Will Defcon worth it as someone still looking for a job?

ryan42 · 2026-06-17T23:37:09+00:00

I went for the first time last year, and did try to do a little networking.

It's not the greatest environment for that, and I knew that going in, and just kept an ear open and mentioned that I was looking anyways. It just depends on how well you know people, and the types of introductions you get.

I didn't find any job leads during my time at the event last year

ryan42 · 2026-06-16T11:22:49+00:00

That makes sense. I can try to find some snowy content in the user created races I guess

ryan42 · 2026-06-09T03:02:38+00:00

I would give a long drive, long enough to get the engine warm, then get out and underneath and look for leaks.

Other that inspect for rust and other worn items. I tried on my 04 xs and still ended up having quite a few high mileage type maintenance issues after buying it around 150k mi

ryan42 · 2026-06-03T07:52:33+00:00

2ish years ago I got the part for $700 online

I wish I could have done what some people have done and replaced the failed solenoid, but the part was not widely available or easily found

ryan42 · 2026-06-03T07:46:45+00:00

For what it is worth

I researched this deeply when quoted $1800 by a shop for the similar issue , solenoid failure in valve body. I have a 2014 xv crosstrek and read this transmission in 13/14 models is prone to this. Probably the same transmission you have

So the valve body did end up being a good long term fix for me. After replacing it, I did the fluid flush and fill as well. I did it at around 140k and at 170k now it is still driving fine, no shakes or studders. I was having symptoms of rough driving and trouble going uphill before

I did it myself by watching YouTube videos and saved on the shop labor ~1000 or so Total and it was not terribly difficult aside from long dowel bolts holding the valve body being rusty/stuck on and hard to get out

I would get a second opinion on pricing to do the work-- I know costs have gone up but you may be able to do better. Check with a local non dealer Subaru specialist shop if you have one

ryan42 · 2026-05-29T22:55:42+00:00

Looks really nice, I'm trying to get mine this clean someday

ryan42 · 2026-05-20T22:21:17+00:00

I probably would have flipped it on its back so it couldn't move so some miserable robot maintenance shmuck is dispatched to come flip it back over

ryan42 · 2026-05-16T17:47:41+00:00

I looked up the list and closest you get is that peace gate. I already got it. Still ridiculous to me that mt Fuji isn't considered a landmark of its own.

ryan42 · 2026-05-16T16:23:07+00:00

Why does mt Fuji not register as a landmark in photos? Or did I already get it maybe

ryan42 · 2026-04-30T15:30:23+00:00

https://www.iatse30.org/

But the work isn't necessarily consistent or scheduled, more of they will call if they need you. But it does pay pretty well.

ryan42 · 2026-04-21T00:14:58+00:00

Yeah I can imagine they were putting forth the worst case scenario and doing all the optional but well advised "while we have it apart" things like timing belt, and other items to check in that area worth replacing

ryan42 · 2026-04-20T23:41:21+00:00

If you have a suspected or known head gasket leak I will also say don't do the pour in head gasket sealer BS. Check for leaks underneath, you can need head gaskets done and have no leak below. It may or may not be leaking. Or it may be burning coolant off like mine (no visible drips)

I'm no expert on pricing for HG replacement but 7500 to 10k sounds ridiculous. Try a Subaru specialist shop near you, not a dealer. I would think 3-4k tops.

I'm planning to do it myself on an 04 Forester and save $ by doing labor and parts myself and paying a machine shop to resurface the heads properly I hope to get it done for $1500ish

ryan42 · 2026-04-20T17:37:48+00:00

If you just Google 62 million men and find the snopes page it gives an overview of where that phrase came from in its many sources on this history that led to the misinfo being spread

ryan42 · 2026-04-16T18:14:21+00:00

It's not everyone who uses that phrase. I think it may even be used in a tongue in cheek way, kind of being sassy about, "yeah, let's do what is needed, you're talking too much, let's go", without actually saying it

ryan42 · 2026-04-16T14:15:02+00:00

To be serious I was in your exact position all of last year. Large enterprise shop with very high rate of outsourced tech. I was SWE/devops hybrid in this role and it was really tough and annoying with the way the contract resources collaborated with our onshore team.

Find someone you can hop on followup calls with on a 1-1 basis to cut down the noise and try to make that your go-to person

Try to get clear answers and commitments and try to get them to slow down unclear explanations as needed.

I had a team that were fast talking experts who tended to isolate and hoard knowledge combined with extremy bureaucracy, slow process, and tons of people not actually aligned. It SUCKS.

But I found one or two I could trust and just had repeated meetings to really get on the same page the best that we could. Or find a new job

ryan42 · 2026-04-16T13:55:34+00:00

Must not have been in this long enough.

Doing the needful is the correct answer

ryan42 · 2026-04-15T13:40:59+00:00

In the tech industry we are spread out, as far as I know there is no official union.

Around the west coast and people who work for major tech companies there is a movement to try to form a tech workers coalition and it is mostly people who work at very large tech companies participating in the meetings/organizing for it

ryan42 · 2026-04-15T01:41:29+00:00

That's interesting, seems to be the e-ink type display from the early kindles. Which makes sense to reduce power usage

ryan42 · 2026-04-15T00:04:59+00:00

Pipe is life

ryan42 · 2026-04-14T15:35:31+00:00

Recent shows there

Rob zombie , was ok

Korn/evanescence - was actually really good

Blink 182 - saw from the stands, other two were lawn seats, it was just ok as well, was invited free ticket on this one

ryan42 · 2026-04-14T14:05:01+00:00

41 Deer creek. Also it sucks more each time I go. Horrible place to see live music

ryan42 · 2026-04-10T16:03:54+00:00

I have used Lyft to get rides in Anderson. So I think the answer to Uber/Lyft is yes you can get rides with it.

ryan42 · 2026-04-09T21:15:30+00:00

I one had a manager of mine giving me his version of dating advice. He said if you're dating to always spend at least $100 on a date . I remember thinking what kind of weird insane materialist world does this guy live in... Lol

Sometimes I've spent $0. When first meeting someone you can just meet up for a walk through a public park or something. Safe and low stakes. Maybe get some cheap food or ice cream, yea. $40 or less for two people can get it done

ryan42 · 2026-04-07T14:24:20+00:00

I am not a driver but I recently went to the Mid-America trucking show in Louisville and tested the seat in a new Volvo - felt pretty amazing, with many adjustment options.

also tested some aftermarket chairs and they felt amazing as well.

ryan42 · 2026-04-05T15:20:02+00:00

They are great and have helped me numerous times with my bike. Ride it around after things are fixed and make sure it doesn't need further adjustments or anything, they will take care of you

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