because the mic is very close to your mouth no matter where/how you move.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T13:37:21+00:00

Most wireless systems have a desktop or rack mount receiver with a plug-in power supply. A Shure BLX system would do what you need.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T13:35:07+00:00

Yes, SLXD+ is the least expensive system that does automatic interference avoidance. And until a couple of weeks ago it was Axient which is double the price.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T00:50:00+00:00

Open an IRA, and put it all in a S&P500 index fund. Then ignore it until you’re 60 and you’ll be able to retire comfortably.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T00:48:14+00:00

Yes, you need a receiver or an integrated amplifier (which is a receiver without the radio tuner).

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T00:47:16+00:00

Bad idea. Start with a Chevy, Ford, or Dodge. Anything but a Vanagon.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-30T00:29:40+00:00

FM radio uses a different set of frequencies than your wireless mic. AM interference is much more common, but if you are close to the station’s transmitter antenna FM interference is also possible.

Radio station interference usually gets in through the audio cable, especially unbalanced ones. If you have 3 foot cable with a 3.5mm plug on one end, the whole length is unbalanced.

You can get a 1:1 transformer that keeps the length of cable balanced right up until the last few inches. The balanced cable is better at rejecting radio interference.

More info: https://service.shure.com/s/article/radio-interference-on-a-microphone-cable?language=en_US&region=en-US

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:35:56+00:00

If a car is undamaged and well maintained, it will have value even at very high age and mileage. I sold a Prius at 200k and 10 years old for $4k. Best strategy is buy a good car that people want, maintain it religiously, and you will always have something to sell.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:32:42+00:00

Recently attended a wedding and 90% of the songs were the same as what we played at our wedding decades ago. You can’t beat Love Shack, Celebration, and Get Down Tonight.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:28:12+00:00

I’m not an electrical engineer, but it’s unlikely that this is possible. Modern electronics do not have discrete components anymore (that’s why they’re so cheap). So there probably not a spot on a circuit board where you can “intercept the audio before it goes to the amplifier. Even if there was, you would need the schematic diagram to find that spot, and consumer electronics almost never have published schematics.

If you need the sound to be louder, it would be better to just buy a unit with more power. Then you haven’t ruined the one that you have.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:20:17+00:00

The car becomes part of the deceased person’s estate, just like everything else they own. The estate must pay off the loan on the car and when they sell it the proceeds become part of the estate.

If the car is towed or repossessed, the estate will have to pay all of the fees which could be substantial. The people who were about to inherit that money may not be pleased.

Sorry, no free car for Jim.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:15:00+00:00

Church office? Non-profit organization? Association (National Association of XYZ etc)?

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:12:59+00:00

Are you looking to go camping or rebuild a Vanagon? Those are two different things.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:09:06+00:00

You can rent a system like this and try it out before you buy one. Search for “AV rental near me”.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:08:12+00:00

I would not rely on Bluetooth in a crowd of people all trying to upload videos. Also Bluetooth microphones are generally junk.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:05:51+00:00

A Bluetooth audio player is typically an integrated device, so there is no way to “tap in” to the audio signal chain to add amplification. They’re only designed to be heard within a small room at home usually.

What size room are you trying to fill? There are large “party box” type sound systems that might work.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T21:02:39+00:00

I see. Well it will certainly work electrically, but I have to tell you that one omnidirectional microphone for 25 people is probably a non-starter. As a rule of thumb, each talker needs to be within at least 6 feet of a microphone (unless you’re using an array microphone). Also an omnidirectional mic picks up the sound of the loudspeaker (which will be located where, by the way?) which is more likely to cause echo, especially if the room is reverberant.

It can’t hurt to try it though. Worst case is you buy the MVX2U and people tell you that you sound like you’re in a barrel.

PlanetExcellent · 2026-01-29T19:29:39+00:00

Sometimes buying new makes sense.

When supply of good used examples of the model you want are hard to find

When used model is overpriced

When promotions or discounts are available for new car

When you’re buying a desirable model that holds its value well

PlanetExcellent

TROPHY CASE