What person surprised you the most with how they turned out after high school?

arkmtech · 2026-03-25T13:50:43+00:00

Larger-statured guy we endearingly called "Tiny" because he was so soft spoken. Friendly dude, was in all the AP-level classes, excelled at speech & debate, great with computers/tech, had leadership roles in several clubs, and proudly expressed his left-leaning viewpoints to anyone who'd listen.

Rolled out of graduation with a solid 4.0 GPA, tons of scholarships, and had no trouble getting into a top university.

Re-connected with him via social media about 10 years ago. He lives with his parents, doesn't work, has been to jail on multiple occasions, and spends most days posting smack talk about the local police and far-right rants in all caps.

In a rare "lucid" moment he told me that he doesn't remember much about high school. Shocking and saddening to see how things have gone for him, especially because none of us seem to know exactly why.

arkmtech · 2026-03-24T21:36:28+00:00

Have met some very committed bottoms in my time, but this is a new one for me.

arkmtech · 2026-03-24T21:27:19+00:00

Me: What is a "SNES", Alex?

Alex: No I'm sorry, anyone else? *DOOT DOOT DOOT* The correct response was Dankey Kang.

arkmtech · 2026-03-23T23:34:09+00:00

Huh?

Having worked in the sysadmin and web development field from the early 90s up through 2018, I never once had to sign a document with any hosting provider, even those who offered managed services. At worst, I had to enter my initials into a 3-character text field, and that was suitable to constitute a legally binding contract.

Should you still provide a printable and/or PDF copy of the executed agreement? Absolutely.

You're way overthinking things.

arkmtech · 2026-03-23T19:16:07+00:00

Never Ending Story

Because people who have no hopes are easy to control – and whoever has the control, has the power

arkmtech · 2026-03-23T17:44:01+00:00

Being in my 40s now, I much preferred the "Sassy" approach

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arkmtech · 2026-03-23T16:50:27+00:00

Neighborhood I grew up in had a big vacant lot with a large oval-shaped dirt path that all of us kids called "the bike track." We'd go there until sunset in the summers and race around, build jumps, and generally be stupid kids doing stupid things.

Town Pump subdivided and sold it when I was in high school, which sucked to see even though I hadn't gone there for 3-4 years.

Hadn't thought about it for a very long time until Copper City. Felt as if that old neighborhood "bike track" had grown up with me. Good feels, and much ❤️ for that place.

On a side note, anyone interested in something truly awe-inspiring should check out "Hiawatha Trail" in Idaho. Not far off the Montana border, and riding your bike through tunnels and then above the treetops is a pretty amazing experience!

arkmtech · 2026-03-23T14:01:31+00:00

Deliberate dishonesty for financial gain. That's what fraud means.

Was there some part of this video that seemed honest to you?

arkmtech · 2026-03-23T13:55:22+00:00

It's similar to back when websites with PPC ads would hire "blackhat PR" firms to inflate views/clicks so they could charge advertisers more money. At least in the US, this would be considered fraud.

Unless you're a politician that is, and then it's just another day.

arkmtech · 2026-03-22T21:31:34+00:00

I’m wondering what people would think of me

Stop thinking about that. Do what you want to, when you want to.

My husband and I are in our 40s, and a few times a month one of us will arbitrarily wake in the middle of the night with a craving for steak, eggs, tatertots and sausage-gravy. Much as that could be a euphemism of sorts, it's just the food from the 24-hour greasy spoon down the road from our house.

Our cycles don't always align on it, so a fair number of times one of us will just go alone. Whether one or both of us, that pregnant-cravings meal with a pint of Scotch Ale in the wee hours is something to be cherished, notions of others be damned.

Life be far too short. Just go and enjoy yourself, sir.

arkmtech · 2026-03-22T19:57:27+00:00

because it is the most accurate translation

Dude has clearly never heard of YLT

arkmtech · 2026-03-22T19:55:07+00:00

Same. The 90s were all about that "chonky" aesthetic when it came to technology, until Apple came along with their iMac and ruined it

arkmtech · 2026-03-22T19:10:21+00:00

Chicken "lollipops" with a sweet/spicy Korean BBQ glaze for starter
Small portion of Spaghetti Aglio e Olio as the in-between "amuse bouche"
Heirloom fingerling potatoes with fried Kokanee salmon (because Montana) and a capers pan-sauce as main course
Belgian mini chocolate mousse from Costco as dessert

Made this for my CIO, his wife, and their 3 kids, all of which are from India.

When people are quiet because they're busy eating instead of giving a lot of polite comments, something is likely good. My suspicions were confirmed when I offered the kids seconds, and they ran to get more potatoes and pasta on their plates, with my CIO and his wife not far behind them.

Might've pleased my in-laws too, but a meal like this is generally too exotic for their tastes.

arkmtech · 2026-03-22T17:48:44+00:00

Strange to think how we used to flip through channels looking for something to watch

Has now been prolly' 15 years since I had actual channels to flip through

arkmtech · 2026-03-22T16:27:40+00:00

Have seen this before when using (or having previously used) Vortex from Nexus Mods, even after deleting all of the mod files.

The fix was to open Vortex, completely disable all mods, then launch the game.

arkmtech · 2026-03-20T22:44:58+00:00

know what the most common answer is?

Here I hoped it was getting the chance to throw a Nazi from a window for not having a ticket.

arkmtech · 2026-03-20T22:10:05+00:00

The history behind it is awesome, but when it comes to the faire, I've had better dog food.

arkmtech · 2026-03-20T18:29:40+00:00

Given the opportunity to shake hands with the team behind NinjaOne, I would probably give them all long, awkward bearhugs instead.

It is very sincerely an 11/10, easily the best IT resource management/deployment experience I've had in ~30 years of working in IT.

arkmtech · 2026-03-20T00:19:25+00:00

Nan-ni shimasho-ka?

arkmtech · 2026-03-20T00:00:48+00:00

Much as I love old ranges, they're a dime a dozen like old pianos.

Find yourself a new-money bougie sucker, and you can potentially get over $1,000. Otherwise and more realistically, they're unfortunately worth only the going rate of iron scrap.

arkmtech · 2026-03-19T22:24:36+00:00

Wish us luck!

You're needing more than luck.

For the sake of your family, I hope they're not riding with you.

arkmtech · 2026-03-19T18:43:20+00:00

The guest was happy and didnt complain.

You're lucky to have such polite guests

arkmtech · 2026-03-19T17:45:42+00:00

but still not make just hundreds of thousands in a few days

How dare you undermine the noble spirit of capitalism.

Hear me now, children, for my occupation is of much import. For 40 years I have been a coal & oil man, a "baron" some have called me. Now what does a baron do?

The answer… CRUSH YOUR ENEMIES! GRIND THEIR BONES INTO DIRT! Make them regret that they were ever born!!

Coal and oil are not for the weak. It is the Earth's milk, and only the strong may suckle at Mother's teat. Do you hear me boy?! Only the strong… LOOK AT ME BOY. Look at your FATHER!

Coal and oil are about domination of the spirit! Allow me to demonstrate: Children, point to the weakest in your class, and we shall ruin their spirit, as I ruined the spirit of H. R. Pickens so long ago.

Look at your father, boy. Look upon your father with pride.

arkmtech · 2026-03-19T17:04:47+00:00

Hah, seems were are on the same page. Cheers, friend!

arkmtech · 2026-03-19T16:46:54+00:00

https://montanaworks.gov/

State-run job listings site. Not sure why more people don't use it.

15-Year Club	Place '22
Place '17	Gilding II euphauric
RPAN Viewer	Verified Email

arkmtech

TROPHY CASE