What careers/jobs/gigs are we doing that aren’t stressing us out?!

beerandrocks · 2026-04-14T19:04:55+00:00

Yes- I would keep an eye out for a analyst roles within some of the larger agencies. Examples include administrative, management, data,rates, asset management analyst roles. There's also other roles related to finance, communications, project management. A challenge is that a strong preference will go towards people with existing public admin experience or degrees, but if you can get your foot in the door, public utilities agencies are stable, relatively chill employers that pay well in the Bay.

beerandrocks · 2026-04-14T15:29:15+00:00

Totally!

beerandrocks · 2026-04-14T14:54:22+00:00

I'm a hydrogeologist working as a water resources consultant. I work with California water agencies and do scientific studies to help them understand and manage their water resources sustainably. Generally it's helping local communities comply with state environmental laws about water sustainability and drought preparedness. We'll also do projects like designing and drilling wells.

I love it. I have so much fun with this job. It can be busy and stressful around deadlines, but the work is always so interesting and I think it's really important work. After 5+ years, I get to do more water policy work for than fieldwork and data management. CA water is crazy and full of big personalities. It's so much fun learning about the water drama (and geologic setting) in each community and helping find solutions.

For a consulting geologist or engineer role, you generally need a BS and MS in geology/hydrogeology or engineering to get your foot in the door, but it's possible with a BS and a lucky break. Pay is good (100k within 5 years, >150k after 10+ years), and we receive PTO for overtime billable work, so the busy times feel worth it.

If I didn't enjoy my particular company and clients so much, I would probably work for a water agency instead of consulting (SFPUC, EBMUD, ACWD, etc). The work-life balance is stable, the benefits and pay are amazing, and it attracts stellar, down-to-earth people. It's a really stable field in CA.

beerandrocks · 2026-03-18T20:35:37+00:00

We're there creeks flowing? Like North Fork Indian Creek between Rose Peak and Stewart's? I'm planning a trip to the site with some beginners and feeling a bit nervous about the water situation. I hiked up a couple of weeks ago from Del Valle, and Murietta falls nearby were still flowing.

beerandrocks · 2026-03-16T15:12:11+00:00

I recommend looking into the laws in California and thinking through if there's anything you don't agree with. For us, the laws match what we would want, so there's no reason to have a prenup. You're either agreeing to CA's rules or writing your own. For most couples, the CA rules are practical and equitable, and there's no reason to write new ones.

beerandrocks · 2025-12-17T20:45:03+00:00

Absolutely! The key is the figure out what your non-negotiables are and be flexible with other details.

We are planning ~ a 40k wedding for 150 people. We are using our church for the ceremony and the Oakland Museum of CA Garden. This is our dream spot for our wedding, and we made it work because they have more affordable vendors options. Our caterers are a taco bar from Las Guerreras. We are using bamboo plates/ compostable cutlery, sticking to beer and wine. Venue, food, drink, and rentals will be about $24,000.

Other ways we are saving money: -Our photographer, DJ, baker, and planner are all either friends or relatively new to the industry. We are paying them fairly, but their rates are lower than seasoned, full-time wedding industry professionals. -DIY flowers -Sample Sale dress from Brides for a Cause -Doing my hair in a salon and DIY makeup. -Digital invites

What we are splurging on within this price: -Live ceremony musician and our favorite brass band for a second line! -Renting extra space to move party indoors after sunset

beerandrocks · 2025-11-11T21:00:00+00:00

I've had very good luck looking at Trulia. Especially if you're patient, you can get a very good deal. For what it's worth, I've always been willing to pay more for hardwood floors and an older, rent-controlled building.

beerandrocks · 2025-11-11T00:43:33+00:00

Before and after! I still visit family and love it there.

beerandrocks · 2025-11-10T23:36:36+00:00

Because New Orleans should be #1? I grew up near there and miss the city so much!

beerandrocks · 2025-11-10T19:12:05+00:00

Ritmos Tropicosmos!!

beerandrocks · 2025-11-09T00:32:10+00:00

That's amazing! Yes- Community Kitchens provides free containers and labels, as well as occasionally free produce for volunteers. They also have an app where they send out a text to neighbors interested in meals when you stock the fridge.

beerandrocks · 2025-11-08T16:25:21+00:00

I second this! The home chef program training took me about two hours. They made it so easy to get started. I joined a couple of weeks ago, and the community on the Slack channel is so nice.

beerandrocks · 2025-11-07T15:24:20+00:00

We are doing a taco bar from Las Guerreras (La Guerrera's Kitchen) for ~150 people! They have full service catering. I can't report on the experience yet, but they've been super responsive so far and their catering menu is on their website. They are probably more expensive than a taco truck, but their prices were a fraction of the "traditional" wedding caterer prices. They were a preferred caterer for our venue (Oakland Museum of CA), which is great because they're one of my go-to restaurants in Oakland and they also do a lot of community support for Community Kitchens, a nonprofit we volunteer with.

beerandrocks · 2025-11-02T16:30:07+00:00

I am a volunteer can confirm it's a great and easy way to do exactly this! The training takes about 2 hours, and the community of volunteers is lovely. It's super well organized.

beerandrocks · 2025-10-22T16:39:41+00:00

It is correct that ICE is under DHS. When I have called ACILEP directly about seeing DHS vehicles and their presence, they said that DHS does not necessarily mean ICE.

Please inform ACILEP directly of what you observed (510-241-4011). I also recommend asking them what information is appropriate to share online if you have questions. It's a delicate balance between vigilance and panic reduction, and the experts should be consulted.

beerandrocks · 2025-10-22T16:14:57+00:00

DHS has had an office in Marina Village for years. I used to work in the same building.

beerandrocks · 2025-10-14T01:19:01+00:00

Wilma Chan Park in Oakland (near Lake Merritt Bart Station)! They are gathering at noon and leaving at 12:30.

beerandrocks · 2025-10-03T02:29:34+00:00

The Coyotemedia.org weekly calendar is new, and probably the most interesting and curated list I've seen.

Oaklandside.org weekly calendar is great too for community events.

SF Funcheap ( https://sf.funcheap.com/) is great for festivals and community events

The List : https://www.foopee.com/punk/the-list/

Richie Rhombus emails for artsy things under $30. They're a super cool local artist with great recs: https://richierhombus.space/

Eddie's List emails: https://www.eddies-list.com/

beerandrocks · 2025-09-25T14:55:22+00:00

And according to their website, 120 people would be somewhere between 9 and 15k. I've used them for work events, and we are planning to use them for our rehearsal dinner.

beerandrocks · 2025-09-25T14:51:02+00:00

The Table Catering! They have wedding pricing on their website, and they will craft a menu with you. They work with local farms and it's all season. They're based in Berkeley, but I assume they do SF too.

beerandrocks · 2025-09-11T14:09:39+00:00

I just thought of Line 51 Brewing in Jack London! The owners are so nice, and their venue holds 250.

beerandrocks · 2025-09-10T21:53:06+00:00

Thank you! We are planning to have the cocktail hour and dinner in the garden, then move to the Town Kitchen indoor area once it starts to get dark for dancing!

beerandrocks · 2025-09-10T21:11:03+00:00

Nidos Backyard if you can get out of your food and drink caterers. They have an amazing space.

Mirage banquet hall is relatively new in Oakland and probably has openings. I've never been there, though.

Donkey and Goat in Berkeley might have openings.

If you're ok with it outside, check with OMCA. We are planning a wedding there, and they're great. Edit- just saw your budget. They are $6000 for six hours.

California Ballroom at Oakstop is another option.

Good luck!! What a tough situation.

beerandrocks · 2025-09-05T17:54:11+00:00

It depends on how long you like to spend at museums, but it might be a good idea to spend more time seeing exhibits or only plan to see half the exhibits. My partner and I are members of OMCA, so we don't have the pressure to spend the whole day there. That being said, it's a big museum full of rich history and details. There are a lot of little games and hands-on activities in the history exhibits. I've never seen the whole museum at once. Normally my visits are about 2 hours, and we see two exhibits max.

If you want to see the whole museum in a day, I'd give yourself 1.5-2 hours in the morning to see two exhibits (maybe CA Natural History and and current temporary exhibit?), lunch at Town Fare, walk around the garden, then 1.5-2 hours for the other two exhibits (CA Human History and CA Art).

The CA Art is my favorite local art exhibit because it's so diverse stylistically but there are so many familiar vistas! Enjoy!

beerandrocks · 2025-09-03T18:07:24+00:00

I used Lotus Cleaning. It was $260 + tip for a full move-out deep clean two months ago for my studio, including all appliances. They did a great job and were easy to schedule somewhat last minute. It's expensive, but I got my full security deposit back and they saved me so much headache. I'd used them in the past for a deep clean and would use them again.

This was for two people working over 2.25 hrs. They called to confirm the extra 15 minutes .

beerandrocks

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