Holy shit, I think I did something stupid

[Stretch]

A little more than a year ago (late 2006), I started a thread about how much I didn't like my job. I was thinking at the time of going to work for a non-profit instead.

Well, obviously that was just wishful thinking. Since then, I've been promoted, relocated to Northern Virginia, and I still go to bed and wake up thinking about how much I don't want to go to work. With all that said, I've been half-heartedly looking for a new job for the past year, with no luck finding a company where I won't have the same personal fulfillment problems.

I've accepted an offer to join Teach for America starting this summer. Despite all the bad press from burned-out yuppies and hellraisers, it felt like the right decision at the time. I told my boss last week that I was going to leave at the end of April, which gives me a few months to find an apartment and get situated.

Holy shit. What the hell have I done? I can't teach. Kids hate me.

I'm seriously debating going into work on Monday and telling my boss, "Ha ha, just kidding. I <3 money."

[Stanley Burrell]

Dude, teaching is awesome, no matter who the crowd.

You get to be impressionable! You already look wizened. Go for it, mang.

[Ilvane]

Go with what you want to get out of bed for.

Trust me, money isn't always worth the stress.

Good luck! Sounds like a great opportunity to me!

Angela

[Anebriated]

3 best things about teaching:

1)June
2)July
3)August

[Sylvan Dreams]

3 best things about teaching:

1)June
2)July
3)August

You mean the three months without pay?

[Anebriated]

if you are a teacher you arent doing it for the pay.

[Sean of the Thread]

You mean the three months without pay?

You still get a years salary.

[Bobmuhthol]

<<You mean the three months without pay?>>

You get paid...

[Sean of the Thread]

My wife and my brother are teachers. It sucks balls. It's all politics and political correct bullshit now days.


Enjoy.

[Sean of the Thread]

<<You mean the three months without pay?>>

You get paid...

Most districts even give you the option to take the pay spread out over the entire year.

Not that it matters. Most of your summer is spent doing training and seminars anyways.

[Katt]

Most teachers set it up so that their paychecks stretch out the whole year and they do get one in June/July/August. It also gives you the opportunity to pick up some small summer job and earn even more money if you are greedy like I would be hehe. (Edit: sean beat me. :( )

I had a lot of good teachers that I hated that I actually learned a lot from. You won't be always hated... there are always teachers pets! Or you could just use this opportunity to get over your children fears and learn to get along with them.

[The Ponzzz]

Most districts even give you the option to take the pay spread out over the entire year.

Not that it matters. Most of your summer is spent doing training and seminars anyways.


Yup, in upstate NY you have the choice. Not sure if it works that way everywhere, but you figure you make 30k a year and have 3 months off. Teaching is a lot of busy work. You work long days outside the classroom for grading, reading and keeping your schedule rolling. My old friend teaches high school down in Yonkers and she loves it.

What did/do you do now? I'm sure I know from reading the PC, but I forget. Change is good, but not always for everyone. From what it sounds like, it will be a whole new career change, which may be overwhelming...

[Hulkein]

You still get a years salary.

And young teachers should bartend at a nice shore point in the summer anyway. Unreported income and living in a vacation area for three months is a nice perk.

[The Ponzzz]

And young teachers should bartend at a nice shore point in the summer anyway. Unreported income and living in a vacation area for three months is a nice perk.


I've bartended, worked tables and delivered pizzas as side jobs in the past. The money is always great. It's hard to stop doing it too. Even when i made great money at Kodak, I found myself wanting to pick up a second job delivering pizzas. Granted with gas these days, I doubt the money is good anymore. But I loved taking 600 a week home from my day job and then working the weeknds dropping pizzas off for $50 bucks a day on the books and $90 a day off the books.

I only bartended during the summers at New York State fair that is held in Syracuse (Sean2 has to know what that is) at Heroes and Legends. Fucking money there is killer, but it's super stressful.

[Sean of the Thread]

And young teachers should bartend at a nice shore point in the summer anyway. Unreported income and living in a vacation area for three months is a nice perk.

Like I said most of your summer is spent on career development and seminars/training.

[Hips]

Like I said most of your summer is spent on career development and seminars/training.

I don't know where you live, but that hasn't been the case with nearly all the teachers I know (both new ones under 25, and ones over 50).

The ONLY time their summers have been spent dealing with career development is when they wanted additional certifications/degrees to increase their salary, so it is definitely not the case in New England.

[Stanley Burrell]

And young teachers should bartend at a nice shore point in the summer anyway. Unreported income and living in a vacation area for three months is a nice perk.

Unreported as in "The IRS doesn't know/See no evil, hear no evil?"

Or more lawfully unreported?

[Stanley Burrell]

By the way, you guys are absolutely the awesomest bunch of financial advisers ever and I :heart: you. Platonically if you're dudes and with my pp if you're the vagina-havers.

The blogosphere shall be my main source of economic education and it will work. Ganalon for Greenspan, 2008.

[Sean of the Thread]

I don't know where you live, but that hasn't been the case with nearly all the teachers I know (both new ones under 25, and ones over 50).

The ONLY time their summers have been spent dealing with career development is when they wanted additional certifications/degrees to increase their salary, so it is definitely not the case in New England.

People in New England are dumb. I'm not surprised.

[Sylvan Dreams]

They don't really get paid in the summer. Their salary is calculated on the school year and they have the option to have a portion of those paychecks held back and then paid out to them in the summer months.

At least, that's how it is where I live.

[Sean of the Thread]

They don't really get paid in the summer. Their salary is calculated on the school year and they have the option to have a portion of those paychecks held back and then paid out to them in the summer months.

At least, that's how it is where I live.

Thanks for your contribution.

[Amaron]

I am a teacher in PA.

I can choose to have my salery spread out or a lump sum in June. Since my pay is direct deposited I just let it go through the summer.

Summers? lol. In PA you have to earn 24 masters credits in 6 years to receive permenant certification or you get canned.

Most teachers opt to do a master's program. I am specialized in music so my options for that were limited. I spent 6 summers doing my masters (including paper) because I could only work on it in the summer.

Now that I have my masters, they passed ACT 48 which basically says every certified teacher needs to earn so many credits every 5 years.

Then my district says I have to do so many inservices each year.
The time spent outside of school that is unpaid is crazy.


I just finished directing my middle school students in a musical. It went very well but I never can see myself getting compensated for the full time I spent on it.

I do it because I love it. I love the kids and I want to give them the best experiences possible.

Some days I want to scream but more days than that I want to cheer them on and I am very proud of them.

J

[Anebriated]

Where in PA Amaron? Only asking cause both of my parents are teachers in PA, Dad works for a private school and mom works for the Upper Darby(little philly) district.

[Stanley Burrell]

I am a teacher in PA.

I can choose to have my salery spread out or a lump sum in June. Since my pay is direct deposited I just let it go through the summer.

Summers? lol. In PA you have to earn 24 masters credits in 6 years to receive permenant certification or you get canned.

Most teachers opt to do a master's program. I am specialized in music so my options for that were limited. I spent 6 summers doing my masters (including paper) because I could only work on it in the summer.

Now that I have my masters, they passed ACT 48 which basically says every certified teacher needs to earn so many credits every 5 years.

Then my district says I have to do so many inservices each year.
The time spent outside of school that is unpaid is crazy.


I just finished directing my middle school students in a musical. It went very well but I never can see myself getting compensated for the full time I spent on it.

I do it because I love it. I love the kids and I want to give them the best experiences possible.

Some days I want to scream but more days than that I want to cheer them on and I am very proud of them.

J

Question about the Masters since I've got a secondary ed' B.A.

How much coverage do your employers give you when you work as part of a Masters' proggy for them over the summer?

I still have to matriculate so I can finish a B.S., but I was wondering if instead of cleaning test tubes, I can do so with the catch-phrase, "I'm doing this in conjunction with my Bio II," and if that could reel me in extra $ and/or opportunities. I just want to be very careful not to sound overzealous and annoy an employer. And I'm not really sure if I open my mouth and/or where the line is drawn if there is one, as far as promoting a Second Ed. B.A. while I'm going for research as is.

[Hulkein]

Like I said most of your summer is spent on career development and seminars/training.

That blows for the people you know but I know a few teachers who bartend almost all summer down the shore.

[Sean of the Thread]

That blows for the people you know but I know a few teachers who bartend almost all summer down the shore.

Advancing your career blows?

Not the last time I checked.

Post script I know plenty that bartend here even during the school year as well. I know some that vendor D-ray games and make a fortune.

Problem here is most of the good bartender jobs are solidly taken year round down here. Up there might be a different story.

[Katt]

I remember one of my teachers bitching in highschool because once every three years they had to do like a summer school thing. It probably varies from state to state. Also probably depends on what kind of teacher it is.

[Amaron]

Where in PA Amaron? Only asking cause both of my parents are teachers in PA, Dad works for a private school and mom works for the Upper Darby(little philly) district.


I am in central PA, but I know Upper darby very well as my grandmother lives in Drexil Hill. I lived with her each summer while finishing my masters.

J

[Amaron]

Question about the Masters since I've got a secondary ed' B.A.

How much coverage do your employers give you when you work as part of a Masters' proggy for them over the summer?

I still have to matriculate so I can finish a B.S., but I was wondering if instead of cleaning test tubes, I can do so with the catch-phrase, "I'm doing this in conjunction with my Bio II," and if that could reel me in extra $ and/or opportunities. I just want to be very careful not to sound overzealous and annoy an employer. And I'm not really sure if I open my mouth and/or where the line is drawn if there is one, as far as promoting a Second Ed. B.A. while I'm going for research as is.


My contract is set up so the school district pays my tuition up to 12 credits a year. It is also limited to the state tuition.

So if a state college is 630 a credit, and I go to a private college that is 1200/ credit, I pay the difference.

I get no room and board. Some colleges give grad students free room and board in the summer.

When I received my masters I got an extra 1,000 a year...was laughable. but since I only needed my paper and 12 more credits after I got my perm cert. I went for it.

[Warriorbird]

It's tough. Teachers do not get paid enough. Principals get paid decently though and that's far easy to achieve if you're male.

[Hulkein]

I am in central PA, but I know Upper darby very well as my grandmother lives in Drexil Hill. I lived with her each summer while finishing my masters.

J

Drexel Hill Raiders what

[Stanley Burrell]

My contract is set up so the school district pays my tuition up to 12 credits a year. It is also limited to the state tuition.

So if a state college is 630 a credit, and I go to a private college that is 1200/ credit, I pay the difference.

I get no room and board. Some colleges give grad students free room and board in the summer.

When I received my masters I got an extra 1,000 a year...was laughable. but since I only needed my paper and 12 more credits after I got my perm cert. I went for it.

12 credits overall for 500+ and 499- courses? Catered to your course selections? That's not too shabby if it covers everything undergrad and grad. That would be pretty useful for me right now, actually. Are you still working on a more refined Bachelor's, or do you just build up grad work credentials at this point?

The salary increment you mentioned versus the cost of everything related to education is also slightly absurd. That is ass backwards, no offense.

But, yeah. I wouldn't mind TA'ing or doing some kind of lecture as part of a Master's defined by secondary ed', but I want my overall school & workload to be evened out by labwork. I'll see if I can find that medium, where it's not one or the other as work towards a Master's. I want and need to do an M.S., hopefully I can do a one year and then push forward with all the GRE work and armstripes.

[Amaron]

I am taking a break from schooling. I like my full time teaching job.

I was asked when I was starting a PHD in music but I think I am going to pass. I am going to take courses from here on out that interest me and that I am going to use.

I get another small raise wtih each grad credit increment.

masters +10 grad credits gets me a raise and then 20 and so on.


I am looking at some courses at Villanova... that have to do with children's theater ( I love directing musicals with young kids) and things like set and light design and construction.

and other areas of music that interest me.

J

[Stretch]

My last day of work at my current job was supposed to be in two weeks.

About two months ago, my boss pulled me aside and asked me what it would take for me to stay. I told him it felt like the right time for me for a career change, and that I was pretty set on leaving.

A few weeks later, I got pulled aside again and offered a $10k raise to stay. Hesitated for a few days, but ultimately declined. I got asked what would make me stay, and I said $20k and another week of vacation (I'm technically not eligible for another 3 years). Manager said he would talk to the division head, which I took to mean "Go fuck yourself." I figured that would be that, especially since I'd been seriously slacking since early March.

I've almost completely checked out now, to the point where I'm doing the bare minimum that I think can be expected of me (i.e., not missing deadlines). I usually skip work Thursday or Friday, and during the other days take two or three hours for lunch and a work out.

On Friday, I got pulled aside again, and offered a $15k raise and the extra week of vacation.

I'm such a corporate whore.

[Daniel]

I hope you enjoy the money in hell.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I personally could never do something that I absolutely hated for work.

I don't get paid crap but even though there are times when I sit down after work and have a hard time walking because my legs and feet are so cramped and tired, I get up before work and really look forward to what I do.

That being said, if money and having more days to take off when it gets to be too much is going to give you more happiness in your job, then I don't think you're a corporate whore. If nothing else this is just incentive for you to stick around a little longer and get paid more to do something you don't like, while you take more time to search for a job that is something you're interested in AS well as will pay better than the teaching job.

[Stretch]

On the plus side somewhere in Houston there is a 10 year old who won't be spending 8 years in juvie for shooting a minority teacher.

[diethx]

That being said, if money and having more days to take off when it gets to be too much is going to give you more happiness in your job, then I don't think you're a corporate whore.

:yeahthat:

And Narcissiia, jesus, who WOULDN'T look forward to making freaking gingerbread houses and pastries all day. I'm not saying your job is easy, i'm saying it would be delicious.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Oh it's extremely satisfying, it's just very physically demanding and stressful. The good part though is that as long as I don't contaminate the food or fall face first into a batch of melted sugar or an open deck oven, my job isn't life threatening to anyone, heh!

[TheEschaton]

That is exactly what a corporate whore is: doing something just for the money, and not the satisfaction it gives you.

The implication here is not that the extra $15k and week's vacation is somehow going to make him like his job. I'm pretty sure he'll just hate his job 49 weeks a year instead of 50 now.

If teaching is what you love to do - do it.

[Skeeter]

clearly from the OP it is not. It's just a mid-life crisis nothing to worry about.

[Bobmuhthol]

If Vinh is having a mid-life crisis, his life is short as fuck.

[Tisket]

Skeeter is five.

[Skeeter]

He looks 40 in his pics. We've pointed this out for years. You guys suck at past joke references.



Skeeter is five.

I'm not sure what this means.

[Tisket]

I'm not sure what this means.

I was just teasing you. Since you think someone who is young is middle aged it must mean you are really young.

I hate jokes I have to explain. le crie.

[Snapp]

He looks 40 in his pics. We've pointed this out for years. You guys suck at past joke references.

I totally got it. Tisket & Bob just suck at them.

[Tisket]

Damn you all!!

[Sean]

My last day of work at my current job was supposed to be in two weeks.

About two months ago, my boss pulled me aside and asked me what it would take for me to stay. I told him it felt like the right time for me for a career change, and that I was pretty set on leaving.

A few weeks later, I got pulled aside again and offered a $10k raise to stay. Hesitated for a few days, but ultimately declined. I got asked what would make me stay, and I said $20k and another week of vacation (I'm technically not eligible for another 3 years). Manager said he would talk to the division head, which I took to mean "Go fuck yourself." I figured that would be that, especially since I'd been seriously slacking since early March.

I've almost completely checked out now, to the point where I'm doing the bare minimum that I think can be expected of me (i.e., not missing deadlines). I usually skip work Thursday or Friday, and during the other days take two or three hours for lunch and a work out.

On Friday, I got pulled aside again, and offered a $15k raise and the extra week of vacation.

I'm such a corporate whore.

Does this include any protections from your boss screwing you out of a bonus again?

[longshot]

That is exactly what a corporate whore is: doing something just for the money, and not the satisfaction it gives you.



It's a good thing you have wealthy parents to feed you. It would be a real shame if you had to interrupt your worthlessness by having to support yourself.

[longshot]

I find it hilarious that people are arguing about if teachers are "paid or not" during the summer.

Teachers get something called a "salary." It might be dispersed over a nine month period... or it might be a twelve month period. Is this really that important?

It's a good thing we didn't waste the first three pages of this thread on that... oh wait! We did!

Anyways, I was a teacher. I can rightfully say that teaching sucks.

They make it out to be this incredibly rewarding experience...

That you, the teacher, can play an integral part in the development of a young mind. That the one kid in the third row of your second period class will grow up to be something great... something greater than great. And as his teacher, you know that through your best efforts, he is what he is today because of the love and care that you put into your work...

It's all total bullshit. You're a babysitter with a textbook.

What did you think of your teachers when you were in school? Exactly.

Be glad you didn't surrender two years of your life to America's future felons.

[Sylvan Dreams]

Instead of trying to find 'fulfillment' in your job, why don't you just treat the job as something you DO instead of something you ARE. Find fulfillment in your personal time. A job is just something that pays the bills and gives you money to spend on the things you really find value in.

[AestheticDeath]

A job takes up 1/3 of your life or more. If you aren't happy, fuck it.

Though if the job pays enough, it can make up for it by letting you do more things you like in your personal time. If you have personal time left over after working.

If you have a job you can truly enjoy, you don't have to worry about vacations or saving up for the things you otherwise would enjoy doing. Not as much anyways.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Instead of trying to find 'fulfillment' in your job, why don't you just treat the job as something you DO instead of something you ARE. Find fulfillment in your personal time. A job is just something that pays the bills and gives you money to spend on the things you really find value in.

I can't really disagree with this more than I do already.

You spend a huge majority of your life, working. I think if you're going to spend that much of your time here on earth trying to make some money, you should at least make some money doing something you love.

I know it's cliche but money doesn't, never has, and never will, buy happiness, fulfillment, love, self-esteem or any of those other personal things that you have to find outside of material wealth. It can make things easier, but it can also quite easily make things much, much harder. A balance of finding something that is interesting and good for you to do with something that is profitable and keeps you living at a lifestyle level that is most comfortable, I think is ideal.

[Stanley Burrell]

"We the American working population,
Hate the fact that eight hours a day,
Is wasted on chasing the dream of someone that isn't us.
And we may not hate our jobs,
But we hate jobs in general,
That don't have to do with fighting our own causes.

We the American working population,
Hate the nine to five day-in day-out,
But we'd rather be supporting ourselves,
By being paid to perfect the pasttimes,
That we have harbored based solely on the fact,
That it makes us smile if it sounds dope."

Now, I'm not certain how relevant quoting Aesop Rock actually is, but I like that song. I'm'a go listen to it right now.

I have incredible respect for any school teachers, and since you are Asian, Ed, respect is worth more than money. That is a great analogy.

[Skeeter]

I can't really disagree with this more than I do already.

You spend a huge majority of your life, working. I think if you're going to spend that much of your time here on earth trying to make some money, you should at least make some money doing something you love.

I know it's cliche but money doesn't, never has, and never will, buy happiness, fulfillment, love, self-esteem or any of those other personal things that you have to find outside of material wealth. It can make things easier, but it can also quite easily make things much, much harder. A balance of finding something that is interesting and good for you to do with something that is profitable and keeps you living at a lifestyle level that is most comfortable, I think is ideal.


This is something poor people say to make them feel better about not having money.

[DCSL]

Heh. When my mother was growing up as a recent immigrant from Cuba, she lived in a house with a big empty lot next door. Every week a bunch of plumbers would get together and play baseball there and she and her family would watch. Her father was a banker and her mother was a mathematics professor, and she grew up to be a computer engineer and then a patent attorney and then a VP at a major media company at the moment. One of her brothers is a surgeon, the other is an aerospace engineer.

She tells me every once in a while that she and her brothers still think of those plumbers and envy them. Most of them barely had a high school education but they were all happy and content and seemed to have a lot of fun in their lives. All my mother and uncles have is work. And a host of stress-exacerbated illnesses.

So, I obviously didn't grow up in a poor family, right? But I still value happiness over wealth, something I learned from the previous generation's example. I don't want to work myself to death at something that constantly stresses me out. My mother makes five times more money than I do but I'm happier, healthier, and much less stressed than she is. That's worth a LOT to me.

[Skeeter]

You don't think poor people have stress? Try making 28k and having 5 kids. THAT is stress.

[DCSL]

Nah, I know they do. There've been a couple of times in the past when I've struggled to pay rent and I don't even have kids! Just relating my mother's nostalgia-hazed recollections and her conclusions.

I'm not one for extremes, though, so I've picked a middle ground. I do something that involves what I love - animals - although stress is attached. It's nothing I have to take home, no offices are involved, and when I work overtime, I actually get paid accordingly. I'm not rich but I can pay rent and other bills and still have money for vacations, electronics, and other toys. I work a lot but when I'm not at my work place, I can actually do other nonwork-related things at home. I still read a couple of books a week while my mother has yet to finish the book she started three months ago.

I didn't mean to make it sound like $24k a year makes someone happy, like that nobility-in-poverty crap. I DID mean to make the point that $450k a year doesn't necessarily make one happy either.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

This is something poor people say to make them feel better about not having money.

And that's what people say to justify prizing money over happiness.

[Apathy]

Screw the hippies, greed is good. :)

[TheEschaton]

I can't really disagree with this more than I do already.

You spend a huge majority of your life, working. I think if you're going to spend that much of your time here on earth trying to make some money, you should at least make some money doing something you love.

I know it's cliche but money doesn't, never has, and never will, buy happiness, fulfillment, love, self-esteem or any of those other personal things that you have to find outside of material wealth. It can make things easier, but it can also quite easily make things much, much harder. A balance of finding something that is interesting and good for you to do with something that is profitable and keeps you living at a lifestyle level that is most comfortable, I think is ideal.


Not to mention, if you hate your job, it bleeds over into your real life. My roommate is currently miserable at his job, and it makes him a miserable person to be around. It's much more than 1/3rd of your life.

A mentor of mine told me once that there are three questions to ask about any job: 1) Does it give you joy?, 2) Are you good at it?, and 3) Is it something the world needs you to do?

If you can answer yes to those three questions, that's a very good thing.

-TheE-

[TheEschaton]

Why isn't my new post showing up? :(

Edit: Basically, I quoted Narcissa, and said that furthermore, your job which "only" takes up 1/3 of your life bleeds into your everyday life. My roommate is currently miserable at his job, and it makes him miserable as a person for all his friends.

[Apathy]

Not to mention, if you hate your job, it bleeds over into your real life. My roommate is currently miserable at his job, and it makes him a miserable person to be around. It's much more than 1/3rd of your life.

A mentor of mine told me once that there are three questions to ask about any job: 1) Does it give you joy?, 2) Are you good at it?, and 3) Is it something the world needs you to do?

If you can answer yes to those three questions, that's a very good thing.

-TheE-

Them questions be easy to manipulate an answer.

[SayGoodbye]

One of my philosophy professors once told me that the happiest time in his life was when he was washing dishes for a living.

[Keller]

I'm pretty sure the happiest time in my life was when I was bussing tables. Good hard work. Great money. No real responsibility. Active community that enjoyed similar pursuits (namely, ass after our shifts at the bar down the street).

[Daniel]

Why does this thread keep popping up as having new posts which I can't see?

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I'm pretty sure the happiest time in my life was when I was bussing tables. Good hard work. Great money. No real responsibility. Active community that enjoyed similar pursuits (namely, ass after our shifts at the bar down the street).

This also reminds me of the importance of good coworkers. I've worked some places where I was good at and actually enjoyed the work, but my coworkers drove me nuts and it made me miserable. I've worked other places, like my last job, where the work bored me somewhat but I really loved who I worked with so I looked forward to working and actually liked it.

[Snapp]

Why does this thread keep popping up as having new posts which I can't see?

The post count in this thread is wrong (and some other threads).. so it's like all buggy and shit.

[Skeeter]

LOL at people with revisionist history. I bet while the dude was washing dishes he was like, this job fucking blows, I can't wait to make some real money.

Also Narci-whatever I can assure you I'm a lot happer with money than without no matter what your communist / liberal bullshit tells you.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

LOL at people with revisionist history. I bet while the dude was washing dishes he was like, this job fucking blows, I can't wait to make some real money.

Also Narci-whatever I can assure you I'm a lot happer with money than without no matter what your communist / liberal bullshit tells you.

Yes, because I am a communist liberal if my own personal experiences have never equated money with happiness. Only crazy liberals are interested in pursuing happiness, definitely not Republicans or anyone else!!!

I never said that you shouldn't give two shits about money, nor did anyone else, but that there's a lot to be gained by looking at more than just money when you take a job.

In other news, you're a total douche cougar and should probably shut the fuck up.

[diethx]

Yes, because I am a communist liberal if my own personal experiences have never equated money with happiness. Only crazy liberals are interested in pursuing happiness, definitely not Republicans or anyone else!!!

I never said that you shouldn't give two shits about money, nor did anyone else, but that there's a lot to be gained by looking at more than just money when you take a job.

In other news, you're a total douche cougar and should probably shut the fuck up.

I thought cougars were just women?

[Skeeter]

Hey 8 bit theater, your whole tone has been I R happy poor baker, U R sad rich business guy.

I've been poor and I've been we'll say upper middle class. I can say with 100% conviction that being poor sucks. Stressing about having enough money to eat & buy gas in the same week is much worse than stressing about TPS reports being handed in on time.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

I thought cougars were just women?

Hot older women actually, but a cougar isn't the same thing as a douche cougar. :D

[diethx]

Right, I know it's hot, aggressive older women. I figured you were calling him a douche one of those, heh. WTF is a douche-cougar then?

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Hey 8 bit theater, your whole tone has been I R happy poor baker, U R sad rich business guy.

I've been poor and I've been we'll say upper middle class. I can say with 100% conviction that being poor sucks. Stressing about having enough money to eat & buy gas in the same week is much worse than stressing about TPS reports being handed in on time.

My whole tone is that? I told the OP that he isn't a corporate whore for taking money rather than the new job if he thinks having the vacation time/other stuff is going to make him happier. You just chose to stupidly focus on the parts I said about money not necessarily outweighing being happy.

I'm a poor baker? No, I'm a pastry chef who earns a good living and loves what she does. I love my work, I own my own house and my own business, and the POINT is not that I'm "poor and happy" as you seem to think. The point is that I'm happy in spite of any extreme money situation. And yeah, not being able to make rent or pay for gas is an extreme situation-- you seem to equate "doing something I love" with "I get paid shit".

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Right, I know it's hot, aggressive older women. I figured you were calling him a douche one of those, heh. WTF is a douche-cougar then?

A bitchy person who probably has a sand-filled vagina and seeks to bang younger men.

[diethx]

Oh, okay.

As a side note, now I want some fucking pastries. Or some lace cookies. Or some rainbow cookies. omg mmm.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Oh, okay.

As a side note, now I want some fucking pastries. Or some lace cookies. Or some rainbow cookies. omg mmm.

I don't have any of that stuff but I do have cocoa macaroons with peanut butter cream filling, peach-flavored whirl pops.. and left-over cinnamon blackberry ice cream!

[diethx]

I hate you.

[AestheticDeath]

You don't think poor people have stress? Try making 28k and having 5 kids. THAT is stress.

Try birth control. Unless you have quintuplets outta the blue, you'd be a moron to keep having kids after 2-3. Even 2 kids is freaking expensive.

Obviously not everything can be planned and there are circumstances outside my little rant there. But I know PLENTY of families who just can't fucking control how many kids they have. And they don't care. It just gets harder, but they keep fucking, and apparently don't use birth control.

And no one said poor people don't have stress. We are just saying money is not 'everything'. More money would always be nice, but not at the cost of happiness. And obviously happiness doesn't come with being dirt poor, jobless, or trying to feed more mouths than you are capable of.

There is a happy medium. If a person can make 30k a year and be happy, vs making 100k+ and not being happy at all, which would you choose?

No one was pointing at you specifically and saying you make a lot and you must be miserable because of it. I didn't know how much you make, and I doubt Narc did either.

[Stanley Burrell]

LOL at people with revisionist history. I bet while the dude was washing dishes he was like, this job fucking blows, I can't wait to make some real money.

Also Narci-whatever I can assure you I'm a lot happer with money than without no matter what your communist / liberal bullshit tells you.

I think it's really relative. I would hate to be in debt. But since I'm not, I don't worry about having to make X amount of money as a way of avoiding getting sent to federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison. Money, to me, doesn't just mean bill folds. So in a way, I have more money, as I see it.

I don't even know what wealth means nowadays. You can disguise yourself as the biggest charlatan parading faux-wealth with just a few bucks and have 99% of the population believe it. It proves as much as it would if you had money in the bank that reflected a get-up. It's too late to be thinking about this.

But. It must suck to be poor, somehow, after you've built an empire for yourself. Or something like that.

[Daniel]

Hey 8 bit theater, your whole tone has been I R happy poor baker, U R sad rich business guy.

I've been poor and I've been we'll say upper middle class. I can say with 100% conviction that being poor sucks. Stressing about having enough money to eat & buy gas in the same week is much worse than stressing about TPS reports being handed in on time.

There's a whole shit load of difference between making 30k-45k and 100-115k.

Money isn't everything and the problem is not that someone makes money but that they try and squeeze out every last fucking dime as if it will make them happy.

No one here is saying that being poor is le shit, but people are saying that money shouldn't be the only thing you look for in life.

[TheEschaton]

Happiness is completely detached from how much money you have once you earn enough money to provide the necessities in life - studies have continually shown this.

-TheE-

[Clove]

How do you study "happiness".

-TheC-

[AestheticDeath]

Listen to how many people are clapping their hands?

[DCSL]

I would guess that you ask a person if they're happy or not.

[AestheticDeath]

If your happy and you know it, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _!

.

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

If your happy and you know it, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _!

.

I laughed :)

[ViridianAsp]

I personally could never do something that I absolutely hated for work.

I don't get paid crap but even though there are times when I sit down after work and have a hard time walking because my legs and feet are so cramped and tired, I get up before work and really look forward to what I do.



Agreed, even during the worst times of my job, nothing makes me think I need something more.

Like Narcissiia, I really don't get paid crap.

Some people have different priorities in life, some do crap jobs but it affords them things they are happier with outside of what they do.

Trust me, I've had this talk with my SO he knows if I wanted, I could easily get a better paying job, he's even urged me...but I tell him:

Do you want me to come home unhappy and frustrated?

Or happy and contented?

*shrugs*

[NocturnalRob]

There's a whole shit load of difference between making 30k-45k and 100-115k.

yeah, 70k-85k


No one here is saying that being poor is le shit, but people are saying that money shouldn't be the only thing you look for in life.

money makes your life easier. that's just a fact.

[Latrinsorm]

Hey 8 bit theater,...nuklear power?

[Latrinsorm]

money makes your life easier. that's just a fact.Allow me to cite precedent from the case of Christopher Wallace vs. the DEA, wherein more money was found to be exactly equivalent with more problems.

[NocturnalRob]

Allow me to cite precedent from the case of Christopher Wallace vs. the DEA, wherein more money was found to be exactly equivalent with more problems.

hahaha...i was hoping someone would just give me one of these

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nzHIx4fVuE

[Tisket]

...more money was found to be exactly equivalent with more problems.

That's why so many rich people are rushing to give away their wealth.

[Apathy]

There's a whole shit load of difference between making 30k-45k and 100-115k.


I can't read. That is all.

[Daniel]

It's a good thing you did, because then I'd have to challenge your ability to follow the point.

I'll elaborate further. There is a lot more marginal utility in making 45k\30k over 115k\110k.

[Stanley Burrell]

The happiest, most joyful, wonderful human being I know is one of the poorest people on the planet.

That being said, I also know a lot of unhappy poor people. I also know happy rich people and not happy rich people.

Hmmm...

Happiness is not relative to money. True happiness is making absolutely certain you rid yourself of any and all desires to ever wear a pair of glasses that look anything remotely close to:

http://lulusvintage.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/ebay1_26.jpg

If you even begin to think these sunglasses look "sort of alright, maybe, I guess" you have lost the potential to experience anything that can bring joy to your heart for as long as it beats.

Unless you are wearing them as a Halloween costume to make fun of people who wear glasses as such not on Halloween.

[Stanley Burrell]

Or drunk, maybe; but you better be intoxicated to the point where if you don't die, you shouldn't have thought wearing those glasses was a good idea.

[Latrinsorm]

That's why so many rich people are rushing to give away their wealth.Have you ever seen Puff Daddy wearing jewelry of any kind, or otherwise indulging in material excess? I THOUGHT NOT.

[Stanley Burrell]

Puff Daddy ain't got shit on rainbow toesocks.

[Lucas]

First of all, what type of work do you do that you will turn down good money and leave?

And second, Folks it's all lies don't listen to anyone! Money does buy you happiness, it really really does, I'm serious.

[Tisket]

And second, Folks it's all lies

We know.

Do you really think anyone buys a word you say? Seriously.

[TheEschaton]

Hahaha, as soon as Lucas supports a side of an argument, that side automatically loses.

[longshot]

I'll elaborate further. There is a lot more marginal utility in making 45k\30k over 115k\110k.

This is quite true.

What "The E" said about money is also true... past a certain level, research shows there's very little increase in happiness.

I'm taking a psych class now that deals with this (related to employee compensation systems). The research suggested that spending wealth on material things doesn't have nearly the impact on happiness as spending on experiential things. You quickly get accustomed to the material things, where you can always remember experiences, and the good will stand out.

Having said that, the experiences I like to have are expensive...

Also, I like the freedom of knowing that I can go screw off to the Bahamas at a moments notice, or know that I (or someone I care about) will be okay if something bad happens.

Call me greedy...

[Daniel]

This is quite true.

What "The E" said about money is also true... past a certain level, research shows there's very little increase in happiness.

I'm taking a psych class now that deals with this (related to employee compensation systems). The research suggested that spending wealth on material things doesn't have nearly the impact on happiness as spending on experiential things. You quickly get accustomed to the material things, where you can always remember experiences, and the good will stand out.

Having said that, the experiences I like to have are expensive...

Also, I like the freedom of knowing that I can go screw off to the Bahamas at a moments notice, or know that I (or someone I care about) will be okay if something bad happens.

Call me greedy...


No one is arguing that wealth does not help you obtain happiness in life. The point is that it is not the end all be all of life.

Unfortunately, too many in people in our society take the pursuit of money to be the pursuit of happiness and find themselves hating their life because of it.

There is a balance, and it is entirely possible to achieve it if you acknowledge the fact that an extra 15k and a week of vacation isn't worth the sacrifice of your dignity and job satisfaction.

[Clove]

There's a whole shit load of difference between making 30k-45k and 100-115k.I couldn't agree with you more. 50%.... 15%...

[Lucas]

It's true, money does make you happy. I'm being very serious. Sometimes when I have conversations about this subject matter it irritates me how naive people can be and how someone who has great potential can miss out.

I don't usually do this on a public forum but something of my life.


My new home at the "Reserve" in McLean, VA. About 10 minutes from downtown D.C.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/54313f260b.jpg


My love of my life Claire.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/4aeecfb0c8.jpg


His and her Astons and yes thats me.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/1a151e8eff.gif

[AestheticDeath]

I c nothing.

[Daniel]

What do you do in DC?

[Stanley Burrell]

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/1a151e8eff.gif

Nice VA license plate.

[Daniel]

Yea, and it's not the same house.

[Lucas]

Nice VA license plate.

Not originally from the states, mate. ;)

Anyhow, point is, be happy with what you do. But money can change your perspectives on issues within your life. Usually for the better.

[Stanley Burrell]

Not originally from the states, mate. ;)

You know what; for the benefit of the doubt, I'm going to pretend to believe you. Good/great/fantastic to you for being happy in whatever endeavour you make.

[Tisket]

My new home at the "Reserve" in McLean, VA. About 10 minutes from downtown D.C.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/54313f260b.jpg



You're a groundskeeper? There is no shame in that.

[Stanley Burrell]

Not originally from the states, mate. ;)

Anyhow, point is, be happy with what you do. But money can change your perspectives on issues within your life. Usually for the better.

I don't know about that. My goal in life is to always, always, always be an academic before anything else in this universe. Perhaps a sense of knowing is the same sort of jerk-off as numerical bank figures, who knows these things.

I know I feel my happiest when I learn new things and appreciate + understand the sciences. I could have been a 3.95 GPA business major but there's no way I could ever be as happy pursuing business as I would be following a path of evolving constantly as an intelligent being through knowledge given to me by what my senses bestow me with.

Right now, I am on my way to financial success this very day, at around fourteen hours ago, moreso than I have ever been in my entire life. Based on a couple sets of equations I wrote down on a few pieces of spiral binder paper.

Just because I will undoubtedly be earning a six figure salary in a decade with 100% certainty because of today's activities doesn't mean I will be happy because of any subsequent money in the long run. I know exactly what I am going to be doing and whether what I will be doing amounted to smaller or larger sums of money, it would have no baring on my mood. I am my own person because of me, a briefcase full of hundreds or a roll of quarters is just a side effect of any activities I partake in that put those items in my possession.

I guess I'm weird. I donate whatever money I make now (low income for the next 6-7 years) to the USO. I just pray that in the future, there is some way for me to donate to the best charity foundation that I can; and feel comfortable knowing that my money is doing the best that it can to help others when my figures become six digit. I'm always a bit nervous wondering what will be about 200 times larger a sum of money than I bring in now, and how I will somehow decipher which charities are legitamite and which ones will shamelessly embezzle my future moneys. If that makes any sense. I don't know how to make money make me happy, if it's so good at making other people happy, I want it to do so because it's being distributed to as many individuals as is possible who will be happy because I've donated to the right cause.

If I had one billion dollars in a bag, I'd toss it into the streets of the city.

All I will ever value as absolute wealth in this lifetime is knowledge. And the field of knowledge happens to coincide with what my income will be very strictly related to. Although perhaps a craving of knowing and having it (knowledge) somehow falls under the same category/psyche of caveman brain where having the shiniest pebble gives you the biggest dick. There's probably an element of being bombastic/validating in this wall of text anyway. I think too much.

And it's too late to think about this, again. And I have interviews + sig stats to run tomorrow.

[Tisket]

Or were you saying you live in your car?

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

It's true, money does make you happy. I'm being very serious. Sometimes when I have conversations about this subject matter it irritates me how naive people can be and how someone who has great potential can miss out.

I don't usually do this on a public forum but something of my life.


My new home at the "Reserve" in McLean, VA. About 10 minutes from downtown D.C.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/54313f260b.jpg


My love of my life Claire.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/4aeecfb0c8.jpg


His and her Astons and yes thats me.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/1a151e8eff.gif

Let's just pretend I don't notice the discrepancy in house/license plate/etc, and that you're not actually full of shit.

What does this prove?

This just proves that you have money. And you're happy.

If I post a picture of my 4 bedroom house in MA, my average used car, and all that, does that "prove" that I'm less happy than you simply because money-wise it didn't cost the same?

The point isn't that money makes you unhappy. Can money make you unhappy? Yes, it certainly can and it has, just as not having money can. But the point that people are making, and the point you are YET to 'disprove' because it's pretty much impossible to disprove, is that the money doesn't buy happiness, period.

Anyone who thinks it does is lying to themselves-- because in that case, you bought Claire. And that makes her whore, and that means another guy could buy her. If you think she's with you because you have money than honestly, I feel sorry for you for getting into that kind of relationship and thinking that's love. Not to mention all the other material things: someone else is gonna have more than two Aston Martin's, they're gonna have 12. And someone else is gonna have a house that makes your house look like a shack, and when you take all that in mind, unless your Bill Gates, you'll never be at the top of the heap. If you measure happiness in money, the cold fact is that 99% of the world is miserable.

And sorry, I just don't believe that. It doesn't make sense that millionaires and people with great financial status would KILL themselves or need to check into rehab all the time, while other people live with their spouse in a tiny little apartment, take public transportation and work a non-profit job, and somehow look forward to each passing day.

[Stanley Burrell]

I think most people do what makes them happy. Even emos. I don't know if someone who is always looking ahead to acquire objects can ever appreciate anything they acquire. Ever. Most rich people can at least go boating and play tennis. People get wrapped up in things. Money is one of those things.

I don't understand this planet.

[Lucas]

Different people have different perspectives on life. I actually understand the academics and the people who seek knowledge over all else. In fact, I knew a fellow at a shop I worked at during my university days that was entirely like that. To know something that no other human knows, to understand and unlock another key for humanity, to know the sublime, is something that I WISH that I could participate in. But I'm not that clever.

However, I still don't think you quite understand what I'm trying to say. Money in the end gives you freedom. The freedom to choose, the freedom to think. Many people (in the States especially) seem to have this notion that they are "free", but to be quite blunt, they just aren't. There is a dependency, your mind is blocked. You want to wander and explore, you can't, you gotta go to work. You want to dream and create, too bad, you need to spend the last 700 dollars you have on the rent. You're tied down, bound to the land like a serf. You're not free.

Thats the difference. Thats what makes you feel warm inside and happy, the power to choose.

[Stanley Burrell]

However, I still don't think you quite understand what I'm trying to say. Money in the end gives you freedom. The freedom to choose, the freedom to think.

Believe you me: If you believe that, we don't have to have a Sartrean debate for it to be true for you. If it makes you happy and you truly do perceive certain doors as being opened to you only through liquid money, then appreciate that to its maximum potential, as I am sure you undoubtedly will.

I mean, if you believe it to be fact that money can better you, won't you in turn use money to make you assuredly happier? If personal wealth is a standard for happiness; in some way or another, for you, for me, for whoever -- In gradients, and it's graspable, who wouldn't want to be a happier human being by utilizing that particular resource?

[Doughboy]

Christ, that suit is horrendous.

[Lucas]

Further, I'm trying not to come off as a "rich snob". I'm just trying to expand some people's visions because from reading these boards there are a few of you that are quite capable but seem to lack self confidence. I'm really a nice guy in RL, and have several charities that I participate in.We're friendly, we won't bite. ;)

[DCSL]

O. M. G.

[Snapp]

We're friendly, we won't bite. ;)
Who's we? Your multiple personalities?

[Mighty Nikkisaurus]

Who's we? Your multiple personalities?

Him and his mail-order bride! Er.. "Claire".

[Tisket]

I'll be pretty happy when facial recognition technology software becomes readily available in the near future.

Whole shitload of people are going to regret posting fake photos of themselves and their girlfriends.

Check it out: http://www.wired.com/politics/law/commentary/circuitcourt/2005/12/69771

[longshot]

Lucas, I understand what you're saying about freedom. It makes perfect sense.

But why post a bunch of pictures? That I don't get...

Also curious what profession you're in. If that's not something you want to divulge, completely understandable.

[thefarmer]

I'm really a nice guy in RL, and have several charities that I participate in.We're friendly, we won't bite. ;)

By charities, do you mean donating to your multiple personalities?

[Deadelf]

It's true, money does make you happy. I'm being very serious. Sometimes when I have conversations about this subject matter it irritates me how naive people can be and how someone who has great potential can miss out.

I don't usually do this on a public forum but something of my life.


My new home at the "Reserve" in McLean, VA. About 10 minutes from downtown D.C.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/54313f260b.jpg


My love of my life Claire.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/4aeecfb0c8.jpg


His and her Astons and yes thats me.

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/1a151e8eff.gif


I call bullshit, the Aston's plates are european. ;p

[Deadelf]

Damn I knew I was a day late etc, everyone else caught the bullshit. ;)

[Skeeter]

Took a real detective to figure it out

[longshot]

Trying to give the benefit of the doubt here... maybe I'm becoming too nice? Fuck me...

He did say the house was new, which would explain the difference.

However, why someone would post a picture of their wife, as well as a car with their license plate number on a message board geared toward a text-based role playing game is beyond me.

Rich people don't need to say they're rich.

I'm leaning toward bullshit, but let's see what he has to say.

[DCSL]

I don't think anyone's ever accused you of being too nice on the PC, longshot, but that's what we love about you.

Anyway, I'm more disturbed by the tackiness of the bride's picture. Cameraman peering down her dress to get a shot of her strapless bra? Tasteless. Actually, it's just a badly composed picture all together. I'd think a rich guy could afford a more capable photographer.

[Warriorbird]

Rich does not necessarily equal possessing good taste and or refinement. I'd much rather have a smaller house in the country than a McMansion. There's less expensive cars I'd rather have than an Aston Martin. I'd rather have real stuff than fake stuff as well.

[CrystalTears]

Rich does not necessarily equal possessing good taste and or refinement. Or brains.

[Bobmuhthol]

I'd titfuck Claire.

[AnticorRifling]

I'd titfuck Claire.


He's grown up so fast. And yes I agree with bob, there would be a chest related snail trail enroute.

[Tsa`ah]

I had a post thought out in regards to jobs that you liked when you were younger ... when bills were something your parents worried about or were less of a priority than the weekend road trip, beer, or some stupid shit for your car .... then Lucas dropped in.

I have to ask ... why did you take a picture of "your" new home from inside of a vehicle? Was it from the inside of your A-M ... and why post a picture of your wife/fiance? Was your cash influential in landing someone most men (and some women) would nail even if you were watching?

Something smacks of that kid in high school and college that had a (insert exotic sports car) garaged and never drove because of the (insert bullshit reason).

[Khariz]

I'd titfuck Claire.

Same.

[Celephais]

http://img2.freeimagehosting.net/uploads/54313f260b.jpg

Nice portopotty... dipshit.

We'll believe you with updated photos holding up a card that says "I'm a monk".

[Khariz]

It's a brand new house. It was probably still under construction in that pic. WTF do you people want? LOL

[Celephais]

It's a brand new house. It was probably still under construction in that pic. WTF do you people want? LOL
I know that, I just liked pointing it out. I see the dumpster too, I can make fun of that if you like.

Lucas has had the most retarded attempts at inflating himself on the PC I've ever seen. Anyone believing his photos without question is a guillible idiot (despite if they are even real, if you believe him without proof, you're an idiot).

[AnticorRifling]

I don't know, the boobs look real.

[Celephais]

Either way, the major flaw in the story is that no man would ever let a woman drive an Aston Martin, regardless of how hot she is.