Mac

I text you a link...Amazon.

Quartzsite, AZ?

Having coffee with in the jacuzzi and preparing for a long day of chores

@dbart  Good points to bring up.

In the military, we had to provide a "brag sheet" and submit our own evaluations/fitness reports.  I do this at my current job.  My boss says I'm the only one who does it.

This is a great tool to see who the person sees themselves and their contributions.  It helps see where their efforts are being spent and helps leadership prioritize their resources.  If I submit that I developed this, reengineered that...and you don't remember or didn't know...how can you evaluate them or understand why they are wanting more?  Why about if they are saying they did this and that and that was not the best use of time and resources?  Then YOU as a leader need to be better and supplying tasks and priorities.  AND...what if they submit that they claim to have done things that you know they didn't...then you get to correct them or get rid of them for lying and not being a good team member. 

3 minutes ago, EastMT said:

I show up on time ( when I'm not late ) and consume oxygen on company time. What percentage of raise is acceptable to ask for?

You get nothing!

This is not a cut and dry equation.  Performance, attendance, attitude are a good start.

Here is my other list:
- What about increased company profits?  
- increased workload
- increased cost of living, to include long term inflation, gas prices, etc...
- Longevity/annual review increase
- promotion (probably goes with performance, etc...)
- market value increases.  This is a big one.  A lot of smaller companies/startups...start small.  People take chances because they believe in you and what they are doing.  They want to get in on the ground floor and grow.  Sooner or later you have to do a market value increase to add value to the person and to keep those you want to have stick around.  I knew NOTHING about logistics.  I took a very low salary (for me) to get my foot in the door.  I proved myself quickly and was given much more responsibility...then COVID hit.  We laid off half our workforce.  For those that stayed, we all took heavy pay cuts.  I never complained.  We bounced back fast and hard.  I gave it 3 months before I was going to ask to be made "whole" again.  The owner did it before I had a chance to ask.  Shortly there after, I got a big raise on top of it all.

I still feel I make way under what I'm worth (experience, lots of education, work ethic, availability, positive attitude/teamwork) but, I work from home and no one really tells me what to do.  I take time off as I see fit and my boss doesn't question me.  I have a lot of freedom so it's a trade off.  

With all that said, whenever I feel I need a raise, I start updating my resume and change my profile to "Open to work" on LinkedIn.  My boss usually calls me within a few days and says hey, we're giving you a raise...   I change my LinkedIn profile back and all is well...   I'm about there again.

I don't envy you in this market.  People suck.  Employers suck.  The media keeps telling everyone they "deserve" more.  Millennials and Zoomers feel they deserve more simply by breathing.  Another issue is there are people looking for work and aggressively apply.  Employers post jobs and then sit on applications and resumes for months.  I do not feel sorry for employers screaming for people.  DO YOUR PART!  Don't post a job unless you are ready to hire.

I could write a second and third volume here...

Tearing my car apart.

3 hours ago, THD said:

It's not the candidates, it's the ignorant electorate that is the problem. And that's not just in CA. I actually believe our electorate here in the Republic of Antifa are even more ignorant than those south of us. Measure 110 (decriminalizing of illegal drugs) is a prime example. The voters realized that the measure increased overdoses and failed to deal with addiction problem (made it worse,DUH!) and the leftist here figured out a way to repeal the law while raising taxes again (initial measure allowed new taxes to implement) to support the repeal that does NOTHING to change the initial measure! Effing insanity with voter support!

No, legalizing drugs is perfect.  Let these people keep using, OD and the problem takes care of itself.  But...anyone with half a brain knew this was a bad idea but hey, keep Portland weird right?

7 minutes ago, wapawekka said:

I talk to my dad multiple times a week and he lives about 10 minutes from me. Go fishing often, camping, etc… I wanted the same with my 19 year old step son but we rarely talk. Been in his life since he was about 6 and I was pretty hard on him growing up. Maybe a mistake of mine. Now we just don’t see eye to eye about most things. He’ll come to Glamis every so often and come for dinner once in a blue moon but can’t tell you the last time we text or spoke on the phone.  I’ll have a 18 year old stepdaughter in May .

Kind of the opposite for me.  My Dad never had much time for me, still doesn't.  I wanted to make sure I was there more for my kids.

41 minutes ago, 2dasand said:

Mac,

Interesting topic!  As you know, my oldest just turned 18.  She is a homebody. so I am kinda lucky there (in the aspect of staying close to her), except she now has a real boyfriend, and I have actually been thinking about this a lot lately!  Life is changing and keeping it close to the same is a hard balance.  My parents live just up the street (very close to you), and I talk to them multiple times a week but not every day.  I think there is truth in the statement "A family that plays together, stays together".  I grew up loving Glamis and doing it with my parents.  It kinda sucks that they don't go anymore, but that's a different topic.  My youngest is a wild child and I fear will be hard to wrangle when she gets older, but she loves us both a lot so I like to think we will stay close.  I bought both kids their own quads, and now bit their own rzr's.  I hope playing together keeps us together!

You guys have a great family and both kids are awesome.  We love hangin out with you guys.  My oldest was more mellow, my youngest is a constant challenge, so we are in the same boat there.  Just don't give up.  I know you guys won't.

You could always take the Mac approach to parenting.  Do the things they do to annoy you...back to them but 10x worse...   They tend to get the picture after a while...
 

Just as the thread title says....How do you maintain a relationship and contact with your adult kids?

As ridiculous as it may sound, my kids are 32 and 22, both girls, and they call and text me every day.  My oldest usually calls multiple times and texts through out the day.  I also do daily Dad Jokes with them.  I've been doing it for years and I have no plan to stop any time soon.  Most who know me know I'm a horrible father but a great big brother...   

But my kids turn to me for everything.  Both girls came to me when they needed a bra, got their periods, boys, everything.  I was pretty tough on them but my ex-wife was like raising a third kid.  I felt like the only parent at times.  I always told them, if you want it to stop, turn 18 and give me a high school diploma.  That's your ticket out.  They both did and I flipped the switch to advisor mode and have stuck to it.


So what say you?  What do you do to maintain that relationship with your kids?

Not mine but saw thison FB and wanted to share.

$9250

21 minutes ago, FOG said:

You should start a rebuild thread. Inquiring minds want to  see. 

And have to deal with all the naysayers and armchair quarterbacks....naw.... 😆

I've started the teardown on my car.  Slow but steady.  I know once I get it back from powder I'll get into to "GO MODE" and want to get it back to together.

Just now, Cookie said:

Why are our Freeways so crowded if everyone is leaving..................I am want 1995 traffic back.

All the ILLEGALS...

8 minutes ago, Orange_R said:

We have a mutual friend that moved to Texas and due to Abbot's stance o, Roe v Wade they said they were voting for Beto, I promptly and respectively told them we could no longer be friends and not to Eff up Texas. They left here for there and that was also my argument.

People are allowed to have their opinions and issues that are important to them.  The issue is, making it everyone else's problem creating tyranny of the minority.  I try really hard NOT to let politics ruin friendships and family, but there have been a few.  It really came down to respect of one's opinions, mainly I got tired of being told I was stupid or wrong.

I try to be an "issue" voter but if the choice comes down to Republican or democrat, I'll always vote Republican, or not at all.  I've never been so divided and opposite of a political party than I am with democrats.

I was in San Diego last week picking up my car.  Driving back to Havasu, it was a steady stream of UHauls heading East.  

- People are sick of the politics
- People can no longer afford to live there
- Business are tired of the taxes and regulations
- The high crime
- The constant catering to ILLEGALS and throwing taxpayer dollars at them.
- TAXES every time you turnaround....MORE TAXES

BUT...what sucks is it's not just conservative leaving.  Liberals are going to other states and f*cking them up too.  Raising prices, changing politics, creating the same sh*thole they just left!  Nobody ever f*cking learns.  Even California conservative go and f*ck up other places.  Why?  Because a California conservative is a liberal everywhere else.  You have no idea what you are conditioned to accept and tolerate.  You've lived under it for too long.  We have this sh*t here in Havasu...Californians moving here and then complaining the city and state need to pay for more services.  Where do you think the money comes from?  People do not do their research and homework before moving.  I love the undeveloped feel of Havasu but man people are trying to f*ck that up.  They already approved a second bridge coming off the island and they are going to put that thing right through the middle of town and f*ck up traffic and destroy the landscape.  Why?  Because the rich Californians buying property on the island don't want traffic coming and going...off the island.  So...let's displace it right through town and turn the 95 into the 405.

And...Once these transplanted Californians go f*ck up the new place, they scream for more government involvement and services...which require...MORE TAXES!  Look up Eagle, Idaho.  It is a big retirement community for California fire fighters and cops.  They have gone in and f*cked it up raising prices, running for office, demanding higher wages for first responders...because they had it.  It's a different location with a different economy dumb**.
 

26 minutes ago, confyushus said:

I'm in Boulder Co (not city of Boulder!) and with the amount of roof tents and "expo rigs" running around it is probably a smart move coming to CO, especially in that area between the mtns and Moab. They may have done better just east of I25 in weld county like earthroamer did, but GJ will get you away from that craziness on the highway. Ultimately, I don't get into the whole "camping/outdoorsy/expo" look, so it doesn't affect me at all, haha

Colorado is the new California.  They've always been liberal but they have gone all in now.

As far away as I can from Poule.

Lyle was a great dude.  I lost touch with him but never forgot.

He will be missed.

25 minutes ago, TheSPAINishLover said:

Joe, I went from 350k/yr to 185k/yr and it saved my life.  I nearly committed suicide 18-20 months ago.  Other than my wife and dad, no one else knew about it.

Glad you're still with us.  I'm sure your family is too!

On 1/30/2024 at 11:35 PM, L.R.S. said:

If you're a divorce attorney do society a favor and find a mirror, stand in front of it, and open your throat from ear to ear. The only home my kids have known for 21 years will be sold so a drug addicted alcoholic can have her 'half'. So that's my story.

On 1/31/2024 at 6:07 AM, Crusty said:

Divorce is some real Effing BS.

I hate how much men get drug through the mud in divorce.  All while...the news reports women are the highest rate of home owners...well yeah...they TOOK IT...paid for by a MAN!

With that said, I swear I'm the only guy I know that "won" in divorce.  She just walked away and said take everything, I can do it on my own.  (She was being stubborn and played the, "I'll show you I don't need you!"...She regrets that now)

43 minutes ago, ChEFF said:

 

So this is the final product we get? Asking for a friend. Peace

In a word, Yes.  This is as good as it's going the get.

1 hour ago, LegitDuner said:

This topic hit me hard this morning. I am in the exact same position and have to make my mind up today...

I've been in business owner since 2003 and going through COVID burnt me the Eff out. I've been in zombie mode for at least the last year, hating every day of my job. I got freedom, I got money, I got everything in place, but my heart isn't in it anymore. Things have changed so much, my industry is not the same one that I signed up for. I want to do something fulfilling that doesn't burn my nerves out at the end of each week. I've been waking up in the morning ready to take on the new job and going to bed thinking it's going to be a huge mistake. For weeks now...

One thing I do know is if I keep going at the pace I am, I will be completely burned out mentally, spiritually, and physically. I had pretty much accepted that will be life along time ago though. That's what men do. All hard working men are supposed to sacrifice their mind and body to be successful and as financially stable as possible, but I've been really questioning that notion lately. We only get one life to live and sometimes it makes no sense to be so miserable. Something that I feel these newer generations are a little more educated on. They're all about their work-life balance and happiness, and they're not wrong.

I would like more than anything to know what it feels like to have a job that you truly enjoy that doesn't feel like work. If you can do it, just go for it. Worst case scenario, you go find another job. I'm 51 and I had no problems finding a job out there. I'm in a couple business owner groups in my industry and they're all transitioning away from the younger crowd to the older crowd as we speak.

Good luck man!

Sorry dude.  Here's just a couple thoughts.

- What else are you going to do to make the money and have the freedom you have now?

- Have you thought about taking up a new hobby or explore something new in life that you can do while still maintaining your business?  Find something new to "live for".  Sounds like a better work life balance could help you a lot.

- Have you thought about cutting down on commitments? Sure it dips into your revenue but it will give you more time and less time running your business.

- If you do want to give it up and find something new, what then?  What is the market, pay, availability?  I was very lucky to find a job that is required for the company to operate, I work remote and 90% of my job has me working autonomously with no interaction with others.  That 10% that requires me to work with others....is sometimes the most difficult days/things to deal with.

- Lastly, starting over after 50 is hard.  Ageism starts and it's harder to find a job.  You start at a new company...do they have the right culture?  Now you have more HR training requirements.  I can tell you now...after 25 years of the Navy, I could not go to work everyday or be in an office around others.  I took over 6 years off before going back to work.  I hate people more and I still just want to be retired but I like the extra money.  Millennials and Zoomers will drive you bat sh*t crazy.  "Why?", "I don't identify with that."  "It's been 3 months...I need a promotion."  I would be fired by now if I wasn't able to just get up from my desk and walk away for a bit.  

Hope it works out man.