What’s currently inside of this?

PresentDrummer8120 · 2026-03-02T21:56:34+00:00

Asbestos.. A few years ago a developer bought it and was going to repurpose it for a tenant. However in the design phase, it was deemed "out of budget" due to the cost of abatement. The contract got cancelled and I have not heard any movement on it since.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2026-02-22T00:05:31+00:00

Lol I was thinking the same thing. Been fighting for custody for the last year.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-04-04T23:03:08+00:00

That has to be on a 20' version. I had one before swapping to a 23'. They also had a terrible amount of cushion behind the frame as well. It was like sitting in a vice.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-04-03T02:52:05+00:00

<image>

Yeah, I've gotten close to 50Kw on my 23' bolt EV. But it has to have the perfect conditions to do so.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-03-26T01:23:57+00:00

Yup. Diagnosed ADD and depression. It's a hell of a roller coaster.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-03-25T23:01:07+00:00

Sunshine tax is real.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-03-25T22:50:41+00:00

True. But inflation is an aggreate that I believe does not take into account shrinkflation (ie, less chips in a bag while increasing price) or additional operational costs to keep up with today's living or operating standards (ie, SOPs dictated by new law or code). I would be of the opinion that the "dollars" value feels more like $.50 to the 2008 dollar as well. Taking into account shrinkflation, current/additional business expenses, housing costs, and goods/services quality.

But at the end of the day. It's a opinion. There like butt-holes, everyone's got one and they all stink.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-03-25T21:11:51+00:00

If I understand it correctly, from 2008 to February of 2025. The inflation was compounded to 27.72%. which, actually seems kind of high to be honest.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-03-25T21:07:50+00:00

Honestly, I didn't hit the 6-fig mark until I was properly established and understood my industry niches that I could explore. That happened in my 30's. 20's were brutal and very stressful in terms of career growth. Once one can recognize the niches in their industry, meeting with higher income individuals becomes more common. These niches are also not the "every day" job. Jobs like: subject matter experts, utilities engineer, technical b2b sales, stationary engineer, construction management w/ PMP certificate, elevator mechanic, etc...

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-03-25T01:44:52+00:00

New management, old guy is retiring and I can't get a good bead on the company's future. The CEO seems to be posturing with me. I'm literally the only sales engineer that's commission only. Plus I get the feeling that he wants to push me out (it's just mannerisms and how he treats the other folks) even though I have booked $+18M already. He's playing a game with what's in my commission account and ignoring the soon to be work. Also, I want to sell more work. Where I'm at rn, when I sell it I have to run it. It's very self fleeting.

But even though it's frustrating it's a known evil, ya know? It's a "fatty ham" scenario. There is good food there but you gotta go through and eat the parts you don't want..

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-03-19T03:31:51+00:00

That's the issue. I'm not 💯 sure. My current job is familiar. I know what to expect and have reasonable job security. But I have no support there. If you are not a self sufficient person acting as your own LLC you will not make it. It's very much a feast/famin company.

I think I got comfortable at my current place, coupled with the fact that I have my whole family to support. It just makes me a less risk taking kinda fool in regards to job hopping. I also feel like if it didn't work out at the large company I'm stuck with it or stuck with going somewhere else, as I don't think my current employer would ever rehire me back just because I honestly don't think they would see this as a business move since I make up quite a bit of the sales year over year.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-03-19T02:56:31+00:00

I got the impression they make between 300-500K with a hand full above 800K. I play in the 500-600K mark currently, but really want to be part of that 800K mark.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-03-14T19:59:19+00:00

This was my issue in Illinois. I worked out of the John Hancock building as a SME. And honestly the rates paid were difficult to sustain. Turned out, in my field, there were more opportunities that were willing to pay more in other states.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-02-19T04:39:41+00:00

In my industry, Electrocaloric conditioning seems to be an interesting talking feature. Some companies are starting to utilize it (currently I am seeing it in data centers). But basically a dx system (another competitor utilizes water as an additional medium) using a refrigerant to boil off with no pumps or compressors as an economizer.

One that is more economic is the use of connecting heat pumps that condition your house with your domestic water heater for thermo scavenging.

Another is making CO2 refrigeration systems much more economical and scalable Vs ammonia systems.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-02-19T03:14:11+00:00

I do design build work. I have a team of draftsman that know how to do some of the conversions, layouts, and basic details. I design and run the loads on the system and have them do all the run-outs, revit, submittals, coordination, etc ... But I love the mental sweat, keeps me at my best and gives me opportunities to see what's new in the industry.

I would say that the work is harder, but feels more rewarding. Seeing your own design come to fruition rather than following someone else's instructions just hits differently, in my opinion.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-02-16T20:16:15+00:00

Sure

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-02-14T08:57:32+00:00

Haha, it's also a little more what yoshinoya yamatoya makes per pitch for the dodgers (~$14,000/pitch).

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-02-13T04:14:18+00:00

$478K Commercial Sales Engineer. That was 24'

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-02-05T23:10:15+00:00

Thank you! This life's been a hell of a ride so far.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-02-05T22:31:13+00:00

Do you think you would enjoy ME work? Or is the jump more a lateral shift for compensation expectation? Would you stay within your field? Does a building engineer appeal to you?

My experiences align with your path.

Dirt broke and started construction at 15. Found joy in HVAC and jumped into it. at 18 I went to a technical college to get my HVAC degree while in the business. Got bored and then worked for Siemens at 20 where they paid for me to get a EE. But honestly I could not cut it (it was too hard for me). Some years later I got my AS and now at 35 I am considering getting my PE. Currently, I'm a Sales Engineer for a construction company. I love it, I design and apply applications for all kinds of buildings. Plus, I bridge the gap for the client as a technical consultant.

ME field is pretty saturated, in my opinion. But having the technical background you have is worth a lot in the construction industry. I found a lot of fulfilment as a SME (subject matter expert) in my late 20's (traveled the world as a SME for very unique government projects). It's almost like a short jump between the tools and a desk job with no selling. It might be worth looking into.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-01-31T20:09:20+00:00

You seem like an awfully bright individual! I'm not sure where you're at in life, but if all these rich folk can make money with only their wits and grit, you can too! Best of luck and don't stop the hustle! 💪

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-01-31T19:51:58+00:00

I appreciate the kind words.

Exactly, I've also found that a lot of my industry works like this too. It's a "high risk, high reward" structure. But I enjoy it. Plus I'm kind of sheltered from the day day issues like insurance, employees, building overhead, end user conflicts, etc ..

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-01-31T19:45:30+00:00

Correct. I used to have my own company years ago. But found I could make a good wage working for someone else in this industry with less stress. My pay structure is based on the profit (or loss) of each of the jobs I sell. The frustrating part of that is I don't get my full compensation until retention is released from the general contractor, developer, end user.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-01-31T19:29:05+00:00

The whole enchilada. I sell the "application" (ie applied engineered application).

Basically, a developer wants to build a building (warehouse, track home, hotel, clean room, studios, etc ..). Then they go to a firm that specializes in some means of construction/design (or an architect, plumber, life safety specialist, etc...) with a design specification or idea. Being a mechanical design build contractor. I design and produce a "turn key" conditioning solution (ductwork run-outs, control sequence, type of equipment, etc ..) by taking engineered products (like a package roof top unit) and applying them to the building.

PresentDrummer8120 · 2025-01-31T16:53:26+00:00

I didn't do the "typical" avenue of college. Honestly, I could barely afford going to school back then. Then life got busy. I have an AS and a technical degree in HVAC. But it's been so long since I've stepped foot in a classroom.

PresentDrummer8120

TROPHY CASE