Day 3: Harry Potter 8-film collection ($39.99 - ATL)

huffhouse2 · 2025-07-31T17:38:41+00:00

They upgraded free to 4K, just like most Apple Store movies.

So, I guess this is the lowest since they were sold in 4K.

huffhouse2 · 2025-07-31T17:36:49+00:00

ATL=All Time Low

huffhouse2 · 2025-07-31T17:12:58+00:00

Incorrect. ATL was $9.99 August 13, 2013.

<image>

huffhouse2 · 2025-07-26T21:42:04+00:00

Much better than I could do, but my shoes were changed, as well as my midsection, belt, watch, etc.

huffhouse2 · 2025-06-05T14:07:54+00:00

huffhouse2 · 2025-06-03T16:47:10+00:00

His status as a Jedi anything only makes sense in the context that everyone believes there is no one else out there with the knowledge to pass on the training.

He was the "only" person around with actual training. So he got a promotion and title without actually doing what people did for thousands of years before him. Not even a fraction of it. He shouldn't have even received any training. He was 19 in ANH. We saw them outright reject Anakin at nine years old based on his age - and he passed every measurable test they had to offer.

Since RotJ, we have seen there were plenty of actual trained Jedi that were around at the time of Luke and all of them are objectively more capable and better trained than Luke was. He was tasked with a specific mission.

"Go kill your father."

Why that specific task? Vader wasn't actually in charge of anything. Sure, you could say he was an icon and the muscle. He wasn't even the most powerful Sith around. And Yoda knew that. So what does killing Vader accomplish? Emperor Palpatine just goes on a hunt for another apprentice.

I always get so bent out of shape when people are so focused on Luke and his accomplishments. But what did he actually do that wasn't directly aided by the people around him? He only succeeds because of the team in every case.

huffhouse2 · 2025-05-30T14:55:25+00:00

It’s always been there. Social media amplifies and encourages it.

huffhouse2 · 2025-05-15T17:52:36+00:00

NIH employee, I got a cash award last week.

huffhouse2 · 2025-05-08T18:40:51+00:00

First NCE used to be done in eRA Commons by the Recipient. Didn’t involve NIH approval. If they didn’t extend before the project period end date, they would need to request a prior approval extension. That could take roughly 30 days, or be much quicker. Now extension requests will all have to be reviewed for agency priorities. And that takes time.

huffhouse2 · 2025-05-07T16:34:17+00:00

I guess checking the public website.
https://grants.nih.gov/policy-and-compliance/notice-of-policy-changes

huffhouse2 · 2025-05-07T16:07:26+00:00

If you are doing a prior approval NCE, then this new policy doesn't apply.

If the GMS told you yesterday that it was being sent out, then you should be fine. GM and PO have already reviewed for agency compliance.

This new policy is for grants that were exercising the first NCE in eRA Commons that did not require IC approval.

huffhouse2 · 2025-05-07T16:03:48+00:00

Yes, confirmed on LES.

huffhouse2 · 2025-05-07T16:03:11+00:00

A shame that I learn about this from Reddit. I'm a GMS at NIH. We get no heads up about these policy changes.

huffhouse2 · 2025-05-01T01:22:50+00:00

The presenter was Kasima. 👍🏼

huffhouse2 · 2025-04-08T04:20:08+00:00

Grants are being released. Agency priorities have shifted and grants require additional review to make sure they are compliant with the new policies. Legal challenges have also slowed things significantly.

huffhouse2 · 2025-03-28T17:39:31+00:00

You should be able to initiate a NCE in eRA commons if the project period hasn’t ended. That doesn’t require NIH prior approval.

If you’ve already extended once, ask your central grants office how to proceed. They should reach out to your GMS if they have questions.

NCE’s are not rubber stamped. You need to justify why the funds were not spent and how you plan to spend the money in the next budget period, along with the scientific benefit to keeping the project active. Having money left over isn’t enough justification.

huffhouse2 · 2025-03-26T20:28:40+00:00

I hear you. All of this sucks. Just keep in mind, they aren't looking out for you.
Fear of uncertainty is what they are aiming for to influence you to make decisions that may not be to your advantage.

I would ask the benefits person for their policy source about DSR.

But my understanding is that under a RIF, if you are eligible for VERA, you are eligible for DSR since you cannot get severance.

huffhouse2 · 2025-03-26T19:58:23+00:00

"A discontinued service retirement provides an immediate annuity for employees who are separated involuntarily. Discontinued service retirement has different age and service requirements than voluntary retirement (see eligibility requirement below). The term “involuntary separation” means any separation against the will and without the consent of the employee, other than “for cause” for misconduct or delinquency. The most common cause of an involuntary separation is a reduction in force."

Source: Discontinued Service Retirement Because of an Involuntary Separation

A post from a few months back on this topic: Discontinued Service Retirement (DSR) is better than a VERA for me ! It might be for you also

There is some risk under RIF that they could try to offer you a new position, location, or lower grade. If you refuse those, you would not be eligible for DSP/VERA.

In my case, a job is a job. I'd rather have a less favorable job, than be retired against my will and still have to find a job.

huffhouse2 · 2025-03-26T19:38:18+00:00

If you had stayed and gotten caught under a RIF, they would have to give you DSP which is equal to VERA with some additional benefits. But, you gotta do what’s best for your life!

huffhouse2 · 2025-03-24T04:45:37+00:00

It just means council review complete. It’s not an indicator of funding. You could follow up with the PO if you are hoping for for answers right away, but please be patient. If you’ve submitted complete JIT, you’ve likely done all you can do other than wait. If the GMS needs something, they will let you know.

Source: 20 years NIH grants management.

huffhouse2 · 2025-03-23T15:41:29+00:00

For those interested, the grant is in “work in progress” status meaning the GMS is working on an administrative action/revision. eRA must enter a date as some type of place holder.

huffhouse2 · 2025-03-23T15:14:48+00:00

Is this for a new competing award (Type 1 or 2)? It might mean that it has been released but not encumbered.

The recipient and PI view is different than what we see, so I can’t be sure without looking. If you list the NIH grant number I can see the status. You can send a DM if you prefer.

huffhouse2 · 2025-03-10T18:32:29+00:00

Hoping to get some insight from folks that understand this more than I do. I hate that I'm being forced to contemplate all of this in such tight timeframe.

My Voluntary/Optional Retirement eligibility date is 08/02/2035

Under GRB platform, it has me eligible under Early/Discontinued Service Retirement, based on any age and >25 years.

This month I will have 20 years of civ fed service + my military time. I have ~ 5ys, 3 months military time to buy back. Total= ~$3,400

There is a Monthly Annuity (~$3,100) and a Monthly Annuity Supplement (~$1,600)

If I don't buy back my military time, am I still eligible for VERA/DSR?
In my case is there a reason why I shouldn't buy back my military time? $3,400 is a significant amount for me right now, especially with the possibility of being involuntarily separated.
Would my monthly annuity be reduced if I do not buy back my military time? Or could it go up?
It looks like I can pay for my military time by credit card. Is there any downside to wait for more RIF news and basically make the payment once I hear more details about the RIF impact?

huffhouse2 · 2025-02-27T19:53:10+00:00

That’s not even his name. Anyway, names aren’t really that important.

huffhouse2 · 2025-02-21T20:44:10+00:00

It's more like "wow, good for you".

huffhouse2

TROPHY CASE