u/JakesFavoriteCup

I've commented this twice in this subreddit before, figure this is useful if you are considering this role as you continue to apply for jobs in the sector you previously held experience in, or obtained a degree in and haven't found anything yet.

People suggesting you: just apply, it's easy. Yes and no. Pretty much anyone can be hired as a guard, but there are financial hoops to jump. Some security businesses will hire you and pay for your training; this is becoming less and less common as time goes on. Their reasoning is, why pay for someone's training, when so many applicants already have what's required? The applicant pool, like every other sector, is incredibly saturated while the economy has been ruined. It's not 'like a hundred bucks and then you're set.'

Overview:
first chunk of text: 🧗🏽 expenses
second chunk of text: 💬 anecdotal advice

🧗🏽🧗🏽🧗🏽🧗🏽🧗🏽 The upfront costs before the end result is your guard card, in hand, ready to work for anyone, are listed here:
- Mandatory 8 hour training: $50 to $80, depending on who you choose. Know that most companies regardless of price point or tenure have started to implement just beaming YouTube videos or shat out, 'generated' AI 'spokespeople' to relay the information to students taking training. There will be humans sitting in to monitor the videos and AI because that is legally required by the state of New York, but know that these human instructors are phoning it in. Most are also at home watching tv that their backgrounds have barely blurred out. Most are men, and will say and do dumb things men say and do, like make sexist jokes, homophobic jokes, sexual in nature jokes during breaks or before new videos and slides are pulled up.
- Mandatory upon hire 16 hour 'on the job' training: $150 to $200, depending on company you choose. It's best to get this out of the way alongside the 8 hour training, and to purchase them as a package, to reduce your initial expenses. 'Package' training classes are usually also ~$150 together. You can do them together over the span of 2 days or choose to do one, one week, another, another week, if your current work schedule prohibits you from doing this. The companies are extremely lax; they don't care what you do or need, and will work with you to accommodate your schedule because reports of unprofessional business can lead to their being fined, or shuttering. There are lists of legitimate security businesses applicants can utilize for training, in an ancient NYC DoS PDF; If you happen to stumble upon it, I'd say ~40-60% of the businesses listed have shuttered or lost their ability to legally provide training to applicants. Just search 'NYS guard training' and choose whichever business comes up on the first page, that works with your budget and schedule.
- Mandatory by the state of New York fingerprinting: $102.50. Similar to teaching jobs, or jobs in correctional facilities. You cannot complete the mailed-in application without proof of having completed fingerprinting.
- Fee to submit your application into NYS DoS after training and fingerprinting has been completed: $38.
- Mailing the envelope containing your application to NY DoS: ~$3-$5
Overall total: between $300 to $450, depending on your level of laziness or possible ability to snag deals during promotional periods (i.e., 'Memorial Day discount on training courses.')
- Annual renewal of training certificates is also legally required. If this expires, you have to pay the cost those who have never worked guard jobs pay, i.e., ~$350-$400 to prove who you are again, compared against ~$70-$100 for proof of annual renewal, with all previously submitted information tied to your will be null, expired license intact.

Some training businesses will offer to schedule your fingerprinting appointment (which is free for you to do) for you, and offer to fill out and mail your application in for you (which is easy to do, but businesses claim 'it's difficult because if you label it incorrectly or use the wrong application codes, it'll be rejected, and is nonrefundable.') Know that you need to use code 1545R1 at the top of the security guard application form. This information, unless you want to spend an extra 50 to 70 dollars to just have the business do it for you, saves you that money.

If you complete these, you're officially someone who 'can just apply' without fear of immediate rejection. BUT—

In order to work in any building or any event that hosts more than 75 patrons indoors, or 200 patrons outdoors, you will also eventually need to procure: f-02 and f-03 certificates from the FDNY at Metrotech Center in Brooklyn. These certificates allow you to legally handle fire extinguishers that, for the most part, are only supposed to be touched by or accessible to employees in a building (like they're located in locked areas, or in emergency stairwells), and allow you to legally provide evacuation routes for patrons in the event of emergencies. They're $25 each. If you get hired somewhere, and those certificates are required, and you cannot prove you have these or are scheduled to take the exam, or don't have them on your person at the time of the event, you will 100% be sent home without pay, because the business can be financially penalized for having employees without proper safety licenses/certificates. The city considers it a form of fraud, and is akin to a health inspector surprising a business with a visit, only to discover they do not have necessary permits to run the business. Most employers are understanding of your needing to schedule the exam; do not stretch it out and avoid it. It's incentive to boot you and hire someone who already has them, or has no issue promptly scheduling the exam.
Overall total: $50, and running total on top of 8 and 16 hour training: $350-$600, if you sprung for training vs taking the exam after studying on your own.

Paid training classes aren't required, but you will want to utilize them to afford you more work opportunities (and cost $60-$90. Instructors for any training seminar usually have their own businesses, and will offer individuals who paid for the training gig work), as they're ran by people who had access to the exams you must take and pass at Metrotech Center. There are study pamphlets in the building that you cannot take out of the building; you can also review the pamphlet as a PDF at home beforehand, but can't bring them into the building, as FDNY considers it a form of cheating, for some reason. There are a lot of specificities and approximate numbers wedged into the exams; a lot of the questions seem trick question-y in nature, and will very likely be the make or break for you passing (which is ~74% correct), and being able to obtain these certificates. Most companies are willing to pay for your training and/or exam fees if you prove you're going to work for them longer than a week (bad work ethic, unreliable schedule: they're firing you, and you'll pay yourself).

You can also obtain a Basic Life Support certificate that is American Heart Association approved (you must specifically search 'AHA BLS,' as there are companies who provide BLS training without AHA's seal of approval, rendering the cost useless, and rendering your ability to gain employment null, as most hospitals consider 'AHA' the gold standard for training and will not hire you if you used a different organization), which costs ~$60 to $100, depending on which company you decide to go with (online vs in person training factors into cost as well). This certificate provides you with the ability to apply for hospital security jobs, as any and all jobs (cafeteria workers, janitors, all the way up to the actual doctors at a hospital—hospitals require you have AED and CPR knowledge (automated external defibrillators to shock someone's heart and manual, hand-pumping someone's chest to restart a heartbeat, respectively). I will anecdotally say I never even managed to get an interview for any hospital jobs as a guard. I got one interview offer to be a cafeteria worker for overnight shifts in very high up and far away from me Queens (I'm in Bed Stuy; over an hour by bus, train, or bike), and declined.

💬💬💬💬💬 Anecdotal advice:
- If you can hold out for better paying jobs, do. There are businesses that will hire anything with a pulse (Allied Universal, specifically); most jobs on their website are minimum wage, with very part time hours. They require applicants to submit video responses. You may be able to bypass those by attending in person group interview events, which are usually posted to Craigslist. Businesses that pay well are usually FiDi hubs, high end banks, art institutions, and theaters (along Broadway, not like AMC). The work in artistic and theatrical spaces is extremely touch and go and part time, and scheduling is tied to however busy the theater can make itself (are shows there booked back to back all year long, space rented out nearly every day, or does the events page of its website only show that there are a total of 3 standup comedians doing 2 days worth of shows for the entire month? That question determines whether you are 'steadily' employed, or utilizing the theater as supplemental income, because you cannot live off the wages provided by a less busy theater).

- It's a boy's club. If you are not a straight, cisgender man, you will hear them talk about all the awful shit they usually talk about. Sexist remarks, homophobic remarks, transphobic remarks, remarks about people with disabilities, remarks about homeless people, remarks about people's religiosity (apparel or accessories, facial features, etc). Any 'dark' joke that can be made, will be made. You cannot drain the swamp. The only thing reporting your coworkers does is put a target on your back for being trigger happy when it comes to causing team wide disharmony. If you know for certain that other employees are willing to report someone alongside you, to create several instances of reporting and documented digressions, proceed with caution (i.e., several reports of someone sexually harassing several coworkers = legitimate, unfortunately, 1 person = we'll wait to see how this unfolds, or if this becomes a problem again in the future). Reporting alone very rarely works in your favor. I was fired from an extremely progressive art museum because I caused 'team disharmony' after other employees openly mocked visibly gay and trans patrons, and hit on women who bought passes to view exhibits for the day they deemed attractive, and brought it to managers' attention. If you can find that magic job where you are not in the company of 15 to 50 other guards, congrats: you've obtained what most entry level guards can't. I desperately wish to work away from other people spewing this hateful rhetoric, but do not have other certifications, and haven't 'made' myself a stronger applicant because of this. I've never received interview offers for jobs where I can work alone, regardless of the shift (daytime, graveyard, etc).

- You can find word of mouth gigs pretty much anywhere. Every guard knows another guard that runs their own business and needs 20 people to cover posts for 1 day at a music festival, or concert, one day for a running marathon, parade, private art gala, etc. Most of these people also hold and spew discriminatory opinions, so do not attempt to be chummy with them unless you hold those views, too. You also run the risk of unreliable payment. I've worked for a few random guys who own their own security companies: most people assume they'll receive cash or check in hand once the event concludes, but some business owners mention they need 1 to 2 weeks before they send the payments through Venmo, Zelle or PayPal. Most sent me late payments, or tried to shortchange me. Confronting them about it led to threats of violence. I'm a 5'3, visibly queer, easygoing person. I did not intimidate these 6 feet tall, 350 pound men into anything, so it wasn't '2 tough guys butting heads.' It was someone asking for the payment they were owed, and then sending reminder texts, and then receiving threats to stop incessantly texting about payments owed. For these types of gigs, most business owners will not allow you breaks, and the days can last as long as 20-24 hours. It is obviously illegal, but not enforced by NY Department of Labor at all, even if you report it. Unfortunately you won't know if it's a good or bad gig or business owner until it's too late. These types of people keep your number and will mass text ~1-200 people once or twice a week, or every weekend; whoever confirms first will be hired for the event. Good if you need funds in a (delayed) pinch, and would rather do this than do something like dog walking or Instacart.

- It seems obvious to most, but still bears emphasis: standing on your feet for several hours a day, every day, is tiring. No, you're not walking several miles worth of a department store doing retail, no, you're not exhausted by the labor of a warehouse job (I've done both), but depending on the conditions, it'll still tire you. Concrete or linoleum or wood flooring is hard on the joints, exposure to outdoor elements will affect your immune system (rain, snow, smog, mosquitos), having to treat patrons with respect while they talk to and at you like you're worth less than minimum wage will irritate you, lack of breaks to sit and eat—it'll start to affect you. Just be mindful. If the job you land isn't right for you, like you only discovered after being hired that they're stationing you in a concrete parking garage instead of booth with a seat to allow cars in and out, and your body hurts—apply elsewhere.

hey, anyone own both chuffed and bonts and have a preference? I just wanna roll on smooth concrete, but do eventually want to learn to roll in bowls or on ramps and grind. chuffed only has one model for complete pairs (with wheels on), and I’d probably opt for bontparkstar’s for a similar amount of ankle stability.

currently rolling on used sure grips and know I’ll want to change them out since they’re a little worse for wear.

Hey everyone, figure title is pretty straightforward, but am wondering if others have experienced this.

I'm 34, and have had keratosis pillaris since teenage years. I haven't really done much for it. Occasionally tried dry brushing, or a mix of Eucerin Urea and The Ordinary acid, not much success though.

I'm trying First Aid Beauty's KP bump eraser and I have no idea if it's stimulating the buildup that traps the hairs, or what, but a day or two after using it my arms break out in unpoppable acne. They can still be picked (yes, I know skin picking is a whole other beast and also not encouraged for those with KP), but since acne never used to be a problem along my arms, I'm pretty sure it's this product. I don't think the ingredients are causing comedones, as it's clear there's still hair in these newly surfacing, quasi pimples, and they were there before, anyway, because of the trapped follicles—just much less pronounced.

Also wondering if people stuck with it, or if they moved on to try something else after results like this.

Hey everyone, title.

I noticed most threads discussing the bike mention the very delicate coating. Anyone just opt into removing it entirely? I know you're not supposed to leave the stripped frame unprotected, so a new coating prevents rusting, but still, interested in hearing if people went for it and added a clear coat afterwards.

Hello,

Asked in r/AskNYC but no bites yet.
I'm looking for a business that would be willing to let someone pay for wall space to host a short term art exhibit. Like, ~2-3 weeks, maybe a month at most. I tried reaching out to Recess because they used to host more experimental exhibits, but have currently shifted more towards collective care and justice oriented showings (not a bad thing!) so they passed on my project.

Someone mentioned ChaShaMa in an old AskNYC thread, which is most likely what I'll try to do or apply for, but I originally reached out to Recess because they support and highlight BIPOC community, and a lot of people who use the space for events or have had their art shown there are also queer. I like the idea of a smaller scale, 'for us' showing because I'd like the anecdotal work I'm making as a black trans and queer person to be seen by other community members, though obviously I hope anyone and everyone that sees it would like engaging with it (positively, negatively, however they come to view it is fine). Also, I don't consider myself an artist with a capital A; I'm not sure why, but I like the idea of showing in Brooklyn over making a big show out of ~art, in the city.~

The work is also a little less 'showy,' compared against other exhibits. I've got ~60 pages of very low-profile, kind of '90s internet' art (not overexaggerated 'blingee'-fied paraphernelia, just like white and black text that's been formatted a certain way, with rich text effects) to be placed together on a wall and bound as a DIY zine/booklet for people to take home free of charge, if they wish to, and ~50 pages of text I want to print on a continuous roll (think photo shoot backdrop paper, lining paper house painters use to line the floor; paper starting on wall and rolling on the floor through the room it's in, or hanging from top left to bottom right of a wall, swooping like the deck of cards after you win a game of solitaire on an old Windows computer).

Additionally, if there's something akin to a biennial with less prestige attached to it, like, 'here's 10 artists we wanted to show all at once, just because and none of them charge $10,000 per piece, also just because', I don't mind sharing space with others in any given room, at all.

I'm mostly just wondering where to look and how to be taken seriously as someone who doesn't have Serious Art portfolios or relevance attached to their name and project idea, vs immediately passed on.

^(Mini edit: Brooklyn Art Cave seems okay, though I noticed a handful of typos and AI art for menus and subsections on their site. So, likely looking for other spots before reaching out to them.)

Hello,

I'm looking for a business that would be willing to let someone pay for wall space to host a short term art exhibit. Like, ~2-3 weeks, maybe a month at most. I tried reaching out to Recess because they used to host more experimental exhibits, but have currently shifted more towards collective care and justice oriented showings (not a bad thing!) so they passed on my project.

I checked this subreddit for other gallery questions, and someone mentioned ChaShaMa, which is most likely what I'll try to do or apply for, but I originally reached out to Recess because they support and highlight BIPOC community, and a lot of people who use the space for events or have had their art shown there are also queer. I like the idea of a smaller scale, 'for us' showing because I'd like the anecdotal work I'm making as a black trans and queer person to be seen by other community members, though obviously I hope anyone and everyone that sees it would like engaging with it (positively, negatively, however they come to view it is fine). Also, I don't consider myself an artist with a capital A; I'm not sure why, but I like the idea of showing in Brooklyn over making a big show out of ~art, in the city.~

The work is also a little less 'showy,' compared against other exhibits. I've got ~60 pages of very low-profile, kind of '90s internet' art (not overexaggerated 'blingee'-fied paraphernelia, just like white and black text that's been formatted a certain way, with rich text formatting effects) to be placed together on a wall and bound as a DIY zine/booklet for people to take home free of charge, if they wish to, and ~50 pages of text I want to print on a continuous roll (think photo shoot backdrop paper, lining paper house painters use to line the floor; paper starting on wall and rolling on the floor through the room it's in, or hanging from top left to bottom right of a wall, swooping like the deck of cards after you win a game of solitaire on an old Windows computer).

Additionally, if there's something akin to a biennial with less prestige attached to it, like, 'here's 10 artists we wanted to show all at once, just because and none of them charge $10,000 per piece, also just because', I don't mind sharing space with others in any given room, at all.

I'm mostly just wondering where to look and how to be taken seriously as someone who doesn't have Serious Art portfolios or relevance attached to their name and project idea, vs immediately passed on.

^(Mini edit: Brooklyn Art Cave seems okay, though I noticed a handful of typos and AI art for menus and subsections on their site. So, likely looking for other spots before reaching out to them.)

Turned 34 today. Decided to just lounge at home instead of go to school, but have a chunk of free time before I'm doing something in the evening. About me: black, trans, queer. You: are also over the age of 30. If so, Would anyone like to:

- sit in the grass or on a bench at HVK (or another nice park)
- ride bikes or walk around together
- body double and work on projects together/share art
- get lunch together

Edit with update below dashes, at bottom of post:

Second time going in the span of several months, second time I got mean-mugged while just entering, ordering, and trying to keep a low profile. I asked others if they'd experienced any odd treatment there before, or if I just got unlucky. Weird enough that I just want to give the heads up to others though.

I went into the shop today to work on assignments with a classmate for an hour or two, planning to grab drinks and pastries since I’m aware most shops have an every hour or 90 minutes must be paid for kind of ‘vibe.’ I ordered a drink, saw one lone table available, and pulled up a chair so that when my classmate arrived, she could sit with me. I caught the barista on shift staring at me like I was doing something wrong, so when I walked back up to get the ordered drink I asked, ‘is that table not supposed to be used?”

They explained that a few feet away from the table, a bench with a few people seated were hosting a meetup, and late stragglers who didn’t fit on the bench would be using the table I tried to set up. They said to ask that group if it was alright to use, or if it needed to stay vacant. So, I headed over, asked, and got confirmation that they needed the space. I put the stool back, and waited for a table closer to the entrance to open up.

When someone finally left the shop, and their table became available, I noticed wet patches from where they’d spilled. I headed over to a station with lids and straws, assuming napkins would be there. When I didn’t immediately see them, I headed back to the barista and asked if I could grab a napkin. They said, “they’re over there, in the corner.” I said, “thanks, I didn’t see them.”

As I walked towards the top up station again, I overheard another worker say, “kind of racist that they can’t see black,” with them, the barista who handed my drink off, and a friend of theirs on a bar stool all laughing at me.

When I looped back towards the table to clean it up, I stopped by them again to say, “I’m also black, I just need a new pair of glasses.” Also, dim ambiance lighting. Instead of an apology for trash talking me within earshot, or even acknowledging that it’s dark enough that black dining-ware in a dark room isn’t easily locatable, all three of them again just laughed in my face.

I just left my drink, and left the shop. Felt kind of humiliating, and I didn’t understand why I was being treated like that.

I ended up heading a few blocks down to high & dry: barista was kind, other guests were kind and let my classmate and I pet their dog, and I wasn't looked at like I asked to break a $100 bill into pennies for daring to order a drink while the barista was talking with friends.

I am queer and trans, and my only guess is the workers assumed I was a cis man who could have been gearing up to say or do something ignorant. Just weird and humiliating to get talked down to after specifically choosing this shop to show support, assuming I would be able to share space with people in the community, free from harassment or mocking.
--------------------------------------------------------
one of the owners reached out to me to explain that it's a running joke. A black employee was telling a white employee something along the lines of, 'of course most people don't see those napkins, how typical.'

The owner didn't apologize for the misunderstanding, just mentioned that it was me who took it super out of context.

it is weird to assume a customer wouldn't assume it was them being talked about after staff immediately Said A Thing that triggers or warrants a follow up response when a customer originally Said A Thing.
The owner said when I responded, the employees assumed I was joining in on their joke, prompting more 'light-hearted' laughing. I guess. I can see that it is now a Blown Out of Proportion Thing that snowballed; did not feel welcome enough in general to assume anything else could have been possible. I texted (friend of a friend of a friend kind of thing; the shop hosts events, I'm assuming this friend of a friend who offered the phone number is someone who had to coordinate with them via text at some point), and emailed, and the owner also asked how I got the number, like I set out to just poke at them until getting a response back. I mentioned I emailed and used the number a community member provided because I assumed different employees had access to different accounts, like instagram, business pages where people leave reviews, website email, etc.)

Hey everyone,

Can't remember this movie, really, just fuzzy details as relayed by a friend several years ago:

A middle aged man takes in an orphaned kid to help him with tasks, but realizes the kid is a girl once she gets her period for the first time, and he's upset about it. One of them wears an eclectic pair of eyeglasses or sunglasses, can't remember which one of them. The overall tones are more gritty and bleak than uplifting. It is like Waterworld-ish; I think kind of a flop, but not 100% certain it didn't do well during its theatrical run. More fantastical than rooted in reality. Not inspiring like Annie, either. I think the world/worldbuilding shows that people need to engage in blackmarket work to survive.

I can't stop you obviously but I'd prefer people don't waste energy and water using AI to try and figure it out. If nobody gets it I'll just live my life not being able to remember it, lol.

Hello,

Wondering if anyone knows of any shops that sell Katje’s brand gummies. Preferably in original packaging, vs places like bon bon or lil sweet treat, who purchase from abroad, drop them in mix bags for variety packs, then markup the price like crazy. I don’t mind paying more to support small shops or even ~larger shops~ dealing with import fees, but both of those shops are kind of trendy, so their prices reflect that.

Anyone wanna roller skate together now that the weather is getting better? I'm still learning (but am able to stay upright and roll without issue, just a little newborn deer wobbly on occasion. I have a helmet and pads because I'm in my early 30s and have to be worried about Brittle Bones now, and you can laugh at me if I eat it).

I mostly practice in the recess yard of the school on Hart/Pulaski (either side) and Marcus Garvey Blvd (Pulaski Playground on maps) when school is out, because they have a slick oval shaped track painted over the concrete, but I'm happy to head wherever if you're in a different area.

Also, editing to add: my username is from Adventure Time, I'm not ~a Jake~ or a guy. Can provide more info about myself in DMs!

Hi everyone,

I'm wondering how to find work where you're interacting with customers, that pays more than minimum wage. Jobs like serving, or front desk agents for hotels. I definitively know I'm being passed on because I'm a trans and queer person of color. I feel like I'm in a sort of limbo: most people read me as a short, effeminate, cisgender gay man, meaning, I 'pass' for cisgender, but I'm not really flamboyant by any means. I don't have the high energy of like, a kid in their 20s, world is their oyster, so I also don't have the lack of self awareness to power through discrimination and make things work in my favor.

Most of my work experience is public facing, but I've never been able to land restaurant work or hotel work. I've been working as a security guard for the last year and a half and I'm burnt out because the majority of the places I've worked, regardless of how 'progressive' it seems to the average person, has management and employees who are c r a z y homophobic, racist, sexist and transphobic. It's exhausting hearing people spew the most discriminatory garbage day in and day out, especially because they can't tell I'm in the group of people they're trash talking. It doesn't feel safe to be out in any capacity whatsoever. Which again, isn't a requirement for earning a wage, but I'd rather be paid well and sort of doing my own thing (ensuring customers receive excellent experiences as I book them a room or get them seated somewhere where food is offensively overpriced), than paid decently, surrounded by people I can't stand. It's wearing me down, and I don't know how to shift into different work because it also seems like hiring managers hold similar views, and want workers who are conventional, but know better than to voice them aloud.

I know there are a lot of gay/queer bars in the city and in Brooklyn. I don't have any bar-tending experience, but would obviously be willing to go through training (I know it used to be on the job, but without it, there are now classes to prove competency), so don't want to suffer through striking out by stumbling into lgbt friendly establishments saying, nope, no applicable experience whatsoever, give me a shot anyway?

Hey everyone,

Thinking of picking up Muji open legged boxers and long boxer briefs, but haven’t seen very many opinions on them. Was wondering if people could speak to how long they last, if they ride up on the legs, or if they cause overheating. I used to buy 2xist dream fabric boxers but the quality got worse and worse and then they went out of business anyway. My backups are Gap breathe boxer briefs but I notice I sweat in these a lot compared to the old 2xist pairs. I might try C-in2 since the founder used to be a part of 2xist, but have held off also because most of the cuts are high up on the thighs/not a fan of the color or waistband logo color combos.

Appreciate any insight offered.