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Post by funkyodar on Jul 7, 2013 13:41:14 GMT -5
It seems that every thread or poll populated by us new testing guinea pigs eventually turns to theorizing about the meaning or lack thereof of status changes, why we rated ourselves what we did or why we fear we have been cut.
I expect we will learn our individual fates soon. At present, there just aren't enough facts to feel secure in either a good or bad outcome. That lack of information is double edged. Sure it's frustrating, but it also provides a brief window when the dream coincides with the possible. Right now we are all future ALJs . Ignorance is bliss and all.
So let's make this a feel good thread. In this thread, every poster is getting a golden ticket, going to DC, making the register, making a cert and getting a job.
Tell us why you want to be an ALJ. What agecies and cities you want. Good places to stay and eat in DC. Whatever you want as long as it isn't pessimistic about your or anyone else's chances.
Maybe a counter to all the pessimism (of which I am a natural) will prove good karma. Atleast it will help pass the time.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 7, 2013 13:58:12 GMT -5
I will start. The last time I was in DC (10 years or so ago) I ate at a great Brazilian place I think in Georgetown. If I can find it still open, Funky will feast. Just have to decide if it will be a better pregame meal or post testing reward.
And choosing an SI suit is difficult. Should I go with the white polyester or the pale green velour? decisions decisions.
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Post by aljwishhope on Jul 7, 2013 15:16:23 GMT -5
I will start. The last time I was in DC (10 years or so ago) I ate at a great Brazilian place I think in Georgetown. If I can find it still open, Funky will feast. Just have to decide if it will be a better pregame meal or post testing reward. And choosing an SI suit is difficult. Should I go with the white polyester or the pale green velour? decisions decisions.
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Post by aljwishhope on Jul 7, 2013 15:31:18 GMT -5
I want change, a new challenge. I like writing, making decisions and working independently. I am accustomed to production demands. I think making decisions in ssa cases will be more interesting and rewarding than the decisionmaking I currently engage in. Also want new camraderie. I worked for ssa years ago and still enjoy relationships with former co-workers. Some are ALJs.
I live in DC area. Enjoy king street blues in crystal city for having country salad with shrimp. Enjoy joe theismann in alexandria pork chops. Enjoy mexican at el paso a small restaurant in arlington. After interview would enjoy meal at one or maybe some tasty sangria somewhere. Hopefully after the last interview I could say cheers and best wishes to one or several friends also interviewing.
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Post by aljwishhope on Jul 7, 2013 15:36:09 GMT -5
Have atlanta on my wish list. Would live near good friends. SSA is agency of choice. However after many years of experience maybe I would try for other agency like international trade commission or consumer financial protection board if applicable.
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Post by christina on Jul 7, 2013 15:47:32 GMT -5
Great idea Funky. I would like a southern office or California, I think.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 7, 2013 15:56:58 GMT -5
I want change, a new challenge. I like writing, making decisions and working independently. I am accustomed to production demands. I think making decisions in ssa cases will be more interesting and rewarding than the decisionmaking I currently engage in. Also want new camraderie. I worked for ssa years ago and still enjoy relationships with former co-workers. Some are ALJs. I live in DC area. Enjoy king street blues in crystal city for having country salad with shrimp. Enjoy joe theismann in alexandria pork chops. Enjoy mexican at el paso a small restaurant in arlington. After interview would enjoy meal at one or maybe some tasty sangria somewhere. Hopefully after the last interview I could say cheers and best wishes to one or several friends also interviewing. Great now I'm starving and craving sangria.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 7, 2013 15:58:39 GMT -5
Great idea Funky. I would like a southern office or California, I think. Thanks christina. Cali could be sweetif it isn't east LA.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 7, 2013 16:04:10 GMT -5
Have atlanta on my wish list. Would live near good friends. SSA is agency of choice. However after many years of experience maybe I would try for other agency like international trade commission or consumer financial protection board if applicable. I was born in the south and wouldn't mind going back. With that said, I've drug my family over the country and haven't found any place I would less want to be in the summer than Atlanta. I think that somewhere deep uderground it's still burning. A real oppressive hurtful heat that sweats the soul. To each their own though. Best of luck.
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Post by christina on Jul 7, 2013 17:01:57 GMT -5
yes, east La is not my dream area. and funky, regarding the suits, go with the green suit, the white is TOO cliche, Saturday night fever, etc. the only problem with the green is the velour may be too hot in summer. I'd say buy a new suit but I'm afraid the styles "might" (just maybe) be hard to find. so u do have a dilemma. if u can find new suits, I suggest a breathable cotton poly blend that looks 100 poly. Purple perhaps. and u do have the platform shoes???
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 7, 2013 17:13:50 GMT -5
yes, east La is not my dream area. and funky, regarding the suits, go with the green suit, the white is TOO cliche, Saturday night fever, etc. the only problem with the green is the velour may be too hot in summer. I'd say buy a new suit but I'm afraid the styles "might" (just maybe) be hard to find. so u do have a dilemma. if u can find new suits, I suggest a breathable cotton poly blend that looks 100 poly. Purple perhaps. and u do have the platform shoes??? Great suggestion. Def have the shoes. Though the goldfish have seen better day.
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Post by christina on Jul 7, 2013 17:49:54 GMT -5
Goldfish die on the spot so 35 years would be pretty hard to survive
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Post by operationalj on Jul 7, 2013 20:51:19 GMT -5
I want on board this train of optimism!... all the way to D.C.! I'm restless at heart and always up for an adventure - would enjoy exploring just about anywhere - but my crew would love Hawaii but some fun in the snow would be 'cool' too!
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Post by JudgeRatty on Jul 7, 2013 23:25:08 GMT -5
Thanks funky for starting this! I have a fairly wide GAL and would love a new adventure! I live in the south now, and traveled all over as a youngster (father in govt work & many transfers). I can think of many benefits to just about anywhere, even the little not so "desired" cities that people jump on the transfer list to escape. I am single & have dogs, so my only concern about moving is finding a house quickly (4 dogs make renting difficult even if 3 are tiny). In that same line of thinking, I do not want the high cost of living areas (most of California for instance). So ya'll can have Cali. As for the foodie in me, there are SO many great places to eat in DC! Old Ebbitt Grill is neat, full of history & a good tourist thing to do. Bistrot Du Coin if you like French / seafood. Love sitting outside to eat in Dupont Circle, a European feel. I sure hope the testing is the day prior to the SI, which will mean a couple of days to relax in the evening and have fun scouting around and eating! After all, we need to enjoy the ride!
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Post by crab on Jul 8, 2013 5:39:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the sunshine, funky! I'm with sratty - wide GAL (except the south) and am excited (and mortified) at times at the thought of packing up and trying some place new. I have wistful thoughts of a little patch of land in the country, but close enough to a bit of cultchaaah (recognizing that these locations likely only exist in my mind), where the missus can dig up dirt and the wee crabs can scuttle around wild and carefree. I'm keeping my mind open to embracing the process of SSA but can see wanting to get to one of the DC agencies with adversarial hearings since I love a good fight and litigating is what I've done my whole career.
As for food, I'm thinking about all the buzz on the restaurants opening in the "U" Street Corridor. And there's a place called Jaleo near Verizon Center that had flights of sherry and tapas ... I do love to linger and graze and a flight (or three) of sherry after this (*knock wood*) ordeal sounds perfect.
Good luck all! Here's to hearing something soon! *raises the mug of Irish Breakfast tea*
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 8, 2013 7:24:26 GMT -5
Good luck all! Here's to hearing something soon! *raises the mug of Irish Breakfast tea* I crustacean after me own funkified heart.
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Post by funkyodar on Jul 8, 2013 7:32:59 GMT -5
I am at least lucky in the fact that Mrs. Funky has one of the few jobs that allows her to move freely. Nurse are always in demand all over. Like Crab, i would love to have a lil place in the country but close to some culture. In my experience, towns that are the home of small colleges are awesome. Usually have a strong community feel, good arts and a local sports team to get behind. Luckily, many ODAR offices are in such places even if they are in one of the countries belts.
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 8, 2013 7:38:03 GMT -5
I am finally back after a fun-filled four days of not reviewing or looking at the Board. I see not much has changed, so my time away was good for my sanity. Funkyodar I love this topic and find it worthwhile to comment. I, too have a pretty wide-open GAL, even though my wife is likely stuck here in our present state of residence, as she works for the state government, as do I. However, I believe at some point I will be able to get back home to my home state, if not at the beginning, at some point in the future. I don't think a lot of people are dying to be in the Midwest. In the meantime, a little travel on weekends won't hurt. When my wife and I first met we did long distance dating for a couple of years. It worked out well. No kids, only an English Bulldog as you can see by my avatar. I guess my wife and I will fight over the dog. LOL! I would rather stay in the Midwest if I had my druthers, but I can go anywhere just to become an ALJ. However, that thought is putting the cart before the horse. Let me take it one step at a time. Right now, the only thing of importance is the OPM email. As to DC there are lots of great restaurants. If some of us are lucky enough to go on, I would hope some of us could plan to get together for dinner somewhere in DC. It would be nice to put a face to the avatar and name. What do any of you think of getting together in DC???
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Post by moopigsdad on Jul 8, 2013 7:44:39 GMT -5
I am at least lucky in the fact that Mrs. Funky has one of the few jobs that allows her to move freely. Nurse are always in demand all over. Like Crab, i would love to have a lil place in the country but close to some culture. In my experience, towns that are the home of small colleges are awesome. Usually have a strong community feel, good arts and a local sports team to get behind. Luckily, many ODAR offices are in such places even if they are in one of the countries belts. According to one of the other posters, I forget who, there are many belts across the U.S., so you should be able to be in one of them. I would think you are willing to go anywhere in your GAL, if you are called to serve as an ALJ. I have my real preferences too, but I am not picky as I can go anywhere necessary to be an Federal ALJ. It has always been my dream job after law school. I know that is pretty bad if my dream job is as a Federal ALJ, but I guess that is why I am here doing this testing. Until now, I have had other obligations, but those have taken a back seat and I can move forward with my dream.
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Post by DreamNalj on Jul 8, 2013 7:53:15 GMT -5
I too have lived in the DC area until about 2 years ago. Lots of good eats in the Falls Church area! Being a son of the south, my sky blue pin-striped seersucker suit will be great if the SI occurs before fall:) May have to go with the patch-elbow corduroy jacket and matching slacks if any later.
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