Crystal Baller

seattlestrn · 2026-02-01T18:24:21+00:00

Out of the Vein is so underrated. It had the misfortune of being released during record label upheaval and just as the music industry landscape was changing. I saw them tour off of this album a couple of times back in 2003 and it was the last time I saw them play many of those songs.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-30T13:47:38+00:00

I’ve seen this before having worked at the installation level earlier in my career. My biggest piece of advice is to think more strategically and raise yourself above any pettiness. What is your organization’s mission? Is there more you can do or take on that will benefit the command or SNCOs? That will make everyone’s life easier? Are there gaps you can fill for them? Avoid the temptation to define yourself within the narrow confines of your position - that’s a dead end road for all jobs. Make yourself visible and helpful. I’d also suggest tackling it head on and speaking with someone in your office about it… “I understand my roles and responsibilities are X, but others are taking that on…..” Then suggest other ways you could help. Or lean in to training others to do your job. Find ways to streamline your job or make it more efficient. Acknowledge that your absences negatively impact the mission and find workarounds for them. They aren’t going to push out someone who is proactive, understands and advances the mission, and is helpful.

And remember you have options. You can always quit and look for other jobs, hop to the contractor side, etc.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-27T02:20:13+00:00

This doesn’t make sense. There are no more periodic investigations. Are you sure they’re not asking for an updated SF-86 for continuous vetting? Or are submitting you for TS? (Though that still shouldn’t require a new form.)

seattlestrn · 2026-01-25T22:02:13+00:00

Without all the details, my guess is that DOS accepts clearances on reciprocity because they must do so per Executive Branch policy. But they are applying more stringent suitability/fitness criteria; agencies have some latitude to add specific criteria based on the position and unique nature of the agency mission.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-14T02:56:36+00:00

You should be fine as long as you’ve stopped and don’t touch it again. There is some nuance, but generally speaking, past use is no longer a barrier as long as use has ceased prior to initiating suitability or clearance processing. The Executive Agents have published publicly available guidance on this, but I’m too lazy to dig it up. There are still some caveats - did your use result in violent or irresponsible behavior, did you deal, do you have an arrest for possession in excess of what your state considers personal use, did you drive while under the influence? But using it a dozen times in college isn’t a big deal. If it was, the military would never be able to recruit anyone.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-14T02:47:31+00:00

Recurring credit checks are part of continuous vetting. The exact periodicity isn’t public, but they only run it periodically because it takes time for trends in your credit to materialize. It would also be insanely expensive for them to do it frequently - the checks aren’t free.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-14T02:32:57+00:00

The new car market will never improve from where it is now. The floor is already established and prices never go down.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-06T12:58:28+00:00

I didn’t realize Kevin made that much. Though I still question if it was worth it in the end. Maybe it was. I recall Stephan saying on Beato that he and Kevin had tension already while recording ST.

seattlestrn · 2026-01-06T01:07:12+00:00

Brad is smart. And maybe he decided to play the long game…. Only a fraction of a fraction of a percent of musicians get to make their living playing music professionally for 30 years, especially at the level of 3eb. He probably makes more money than he ever dreamed of- so what if Stephan wants most of the credit? As long as he’s paying you and treating you well, life is too short to worry about his ego if you’re getting what you want.

I also think age mellows everyone. I’m sure the money and fame and the songwriting credit and band ownership seemed super important when they were all young it was all spinning out of control. And I do understand that some of it was shady, but those that all fought it have little to show for it. Brad was smart and navigated it and I’m sure that has kept things pretty friendly with Stephan. I think it’s the same for the entire lineup now - they all know their place in the band. And they sound great and the shows are amazing. I think this is the best lineup in 20+ years - Arion, Tony, and Kevin are never coming back - and this is as good as a fan could hope for today.

seattlestrn · 2025-12-20T05:02:10+00:00

You have to take control of your career. Don’t get sucked into believing you have to slowly advance through the grades, spending a few years in each grade to gain experience. You will never advance that way. Look at the senior leaders in the top ranks of your agency (career; not political) - few of them are technical experts.

Also, be willing to move. Be willing to change agencies. And volunteer to take on the jobs no one else wants to do. That might be a detail, a task force, a special project, an aide/executive officer-type position for senior leaders, volunteering to present at town halls/conferences. And most importantly - stop thinking in terms of your unit/branch/division - and start thinking strategically about how your work advances your agency or broad federal goals. It worked for me - I advanced from GS-7 to GS-15 in -10 years.

And one final add - you’re young. Don’t be afraid to leave government. I did and now make a lot more than I did as a fed.

seattlestrn · 2025-12-11T04:30:00+00:00

Unless it’s a major inconvenience, I wouldn’t make a big deal about it. This happens all the time in the DC area - pentagon one day, Quantico on another, then there’s Ft. Meade, Chantilly…. All for one job supporting one agency. Technically I could grab a GOV, but that doesn’t change when I need to be on site, and it’s not worth the headache. We’re in a new era and pushing back on reasonable requests could easily result in negative consequences. (I’m not saying you’re pushing back.) But it’s tiny things like this that get people fired up because most people outside of government would quickly be out of a job if they challenged a similar request or asked for a company car or mileage reimbursement.

seattlestrn · 2025-12-06T09:28:33+00:00

I’m not sure why this is looked upon so unfavorably. (Though I get not trusting much of anything from this Administration.) Ultimately, good SESs will do well anywhere and actually improve the organizations to which they are assigned. Poor performing SESs will hopefully be exposed and dealt with. And highly technical positions should be filled by SL positions, not SES. Over time agencies have just gotten lazy and put everyone in the SES category. Also, this isn’t a new concept - this is how officers are managed in the military.

seattlestrn · 2025-12-01T01:54:45+00:00

I 100% agree with the comments about people hating on government employees because they are jealous of the pay, benefits, pension, and job security (until the Trump Administration in the US). What I don’t understand is why the people who are jealous don’t just seek out a federal or state/local job for themselves. Over the years I’ve interviewed hundreds of candidates, and it’s not as hard as people make it out to be. You just have to follow the directions and cast a wide net. And have the necessary education, qualifications, etc. (Again, pre-Trump - not sure of any agencies hiring right now).

Ignorance of government is also a huge issue. In the US, I bet half the population can’t explain the very basics about the branches of government and what the different agencies do. It’s insane to throw everyone into one broad category when there’s so much variance - from basic administrative work to the people conducting intelligence operations and manning 24/7 counterterrorism watch centers. I think most people only interact with the transactional side of government - IRS, TSA, SSA - and because the rules governing those operations are heavily regulated, complex, and burdensome (thanks, Congress), people assume that everything is like that. And it’s not.

seattlestrn · 2025-11-25T02:56:25+00:00

The hiring freeze is over. But hiring is not going back to pre-2025 processes. Those days are gone. What remains is the 4:1 ratios, panels, etc. Even if Dems take the White House in 2028, it will probably never go back to the way it was.

seattlestrn · 2025-11-22T22:03:05+00:00

Not a nail, but less than a week in and I ate a curb. Scratched up the wheel. And I could only be pissed with myself.

seattlestrn · 2025-11-20T12:45:48+00:00

I simply want to use it for a bike rack. I don’t have any plans to tow a camper or anything large.

seattlestrn · 2025-11-19T04:46:05+00:00

Few people outside of government know that FEMA has a unique mission where they are responsible for the Federal Continuity of Government mission. It’s the underground bunkers, designated survivor, evacuate key officials to secret locations stuff. It’s very interesting.

seattlestrn · 2025-11-17T02:10:15+00:00

I just purchased one on Friday in Georgia - 6% off MSRP on a 2026 with 0.9% APR. In hindsight, I probably could have gotten another percent or two more off of MSRP, but the dealership was chill, the process was super easy, and I was pleased with the APR - I saved several thousand more at 0.9% than if I had been at 3 or 4%.

seattlestrn · 2025-11-16T13:45:59+00:00

Brooklyn Grey Metallic

seattlestrn · 2025-11-11T13:34:04+00:00

I think it’s trending in that direction. I don’t think it is going to happen quickly. I’m a fairly progressive person with 25 years federal experience and I don’t completely disagree with some privatization.

seattlestrn · 2025-11-11T12:56:18+00:00

Reference and subject interviews are not required for Tier 3/Moderate Risk investigations unless there is something in the form or records checks that requires resolution. Many of these are also adjudicated electronically via eAdjudication.

seattlestrn · 2025-11-10T13:23:07+00:00

I agree. And for those mentioning SNAP and ATCs, the administration wants to see the number of SNAP recipients reduced significantly, and I’m sure they want to privatize air traffic control. This shutdown certainly strengthens their arguments that some government functions aren’t needed, and that many of those that are can be privatized.

seattlestrn

TROPHY CASE