mcjeff215

The problem is two fold. First, it's everyone jamming over to the left as soon as they see the sign. It's further magnified by the guys that want to fly up the right hand lane as far as they can, requiring those that had actually gotten over prior to slamming into the crane to slow down and let them in.

You've got that right. I'm surprised Georgia didn't score worse than it did. Between the mirror-loving cell phone addicts around Atlanta and the hillbillies beyond the bypass, I had always imagined this was one of the worst places in the country. It's great, actually. I get cut off and tailgated by Mr. Important in his beamer leaving the office, and then I get passed by Billy Bob and Budweiser his dog in a dented 1989 F-150 around a curve on a two lane highway. He's usually going just slow enough to let me get an eye-full of "#8" and an ear-full of "Yee Haw." Both happen daily. I really disagree with NY being where it is. I'd assume that's because of the NYC population skewing the numbers (gee, where have we heard that before?). I've been to quite a few places, more states than not, and I still think Buffalo drivers are some of the best. Whoever made that comment regarding no turn signals in Ohio... Man have you got it right. I drive through that state 8 times a year or so going back and forth to Buffalo. I think I point that out to my copilot each time through. That, and Ohio has more personalized license plates than any state I've been too. Regardless, I think we have perma-rush hour here now. I can leave work at 1:30 in the afternoon and traffic sucks. -Jeff

She uses a PowerBook. Gotta give her some credit there! (But the smoking negates that)

Yeah they do for eligibility reasons. A 15 year old in NYS can't very well run a CNC lathe. -Jeff

Alrighty, it's done. I told him I didn't want to accept the counter offer. I offered my services on a contract basis in the future if they need it, part of my "start my own shop" plan. Off to the new place. Thanks for the great advice.. We need a TBD advice column! -Jeff

Great.... thanks for all the feedback. Those are exactly the thoughts I had... that I'm just setting myself up for a quick trip to the unemployment office if I accept the counter... that I'm not keeping my word with the new place, and so on down the line. I really feel bad leaving the place I'm at. I don't like the job, or the company... but for some reason I feel bad. I'll take the new job and try and keep the old one around as a contract/consulting gig. That may fly. Sorry for all of the OT, but I started at the current place seven years ago and have not been through this before. Went from school to the current job.. this is my first time really dealing with counter offers, contracts, blah blah blah... I figured some of you would be more worldly when it comes to that stuff. -Jeff

Yeah, you're probably right. Ok.... unless they shovel 100's into the back of my car, I'm going with the new job. I'll try and land the old company as a consulting gig, though. That may be possible.

Georgia... right to work. I could just not show up and we're golden. But I'd really hate to do that. I love what I do. I'm not so fond of the current shop, though. Money isn't always worth it, no, but I think we're talking about a LOT of money. Need parking because I'd have to go down there *sometimes*, and at $14.00 a day, I want that covered.

http://www.mwbrooks.com/dvorak/ An alternative!! Not that I think it matters...

Ok, all knowing wall.... I've agreed in principal to take this new job I've posted about. I've not yet signed any paperwork. I have said paperwork in front of me now, but we agreed that I'd bring it in signed on my first day (I had a passing thought this might happen...) I tried to give notice and the place I'm at now. I've not expected such a response. In a nutshell, they don't want me to go and are very much in the process of trying everything possible to keep my employed. I met with a VP today over lunch. I explained why I'm going and whatnot. He told me that we could easily come up with a deal that would make everyone happy. A contractual employment agreement, you know, the kind the fancy executives get. Tomorrow at 1:00 I have a meeting to go over what our options are. I have a feeling they're going to increase my base pay and put me on a one-off bonus plan, with other perks thrown in (permanent telecommute, parking, and so on...). My question is... what the hell should I do? They've done this type of thing for two people now. They moved one to CA, and one to FL. They both work remotely and fly into Atlanta every three months or so... and they've both been doing it for over a year. I'm not worried about being #1 on the lay-off list. I really need some advice. I wasn't expecting them to want to retain me this bad. I had my mind all made up... but now that they're doing this, it kind of shows some character on their part. The perceived lack of was one of the main reasons I was bailing. Edit: Got my Losman Jersey yesterday!

Where the hell is Growing Pains II: Home Equity? Kirk Cameron at his BEST.

Does it matter? How many commercials do we post about here? I'd say those advertising dollars have been well spent.

Yeah, I was just about to say that... just say no to graphic signatures. -Jeff

I took a less demanding full time job so I still have the income while I get off my feet.. hopefully I can go full independent in ~18 months... speed up or slow down as business/time dictates. Not in a hurry, taking my sweet time!

I'm trying to make my old company a client =)

I do software engineering/development in a fairly low-level space. I'm going to work for another "man" now to cover the bills while I get started. I actually offered my services on a contractual basis to my current shop, you know, don't burn bridges... build them. -Jeff

I've probably gained a reputation for starting "my job sucks" threads. I quit today!! Ironically, this is the 7th anniversary of my start date! I AM FREE!!!!!! On to the new employer.... and hopefully my own business. -Jeff

Think of all of the sites out there that do some sort of ecommerce. Should they run a match check against every existing domain before registering another? Or just protect the big guys?

I take night classes still... working towards my degree. I was heading from one class to another about a year or so ago. Saw a girl in some very skimpy clothing with a shirt the read "pimp.net." Carrying books.. all that... Just out of curiosity, I went to that site when I got home. It was her, hardcore style. Was a bit.. weird. I'm sure this is somehow related.

Bah, damn dead heads used to fall asleep in my front yard! ;-)

I'd *love* to do that! I'm just too far away... 49.8... and that's all expressway. -Jeff

I doubt it. A great many of our metropolitan areas are sprawled to the point that it is impossible to walk. I'm seven miles from a gas station, down a two laner with a 55MPH speed limit and no sidewalks. On top of that, we're a lazy bunch. What? Walk? In the Sun? I can have my Howard Stern and my AC! It's a trap I'm trying *really* hard to avoid. I want to stay active. It's a real B word though as everything has been made so damn convenient! -Jeff

Yup same here. I live that morning drive. Every day. My "Corporate accounts payable...." lady is the chinese man to the left of me that hums. Eight hours a day. Every day. I actually live that whole freaking movie. From the drive, to the "jeff can you come in on saturday?" Scary. -Jeff

No no no.. I mean Latin America. It's all Spanish.

We've had a couple stations down here in Atlanta go Latin on us.