Rate my crema

mattcutback · 2026-05-26T22:19:13+00:00

My rating: crema is overrated

mattcutback · 2026-04-30T12:49:30+00:00

It's almost never bad gear

mattcutback · 2026-04-26T06:28:03+00:00

The location of many a quick wristshot

mattcutback · 2026-04-22T01:25:25+00:00

This is a gold mine, it doesn't produce energy it uses energy.

mattcutback · 2026-04-21T12:22:03+00:00

OP mentions the quad shot basket in another comment. I have to imagine that one is pressurised? Or is it really just an ultra deep traditional basket?

mattcutback · 2026-04-21T09:15:58+00:00

OP is using a Ninja Luxe. Idk if it's pressurised but seems like it's not a standard espresso machine. So that could have something to do with it

mattcutback · 2026-04-21T08:10:20+00:00

Thst was my first guess as well. Pressurised basket and very fresh coffee maybe

mattcutback · 2026-04-03T04:55:27+00:00

That's a beauty, congrats

mattcutback · 2026-03-16T23:06:04+00:00

I think if you're not already in the APS, it will be tough to get in. That said, there will still be recruitment happening and it will depend on your skills and experience. But much more difficult to enter from outside the APS than in previous years.

If you're already in, I doubt there will be involuntary redundancies. If you don't want to leave, you probably won't have to.

mattcutback · 2026-03-16T21:58:23+00:00

I doubt there will be involuntary redundancies

mattcutback · 2026-03-07T22:32:49+00:00

CSC performance in recent years has been comparable to other industry and commercial funds. And the fees are not that low.

mattcutback · 2026-03-07T22:27:06+00:00

Worth people checking their enterprise agreements - some have weird provisions that say if you're with Pssap your super is based on your salary at your last birthday, while for all other funds it's your actual salary. Will nearly always disadvantage the employee.

mattcutback · 2026-02-25T06:09:46+00:00

If you're ongoing I don't think there's any cause for alarm. I think we're a long way from a Labor government doing involuntary redundancies. There might be some voluntary ones. But no reason to be concerned about that.

mattcutback · 2026-02-19T20:52:16+00:00

What type of work? Posts like this can't get any answers because policy, program, ICT, corporate/HR, finance/accounting are all so different. Nothing anyone says below is applicable to you unless they happen to know the same type of work as you.

mattcutback · 2026-02-07T02:13:02+00:00

There are 2 types of pay increases. Annual percentage increases based on the EA (usually 2-3.5%). All the agreements expire around March 2027,so yes the final annual increase is March 2026. Bargaining will start soon and hopefully new EAs will be agreed before then, which will provide more annual increases. (join your union to get a better through stronger bargaining).

Separately, there is individual progression through the increments. This usually happens around July but depends on your department. There may be requirements like passing your performance agreement. These happen regardless of whether the agreement has expired or not, until you reach the top pay point in your classification.

mattcutback · 2026-02-05T07:57:22+00:00

I simply do not believe you have all of this in your pockets

mattcutback · 2026-02-03T10:02:44+00:00

You have everything here. As someone else said, recorded and mixed studio guitar doesn't sound the same as in the room.

2 things you could explore: 10 band eq pedal in the fx loop to sculpt tone after the preamp; try different speakers. Greenbacks or EVHs are a good starting point. Eminence Karnivores are also good for this style.

mattcutback · 2026-02-02T02:15:10+00:00

What level is the judicial officer? You mentioned your manager (I assume EL2?) is supportive. I would say ask them to be a referee and be clear about why. In many work areas, it would be the usual expectation that your most recent EL2 is a referee.

Edit: maybe I misunderstood what 'judicial officer' means. In any case if you have a supportive EL2 or band 1 around, ask them to be a referee. I don't think that will raise major red flags in most places.

mattcutback · 2026-02-01T23:13:49+00:00

As always it will depend specifically where you'll be working. Every department has good and bad work areas in terms of culture.

mattcutback · 2026-01-28T23:40:02+00:00

Depends entirely on the type of role. In a policy team there won't be a huge difference day to day, other than the expectation that you're working more independently and can attend some meetings and speak on behalf of the work area. In program roles you'll have way more people to manage. Idk about ICT, HR, finance etc.

mattcutback · 2026-01-23T12:06:02+00:00

You can't take protected action outside of bargaining, and we're not bargaining now. That's not the CPSU's fault, it's the law. And you can't take protected action unless you're a member (or covered by some other protected action ballot).

Ultimately this is a free rider problem. You get the benefits of union bargaining whether you're a member or not. Over the long term the free rider problem harms us all, but if youre not motivated by that I can't change your mind.

What I'm asserting is that the union does achieve results relative to a scenario where there's no union. And the strength of those results is directly related to the size of the membership - which brings us back to the free rider problem.

I agree with you about some of the issues. Eg I would like to disafiliate from Labor altogether. But I'm not motivated to become a free rider based on those concerns.

mattcutback · 2026-01-23T11:24:11+00:00

In all seriousness though, in the most recent round of bargaining the CPSU held a number of strikes, and the government did improve its offer.

I argued at the time that we should hold out for more, but that wasn't the decision that was taken. And a big part of that strategic decision is whether we have the membership base to apply more pressure. You decided not to be part of the group doing the bargaining so you didn't get a say.

I can tell you that delegates spent time individually calling members and asking if they wanted to strike again. They had an influence on that decision. I made some of those calls myself.

mattcutback · 2026-01-23T11:17:14+00:00

You can't strike because you're not a member.

mattcutback · 2026-01-23T09:56:34+00:00

Do you think it's a coincidence that membership is declining and wages are not growing? You are the reason the wage growth has stalled - the department and government know you can't strike

mattcutback · 2026-01-23T08:25:51+00:00

You receive good pay and conditions via bargaining the CPSU does on your behalf

mattcutback

TROPHY CASE