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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 5/31/2013 9:47 AM (GMT -5)
Mel, that actually made me laugh out loud, that takes a lot to do with me. Poor horse. I hope the horse was at least at the age of consent.
Posted 5/31/2013 9:52 AM (GMT -5)
81,

I couldn't agree with you more. The smell and patina of old leather bindings, the crisp paper, the early printing, etc. (Now my wife thinks old books smell terrible, says she's allergic to them, and she reads 100% on her Kindle).

This should interest you, I had a large collection of Incunabula. Mostly book leafs, a lot of very early pieces from "Book of Hours", etc. My oldest piece was from 1150, had lots of choice pieces from the 13th century. The work and detail, the illuminations, etc, were beyond amazing. Some I gave to each of my adult children, some I sold off, and I have a few nice pieces that I would never part with. It was an expensive hobby at the time, most of them I bought at auction from German and France. I don't see how writing could be done so tiny and absolutely perfect by hand, without a flaw. A lost art.

david
Posted 5/31/2013 9:59 AM (GMT -5)
bert - finally, another draftsman from the real days of drafting. I agree with your sentiments. When I "retired" from that occupation, it still years before AutoCAD, or even before the first plotters were out.

I did electrical drafting (not that interesting to me), structural steel beams (really boring), oil field equipment (interesting), and helicopter rotor parts (very interesting).

I am sure you can appreciate my earlier remarks about how left-handed draftsment were not in demand or wanted. They didn't make Leroy inking gear for lefties, and I was always getting slammed for smeared drawings and terrible lettering (before lettering guide days). One firm, did buy me a left handed drafting machine, then were forced to hire another lefty when I left, lol.

I still have a table at home, and draw to relax sometimes. AutoCAD may be "better", but it takes away all the real artwork, and like you said, individual style of a real mechanical draftsman. I remember so many years ago, was goofing off with some other draftsmen, when my engineer came in and said "What the hell are you doing, David?" I looked at him and replied without a blink, "Waiting to get inspired."

david
Posted 5/31/2013 10:18 AM (GMT -5)
David -

You had some incunabula, some Books of Hours fragments??!! Oh, how wonderful!!!

Some of my fondest memories of working in my university library were cataloging and processing fragments from, and occasionally complete editions of, Books of Hours, Catechisms, and other church documents from the pre-Gutenberg era! Mostly from France (Parisian imprints), some from Germany. Such a joy!

I heartily recommend that you all google "Books of Hours, facsimiles" to get an idea of the amazing, incredible beauty and craftsmanship of these works. These were vellum texts often inlaid with ornamentation in gold and sometimes with jewels, to be used by European royalty, nobility, and high church officials in their personal religious devotions. Perfect examples of where books and extremely fine art merge.

I can easily understand why you just had to keep some of these, David!
Posted 5/31/2013 10:29 AM (GMT -5)
David (SC)--What a terrific idea to start this thread.  I really enjoyed reading through it this morning.  This, along with the hobbies thread, is one of the best message threads ever on this forum!  Thanks for thinking of this.....Tim

@Alf--Did you ever read 'Railway Man' by Eric Lomax?  He died recently at age 94, and the book is in production as a movie.  An amazing story about a railroad buff who ended up a POW in WWII and worked on the Japanese Burma railroad. 

@81gy Ever read any of the Dorothy Sayers' Peter Wimsey mysteries?  Wimsey was a collecor of incunabula.

@PDL As a pharmacy professor, are you involved in any of the new studies of genetics testing to tailor drugs to individuals?  I'm a member of '23andme' genetics databank and they have some genetic information about individual response to warfarin and a couple of other drugs.

 

Post Edited (Tim G) : 5/31/2013 9:47:22 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 5/31/2013 10:34 AM (GMT -5)
81, most of my pieces were from various Book of Hours. If I won the powerball, I would love to buy one, 100% intact with all the pages. All of mine were on vellum, and the illuminations and colouring were still dazzling centuries later. I actually preferred the Parisian imprints over the German, but generally the German pieces were more affordable. The prized piece, was the one from c1150, I bought it a bargain price of 700 USD at the time, and then 10 years later, sold it for 7500 USD to a collector on e-bay. Money was great, and was needed at the time, but wished I had held onto it. Well, live and learn.

david
Posted 5/31/2013 10:37 AM (GMT -5)
Purg, you are lucky.. I would have never hired you. But due to discrimination laws, it wouldn't be for being a lefty, if you know what it mean.
I also did Leroy with ink in my earlier days. Seems all draftsman started with that. Very frustrating to come to the end of document that took hours, then notice a misspelled word. Glad those days are over.
I can also appreciate your “waiting to be inspired” remark. When I was caught day dreaming my comment was always “leave me alone, I’m doing heavy design now”.
Posted 5/31/2013 10:42 AM (GMT -5)
Excellent thread, David!

Mel
Posted 5/31/2013 11:11 AM (GMT -5)
Tim G -

"Ever read any of the Dorothy Sayers' Peter Wimsey mysteries?"

Indeed I have, among my favorites!
Posted 5/31/2013 11:19 AM (GMT -5)
Are you dudes ready for this? I am a software engineer specializing in release engineering. My area of specificity is SCM (software configuration management) and SCM (source control management). Currently I am a lead for a team managing the SCM infrastructure for a large company (my NDA prevents me from saying who on a social media or other internet forum).

I started out as an electronic technician after getting a AA in electronics, taught in a tech school for awhile and then switched to the dark side of computers doing software. My job is supportive role - I keep the tools running, evaluate new tools, increase system capacity and troubleshoot problems. and to tell the younger engineers, "break my server again and I'll break you."

What I do does affect your life in this way: Ever had your computer, tablet device or smart phone popup with a "Software update" message?

Think of me - my team and the engineers I support created that update and through the magic of modern networking can bug you for weeks to install it.

and I also hold a BA in English with a concentration in literary criticism (I specialize in intertextual and reader response theories but will deconstruct on request or after drinking a lot of beer). It's been very helpful to my software career.

All the best,
Andrew
Posted 5/31/2013 11:21 AM (GMT -5)
I am a mechanic and have been involved in motorsports most of my adult life as a driver and crew member. Spent most of my early career road racing sports cars for a gentleman whos father invented the first submersible oilwell pump and he never had to work a day in his life lol. After that i got involved in dirt sprintcar racing and thats what i am doing today. I run my own operation and have pretty much gotten out of the drivers seat and have a hired gun in the car now. I am also involved in the oil industry on well sites doing spill containment.
Posted 5/31/2013 11:38 AM (GMT -5)
David, yes, up to 3 yrs maternity leave, 1st yr 67% salary paid, afterwords nothing, but they keep your job (may not be exactly the same one, but somewhere in the company). It was a perfect solution for me. Will be the right time to return to work, and my kid will be old enough to run around and be sociable with other 3-yr-olds. I have no idea how US moms leave their babies at 12-wks old, but I suppose if everyone else is doing it, and there are daycares for 12-wk-olds, you just make it work.
Posted 5/31/2013 11:39 AM (GMT -5)
David (Purg) - You and I are in the same field (fiction writing) -- I'm supposed to be re-writing my last novel (science/medical thriller) per my agent's instructions, but I'd rather work on my current one -- a sexy murder mystery. The people in here are way too interesting and engaging, as I seem to be looking for any excuse to avoid my writing.

I've had several careers - chemist, medical researcher, business (most of my work-- started in market research, ended as General Manager). I've also tutored high school students in a variety of AP subjects and for their SATs. I donate time to tutor homeless kids, work with the elderly, and with my PC support group.
Posted 5/31/2013 11:42 AM (GMT -5)
Worked mostly in operations management in companies like Mattel and Max Factor after I got out of grad school after the Army. Was VP operations for a major hair care products company, and after it was sold got involved in a computer products distribution start up that became the largest software and hardware distributor in the world. I ran worldwide operations and retired in 1998. Fished for a year before I got bored and took a job running a group of electronics companies before I sold it a year later. I was also on the board of the USC business school and a founding board member of their program in logistics. I also taught MBA classes in operations management.
13 years ago I started a consulting company in operations and logistics; we did a lot of work with internet startups and worked for most of the major foot ware companies like Nike, Converse, Sketchers, Reebok, Vans, designing DCs and operational systems. I gave the company to my partner when I got PC in 2009. Now I only work for some of my old clients if they need something that that they can't get elsewhere. Right now I'm working with an old client from the Northface who just bought Cole Hann helping to set up their distribution operations.
JohnT
Posted 5/31/2013 12:27 PM (GMT -5)
Walter Mitty--I'll admit to it! Graduated from Loyola (Chicago) in 1964 (pre- law) with ROTC commitment.
Tours of duty in Korea, Ismir Turkey, Vietnam, and Germany with temporary duty in Greece and the UK. Stateside duty stations included PA, Virginia, and Arizona.
Company Commander/Convoy Commander in Vietnam (1968). A "wild ride".
Security Manager--Germany. Detected and participated in counter-intelligence operation.
US perpetrators recieved 10-years in Levenworth prison.
1975--RIF--I was not RA. Exploration drilling supervisor (manager) for Mobil Exploration..
1983--A mini BP disaster--skin grafts and pneumonia..It gets "fuzzy" from here. Continuous flashbacks for years.
Top "new chevy salesman" for years in Wisconsin--won trips to Las Vegas (Bellagio) and Mn
Izattys) and Wi (Green Lake)..GM pulled the plug on my dealership and then this "crap" happened..Oh well! Without the support of my high school sweethart--married 47 years--I wouldn't have made it this far!!
Bill
Posted 5/31/2013 12:53 PM (GMT -5)
bert - you and I understand each other quite well. I wouldn't have hired me either back then, and in those days, no hiring person was worried about me suing them for discrimination. It was tough ****, we don't hire left-handers. Too bad. Just as well it happened, because it forced me to go into the accounting/finance side of my education, and it paid off much better in the end.

Andrew - thanks, I really didn't know what you were up to

tall allen - we should compare writing notes/projects sometime, feel free to e-mail anytime

johnt - you have had an intense work life for sure, lots of major companies

spec lady - I am glad you have that. The FLMA (family leave medical act) is better than nothing, but not long enough for many new moms. my physical therapist is having that problem, she doesn't want to lose her job, but she is having some issues with her new baby and running out of time

tdog - there was a time in my youth that I wanted to be a mechanic. I can do basic easy stuff, but don't have the right kind of patience to do the complex stuff. the older I get, the more I farm out the work. here in Greenville, SC, we have a half mile track, Greenville-Pickens Speedway, was told it was a former NASCAR track, I go sometimes for fun. Also several dirt tracks, but that crowd is a bit too much for me, always police breaking up fights - in the grandstands, lol.
Posted 5/31/2013 12:56 PM (GMT -5)
David - this year was the 150th anniversary of the London Underground (The Tube) and as part of the anniversary they ran one of the old steam engines and some carriages underground. (With an old electric engine at the other end of the train to make it easier to manouvre
The original section of line were operated by steam trains ; the smoke was terrible. They were also almost the same size an normal ralways, as they were not in deep tunnels made by boring, but made by digging a trench and putting a roof on it, though some sections were left in a open trench which did help with venilation:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5qO5b55SN4

Choo choo
Posted 5/31/2013 1:13 PM (GMT -5)
Transferred from Havana University to LSU in 1953. Graduated there in 1957 with a degree in chemistry.
Worked for Colgate-Palmolive in Cuba from 1957 to 1961
Analytical chemist; Instrumental analysis development; Detergent Plant chemist; Detergent Plant shift supervisor; Detergent Plant Manager.

Left Cuba in 1961 after the communist takeover immigrating to the USA as a political refugee.

Worked for Revlon Inc. from 1961 to 1994
Research Laboratory: Product development chemist; product development Group Leader in NYC from 1961 to 1969.

US citizen since 1971 and proud of it!

Transferred to Arizona to start a new manufacturing facility in 1969.
Bulk manufacturing manager, Director of Bulk manufacturing, Director of Filling and Assembly through 1994 when I retired early because of PCa.

Patient advocate and USTOO PCa support group facilitator. 1993 to 2012

Married to the same Lady since 1959, no children. Have cats.

RalphV
Posted 5/31/2013 1:15 PM (GMT -5)
Ralf, was hoping you would join in on this. I remember talking to you before about your time with Revlon. Hope you are doing well.

david
Posted 5/31/2013 1:28 PM (GMT -5)
For the past 14 years I have been and still am the plant manager of the world leader in portable spa manufacturing.
Posted 5/31/2013 2:49 PM (GMT -5)
howard - that is awesome, that would be a great job. Wonder if you made our spa.
Posted 5/31/2013 2:50 PM (GMT -5)

ralfinaz said...
Transferred from Havana University to LSU in 1953. Graduated there in 1957 with a degree in chemistry.
Worked for Colgate-Palmolive in Cuba from 1957 to 1961
Analytical chemist; Instrumental analysis development; Detergent Plant chemist; Detergent Plant shift supervisor; Detergent Plant Manager.

Left Cuba in 1961 after the communist takeover immigrating to the USA as a political refugee.

Worked for Revlon Inc. from 1961 to 1994
Research Laboratory: Product development chemist; product development Group Leader in NYC from 1961 to 1969.

US citizen since 1971 and proud of it!

Transferred to Arizona to start a new manufacturing facility in 1969.
Bulk manufacturing manager, Director of Bulk manufacturing, Director of Filling and Assembly through 1994 when I retired early because of PCa.

Patient advocate and USTOO PCa support group facilitator. 1993 to 2012

Married to the same Lady since 1959, no children. Have cats.

RalphV

Fascinating, Ralf.

Do you ever get the urge to go back to Cuba to visit?
Posted 5/31/2013 3:24 PM (GMT -5)
Davidg,
The country that it was is no more. The only reason I would have to go back is to pay respect to my father who died after I left. As long as the present government is there I have no reason to contribute to their economy.

RalphV
Posted 5/31/2013 3:48 PM (GMT -5)
David -

I was confused when I read this was about "bond members" - is it about members who like James Bond books and movies
- or they USA Bond buying spree to support the gov't etc ( we are in a Bond buying blitz - an annual thing - here is Canada)...
- and then the literary side kicked in ... and I read it as.. an easy topic, to help members bond [together], what do you do (or did) for a living?

please note: David takes jokes literally - I read the same way .... oh well, such is life...

What have I done for a living .. hmmmm ... I have sold furniture/men's clothing/ some tailoring ( do you dress left or right)/ accessories/ food and food products/ food demonstrations / restaurant dishwasher
/ restaurant alley co-ordinator ( like the guy who tries to trip up the contestants presentation on Master Chef TV show just before the food is sent out to the customer)
/ garden design / landscape designer / plant advisor / garden centre sales/ ebay sales
/ worked in a gay men's establishment in which one of my goals was to teach/encourage customers about safer sex and how to have fun sexually while playing safe and sane ( being honest here - sometimes you got to do what you gotta do to pay the bills - this was back in the late 1980's)
/ drug store merchandiser / drug store keyholder / drug store assistant manager
/ department store display / artist / graphic designer / book jacket designer / puppeteer
/ tv writer (published) / play writer ( unpublished)
/ dreamer / optimist / pessimist/ survivor

.... time for a nap ...ZZZzzz...

Bronson
Posted 5/31/2013 4:14 PM (GMT -5)
Started as a trading post clerk at a scout camp.

At 14 learned my first computer programming language, and the next year got a job programming what would become personal computers. There wasn't much work, so I learned to clean, repair, and reassemble typewriters and adding machines.

Went back to being a store clerk, then off to college, where I worked part time programming for IBM and some companies that are gone now. Got a degree (there were no computer science degrees back then unless you were a math freak, I'm not), then back to programming. Learned drafting and trained as a sheet-metal apprentice, since I needed that more than programming at my job.

Couple of years in public service/ part time programming, then back to the full time computer business, where I still am (can't say where at this point) 36 years, 82 countries, and a few dozen companies later. This fall I will have racked up 46 years in the computer business, and still have 5 more to go to get to Medicare.

LET ME OUT!!!

And I write books & transcribe old county records of genealogical interest.

Least pay and hardest job is keeping the peace here.

devil

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