Friday, June 21, 2019

A Lightbulb Moment

I believe I've had an epiphany (or as Bob Hoskins' character Smee, in the movie "Hook", called it, an apostrophe).

Recently I went thru the process to request an exception to a newly-enacted policy with which I had a disagreement. My request was denied "for reasons of safety". I was told I should be glad the company has my best interests in mind.

The epiphany?

For all the fancy words, catchy slogans, and clever acronyms, the company doesn't give two shits about me as an individual. I'm expendable. Replaceable.

For all its blather about looking out for my safety, if I am injured on the job, the investigation process is going to focus on what I did wrong, which policies I failed to follow to the letter, and how I failed to act in the best interests of my own safety.

"Greasing the wheels" and taking my toolboxes elsewhere IS an option, but at this time, a very poor one, in the grand scheme of things.

Instead, I'll swallow a bit of my pride and dignity, kill a little more enthusiasm for my job, and bow to the demands of management.

When I started this job I couldn't understand why some longtime employees seemed so jaded, cynical and unhappy. Now I understand.

Friday, January 4, 2019

Raspberry Pi Bluetooth Audio

If you are using Raspbian on your RaspberryPi, have added a new user (instead of, or in addition to, the default user 'Pi') and can't get Bluetooth audio to function, add your username to the 'bluetooth' group (sudo adduser 'username' bluetooth), log out, log in again, and try Bluetooth again.