Can someone help me with this?

I recently interviewed for a new job and today I received an offer letter. The salary they offered is lower than what I will accept and I need to make a counter offer. This is something I haven't had to deal with much and I'm looking for some tips. My instinct is to throw out a number higher than what I expect to get and negotiate down to something acceptable (their offer is about $5k/year below what I would accept if that's important). Is this the best way to approach this? Any other tips to maximize my starting salary?

 

First off, research the average salary for that position in your city/region. Is their offer within that range? If so, make sure that when you counter, you offer valid reasons as to why you think you deserve $XYZ. Additionally, what is the total compensation package? Bonus/commission structure? Benefits? Base salary is just a component (albeit an important one) when it comes to total compensation. Understanding the market dynamics is very important when negotiating with a company. Good luck.

 

Just want to post this here too because a lot more people look here than the Tech Board.

 

I have some mysterious itchy, scratchy pimple/zits on my right leg around my knee and thigh. I've uploaded a picture if you want to see them. What the hell are they from? I was kind of thinking they were somehow related to my job. I work a pretty physical job that has me sweating a lot and dealing with various earthen materials. Obviously people get the occasional zit/pimple but these things itch like crazy and are kind of sore, unlike the normal zit/pimple. I'd go to the doc but I currently have no health insurance.

Spoiler

 

They look like fire ant bites, have you been working around them?

 

Nope, no fire ant bites. I don't even think there are fire ants around where I live and wouldn't I feel the bites immediately?

 

It's possible they're a Staph A type infection. I had something similar recently in the same area. Staph A doesn't just cause the big, nasty MRSA holes that people get, it can cause a whole range of things. From what you've described, it's very possible that the sweat combined with rubbing/scratches has allowed the bacteria to get in to the pores and follicles. Try some normal over the counter antibiotic cream or acne treatments first. If that doesn't work, better see a doc for some Staph A specific meds. They're not the cheapest, but you don't want that shit spreading or mutating.

 

The itching subsided today for the most part. If it doesn't clear up in a few days I'll be going to the doc.

 

So, my GF is a Library freak. She visits the library roughly 2-3 times a week. Also, her birthday/Christmas coincide with one another. So, I was looking at getting her a tablet for these two combined. Do iPad 2s allow you to check out books from the library? What other devices do?

 

Some libraries can now check out ebooks to anyone with a Kindle or the Kindle app. If that's the case, you can get the app on an ipad. Some libraries can check out books to a Nook. Your best bet is probably to check with the library she frequents and find out what system they use.

 

Yeah, they use the nook system to check out books. Does the ipad have the nook app that works properly or is it better just going the nook route regardless? Do any of the other tablets support the nook app?

 

My water heater has started this banging noise. It only happens occasionally, and usually in the middle of the night. It stops while a faucet is turned on, but immediately starts again once the water's off. Sometimes it quits after a few minutes of us turning the water on and off, but not tonight. It's 2:30am. I need sleep. Any ideas??

 

Now that my car is totaled, I am in need of a new vehicle. I've found a few online that are economical, but I don't have access to check vehicle history. Does anyone have access to anything like CarFax that can run a few VIN numbers for me to make sure that the cars I'm looking at haven't been damaged? Yes, I know the dealer will provide me with those, but I don't feel like making the drive out to where the cars are located if I don't have to.

 

I don't know if dealers would be willing to do this, but can you call them up and say that you're interested in the car, but that you don't want to waste their time or yours if something doesn't look right on the CarFax report, and ask if they'd be willing to send you a scan of the report for the car you're interested in?

 

My lady's birthday is coming up and she's shown an interest in scotch lately. She wants something smooth that she can easily drink over ice or with a little club soda, so I wanted to buy her a bottle. I'm personally not a scotch drinker, so I don't know where to start. What should I buy?

 

I don't know if anybody answered you in rep - just saw this. I am not a plumber, this is just one layman's two cents. That thing making the noise is the pressure release valve. It's designed to keep your water heater from exploding if it builds up too much pressure. I can't tell from the video if it's doing that because it's functioning - i.e. your water heater is building up pressure and it's trying to release; or if it's doing that because it's malfunctioning and needs to be replaced.

There are quite a bit of resources on the ol' interwebz that can explain this better. However, you can change that valve out yourself for about $15. (I had one go bad, and start dripping water.)

 

Balvenie 15yr. It's probably my favorite. It's a single barrel scotch, and each bottle is individually numbered by hand. Notes of vanilla and honey, with a nice warm, clean finish.

It'll go for about $55-$65 per bottle.

 

Budget is a major factor here along with personal tastes of course. Scotch varies widely from region to region. I'm a fan of the Islay region, as they are very smokey and "peaty". This is most certainly not for everyone. If you are going for single malt and are just getting into it, you can't go too wrong with a bottle of Macallan 12, Glenlivet 12, or Glenfiddich 12. They all tend to be a bit lighter and more delicate than some others. All can be had in the $40-$60 range depending on where you are at. That's the range here in North Carolina. If you are going with a blend, I recommend Johnny Walker Green.

All of these I would only serve with a very little water or just a cube or so of ice. A bit more for much newer people as scotch is very much an acquired taste for many.

If it's only going to be heavily blended as a mixed drink there is nothing wrong with a bottle of Chivas or johnny black. They are also much cheaper if price is of concern. You'll be hard pressed to find a bottle of a decent single malt for less than $40 or so. Johnny Green is in the $50 range but it's a very very good blend.

As I mentioned I'm an Islay guy, so I lean towards Ardgeg, Laphroaig, Lagavulin, etc. Very smokey but wonderful.


So, that's the long answer. The short answer that I suggest is the Macallan 12. It's not my personal favorite, but I always have a bottle on hand as it goes over very well with pretty much everybody that we have over.

 

You probably have calcium carbonate build-up in the bottom of the tank. I had to read up on it because I didn't really know exactly what happens but I've seen hot water tanks do this before. Pretty much if you live in a hard water area this will happen. When the tank heats water, steam bubbles rise up and as the escape from under the crap in the bottom the popping will happen.