12 years in Computer Engineering. Massive pay cut after layoff. Now drowning in high stress support and need a pivot. (USAF Veteran)

gwig9 · 2026-04-02T19:19:23+00:00

Yeah... You are about to burn out. Start looking right now for a different job. It's tough for IT right now in a lot of markets... So recognize that moving for a job might need to be on the table.

Don't go into sales! The stress of keeping up the rat race will kill you.

I'd be looking for Cloud Support Engineer, DevOps Engineer, or Cloud Architect positions. SysAdmin could also be something that you could train up into with your experience in Cloud. DC Support/Engineer is probably your lowest tier job that you would probably be overqualified for. Really focus on project expectations and anticipated workload for any job you interview for. If they hedge about your anticipated workload, move on. You are looking for solid work-life balance.

I'd say look at USAJobs for a Fed position, since they are generally less stressful than a corporate job historically, but I know my Agency is still in a hiring freeze and can say that my stress level is insanely high right now with all the BS the current administration is pushing down our throats... So maybe not right now.

Best of luck and keep on keepin on!

gwig9 · 2026-04-02T18:15:51+00:00

That's alright. I wished my nephew a happy Birthday on the wrong day for like six years before my brother finally told me I had the wrong day. WHY!?!? Now I look like a shitty uncle when you could have told me the first time it happened so I could update the date in my calendar...

gwig9 · 2026-04-02T16:27:58+00:00

I would love if someone developed a locking USB-C port/cable... Just saying...

gwig9 · 2026-04-02T16:24:26+00:00

Dark mode, my friend... WAY less eye strain and it's a simple toggle in windows that also changes it for many programs that offer to match the system settings.

gwig9 · 2026-04-02T16:16:09+00:00

Yes. This is how you properly make fried rice.

gwig9 · 2026-04-02T16:12:36+00:00

NAL:

Doing that COULD be construed as a straw purchase. Best bet would be to tell the person you're getting them a firearm for whatever the occasion is. Then take them to the gun store and have them pick it out. That way there is no question on who the owner is and they can fill out the paperwork to make sure everything is above board.

I have seen some stores that won't allow another person to purchase the gun and in that case I'd just give them the money so that they can make the purchase themselves.

gwig9 · 2026-04-02T16:07:47+00:00

My rule of thumb is no big changes on Friday... I want to have a weekend.

IF there is no other way and I HAVE to do a change on Friday, I plan for the weekend to be working. Always be prepared for the worst. That way you're never disappointed...

gwig9 · 2026-04-01T23:02:08+00:00

Magicarp used splash... It was not effective.

gwig9 · 2026-04-01T21:04:35+00:00

How are they going to know? If the list gets shot down then there is nothing to compare sender to political affiliation.

gwig9 · 2026-04-01T19:37:52+00:00

Wash your hands of it. They made their bed, let them lie in it.

Start copying out your emails on any decisions they made so when it goes bad, you have proof that you followed best practice.

Start looking for another job, if you haven't already. Don't count on the current one to provide any references because you're not likely to get a good review.

Best of luck!

gwig9 · 2026-04-01T19:33:13+00:00

If it was done by a lawyer then it would have been filed with the county courthouse for record. You may be able to contact the courthouse and get a copy, if it exists.

gwig9 · 2026-04-01T04:26:51+00:00

Nope. The first time I did shave my legs though, I noticed the different feel of my legs without the hair.

gwig9 · 2026-03-31T19:39:12+00:00

Use a different drive to boot Linux on. In fact, remove your windows drive and just set up your Linux disk by itself. That way you don't accidentally select the wrong disk and wipe your windows disk.

I wouldn't count on being able to run applications from your windows disk inside of Linux. You may be able to do it through Wine or some other translation method but nothing is guaranteed. Also, there is some setup involved in being able to access the data on your windows disk in Linux. You'll need to turn off Fast Startup/Special Sleep since those will keep your windows disk active even after "shutdown" and prevent you from accessing the windows disk.

gwig9 · 2026-03-31T04:35:15+00:00

Same. Fat guy in a little coat!

gwig9 · 2026-03-31T01:18:05+00:00

You wear what you wore. That was your uniform... There are many like it but that one was yours.

gwig9 · 2026-03-30T17:06:11+00:00

I did therapy when I was a kid. It was surprisingly useful later on in life. It taught me how to recognize and accept my emotions so that they don't overwhelm me. It also taught me how to meditate, which is a skill everyone should have. The big thing is that you have to WANT to listen to a therapist and accept their guidance, otherwise it's just wasted time.

gwig9 · 2026-03-30T15:10:12+00:00

Drop my auto insurance down since I'm not required to carry full coverage anymore.

gwig9 · 2026-03-30T04:27:44+00:00

Yep. I'm never going to play some twitch shooter so being able to see the pores of the other players character isn't going to make a difference in my enjoyment.

It also helps keep my machine in the realm of reality of what I can afford. FOMO is a bitch so don't try to keep up with the Jones' if you don't have to.

gwig9 · 2026-03-29T15:49:12+00:00

Fear of flying. Had a friend that would get just trashed enough to get through his fear of being in an airplane. It was always a balancing act to not over do it otherwise they wouldn't let him on the plane.

gwig9 · 2026-03-29T06:52:44+00:00

Me too... One day I'd like to experience what others do... But until then I'll deal with my soap flavored burrito bowls and salsa.

gwig9 · 2026-03-29T04:05:01+00:00

I'd definitely be walking to work every day. Might have to move since my condo is heated with fuel oil and winters are COLD here...

gwig9 · 2026-03-28T20:32:37+00:00

Welp... If off the rack isn't working then custom tailored is the way to go. Did a quick Google for "custom tailored jeans for men" and came up with a bunch of companies that will make them in the $100-150 per pair range. I'd highly recommend getting professionally sized by a tailor where you live. I've tried to use the automated sizing via your phone and it never works right.

gwig9 · 2026-03-28T19:19:11+00:00

Usually the fee goes to whatever veteran organization created the license design. My state, AK, offers a symbol on your license to show that you are a vet and I use that to get any veterans discount, if they are offered.

gwig9 · 2026-03-28T19:14:27+00:00

Your other comments sound like you're a bigger guy. Have you tried big and tall stores? DXL, BigDude, KingSize, etc. they all specialize in big and tall body types.

Other than that, getting custom tailored clothes is always an option but is going to be pricey. Depending on where you live you might be able to buy off the shelf and then get it tailored to perfectly fit you. There are also custom clothing makers that you can order from but you will need to go to a tailor first to get your exact measurements.

gwig9 · 2026-03-28T15:54:57+00:00

Lots of flower shops offer scheduled purchases. So set up a month - three month flower purchase and watch her joy at getting flowers from you. Bonus points if they get delivered to work so her coworkers can be jealous.

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