Iwritecode

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 18, 2008 -> 04:01 PM) Your company doesn't offer tuition reimbursement? My company offers 100% (provided you stay for 3 years after the class completion otherwise it's pro-rated) and 70% for wage guys. They do but it has to be approved and be "work-related". I'd have to pay for tuition and book out-of-pocket and then they re-imburse us based on our final grade. I've pretty much gone as far as I can at the local community college. The only thing left I could really take is a couple of introductory courses. I was taking courses through the RVC-NIU partnership but that got really expensive really quick. Of course I make "too much" to qualify for financial aid. QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 18, 2008 -> 04:01 PM) If you can't afford college at a local community college, how do you expect to help your kids after high school for their college education? I didn't get any help from my parents getting my 2-year degree. My wife didn't get any help and didn't even go to college. Sadly, I doubt we'll be able to do much for our kids. Keeping the bills paid is more important right now.

QUOTE(almagest @ Feb 15, 2008 -> 11:50 PM) Not sure if you spoke with RockRaines about this yet, but you are SEVERELY underpaid. Software Engineers coming out of college are making close to 60k/year at this point. I'd highly suggest looking in Chicago, Naperville, and/or Schaumburg. What's your area of expertise? Tell me about it. Overworked and underpaid. It's the story of my life. I was in contact with a head-hunter during a job search once and when I told her what I made she laughed... I do mostly mainframe stuff. Programming languages that are older than I am. I messed up by getting my 2-year degree just before the web programming stuff really took off. Back in 97-98. I really need to go back to school (which I can't afford) or become self-taugh in the newer programming languages. QUOTE(almagest @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 01:15 PM) True, but he already said he drives quite a distance to work, so perhaps a bit further for more money wouldn't be a bad idea. Also, the areas I've mentioned seem to be the best bets in the state for tech jobs. At some point he may consider moving, so I thought it worth mention. QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 16, 2008 -> 06:46 PM) relocation pays, but with a family I understand how difficult that can be. That's one reason why engineers make a lot, they tend to have a strong willingness to relocate. I moved to the middle of Iowa, one friend moved to KY now he's in Indiana. One moved to TN. Another started out in Arkansas and is now in OK. A few are on the west coast. One's in Boston, another in Pittsburgh. That's all I can think of off the top of my head, and most of us grew up in the Chicago area. I'm willing to commute. I already drive 40 miles (about 1 hour) one-way. I can't imagine it would be that much different taking 90 into the western burbs. Relocation is a slim possibilty but not something I'd rule out right away. The kids are getting a little older so after-school care isn't as much of a concern as it used to be.

Turbo Tax allows you to file online. Even if you buy the box you can still file electronically.

QUOTE(Steff @ Feb 13, 2008 -> 12:11 PM) In 12 years I have never, ever seen that happen. If I were you I would have it looked over before submitting them to ensure no delay in processing your refund, if it's correct. I don't think it's really that unusual. Back when I was working retail and making like $6.00 an hour I got something like a $4000 return because I was able to claim head of household with 2 dependants. Then I got married and haven't seen a return like that since. I'm thinking the $3000 I get for the child tax credit has something to do with it. My return isn't really all that complicated. All I have is mine and my wife's W-2s and a 1098 (I think?) from my mortgage company. It's only like $5 difference between what I paid and what I'm getting back.

QUOTE(Steff @ Feb 12, 2008 -> 10:07 AM) I wish I had a nickel for every person who's taxes I've done over the years that says "hu???" when I tell them this. They act like their refund is a gift from the g'ment. And these are not stupid people.. (well, most of them aren't). They just refuse to manage a savings account on their own despite the fact that the g'ment doesn't pay interest. I just did my taxes last night and I'm actually getting more back than what I paid in.

I can't remember anything that I've forgotten.

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 11, 2008 -> 03:37 PM) You really need to shop around. Just about all my engineering/programming buddies make bank. Don't you also make a long commute to work as well? 40 miles one-way. Plus we've lost 6 programmers in the last year (only 1 left voluntarily) which means my work load has sky-rocketed. Where ever these high-paying programming jobs are, they're not around me...

QUOTE(santo=dorf @ Feb 11, 2008 -> 03:08 PM) 2. Computer applications software engineers - $38.36/hour Computer applications software engineers create or improve programs and software in response to user needs. Their applications might be bundled with other software or they might be created specifically for a client’s private use. Median annual salary: $79,780 I don't even make 50% of that...

I usually go with the Lee dungaree carpenters. I get them on sale for about $30 at Kohl's. I'm >30 and married with kids so I'm certainly off the fashion train. I'm pretty sure I'm also the last person in the world that likes to wear black jeans.

QUOTE(RockRaines @ Feb 11, 2008 -> 11:27 AM) I never make enough money, never. My salary has almost quadrupiled my salary since I graduated college, but it seems like I have less money now than then. I'm pretty sure that when I factor in inflation, I'm not making a whole hell of a lot more than when I started. My gross salary has only went up 30% in 10 years.

I had one buyer that won the auction and then absolutely refused to answer a single email I sent him. I ended up reporting him to Ebay and he didn't respond to them either. Finally Ebay agreed to drop the costs from the auction and let me re-sell it. I left him negative feedback and only THEN did he finally respond and left me negative feedback as well. He tried to claim that he'd sent out 2 checks and that I was trying to scam him. He's no longer a member so the feedback is gone. That is one change that Ebay is making that I like.

QUOTE(sox4lifeinPA @ Jan 23, 2008 -> 11:39 AM) this image is pulled from a larger one on NASA's website.

QUOTE(kyyle23 @ Nov 15, 2007 -> 07:20 AM) Sometimes I look at that list of movies/books/novellas and I am amazed at what he has written. I havent read all of it, but I have read a good portion of it. If someone manages to pull off "The Dark Tower" series I will be a really happy guy, but the gravity of the storyline and everything it encompasses is a HUGE challenge. I kind of have mixed feelings on them ever making any of the DT books into movies. Many of the other stories that he's written that tie into the DT like Hearts in Atlantis and IT were made into movies and they completely removed the DT connection in the movie.

QUOTE(Flash Tizzle @ Nov 14, 2007 -> 11:39 PM) Some of the material, aside from the entire homosexual angle, just wouldn't work. Such as portraying the female member of their group as a whore, or the entire "Turtle" vomiting out the universe and 'IT' chilling underneath Derry since prehistoric times part. That's exactly why I think the movie was much worse than the book. The movie ending was just horrible.

QUOTE(mreye @ Nov 13, 2007 -> 09:55 AM) The Shawshank Redemption. Granted, it was just a short story and not a whole book, but... Also from the same book, Stand By Me. The Shinning was pretty good too although the book was a bit better IMHO. Misery comes close too.

Having this conversation: "What do you want to eat?" "I don't care" "Burgers?" "No." "Pizza?" "No." "Tacos?" "No." "Chicken?" "No." "AAAUUGGHHH!!!"

QUOTE(WhiteSoxfan1986 @ Oct 26, 2007 -> 12:20 AM) Do they still have the one out at Lockwood park? I don't think so.

I've gone through 6 or 7 Lexmark printers. I always thought they were a pretty good brand but not a single one of them lasted. One I never even got to use because it died as soon as I plugged it into my computer. It wouldn't even turn on. I've got an HP 3-in-1 now and have been happy with it so far.

There used to be a TON of good ones around Rockford but nobody does them anymore. It used to be a birthday tradition for me and my family to go out and hit as many haunted houses as we could in one night. This year I only saw an advertisement for ONE haunted house. I remember times there were 5 or 6 in town. I guess it's not really a bad thing because as I've gotten older they've gotten more lame. I don't know if it's because I got older or if they just quit trying as hard. Plus a $10 a person it starts to get a little pricey.

The Farm and Fleet near us has an annual Toyland opening every year in October.

Most of this stuff has already been mentioned. I'm just picking out the stuff that's relates to me. Have never seen: Godfather series Anchorman Animal House Spinal Tap It's a Wonderful Life Casablanca Gone with the Wind Sopranos The Office Entourage Never broken a bone. Never had Chicken Pox that I know of. All three of my kids have though. Never drank a beer. Couldn't get past the taste of the first sip. I've never seen the Bulls, Bears or Blackhawks play in person, although I've been in the parking lot of Soldier Field a few times. Never flown in a plane.

I'd take either the second or fourth choice. Either one would give me a nice raise and I'd save a ton on gas not having to drive 80 miles a day, five days a week.

QUOTE(jasonxctf @ Aug 29, 2007 -> 01:26 PM) hope you don't touch bathroom door knobs then. another sick thought. You go to a game a US Cellular and use the urinal stalls. What are your shoelaces sitting in as you are letting nature take its course? If your shoelaces are touching the floor you either need to 1) tie your shoes or 2) get shorter laces.

Another prank is to tape a sign to the drive-thru menu that says something like "Sing Happy Birthday and we'll give you a free hamburger" and then see how many people actually do it.

QUOTE(Palehosefan @ Jul 26, 2007 -> 12:27 PM) There was even a Nintendo game that my Mom went nuts for. Dr. Mario. She was amazing at the game, all my friends would come over thinking they could beat her and she would just destroy them. This was coming from a mother in her 50's, it was hilarious to see. I got to where I'd just start at level 20 on that game. The only thing that sucks is that level 20 is the highest level you can start at but it continues on through level 24. Then it just keeps repeating level 24. 20-24 are all the exact same anyway...