JCPhoenix

I had to give a report to our board of directors on Friday. I almost never do this, but a major project I'm leading up isn't going well. It's significantly delayed, and my boss, the CEO, thought I should be the one to tell them. Not because he's throwing me under the bus, but because I know the details. So I had to deliver the less than exciting news.

When I spoke to my boss like a week ago, he did tell me to be candid, that I don't have to lie or hide anything, because it's not like the board wasn't aware there were problems. And he also reminded me that we're not the first company to ever have a major project go sideways; that our board members probably dealt with similar issues in their workplaces. In a way, both things things helped allay my fears.

Honestly though, the report went well. Sure, the board was concerned and had some questions, but mainly sympathetic. They understood that this was mainly the fault of the vendor we're using, even though I told the truth and said that some of the delays are due to issues on our side. But I said we'd keep plugging away, while also looking for other vendors who might be able to step in.

And I wasn't as nervous as I normally am doing big reports like this (though by the end, I did feel a single bead of sweat drop down the side of my head). In a way, it was also a good training opportunity for me. Sometimes, you have to deliver bad news to leadership. It also puts some of the onus on them to figure things out. So I'm glad I did that.

I barely go into the suburbs these days, but I don't doubt that's all that's being built. In KC proper, in some neighborhoods like Waldo, I have been seeing smaller houses being built. A developer will demolish an older home and build a new home. These are smaller houses than whats out in the suburbs of course, since the plots in the city are smaller, but they probably would be good for single people, DINKs, or new families. Not everyone needs 2000+ sq ft of space. It'd be great if the suburbs also invested in these smaller, starter houses, but it's my understanding that the economics don't make as much sense.

Of course, that's all focusing on DSFH. We need to address the "missing middle." More multifamily housing. Build duplexes, townhouses, lowrise condos, whatever. I for one don't need/want a whole house. But I would like to own something more akin to an apartment.

Build, build, build.

Yeah for sure. I mean, my hotspot anyway has always been free. But I know people who have to pay separately. And I don't understand why.

I remember the first time I went to Europe several years ago. I went to Barcelona. I picked up a local sim card at an Orange store. I must've gotten like 10GB for like 28 days or something? And it was like half to 2/3 the price of what I was paying at home for 5GB.

Same in the Philippines. That said, in either location, I didn't try hotspotting.

$4000 in a month?! I assume that was mostly data/hotspotting? And I'm assuming that was for work purposes, right?

So my base plan here in the US is probably 7-10yrs old? And they keep pushing me to switch over to one of the new "unlimited" plans, since I'm on an old 5GB/mo plan. So why don't I switch?

Mainly because I don't normally use more than 5GB/mo. Crazy in 2024, I know, but I'm usually at home on WiFi. And if I'm traveling, I'll try to stick to WiFi as much as possible, esp if I'm going to watch YouTube or something.

But then a couple years ago, I stumbled upon a special offer from my carrier that gives me 1000GB/mo for $10/mo. Oh, it also rolls over. So I basically always have 2000GB/mo. And I can use it for hotspot data for no additional cost (which I do). And it doesn't get deprioritized (unlike the "unlimited" data in the their newer plans, once I go over a certain point). As long as I don't change my base plan, I get to keep this add-on.

And even with that add-on, my bill is still $5-10 cheaper than the carrier's worst "unlimited" plan. I do lose out on two things: Ultrawideband/mmwave and no international coverage included. I don't care for the first thing and I don't travel abroad often enough that that's an issue. I still get 5G, just not the special 5G or whatever UWB/mmwave is.

Short of me losing 5G access or making the "unlimited" plans significantly cheaper, there's really nothing they can do to make me switch.

Time to push up my glasses and say "well akshually..."

I think they're saying that because Direct Action has a particular definition.

Direct action may include activities, often nonviolent but possibly violent, targeting people, groups, institutions, actions, or property that its participants deem objectionable. Nonviolent direct action may include civil disobedience, sit-ins, strikes, and counter-economics. Violent direct action may include political violence, assault, arson, sabotage, and property destruction.

So on one hand, they're right. Direct Action is not done at the ballot box. It's done in the streets.

But on the other...it doesn't matter. Just like most "well akshaully" statements!

Because people should do everything you've laid out, regardless. And don't forget to vote!

I have a lifetime subscription for Windscribe, so I've just been using that with no issues for years. I've recommended it to some other friends and they've been fine.

I also pay for Proton services, so I have ProtonVPN, but I've yet to try it for torrenting.

While I can't say I need this in my home -- I live by myself in a 2bdr apt -- have any of you tried any of this gear from Aliexpress? I can't say I ever thought to check out Aliexpress for gear like this. I used to work at an MSP, so practically everything I have is old stuff from clients who use Ubiquiti, Cisco, TP-Link, etc. Which is perfectly fine for my needs. Though all brands known and sold in the US.

But if I wanted/needed new stuff...Are these various brands and products from Aliexpress worthwhile? Good value or no? Or that too broad a question to ask?

Oof, sorry to hear. Being sick is never great, but sore throats are definitely up there with the worst. Here's hoping the meds quickly do their thing and you start feeling better!

Thanks!

Like I get having a house and wanting/needing to fill it. Or seeing something that you've always wanted and buying it, even if you don't need it (for me, it's games on Steam). But this is ridiculous. It took 4 trips with moving trucks (a 26' [7.9m] and 15' [4.5m]), plus numerous trips with their SUV. Hopefully my parents, especially my mom, will start going through it all and either getting rid of old stuff or consolidating. They have at least one more move once they buy their "final house" -- god, that sounds morbid -- but I said if they have the same amount of stuff or more, that I won't help. It's just too much to move.

Though it's an empty threat: I'll still help them move 😒

I'm out of town to help my parents move. Oh my god, my mom has so much shit. Especially kitchen stuff. Yes, she cooks (and cooks very well), but it's not like she's a passionate chef or baker who's always cooking in her freetime, as like a hobby. Nor is she cooking to feed a family of 5. No, it's just her and my dad, and my younger brother (who's only just living at home temporarily again). My dad doesn't have nearly as much stuff.

It's boomer-level conspicuous consumption at it's worst.

On the plus side, it's my birthday today (as of this post). 37yo. What a weird age to be. It feels like no-man's land. Gonna fly to San Diego for a few days to celebrate and enjoy. Off the rest of the week to do that. Rarely do the whole "birthday week" thing, but I needed a vacation.