OK, this place has become the Swez, B, TTOCS show mostly because you guys are on spring break.
Please send all photos and video in care of Mr. B. 3364....wait, I don't think that's proper.
How was SP2006? Swez's idea of SB is to stop eating chili for a week, to give the poor termites and Croaches a 'breather' if you know what I mean
TTOCS idea of SB is to wear a hairnet...just to make his mom proud
Mr Bs idea of spring break is the same as you college pukes....only insert a middle-aged man with more money. That and checking for tranformers Crocodile Dundee style. Ain't found one yet, pappy, but I have Rich James Syndrome on the RHS of the face somethin' fierce.
Anyone else want to churn the pot? USFLAG
Replies (19)
swez on 03/26/2006 16:51:16
Yeah, I figured the same thing. Things are slow at CK now as many readers are on Spring Break and out blowing of a little steam. Can't say I blame em either.
In the meantime, we older guys who are well past that stage of debauchery, are trying to find ways to kill our down time moments by writing dumb posts that very few read. Afterall, we've had our haydays of getting drunk, chasing bikinis and ripping up the town in some warm weather locale. BTDT, Nuff said.
Swez
gearhead on 03/27/2006 01:00:29
Well, my Spring Break is consisting of putting up my new shop/garage. It's taking me a little time, but it's gonna be a nice one. I won't have to watch the weather report to see if I can work on my vehicles anymore.
ttocs on 03/27/2006 08:17:43
I forgot about having to check the weather before planning anything, one benifit of living in the desert.
You laugh about the hair net, but I have to wear one to work. Doesn't matter if I shaved that morning, EVERYONE has to wear one.
I had a race saterday, finished 3rd. When I left for the race saterday morning I had a tickle in my throat that made me wonder if I was getting sick. This will be my second day off from work now, feels like my head is gonna explode.
swez on 03/27/2006 09:19:19
I take it you work in a clean room with a Class rating of 10,000 or less? Bunny suit and booties to?
You probably have allergies bud. Something in your ride area is pollenating and that is triggering the sinusitis. (raw throat, tickle and sinus cavities are filling up)
Look it up on the Mayoclinic.com
Swez
MrBrownstone on 03/27/2006 10:41:39
Could be acid reflux. Adrenaline + heavy excercise may be the culprit. Also, if he's in the desert, it could be irritation from dry throat...I used to have the problem with excercising in the cold dry climate up nort. Actually got a lot of winter bloody noses from the dryness.
That usually caused the sinuses to freeze up, making sinusitis a habitual problem. I haven't gotten sick since I moved here....unless you count UCONN losing to George Mason, the bricklayers.
ttocs on 03/28/2006 11:04:50
just the usual allergy stuff. And yes I work in a class 1 clean room. Bunny suits, heppa filters, and even hair nets for those of us who shave their heads....
It is a strange reality but it pays the bills.
swez on 03/28/2006 11:56:51
How did you land a job with HP? Are you a line tech, assembler, QC Inspection???
Am curious as I would not mind such things in that location...
Say more or shoot me a private e-mail: swezdp@juno.com
Swez
ttocs on 03/28/2006 13:09:07
Intel, not HP. I got an EET degree(2yr at ITT) and got out at a good time. I am a manf tech. It is not the kind of job that is giong to send you home every night with a feeling of satisfaction. It will how ever pay your bills and allow you to enjoy 3-4 day weekends to satisfy yourself.
They are looking for all kinds of people from secretaries to techs as they are expanding alot out here(building a 3rd fab site as we speak). Check out inteljobs.com if yer interested.
swez on 03/28/2006 16:47:00
Cool, am looking at many optionsat the moment, but a longer term one is to get into a place where winters are short, summer's are dry and the work is steady.
Yeah, I used to work along with many Engineers and Mfg Techs. It was one of the most vital, but least appreciated jobs in the facility. Someone makes a mistake and everybody scrambles for a Code III alarm fire. Sound familiar?
MrBrownstone on 03/28/2006 17:38:00
Swez
The only job that doesn't have gripes about it is your graduate degree in fishing. :-) From what you've told me, it's the one and only most satisfying job you've ever had.
swez on 03/28/2006 19:29:21
"B., you are always WRONG"! (like that Fed Ex commercial thingy)
Yes, I love to fish. But I also enjoy making a honest buck or 2. I have held several jobs I really loved and stayed for several to many years at a few companies.
However, living in MI, we have the least amount of new job growth in the nation and rank #50 of all 50 states. To be honest, I am fed up with the situation and looking outside MI for real opportunities. It may take a while to see this one through. However, I am one stubborn SOB and have set my mind to doing whatever it takes to get out of this dead-end scenario.
Yes, there are plenty of J.O. B. (Just Over Broke) options here. But, that is not going to past muster with me. This is no laughing matter. Especially when the FOC confiscates a full 50% of my current gross earnings. (OUCH!!!) That sucks big time.
Got any helpful leads or suggestions pal? I'm all ears!!!
Swez
PS If I could live off the land, catch, hunt and such things, that would be OK. But in most caves, there are no cable lines for the Internet. Otherwise, I'd consider it.
gearhead on 03/29/2006 01:46:11
Most jobs in New Orleans are paying pretty good right now. LOL Heck, Burger King is paying around $8.50-$9.00hr..
MrBrownstone on 03/29/2006 03:38:17
I was referring to you being a Master Baiter..in fishing; and not a personal comment. 'Satisfied'....it was a punny remark
Sorry if you interpreted it that way.
swez on 03/29/2006 07:59:12
Hehe, that one slipped my mind filters. Guess I am very focused on serious matters of late and need a good laugh to break the icy chills of winter.
Begin Rant:
Yeah, there are plenty of $7.50 - 10.00/hr., J.O.B. (s) here too. But one cannot live very well on that kind of wage, here in MI. Our cost of living is pretty inflated due to the high Union wage scales, high taxes and fuel costs above $2.45/gal.
The rate of unemployment is officially above 7.6% now. However, the real number of under-employed or people working for cash (under the table) is closer to 30% now.
Basically, MI is in need of a major make-over. Detroit is deep in red ink as is the state budget. Our illustrious Governor, Jennifer Grandholm has a big mess on her hands. She raised state tax revenues in 2005, by huge property tax hikes, high tax base demands on small businesses (5th highest in the nation) and chasing most well paying manufacturing companies out of MI.
In short, any one in their right mind, would look outside of MI for a better return on their wages, cost of decent housing and substantial tax relief, are moving to the south. That is, assuming they can even sell their rapidly depreciating homes.
Heck, a pack of smokes costs over $5.00/pk now. ($2.75 of that are taxes) We can beat that by making (RYO for under $2.00/pk.) our own. However, if a Michigander is caught buying smokes off the Internet, they are charged the tax and a stiff fine.
End rant
Some of the best things about MI are, this is a true 4 season state, we have good-excellent fishing, hunting, resorts and the Great Lakes. Tourism is a good source of state revenues in the summer months. We tend to have mild summers and there are many fine state and regional parks to enjoy for now.
That may change in the future as some state owned lands, may eventually be sold at very low cost to developers. A short term gain in revenues to be sure. But, a big loss of prime virgin timber, un-tainted land and considerable loss of quality fishing/hunting land.
Time to get outta Dodge huh?
Swez COFFEE
gearhead on 03/29/2006 08:17:24
Swez, I wasn't suggesting you take an $8.50-$10.00/hr J.O.B.. I was sort of commenting that if BK is paying $8.50-$9.00 in New Orleans, then other jobs are paying a lot better. Housing is pretty affordable here IMO, if you can find a house right now. There's a $75,000 homestead exemption on property taxes, smokes are $2.50-$3.50 pk., mild winters but hot muggy summers.
swez on 03/29/2006 09:21:47
Right! I got that in spades. But, you get the jist of what MI is dealing with now and how it affects the "Ordinary" man.
Swez
PS There is nothing special or in-ordinary im the plight of MI workers and taxpayers. We are many in the same boat... It is sinking into the abyss and few are paying attention as to why?
ttocs on 03/29/2006 10:40:35
phoenix has a good job market but the cost of living is higher then what I came from in indiana. The summers are hot, winters are great.
MrBrownstone on 03/29/2006 10:48:50
I think everybody knows why MI is sinking, it's just that noone cares to believe their mighty union-run town can fail. Like going on strike, only the employer just keeps moving jobs to another country.
MI just needs to adapt to a new style of doing business. Problem is, it has such a ruined image with the unions, noone in manufacturing wants to locate there--only to have to move out because some ingrateful, overpaid unions want to tell them how to run their business.
That, and of course, everybody is afraid that Ted Nugent might try to run for governor.
swez on 03/29/2006 13:19:01
To a large degree, you are right. But, the Unions have lost a great deal of power and following in the past few years. They are almost a paper tiger w/o teeth.
The deepest problem in MI, is the tax rate for small to mid-sized companies. Utilities prices are moderately high and regulations are also a big factor too. Couple that with high Union labor rates... you get many once thriving businesses, leaving the state and setting up stakes elswhere.
My step-dad was a Union Steward for Ford for a number of years. Some of the stories hae has told me over time, confirmed what I already saw in my younger days as a skilled tradesman. (Millwright)
Here's a short list of what I observed on a routine basis:
* Unions try to bully a company with threats and sabbotage
* Union Stewards spend 50% of their day, drinking Irish coffee and working on Union related biz
* Unions are there primarily to protect the screwups and slackers from getting fired
* Unions fight for pay of their union employees, when some non-union personnel do their work (just got fed up waiting)
The list goes on adnausium.
Ted for Gov? You bet!!! That's a guy that could really promote changes and get things done. However, there is a man that is now on TV, promoting his views about how to turn MI around. He's a Republican and has some very intesting, no non-sense ideas too.
Our previous Gov was also Republican and for his 2 terms, the state was booming, taxes were reasonable and MI was in black ink for most of his term in office. He even left a nice surplus to the incoming Democratic Gov. That went bye-bye in less than a year after she took office.
An interesting side note here... Gov Granholm lives in the Plymouth, MI area and attends a sizable church in same. People were so fed up with a few of her decisions, that they posted protestors outside the church each weekend for over 6 months.
It's unclear whether they were Church members or local people that came out in droves to protest each weekend. Actually, it was quiet a site to see dozens of folks carrying signs of disapproval, even in the dead of winter. (2004 was a rough winter too) This is a large Church facility with lots of upper middle class attendees. I don't know the stats on this specific church, but judging from it's size and parking space, well over 2,000 could attend there.
Swez
Please send all photos and video in care of Mr. B. 3364....wait, I don't think that's proper.
How was SP2006? Swez's idea of SB is to stop eating chili for a week, to give the poor termites and Croaches a 'breather' if you know what I mean
TTOCS idea of SB is to wear a hairnet...just to make his mom proud
Mr Bs idea of spring break is the same as you college pukes....only insert a middle-aged man with more money. That and checking for tranformers Crocodile Dundee style. Ain't found one yet, pappy, but I have Rich James Syndrome on the RHS of the face somethin' fierce.
Anyone else want to churn the pot? USFLAG
Replies (19)
swez on 03/26/2006 16:51:16
Yeah, I figured the same thing. Things are slow at CK now as many readers are on Spring Break and out blowing of a little steam. Can't say I blame em either.
In the meantime, we older guys who are well past that stage of debauchery, are trying to find ways to kill our down time moments by writing dumb posts that very few read. Afterall, we've had our haydays of getting drunk, chasing bikinis and ripping up the town in some warm weather locale. BTDT, Nuff said.
Swez
gearhead on 03/27/2006 01:00:29
Well, my Spring Break is consisting of putting up my new shop/garage. It's taking me a little time, but it's gonna be a nice one. I won't have to watch the weather report to see if I can work on my vehicles anymore.
ttocs on 03/27/2006 08:17:43
I forgot about having to check the weather before planning anything, one benifit of living in the desert.
You laugh about the hair net, but I have to wear one to work. Doesn't matter if I shaved that morning, EVERYONE has to wear one.
I had a race saterday, finished 3rd. When I left for the race saterday morning I had a tickle in my throat that made me wonder if I was getting sick. This will be my second day off from work now, feels like my head is gonna explode.
swez on 03/27/2006 09:19:19
I take it you work in a clean room with a Class rating of 10,000 or less? Bunny suit and booties to?
You probably have allergies bud. Something in your ride area is pollenating and that is triggering the sinusitis. (raw throat, tickle and sinus cavities are filling up)
Look it up on the Mayoclinic.com
Swez
MrBrownstone on 03/27/2006 10:41:39
Could be acid reflux. Adrenaline + heavy excercise may be the culprit. Also, if he's in the desert, it could be irritation from dry throat...I used to have the problem with excercising in the cold dry climate up nort. Actually got a lot of winter bloody noses from the dryness.
That usually caused the sinuses to freeze up, making sinusitis a habitual problem. I haven't gotten sick since I moved here....unless you count UCONN losing to George Mason, the bricklayers.
ttocs on 03/28/2006 11:04:50
just the usual allergy stuff. And yes I work in a class 1 clean room. Bunny suits, heppa filters, and even hair nets for those of us who shave their heads....
It is a strange reality but it pays the bills.
swez on 03/28/2006 11:56:51
How did you land a job with HP? Are you a line tech, assembler, QC Inspection???
Am curious as I would not mind such things in that location...
Say more or shoot me a private e-mail: swezdp@juno.com
Swez
ttocs on 03/28/2006 13:09:07
Intel, not HP. I got an EET degree(2yr at ITT) and got out at a good time. I am a manf tech. It is not the kind of job that is giong to send you home every night with a feeling of satisfaction. It will how ever pay your bills and allow you to enjoy 3-4 day weekends to satisfy yourself.
They are looking for all kinds of people from secretaries to techs as they are expanding alot out here(building a 3rd fab site as we speak). Check out inteljobs.com if yer interested.
swez on 03/28/2006 16:47:00
Cool, am looking at many optionsat the moment, but a longer term one is to get into a place where winters are short, summer's are dry and the work is steady.
Yeah, I used to work along with many Engineers and Mfg Techs. It was one of the most vital, but least appreciated jobs in the facility. Someone makes a mistake and everybody scrambles for a Code III alarm fire. Sound familiar?
MrBrownstone on 03/28/2006 17:38:00
Swez
The only job that doesn't have gripes about it is your graduate degree in fishing. :-) From what you've told me, it's the one and only most satisfying job you've ever had.
swez on 03/28/2006 19:29:21
"B., you are always WRONG"! (like that Fed Ex commercial thingy)
Yes, I love to fish. But I also enjoy making a honest buck or 2. I have held several jobs I really loved and stayed for several to many years at a few companies.
However, living in MI, we have the least amount of new job growth in the nation and rank #50 of all 50 states. To be honest, I am fed up with the situation and looking outside MI for real opportunities. It may take a while to see this one through. However, I am one stubborn SOB and have set my mind to doing whatever it takes to get out of this dead-end scenario.
Yes, there are plenty of J.O. B. (Just Over Broke) options here. But, that is not going to past muster with me. This is no laughing matter. Especially when the FOC confiscates a full 50% of my current gross earnings. (OUCH!!!) That sucks big time.
Got any helpful leads or suggestions pal? I'm all ears!!!
Swez
PS If I could live off the land, catch, hunt and such things, that would be OK. But in most caves, there are no cable lines for the Internet. Otherwise, I'd consider it.
gearhead on 03/29/2006 01:46:11
Most jobs in New Orleans are paying pretty good right now. LOL Heck, Burger King is paying around $8.50-$9.00hr..
MrBrownstone on 03/29/2006 03:38:17
I was referring to you being a Master Baiter..in fishing; and not a personal comment. 'Satisfied'....it was a punny remark
Sorry if you interpreted it that way.
swez on 03/29/2006 07:59:12
Hehe, that one slipped my mind filters. Guess I am very focused on serious matters of late and need a good laugh to break the icy chills of winter.
Begin Rant:
Yeah, there are plenty of $7.50 - 10.00/hr., J.O.B. (s) here too. But one cannot live very well on that kind of wage, here in MI. Our cost of living is pretty inflated due to the high Union wage scales, high taxes and fuel costs above $2.45/gal.
The rate of unemployment is officially above 7.6% now. However, the real number of under-employed or people working for cash (under the table) is closer to 30% now.
Basically, MI is in need of a major make-over. Detroit is deep in red ink as is the state budget. Our illustrious Governor, Jennifer Grandholm has a big mess on her hands. She raised state tax revenues in 2005, by huge property tax hikes, high tax base demands on small businesses (5th highest in the nation) and chasing most well paying manufacturing companies out of MI.
In short, any one in their right mind, would look outside of MI for a better return on their wages, cost of decent housing and substantial tax relief, are moving to the south. That is, assuming they can even sell their rapidly depreciating homes.
Heck, a pack of smokes costs over $5.00/pk now. ($2.75 of that are taxes) We can beat that by making (RYO for under $2.00/pk.) our own. However, if a Michigander is caught buying smokes off the Internet, they are charged the tax and a stiff fine.
End rant
Some of the best things about MI are, this is a true 4 season state, we have good-excellent fishing, hunting, resorts and the Great Lakes. Tourism is a good source of state revenues in the summer months. We tend to have mild summers and there are many fine state and regional parks to enjoy for now.
That may change in the future as some state owned lands, may eventually be sold at very low cost to developers. A short term gain in revenues to be sure. But, a big loss of prime virgin timber, un-tainted land and considerable loss of quality fishing/hunting land.
Time to get outta Dodge huh?
Swez COFFEE
gearhead on 03/29/2006 08:17:24
Swez, I wasn't suggesting you take an $8.50-$10.00/hr J.O.B.. I was sort of commenting that if BK is paying $8.50-$9.00 in New Orleans, then other jobs are paying a lot better. Housing is pretty affordable here IMO, if you can find a house right now. There's a $75,000 homestead exemption on property taxes, smokes are $2.50-$3.50 pk., mild winters but hot muggy summers.
swez on 03/29/2006 09:21:47
Right! I got that in spades. But, you get the jist of what MI is dealing with now and how it affects the "Ordinary" man.
Swez
PS There is nothing special or in-ordinary im the plight of MI workers and taxpayers. We are many in the same boat... It is sinking into the abyss and few are paying attention as to why?
ttocs on 03/29/2006 10:40:35
phoenix has a good job market but the cost of living is higher then what I came from in indiana. The summers are hot, winters are great.
MrBrownstone on 03/29/2006 10:48:50
I think everybody knows why MI is sinking, it's just that noone cares to believe their mighty union-run town can fail. Like going on strike, only the employer just keeps moving jobs to another country.
MI just needs to adapt to a new style of doing business. Problem is, it has such a ruined image with the unions, noone in manufacturing wants to locate there--only to have to move out because some ingrateful, overpaid unions want to tell them how to run their business.
That, and of course, everybody is afraid that Ted Nugent might try to run for governor.
swez on 03/29/2006 13:19:01
To a large degree, you are right. But, the Unions have lost a great deal of power and following in the past few years. They are almost a paper tiger w/o teeth.
The deepest problem in MI, is the tax rate for small to mid-sized companies. Utilities prices are moderately high and regulations are also a big factor too. Couple that with high Union labor rates... you get many once thriving businesses, leaving the state and setting up stakes elswhere.
My step-dad was a Union Steward for Ford for a number of years. Some of the stories hae has told me over time, confirmed what I already saw in my younger days as a skilled tradesman. (Millwright)
Here's a short list of what I observed on a routine basis:
* Unions try to bully a company with threats and sabbotage
* Union Stewards spend 50% of their day, drinking Irish coffee and working on Union related biz
* Unions are there primarily to protect the screwups and slackers from getting fired
* Unions fight for pay of their union employees, when some non-union personnel do their work (just got fed up waiting)
The list goes on adnausium.
Ted for Gov? You bet!!! That's a guy that could really promote changes and get things done. However, there is a man that is now on TV, promoting his views about how to turn MI around. He's a Republican and has some very intesting, no non-sense ideas too.
Our previous Gov was also Republican and for his 2 terms, the state was booming, taxes were reasonable and MI was in black ink for most of his term in office. He even left a nice surplus to the incoming Democratic Gov. That went bye-bye in less than a year after she took office.
An interesting side note here... Gov Granholm lives in the Plymouth, MI area and attends a sizable church in same. People were so fed up with a few of her decisions, that they posted protestors outside the church each weekend for over 6 months.
It's unclear whether they were Church members or local people that came out in droves to protest each weekend. Actually, it was quiet a site to see dozens of folks carrying signs of disapproval, even in the dead of winter. (2004 was a rough winter too) This is a large Church facility with lots of upper middle class attendees. I don't know the stats on this specific church, but judging from it's size and parking space, well over 2,000 could attend there.
Swez
Copyright ClubKnowledge 2009 * All Rights Reserved
