It came from out of the blue and happened quickly. A week before Christmas, I got a message through LinkedIn from someone I worked with at ADT (he was let go about a year before me). He told me that his supervisor asked him if he knew any software testers for a new opportunity at the company. He gave them my name and contact information. The next day, I got a call from the company's recruiter to set an appointment for a screening interview. It was scheduled for the next day. On the screening interview call, the recruiter told me that the hiring manager already wanted to interview me, but we still needed to go through the screening interview, which went well. The next day, which was Friday, I got a call from the recruiter to set an appointment to interview with the hiring manager and a few others. That interview was scheduled for Monday. The interview went well. On Tuesday, I received a call from the recruiter with a verbal offer, during which she said that the written offer was forthcoming, but that I probably would not receive it until Monday because of the Christmas holidays. I gave a verbal acceptance contingent on the written offer. To my surprise, on Wednesday, Christmas Eve, I received the written offer, which I immediately accepted. It's with a federal government contractor, so I had to go through an extensive background check. I was told the background check would take 4-6 weeks, so I expected a start date no earlier than the middle of February. Once I filled out the forms, made some corrections, and got fingerprinted by the DHS, I sailed through the background check in a week! I start the job on Monday, 02 February 2026. My work desk is ready, just waiting on the laptop(s) and overcoming my lack of motivation to put up some curtains in my office to keep the sun from peeking through the narrow openings in the blinds. What a relief! More than 150 resumes/applications submitted in over nine months resulted in one screening interview. Then in the span of a week from a recommendation by a colleague, I have a new job. Crazy!

What do you all think of the new Ed Sheeran SE PRS cosmic slash model for 2026. The looks kinda grew in me. It’s a 27.7 Baritone!!! Also does anyone own a PRS hollow body? How do you like it?

all these guitars cost the same. Which would you choose and why? Having a hard time making up my mind - Epiphone Les Paul Traditional Pro - Vinatge V-52 - Schecter PT Standard

What’s one piece of guitar gear you’ve bought that you immediately had to show your friends when they came over? Not the most expensive thing you own — the one that made you say: “Yo, check this out.” Could be: - A pedal - A weird little gadget - A mod - A piece of décor - Something small but just cool Please be specific, and feel free to post a picture of it so we can all see it. I’m asking because I want this community to help shape the kind of gear we bring into Omni Guitars. Stuff that makes people curious, sparks conversations, and actually gets used. Drop one item (or a few if you can’t choose 😄) and tell me why you love it. Let’s build this together 🤘

I’ve tried to learn finger picking for several years. As long as I’m not really thinking about my fingers and trying to stay in rhythm/time, I can do ok. But the second I lapse and focus my thoughts on my fingers, it all goes south. Usually only a minute or two. How can I keep my fingers going in rhythm for an extended period of time??? I thought it would come with time and practice, but I’m not so sure anymore.