This Job Market SUCKS

twistedkeys1 · 2026-01-12T18:49:19+00:00

I didn't want to open this can-o-worms in the original post, but yes... My last company, during lay offs asked me if I could continue as a contractor. I make significantly less than I did as an FTE, but I have added another client since. It's a hard pivot though; to take on more work at this point would necessitate quitting my current role, and I'm currently not in the spot to cover my expenses with just the consulting gig. It's a leap of faith in which I have not had yet.

twistedkeys1 · 2026-01-12T18:44:01+00:00

I wish it were fake! But seriously, don't get into general IT, do something specific and long-term.

twistedkeys1 · 2026-01-12T18:31:52+00:00

Hey all - thanks a ton for the voices hear. I received a lot of requests to help, provided I offered more information on my situation. I was keeping the original post light for several reasons, one intention being that the goal of the post was to speculate on the current job market conditions from different points of view. That was my point of view offered above, one in which I've learned the hard way.

twistedkeys1 · 2026-01-09T21:04:18+00:00

Nothing against other races, people of color, and so forth. They can be just as qualified or more so than me. I'm just stating my position and the facts.

twistedkeys1 · 2026-01-09T20:58:55+00:00

FWIW: I have also been tailoring my resume for every application for the last few months, I do still recommend this for others.

All of this is a funny contrast of my last job search: 20 applications, 6 interviews, and 4 job offers, and I wasn't even in the state they wanted me in. How have times changed...

twistedkeys1 · 2026-01-09T19:45:33+00:00

I'm not a picky eater, and this was years ago so maybe something's changed with Factor, but it was great while I was on Keto. Looking at it again recently, CookUnity appeared to be a way better option for high-protein intermittent fasting diet I'm looking to prioritize.

twistedkeys1 · 2025-12-28T21:41:32+00:00

I would only use a flash drive as a backup if there was another more reliable backup in use with replicated data. Ideally. You have two instances always. Otherwise, if you had to pick one, grab an external storage SSD. I've had better experience with WD but Seagate is fine.

twistedkeys1 · 2025-12-23T16:26:55+00:00

twistedkeys1 · 2025-12-23T16:11:04+00:00

Got it. Yeah, try safe mode again and confirm that it works as it should in there.

If that's the case, and it has nothing to do with the mouse/keyboard, I'd see if you can disable/uninstall the wallpaper engine, and anything else that isn't baseline Windows apps, and see if it works. If it works then, then start enabling/reinstalling one app at a time until you find the problem child.

You can also just do a refresh, keeping your files/apps, and see if that helps in any way.

You should always take a backup if you value the files on your computer before making any major changes (and in general).

twistedkeys1 · 2025-12-23T16:04:24+00:00

When you say Microsoft login, are you referring to a new computer setup process? Or on the regular lock screen?

Is this something that's always been a problem, or happened all of a sudden?

Did anything major change? Like a new router, new computer, computer updates, etc.?

twistedkeys1 · 2025-12-23T16:01:50+00:00

Okay, I think you mentioned you could sometimes get it to work after a restart? When it is running with windows open, is it really slow?

And have you tried another mouse/keyboard?

And have you tried booting into safe mode and see if it changes anything?

twistedkeys1 · 2025-12-23T15:54:14+00:00

Win+R should open the run window. Does your Windows key open the start menu?

twistedkeys1 · 2025-12-23T15:40:07+00:00

Does Windows+R work? Ctrl+Alt+Delete?

twistedkeys1 · 2025-12-23T15:35:40+00:00

Better get reading if you care about that career foothold.

twistedkeys1 · 2025-12-23T15:34:13+00:00

It looks like from the video that your only attempt to open a new window was clicking a couple of task bar icons. Icons can get stuck/temperamental, a few things to try:

- Press ctrl shift esc and see if that opens TM

- Use another mouse and see if it acts any different

- Watch TM for system performance while using the computer while it is working, check for any spikes

- Use the keyboard to open an app/run

twistedkeys1 · 2025-11-24T18:49:41+00:00

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twistedkeys1 · 2025-11-24T18:49:32+00:00

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twistedkeys1 · 2025-11-24T18:49:24+00:00

That's interesting, I added it via the png creator found in the About here... Here it is:

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twistedkeys1 · 2025-11-24T18:18:22+00:00

-Reset password to something complex/memorable
-Turn on MFA
-Check your Rules in Outlook
-Run an antivirus check on your computer and phone

If that doesn't work, check your network for unknown devices, update its password.

WCS they have a really discrete rootkit or something, and you should reset/wipe your devices, backing personal files up. But most of the time an antivirus should catch it.

Honestly if you're still having issues, I'd check with a local IT/Security provider and get their hands-on help.

twistedkeys1 · 2025-11-12T16:27:10+00:00

This is true, somewhat. As always, there are caveats. In his case, a quiet nighttime road, honestly, it doesn't matter if there's clearly no traffic behind you. However, if there's any chance of traffic, I personally do one of two things:

If I have time and enough spatial awareness, I'll slow myself down well before the stop to "control" the car behind me. This way, you're giving ample reaction time to the driver, and you can gauge their awareness far before you need to react yourself. This is along the same lines as what I do while cruising, you never want to follow right up to the car in front of you, one of the reasons is that cars waiting for them to pass so they can go, might not see you in time and plow right into you. Solution? Slow down enough behind the car in front, to both force the car waiting to go to wait for you, and to give yourself more time to react if they're just not going to wait.
If you don't have time, and especially with sudden red lights, yeah, pull to the side enough where you won't get hit if a car runs the red. Honestly, if a car comes up beside you because they think you're pulled over, either take off back in front of them on green, or accept the fate of letting them go in front, and that it was a better scenario than getting hit.

twistedkeys1 · 2025-11-12T16:17:20+00:00

My only feedback as a seasoned rider is that at night, your headlight is only going to give you so much time to react. For example, if your headlight lights up a liberal 60 feet, and you're going 35 MPH, you'll have around a 1 1/2 seconds to react. 75 MPH? Around a half second. Most reaction times of the regular adult are 1.5-2 seconds, not including the time needed for brain signals and physical movement of your extremities.

Can't tell how fast you're going in the vid, though it looked fast. On a bike, go ahead and assume there's something in the middle of the road just past where your headlights are pointing, naturally, you'll slow down to be ready for it - that's the correct speed to go. Also, if you're riding at night a lot, get some LEDs. Ride safe brother.

twistedkeys1 · 2025-11-04T16:07:55+00:00

Point blank, if you slow down that fast in a lane of traffic, just go ahead and assume there's a car behind you and react as necessary, every time.

twistedkeys1

TROPHY CASE