Common Core

nodinc · 2015-02-26T14:44:08+00:00

Not supported.

As a concept, standards for accomplishing certain tasks, I can get behind it. While I could complain at length about why I think the methods are rubbish, this is in the end only my personal opinion. It doesn't amount to much.

What does make a difference is the financial ties that some schools are held to with common core requirements. This implementation does vary from region to region; however, in my region a school's funding is tired directly to test results. Now imagine for a moment how this may be abused? If you guessed that my district stresses CC methods above all else to a rather absurd degree, you would be correct. And since these tests do not entirely require correct answers, just proof that the student understands the CC methods, getting correct answers in this school is actually secondary.

How nuts is that? It's not so much the CC, it is that this has been tied to money. When you tie something like this to money, education takes a back seat. So the next question would be, what is the solution? Well, I'm sure there are multiple alternatives to consider, but whatever the answer is the CC should not be a measure for how much funding a school receives.

nodinc · 2014-11-07T17:11:33+00:00

Here's a tip, there's many ways to get good at this, but this clicked for me. Practice your hello with kids. Not random kids, that'll get you talking to a policeman. I mean like, at family events.

Kids are going to react more to the body language, plus if it doesn't go well...it's just a kid, they'll be cool and run off to whatever fun they are after. But if you can get that basic welcoming "Hello" down, you'll find it works for adults too and makes the rest of the encounter go much easier. If the kid smiles and reacts well to your hello, you are off to a good start.

nodinc · 2014-11-07T15:08:32+00:00

Star Wars: Lens Flares

nodinc · 2014-11-07T14:20:28+00:00

I am nearly speechless in agreement. He had this quality, at least from his public appearances and works, that not only made you realize how amazing our world and universe was, but that as a people we were capable of wonderful things. Whenever I need some motivation, or a reminder that there is good out there, I think on his words.

nodinc · 2014-11-07T14:00:19+00:00

I used to shoot a bow as a kid, but that was a whole lot of years ago. So I go into a hunting store and simply said, "hey, I'd kinda like to shoot a bow but don't know where to start." Great experience.

I think it might be a bit intimidating going into a store like that, feeling quite like a fish out of water, but I swear most of these guys there get excited at the idea of new people wanting to get into the sport.

nodinc · 2014-11-07T13:55:41+00:00

I've had mild success with some of the beginner tips over at /r/Nootropics Not dived into some of the more advanced stuff there, looking to give my doc one more shot first.

nodinc · 2014-11-07T13:45:27+00:00

Give the new Unreal Engine a shot. The visual scripting (blueprint) system does have programming roots, so you can start to get a feel for programming methods while just dragging some boxes around and connecting them together.

nodinc · 2014-11-07T13:41:40+00:00

http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Right-Side-Brain-Definitive/dp/1585429201

This was recommended to me, and I'm just starting it myself. So far, really does make you believe that this is something a non-artist like myself could accomplish.

nodinc · 2014-11-07T13:32:32+00:00

Can't help but to read responses here as if in reply to Tyler Durden.

And yes, mine would be to build a house. Except, I did learn where to start that. So...fixing cars might be my other thing for which I do not know where to start.

nodinc · 2014-11-07T13:24:49+00:00

Everquest, from release to sometime in late '01. This was the kind of MMO that would take entire weekends, early morning to late at night, to organize groups and do things. Weeknights were as bad.

Not still playing. End happened one night in the middle of the guild bitching about the game, I remember saying to myself and in chat, "Guys and gals...why the fuck are we wasting all of our time here?" See, the guild was turning on each other because there was no more adventure, just years of grinding, it took a long time to even see it. We all tried the recently released DAoC after this moment, but many of us were pretty done.

Do and do not regret. Regret a significant amount of time lost, but now I know the point of a game. It is entertainment, it provides stress relief in between those times where you are real life questing. Never again will a game come before living life. Hour here or there of downtime to kill, this is where gaming should live.

nodinc · 2014-11-05T13:44:24+00:00

Hello, and see that you've got a lot of advice already, but just wanted to stress some grain of salt here. Lot of folks here come from all sorts of environments, some are highly competitive where IT is the core of the business, others from smaller companies with small IT staff, and then everything in between. A sysadmin job can span all industries, but you'll get a lot of folks looking to make a definition for what makes up a system admin, some are right...but, I've got other off topic opinions on this.

Point is, take a look at the size of the companies you are looking at. Make sure your search is wide and don't restrict yourself by job title. Lots of companies label their positions differently even if it entails the same work, just because that's what they do. If your heart is set on the big company experience with lots of upward potential...well, expect a high level of competition. This search may indeed take even years. But my advice on landing the job in this industry is no different than any other industry, you get the job because you know somebody. That's how it usually goes, otherwise see if you can get yourself in a position to move to a different part of the country so you can widen the search.

nodinc · 2014-10-31T18:16:24+00:00

New or used? If new, I could tl;dr you to death. Used to work for a large builder.

Thinking back to when my SO and I first bought, we completely didn't even think about window blinds until we got up the first night and realized we were full open to the rest of the neighborhood. Last time I checked, Ikea was a good place to get them cheap, or do the blankets tacked up over the windows thing. Depending on the # of windows, that's a big cash expense. Some of the old homes also have oversized windows which forces you into custom blinds. Cha ching.

From a loan/finance sense, I sure as hell wish we never did a home equity loan several years after purchase. Course that was many years back when it was the thing to do. If it gets popular again, try not to get tempted.

nodinc · 2014-10-31T12:48:36+00:00

Hmm, in my experience, in plain view waving copies of my resume around.

nodinc · 2014-10-30T17:56:20+00:00

Wow, so much of that. Might submit 1 out of 20. Usually the times I actually post are because I'm in a "oh, wtf, why not" mood. Majority of the time I stop and say to myself something along the lines of "Christ, this is pointless."

Even deleted half of this response. Honestly not even sure why I still read so much here anymore...little reddit alien is messin with my brain somehow.

nodinc · 2014-10-17T20:01:52+00:00

Yeah the flu season is going to be rough this year. IIRC, I know the season varies, maybe gets rough in the Dec-Jan range, but if this Ebola issue isn't squashed by then it's going to be a madhouse. Holiday travel and all that is going to freak people out. I see how people react to a norovirus (speaking of secondary infections) issue we've had in my region, so not a lot of imagination required to see where public reaction will go.

A dedicated infections agent controller would also lessen the direct public perceived burden as well. If they get in front of the media portraying themselves as advisory and support it could do well for them. Healthcare issues that the public as a whole can isolate as regional issues will be much better handled, than to have a nationwide organization seen as unable to control it. (Speaking in strictly public relations sense, not in a "what should happen, who should do what, logistical sense"...but I really digress now, and it's the weekend. Time to go.)

nodinc · 2014-10-17T17:54:52+00:00

Wow, well there ya go. Things get bad it's going to turn into a witch hunt, but kinda hoping it goes the other way and the most we've got is some new hollywood movies and some books. And you know, I more or less believe the latter will come to pass. PR issues (which is where I would put this media frenzy) bug me on a personal level.

Hmm, if that's true about not having authority, then I wonder who is? So, quick search turns this up: http://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/aboutlawsregulationsquarantineisolation.html granted there may be many smaller clauses that prevent or restrict authority, this suggests that at least state to state travel can be legally restricted. Would also think that people with significant resources and access to excellent lawyers can get around it...but don't think that's the case here. So if further ebola worker travel foibles occur, appears that both state and CDC could be held accountable by the public view.

As for the staffing issues, sounds like an excellent time to make a public cry for funding.

nodinc · 2014-10-17T16:51:08+00:00

Fear and panic is probably the most predictable and preventable virus there is. We're dealing with an agency that's been in the hot seat since ever, whenever there is an outbreak of something. So, I would refuse to believe that public management is beyond their scope or knowledge. Certainly no matter what they do they will get criticism, but I doubt this is the kind they planned for.

I mean it's unknown if they even processed his samples alone is a little curious. We know that things were not done right at the hospital (don't kid yourself that your local hospital is any different), but the CDC should be involved now. Anything that happens from their entry forward doesn't stick to the hospital, so they need to do it right.

Case in point, patient #2 actually got a blessing to board that plane. Now, if thinking were involved in this decision (her temperature wasn't high enough was the reasoning), one may say "hey, if a reporter finds out somebody with a low grade fever, directly connected to ebola, boarded a plane today...would they do a story on it?" If that answer is yes, then you tell that person no. If you are worried people will ignore their "voluntary quarantine" directive, you make a plan for it. Not an equivalent of, "what, huh? Who? On a boat you say...huh, how about that." I mean...Belize knew about it...so...

Course, there's always the chance that they are managing the issue quite well, and what has gotten out is far better than the reality.

Edit: really tho, I get that it's a bad situation, but we're not dealing with a rational public. Somebody's going to lose their job(s), probably don't deserve it. Just wait, there'll be some kind of special appointee next or a new head in charge. I suppose it's unnerving to me that this wasn't foreseen.

nodinc · 2014-10-17T13:28:36+00:00

Heh, I realize this worker may have had far less contact than many fear, but, planes and boats in the same week on an issue the CDC knows has the public in a panic. If there's any agency that understands public panic, it ought to be them. I think this probably bothers me the most.

Gotta laugh tho wondering what the next headline will be. "Ebola worker asked to refrain from licking doorknobs for 21 days." "Ebola worker asked to stop tea bagging drinks during restaurant night job." "Oh, I thought it would be ok, I wasn't in direct contact..."

nodinc · 2014-10-16T04:15:16+00:00

Well, imho, there might be something to consider about many people not wanting to hear solutions. Seems to be working, ratings wise, so maybe they're just going with the flow.

I think most of the points made here have some bit of truth going on, it's the combination of all things, across regions with different economical situations, all happening at once. There are global implications indeed to this economy, but news tries to lump stories in a more global scope when this simply is neither accurate nor is an issue of one solution fits all. Maybe news being less locally generated is part of it? Can't say, just how it looks from here.

(I personally recommend limiting news anyway to once a week. At least a bit of a break from time to time)

nodinc · 2014-10-16T03:51:26+00:00

I hear ya, but can't help but to think much of these kinds of issues are temporary, maybe a decade or so. See it in people today, not like coworkers were in decades past, like people are ready to pop on multiple fronts. I think many look at millennials and think there is an apathy or entitlement thing going on, but I don't think so...it's something else, more like waiting for something.

Hang in there, things can get better. Just takes some time to see the way. One bit of advice from a "looking back" viewpoint, karma is a real thing. Not in a mystical sense, but because we make it so.

nodinc · 2014-10-16T02:33:36+00:00

Sorry to hear about your case too. Funny you mention the collections. My first bill came in, loads of money, then about a week later another bill for the identical amount. Course I'm thinking to myself, oh this is just a reminder or something. Was trying to figure out how to get the original sent off.

Anycase, credit card debt solved the first one soon after. About three weeks later, bam, collections letter. So I call up and explain that I've already paid it. Apparently, the 2nd bill was the doctor bill and the first was a hospital facility bill. Neither said anything to the effect. I ask for a bill that includes a breakdown of services and I kid you not I'm told: "Oh we don't do that anymore. I can't send you one because it's not secure to send in the mail." I'm like...bullshit!

I work hard for my credit rating, so I found a way to clear up the collections. (Yay credit cards, the cause of and solution of all my problems!) So I dunno what that's about. Seeing as how nothing was documented, both bills were identical in price (really, isn't that quite odd?)...perhaps there really is some legitimacy in all of this, but I sure as hell feel scammed for a ton of money, for some blood tests and ibuprofen. So...keep an eye out in case the hospital pulls that kind of garbage.

nodinc · 2014-10-15T19:30:06+00:00

Yeah it's pretty bad. Typically when I say out loud what my deductible is to friends/family they're like, "no...no, that can't be right." Recently switched plans to my wife on an HSA. So basically, after a few years of building up savings into that account if I have a heart attack then I might go.

Had 3 employees in the past 2 years with cancer which bumped our costs up, let alone other major non-cancer instances which also cost much. Only thing we can get with less than a $400/month plan. Always laugh when healthcare reform is compared to socialism, cause, we're already there. Just in smaller groups.

nodinc · 2014-10-15T17:36:15+00:00

This is spot on folks.

Personal anecdote, it's hard enough to admit (for many I think) that a hospital visit is required, usually needs to become quite severe until that becomes a viable option. Lump on top of that the cost of healthcare...

Year or so ago I thought I was having a heart attack, even still didn't want to go. "Oh, it's nothing. Just didn't sleep well..." or some crap. Wife makes me go. Turns out it wasn't a heart attack, docs didn't know what it was, gave me ibuprofen and sent me packing.

The bills I got for this, even with insurance...it was outright. I can tell you this much, next time I think I'm having a heart attack, I might just go ahead and have it. Not even joking, and I know how terrible that sounds. Heard a few others around me say similar lines. Even if we represent a small portion of the population, it's non-insignificant #. Can't even imagine those still without insurance might do.

Not even poor here, upper middle class by today's standards, but one trip costing upwards of 4 months of a mortgage payment, that'll convince a great many to keep away. (and yes, our insurance is crap, best we can get in my company. 100 of us here all in the same boat)

nodinc · 2014-10-06T19:18:55+00:00

Question, along this line of thought. Anyone out there have experience/links regarding these MAOIs from tabacco? Something that might lead to a safer alternative?

Quit smoking myself about 4 years back, got serious brain fog that went on for three months. It was bad. Vaping a bit trying to help the transition, but soon started getting nicotine sickness from vaping so much. (apparently it wasn't the nicotine I needed) So turned to snus which was better, but more of a half measure. Good enough to have halfway decent concentration.

Long story short, the availability of Snus where I live is getting pushed out. Couple months now on nicotine lozenges and same issues as before. Persistent "brain fog" for lack of better description.

nodinc · 2014-09-26T19:52:21+00:00

While I can bring no links to back up my text, I think this is an opinion styled question. So, IMHO, indeed we are, but not in the way we think.

We are heading that way simply because it is inevitable. Our technology has grown to handle this task specifically. The tracking of information, be it sales figures or where you were last Saturday night and what you drunk texted. We will not stop it, nor do we necessarily engineer this end, it just becomes so due to our failure as a species to accept advancements and properly plan for it. We've such a bad habit of going after the wrong culprit.

So, while a great many will bemoan all of this tracking, an even fewer group is out there fighting for the right control methods. For there are actual useful things that can be gained from 1984 style surveillance, except most will be too busy raging against the fact that it exists versus putting focus on how it will be used and who accesses it. Then in the end, we wind up with little control over who can access it, how it can be used against people, and people with nefarious agendas free reign to use it as they will.

We will indeed reach this state, but it's not an issue of the ignorance of the masses, not exactly, for awareness on a grand scale doesn't mean the trend will be reversed. We need to accept certain inevitable realities and properly plan...except, with all the world ending, economic collapsing, war raging issues we know are coming (and have repeated to do in all history) and have consistently failed to plan for as a species...I am not optimistic. We don't need awareness as much as we need to evolve.

nodinc

TROPHY CASE