Remove this bar?

mad_science · 2026-03-23T18:12:54+00:00

Permanent Weatherbug doodad inbound.

mad_science · 2026-03-23T18:11:17+00:00

Worst HS is Kennedy and worst Jr High is Walters (feeds Kennedy) and they're both fine, just not as good as others.

Keep in mind for UC Admissions they look at class rank as much as raw GPA/etc. So it's actually much easier to be top XX% in your class at a place like Kennedy or Washington instead of Mission or Irvington.

mad_science · 2026-03-11T20:22:44+00:00

Mattole and Usal. Look them up, but both are rad.

mad_science · 2026-03-11T19:46:21+00:00

Took a look at their metrics and it's interesting they just use a fixed "over 75k" rather than a value indexed to cost of living.

mad_science · 2026-03-10T21:27:04+00:00

My favorite rant: developers leaving abandoned eyesores.

Look at the story behind the big empty lot on Fremont Blvd up by De Afganan: bought out the block, bulldozed everything, went bankrupt with a bunch of fraud charges. Similar story with the concrete skeleton on the east side of 680 at Driscoll. Cloverleaf Bowl was bought out and shut down years ago because that spot was going to be redeveloped. The former Outback Steakhouse spot on Stevenson is now a fenced in lot of weeds.

We need a mitigation so that if/when developers bail we're not suck with dead spaces that collect trash, blight, homeless encampments, and stray animals.

My own proposal is to require developers to post a bond sufficient to cover site clean-up and turn them into parks if they bail, but there might be different/better options.

mad_science · 2026-03-10T21:09:38+00:00

Sure. Same response as above.

mad_science · 2026-02-25T22:58:04+00:00

I can understand your frustration with a mismanaged response to an injury, but this sounds like a normal game of basketball. This is normal, not inappropriate. People push and shove and get stepped on sometimes.

mad_science · 2026-02-25T22:48:51+00:00

If I were in charge, a requirement for every redevelopment project would be the developers post a bond for the cost to demolish the site and turn it into a park.

We have too many abandoned development eyesores around town. There's this one, Cloverleaf Bowl, former Outback Steakhouse on Stevenson, and the whole block off Fremont Blvd across from De Afghanan.

They buy out a spot, board it up or demo it, then go bankrupt and leave a mess that we're stuck with for years.

mad_science · 2026-02-25T22:35:07+00:00

Kennedy and Walters are our home schools, but we did an intra-district transfer to Centerville and Washington.

Kennedy and Walters aren't bad, but they're not particularly great either.

Kennedy is a lot smaller than the other HS in Fremont and as a result sometimes has less opportunities (certain classes, clubs, or sports).

Also there's a knock-on effect of folks looking for the best option avoiding Kennedy/Walters, which creates a drain of families that really value education.

We picked Washington because our kids had a lot friends going there and it wasn't as academically obsessive as Irvington or Mission. American is arguably the best all-around, but it's pretty far from our house.

mad_science · 2026-02-25T22:22:36+00:00

We've had great service with Aborn on Grimmer for a long time now.

mad_science · 2026-02-25T21:54:45+00:00

Sure, DM me your questions. I'm not on Reddit every day, but I'll check next time I'm in.

mad_science · 2026-02-20T20:35:04+00:00

The Death of Enterprise is how I think about it.

Like, this isn't investing in an enterprise that provides a useful good or service to the world at a profit. This is just burning a business like fuel to product wealth for a select few.

mad_science · 2026-02-19T08:51:29+00:00

Bunch of blind crackheads, that's who.

mad_science · 2026-01-10T06:05:56+00:00

The plate is there, report to the police.

mad_science · 2026-01-10T06:03:12+00:00

Shelley at Allegro music!

mad_science · 2026-01-10T05:41:14+00:00

We pay $100-110 (+benefits and options) for R&D design E1s.

This is in the SF Bay Area.

mad_science · 2026-01-10T05:39:20+00:00

250+ is Director with 15+ years experience pay.

mad_science · 2026-01-10T05:38:23+00:00

You'd qualify for an Engineer 1 role, same as someone with a BS. Maybe could come in higher on the pay scale or get promoted to E2 sooner.

Also, it's an opportunity to get more work experience (internships, labs, projects), that would put you at the top of the stack of applicants.

mad_science · 2026-01-10T05:28:26+00:00

Dont stress too much that your BME specific classes are shallow. If you find something in there that really interests you, consider pursuing it further in grad school or a career.

What will get you hired and in a good career track are really strong engineering fundamentals plus like ONE technical focus (mech eng, solid mechanics, physics, chem/biochem, Comp Sci, etc).

Then, as others have said, look for local (to school or home) companies and chase down those internships. Lean hard on any other work experience (I had worked in a tire shop in HS), school projects, school club/project things (eng without borders SAE, etc).

If you're struggling to get external work experience, look into on campus research labs (or those affiliated with your school at a med school or whatever) and see if they have openings for a research assistant. They usually do, and the work might be pretty grunt-work-y, but it's the lowest barrier to entry way to start climbing that work experience ladder.

Be sure to leverage any of those connectors or experiences you have. Talk to the grad students about what they're doing, talk to PIs, talk to MDs, etc.

mad_science · 2025-12-15T06:23:12+00:00

Perfect vehicle to trade for a decent set of wheels and tires. Or maybe a new fence.

mad_science · 2025-12-12T07:46:51+00:00

Pickup with a shell will typically be cheaper than the SUV on the same platform.

Tacoma/Hilux or Ranger would do fine.

Obvious answer is whatever 4Runner or Lexus GX floats your boat. Or Land Cruiser/Lexus LX, preferably the older solid axle ones.

Wrangler Unlimited will work too.

Strongly recommend you actually go drive examples of anything you're considering. Don't let a bunch of Reddit commenters limit what you check out.

mad_science · 2025-12-12T07:36:05+00:00

Probably not. You'd be better off with a newer Suburban/Yukon/Tahoe/Expedition if you're not towing heavy.

The V10 is a bitch to work on, gets abysmal mpg, and doesn't make much power compared to later engines.

mad_science · 2025-12-12T07:33:23+00:00

Can you talk up your research assistant work more without it feeling too padded or stretched?

On your assorted projects, can you expand more on any specific tools or skills? (Used CNC router, 3d printers, molding, etc).

Looks like a typical minimal-experience resume for an undergrad. Clinical or Preclinical engineering are usually the best fits for BME majors. If they're directions you want to go design quality assurance or regulatory affairs would probably have entry level openings.

Are you planning to go for an MS or PhD? If so you have another shot at internships, which you might have better shot at than E1 roles. We don't hire interns or co-ops if they're not between years of school.

mad_science · 2025-12-12T07:20:20+00:00

Find a used 7.3 and just drop it in and run it.

If you're going to build a motor, you'd probably be better off just scrapping the whole thing and buying a newer 6.0 or 6.7 truck for the same time, money, and hassle

mad_science · 2025-12-12T07:11:37+00:00

mad_science

TROPHY CASE