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Got a JOB and a new Bike Friday

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Got a JOB and a new Bike Friday

Old 02-07-12, 09:53 PM
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Got a JOB and a new Bike Friday

Until this morning, I had been jobless for close to 2 years. I got almost to the 99 week limit on unemployment, but a job came through today. It's work I'll enjoy (UNIX system administration) and it pays better than any job I have ever had.

It does involve commuting from San Francisco to Oakland though, and I want to do a bike -> BART -> bike thing. Problem is, BART has lots of restrictions about conventional bicycles, so today I went out and bought a new Bike Friday Tikit.

I had previously owned a Dahon DH7 and was less than thrilled with several aspects of that bike so I sold it after only owning it for a month or so. The BF is a lot more expensive (more than twice as much) but I like the design a lot more, I like the quick and easy folding without having to adjust anything, I love that it uses mostly conventional components rather than proprietary stuff, and I love that it's MADE IN THE USA.

So, tomorrow I start commuting on it. I'm *really* looking forward to getting back to work, and the new bicycle will add to the thrill I think.
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Old 02-07-12, 10:02 PM
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Congrats! I have a new Friday on the way and am currently looking for a job.
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Old 02-07-12, 11:04 PM
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Pics or it didn't happen.

What kind of Tikit? Model year? Hyperfold or twiddly knob? Color?

I hope this proves of use.
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Old 02-08-12, 02:04 AM
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Originally Posted by michaelnel
Until this morning, I had been jobless for close to 2 years. I got almost to the 99 week limit on unemployment, but a job came through today. It's work I'll enjoy (UNIX system administration) and it pays better than any job I have ever had.

So, tomorrow I start commuting on it. I'm *really* looking forward to getting back to work, and the new bicycle will add to the thrill I think.
Awesome! I can believe you`re excited, on both counts!
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Old 02-08-12, 05:40 AM
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Originally Posted by feijai
Pics or it didn't happen.

What kind of Tikit? Model year? Hyperfold or twiddly knob? Color?

I hope this proves of use.
It's a 2012 Tikit Model T. Neat as the Hyperfold is, it's not worth $200 bucks to me. I'm fine with the twiddly knob. It's blue.
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Old 02-08-12, 09:01 PM
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Congrats on you new folder. The Tikit is a cool folder.
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Old 02-08-12, 10:36 PM
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New job, better pay and a new tikit!!!

WOW, a very rare Trifecta!

Congrats.

Lou
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Old 02-08-12, 10:53 PM
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When I was visiting Oakland last year I took the ferry from OAK to SF, and my first thought was that it would be pretty awesome to be able to make that trip as part of a regular commute. Enjoy the ride.
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Old 02-08-12, 11:07 PM
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Congratulations on both counts! If you see another multi-moder on BART with a Frog, it's probably me
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Old 02-08-12, 11:17 PM
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Congratulations on the new job
Get a big lock for security in Oakland ...
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Old 02-08-12, 11:39 PM
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Originally Posted by FlatSix911
Get a big lock for security in Oakland ...
Let me suggest something instead. Never, ever put a lock on your bike. Instead fold it and take it in everywhere. A tikit transit cover is enormously useful here for making shopowners more comfortable about plausibly denying to customers that there's a bike in their shop.

I live in DC, a town with Fort Knox level security in most buildings. And I still have never once had a lock on bike. I take it in everywhere. And as a result it doesn't get stolen.

Last edited by feijai; 02-08-12 at 11:45 PM.
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Old 02-09-12, 10:18 PM
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Crap. After 2 days at the new job the client decided they want somebody more senior, so the consulting company I was working for pulled me off the job. I am back to being unemployed. Now I will need to sell that new BF. My house was also burglarized yesterday while I was at my first day of work, and my best friend of 30 years just emailed me tonight and told me he's been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

I am pretty much down off the "got a new job" high at this point.
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Old 02-09-12, 11:03 PM
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darn dammit .... thats bad..... I feel with ya ....
you know Marin bicycles .... they got a new owner and new cash to burn, they have plans to hire more people .... go check if they have anything for ya
never know...

much luck .....

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Old 02-10-12, 01:13 AM
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Bummer. One common wisdom is to count your blessings (easier said than done though).

If the BF is new, you may want to check their return policy and talk with them. They are good people and will understand.

https://www.bikefriday.com/thestore/faq.php?cID=2
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Old 02-10-12, 03:01 AM
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Oh, man- you`ve got to be kidding! Really sorry to hear that, Michael.
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Old 02-10-12, 10:54 AM
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Originally Posted by michaelnel
Crap. After 2 days at the new job the client decided they want somebody more senior, so the consulting company I was working for pulled me off the job. I am back to being unemployed. Now I will need to sell that new BF. My house was also burglarized yesterday while I was at my first day of work, and my best friend of 30 years just emailed me tonight and told me he's been diagnosed with bladder cancer.

I am pretty much down off the "got a new job" high at this point.
That sounds bad. Especially when it all comes at the same time. Hope there will come better news next.
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Old 02-10-12, 04:29 PM
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damm I cant get this out of my mind ..... how can we as a community be of any help finding a job over there ?
Bruce.. you need any help in the shop ?

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Old 02-10-12, 06:17 PM
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Thanks guys, it is not as bad as I first thought. I am actually employed by a company that keeps a stable of guys like me (UNIX/Linux System Administrators... server geeks), and then contracts with other companies to send their consultants in on a contract basis. As a consultant for this company, they pay me an annual salary and full benefits, including 10 working days a year of vacation. They are paying me for all of this week even though I only worked two days because they consider the misfire here to be their fault. The CEO of the consulting company sent out an email to the staff offering a $500 bounty on my head that goes to whoever gets me a suitable assignment. They really are doing what they can, and they have an incentive to put me to work because I can use my vacation days as paid days until they get me assigned, and my benefits are all fully in force, so my being not assigned is actually costing them money. It's a good company, and I am certain they'll hook me up soon.

The other stuff... well, there isn't much I can do about my friend's cancer except giving him moral support, and the burglary is something I am dealing with and fixing.

So I really do appreciate the outpouring of support from you guys, I think I'm gonna be OK here.

BTW, I bought the bike new from a local SF shop "Warm Planet Bikes", and I emailed them to explain the situation and asked if they'd take it back. It has less than ten miles on it. I have not heard back from them but I believe I will. I doubt they'll take it back though. Yes, Green Gear does have a 30 day return policy, but ONLY if you bought the bike from them.

So I will wait to see what Warm Planet Bikes does. I have bought two bicycles from them as well as some accessories, so they may take pity on my situation. I'll report back here with what WPB says.
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Old 02-10-12, 09:54 PM
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the best part about this is your new job - bike is just secondary....double congratulations. you've got a nice bike in there. having a bart system at your disposal is handy. i've used bart with my folding bike commute and never had any issue.

Update: so sorry to hear that. Good luck and best wishes to you. i will pray for your friend's health. what's your friend's name ? take care buddy...

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Old 02-10-12, 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by FlatSix911
Congratulations on the new job
Get a big lock for security in Oakland ...
not necessarily - what you need to do is avoid oakland (ha, ha, ha)...
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Old 02-13-12, 08:54 AM
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Originally Posted by michaelnel
I am actually employed by a company that keeps a stable of guys like me (UNIX/Linux System Administrators... server geeks), and then contracts with other companies to send their consultants in on a contract basis. As a consultant for this company, they pay me an annual salary and full benefits, including 10 working days a year of vacation.
I'm actually surprised that it took close to two years to find another position. I suppose that the local market is different than in this area. IT is always in demand here.
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Old 02-13-12, 08:56 AM
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I was not employed by my current employer (Taos Mountain https://www.taos.com) until last week.
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Old 02-13-12, 08:57 AM
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BTW, no response from Warm Planet Bicycles yet. I will give them a few more days and then put it on Craigslist.
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Old 02-13-12, 09:18 AM
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All the luck!
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Old 02-13-12, 09:36 AM
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Sorry to hear about your turn of events. Maybe the LBS would be open to a payment plan or deferred payments for a few weeks until you get your new assignment? It's a slow time of the year so they may be willing to go the extra mile?
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