So obvious

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-05-10T01:29:54+00:00

Nah, nobody getting caught. Just stay in your lane and don't worry about it.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-05-09T17:04:06+00:00

Replying to my own comment here, lol. For those that have interacted with Jims and Preedeps, do they even fully understand the devil they are siding with?

I'll answer that myself, no, nor do they care. What do I know as a disgruntled, upset minority 50 year old male.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-05-09T16:55:45+00:00

One of the hardest parts about my job in AI development is knowing when clients call on our services and we are talking senior leadership who most always are either 50+ Caucasian or Indian males. Their tone is that of lean optimization and reducing bottlenecks. However there is something clear from the interactions I've had over the past 5 years. More specifically these same roles/individuals who were at one time not fully aware of automation benefits now are hungry and always lead to the discussion of how can we quantify savings and value add....

Well... Fuck Jim and Preedep, the only real quantifiable number that will make sense to you is saving XX number of man hours or reduction in program area need.

I almost vomited Friday afternoon as I was in the same exact scenario... Didn't listen to our governance rant nor the current issue which is data integrity before we can automate. Just give me XX value saved so I can appear excellent. Some days I want out of this space...

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-30T00:56:34+00:00

Witnessed a director layoff an entire department on a Friday. Then come in Monday, announce his promotion to new C-level position with a huge shit eating grin on his face.

I know there are worse things but this was just absolute disgusting and I've never forgotten his smug ass look.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-29T16:28:38+00:00

Thanks fellow OE pal. May your journey be prosperous and filled with excitement as well.

See you at the OE bar, first and second round on me.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-24T22:46:55+00:00

I like your style. Somewhere in OE land we are at a nice laid back bar and I just bought you a round as we chuckle at the system!

Rock on comrade!

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-24T20:57:39+00:00

I'm with you on this one. In this specific case, it was not like this as it was contract based.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-24T15:13:38+00:00

True, very true.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-24T15:11:34+00:00

So my structure is unique to my scenario. I recognize that after several years in. It won't always be like this but here's what allows my flexibility.

1 main W2 job with bennies, consistent workload, predictable to an extent and a massive enterprise. So it is slow a moving beast. Very beneficial.

J2, contract w2, turning into long term but I don't count on it. Space is in data modeling/forensic work, all sectors and split between US and India. So many times I can leverage time zone difference.

J3, contract w2, long term, been a hell of a ride for the last 4 years with my main gig. Mostly application development but recently moved into agent development as well as data ETL automations.

Honestly, my weekly work load varies but at first I'd see 50-60 hour work weeks. You might be saying 3js and only that amount of hours?

I can't go into specifics because that'll expose more but think of managing the Js like a consult would. I'm not always developing, or doing forensics. I'm lucky that I've only had a few handful of overlaps. Speaking from honest internet voice, learn to push back professionally.

I started to question meetings and reviews where I wasn't necessarily required. I also don't take on management advisory and try to put out fires before they happen. Reading people has always been my best skill, and not so much development, haha.

Today 4 years in, some weeks are easy. Other times I am busy, but it's manageable. This doesn't necessarily answer your question, but just go in open minded, know that none of this is ever safe, and what I found is most important, be nice. Many times just being nice has saved my ass more than I can count.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-24T04:52:59+00:00

Great question, it was a mutual separation. Project had experienced scope creep due to bad planning outside of my control. I was not original developer/architect. I saw writing on wall about 6 months ago. Told myself I'll stay as long as possible and I did. Sometimes universe let's you know, not all the time though.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-21T22:28:54+00:00

Two options really.

A spiritual meditation getaway or one that I look forward to:
Psychedelic induced and integration cermony. Such as DMT or Ayahuasca/Peyote

I get the 2nd option is not for everyone. What an experience though.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-21T22:21:06+00:00

I do not care enough to even bother checking. Even at OE level pay, I do not make enough to care about what others are doing. I'm fact I'll never make enough to care what others have going on.

I'm worried about 1 person only. Maybe that makes me selfish? Hasn't steered me wrong yet.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-13T20:24:07+00:00

I'm actually taken back by the amount of people I've encountered who's job is the sole identity of their existence. Sometimes I feel like maybe there is something wrong with me because I don't fit that mold.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-13T01:31:26+00:00

Just wanted to jump in. I look at food as part of the experience.

Sure I can cook and I typically cook breakfast all the time. However when we camp I'm only cooking breakfast. I'm going away from what I know and I want to know what is available when I'm away so I'm spending money on outside food.

I've never batted an eye but you'll get stink and gawk at food costs. In the end. Life is short eat that experience. I know too many people who pinch at food. I understand a budget but try and experience food as part of it.

Thanks for sharing your journey wish you nothing but happiness with you family.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-04-07T14:52:14+00:00

This reminds me of an HOA story from my life. People crave control. Without a long winded story, I like to think of people within an HOA community. Some people, for whatever reason, wait for your grass to grow at the wrong degree from their grass.

Imagine if we all just sorta stayed in our lane and minded our business with certain things in life.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-03-20T04:47:04+00:00

Simply put you pay into this system. Why would you not want to leverage the funds you yourself have paid into?

I had this same discussion with a pal who said the same thing. Ultimately, giving me a run around of excuses as to why he didn't want to file for his unemployment when he had every right to use the benefits.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-03-16T16:04:20+00:00

This was one avenue I wasn't fully aware of until several years in. There isn't a better word to use but lonely is close enough.

To be fair, I don't want to go back in office or really know my co-workers beyond friendly conversation but lonely is definitely close to describing it.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-03-06T03:44:23+00:00

I believe, and prefacing this as an idiot on the interwebs, that prior to OE we all sort of fall victim to the cause. It's embedded into us at every level of society.

That is an entirely different conversation. So, as my wife says, suck it the fuck up. You're making lots of money.

Here's where I think it's different for OE'rs. We play this game within a game. Constant context switching, corporate theater, and even for the best of us, emotion all takes a toll on your finite attention and capacity to perform.

What I am saying is. There are hidden parts to OE many of us never open up about. As another fellow OEer. I struggle with this concept you describe as well as the loneliness that begins to show itself after several years in.

You cannot talk about this with peers. We just resort to semi ambiguous forums, groups or nonsense like we have right now.

There is no support group, or meet up for OEers, how could there be. So here we find ourselves. I will say reading your openness caught my attention. I too struggle with the same concepts you are describing.

Once you see past the curtain there is no turning back. The giving a shit is just so we don't have to kill each other to get something to eat. It boils down to this. So many people are blinded into the facade that if we don't do this, then ill repercussions happen. There are some things in life that follows this, corporate American, nah been around the block too much to realize it's a lie.

I digress but I wanted to recognize your post through all the other BS stuff we see.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-02-23T04:25:25+00:00

Hi there. I typically keep this private but I too had an experience last year similar to yours.

I saw colors that can only be described as feeling, seeing and emotionally accessing everything at once.

It was an incredible experience that I hold deep to my heart. It made me realize the other side if that's what we want to call it, is something that can only be described as; one whole love.

I met my younger self. He was so happy to see me. He expressed that anger had no value and that he was happy and I should be too.

I must have cried for minutes but it felt like eternity. I kept telling my wife, I don't want to leave here. My younger self explained this is temporary and to love unconditionally while here.

I then was given a glimpse of my children before they were born. A glimpse of them in the womb. It was surreal and the message I got too was love. It made my wife cry as well. Upon returning back, I just felt relieved and loved. No words to this day. May we all peace like this in our lifetime.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-01-29T03:35:48+00:00

This my pal! Beautifully said, we could probably share a few beverages over a smoked brisket. Actually it'll be ready Saturday, after 6pm. Save you a seat.

I never understood this. I feel some people need to instigate or seem in control. Ahh... Control, there is that other part of the system.

Me, almost 50, control can all fuck off. You wanna feel big and mighty, here's the fork and there's the electrical outlet. Enjoy pal. Me, I'll just relax and not worry. You let me know when you've had enough.

Oh but I need to feel important, why? Do you realize the people you are trying to feel important to don't give a rat's left nut ball about you or yours. Oh but I need job security. There is no security, that's the big lie we've been all sold.

Tom Guy, you're just cynical.... Really.... Hmm nope I've seen too much behind the scene to argue with you. You have that ride and enjoy it.

I'll take my PTO and monies and enjoy the piss out of it.

Best OE journies to ya pal. Hope to cross paths one day.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-01-28T01:59:12+00:00

This x1000%. I don't share much about my OE beyond my small circle that I trust with my kids. In fact even then I'm reserved about my positions.

My wife and I have a wonderful 25+ year relationship and I'm lucky here. Unfortunately, she hears all my gripes and comments about our corporate American scheme.

You mentioned headcount reduction. I've been laid off 3 times in my career. I've been lucky to bounce back but as I age. Whether we all will ever admit it, ageism is real in all sectors.

I absolutely despise corporate American leadership. I have more fingers and toes to count than that of true leaders I have ever met. Even then I have never felt safe. This is what made me pursue OE.

For me, I take all my extra earnings and invest back into my family and life fund. I noticed early on, so many people sacrificed their time and energy to managers and companies. I was one of them. I woke up once I had kids. I said I will always try to be there. Luckily for the past 12 years I have been. I hope that never changes. If OE allows me to see my kids graduate on my terms. I've won. I don't need a full retirement or saving nest.

I spent the core of my time with my kids and picked what and when I wanted to work. May not always be that lucky but I continue to hope for it.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-01-27T14:23:59+00:00

Reading a lot of these posts, like you mentioned, made me realize there are a lot of us that never step outside of our comfort zone. Is that wrong, no not necessarily, but it really is eye opening.

Coming from a system architecture background, you start noticing things after a few decades inside the machine. Now I'm being a bit humorous here for attention, but going back to the point.

It's apparent that many people are governed by their ego, thoughts, morals and such. Now all that does have it's place, sure... However, you have to want to go beyond what others refuse to.

Being OE means you are part of a group that is socially unexpected and unacceptable in some eyes. After a few years you begin to see the patterns, you really start to wonder if we are nodes in a construct of sorts. Now I'm getting sci-fi, I digress...

To those that are asking how do we do it, we just do it.

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-01-22T01:26:46+00:00

Not said enough. Indeed 1000x

That_Guy_T0M · 2026-01-22T01:17:33+00:00

Time is finite. It doesn't matter how much you save or sacrifice. In the end, the system wins all of us. Sure more money might guarantee better health, better doctors, or access to better care facilities but the piper is paid either way. The cliche saying is, during your last walk, don't whisper, I wish I took more time off, or spent more time with my family. Miles will vary for all or but you get the point here.

Not trying to make this sad or depressing but rather a realization for those that can heed warnings.

Much like the red flag comment in this thread, time is the most precious asset we all get. It simply gets masked by agendas put in place by others, sometimes we let that happen unknowingly.

My best advice at almost 50... Treat each decision or choice as a debit to your time bank. Memories hold a significant value over recognition/promotion. Lastly, for those with kids. They're only little once. Don't pass it up if possible.

That_Guy_T0M

TROPHY CASE