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Another easy topic, to help bond members, what do you do (or did) for a living?

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Posted 6/2/2013 6:39 AM (GMT -8)
snow - I remember Henniker quite well. we use to live in Wolfeboro, on the lake, it was like living in a dream town, believe that is where Romney has his summer place, still known as "the oldest summer resort in America". Use to do a lot of computer business in Manchester back in the mid 80s, seems so long ago.

jerry - chemical engineer - that's heavy stuff there, I have a niece in florida with that degree, she's a little brainiac

golf - sounds like you would be busy around the clock with that job

david
Posted 6/2/2013 6:59 AM (GMT -8)
David, I may have mentioned I taught college once or twice.  It's been almost 10 years so if I make all kinds of errors in my writing, I may use that as an excuse.  For me, nothing has been more rewarding than teaching my Grandchildren!  By the time they were one, I already had them familiar with the computer.  The oldest knew how to start the computer and put his games on at 18 months!  He's very talented in this area today!  Our emoticons have not been working today - at least for me.
Posted 6/2/2013 7:13 AM (GMT -8)
LOL David ! Not a dream job at all. I didnt plan on staying there that long but money was good and time just flew by. It was like an old shoe and change get's harder as we get older. It's very physical and the hours stink. Last few years became more of a "seasonal" job with on and off work. I have had both my hips replaced partly because of it. There are 7 of us that are still standing after all these years. LOL !
Posted 6/2/2013 7:38 AM (GMT -8)
Went to a Ukrainian catholic school from first to eight grade then a ukrainian prep school which was also a seminary, my parents were hoping I'd become a priest (ha) lasted one year then off to public school and dropped out at tenth grade and off to california at seventeen to experence life.

Worked as a painter at a health club then was laid off so signed up for "Job Corp" and was sent to Idaho where I received my GED and cerificate as a welder.

Moved back to Philly at 19 and was hired as a metal refinisher/polisher but no welding.Never held a welding job.

Ten years later started our own company with my brother doing on-site metal restoration and maintenace with ten union employees.
To be contiued...
Posted 6/2/2013 8:13 AM (GMT -8)
Aimzee - sure you did mention it a time or too, poor david here's has a touch of dementia sometimes, lol

don - just couldn't imagine being that long in one place. earlier in my career, it was all manufacturing facilities, and with that, comes constant lay offs, etc. Longest job I had was 7 1/2 years with the same firm.

cmetal - starting to get the 'metal' part of your name, tell me more
Posted 6/2/2013 9:08 AM (GMT -8)
David, next time you are in an elevator staring at the door to open to your floor, look to see if the doors are metal and if they are, they would most likely be brass either polished or brushed or they might be brushed stainless steel or polished also called "chrome finish".
One of our services are that we come in and restore all the metal work on-site as in removing the scratches and either regraining or polishing the metal back to its original finish and usually spraying a lacquer coating.
This work is done after hours so most people don't even realize that this kind of service is done.
Are you sorry you asked?;)
Posted 6/2/2013 3:05 PM (GMT -8)
I had a very unrealistic goal of being retired by age 30!

Well, that didn't happen until age 33. :)

I retired as a VP from JPMorgan Chase in 1995. While I held company stock, my biggest investments were in real estate. I loved buying old houses and renovating them. Much of the work I did myself, to make my landlord status more profitable.

I'm still a landlord, but the absolute best investment I ever made was in 2007. That is when I invested the rest of my life with Mr. WW.

The credits greatly exceed the debits, the dividends are high, and we have a promissory note that can never be cancelled. :)
Posted 6/2/2013 4:10 PM (GMT -8)
For about 5 years I was a CFI (FAA Certified Flight Instructor) Single/Multi Engine, Instrument.....hoping to get on with the airlines or top level corporate...but too much competition from the Viet Nam War Pilots... so went into commercial finance, spent 20 years with US Bank financing corporate aircraft, trucks, printing presses.Retired due to health. Used to ride motorcycles, my last a Harley Sporter but gave up due to age related mobility and all the crazies on the road. For more than 20 years I had a variety of sailboats on the SF Bay...my last a Catalina 30. Now have an RV, and as soon as I can get free of chemo I'm going somewhere. Also a dog lover, have 3 poodles and a wonderful girlfriend of 22 years. One day we might get married. Gee 66 years of living compressed into one paragraph!!
Posted 6/2/2013 4:56 PM (GMT -8)
MsWorry - that was quite a goal, whether it be 30 or 33. I too, love fixing up historic homes, not so much to make money, but for the enjoyment of it. We, only months ago, sold our only rental property only, would never ever be a landlord again. It was nothing but one hassle after the ex, and despite checking out tenants properly, all of them did substantial damage at times. Glad it worked out for you.

ziggy - that was a wonderful mini biography from you, covered a lot of ground in those 66 years. Already missing the sailboat I sold recently, but for me, there won't be another.

david
Posted 6/2/2013 6:07 PM (GMT -8)
Nice thread.David. Tons of diversity here, and not a controversy in sight. Ahhhh.

Let's see. I started helping my brother with a thrifty nickel newspaper delivery at 10, switched to a Ben Franklin five and dime at 13 for 90 cents an hour in 1964. Worked there until I was 15 and then moved to the theater business as an usher at the Midland Theater in K.C. Gorgeous old theater that when it was built, was a legitimate stage theater as well as movies. Even had a rising orchestra pit. Google the theater. Also it was haunted.

It was built in the early 1920's and was to be Marcus Leow's flagship west of the Mississippi. Furnishings were from the Vanderbilt mansion in N.Y. after a fire and a remodel. Have visited the theater several times over the past few years for concerts, which is their primary function now, and given tours to the family members to show them what it was like. Moody Blues concert was the best I'd seen in years.

Left there at 18 to work at a local country club taking care of the ice rink in the winter and was only one of six people in the area who knew how to run a Zamboni. Also refereed some youth hockey while there. Summer was a breeze as I worked there as the maintenace guy in charge of the air-conditioned snack bar. Piece of cake.

Began college in 1970 and started working for Safeway stores in the grocery business.
Stayed there until 1984 rising to the highest paid union employee in the store. At 15.00 dollars an hour, it was a pretty good gig with a growing family. Worked all the overtime available, as well as holidays and Sundays. I guess I won't be using that teaching degree, as at the time of my graduation, teaching jobs were scarce and forced me to look to something else as having been newly wedded. My wife taught for a few years and then retired to have babies and be a stay-at-home mom.

1984 saw me change to the mobile home industry as my father-in-law wanted me to learn the business to take over for him. Family owned 300+ space mobile home park that despite the downturn in recent years is still a money-maker as we only rent the spaces. No rentals. Have had several offers to buy us out and am considering these very carefully. After having worked for over 50 years, I think it's time to back off and go to my next job of watching the grandkids grow up, and coach a little baseball...or take a nap whenever I want.

Bob
Posted 6/2/2013 6:36 PM (GMT -8)
You could say I never left school.... Not even the school system.  My family moved to Charlotte when I was entering 4th grade.  Graduated from a CMS high school.  Earned a degree in Special Education.  Started teaching at age 21.  Taught Learning Disabled, Mentally Handicapped and Emotionally Disturbed - mostly grades 7-9 for almost 17 years.  Got my Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and became a middle school assistant principal.  After about 15 years got fed up with how NC and CMS in particular were starting to treat teachers (and administrators) and decided that while I could continue until I was 72, I was ready to retire at 51.  Besides, I was caring for my mother-in-law and my mom was starting to need more help in caring for my dad.  So I became, basically, a full time caregiver.  After my father died, my husband and brother-in-law quit their jobs to start managing the family business.  And my sister, mom and myself are the 'board of directors'.  I still care for my mom-in-law and now my mom is needling more assistance.  And hubby needed me after his surgery and I am noticing that he tires more easily.... you guys know the drill with this horrible disease.  So I 'care' for 3, now.  I also help my son and his wife (expecting their first daughter in August) and daughter and her husband and their 2 boys......

 

Posted 6/2/2013 6:51 PM (GMT -8)
thanks, ralph. yours makes for an interesting story too. its always interesting in peoples lives, when you see how one thing can lead to another, and how certain paths just come along, and you end up doing something one never expected. you have had a busy life. my first full time "real job" was at a country club, mowing greens, I was paid $1.00 per hour. Boy, it sure seemed to go further in those days. My first apartment once I got out of the service was $50.00 per month including utilities. I was getting $175 a month from the VA to go to college, and that was enough to survive on.

worried. from your description, you have more than enough on your plate, you have done well.
-------------------------------------------

What I stress to all young people, is to really go for what you want. I tell them, you don't want to end up being my age (60) and having regrets with what you did with your life. Another boss of mine told me years ago, that you can either let things happen to you, or your can make things happen for yourself.

My original goal in life, was to join the Merchant Marine, and work my way up the being a sea Captain. I applied to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy 1n 1968. All my father had to do was write a letter to our U.S.. Senator , and things would have gone forward. He would not. I had the grades. And after that, I gave up on my dream, joined the Navy (way different, and that had to do with a low lottery number), and my life began all the twists ands turns.

My point, I wished I had believed more in myself at that age. Even not being able to go to the academy, I still could have gone on to other merchant marine based colleges and made my dream come true. But I gave up on myself, felt defeated, and then settled for whatever happened next. I hope that most of you got to do what you really wanted to do. Trouble with life, you only get to go around once, and you got to make the best of it.

david
Posted 6/2/2013 9:31 PM (GMT -8)
What a fun thread! I am enjoying reading about the variety of careers.

My initial education was in accounting and business. Motherhood took front and center for a number of years.  

At 36, I got the bug to do what I had always wanted to do; I entered the world of EMS as a Paramedic doing 911 rescue and mobile intensive care.

I love the job but I have to say, the rigors of working 72-100 hours a week, especially in the Detroit area, can really bite into one's home life. Paul wasn't thrilled with me being on 24 hour shifts, nor was he happy about the areas in which the job sometimes took me. One little gun shot hit my ambulance and the man threw a fit...sheesh! Teaching was always part of my plan so I went into something a little less dangerous; I teach Paramedic and EMT as an adjunct professor. Filling young minds with knowledge is equally as rewarding and trice the pay so it wasn't a hard decision to make. In addition to the college, 30-40 times a year I do corporate training for a large company that makes hard medical equipment. It takes me all over Michigan, Ohio and northern Indiana... and just about anywhere in the U.S. they can talk me into going.

Paul served our country as an MP in the mid 70's. After he got out, he became a mechanic, a police officer and then a firefighter. Odd combination I know. Today Paul is a Captain on the fire department he's been with for 26 years. He's been a Haz Mat firefighter in the Metro Detroit area for 25 years and is EMS education coordinator for his department.

Our life is full, occasionally pretty interesting, and dinner talk can take some unusual turns.

 

Posted 6/2/2013 9:38 PM (GMT -8)
Vicki,
Next to you guys I am just an advocate in a small fish bowl. What you and Paul do is save peoples lives daily. Love ya sweetie! Paul too. Always great to hear from you...

Tony
Posted 6/3/2013 5:20 AM (GMT -8)
Swim,

You were on my short list of "I knew what you did", mostly because of the late night chats I join you and Don and others on. I have picked up some good info and tips from you over the years.

You flagged my memory in your post, I didn't include any volunteer or free work I had done. I was a volunteer fire fighter for nearly 4 years in New Hampshire, on top of working full time. I was in an Engine company. I have some amazing stories and its a miracle that I am here to tell the story. I was younger and fully healthy when I was a firefighter, but I loved 100% of my time.

The neatest story was one day I was walking my very young daughter (5) along the highway, it was spring and the Bear Camp River was almost a class 4 rapids due to the melt off of the snow. Lots of people (mostly tourists) were pulled off the road, taking pictures/films. To make a long story short, a foolish young boy (12 I think they said), got too close and fell into the river. Everyone freaked out. I got my daughter into some responsible hands, and jumped into the river. It was icy cold, but the boy had already been swept under several times. When I finally reached him, I was able to grab the collar of his coat, and needless to say, with great struggle, I got him back to shore, where it was shallow enough for others to help me pull him out of the water.

The parents grabbed their kid, and without a single word, got in their car and drove off.  I wasn't expecting anything, I would have done it for anyone, but they never even said thank you.  My wife said they were probably in shock themselves, and perhaps embarrassed by the whole situation.  So the only time I saved someone's life while a firefighter, I was off -duty.  Was I a hero - no way, just doing what I hope anyone else would do if they saw someone in trouble.  Foolish - perhaps, the frigid waters could have cost me my own life, let alone the rapids themselves.  But I was only about 35 at the time.

David

Post Edited (Purgatory) : 6/3/2013 7:25:55 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/3/2013 6:52 AM (GMT -8)
Attorney - specializing in Mutual funds and investment advisers. I mostly write,react to the never ending stream of new laws and regulations, and counsel boards. I have never been in a court room my professional career.

While I have liked my job, I has seen the stock market cycles repeat themselves enough times that its beginning to get a little repetitous for me (market up - new fangled products, investors flock in and buy high, market drops, investors loss money, new laws and regulations, ect, ect,) . i'm trying to come up with something completely different for my second career. i've given myself 3 years to do that. I think I want out at 55.
Posted 6/3/2013 7:19 AM (GMT -8)
Finally, an attorney here. Had thought there would have been more. But you never been in court? Wow, in my assistant in other people's lawsuits, I would guess I have been in court 2 dozens times in the past 5 years alone. And endless depositions that I either had to give, or be witness too. I love corporate and contract law, if I could go back in time...

david
Posted 6/3/2013 7:38 AM (GMT -8)
In fact, most attorneys do not spend any time in court. Whether they are securities attorneys like myself, real estate attorneys or, corporate law attorneys....... litigators are indeed a a 'special" breed !!!!!!. They like the procedure and showmanship of the court. Once they are done with a case, its over, and they move onto the next client/thing

Myself, I like to negotiate deals, help our regulators make law, help clients react to law and love the one on one relationships I have developed with longstanding clients.
Posted 6/3/2013 7:40 AM (GMT -8)
I'm an architect, and construction project manager. My mom and her mother told me from the time I can remember that I was going to be an architect. I loved to draw and design things as a kid, and they planted the seed in my mind I suppose. Studied at Auburn University in Alabama. I have done quite a lot of free-lance work during my career, but mostly have worked at a couple of Air Force installations, at Arnold AFB, in Tennessee, and now I'm here at Youngstown ARS, in Ohio.
Posted 6/3/2013 10:31 AM (GMT -8)
accountant with my own small practice.
Posted 6/3/2013 11:20 AM (GMT -8)
Retired U.S. Navy Chief Warrant Officer (Intelligence) after 28 years.  Currently work as Investigator for Honolulu Police Commission.

Posted 6/3/2013 11:41 AM (GMT -8)
Subic! Long time no see, my friend. Never did know what you did, other than being a fellow squid.

stw - good another accounting guy, glad to see that

wally - architect. believe you are the only one so far, a great field for sure
Posted 6/3/2013 12:20 PM (GMT -8)
I work as a University reader/professor in Law.

I got my first Law degree from Liverpool University, got a Master's in International Business Law from Manchester and then a PhD in Corporate Fraud from Cambridge.

I've spent my time working between investment banking either in compliance or legal or at various universities when I've got tired of City life.

I have a Porsche 356 speedster that I try and bring back to life (renovate) every summer but for the last couple of years I've done nothing with it.

Paul
Posted 6/3/2013 5:25 PM (GMT -8)
Paul, glad to meet you. That is quite the career there. I never had a 356, but did have a nice 914-6 for a few years. Made me nervous owning it, never knew when something expensive was going to break next, so I finally sold it and got all my money out of it. It sure ran like a go-kart on rails, and with the real Porsche motor, it hauled for sure.

david
Posted 6/4/2013 2:30 AM (GMT -8)
David I think your next OT thread should be about what cars we drive/have driven!

One of the things I always used to like about the Netherlands was that the Dutch traffic police used to patrol in Porsches (at first in 356B ) see:
janwib.blogspot.nl/2013/04/50-jaar-autosnelwegpolitie.html

(If you're lucky, then the www may transalte the Dutch text for you!)

The tables have now turned: the Police sent me an alert last night to be on the look out for a white 4-door Porsche Panamera that had been used in a robbery near my house. (I expect it was already 100 miles away by then!)

Alf
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