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Vorahk1Panrahk2

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Everything posted by Vorahk1Panrahk2

  1. The fire that was threatening my local area is mostly contained. Actually it has been for two weeks or so. Evacuation orders are probably almost entirely lifted by now except for some small area. So that's mostly good. It did not come without losses for many people, though. But it's California, and we're a box of matches when it comes down to it. Hotspot detection satellites are lighting up the state like a Christmas tree. That's why even though we (folks in my area) aren't being immediately threatened by fires, we're still breathing near toxic air, ash is falling down like a light sprinkle of snow, and everything looks like Las Vegas from Blade Runner 2049 (which, not fun fact, the look was inspired by this very phenomenon). And many, many people are still being threatened by fires. And we aren't even in fire season yet. October is when we start to see stronger winds, when things can get really bad. But, then, at this rate, what will be left to burn? What a miserable end of summer.
  2. Fun minifigure for the deluxe edition, but the rest of the deluxe content is so pointless you're basically paying $10 for that minifigure. Still, I'll definitely be picking up the standard version at some point. Looking forward to seeing how improved the level designs are.
  3. Work on Wednesday was agonizing. It was really hard to get anything done while keeping the burn map open and watching it spread closer and closer to my girlfriend's place of residence. They were never under mandatory evacuation, but everyone around them was so they left anyway. It did end up jumping the highway, leaving a whole new range of people in danger and forced to evacuate. We were not one of those groups, but its still terrifying to watch a fire line inch closer and closer to your home. It got only a mile away from my girlfriend's house which might seem like it lot, but this thing has grown massive since it first started. Mostly its heading north, which is some comfort for us. Either weather is favorable or fire crews got a handle on it where we live. Some evacuations orders have been lifted and it does not seem to have moved much in the past few days (toward us) despite there only being overall 7% containment. But the winds are driving it north. So while we might be okay, there are entire communities still at risk. The number of personnel involved in fighting it has tripled and I'm grateful for each and every one of them. I'm hoping for favorable weather so they can fight it successfully, but apparently there's more lightning predicted for this weekend. We really don't need another fire.
  4. I was really happy when we got some summer rain earlier this week. I can't remember the last time that ever happened in my life, and it came with thunder and lightning which is also a rarity. It was cool at first, until I got to work on Monday and heard that it started a fire. It was small at first, but two days later, like all of them, it erupted into a monster. 32,000 acres burning, and although it started really far away its now threatening the home of some family friends, and where my sister keeps her horse stabled. The fire started only a few miles from where I work, but has gone the other direction, away from the biggest urban center in the area (of origin). I do not know the likelihood that this fire is going to threaten us. I'm not an expert. I've heard fires have trouble jumping highways which is what it would have to do but that's not really any comfort. My girlfriend lives on the other side of that highway and if keeps going the way it is, they will have to evacuate. Current containment is 0% as of last night. My thoughts are going out to the victims. If asked to evacuate, please be responsible and do so. Hose down what you can, put a sprinkler on the roof and hope for the best. My gratitude is going out to the 501 people CalFire lists as personnel involved with this one.
  5. This was the very first red flag, believe it or not, raised even before the interview. There is barely a web presence online with them. Their website is barebones, filled with out of date information and broken links. There are no reviews or comments from past employees or competitors that I could find, barring a workers comp legal matter they were involved with 21 years ago. They are mentioned a few times in local articles, but that's pretty much it. They are very small. Your last sentence there is a good point, but for now I do not believe having the company on my resume will harm me more than the experience will help me. I've been turned down several times for not having paid experience (always emphasis on "paid"), so that is what I need to get under my belt, and believe me once I do I'll start applying again. I'd be surprised if anyone outside the industry has heard of them, much less has an idea of their reputation. And future jobs I'd look for would be outside that industry. (I'm in more of a technical support role. The skills I'm learning are transferable and applicable elsewhere.) I realize this is all very vague- I'd rather not give away too many details. Your advice is certainly sound. I was thinking I'd start applying again when I hit the 4-6 month mark. Any sooner and I think that would be a red flag for potential employers. Because if the work then is like the work now.... yikes. You wrote "bored or wondering what was going on" and that pretty much sums up the past month. Thank you for your response, and I wish you luck with your own endeavors.
  6. Vorahk1Panrahk2

    New Job

    A little over a month ago I started a new job. After over a year of searching, it was exciting to finally throw away the part times I've been working and start full time doing work that, maybe technically isn't what I studied in school, but still uses what I learned in school. My first instinct is that how great it is to finally, after years and years, have a job that I don't hate... and sometimes even really like. Sure the commute sucks, and they aren't paying me enough that I can afford to move closer, and the projects aren't meaningful to me personally, but I'm mostly enjoying what I'm doing. And I'm learning from doing them, and they will definitely make me more marketable for something in the future that more aligns with my interests. (And benefits. Job has benefits. A job with benefits is (almost) always better than a job without.) There's only one big problem: I'm not sure why they hired me. Or wanted to hire anyone. The better part of the past month has been me struggling to find work to do to fill the nine hours a day I'm wanted there. The projects they've had for me so far have been quick ones, that I've deliberately worked slowly on because I learned quickly that there's basically nothing for me to do all day. The past few days have been a bit of fresh air because I actually have a task to accomplish, but its pure busy work, making me feel like I'm working a glorified internship. I've brought up my concerns twice now. The first time I was told not to worry about it, they're still working out what my day to day tasks will be. Fine. But never heard more about it. I brought it up again and was told, don't worry about it. Be patient for now, the busy season is coming. Which again, fine. But what about when the busy season is over? And what am I supposed to do until then? Don't get me wrong. I'm grateful to have a job (with benefits), especially considering current events when most people are losing theirs and many still are struggling. But my concern is that eventually they're going to change their mind and decide my services are no longer necessary. It was clear to me even before starting that this is not an organized company. With my offer letter alone there was conflicting information about whether my job was seasonal, full time, if I'd get benefits and if I'd be paid salary or wages, and my new hire paperwork had two different forms listing two different hourly rates, one of which was meant for me and the other which was not. My very first week I came in on a Saturday (offer letter said weekend hours required), confirmed Friday that I was supposed to come in the next day, then was told on Saturday when I got in that I could have stayed home and they didn't have my contact info to tell me otherwise. Come on. We both know that's a pitiful excuse and a lie. And then they messed up my timecard and tried to not pay me for a day. The amount of red flags with this company are worrying, and I'm not about to recommend that anyone work there. But I'm also not really in a position to throw away an employment opportunity. So for now I'm just going to hope that things get better and that things pick up and I can keep my job despite the fact that there's nothing for me to do there at the moment.
  7. I think Iron Man is actually a good reference for how to model them. In the latter Marvel movies you can tell its a robot (technically mechanical suit, but the distinction isn't important) but the character still moves elegantly and almost organically at times, blurring the distinction between metal and muscle. I think its the perfect aesthetic for characters whose sets are robotic in appearance but skew organic in the lore. Of course this begs the question- how willing are people to sit through a movie filled with Iron-Man esque characters interacting with each other? It's hard to say. The Lion King (2019) shows that people are willing to watch a movie about near photorealistic characters, but the characters are animals that are familiar to us. And it helps that it was based on a popular animated movie. Avatar (2009) showed that you can make a massively successful movie filled with near photorealistic humanoids, but there were also a lot of normal humans in that movie to provide an anchor point and give the audience a rest from big blue aliens. Same for the Transformers films. Frankly, I'd rather just see an animated film with a budget myself.
  8. I've always been a fan of the Earth element. From the very first 2001 wave, I always got the "Earth" figure first when possible. I never really thought about the reason for this. I think part of it was that I found the early color scheme of black/dark grey appealing. The other part might be that I always found earth science appealing. I have no idea which element fits my personality. But I chose water because I tend to be more relaxed and a "go with the flow" kind of person. I dunno. Take that however you will.
  9. Vorahk1Panrahk2

    Storm Incoming

    Ahhh, sweet summer rain. Unless it's not summer where you live of course.... But man nothing beats that all too brief, sweet respite from the heat. I missing living somewhere where it rains in summer.
  10. I guess Big Bang Theory and Friends sold well enough to justify doing another sit com room diorama. I think the results this round are incredibly boring, but hey, when it comes to Ideas there's something for everyone and it just so happens that in this wave they aren't for me. For those excited by these results, I hope they enjoy the final sets.
  11. Right now its Sunday, because it is my day off. Whenever I get a new job, my new day off will probably be my new favorite day.
  12. I could be wrong, but judging simply off size it looks like the Gyrosphere center could be a cheaper way of getting the Indominous than the 2015 set was. Bonus Ankylosaurus, too. And baby dinos! <3
  13. For two years I lived in a small town where I just couldn't get premade stuff. It was a stressful time so I took up baking as a way to make me feel better (and make friends by sharing delicious food), and all of it had to be from scratch. (Mostly desserts, because, not gonna lie, I have a sweet tooth.) I learned a lot and continue baking homemade to this day. I feel a lot of pride when I could give someone a slice of double layer cake with buttercream frosting and tell them, yup, I made it all myself. And then they want the recipe and that makes me feel good. I'm not an expert. Not everything I make turns out well, but I always have a blast. I hope that one day you are able to break out of that grocery store and share your bakes and love of baking with more people.
  14. This set is fantastic. Love that the whole thing is an Adventures throwback and the relatively small footprint (when closed) is appreciated.
  15. There's definitely some jiggle in those guns when he touches and moves them. Makes me wonder how they're attached, and why. Maybe the rubber two-pin axle hole?
  16. Sigh. Another UCS set that isn't the ARC-170. In all fairness, though, the A-Wing is long overdue for inclusion in the UCS line.
  17. Maybe I'm a Scrooge and its just me, but I actually think it's kind of ugly. The Technic system isn't doing the aesthetics any favors, and this is one of those rare moments where blue pins absolutely ruin the color scheme. That said, I'm sure kids will vroom vroom it around happily and there's nothing wrong with that.
  18. No denying that this is a fantastic looking set, and one that I may very well for over the $200 for. I admit I prefer the original submission, but understand why the compromises were made where they were.
  19. Disappointing lack of Tangled merchandise here, but I guess it's pretty out of the spotlight compared to the more recent films and more pop-culture relevant ones that are represented here. Also Beast's big headpiece looks bizarre on that minidoll body.
  20. I must be living under a rock because I had no idea the Deep Space Rocket set existed. But it looks really cool! Love the little train cart.
  21. Very cool! I went to China a few years ago but did not keep any currency from the trip. Not sure why since I usually do. I have Euros from a trip to Europe a decade ago (floating around somewhere), and every denomination of Guarani from living in Paraguay. My family went to England for a trip when I was a small child and I'm sure I have some pounds floating around somewhere too. If my goal is to hold on to foreign currency for posterity I should probably be taking better care of it...
  22. Despite the ARC-170 not being in this poll, because it should be, it's still super cool of LEGO to do this. Even though there are already three perfectly good models of it, one of which I own, I voted for the LAAT. Does it need it? Maybe not, but it's one of my favorite Star Wars ships, and its been ten years since a prequel ship was added to the UCS line. The Escort Frigate is the obvious choice since it has yet to make it to set form, but I let my bias sway me in voting here.
  23. There don't seem to be a whole lot of books in that bookshop. Pretty disappointing.
  24. Tekulo! Glad you found a job you think is good. Hopefully it's something you can come to enjoy!
  25. I also only reveal myself for bacon. Fun little video. Looking forward to seeing more and buying one or two of the sets. Hopefully the theme lasts for at least a few more waves.
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