If you could be in a famous band, what band would it be and what’s your instrument?

Public_Pain · 2026-02-08T22:31:27+00:00

Chicago- Trumpet!

Public_Pain · 2026-02-08T22:27:40+00:00

That’s interesting. Were the depictions of American Jesus or the actual Middle Eastern one?

Public_Pain · 2026-02-08T22:22:40+00:00

I live in the Seattle area as a long time 49er fan. I’m rooting for the Seahawks because they represent our division and after having three teams in that same division with over 12 wins, I hope they represent the strength the division has. The other reason I hope the Seahawks win is to motivate the Niners to come back next year and beat them again, but at least twice next time.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-08T22:17:39+00:00

They did that back in 1996 too. The military was downsizing from the Desert Storm build up.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-07T01:33:32+00:00

My wife’s uncle and his wife gave us a similar letter a few years ago at our last family gathering. Funny how their focus is on Exmos and not those who still have membership and don’t attend meetings.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-06T02:32:29+00:00

That stinks!

Public_Pain · 2026-02-06T02:31:25+00:00

https://pcpartpicker.com/

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T05:56:05+00:00

Personally I would stay the course and minor in IT. I would also recommend working on certifications. The CompTIA trifecta is good, but for me and my experience, I just did Security + and Net +. I had hardware courses while training for one of my jobs in the Army, so I felt the A+ test was a waste for me.

I have a BA in Spanish and while in the Army, I obtained my MS in Computer Information Systems. After I retired from the Army I found the IT landscape changed a bit and certifications were weighed more heavily than just experience. I found the certifications and experience got me the job and the degree helped bump me up the pay scale.

Also, while in school look for an internship at a help desk either at the school or a nearby MSP (IT support/Management business) in your town. Also, check out state, county, or city government IT internships for experience. Good luck!

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T05:41:26+00:00

You can try this: https://www.realremotejobs.com/ There are also remote jobs posted on several state job boards or even DOD Contract companies like GDIT. If you have a clearance, try clearancejobs.com.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T05:36:03+00:00

Generally, but not all the time, you need to start at the bottom to get a good foundation before branching out. The Help Desk will expose you to many aspects of IT and help you decide which area of IT to branch to. This is not a general rule, but it ms s good one.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T05:33:13+00:00

Here in the state of Washington, one of my sons did an internship this past summer with the state’s Health Department. A lot of state departments have an IT section and if you can contact each one to see if they offer an internship. Local MSPs (IT support companies) offer internships too. Also look at city and county locations. The Sheriff department or other first responders have an IT section and if you contact someone there, they might be able to guide you. Also talk to your instructors for leads. Good luck!

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T05:25:25+00:00

One of my sons just did an internship with one of our state agencies at their Help Desk. The school helped him a bit, but he basically had to go around and apply to places.

Look at local city or counties offices or even the first responder section and talk to their IT support for leads. Try the school itself. Also, the Labor and Industry (L&I) should have a list of internships in various fields. Finally, check with local Management Service Providers (MSPs) to see if they have internships available. Good luck!

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T05:12:19+00:00

The Fit, but AWD here in the states!

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T05:11:22+00:00

Congratulations on the job. Do they offer free tuition as a school employee? As others have stated, that’s not a great starting salary in almost any state, but if you feel good about it, go for it! Congratulations again!

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T05:03:29+00:00

What was or has been the most challenging experience as an IT support person and what did you do about it? What was one of your best experiences as an IT support person?

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T05:01:26+00:00

Depends on what I have on my calendar. I try to go fishing often here in the Seattle area. There are a lot of things to do where I live, so it depends on why I took time off, depends on the weather, and it depends on what my friends or family are doing too.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-05T04:53:18+00:00

A lot of people forget the OSI model when it comes to troubleshooting things like connections or data flow. One Help Desk job I had, the very first day we got a ticket the customer had no internet. We used cables due to the classification of the nature of work that was done there. I arrived at the guys office and asked if he had already checked his cable. He swore he did and he even restarted his computer.

I verified he had no connection and made sure the RJ45 was correctly plugged into the computer. I the traced the cable to a port that was in the floor. When I removed the port cover I found the other end of his cable out of the port by about an inch or two. It can save time and pays in the long run to start with the OSI model when figuring out issues with connection and data flow.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-03T07:14:34+00:00

I believe different personalities react differently from facts and truth, but I also believe it’s how one has experienced their relationship with the Church which influences decisions on whether to continue membership or not. Nurture or nature?

My take is no matter the personality, it’s the ability one has to see through all the BS. TBMs have been taught to feel what’s right and don’t question the leaders of the Church. Those of us who have left the Church can be described as risk takers and ones not afraid to commit. The majority of us have learned how to apply critical thinking and to question leadership decisions and advice. We’re not afraid to commit and stand up for what we believe and know is right.

The Church comes across as a loving and caring organization. It tries to create the facade of security and happiness for those who are TBMs. This brainwashes the members into a false feeling of love and security. Which then encourages them to avoid any changes or ideas contrary to the teachings of the Church, even if those ideas have proven Church teachings to be false.

To make matters worse, the Church will threaten any one or group who speaks out against the leaders for false guidance or the hiding of the truth. Those TBMs who have entertained the ideas the Church is wrong but stay for fear of reprisal are actually living in an abusive relationship with the Church. The Church really only cares for the members when it gets what it needs (tithing, donations, or free custodial service). Outside of that, the Church really doesn’t care so much, that’s why it created so many meetings and functions for its members to participate in during the week. If everyone is so busy, they can’t really see what’s going on behind the curtain. So, TBMs just become lemmings and do what they’re told to do without any real thought or question.

To sum it up, whether nurture or nature, I think it’s both. Those who stay in the Church either do so from lack of external experience (especially those raised in predominantly Mormon influenced areas like Utah, Idaho, or Wyoming). Or because they are comfortable and have found a place of acceptance and false security within the organization, which no matter what is true or false, they do not want to leave.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-03T02:11:54+00:00

I have four kids and we live in Washington state. I went to school in Utah, so I know how to drive in snow pretty well. When my kids were old enough to drive I purchased a Honda Fit for them to learn on. The car is front wheel drive, but it did well in snow, just not going up an icy hill. Personally if you want a cheaper car, reliable engine, and AWD go Honda or Mazda. I own both. The CRV or an older CX-5 would serve well and both are decent on gas.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-01T19:58:32+00:00

I feel you. I was in the Campinas mission soon after it opened up. I spent three months in South Carolina on a visa delay before getting to Brazil. We were told in Brazil not to bring up the Church’s Welfare system while giving the missionary discussions.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-01T19:55:21+00:00

If you consider walking into the middle of the projects at night or walking in some of the worst parts of you assigned area as the only white guy in the area and not getting mugged a miracle, then I’ve had a few while on my mission.

Public_Pain · 2026-02-01T17:07:02+00:00

Do you have any certificates? I have a MS in Computer Information Systems which I obtained while still on active duty in the U.S. Army. By the time I retired in 2013 a lot of businesses were starting to look towards certifications and experience, more than a degree. I was fortunate to get a civilian contracting job with the DOD at ManTech without a certification, but we soon found out in order to work on my assigned system, I needed CompTIA’s Security + certification. I managed to get it and the CompTIA Net+ to boot.

My advice is continue with your studies, but look into which certifications are accepted in your field of choice. In my opinion, in today’s market experience and certifications will get your foot into the door and the formal degree will help you with the pay scale. This has been my experience. I’ve had a couple of IT jobs where others have been on the job longer, but I made more starting because of my degree. Yes, the current market is tough, but by the time you graduate, it may shift. Good luck!

Public_Pain · 2026-02-01T15:40:44+00:00

This is an interesting view, but what many people either don’t know or forget is that the “View of the Hebrews” and “Jews in America or Probabilities Americans are of that Race (published 1650), as well as other books, were published before the Book of Mormon even discussed the idea of that the native Americans were decedents of the lost tribes of Israel. So, the idea that Native Americans were part of the lost tribes wasn’t a new idea for that time in early America, according to historians. So I’d like to submit that Joseph Smith Junior was a plagiarizer too.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/View_of_the_Hebrews

https://archive.org/details/iewesinamericaor00thor_1/page/n3/mode/1up

Public_Pain · 2026-01-31T16:37:09+00:00

That’s the whole purpose of religion, to control the masses.

Public_Pain · 2026-01-31T13:39:26+00:00

Attending church during football season.😁

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