Great News!

[Pugdaddy]

Got a phone call last night from my photography instructor, Bill. I was at work so my wife took the call.
Bill was the company photographer for the steel mill that I've worked at for too many years. When the new people took over they decided that it would be cheaper to hire outside people to do the photography so Bill was put out of his job, with 28 yr.s service. Just short of the 30 year required for retirement. Real bad break.
Anyway, my company has a training program for the employees that was originally put in place during a time when many people were losing their jobs in the steel industry. It was intended to teach them new skills so they could get other kinds of work. It doesn't cost a dime.
Bill got hired as a photography instructor at "Joblink". I've taken "Beginners Digital Photography", "Intermediate Digital Photography", and Photography Lighting" ( there hasn't been an advanced class yet). The classes are 21 hr.s each. One 3 hr. class each week for 7 weeks.
Here's the good news. Bill is going to be teaching a PS class starting at the end of the month and wanted to know if I'd be interested! How 'bout that. Talk about perfect timing.
My wife told him that she was sure that I would be. She told him she bought me PSE4 for Christmas and hasn't been able to get on the computer since.
If she thinks it's bad now, wait untill I start taking this class.:D

[Wendy]

Hi ...

That is really good news ... classes are a great way of learning as it is so much easier to understand when you can actually see someone using Photoshop.

Do let us know how you go on with the classes :)


Wendy

[sanarita]

Sounds like you will be learning a lot very quickly! Be sure to take a lot of photos now so you can chart your progress! :cool:

Helen

[w7vp]

That is good news for Bill.
When I left CF&I Steel in 1983 we had literally thousands who were eligible for the TAA program. As you know we were hit hard by foreign competition which gave rise to the loss of jobs. Many of the older workers were left out in the cold because they were too old to get comfortable new jobs and even in the early 80's many had been earning over $60,000 per year.

As for the pension, there is a provision in ERISA for collecting a pension when there has been a partial or complete termination of the program which often happens when a company is bought out. CF&I was a subsidiary of Crane Corp. and all the major assets were sold and the company became an ESOP. As a result the pensions were terminated. A number of employees sought to recover their pensions from the termination.

I was the head lawyer and corporate secretary for CF&I at the time and left before that was completed but I do believe that the employees got some form of relief. To say the least the employees got screwed by the way the Crane ripped off the assets of the company.

Bill

[Carbone]

That's good news!!! But... start shopping for a second computer before the class is over :)

Ray

[Wendy]

Hi ...

I agree with Ray .... its just easier to get two computers :) ... Mind you then you have to find somewhere to put it :eek:


Wendy

[Pugdaddy]

I don't know exactly why you say that, Ray, but as a matter of fact I do have a new one sitting here in the box for when this one does go kaput. Is it because you think my hard drive is going to get loaded up?
I've gotten into a "disposable computer" way of life. When one goes wacko every couple of years I just bust out a new $300 eMachine. I make sure my pics are backed up to cd, though.

Bill: He's not really making much money doing this, but he pays his bills doing weddings, corporate stuff and little league type things. The worst part is he lost his insurance, and since he is considered obese and has diabetes he tells me his insurance is costing him around $1900 a month.

It seems to be becoming commom practice for these big companies to somehow claim in court they are bancrupt so they can get rid of legacy costs (retirement funds owed). It's a pretty tough thing to handle when they promise you a pension and you work 30 years to get it and end up with some little pidlence the government calls your gaurantee. Instead of 2 grand a month you end up getting about $500. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if it happens to me. In the mean time I'm socking away as much as I can in my 401k. Wouldn't surprise me if that turns out to be a scam, too.

[Carbone]

She told him she bought me PSE4 for Christmas and hasn't been able to get on the computer since.
If she thinks it's bad now, wait untill I start taking this class.

That's because when said that, I assumed your wife would want to have access to a computer, at some time.. :)

Ray

[Wendy]

That was my thought too !!


Wendy

[karen donnybrook]

Pugdaddy, At least your wife will be able to use the computer for three hours a week while you are at classes :rolleyes: As a second computer, why not conisder a notebook (laptop). It will not take up a lot of room and you could network it to the PC/Mac and the one printer etc.

[Chuck S.]

I finally banished myself and my new laptop to the second floor, where I'm wireless-connected to the cable modem and the printers. It has created a sense of peace here; no arguments about who gets to use the destop computer and whose e-mail has more spam in it!

Only problem I have right now is that I need a new monitor to replace or supplement the laptop screen. I do miss my Viewsonic 19" downstairs...

:) :(

[cathy]

when I retired I said never wanted to see another computer and would not have one. Well, our household (of two) now has four.
I had to have a new one or so I thought. Just last night stepson came and said why not hook up your old one too :cool: so tonight i can view a tutorial on one and practice on the other. Darling husband now has desk and lap top.
We are in computer bliss. :)

[Wendy]

Cathy ...

I like that idea !! :)


Wendy

[Pugdaddy]

Oh. Now I understand, Ray (just getting back to the conversation. some of us hafta work for a living, you know).
My wife and I use to argue about whos turn it was on the computer but we kind of came to the agreement that she's got about 10 hr.s a day to play on it while I'm at work, so when I'm home I usually get priority. The key word here being usually.
We've been eyeing laptops but figure by next year we'll be able to get one for 3 or 4 hundred bucks, so we're holding out.
6 TVs in the house but only 1 computer for now.:D

[Wendy]

Hi ...

Six TVs .... :eek: OH my !!!

We used to have computer conflict ... in the end we bought an iBook and my husband gets to use it :D :D


Wendy

[CarolLHB]

4 people, 5 computers...thank goodness for routers!:)

[Carbone]

There was a time when we had 4 plates and four glasses but 10 CD players (car, video game consoles, computers, CD-walkman, etc..) :D

Ray

[Pugdaddy]

Remember rabbit ears? With aluminum foil on them? 4 channels. 2, 5, 7 and 9. Now I have 70 channels and there's still nothing good on.:mad:

[CarolLHB]

Please! We just upgraded to digital cable and now we have 500 channels with nothing on!!!:D

[Pauline]

Well season finale for Nip Tuck is on tonight if you watch that! That show has really gotten twisted!! I have to make sure the kids aren't around when I watch it!

[Wendy]

Carol ...

Still if there is nothing on you can simply flip through all 500 channels ... now that must take a while :)


Wendy

[NMarti]

Well - here there's 3 people and 4 computers. Cable has 150 channels and not one worth watching.

Hey - PET people how about a Photoshop cable channel!!!!!!:eek: :eek:
Wow - could watch and be on computer too! Now that would be fun - hubby would never see me - not that he would notice.:D

[virgo1]

Pauline,
I dream of receiving the CBC over the air. The best we get on public tv is My Hero or American in Canada. And older Britcoms like Faulty Towers. With nothing much worth watching we're still using a 12 year old fat tube. I could by lots if ink and paper for the cost of an hdtv.
Eva

[LindaRose]

We have 5 Tv's, 4 people, 3 computers, 2 lap tops and Tivo's, and 1 router. When I first started reading this post, I didn't want to admit it, but I see we are not the only ones on electronic overload.

Pauline, what did you think of the Nip Tuc finale? I thought it was great. I like how they throw things in there you never would expect. It is getting pretty twisted though. I almost stopped watching this year because of all the Matt stuff, but it seems he is behaving for the time being. I let my daughter watch selected parts the first season, but not since.

LindaRose

[virgo1]

LindaRose,
My sister lives in Cannon Falls. What part on MN do you live in? Are you near Sven and Ole's pizza in Grand Maira?
Eva ;)

[w7vp]

Jaså Eva.
Men du must understand dat de only ting my friends Sven and Ole know how to make is pizza wid da herring and lutefisk!:)

Bill
(Den gamle nordmann fra vestlandet)

[Pauline]

LindaRose, I'm telling you some parts of Nip Tuck just are watchable for me!! I had to turn my head away a couple of times!! It's really not the kind of show you eat chips while watching either!! :) I must admit I was clueless! What a terrific ending. I really love when you don't know 'who did it' until the end!! As soon as the Police officer started talking about the sister, I had a sneaky suspicion that she WAS the sister. I don't know why, I just did. I also wondered if the cutter cut himself and if he had assistance, but other than that I was clueless. I've always thought Matt was a bit creepy looking. Those eyebrows and the pink ting to his nose and cheeks really bother me.

My son came upstairs during the show and I sent him right back down! He'll be 13 next week, but it's way to graphic for him. However, last night when I got up at 11, all 3 kids were sitting there giggling and watching the movie "Jackass". I sat and watched some and was totally grossed out with most of what went on for the 45 minutes I saw. Where do males get such stupid ideas I wonder?

[virgo1]

Bill,
I usta live up nort near da border doncha know by Duluth. :D
Eva ;)

[LindaRose]

Eva, there is a Sven & Ole's Pizza? Are you serious?That's great. I live in Mahtomedi. If you have seen the movie Fargo, you might remember a scene in a bar called Lakeside with the "Go Bears" girls. Well I live close to there on the East side of White Bear Lake Doncha know. Stillwater which borders your state is just East of me. I suppose your a Packers fan.

Pauline, yea I think Matt is looking more and more like Michael Jackson everyday. I wouldn't know about boys behavior, I have three girls.

LindaRose

[Sharon]

That is very good news... I too am starting a PS class for beginners in two weeks at our college. Then they offer another class for intermediate and advance. Can't wait to start it. I need the "visual" experience.
Good luck with your class and hooray for your friend.
Sharon

[Carbone]

We too have digital cable with over 200 channels.. at 5 seconds per channel (time to evaluate the current show), it takes over 15 minutes to browse tv.. :D :D

Not to mention memory not helping, it doesn't make things easier when you can't remember where's that Animal Channel :)

Ray

[Pugdaddy]

That's great, Sharon. I'm sure you're looking forward to it as much as I am. There's a lot to learn on this thing. Joblink also offers a class called "How to make photography into a business". or something like that. I'm not sure if it's offered this semester or not. I need to check into it.

My favorite show: My Name is Earl. That show cracks me up. :D

[LindaRose]

Pugdaddy, I have been searching high and low for a class for PS and found nothing in my area. So what do I go and do? I sign up for a two year program in Visual Communications Technologies. It has some core classes and then you get to choose 1 of 4 Specialty Track options. The Specialty I am doing is Photography. Back in 1978, when I graduated from High School, I wanted to go to college and become a Photographer, but felt it wasn't something my family could manage financially. Now here I am 28 years later going after that dream. My Dad was a hard working blue collar worker, and with 6 kids we did without a lot, but in the end it was important to my Dad to leave us something. I'm taking that money, and using it to pay for school. I think my Dad would approve. Classes start tomorrow!

LindaRose

[Pauline]

LindaRose, how fabulous is that! Good for you. Just think of it this way. You will probably get a lot more out of the class than if you took it back then because partying won't be your number one priority like it is with college students! :D I'm sure you Dad would approve. I hope you enjoy your classes and that we hear about them.

[CarolLHB]

Linda-that's amazing news! I went back to grad school after staying at home for 11 years with my kids and finally figuring out what I wanted to be when I grew up! It was a great experience, and Pauline is absolutely right-being there because you really want to be makes an immense difference. I'm now teaching grad school classes and I have a very soft spot in my heart for those students that have taken the plunge and gone back to school:).

You are one of the lucky ones who gets to follow your bliss!

Congratulations-please keep us posted-you have a cheering section here!

[virgo1]

LindaRose,
That's great you have the opportunity. Last I heard, Sven & Ole's is still airing ads on Duluth tv. No, I'm not a Packer fan. :)
Eva ;)

[LindaRose]

Thanks Carol and Pauline, seeing your support is a big help. I thought I would look ridiculous at my age, but a few people have assured me that a good percentage of the students in college are older. Funny thing is, my daughter is going to the same school. As far as the partying, it's possible I would have been one of them if I went right out of High School, but I didn't party while going to a one year program for Practical Nursing. There wasn't much time for it though, and I lived at home and took a bus to school at 6:30 AM. I do think as we mature things get easier. When I took Drivers Ed in High School, my instructor said I needed many hours of practice before I could pass my test. I was so discouraged that I didn't take lessons again until I was 23. The first day of class the teacher said "Your driving is fine, lets just do one more class with parallel parking and your ready" I thought, how can that be, I haven't driven in years!
Carol, what subject do you teach?

Right now I'm very excited and a little scared. I let you know how things progress.

LindaRose

[Pauline]

LindaRose my friend went back to school at 39 after her husband passed away from a heart attack. I don't know how she manages going to school full time and dealing with 2 teens and 2 younger kids (5 & 8) but she does. She really seems to love school, but it's a struggle to study and do her homework and keep the kids going. I admire her for doing it. She is also taking a subject she loves and I think that really helps.

[Pugdaddy]

That really does sound like a great adventure you're about to embark on. I wish you all the best. I hope it goes well for you.

As far as not finding a class near you, I would say books and the internet are your best tools. These people here have been a lot of help for me, thus far. When you think you're about to ask a question you feel is dumn, I'm sure the experienced folks here have heard dumner.

I bought Scott Kelby's (who is a highly recommended author here) "the Photoshop Elements 4 book", and can say I find it very helpful.

[kayser]

LindaRose- That is terrific that you're going back to school. Good luck with this, and if you need encouragement, check in here; we'll all rooting for you!

[w7vp]

LindaRose:
Congratulations on your decision. What a thrill to be getting the education you want.

After a career of doing complex deals I went back as a professor for 4 years and loved giving something back to the students. We had quite a few older students even though the area I taught (Flight Technology) tended to be reserved for career path young people. As a group the older ones were by far more dedicated to their chosen field and were able to resist the temptations of youth. My motto below is what I would tell the younger ones who did not yet have the experience to form reasonable judgments about life.

I know you will enjoy your time in school and I envy you the opportunity to learn more about photography.:)
Bill

[Pugdaddy]

Excellent quote, Bill. I'll remember that one.

[Wendy]

LindaRose ...

Oh wow that is such good news ... please do let us know how you go on :)


Wendy

[LindaRose]

Thanks Pugdaddy, Kay, Bill, and Wendy. I like that motto of yours, did you come up with it yourself?

I have survived my first few days of school. It is strange how there can be 10 different people teaching the same class, and all be different. For English Comp. there is around 20 different text books at the book store, and it depends which one your Professor uses for their class. My daughters papers had to be between 500 and 750 words each, mine can not be over 500, or less than 350. Most students have told me how easy Interpersonal Communications was, but my teacher is giving my class more homework and papers to write than I get in English Comp. For my VCT program classes, I have Photography 1, and I think I'm going to love it. I like the teacher, which is good since he will be my advisor for the whole two years. He and his wife own there own Photography Business. My second class is Intro to VCT. It's a great class, and a great idea for the program. You set up goals, and learn ways of becoming successful professionally. They really stress the importance of Networking, and we have to attend seminars, meetings like with the Chamber of Commerce, and informational interviews. The last class is Principles of Digital Communication. They touch on several different Software Programs. A few examples are Photoshop:) Illustrator, and Dreamweaver. I should love the class, but worry a little about keeping up. The teacher goes really fast and they use Macs, which I know nothing about. Today I'm going to make sure I sit next to someone else, she even gives extra credit to the students that help other students. Also, last night I went to the Library and took out 'Mac for Dummies' The Librarian assured me that once I get down the basics it will be easier.

Does anyone know how long the online classes here can pile up before they are no longer there? I'm almost half way through, but haven't done a lesson since last weekend.

Thanks again for everyones congrats and support!

LindaRose

[Pauline]

LindaRose it sounds like your are going to be very busy, but it also sounds interesting. I'm reading my friends "interpersonal skills' textbook from the class she took last semester. It's quite interesting. (I'm not interested in going to College, but it doesn't mean I can't read and learn anyway.)

[Wendy]

Hi LindaRose ...

Glad to hear that you are enjoying your classes at school ... they sound really good. It must be a little bewildering to begin with but you will soon get into the swing of it ...

In answer to a couple of points you raised ...

Don't worry about using Macs .. for things like Photoshop they are virtually identical. If you can use one you can use the other ... there really are only minor differences.

Online classes here ... I'm sure that they are available for 60 days but if you login to your individual classes you will see the date you started the course and the date you have access until at the top of the page ..

Hope this helps ... :)

Wendy

[kayser]

Your classes sound interesting, and I'm sure you'll do well. Although I'm not currently using a MAC, I have used them, and I don't think you'll have any problem making the switch. Sounds like you have a lot on your plate, enjoy it all!

[LindaRose]

Thanks Kay, and yes my plate is overflowing. But sometimes I work best that way, I just have to balance it so my family doesn't get the short end of the stick. They are supportive, which helps. I'm sure you guys will understand if I can't check in as much as I would like. Well I better go hit the books.

LindaRose