The programmer and the interns part 3.

Many of you asked me to keep posting about the interns that I'm responsible for.

I had the intention but never had the time or the energy. Since the interns only kept doing stupid, unthinkable things and just filtering out the good ones is a task of its own.

Time has passed, some interns left us by their choice, others were fired (for obvious reasons). Some stayed loyal and were given permanent positions. New ones joined. I no longer am directly responsible for their wellbeing, yet, somehow I am still their tech-lead and the developer of their tools.

Without further delay,

Case 0:
New guy get's into the internship, has his LinkedIn title set to ‘HTML Technician’.
Didn’t know about the existence of HTML5.
Been building static web pages in the early 2000s. The kind with embedded, inline CSS.
Claims that he is about to finish an engineering degree (sadly I believe him).
Fails the entry level Linux test. Complains about the similarity of the answer options.
Fails the basic web-standars test because "they change so fast, but the foundation is HTML and it's rock-solid!".
Get's caught taking home onions and milk from the kitchen.
Is spotted eating in a restaurant under our offices in his day off. Thrice. He lives a 30 minute drive away and comes here on a bicycle or by bus.
Apparently didn't know that the scrolling wheel on the mouse is clickable.
Said that his PC experience is mostly from his PlayStation (PC = PlayCtation apparently).
Get's fired, says that he'll go to the press. Never does.

Case 1:
Yet another new intern. He seems very eager to learn and work, capable, even charismatic. Has an impressive CV.
Does nothing.
Learns from the "case 0" guy and spends time with him until he is fired.
Comes to work at 8:00 AM and immediately goes to sleep on an office puff. In front of everyone.
Keeps dining alone, without a notice, at different times, for hours. Sometimes brings food into the office and loudly eats it there.
On his evening shifts keeps disappearing for long periods of time. Apparently drinking in the nearby bars and hitting on girls.
Keeps bragging about his success with getting their numbers and rants about those who reject him.
For over a year he fails his final training test and remains a trainee, without the ability to work on a real case.
Not fired yet.

Case 2:
Company retreat. Beautiful, exotic views, warm sun beams, all inclusive package for everyone on a huge half-island.
Simon (he's still with us, now as a true engineer!) brings his MacBook to the beach in order to work and impress all others.
Everybody get's drunk and start throwing huge inflatable balls at each other. One hits his laptop and it immediately is flattened.
Upset Simon is going in circles and ranting about the situation, looking for a solution.
Loses his phone on the beach.
Takes his broken laptop with him while searching for the phone.
Dips the laptop in the river while drunkenly ducking in order to pick a clam.

Case 3:
Still company retreat.
Drunk intern makes out with an employee's drunk wife.
Huge verbal fight. The husband says that he files for a divorce. Intern get's fired.

Case 4:
Still company retreat.
Three interns each take an inflatable swimming mattress and drift with the current. Get found on the other side of the resort three hours later, with red skin and severely dehydrated.

Case 5:
Still company retreat.
The 'informally fired' intern gets drunk again, climbs through a window into a room and makes out with an employee's drunk wife.
Again, gets caught when the husband returns to find a locked door but can see them though the window.

Case 6:
Still company retreat.
We all get ferociously drunk and wander off to the unknown in search of more booze.
Everybody does something stupid and somebody finds Simon's phone.
Simon is lost.
Frenzied horde of drunks is roaming the half-island in search of ethanol and the lost comrade.
Simon's phone get's permanently lost.
Five people step on sea urchins but find that out only hours later and then are unable to walk.
The mob, now including more drunk people who joined voluntarily, finds the sexually active intern making out with the enraged employee's wife yet again.
Surprisingly Simon is found sleeping in a room nearby.

I absolutely HATE "web developers" who call you in to fix their FooBar'd mess, yet can't stop themselves from dictating what you should and shouldn't do, especially when they have no idea what they're doing.

So I get called in to a job improving the performance of a Magento site (and let's just say I have no love for Magento for a number of reasons) because this "developer" enabled Redis and expected everything to be lightning fast. Maybe he thought "Redis" was the name of a magical sorcerer living in the server. A master conjurer capable of weaving mystical time-altering spells to inexplicably improve the performance. Who knows?

This guy claims he spent "months" trying to figure out why the website couldn't load faster than 7 seconds at best, and his employer is demanding a resolution so he stops losing conversions. I usually try to avoid Magento because of all the headaches that come with it, but I figured "sure, why not?" I mean, he built the website less than a year ago, so how bad can it really be? Well...let's see how fast you all can facepalm:

1.) The website was built brand new on Magento 1.9.2.4...what? I mean, if this were built a few years back, that would be a different story, but building a fresh Magento website in 2017 in 1.x? I asked him why he did that...his answer absolutely floored me: "because PHP 5.5 was the best choice at the time for speed and performance..." What?!

2.) The ONLY optimization done on the website was Redis cache being enabled. No merged CSS/JS, no use of a CDN, no image optimization, no gzip, no expires rules. Just Redis...

3.) Now to say the website was poorly coded was an understatement. This wasn't the worst coding I've seen, but it was far from acceptable. There was no organization whatsoever. Templates and skin assets are being called from across 12 different locations on the server, making tracking down and finding a snippet to fix downright annoying.

But not only that, the home page itself had 83 custom database queries to load the products on the page. He said this was so he could load products from several different categories and custom tables to show on the page. I asked him why he didn't just call a few join queries, and he had no idea what I was talking about.

4.) Almost every image on the website was a .PNG file, 2000x2000 px and lossless. The home page alone was 22MB just from images.

There were several other issues, but those 4 should be enough to paint a good picture. The client wanted this all done in a week for less than $500. We laughed. But we agreed on the price only because of a long relationship and because they have some referrals they got us in the door with. But we told them it would get done on our time, not theirs. So I copied the website to our server as a test bed and got to work.

After numerous hours of bug fixes, recoding queries, disabling Redis and opting for higher innodb cache (more on that later), image optimization, js/css/html combining, render-unblocking and minification, lazyloading images tweaking Magento to work with PHP7, installing OpCache and setting up basic htaccess optimizations, we smash the loading time down to 1.2 seconds total, and most of that time was for external JavaScript plugins deemed "necessary". Time to First Byte went from a staggering 2.2 seconds to about 45ms. Needless to say, we kicked its ass.

So I show their developer the changes and he's stunned. He says he'll tell the hosting provider create a new server set up to migrate the optimized site over and cut over to, because taking the live website down for maintenance for even an hour or two in the middle of the night is "unacceptable".

So trying to be cool about it, I tell him I'd be happy to configure the server to the exact specifications needed. He says "we can't do that". I look at him confused. "What do you mean we 'can't'?" He tells me that even though this is a dedicated server, the provider doesn't allow any access other than a jailed shell account and cPanel access. What?! This is a company averaging 3 million+ per year in revenue. Why don't they have an IT manager overseeing everything? Apparently for them, they're too cheap for that, so they went with a "managed dedicated server", "managed" apparently meaning "you only get to use it like a shared host".

So after countless phone calls arguing with the hosting provider, they agree to make our changes. Then the client's developer starts getting nasty out of nowhere. He says my optimizations are not acceptable because I'm not using Redis cache, and now the client is threatening to walk away without paying us.

So I guess the overall message from this rant is not so much about the situation, but the developer and countless others like him that are clueless, but try to speak from a position of authority.

If we as developers don't stop challenging each other in a measuring contest and learn to let go when we need help, we can get a lot more done and prevent losing clients. </rant>

My first job: The Mystery of The Powered-Down Server

I paid my way through college by working every-other-semester in the Cooperative-Education Program my school provided. My first job was with a small company (now defunct) which made some of the very first optical-storage robotic storage systems. I honestly forgot what I was "officially" hired for at first, but I quickly moved up into the kernel device-driver team and was quite happy there.

It was primarily a Solaris shop, with a smattering of IBM AIX RS/6000. It was one of these ill-fated RS/6000 machines which (by no fault of its own) plays a major role in this story.

One day, I came to work to find my team-leader in quite a tizzy -- cursing and ranting about our VAR selling us bad equipment; about how IBM just doesn't make good hardware like they did in the good old days; about how back when _he_ was in charge of buying equipment this wouldn't happen, and on and on and on.

Our primary AIX dev server was powered off when he arrived. He booted it up, checked logs and was running self-diagnostics, but absolutely nothing so far indicated why the machine had shut down. We blew a couple of hours trying to figure out what happened, to no avail. Eventually, with other deadlines looming, we just chalked it up be something we'll look into more later.

Several days went by, with the usual day-to-day comings and goings; no surprises.

Then, next week, it happened again.

My team-leader was LIVID. The same server was hard-down again when he came in; no explanation. He opened a ticket with IBM and put in a call to our VAR rep, demanding answers -- how could they sell us bad equipment -- why isn't there any indication of what's failing -- someone must come out here and fix this NOW, and on and on and on.

(As a quick aside, in case it's not clearly coming through between-the-lines, our team leader was always a little bit "over to top" for me. He was the kind of person who "got things done," and as long as you stayed on his good side, you could just watch the fireworks most days - but it became pretty exhausting sometimes).

Back our story -
An IBM CE comes out and does a full on-site hardware diagnostic -- tears the whole server down, runs through everything one part a time. Absolutely. Nothing. Wrong.

I recall, at some point of all this, making the comment "It's almost like someone just pulls the plug on it -- like the power just, poof, goes away."

My team-leader demands the CE replace the power supply, even though it appeared to be operating normally. He does, at our cost, of course.

Another weeks goes by and all is forgotten in the swamp of work we have to do.

Until one day, the next week... Yes, you guessed it... It happens again. The server is down. Heads are exploding (will at least one head we all know by now). With all the screaming going on, the entire office staff should have comped some Advil.

My team-leader demands the facilities team do a full diagnostic on the UPS system and assure we aren't getting drop-outs on the power system. They do the diagnostic. They also review the logs for the power/load distribution to the entire lab and office spaces. Nothing is amiss.

This would also be a good time draw the picture of where this server is -- this particular server is not in the actual server room, it's out in the office area. That's on purpose, since it is connected to a demo robotics cabinet we use for testing and POC work. And customer demos. This will date me, but these were the days when robotic storage was new and VERY exciting to watch...

So, this is basically a couple of big boxes out on the office floor, with power cables running into a special power-drop near the middle of the room. That information might seem superfluous now, but will come into play shortly in our story.

So, we still have no answer to what's causing the server problems, but we all have work to do, so we keep plugging away, hoping for the best.

The team leader is insisting the VAR swap in a new server.

One night, we (the device-driver team) are working late, burning the midnight oil, right there in the office, and we bear witness to something I will never forget.

The cleaning staff came in.

Anxious for a brief distraction from our marathon of debugging, we stopped to watch them set up and start cleaning the office for a bit.

Then, friends, I Am Not Making This Up(tm)... I watched one of the cleaning staff walk right over to that beautiful RS/6000 dev server, dwarfed in shadow beside that huge robotic disc enclosure... and yank the server power cable right out of the dedicated power drop. And plug in their vacuum cleaner. And vacuum the floor.

We each looked at one-another, slowly, in bewilderment... and then went home, after a brief discussion on the way out the door.

You see, our team-leader wasn't with us that night; so before we left, we all agreed to come in late the next day. Very late indeed.

PRO LIFE SAVING TIPS FOR DEVS (long rant, not clickbait 😝)

I have a medical condition called DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis). It clots blood in veins near lower body parts. Affected leg swells and become red and it is very painful. It happens when you very frequently sit for very long.

I used to play games, code and stuffs for hours and sometimes I used to stay at home without taking decent walk for weeks. I am only 18 and did not see it coming. But its really early stage and I might be fully recovered real soon.

This condition is not rare and happens to millions of people every year. And it can be avoided if you avoid sitting at computers for long hours and take 5 mins to walk or stretch. Even if you can avoid this condition, there are many others if you dont pay attention on your body. Please take some time to google how you can avoid anything such.

(Please don't comment sympathies, I really know you wish well for me. Instead you can throw tips what you do to relax after long hours of work).

I started early in my childhood days, nobody had cellphone or internet here, my phone number was 3 digits long and my home country started to recover from 44 years of communism.

My first dev project was probably to copy game from newspaper to Atari 1300XE

Article listing was around 10 pages long and if you made mistake program didn’t run.
It took me a while I can’t remember how long but probably whole day and I was finally able to play it.

I don’t remember what was game about but later on I learned some BASIC from book and was able to color the screen and stuff like that.

I was about 6 years old.

I also remember that Atari computer had tape recorder where you put cassette to load game.
Some more complicated games were loading more then hour and you need to walk very carefully around or your walk can cause error and operation would fail.

Besides that there were national radio auditions about Atari where at the end they played code sound wave so you can record it on your cassette and then play software from radio on your Atari.

I never managed to do it cause I was living near military airport and pilots were practicing landing and starting above my home causing radio signal noise and breaking my software recoding.

I can probably say that highly accelerating plane could cause game loading problem and it’s not a joke.

OK.
1. So i tindered.
2. I got a really nice girl.
3. We chatted really long and good.
4. We tried to meetup it did not work because of our schedule. New
job on my end, she is a student.
5. I thought its over. Fine whatever.
6. She gives me her number.
7. We continue chat on whatsapp
8. Blablabla 3 days long, she gets bored and tries to friendzone me
9. I revert the shit and state i wanna be serious and there wont be a
friendzone/nice guy comin from me.
10. She happy and continues to chat.
11. I get emtionally invested in her.
12. We exchange thoughts dreams and music.
13 We want to meetup at weekend. I cant. Got a family wedding all
weekend.
14. We want to meetup the second week.
I cant. Im off on a company trip. Again new job here.
15. So we say in the week after I get back.
15a. Before the weekend we need to deliver an rc and go all out to hold
the deadline.
15b. We deliver, but shit happens on the customer side. His fault but we
get the blame.
15c I go onto the company trip.
16. We chat and i send her pictures of the trip over the weekend so she
sees I care.
17. She seems fine. And happy.
18. I come back from the trip late night and need to work the next day
jetlag style.
19. I work jetlag style. And try to fix the shit from last week.
20. I come home really tired and looking forward to date day tomorrow.
21. I cant do anything. My home looks like shit and the bag still
unpacked. I just eat and fall asleep.
I feel bad bcs my home will turn her down instantly if we make it to my
place.
Need to hope that it does not come to this.
22. Date day comes. Today.
23. I wake up at 6 early to plan ahead to make sure my clothes are fine
and i arrive on time in the office to exit early.
24. I expect to check what goes on today in the city and give her the
location to meet and time.
25. I enter office and immeadetly get caught up in meeting planning, dev
questions and the meeting itself because the project is on edge.
26. We have a 5hours long meeting where people go on and on and on.
27. 3h later in the meeting:
my brain was fried and around 12 i go to lunch with some people.
28. Meanwhile the city is turning into a rainy mess of a shitty day. No
way I can have a nice walk with her like that. Bars and coffeshops are
just to boring.
29. So i eat to regain some sense and we go back to the office.
Meanwhile I am thinking all kinds of locations and stuff in my head.
30. Havent given her any update since a good morning in the morning.
31. We reenter the meeting. Things continue like before. The project is
on impossible demands and impossible timelines. Still we try to do our
best.
32 3h later on 3pm I tell her i am in a long meeting and working on a
meetingspot.
33. shes not happy.
34. I get a call from a relative
35. i need to go out and take the call. not good for the collegues.
again new job here.
36. family trouble,  money trouble, goverment demands. I promise to
handle that tomorrow. Before work.
37. i get back into the meeting.
38. still super slow and no results.
39. need to focus but start to check for locations on my phone.
40. she asks me where i am
41. I send her my location.
42. she thinks i am saying she should pick me up!
43 i joke and say no definitly not.
44. shes pissed.
45.  I decide for a coffeeshop. after work. and send her the location
46. She says to call it off.
47. I go all in and go romance style. I say ill wait there even if she
does not come to show her how much i care.
U know to avoid the lets do it some other time fuckery and then it never
happens.
47. She goes quiet.
48. 2h later we finish the meeting. Meanwhile QA foudn a bug we need to
fix because why not.
49. I got 30 minutes to find the bug and fix it before I need to go to
uphold my word.
50. I find out what to do, but it might break a lot of other things
without careful test and implementation. Collegues says he takes it.
51 I feel bad but I need to go. I even leave earlier because otherwise I
would not be on time.
52. I arrive 15 minutes early. I grab two coffee2go and wait outside,
53. Shitty weather, sometimes rain, sometimes sunny, cant decide what it
wants.
54. The weather is just like how I feel.
55. I wait 1 1/2h
56. I think I should feel stupid, For gods sake its tinder. People dont
give a crap, Enough people around why should I Invest so much into this?
But I dont feel stupid. Because this is how I want it. I dont want
appointments, I dont want safety. I decided for her and I went all in.
57. I send her pics from the sceneray as proof that I waited,
58. I think I blew it. She is still quiet.
59. Friends are asking me for plans for the weekend. I wish I could say
I already have some with her.
60. I feel lost right now. But my head says I put too much stress on
her, And i fucked up with the planning. I should have been more precise.
My head also says that i am putting myself into the victim role, which
is wrong always. Should I continue to reach out to her? Is there
something I could do still?

[long]
When searching for internship via school I found this small startup with this cute project of building a teaching tool for programming. There were back then 2 programmers: the founder and the co-founder.

Then like 1 week before the internship started, the co-founder had a burnout and had to get off the project, while the company was so low on budget the founder, aka my new b0ss, had to work separate jobs to keep the company alive. (quite metal tbh)

It's funny because I'm a junior developer, 100%. I've been coding as a hobby for around 8 years now but I've never worked in a big company before. (No exception to this workplace either)

First project I get: rewrite the compiler. The Python compiler.
"But wait, why not just embed a real compiler from the first case?"
-nanananana it's never simple, as you probably know from your own projects.

The new compiler, as compared to existing embedded compiler solutions out there, needed these prime features:
- Walk through the code (debugger style), but programmatically.
- Show custom exceptions (ex: "A colon is needed at the end of an if-statement" instead of "Syntax error line 3")
- Have a "Did-you-mean this variable?" error for usage of unassigned variables.
- Be able to be embedded in Unity's WebGL build target

All for the use case of being a friendly compiler.
The last dash in the list is actually the biggest bottleneck which excluded all existing open-source projects (i could find). Compliant with WebAssembly I can't use threads among other things, IL2CPP has lots of restrictions, Unity has some as well...

Oh and it should of course be built using test-driven development.

"Good luck!" - said the founder, first day of work as she then traveled to USA for **3 weeks**, leaving me solo with the to-be-made codebase and humongous list of requirements.

---

I just finished the 6th week of internship, boss has been at "HQ" for 3 weeks now, and I just hit the biggest milestone yet for this project.

Yes I've been succeeding! This project has gone so well, and I'm surprising myself how much code I've been pumping out during these weeks.

I'm up now at almost 40'000 lines of source and 30'000 lines of code. ‼
( Biggest project I've ever worked on previously was at 8'000 lines of code )

The milestone (that I finished today) was for loops! As been trying to showcase in the GIF.

---

It's such a giant project and I can honestly say I've done some good work here. Self-five. Over-performing is a thing.

The things that makes me shiver though is that most that use this application will never know the intricates of it's insides, and the brain work put into it.

The project is probably over-engineered. A lot. Having a home-made compiler gives us a lot of flexibility for our product as we're trying to make more of a "pedagogic IDE". But no matter that I reinvented the wheel for the 105Gth time, it's still the most fun I've had with a project to date.

---

Also btw if anyone wants to see source code, please give me good reasons as I'm actively trying to convince my boss to make the compiler open-source.

Cheers!

Crazy weather in here. There is a little sandstorm. It's pretty windy, even the outdoor advertisement letters are moving and the sky is brown :v

The thing is that, in order to go back home, I must walk 4 or 5 blocks (from the place one of my co-workers can leave me), but with this wind I'm afraid of getting sand in my eyes (I don't have glasses). Another option is to take an Uber to my house, but it takes too long to arrive to the office.

What can I do? Do I take the Uber or do I run to my house?

So my car has a problem with a steering column lock. Sometimes the actuator pops an error and it does not unlock until I clear that buggar. Carrying a lappy with vag-com seems somewhat annoying so I got a obdeleven bluetooth dongle with am app.

Once you get it to work it works perfectly. Have been using it for a few years now. It's like a half a year or so since it got a last update and it's been stable as a rock since.

Today me and my fam took a night out with a car. Drove here, drove there, had fun. Time to go home, as the little one is getting sleepy. Got in a car, insert a key, turn it -- no ignition. Damn that steering lock!

So I pop in a dongle, open the app, hit connect,... Wait, what is that? A toast with "a new update is available. [[update now]] [[cancel]]".

Cancel ofc, I need to go home asap! Will gladly get the update when the kiddo is in his bed!

[[cancel]]. The toast disappears. Okay, now [[connect]]

"a new update is available. [[update now]] [[cancel]]"

mother f#$@%!!! Allright already, [[update]] it ffs.

Updated the app. Now [[connect]].

Loading.. Loading... "could not connect to device"

tfq?!?

Reinsert the dongle, connect
restart the app, connect
restart the phone, connect
clear all bt devices, connect
do the rain dance, connect.

Permission to panic: GRANTED.

Dear devs. If you are rolling out an update -- never ever EVER make it non-postponable, non-cancelable. No matter how critical, your updates must NEVER be mandatory.

Inspired by @NoMad. My philosophy is that technology is a means to and ends. We’re a tool oriented species. As it relates to software and hardware, they should be your means to achieve your ends without you needing to think. Think of riding a bicycle or driving a car. You aren’t particularly conscious of them - you just adjust input based on heuristics and reflex - while your doing the activity.

For a long time Software has been horrendously bad at this. There is almost always some setup involved; you need to front-load a plan to get to your ends. Funny enough we’re in the good days now. In the early days of GUI you did have to switch modes to achieve different things until input peripherals got better.

I’ve been using windows from 95 and to this day, though it’s gotten better it’s not trivial to setup an all in one printer and scan a document - just yesterday I had to walk my mother through it and she’s somewhat proficient. Also when things break it’s usually nightmare to fix, which is why fresh installing it periodically is s meme to this day. MS still goes to great lengths with their UI so that most people can still get most of their daily stuff done without a manual.

I started Linux in University when I was offered an intro course on the shell. I’ve been using it professionally ever since. While it’s good at making you feel powerful, it requires intricate knowledge to achieve most things. Things almost never go smoothly no matter how much practice you have, especially if you need to compile tools from source. It also has very little in the ways of safe guards to prevent you from hurting yourself. Sure you might be able to fix it if you press harder but it’s less stress to just fresh install. There is also nothing, NOTHING more frustrating than following documentation to the T and it just doesn’t work! It is my day job to help companies with exactly this. Can’t really give an honest impression of the GUI ux as the distros have varying schools of thoughts with their desktop environments. Even The popular one Ubuntu did weird things for a while. In my humble opinion, *nix is better at powering the internet than being a home computer your grandma can use.

Now after being in the thick of things, priorities change and you really just want to get things done. In 2015 I made the choice to go Mac. It has been one of my more interesting experiences. Honestly, I wish more distros would adopt its philosophy. Elementary only adopted the dock. It’s just so intuitive. How do you install an application? You tap the installer, a box will pop up then you drag the icon to the application folder (in the same box) boom you are done. No setup wizards. How to uninstall? Drag icon from app folder to trash can. Boom done. How to open your app? Tap launch pad and you see all your apps alphabetically just click the one you want. You can keep your frequent ones on the dock. Settings is just another app in launchpad and everything is well labeled. You can even use your printers scanner without digging through menus. You might have issues with finder if your used to windows though and the approach to maximizing and minimizing windows will also get you for a while.

When my Galaxy 4 died I gave iPhone a chance with the SE. I can tell you that for most use cases, there is no discernible difference between iOS and modern android outside of a few fringe features. What struck me though was the power of an ecosystem. My Mac and iPhone just work well together. If they are on the same network they just sync in the background - you need to opt in. My internet went down, my iMac saw that my iPhone had 4g and gave me the option to connect. One click your up. Similar process with s droid would be multi step. You have airdrop which just allows you to send files to another Apple device near you with a tap without you even caring what mechanism it’s using. After google bricked my onHub router I opted to get Apples airport series. They are mostly interchangeable and your Mac and iOS device have a native way to configure it without you needing to mess with connecting to it yourself and blah. Setup WiFi on one device, all your other Apple devices have it. Lots of other cool stuff happen as you add more Apple devices. My wife now as a MacBook, an IPad s d the IPhone 8. She’s been windows android her life but the transition has been sublime. With family sharing any software purchase works for all of us, and not just apples stuff like iCloud and music, everything.

Hate Apple all you want but they get the core tenet that technology should just work without you thinking. That’s why they are the most valued company in the world

I fucking hate morning people like the one in the story below!

Before we begin story time I want to acknowledge some things.

This is largely a case of a person having a lack of awareness and giving in to their base instincts (which are wrong).

People all tend to think that everyone else is like them (most children below a certain age cannot make this distinction and many adults never learn it either).

To take it a step further, anyone who isn't just like them is Lazy/Bad/An Asshole/etc.

FUCK THOSE PEOPLE

Now it's story time...

---------

I worked for a startup. We used a modified SCRUM, and we had standups every day @ 10 AM, the other team had then at 11:30 AM.

We get a new product owner. He is a morning person. But basically, he is a day-trader so he wakes up at 5 AM to trade and is in the office by 8 AM every day.

The problem is, he uses this as a reason to leave every day at 3 PM when EVERY other member of the team is there until at least 5 PM.

So he says one day (when I am not there) that we are moving our standups to 8:30 AM...

"Because he wants to make more use of the time and wants to get more done!"

So the next day a bunch of us miss this standup, the second day I was there in time but instead of going to the standup I sent them a picture of myself sitting in a coffee shop across the street with a message saying...

"I will be holding a meeting today at 10 AM, I expect EVERYONE to be there. If anyone on our team is absent then we will sit there and that absent person will be responsible for the time we waste waiting for them."

10 AM rolls around and the Product Owner is nowhere to be seen. The team starts complaining about the early standup and I tell them that this meeting is for me to take care of it. I tell them to sit silently and let me handle it.

We all message the PO saying the same thing...
"Come to the meeting, You are wasting our time!!!"

So he shows up at 10:20 AM and it begins.

(Now I'm going to do this as a conversation)

PO: "So I assume this is about the standup?..."

ME: "Feel free to ramble on as long as you want, you have already wasted 20 minutes of our time so we will sit here quietly and wait for you to decide you are ready to stop wasting our time with your ramblings. That's fine."

<PO then shuts up in disbelief>

ME: "So are you finished?"

PO: ...

ME: "I'm expecting an answer PO!"

PO: Yes, for now.

ME: I am moving our standups to 5 PM, end of discussion.

PO: Becuase your too lazy to be here by 8 AM?

<I expected this>

ME: No because I'm an asshole who expect everyone to conform to my schedule.

PO: ..., Well, I am not here at 5 PM.

ME: Sounds like your too "lazy" be here at 5 PM, eh?

PO: I have other things I do then.

ME: Ah, now the truth comes out. You care more about your life than our business. That's unacceptable! I personally don't care what you want to do. The fact is that we are working here and every day we end up having PO questions that need to and can't be answered because you are not here.

PO: <To the team> The standup is still at 8:30 AM.

ME: <To the team> The standup is at 5 PM. End of story. And from now on whenever we have questions before 5 for PO and he is not here we will be recording it and putting it in his report.

Then I walk away.

That day we held a standup at 5 PM. He wasn't there. He held a standup at 8:30 AM and he didn't even show up. He stayed home a video in. He then arrived in the office and said...

PO: Since no one was in the standup today we will be moving it back to 10 AM.

ME: Since PO has seen the selfishness of his ways, We will be moving the standup from 5 PM back to 10 AM.

FUCK THOSE PEOPLE

This isn't a funny rant or story. It's one of becoming increasingly unsure of the career choices I've made the path they've led me down. And it's written with terrible punctuation and grammar, because it's a cathartic post. I swear I'm a better writer than this.

The highlights:
- I left a low-paying incredibly stable job with room to grow (think specialized office worker at a uni) to become a QA tester at a AAA game studio, after growing bored with the job and letting my productivity and sometimes even attendance slip
- I left AAA studio after having been promoted through the ranks to leading an embedded test tools development team where we automated testing the game (we got to create bots, basically!) and the database, and building some of the most requested tools internally to the company; but we were paid as if we were QA testers, not engineers, and were told that wouldn't change; rather than move over or up, I moved out to a better paying, less fabulous web and tools development job for a no-name company
- No-name company offered one or two days remote, was salaried, and close to home. CTO was a fan of long lunches and Quake 3 Arena 1-2 hours at the end of every day. CTO position was removed, I got a lot of his responsibilities, none of his pay, and started freelancing to learn new skills rather than deal with the CFO being my boss.
- Went to work as a freelancer for an email marketing SaaS provider my previous job had used. Made loads of money, dealt with an old, crappy code base, an old, cranky senior dev, and an owner who ran around like the world was on fire 24/7; but I worked without pants, bought a car, a house, had a kid, etc;

Now during ALL of this, I was teaching game dev as an adjunct at my former uni. This past fall, I went full time as a professor in game dev. I took a huge pay cut, but got a steady schedule (semester to semester anyway) and great benefits. I for once chose what I thought was the job I wanted over more money and something that was just "different". And honestly, I've regretted it so much. My peer / diagonally above me coworker feels untrustworthy half the time and teaches the majority of the programming courses when he's a designer and I've been the game programming professor for 8 years (I also teach non-game programming courses, but those just got folded into the games program...); I hate full-time uni politics; I'm struggling with money for my family; and I am in the car all the time it feels like. I could probably go back to my last job, which had some benefits, but nowhere near as good; my wife doesn't want me back to working in the house all the time because that was a struggle unto itself once we had a kid (for all of us, in different ways); and I have now less than 24 hours to tell my university I want to not pursue longer term contracts for full-time and go back to adjunct next Fall (or walk away entirely), or risk burning a bridge (we are reviewing applicants for next year tomorrow, including my own) by bailing out mid-application process.

I'm not sure I'm asking for advice. I'm really just ranting, I guess. Some people I know would kill to have the opportunities I have. I just feel like each job choice led me further away from a job I liked, towards more money, which was a tradeoff that worked out mostly, but now I feel like I don't have either, and I'm trapped due to healthcare and 401k and such. Sure, I like working more with my students and have been able to really support them in their endeavors this semester, but... that's their lives. Not mine. The wife thinks I should stay at the university and we'll figure out money eventually (we are literally sinking into debt, it's not going well at all), while most people think I should leave, make money, and figure out the happiness factor once my finances are back on track and the kid is old enough to be in school.

And I have less than 24 hours it feels like to make a momentous decision.

Yay. Thanks for reading :)

The best happened today.

These past 2 weeks have been shit. People wronged me big time, got thrown under the bus for shit that the people behind refused to own up to it. Took that shit because I just couldn't be bothered to fucking argue.

I'm the only dev on this project and we're so close to release so I bit my tongue and took it on the chin but it's been eating me alive since then.

The tipping point was yesterday. 5 people failed to communicate shit properly amongst themselves on all channels got me forced to be the last one finishing work yesterday 4 hours after everyone left. I had every right to refuse and leave on time but again, we're so close to release and I don't want to see this project fail.

But see, I got angry. So fucking angry that nothing else has been on my mind since yesterday.

I don't take out my anger at others, that's not who I am (moslty) so today I was at work and secluded myself from everyone else otherwise I would've exploded in someone's face.

I was also supposed to meet up with friends tonight but with all this shit going on I decided not to go because I would not have been fun to be around.

Left work on time today, fell asleep on the train because I am too exhausted.

When I was about to walk into my house I noticed this little super cute puppy following me. I had no idea where or how long he's been behind me as I was walking home but he seemed way too happy when I saw him. His tail wagging like he's excited to see me even though I have never seen him. I petted him, played a bit with him. He seemed to be the happiest dog ever 😁. He managed to put a smile on my face for the first time in the last few days.

He then ran away.. I guess he got bored 😅

I am feeling so much better now all because of this little puppy 🐶. I'm so glad I ran into him because I've been smiling since then.

I wish I had took a picture of him 😥

Doggo, you probably won't read this, but thanks mate you made my month in those few minutes 🤘

If you have a dog, go pet him and appreciate how much happiness they bring in your life. If you have a cat.. Uhh I don't know... Uhh pray it doesn't kill you in your sleep I guess?

Thanks for reading

fuck.. FUCK FUCK FUCK!!!
I'mma fakin EXPLODE!

It was supposed to be a week, maybe two weeks long gig MAX. Now I'm on my 3rd (or 4th) week and still got plenty on my plate. I'm freaking STRESSED. Yelling at people for no reason, just because they interrupt my train of thought, raise a hand, walk by, breathe, stay quiet or simply are.

FUCK!

Pressure from all the fronts, and no time to rest. Sleeping 3-5 hours, falling asleep with this nonsense and breaking the day with it too.

And now I'm fucking FINALLY CLOSE, I can see the light at the end of the tunne<<<<<TTTOOOOOOOOOOOOOTTTTT>>>>>>>

All that was left was to finish up configuring a firewall and set up alerting. I got storage sorted out, customized a CSI provider to make it work across the cluster, raised, idk, a gazillion issues in GH in various repositories I depend on, practically debugged their issues and reported them.

Today I'm on firewall. Liason with the client is pressured by the client bcz I'm already overdue. He propagates that pressure on to me. I have work. I have family, I have this side gig. I have people nagging me to rest. I have other commitments (you know.. eating (I practically finish my meal in under 3 minutes; incl. the 2min in the µ-wave), shitting (I plan it ahead so I could google issues on my phone while there), etc.)

A fucking firewall was left... I configured it as it should be, and... the cluster stopped...clustering. inter-node comms stopped. `lsof` shows that for some reason nodes are accessing LAN IPs through their WAN NIC (go figure!!!) -- that's why they don't work!!

Sooo.. my colleagues suggest me to make it faster/quicker and more secure -- disable public IPs and use a private LB. I spent this whole day trying to implement it. I set up bastion hosts, managed to hack private SSH key into them upon setup, FINALLY managed to make ssh work and the user_data script to trigger, only to find out that...

~]# ping 1.1.1.1
ping: connect: Network is unreachable
~]#

... there's no nat.
THERE"S NO FUCKING NAT!!!

HOW CAN THERE BE NO NAT!?!?!????? MY HOME LAPTOP HAS A NAT, MY PHONE HAS A NAT, EVEN MY CAT HAS A MOTHER HUGGING NAT, AND THIS FUCKING INFRA HAS NO FUCKING NAT???????????????????????

ALready under loads of pressure, and the whole day is wasted. And now I'll be spending time to fucking UNDO everything I did today. Not try something new. But UNDO. And hour or more for just that...

I don't usually drink, but recently that bottom shelf bottle of Captain Morgan that smells and tastes like a bottle of medical spirit starts to feel very tempting.

Soo.. how's your day

Secure Your Home with Battery Backup Solutions from Origin Solar, Roofing, and Generators in St. Petersburg, FL
At Origin Solar, Roofing, and Generators, we understand how important it is to have a reliable power source, especially during power outages or unexpected events. That’s why we offer state-of-the-art battery backup solutions to keep your home or business running smoothly, even when the grid goes down. Based in St. Petersburg, FL, we are committed to providing dependable energy solutions that ensure you never have to worry about losing power again.

Why Invest in Battery Backup?
Power outages are an unfortunate reality, whether caused by storms, high winds, or other unforeseen circumstances. While generators are a popular backup power source, battery backup systems are quickly becoming the preferred choice for many homeowners and businesses. Here’s why:

Reliability: Unlike gas-powered generators that require fuel, battery backup systems are fully charged and ready to kick in immediately when power is lost, providing seamless energy during outages.

Clean Energy: If you have a solar panel system installed, a battery backup system works in harmony with your solar panels to store excess energy during the day, which you can use at night or during a power outage.

Environmentally Friendly: Battery backup systems are clean, efficient, and require minimal maintenance. They don’t produce emissions, unlike gas-powered alternatives, making them a more eco-friendly option.

Quiet Operation: Unlike traditional generators that can be noisy, battery backup systems operate silently, making them perfect for residential and commercial properties that require discreet operation.

Cost-Effective: Over time, a battery backup system can save you money by reducing your reliance on the grid and providing an uninterrupted power supply. Many homeowners see long-term savings due to decreased energy costs and fewer expenses related to power outages.

Our Battery Backup Solutions
At Origin Solar, Roofing, and Generators, we offer a variety of battery backup options designed to fit your unique needs. Our team works with top-tier brands and technology to provide reliable, high-quality systems that ensure your property is never left in the dark.

Solar-Powered Battery Backup: Pair your solar panels with a battery backup system to store excess energy generated during the day. This stored energy can be used during the evening or whenever the grid is down, making your home or business more energy-independent and sustainable.

Stand-Alone Battery Backup Systems: If you don’t have a solar system, we offer stand-alone battery backup options that store electricity from the grid, providing an instant power supply when you need it most.

Custom Solutions: We understand that every property is unique, which is why we offer custom battery backup solutions tailored to your energy needs. Whether you need backup power for a small home or a large commercial building, we’ll design a system that fits your requirements.

Why Choose Origin Solar, Roofing, and Generators for Battery Backup?
As a locally owned business serving St. Petersburg, FL, Origin Solar, Roofing, and Generators is dedicated to providing expert, personalized service. Here’s what sets us apart:

Expert Installation: Our experienced team ensures a seamless installation of your battery backup system, ensuring it’s integrated with your solar panels or power supply system for optimal performance.

Comprehensive Services: In addition to battery backup systems, we also specialize in solar panel installations, roofing services, and generator installations. We provide complete energy solutions to keep your home or business powered and secure.

Ongoing Support: We don’t just install your battery backup system and walk away. Our team is here to provide ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting, and support to ensure your system is always working at its best.

Customer-Focused: We pride ourselves on offering excellent customer service. Our team is dedicated to understanding your needs and providing you with the best solutions, no matter the size or scope of the project.

Serving St. Petersburg, FL, and Surrounding Areas
At Origin Solar, Roofing, and Generators, we serve homeowners and businesses throughout St. Petersburg and the greater Tampa Bay area. Whether you're looking to install a solar-powered battery backup system or need a stand-alone solution, we’re here to help you keep your property powered and protected.

Contact Us Today for Battery Backup Solutions
Don’t wait until the next power outage to think about backup power. Origin Solar, Roofing, and Generators offers reliable, efficient battery backup systems that will give you peace of mind, knowing you have a steady power source when you need it most

Window Replacement Columbus, Ohio: The Ultimate Guide
When it comes to enhancing the energy efficiency, aesthetics, and value of your home, window replacement in Columbus, Ohio
is a smart investment. Whether your windows are outdated, damaged, or simply not performing as they should, replacing them with high-quality, energy-efficient options can make a significant difference. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about window replacement in Columbus, Ohio.
Why Replace Your Windows?
There are several reasons why homeowners in Columbus choose to replace their windows:
1. Improve Energy Efficiency
Ohio experiences a range of temperatures throughout the year. Energy-efficient windows help maintain indoor comfort by reducing heat loss in winter and keeping cool air inside during summer. Look for ENERGY STAR-rated windows for optimal efficiency.
2. Enhance Curb Appeal
New windows can drastically improve your home's exterior appearance. With various styles, materials, and finishes available, you can customize the look to match your aesthetic preferences.
3. Increase Home Value
According to industry reports, window replacement can offer a high return on investment (ROI). If you plan to sell your home in Columbus, new windows can attract buyers and increase your property's resale value.
4. Reduce Noise Pollution
Living in urban areas or near busy streets? Modern windows with double or triple-pane glass help reduce outside noise, making your home quieter and more peaceful.
5. Enhance Security & Safety
Older windows with weak locks and outdated materials can be a security risk. Newer models offer advanced locking mechanisms and shatter-resistant glass for added protection.
Types of Windows for Columbus Homes
When choosing replacement windows, consider the various styles available:
Double-Hung Windows – A popular choice with two sashes that move up and down, allowing for better ventilation.
Casement Windows – Hinged on one side and open outward, offering excellent airflow and an unobstructed view.
Sliding Windows – Move horizontally along a track, perfect for contemporary homes.
Bay & Bow Windows – Extend outward, adding space and natural light.
Picture Windows – Fixed and designed to provide a clear, expansive view.
Choosing the Right Window Material
Vinyl Windows – Affordable, durable, and low-maintenance.
Wood Windows – Classic and aesthetically pleasing but require regular upkeep.
Fiberglass Windows – Highly durable and energy-efficient.
Aluminum Windows – Strong and lightweight but less insulating than other materials.
Finding the Best Window Replacement Company in Columbus, Ohio
To ensure quality installation and customer satisfaction, consider the following when choosing a window replacement company:
Reputation & Reviews – Check online reviews and ratings on platforms like Google and Yelp.
Experience & Certifications – Look for companies with certifications from leading manufacturers or the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC).
Warranty & Guarantees – Choose a provider that offers warranties on both materials and labor.
Free Estimates – Get quotes from multiple companies to compare pricing and services.
Cost of Window Replacement in Columbus, Ohio
The cost of replacing windows varies based on factors such as:
Window size and style
Frame material
Glass type (double-pane, triple-pane, low-E coatings)
Installation complexity
On average, Columbus homeowners can expect to pay between $300 to $1,200 per window, including installation.
Conclusion
Investing in window replacement in Columbus, Ohio can significantly improve your home's comfort, efficiency, and value. By selecting high-quality windows and hiring a trusted contractor, you can enjoy long-term benefits and a great return on investment. Start your search today and find the perfect windows for your Columbus home!

Transform Your Space with Expert Vinyl Installation from Herman Renovations in Florida

At Herman Renovations, we understand that choosing the right flooring for your home is essential to both its style and functionality. Vinyl installation is a popular choice for homeowners who want a durable, cost-effective, and stylish option that can withstand high traffic and everyday use. If you're considering updating your floors, our expert vinyl installation services in Florida are here to help you achieve a stunning, long-lasting result.

Why Choose Vinyl Flooring for Your Home?
Vinyl flooring has grown in popularity for its versatility, affordability, and durability. At Herman Renovations, we specialize in vinyl installation that enhances the look of your home while providing the benefits you need. Here are just a few reasons why vinyl flooring is a great choice for your home:

Durability: Vinyl is incredibly durable and resistant to scratches, stains, and water damage. This makes it an ideal choice for high-traffic areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and hallways, as well as rooms exposed to moisture.
Affordable: Vinyl flooring is a budget-friendly option compared to hardwood, stone, and other premium flooring materials. It gives you the look of high-end flooring without breaking the bank.
Variety of Styles: Vinyl flooring comes in a wide range of styles, including designs that mimic wood, stone, tile, and more. Whether you want the look of hardwood floors or a sleek stone design, vinyl can achieve your desired aesthetic.
Easy Maintenance: Vinyl is easy to clean and maintain. Simply sweep or mop the floors, and they’ll look great for years to come. This low-maintenance feature makes it perfect for busy homeowners.
Comfortable Underfoot: Unlike harder flooring materials like tile or stone, vinyl offers a softer, more comfortable surface to walk on. It’s an excellent option if you stand for long periods or want a cozy, warm floor for your living space.
Our Vinyl Installation Services
At Herman Renovations, we specialize in professional vinyl installation for residential and commercial properties in Florida. Whether you want to upgrade a single room or your entire home, our skilled team is here to provide high-quality installation with attention to detail. Here's what we offer:

Residential Vinyl Installation
From living rooms and bedrooms to kitchens and bathrooms, we install vinyl flooring throughout your home. Our team helps you choose the perfect style and finish that suits your space and ensures a flawless installation every time.

Commercial Vinyl Installation
We also provide vinyl installation services for businesses and commercial properties. Vinyl is an excellent choice for offices, retail spaces, and more, thanks to its durability and easy maintenance. Our team works around your schedule to minimize disruption to your business.

Custom Vinyl Flooring Designs
Looking for something unique? We can create custom vinyl flooring designs that match your aesthetic. Whether you're interested in a specific pattern or want a bold, eye-catching design, we can help bring your vision to life.

Vinyl Plank and Vinyl Sheet Installation
We offer both vinyl plank and vinyl sheet installation options to suit your preferences. Vinyl planks are ideal for creating a wood-look finish, while vinyl sheets are great for achieving seamless, water-resistant floors in bathrooms and kitchens.

Vinyl Tile Installation
If you’re looking for the look of natural stone or ceramic tiles, vinyl tiles are a great option. Our team will install vinyl tiles with precision, ensuring an elegant and durable result.

Benefits of Choosing Herman Renovations for Vinyl Installation
When you choose Herman Renovations for your vinyl installation, you're partnering with experienced professionals who are committed to delivering excellent results. Here’s why our services stand out:

Expert Installation: Our skilled installers have years of experience with vinyl flooring, ensuring that your floors are installed correctly and last for years. We ensure every plank or tile is aligned perfectly, creating a flawless finish.
High-Quality Products: We work with top-quality vinyl flooring brands that are durable and designed to withstand everyday wear. Our team ensures that your floors not only look great but also stand up to the test of time.
Affordable Pricing: We understand the importance of staying within budget. Herman Renovations offers competitive pricing for vinyl flooring installation with no hidden fees, so you can transform your space without breaking the bank.
Personalized Service: We take the time to understand your specific needs and preferences. Whether you want a modern look or a more classic design, we help you choose the perfect vinyl flooring option that suits your home or business.

Radiant Home Squad: Post-Construction and Carpet Cleaning Services in Houston, TX

Whether you've just completed a major construction project or simply want to restore your carpets to their former glory, Radiant Home Squad is here to provide expert cleaning services in Houston, TX. Specializing in post-construction cleaning and carpet cleaning services, we make sure your space is spotless, comfortable, and ready to enjoy.

Why Choose Radiant Home Squad for Your Cleaning Needs?
At Radiant Home Squad, we’re committed to providing high-quality, reliable cleaning services that exceed expectations. Here’s why our customers choose us:

Skilled Professionals: Our team is experienced in handling even the most challenging cleaning jobs, from post-construction cleaning to carpet cleaning.
Attention to Detail: We don’t cut corners—whether it’s scrubbing away construction dust or deep-cleaning your carpets, we ensure every area is properly cleaned.
Eco-Friendly Products: We care about your health and the environment, using safe, non-toxic cleaning products that are gentle on surfaces and safe for your family and pets.
Affordable and Transparent Pricing: We offer competitive rates with no hidden fees, ensuring you get excellent service at a fair price.
Convenient Scheduling: We work around your schedule, offering flexible appointment times to suit your needs.
Post-Construction Cleaning: Turning Your Space into a Clean, Livable Environment
After a construction project, your space is often left with dust, debris, and leftover materials. Post-construction cleaning is essential to transform the area into a polished, livable space. At Radiant Home Squad, we specialize in clearing away the mess so you can enjoy your new space without the hassle.

Our post-construction cleaning services include:

Dust Removal: Construction creates fine dust that settles on every surface. We meticulously remove this dust from floors, windowsills, walls, and light fixtures to ensure a thorough clean.
Debris Removal: We remove any leftover construction debris, such as packaging, nails, and other materials, leaving your space clutter-free.
Surface Cleaning: We wipe down all surfaces, including countertops, cabinets, and shelving, to remove any construction residue or paint splatters.
Floor Care: We vacuum and mop all types of flooring, ensuring that any dust or grime is thoroughly cleaned away.
Window and Glass Cleaning: After construction, windows and glass can often have smudges or dust residue. We provide streak-free window cleaning to let the light shine through.
Final Touches: We take care of the finer details, like cleaning vents, baseboards, and light switches, to ensure your home or office looks immaculate.
Our post-construction cleaning services are designed to make your space look brand new and ready for move-in or use. Whether it’s a home, office, or commercial property, we take care of the mess so you can enjoy your newly renovated space.

Carpet Cleaning Services: Revive Your Carpets for a Fresh Look
Carpets can quickly collect dirt, dust, and stains over time, and no one wants to live or work in a space with dingy, dirty carpets. Our carpet cleaning services at Radiant Home Squad are designed to restore your carpets to their original beauty, using advanced cleaning techniques to remove deep-seated dirt and stains.

Our carpet cleaning services include:

Deep Steam Cleaning: Our powerful steam cleaning method lifts dirt, allergens, and bacteria from deep within the fibers of your carpet, leaving it fresh and sanitized.
Stain Removal: From coffee spills to pet stains, we treat and remove even the toughest stains, restoring your carpet’s appearance.
Odor Removal: We use special techniques to neutralize odors, leaving your carpet smelling fresh and clean.
Allergen Removal: Carpets can trap allergens like dust mites and pollen. Our cleaning process removes these particles, helping to improve indoor air quality.
Fast Drying: We use equipment that dries carpets quickly, so you won’t have to wait long to walk on your freshly cleaned floors.
Whether your carpets are due for routine maintenance or have suffered from a recent spill or stain, Radiant Home Squad has the tools and expertise to bring your carpets back to life. Our carpet cleaning service is perfect for homes, offices, and commercial spaces.

Contact Radiant Home Squad for Expert Cleaning Services
Ready to experience the best in post-construction cleaning and carpet cleaning services? Let Radiant Home Squad handle the cleaning while you focus on enjoying your space.

Reach out to us today at +1 (346) 651-3109 to schedule your cleaning service or to get a free estimate. We proudly serve Houston, TX 77077 and surrounding areas, offering flexible scheduling to fit your needs.

Whether you’re cleaning up after a renovation or giving your carpets a fresh start, Radiant Home Squad is here to make your space shine!

Safenet Insurance Agency: Your Trusted Provider of Business and Home Insurance in Bryan, TX, College Station, TX, and Navasota, TX

At Safenet Insurance Agency, we are committed to offering comprehensive and affordable insurance coverage for both individuals and businesses in Bryan, TX, College Station, TX, and Navasota, TX. Whether you’re seeking business insurance for your company, commercial insurance for your enterprise, or home insurance quotes for your property, our team of experts is here to provide you with the best coverage options tailored to your unique needs.

Business Insurance in Bryan, TX, College Station, TX, and Navasota, TX
As a business owner, securing the right business insurance is critical to protecting your company’s assets and ensuring its long-term success. At Safenet Insurance Agency, we offer a variety of business insurance options for businesses located in Bryan, TX, College Station, TX, and Navasota, TX. Our goal is to make sure your business is well-protected from potential risks that could impact your operations, employees, and overall financial stability.

Whether you're looking for general liability, property insurance, workers' compensation, or professional liability insurance, we offer flexible policies designed to suit businesses of all sizes. Let us help you find the right business insurance in Bryan, TX, College Station, TX, or Navasota, TX to ensure that you’re covered no matter what comes your way.

Commercial Insurance in College Station, TX
Running a business in College Station, TX comes with its own set of risks and challenges, which is why commercial insurance is essential. Safenet Insurance Agency specializes in providing businesses in College Station, TX with reliable and affordable commercial insurance. Our policies are designed to protect your business property, assets, employees, and more.

From property insurance to general liability coverage, commercial insurance can be customized to fit your specific business needs. Our experienced agents will work with you to determine the best coverage options, ensuring that your business is adequately protected from common risks such as damage, theft, lawsuits, and employee injuries.

Business Insurance in Navasota, TX
Safenet Insurance Agency is proud to offer business insurance solutions to businesses in Navasota, TX as well. Whether you operate a small business or manage a larger organization, we understand the unique challenges of the Navasota community and provide tailored insurance policies to meet those needs.

With a variety of options available, including commercial property insurance, general liability, and business interruption coverage, we’ll help you safeguard your assets and protect your business from unexpected setbacks. Our agents are dedicated to finding the best business insurance in Navasota, TX, at an affordable price.

College Station, TX Home Insurance Quotes
When it comes to protecting your home, Safenet Insurance Agency provides the best home insurance quotes in College Station, TX. We understand that your home is one of your most significant investments, and we want to make sure that it is adequately covered in case of damage, theft, or natural disasters.

Whether you're a first-time homeowner or looking to update your existing policy, we offer home insurance quotes in College Station, TX to fit your needs. Our agents will walk you through your options and help you find the best coverage for your home, whether you're looking for basic coverage or comprehensive protection.

Why Choose Safenet Insurance Agency?
Tailored Insurance Solutions: We offer personalized insurance policies for business owners and homeowners in Bryan, TX, College Station, TX, and Navasota, TX. Our agents take the time to understand your specific needs and recommend the best coverage options.

Affordable Rates: At Safenet Insurance Agency, we strive to provide competitive pricing on business insurance, commercial insurance, and home insurance. We work with multiple insurers to ensure that you get the best possible rates.

Comprehensive Coverage: Whether you need business insurance in Bryan, TX, College Station, TX, or Navasota, TX, or home insurance quotes in College Station, TX, we offer a wide range of coverage options to keep you fully protected.

Experienced Agents: Our knowledgeable agents have extensive experience in both business insurance and home insurance, and we are committed to offering exceptional service to our clients.

Get Started Today with Safenet Insurance Agency
If you're looking for business insurance in Bryan, TX, College Station, TX, or Navasota, TX, or need home insurance quotes in College Station, TX, don't hesitate to reach out to Safenet Insurance Agency today. We are here to help you navigate the complex world of insurance and find the right coverage for your home, business, or both.

Transform Your Bathroom with Custom Showers from D&H Home Surfaces in Hallsville, TX

Are you dreaming of a luxurious, modern shower that fits perfectly in your bathroom? At D&H Home Surfaces, we specialize in designing and installing custom showers that elevate the look and functionality of your space. Whether you're remodeling your bathroom or building a new home, our custom shower solutions are tailored to your unique needs and style preferences.

Why Choose Custom Showers from D&H Home Surfaces?
A custom shower is the perfect way to personalize your bathroom and create a space that suits your lifestyle. At D&H Home Surfaces, we pride ourselves on offering high-quality, expertly crafted custom showers in Hallsville, TX, and the surrounding areas. Here’s why you should trust us to bring your vision to life:

Personalized Designs: We work closely with you to design a shower that fits your space, style, and budget. From the layout to the materials, everything is customizable.
Premium Materials: We use only the best materials, including elegant tiles, durable glass, high-quality fixtures, and premium stone, to create custom showers that stand the test of time.
Expert Craftsmanship: Our team of professionals has years of experience designing and installing custom showers. We pay attention to every detail to ensure flawless results.
Increased Home Value: A beautiful, custom shower not only enhances your bathroom but can also increase the overall value of your home, making it a smart investment.
Our Custom Shower Process
When you choose D&H Home Surfaces for your custom shower installation, we ensure a seamless and stress-free process from start to finish. Here’s what you can expect:

Consultation & Design: We begin by discussing your needs, preferences, and the available space. Our design team will help you select the right materials, shower style, and layout to create the perfect shower for your bathroom.
Customized Layout: Whether you're envisioning a sleek, modern walk-in shower, a luxurious steam shower, or a traditional bathtub-shower combo, we’ll design a layout that maximizes your space and meets your needs.
Material Selection: From ceramic and porcelain tiles to glass enclosures and natural stone, you’ll choose from a wide range of high-quality materials to create a custom shower that reflects your style.
Expert Installation: Our skilled technicians will handle every step of the installation with precision, ensuring that your custom shower is built to the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.
Finishing Touches: Once the installation is complete, we will ensure that every detail, from grout lines to caulking, is perfect. Your new custom shower will be ready for use in no time.
Types of Custom Showers We Offer
At D&H Home Surfaces, we offer a variety of custom shower designs to suit every style and preference:

Walk-In Showers: Ideal for modern bathrooms, walk-in showers offer a sleek, open look with no doors or barriers. They can be customized with luxurious features like rainfall showerheads, built-in benches, and custom tile work.
Shower and Tub Combos: For those who want the flexibility of both a shower and a bathtub, we can create custom combinations that make the most of your space.
Steam Showers: For a truly spa-like experience, we offer steam showers, which provide therapeutic steam that can help relax muscles and improve circulation.
Frameless Glass Showers: Frameless glass enclosures offer a clean, modern aesthetic and are perfect for showcasing your beautiful tile work.
Curbless Showers: A curbless shower design provides an ultra-modern, barrier-free look while enhancing accessibility for all users.
Custom Shower Features
A custom shower is more than just a place to shower; it’s a retreat where you can unwind and relax. Some popular custom shower features we offer include:

Rainfall Showerheads: Add a touch of luxury with a rainfall showerhead that provides a soothing, even flow of water.
Built-In Benches: Perfect for relaxation or practicality, built-in benches provide a comfortable place to sit while showering.
Shower Niches: Add storage to your custom shower with a built-in niche for soap, shampoo, and other essentials.
Heated Floors: Keep your feet warm during the colder months with heated flooring in your shower area.
Multi-Jet Systems: Experience a spa-like atmosphere with a multi-jet shower system that targets different areas of your body for a complete therapeutic experience.
Why Custom Showers are a Great Investment
Custom showers not only provide a higher level of comfort and luxury, but they also offer long-term value to your home. Here's why a custom shower is a great investment:

Gulf Coast Pro Wash, LLC: Enhanced Curb Appeal, Paver Cleaning, and Storefront Cleaning in Port Charlotte, FL

At Gulf Coast Pro Wash, LLC, we understand how important it is to maintain the beauty and cleanliness of your property. Whether you're a homeowner wanting to boost your home's curb appeal or a business owner looking to keep your storefront looking fresh, we offer professional cleaning services tailored to meet your needs. Serving Port Charlotte, FL, and surrounding areas, we specialize in services like enhanced curb appeal, paver cleaning, and storefront cleaning that will help elevate the appearance of your property and make a lasting first impression.

Enhanced Curb Appeal: Make Your Property Stand Out
Your home’s exterior is the first thing people notice, and enhanced curb appeal can make all the difference when it comes to creating a welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're planning to sell your home or simply want to enjoy a beautifully maintained property, increasing your curb appeal is one of the best ways to make a statement.

At Gulf Coast Pro Wash, LLC, we offer a variety of services designed to boost your property's curb appeal. From soft washing your house’s exterior and cleaning your driveway to paver cleaning and pressure washing your fence, our team can handle all of your exterior cleaning needs. Our expert team uses high-quality equipment and safe, eco-friendly cleaning solutions to make sure your property shines, increasing both its beauty and value.

Paver Cleaning: Restore the Beauty of Your Walkways and Patios
Pavers are a popular choice for driveways, patios, and walkways, thanks to their durability and aesthetic appeal. However, over time, dirt, grime, weeds, and algae can build up, causing your pavers to lose their luster. Paver cleaning is an essential service to maintain the appearance and functionality of your paver surfaces.

At Gulf Coast Pro Wash, LLC, we offer specialized paver cleaning services that remove dirt, mold, mildew, and other debris without damaging the paver surface. We use the appropriate pressure and cleaning techniques to safely restore the color and texture of your pavers, leaving them looking as good as new. Our professional cleaning not only improves the appearance of your patios, driveways, and walkways but also helps prevent future buildup, ensuring long-lasting beauty and durability.

Storefront Cleaning: Keep Your Business Looking Its Best
As a business owner, your storefront is the first thing potential customers see when they approach your store. A clean, well-maintained storefront is key to making a positive first impression and encouraging customers to walk in. Over time, dirt, grime, and other contaminants can accumulate on windows, doors, sidewalks, and walls, diminishing your business's curb appeal.

Storefront cleaning is a vital service to maintain the cleanliness and professionalism of your commercial property. At Gulf Coast Pro Wash, LLC, we offer expert storefront cleaning that includes cleaning windows, pressure washing the exterior, and removing dirt and debris from walkways. Our team uses safe, effective techniques to ensure your storefront shines, making it inviting for customers and giving your business a polished, professional look. Whether you run a restaurant, retail store, or office, we’ll help you make a lasting impression with a spotless storefront.

Why Choose Gulf Coast Pro Wash, LLC?
When you choose Gulf Coast Pro Wash, LLC for your enhanced curb appeal, paver cleaning, and storefront cleaning needs, you're choosing a team of experienced professionals who care about delivering exceptional results. Here’s why we’re the trusted choice for property owners in Port Charlotte, FL:

Experienced Technicians: Our team is highly trained in the latest cleaning techniques, ensuring safe and effective results for all surfaces.
State-of-the-Art Equipment: We use high-quality equipment and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to achieve the best results without harming the environment.
Affordable Pricing: We offer competitive pricing with transparent, no-hidden-fee estimates so you know exactly what to expect.
Customer Satisfaction Guaranteed: We are committed to providing outstanding service and ensuring that you are completely satisfied with the results.
Contact Gulf Coast Pro Wash, LLC Today!
If you want to enhance your curb appeal, restore the beauty of your pavers, or maintain a spotless storefront, Gulf Coast Pro Wash, LLC is here to help. We are proud to serve Port Charlotte, FL, and surrounding areas with professional cleaning services that will leave your property looking its best.

Call us today at +1 (941) 830-5630 to schedule an appointment or request a free estimate. Let us help you boost your property’s appearance with our expert cleaning services!