Dave
Staff member
You are living my dream there, man. I'm waiting for the hammer to fall on me with mine.
Yeah, that's where I'm at too. Finished school at the height of COVID, couldn't find work DURING COVID, and now any gainful job in my area that I qualify for is somewhere I can't get to because the public transit system around here sucks so much. Literally had to tell someone interviewing me that the "30 minute drive" to where they were at was more like a 2 hour bus ride for me and thus I'd be doing 4 hours of travel a workday. Can't move without savings ether. I've literally had to hide my college education just to get interviewed for retail stuff.
Because my loans were so low and so was my income, I was looking at having all of it wiped away and now it's just... fuck the Republicans.
Because my loans were so low and so was my income, I was looking at having all of it wiped away and now it's just... fuck the Republicans.
I'm on Public Student Loan Forgiveness. Right now my loans are in limbo because the courts have put the SAVE payments on hold. Regardless, another six years of payments and I'm home free. I'm so glad your loans are no more.
Not to steal your thunder, but I also have an epic win. The wife and I are expecting a new geek in a little under eight months. It was confirmed two days ago.
Not to steal your thunder, but I also have an epic win. The wife and I are expecting a new geek in a little under eight months. It was confirmed two days ago.
Mine were forgiven a couple of years ago. I'm financially okay, so it is a rich getting richer situation for me (comparatively. I'm not actually rich.)
I used the money that would have gone to daycare to pay off my loans during the pandemic. Though, I didn't have a ton to begin with. Working full time during undergrad sucked but it sure helped keep loans low.
I've accepted a new position at my company. I start training next week as an Accounts Receivable agent. My hours will no longer be cut and I'll be making a bit more. Only $1 more an hour, no more sales commissions, but more money for incentives on meeting targets like handle time. I get a bonus like that now, but it's only $50-60. The bonus with AR is upwards of $250 each paycheck. And after 6 months, I get another pay raise up to close to $20 an hour.
It's not a HUGE leap, money wise, but hopefully, this is the start of some more financial stability for me.
It's not a HUGE leap, money wise, but hopefully, this is the start of some more financial stability for me.
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Oh, and I mentioned it before, but it deserves an Epic Win mention: I'm winning an award again this year. My second one in a row. So I'll be spoiled with a night's stay at The Muir, a ridiculously swanky hotel, and treated to a fancy dinner at the Salt & Ash.
I'm starting to think this company might value me as an employee.
I'm starting to think this company might value me as an employee.
Hi Halforumites!! I am ready for a Beta reader. My wife has finished an earlier draft and says it passes the vibe check, which is good enough for me because it is definitely outside her genre preferences. It is its own thing, but I think fans of the Bobiverse, Drew Hayes' Super Powereds, and Scalzi might like it. I just want one reader right now, someone who is a reasonably fast reader, trustworthy, and willing and able to offer their critique of the general vibe for the plot and characters.
The elevator pitch is as follows: When a pacifist has the powers of a villain, what else can they do but start a YouTube channel? Thanks for any volunteers. But don't be sad if I don't pick you. I will likely give it another round with a bigger testing group after the next edit. Thanks!!
I'm perfectly willing to proofread/beta read, and I'm usually a fairly fast reader. However, one: due to family stuff I haven't had much time to read lately, and two: since English isn't my first language (though I hope you'll agree I'm somewhat good at it), I may not be able to pick up on subtleties like inconsistent dialects/lingo/tone for characters or situations. Depending on the perspective the book is written from, my not being American might also make me miss or miss-interpret things. All in all, I think there are probably better candidates here, but I'm definitely willing to be a beta reader once you go to a broader audience (and I'll buy it regardless, as long as I can get it shipped to Europe for something resembling a sensible price).
I certainly am not worried about your English language or American culture knowledge. I'm more interested in a timely turn-around, but if nobody can promise a reasonable timeline, I'll send it to your kindle (if you have one).
I definitely don't want an editor!
I'll be your editor! I got my red pen ready. This character? Needs new motivation. This character? Just remove completely. Actually we're gonna go ahead and change genres, this is now a college sex romp. There's gonna be a t-rex with tig ol bitties.
I definitely, definitely don't want an editor.
I teach high school writing, so I’ll be your grader!
81/100. Did not follow prompt fully. Transitions need work. Thesis is not fully supported by evidence.
You misspelled "TG."
Well then I'm definitely out. I guarantee I wouldn't be able to read it without wanting to point out spelling, inconsistency, etc.
--Patrick
Maybe I'd learn something about reading my own students.
I believe I proof read a grant or research article for you back in the day. I'd be happy to help if needed.
Not long ago, I drunkenly whined that I didn't have anyone to bring with me to my work's Chairman's Choice Awards. I brought my ex last year when we were still together, but given that we're on completely no-contact, I don't think that's happening.
I was talking with my family about this on Thanksgiving this past Sunday. Some people suggested bringing my mother. Which I would have loved to, but her Alzheimer's is gradually becoming more and more symptomatic. She's still functional and aware, but she's becoming absent-minded. So I was afraid to bring her to a big event like this, and a stay at a hotel, for fear that I wouldn't be able to take care her while also focusing on this event. My sister suggested she go with us, largely to take care of Mom.
Since the event is just with one guest each, I didn't think that would work, but I asked anyway.
One of the people in charge of the event said yes.
So, now Mom and my sister are going to the awards ceremony and will be treated to a fancy dinner and a stay with me at the hotel overnight.
I was talking with my family about this on Thanksgiving this past Sunday. Some people suggested bringing my mother. Which I would have loved to, but her Alzheimer's is gradually becoming more and more symptomatic. She's still functional and aware, but she's becoming absent-minded. So I was afraid to bring her to a big event like this, and a stay at a hotel, for fear that I wouldn't be able to take care her while also focusing on this event. My sister suggested she go with us, largely to take care of Mom.
Since the event is just with one guest each, I didn't think that would work, but I asked anyway.
One of the people in charge of the event said yes.
So, now Mom and my sister are going to the awards ceremony and will be treated to a fancy dinner and a stay with me at the hotel overnight.
I'll post more maybe tomorrow, but that's two years in a row winning an award for my work at Eastlink.
Come to my AirBnB in the next 20 minutes if you want an ass kicking.
What has two thumbs and an upcoming lunch date with a gal through Hinge? This guy!
New job promotion with a pay raise, won an award at work, starting writing again. Now, a date for the first time since dumping my girlfriend in January. Oh, and I'm selling some comics for some extra cash.
Okay universe, where does the shit hit the fan here?
New job promotion with a pay raise, won an award at work, starting writing again. Now, a date for the first time since dumping my girlfriend in January. Oh, and I'm selling some comics for some extra cash.
Okay universe, where does the shit hit the fan here?
Well, yes. The shit may very well hit the fan in the U.S. on Tuesday. But I meant more about my personal life in this case.
I already posted my three good things, but today has been non-stop busy but productive as hell. Let's roll the list:
1) Woke up at 5 AM and couldn't get back to sleep. Decided to be ultra productive. I've been listening to The Dame was a Tad Polish audiobook, partly for inspiration and partly because the narrator is phenomenal. He honestly elevates the book in so many ways.
2) Put away laundry.
3) Did the dishes.
4) Read some comics.
5) Played and cuddled with Ruff & Tuff. And cleaned their litters.
6) Drank about 80 oz of water total in preparation for donating plasma.
7) Biked over to Halifax.
8) Donated plasma.
9) Returned a bike light to MEC, getting a refund.
10) Bought comics.
11) Had lunch.
12) Read more comics.
13) Went to see Rear Window in theaters (Cineplex plays classic movies sometimes)
14) Biked home through incredibly high winds on the MacDonald Bridge. Nearly had to get off and walk sometimes.
Probably gonna end it with more comics reading.
So yeah, productive as heck day.
1) Woke up at 5 AM and couldn't get back to sleep. Decided to be ultra productive. I've been listening to The Dame was a Tad Polish audiobook, partly for inspiration and partly because the narrator is phenomenal. He honestly elevates the book in so many ways.
2) Put away laundry.
3) Did the dishes.
4) Read some comics.
5) Played and cuddled with Ruff & Tuff. And cleaned their litters.
6) Drank about 80 oz of water total in preparation for donating plasma.
7) Biked over to Halifax.
8) Donated plasma.
9) Returned a bike light to MEC, getting a refund.
10) Bought comics.
11) Had lunch.
12) Read more comics.
13) Went to see Rear Window in theaters (Cineplex plays classic movies sometimes)
14) Biked home through incredibly high winds on the MacDonald Bridge. Nearly had to get off and walk sometimes.
Probably gonna end it with more comics reading.
So yeah, productive as heck day.
Man, seeing Grace Kelly 2 stories tall would be awesome.