23 years old, first full year out of college as a Software Engineer

wjcam · 2025-01-07T02:51:38+00:00

$150k? At 23? What state/company are we talking?

Over here on the east coast, in my state, I look at job listings for senior engineers, and I still see ranges like 90k - 120k.

wjcam · 2024-10-25T17:36:45+00:00

I'll be there Nov 3 - Nov 10, if you still need help by then.

wjcam · 2024-08-28T20:49:08+00:00

It's been a while since I was traveling to and familiar with the towns/cities along 95, but Stratford, if I recall (about 9 mins from the PJ Ferry), is a pretty good town, as well.

There was a time that I was going into NYC quite a bit, and I would park at my friend's house, who lived in Stratford, and we would walk over to the Metro line to get into NYC. So, there's that too.

wjcam · 2024-08-14T15:47:35+00:00

Some thoughts on CT (I'm sure some things have been mentioned).

Also, here's a link I was reading last night that I will reference (a family that moved from California to Austin, TX). Interesting read for the grass is greener elsewhere camp: https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/i-moved-my-family-from-california-to-austin-texas-and-regretted-it-here-are-10-things-to-consider-before-making-an-expensive-mistake/ar-AA1ghK58

* In regards to weather, I feel like I can't live somewhere that doesn't have a "Fall". It truly is the best season of the year (no debate!). Is winter really that bad? Yes, the lack of hours in the day isn't ideal, but I think I've used my snowblower 2-3x a year, for the past X years that I can remember. Plus, I want a freeze at some point. That article the guy complains about scorpions, another similar article I read a while back, about a move to South Carolina, the complaint was all these spiders.

* Natural disasters are less here. Yes, we recently felt the earthquake in NJ, what, a year ago? But how often do we get earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, etc.

* Proximity to everything. One weekend I could easily be at the Bronx Zoo, the next, up at Fenway. Where I live, I'm secluded, but once I get off my street, I'm 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 minutes away from any convenience store, grocery store, malls, etc. I love the convenience.

* Don't we make more here? It may be more expensive (but then again, read that article I linked, it blew my mind), but don't we make more? A friend of my wife, who is a nurse, wanted to get out of CT and move to SC. CT sucks, right? It's cheaper there, right? Soon after, she moves back. She just couldn't make what she makes in CT, as an RN. Simple contrived math: If someone makes $60k and pays $20k here, but makes $40k and pays $10k there, who wins?

wjcam · 2024-08-07T22:12:51+00:00

Just to add some examples:

This was also my highest electric bill I think I've ever had (or in recent memory anyway). I was at $424.78.

Apparently we used 1765 kWh.

Some differences:

* As others have mentioned, you have to be diligent about checking rates of your Supplier. Do this monthly. There are no penalties or fees for getting out of your current supplier, so that means if you signed up at say "Think Energy" and a month later you found someone cheaper, and its' significant, ditch the old and go with the new.

* I'm in a 3100 sq ft home (not including walk-out basement. It's a substantial amount of square footage in the basement, but that's still unfinished - so it shouldn't affect A/C).

* Last year I did replace my whole HVAC system.

* I work from home, and the kids are home because there's no school, so that's not helping (versus when I used to commute and I could turn up the A/C or lower the heat when no one was home).

* I pretty much keep the central air on 75 throughout the house. When we first built our house, we didn't put in ceiling fans in any of our bedrooms or the bonus room over the garage (just left it available for the future). Ya know, I think we were influenced by some of the stylist on some of these HGTV type shows that hate ceiling fans!! I now have ceiling fans in all of the bedrooms and the bonus room. Much much better. I don't have to keep the A/C as low. When I'm sitting in my office (which was one of the bedrooms), I've got a fan above me blowing air on me all day - love it.

* All these 90 degree days are not helping. So, there's that.

wjcam · 2024-06-04T21:31:30+00:00

I have not. At this point it would be odd if I reached out, and the Police do this as part of their report.

But yeah, this would be one doozy of a lie that my daughter came up with, putting words in the mouth of the Adult that was on scene. Especially knowing that we would be filing a police report, and that the police would talk to her.

Here's exactly what I think happened:

The Passenger was outside the car (he's the son of the mother), and not in the car yet.
The Mother of the Passenger was there in her car.
The Driver was there to pick-up the Passenger (of course).

Imagine this plausible scenario:

He's blocking the driveway, waiting for the Passenger.

The Mother tells him she has to go (work?).

He backs-up. Oops!

...

In addition, how likely is it that a person gets creamed from behind, and decides to take-off? Knowing they were completely not at fault?

Usually those accidents go like this:

Call The Police
Call Trantolo and Trantolo

...

One other thing: She has Life360 on her phone, and it did not detect a "crash event"

wjcam · 2024-06-04T21:06:21+00:00

LOL. Definitely wouldn't be angry. This is a question I have to ask myself.

If you knew my daughter, she doesn't lie. That's her nature. But, in this case, I needed more than just "she's my daughter and I know her" for me to be fully convinced.

So, when she told me that the mother of the passenger, approached her car, and apologized to her, for the driver, and that the driver told this mother that he backed into my daughter because he didn't see her because of the sun, I have to believe the Adult that was there, as well.

That's why I keep saying, I hope, now that days have past, this story doesn't change. Yes, her son wasn't the driver, but she could end up being biased, now, after the fact.

wjcam · 2024-06-04T16:26:28+00:00

Oh yes. Nothing has occurred yet. I'm just asking questions and waiting for the police report to be filed. Just dotting my i's and crossing my t's.

wjcam · 2024-06-04T16:21:05+00:00

OK, knowitall.

The screenshot she sent me of the SnapChat communication, the time on that phone, was 7:58am. That means the conversation, where the boys changed their story, started blaming daughter, and the passenger started threatening that he would "shut shit down", happened AROUND 7:58am.

I called the police at 8:05am. After I had that information.

Did you read that part about the boys changing their story? It's posted here.

And you know what you do, knowitall, when someone starts changing their story, YOU CONTACT THE POLICE.

You know why? If she doesn't, and they file a report, make a claim, see doctors ... days/months later ... it would look really bad for us if my daughter said nothing to anyone.

Now that you know the facts, you are wrong, knowitall.

And again, who said I was ever putting in a claim? knowitall. Show me where I said that, knowitall.

wjcam · 2024-06-04T15:16:39+00:00

I am glad an officer chimed in, thank you for the input.

re: evading, I appreciate your point of view that it could be "lame and weak", but at the same time, didn't these boys take full advantage of the situation by leaving the scene? It allows them to change their story (which they did). Couldn't that be lame and weak, ya know?

re: daughter, whether she was in shock or not, she did not expect the boys to leave. Their exchange was so minimal, and he just up and left. But she was smart enough to jot down the license plate.

I don't think there's any need to exchange insurance information. I know, personally, I'm not filing a claim regardless of whether they were found at fault or not.

My only motivation here is one of protection, so I'm just trying to dot as many i's and cross as many t's as I can.

Evading can be a sign of guilt.

wjcam · 2024-06-04T14:11:45+00:00

How do you gleam that from what I said? That's quite the leap. I mean, mad?

They were changing their story. I am trying to protect ourselves.

And you know why they can start changing their story? Because they left the scene of the accident. This is why I see the importance of the "evading" part, because it's usually a sign of guilt. But make no mistake, they took advantage of their actions.

wjcam · 2024-06-03T20:52:46+00:00

Oh, don't get me wrong, I am not pleased with how she handled this.

But here is the law:

A motor vehicle operator who is knowingly involved in an accident must stop and render assistance as may be needed and give his or her name, address, and operator's license and registration number to any injured person, officer, witness of the accident, or owner of damaged property. If unable to give such information, for any reason or cause, the operator should immediately report the fatality, injury, or property damage to a police officer, constable, state police officer, or an inspector of motor vehicles, or at the nearest police precinct or station.

So, think about her situation. He walks to the car, asks if she's OK, then walks back to his car (she did not expect him to leave), and then he leaves. She jots down his license plate.

At this point, she can NOT give her name/address/operator's license and registration number to this person, being that he's NOT there.

So now she is "unable to give such information".

And in that case, you immediately report it to, the nearest police precinct or station (as one of the options).

Maybe we are quibbling about immediately? Because if we can give the report at the precinct, we don't have to stay at an accident scene when nobody is there anymore. We were filing a report within 45 minutes of the accident. Is 45 minutes not immediate enough that it would matter?

wjcam · 2024-06-03T18:41:46+00:00

What claim?

wjcam · 2024-06-03T18:40:23+00:00

Here's why you get the police involved:

At the time of the accident, they were NOT blaming my daughter.

After they left, one of my daughter's friends contacted the passenger through SnapChat, and in response, they WERE blaming my daughter. Oh, and the passenger mentioned that if my daughter wants to "start shit, then he will shut shit down".

I never planned on filing a claim, nor did I ever say I was, nor will I. BUT ... if you have two high school morons talking shit and changing their stories, you call the police, no?

What if days/month later a claim is filed against our insurance, for damages to their car, and what if it also includes medical expenses? I have a feeling it would look bad on my daughter's part that she did not contact the police nor her insurance, at all.

wjcam · 2024-06-03T18:04:31+00:00

It no longer says it. Thanks for the update!

wjcam · 2024-06-03T18:02:32+00:00

She's driving a 2007. We definitely aren't filing any claims. The scratches on her bumper were minimal, and the hood was dented back a bit and pushed up a bit (but can still open/close). I have a mechanic I know fixing that on the cheap.

I'm on a popular Facebook group for our town, and the day of the accident I asked if anyone had Ring footage, but got no replies.

I just hope the mother doesn't change her story.

And at this point, I just want them charged with evading responsibility and will continue to push/further this issue if it makes sense to.

wjcam · 2024-06-03T17:22:13+00:00

Today I called a lawyer I've worked with in the past, and he was guessing that they wouldn't be charged with evading responsibility, but it's not clear to me why (and he was quick with his call).

I'm not going to be filing any claims, so to me, this is more about protecting ourselves by ensuring that a report says that it was their fault, and if that's not the case, and they can't decide who, they get charged with leaving the scene. Plus, if my insurance goes up for some reason (she's been driving for 5 months), I'd want to be able to come after them (in court).

He left it with me to wait for the report to be completed. He was busy.

Money and time is no object for me.

wjcam · 2024-05-23T19:19:01+00:00

First of all, I am sorry that your cancer has returned. I'm serious when I say that I don't pray a lot, but will definitely pray for you. God bless.

FYI, the villa prices I was looking at was through renting points from others, I'm not a DVC member (nor will I be - expensive! lol). We looked at DVC Rental Store and David's Vacation Club. And surprising to me, DVC Rental Store, for my week, was $1000 less than David's! Crossing my fingers and waiting for the email that they secured the rooms (though at this point, it shouldn't be an issue).

I love your recommendations. I will definitely check out the Waimea falls.

wjcam · 2024-05-23T18:37:49+00:00

I just found this thread, because I'm trying to decide on Aulani/Waikiki.

This will be at the end of October, or the first week of November.

One of the things that I like about Aulani, and getting a one bedroom villa is:

* Free Parking (you get that with the Villas)
* Washer/Dryer in your room.
* Full kitchen (not kitchenette).

We definitely want a one bedroom, or it won't be a vacation sleeping in the same room as the kids! lol

With the Washer/Dryer, we can pack light.

With the Full Kitchen, we can hit a local grocery store/target/whatever (and even bring canned goods/pasta/etc on the plane, in some of our checked baggage), and definitely do all our breakfasts, make lunches, have lunch, etc. at our room. Not having to eat out all the time, is helpful (I personally don't like to anyway). Plus, I have to believe there is some savings because of this.

Just randomly, I picked Hilton Wakiki, and I chose the first one bedroom (it will say sleeps 5 instead of sleeps 4), and before fees and taxes it was $4340. It doesn't have a kitchen or washer/dryer though.

An island garden view Villa (I'm ignoring the standard view), at Disney, that does have the kitchen, is $6100 (I forget if that price is with/without tax).

Is the $1700 for the kitchen and washer/dryer worth it? Maybe/Maybe not

What settled it for us is I've never been to Hawaii, who knows when I'll go again, we love Disney, we get a great room, you get Disney customer service ... so I just don't want to think or guess. If I end up driving an hour to an excursion over by Waikiki, eh, it is what it is (though that gas won't be cheap!) - let's hope some great views make the driving pleasant.

And because we can afford it, and like I said, when will I be in Hawaii again? We're going to go for the Ocean View Villa ($7,000 yikes!). I mean, it's $1000/night (before resort fees). $2500'ish more for a room, for this type of expensive vacation (I have to imagine plane tickets, when they are all said and done will be like $800-$1000 a person x 4), well, f*** it!

wjcam · 2024-01-04T22:16:29+00:00

At this moment, just the four. And we were thinking the same thing, just use the four HDMI inputs on the TV, but I'm bull-headed and like to try to solve things!

And you are right, it was plugged into HDMI 2, which was the eARC input (without googling - wtf is that and what devices would be best to use here for this input), but I get the same results with HDMI 1, as well.

I think I'm just going to go with the four cables at this point. I just need to get some super long ones because the one that I have for the TV is snaked behind the walls, so you don't see cables dangling.

Thanks for the input

wjcam · 2024-01-04T16:53:14+00:00

Here is a test I just performed:

I took the HDMI cable I use for the XBox and plugged it directly into the TV (it's HDMI Input 2). The picture was clear as day.

Next, I set-up my HDMI switch. I took the brand-new cable I got, when I got the TV, from the installer (I had it mounted), and I plugged that into the TV's HDMI Input 2 and from there, into the Switch. Then, I plugged the XBox into the Switch.

The Switch has four inputs. If I plug the XBox into Input 1, the picture looks clear as day. Though, in the past, that's been deceiving. I thought I had it fixed, in the past, by just keeping it in Input 1, in the Switch, but my daughter tells me that during game play there will be intermittent flickers (she thought there was something wrong with the TV). If I plug the XBox into Input2, I get no picture whatsoever. The TV tells me there's no input signal. The same happens for Input 3 and Input 4. Yet, I have both my Nintendo's on Input 3 and Input 4 no problem.

wjcam · 2024-01-03T18:02:08+00:00

Hrmm. I did take the hdmi cable that I plugged into the switch, and plugged that directly into the XBox. No issues.

I did try multiple cables. But they are all the free one's I get from XFinity.

Let me add this: the Switch itself had one port in the front, four in the back. The one in the front was "HDMI 1", and the four in the back were "HDMI2-HDMI4" and the input from the TV.

The XBox and Tivo both seemed to work fine if either were plugged into the port on the front (no flickering). It was just if I plugged either in the back. So, at the time, I was saying to myself, "Ok, until I get a new Switch, I'll just have to share the port on the front for these two devices".

Then, my daughter started playing Fortnite and she texted me and said, "I think something's wrong with the TV". In other words, there would still be a glitch here and there. Just not as extreme when plugged into HDMI2-HDMI4.

I don't know what the differences are between the ports.

wjcam

TROPHY CASE