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View Full Version : Well, I WAS thinking about quitting my job. (bunch of links)/long


Joe Tall
11-16-2003, 03:38 AM
First, a little about me:

I work for Guilford Rail System (http://www.guilfordrail.com) which is the old Boston and Maine Railroad (http://www.trainweb.org/bmrrhs/history.html) and the Maine Central Railroad (http://home.sprynet.com/~jwhite07/mec/mec.htm) under one name. We have a parent company Gilford Transportation Industies (http://www.hoovers.com/guilford-transportation/--ID__57540--/free-co-factsheet.xhtml) It's a frieght railroad, however, we do have passenger trains that run on our system.

I'm in management out of the corporate office in Billerica, Mass. I am the Design/Construction Engineer as I have my degree in Civil Engineering. It is a upper-middle managment postition as I have busted my butt over the 3 years I've been there.

I like railroad engineering. I like the history behind my 150+ year old company. I really like the people that I directly work with in upper and lower management.

It is very unique and dynamic, in addition, it pays well. However, I hate the parent company that owns my railroad. We are privately owned, so I should say, I hate the owners. Well, I don't hate them, but I disagree with the management ideals they carry.

Anywho...I've been playing enough poker that the last six months to make 1/2 my salary by playing online at night and at Foxwoods on the weekends. I figure if I didn't work 6.30AM to 5PM everyday (sometimes more) I could support myself playing poker.

Then, Friday, I'm invited by the VP to go on a trip throughout our system on the Guilford Rail 'Business Car'. I take the offer and I'm escorted w/8 of my co-workers to Waterville, Maine. 25 Engineering managers go out for dinner and hop on the train Saturday morning. I had a real good time.

The 'business car' was built in 1916 and is like stepping into a time-warp. It has cherry-wood walls and antique furniture; straight out of the 20s as our country roared to a pinnacle, including a mahongany meeting/dinner table.

We started our trip from Waterville to North Adams, Mass; ending in the Hoosac Tunnel (http://www.intac.com/~jsumberg/hoosac.htm) which was the 'Big Dig' of 1800s.

Great food, great trip, great time. Yet, I still 'work'.

Then, after lunch, I walk into the 'board room' section of the car to fine 5 of the top managers and executives playing poker.

I sit down.

I Love my jobs. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

Peace,
Joe Tall

scalf
11-16-2003, 09:24 AM
/images/graemlins/grin.gif.. gr8 post,,

in life. it is generally better to be going to something more positive; than running away from a problem..

gl /images/graemlins/cool.gif /images/graemlins/diamond.gif

lil'
11-16-2003, 12:51 PM
Nice post, Joe.

Now, did you have to lose to these guys on purpose? I don't think my ego could take it.

Seeing as I work in social services, I don't think I'll ever see my bosses playing poker.

Joe Tall
11-16-2003, 02:38 PM
[ QUOTE ]
Now, did you have to lose to these guys on purpose?

[/ QUOTE ]

Here's the funny thing. 2 of the VPs are actually good players and playing Hi/Lo Split Stud8 and 'Jacks or Better'-5-card draw, No-limit (although this is where it got socialogically challenging), table stakes, sort of evened out the field.

I am a strong 5-card draw-NL player as my home games ends w/a $5 ante NL-game that we call "Old West". All I did was a lot of folding in the stud8, it seemed, but faired well.

Then, 30 minutes into it, the VP of Marketing says, "Any of you guys see that Poker on TV?" All of them reply, yes, in one way or another but no one knows how "it's" dealt! So, I say, "It's called Texas Hold'em, and I know how it's dealt." They pass the deck to me. /images/graemlins/grin.gif

However, we only played it a few times after that and I think it was a blessing that I didn't catch any cards.

I managed a moderate win of $25 (considering it was .25, .50, $1.00 chips). What was really cool was the 50+ yr old bakelite chips that seemed to be on the train since it was constructed.

Best part was standing outside on the lead engine as we entered the tunnel in darkness w/the big light of the train illuinating the Marble Portal. (http://www.intac.com/~jsumberg/ht1967-1.htm)

Peace,
Joe Tall

Ray Zee
11-16-2003, 06:59 PM
hey, casey jones, you are making some good posts around here. stick around and join us often between pulling the tits and shoveling coal in.

Mike Gallo
11-16-2003, 08:34 PM
Joe,

Excellent post. /images/graemlins/cool.gif

Amazing how a silly thing like poker could boost your morale.

Now would you rather work for someone who plays poker well, or who plays like the live ones?

Phat Mack
11-16-2003, 09:23 PM
Did they enlarge the tunnel by 15"? It seems they would have to re-brick it...

Joe Tall
11-16-2003, 09:27 PM
90% of the tunnel is solid rock. I just started when they were finishing the clearance project so I didn't get to see it. The brick courses that were added where there is glacial till, were taken back a bit and slurry quick crete was added for strength.

That's the quick and dirty answer.

Peace,
JT

Joe Tall
11-16-2003, 09:33 PM
[ QUOTE ]
join us often between pulling the tits and shoveling coal in.

[/ QUOTE ]

The diesel engines are run a little differently now a days nor do they clear the track by yelling, "HOT IRON!" since the invention of the radio. Maybe it's differnt in Montana, but I've got this feeling that they have caught up also. /images/graemlins/grin.gif /images/graemlins/grin.gif

However, I do plan on sticking around and appreciate your reply.

Loco,
Casey Jones

Joe Tall
11-17-2003, 09:56 AM
[ QUOTE ]
Now would you rather work for someone who plays poker well,

[/ QUOTE ]

Definately someone who plays well. I find the better poker players understand and communicate in the every day aspects of life.

Peace,
Joe Tall

Phat Mack
11-17-2003, 07:26 PM
The brick courses that were added where there is glacial till

That was going to be my next question. I thought it was all granite up there. I hadn't considered glaciation.

I was also astounded at the cost in the 19th century. I can't imagine it being done today.

Joe Tall
11-17-2003, 07:34 PM
[ QUOTE ]
I hadn't considered glaciation.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sure. When the glacier melted in the Conn River Valley it left plenty of till on the sides of the mountains as you could imagine.

[ QUOTE ]
I can't imagine it being done today.

[/ QUOTE ]

Amazing, eh? $20 Million, 150 Years ago. Well, I'd have to do some research but the 'Big Dig' is about the equivalent, I'd say. Both in Mass, oddly enough.

Peace,
Joe Tall

ResidentParanoid
11-18-2003, 12:14 PM
Great story.

Joe Tall
11-18-2003, 12:54 PM
One of my co-wokers pointed me to this link, not sure about the ghost stories but the trespassers here have nice photographs: Hoosac Tunnel Link (http://www.boudillion.com/hoosac/hoosac.htm)

Peace,
JT

MRBAA
11-18-2003, 01:21 PM
Great post. I also have a pretty demanding job that limits my poker time (I also have young children, another limiting factor). But as much fun as poker is, I think work you like, while it will never be as fun, is more rewarding long term. Unless you are one of the rare few (Doyle Brunson, Howard Lederer come to mind) who have the skills and temperment to make poker not just a living but a life.

Joe Tall
11-21-2003, 10:41 AM
[ QUOTE ]
work you like, while it will never be as fun, is more rewarding long term.

[/ QUOTE ]

With the benefits and the rigid daily routine, I know I'm better off Railroading in the long term. Shoot, I don't even pay Social Securtiy, as I get Federal Railroad Retirement which is a candy jar.

[ QUOTE ]
who have the skills and temperment to make poker not just a living but a life.

[/ QUOTE ]

So true.

Thank you for your reply,
Joe Tall