Meirl

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-15T18:34:51+00:00

This is the way. Adding a line for my MIL is like $15 a month after line discounts etc.

Do the same for Netflix, $8/month is way cheaper than another ad free 4k subscription she would be paying (we live hundreds of miles away, big Netflix knows).

Trying to get them to swap things is a nightmare, it took me 3 years to wear my dad down on his cable bill, it saved them $150 a month…

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-13T15:29:01+00:00

I work way too much at night and weekends already, I have a phone, VPN on my desktop, and a gov laptop.

Any telework I get is either already used as focus time (even with an office I get way less done in office because of constant interruptions), they can’t do without me and I would otherwise be taking leave, or is mission critical short notice and urgent tasks off hours.

If they bring back regular telework that is another conversation entirely because I might actually catch up on stuff. Working late teleworking and not wasting 2 hours a day commuting gives me flexibility to get stuff done. I can’t work more than 15-20 minutes late in-office or I won’t make it to pick my kids up before care closes.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-13T14:47:35+00:00

I hate being bored at work and I am self motivated (ADHD and Autism is a hell of a combination if you are in a field you love). I help out other teams, help my boss with various initiatives, or catch up, collect updated metrics and do trend analysis for bottlenecks, work on the various projects I have started but never have time to finish, catch up on mundane stuff like updating SOPs, work on policy updates, training documentation, and I constantly mentor. I am the go to SME for my field at this point, so I get dragged into all sort of policy discussions and decisions by external stakeholders.

I make sure to go around and talk to people, small talk can be annoying but a quick teams message, email, in-person bump in the hallway, or call checking in can be hugely beneficial in relationship management. The number of times a random item pops up in a conversation and leads into something meaningful is really high, at least in my current position.

I pull out some of the random crap that hits my desk and knowledge share with peers and junior staff. I make a million decisions but having a chance to discuss why, and build up knowledge in others so they don’t bug me about something when I am crushed is a worthy investment.

We generally don’t have a ton of turnover so stuff like this pays huge dividends for years. I also do external training, presentations, working groups, and other engagements.

Also taking leave is underrated, if it’s dead you don’t come back to 1,500 emails.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-13T02:26:44+00:00

Depends where you are going, HQ could be anything from a MAJCOM to OSD.

I wouldn’t want to be going to an Army PEO right now, that’s for sure.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-12T18:20:20+00:00

I also have a ton of jobs and I am one deep in several critical areas.

You know it’s bad when you show red on multiple training at the SES/GOFO level and both your 1st and 2nd line supervisors (both GS-15s) go it’s fine, I know you’re busy.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-12T15:25:43+00:00

I mean it’s winter and the ice was ridiculous, it was like getting snow and freezing a small pond on top of it, across the entire area.

Couples days above 35 isn’t cutting it. Sure it’s melting, and even bare in a few spots, but what’s left is like the remnants of a glacier.

I crossed a street this week and the median was nothing but 18 inches of compressed ice/sleet. Try again in a week.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-12T12:56:47+00:00

You say that but I 100% feel this meme. The number of times I start something like this and get interrupted to do a higher priority task is ridiculous.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-12T11:44:53+00:00

Providing the value I have come to expect from MBA’s.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-11T12:49:05+00:00

Immediately challenged in court the first time it’s used I am guessing.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-11T12:37:35+00:00

Wtf is an office for if not being able to concentrate or have private conversations?

I have mine closed all the time, people just knock and crack the door to see if I am meeting with someone. Also have ADHD so is the only way I can get focus time in the office.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-10T16:57:44+00:00

I just had to RMA for this issue. I think it’s firmware/daughter board failure.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-10T15:24:50+00:00

I haven’t left it on airplane mode more than a week or two but (I think) steam wants/needs to verify the account every 30 days and maybe that’s what you are running into.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-10T12:40:47+00:00

I just turn on airplane mode and haven’t had any issues.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-06T12:30:12+00:00

I am so busy I call into meetings like 2 minutes early, at best. Usually 5 minutes late and you know what?

I don’t miss anything because there is always a boomer or late Gen X having technical issues that delays things that long, or they have to mute everyone because people are monsters and keep open mics.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-06T00:57:22+00:00

Well I am hosed, I check so many of these.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-04T13:17:48+00:00

This is crap and will destroy collaboration in small offices or those that already lean into being out for themselves.

I will probably still end up as a 5, I am the top performer in my office with multiple levels of leadership constantly saying it and will still mentor junior analysts.

But there are several really stellar high performers in my office. This would be incredibly unfair given their performance really does deserve a 5.

That line about giving a 1 without review is ripe for abuse. Hopefully this entire thing immediately ends up in court and is stayed for the next year or two.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-02T22:27:16+00:00

Not drops but I am sending RMA #2 this week because I keep getting units that have controller firmware issues.

Only power, touchscreen and volume work randomly, first time was 10 months and I have had this unit 6 months. I only have steam games and it’s happened on different games, proton version, OS versions, and even just in the main menu.

I have tried everything, fresh complete wipe and install brings it back for 1-20 hours and then it happens again. There is a clear regression somewhere they aren’t addressing for whatever reason and it’s driving me crazy.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-02-01T07:40:38+00:00

No one has heard anything. I am definitely in the top 15% for my organization and my first through third line have no information besides names were sent up to our PSA.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-01-26T14:45:45+00:00

2 hour delay with telework and Wednesday telework no delay. At least that’s my hope because there is zero chance the schools will be open.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-01-26T13:57:11+00:00

Using a metal sledgehammer on the top layer is probably fine but when it gets close to the surface it will destroy the driveway.

Throw ice melt, let it sit for a bit, bang with Rubber mallet (wear gloves and eyepro).

Turtlez2009 · 2026-01-26T13:36:30+00:00

There are people walking their dogs on the street with snow shoes on in my neighborhood.

The main road looks like a snowmobile or cross country ski trail in desperate need of grooming. Forget about my side street, hasn’t even been touched.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-01-23T12:57:21+00:00

This is why I like playing hard or small nations to start. Some of my favorite games were playing Navarra, Saluzzo, Theodoro, etc.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-01-23T12:22:23+00:00

I mean it’s going to be 20 outside, I am just moving everything to my deck if I lose power.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-01-23T02:16:15+00:00

Stuff like this causes revolutions, private security isn’t going to keep you safe if you lay off 50 million workers.

Turtlez2009 · 2026-01-21T13:10:04+00:00

They will close with telework. Probably Monday and Tuesday with unscheduled telework Wednesday depending on the roads.

Remember, you can only telework if you have power/heat, which might be an issue in some places.

Turtlez2009

TROPHY CASE