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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 4:16 PM (GMT -5)

ralfinaz said...
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

I understand, and also understand the political history, but I find it hard to detach the horrific things some people have done in my country (Italy) with my love for the country and my feeling for it. It's a constant struggle for me. I joke with my Italian family and friends that the only problem with Italy is Italians.
Posted 5/31/2013 5:40 PM (GMT -5)
I grew up in New Jersey, and went to Grinnell College in Iowa. After graduation, I hung out in Grinnell for a few months until the money ran out. I went to work in a meat packing plant, fully intending to quit after a month, and drive back to New Jersey and get a real job. The meat packer promoted me after 2 weeks, and I have been with that company, which is now the largest meat company in the world, for 27 years. I have been the Director of Scheduling since 1994. We just installed a new software program, which is definitely not GFMPH as we work out the bugs.

Great thread,
Paul
Posted 5/31/2013 7:51 PM (GMT -5)
Bronson - had it not been my own thread, I may have thought the same thing about "bond", hope I am not rubbing off on you, lol. Yes, a positive thread to help bond all of us members together. We have a big mix these days of both new member and long time vets to HW. From knowing you a good while, you were one on my list that I pretty well knew what you did.

142 - that's a lot of computer experience. My original start was using Assembly on the old IBM main frames. When we moved to the Mini's, i.e. IBM 34 & 36, and using RPG II, we thought we were cutting edge.

paul - thanks. never knew anyone in the meat packing industry. when I was in the FFA in high school, one of my projects was learning to judge beef, and we had to go to this huge packing plant in Lakeland, FL. My, it was kept so cold

david
Posted 5/31/2013 8:14 PM (GMT -5)
Celebrating (?) 40 years in I.T. work, programmer/analyst, all for large orgs -- oil, telcos, consulting, utilities, health insurance, rental cars. Wrapping up now at U.S.A.F. (civilian). "Fly, fight and win!".

Guess I will ride out the DoD furloughs, and if I get riffed, hope to at least land in another federal agency perhaps. My benefits, savings plan, pension, etc. would transfer right over. Just need a few more years. Hope'n and pray'n -- two skills I honed from having PCa and visiting this board.

Still like my I.T. work (most days).

"Like your job, love your wife" (John Candy, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles")

Robert
Posted 5/31/2013 9:53 PM (GMT -5)
Robert, I see you are 63, how many more years do you need to work? That's a lot of serious IT time there. Good luck.

david
Posted 5/31/2013 10:41 PM (GMT -5)
Purg- These topics really have been fun, so thank you! Good release for the weekend.

Started college at the University of Illinois in engineering in 1986. Discovered an on campus radio station after year 1 of school and ended up being a DJ there. Was far more fun than being in a lab at night studying physics. I was really into music, and followed several bands locally and nationally at the time, so a natural fit. Ended up doing an internship at a small radio station in Butte, MT and ended up staying for an extra year or so, as I loved the radio business. I was a young Dead Head living in Butte, Mt. doing country/news/talk radio at the ripe age of 21-22. After finding out how hard it was to make a living in the radio biz, went back to finish my degree in Communications, at U of I.

Ended up going into the Corporate world for a very LARGE telecommunications company and took a buy out when they split into several companies. Started playing golf and hanging out at local coffee houses in Portland, OR where I was living at the time. Ended up needing $$$ and getting bored of playing golf 7 days a week and drinking coffee and micro brews every day. Went to work for a coffee roaster in Portland, OR and started in sales in service for all states of the West Coast. Traveled 44 states for 3+ years selling coffee and teaching others how to make it in the coffee business.

Burned out of selling/traveling after 3 years and moved to Denver to work for a start up in 1999. Company was founded in 1994 with a 6' coffee cart in Snowmass Village. Now have 8 retail locations with 3 more coming during 2013-early 2014, a coffee roasting facility in Basalt, CO, and a heck of a lot of fun building a small local, thriving company in the coffee biz. Amazing that a hobby or interest could become the start of a satisfying career, not just for myself, but 70+ other people.
Posted 5/31/2013 11:36 PM (GMT -5)
Colorado - that was one of the most interesting chain of events working that I have read here. Interesting how one thing led to another, but sounds like you were sharp and knew when to take advantage of these opportunities at the right time and place. You have done well for yourself. You almost make me wish I drank coffee, haven't had a cup since 1990, when I gave up caffeine, however my wife is a big coffee drinker, I prep her coffee maker for her every night, so its ready for her in the morning. I know what side my bread is buttered on, lol.

david
Posted 6/1/2013 3:04 AM (GMT -5)

davidg said...

ralfinaz said...
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

I understand, and also understand the political history, but I find it hard to detach the horrific things some people have done in my country (Italy) with my love for the country and my feeling for it. It's a constant struggle for me. I joke with my Italian family and friends that the only problem with Italy is Italians.

Let´s just say, I have similar feelings about my people in the Balkans, but have in the meantime learned you cannot reject who you are, but also no need for it: every nation has lots to be proud of and ashamed of, just be a part of something good, the light side of the force. :)
David, will never forget my mother as we flew into Rome for the first time, and the taxi drivers surrounded us offering a ride to the center for about a triple price than normal, she exclaimed "They are just like us, they are just like us!", needless to say, they soon realized who they were dealing with and quickly dropped the price.
Posted 6/1/2013 8:11 AM (GMT -5)

compiler said...
Caspar:

You said:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I started out grooming race horses when I was 12....working during the summers under the table

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well, that explains all your back problems. You don't need to do any more tests/scans. Also, wasn't the horse also uncomfortable?

<G>

Mel

LOL...OK Mel...you got me.  yeah it was a tight squeeze under that table with 3 horses!

Posted 6/1/2013 8:22 AM (GMT -5)
With my mother, sister, and older brother being British, and having lived in London until I was 6, I feel to this day, a strong attachment to the UK. I have dual citizenship, so I feel somewhat connected.

david insc
Posted 6/1/2013 8:35 AM (GMT -5)
I'm an independent professional videographer/video editor in New Olreans. After working for 15 years at 2 TV stations in Louisiana as a news shooter, I struck out on my own in 2001. Some of my past clients include Fox News Channel, CBS News, ABC News, CNN, Bloomberg TV, Entertainment Tonight, Inside Edition and corporate clients such as Anheuser Busch and Harrah's Casinos.
Posted 6/1/2013 9:07 AM (GMT -5)
Nola,

Would love to talk to you sometime, as I dabble at the amateur level with HD Documentary type film clips, there is much I would love to learn. If you go out on You-Tube, and search under "Purgatory Arts" you can see some of my early attempts.

At one time, all 3 of my kids lived in NO, made us nervous as parents, with us living up here in SC. The two younger ones moved back forth, and my oldest with our grandchildren moved back here after Katrina.

david in sc
Posted 6/1/2013 9:41 AM (GMT -5)
Nice thread - great to see everyone participating!

BS in Finance with a Masters in Organizational Development. Began career with world's largest (then) private employer as strategic planner. AFter that organization split into 7 chunks, I hung around the west coast entity for a while, then went into wireless communications. I've turned into a bit of a serial entrepreneur. Ground floor/founder of several startups. I'm just finishing up my most recent stint - we did 10 years - and starting a new venture to keep me off the streets. Real Estate development and investing, some in wireless, some in alternative energy, and a few other spaces. Too young to retire, but I take more time off now - so I guess semi-retired is an adequate description.

Pat
Posted 6/1/2013 11:36 AM (GMT -5)
Purgatory,

I'm also nervous living in New Orleans. Can't wait to move away from the crime and hurricanes. Hope to settle near your neck-of-the-woods, in east TN, within a few years.

Couldn't find anything on Youtube under "Purgatory Arts".

NolaVette

 

Posted 6/1/2013 1:56 PM (GMT -5)
Csper319, I am an Air Qualityi quality specialist currently working at Edwards Air Force Base in Calif. I love my job, and have 25 yrs experience.
Posted 6/1/2013 6:32 PM (GMT -5)
nola,

then try "haunted places in South Carolina", "Children's Cemetery", "Pointsett Bridge", etc.

they are out there

david
Posted 6/1/2013 8:03 PM (GMT -5)
Grew up on a farm in SE Ga near Savannah, grew the normal fare for our area, corn, tobacco, soy beans, cotton. Worked at UPS loading big trucks while going to college in Jacksonville, GA. Dropped out in 3rd year to work full time at UPS, lost my deferment, my birthday was on the lottery list, joined the Air Force where I worked in Air Evac and later for the Judge Advocate researching backgrounds of personnel (before computers).
Got out of the AF during what we call the "Carter Years" when interest rates were high double digits. Worked at a machinist on CNC Mills and Lathes and later did some programing for them before the company moved to another state. Worked for a national trade magazine as advertising salesman for 12 years. Another salesman and I borrowed a $100,000 on a handshake from one of our customers and started a magazine in the same industry. Was later sued by previous owner for trade secrets, was thrown out of court. Sold the magazine 10 years late to a publishing company who published several magazines. That was in 1998, and since then I have a shop where I do contract graphics, screen printing, sublimation, also make award plaques and trophies. Take recreation team and individual youth sports photos for 4 recreation departments in the surrounding area. Take action photos for local high school sport team, mostly football and baseball, also write the articles for the paper. Taught high school boys Sunday school for 12 years, gave it up a couple years ago, I learned a lot from them.

Wife has been in education since college. She is very smart, (except for marrying me), she graduation cum laude in 3 years, Music Major, taught music for 25 years at school and private lessons at our home, has been in administration for last 10 years in same school system. She is the Choir director at our church.

One last thing I was a member of a one hit wonder band in the early 70s.

My Wife and I next job will be spending more time with our grandchildren who live in the Southwest, which God willing will be several years before the final retirement.
Posted 6/1/2013 8:14 PM (GMT -5)

David, if I may, I would like to digress for a moment on the subject of ghosts. Most Yankees do not believe in ghosts. Most Southerners believe in ghosts. Therein lies the problem; I am a Yankee my wife is a Southerner. Naturally, I scoffed at her theory that ghosts do exist. That is until one of our visits to the Natchez, Ms. area, where she spent a great deal of her early life. We were staying at a plantation B & B just south of Natchez. The plantation dated to the late 1700’s, and the old trace ran through the front yard. Sarah and I stayed in the dependency (one of the outbuildings on the grounds built for the original owner's parents) and had the entire two story brick structure to ourselves. Late in the afternoon we went to kitchen to fix some tea. As we passed a hallway Sarah glanced into the doorway leading to the other room. She was apparently startled and remarked “who was that?” as were supposed to be the only ones staying. The whispy figure was wearing a long dress high at the neck, and had long hair. Very similar to what we might expect an individual to be wearing in the late 1700’s. Further investigation turned up no other mortals in the building. Sarah remarked “just an ancestor.” Obviously the Yankee in me retorted, “ya, sure.”

about three o’clock in the morning I woke up in bed (in the same room in which we had seen the “ghost”) and felt this cold chill in the room, and I was in a sweat. The silence was deafening, I just knew there was someone else in the room. I lay there for about five minutes, and even though I could see nothing, I know there was someone present. When I finally sat straight up there was even a slight breeze, as if someone had just walked by. I still get the chills thinking about it. After a period of time I drifted back off, but made sure to let my wife know in the morning that some of her southernism was rubbing off.

Had a similar experience in South Carolina after we had just found the old plantation home, graveyard (hidden in the underbrush of the nearby woods), and original, rapidly decaying, 1770 log cabin of her progenitors. That’s another whole story.

My career spanned thirty years in law enforcement. There is nobody more skeptical than me. A real doubting Thomas. But, for sure, one Yankee who now believes in ghosts.
Posted 6/1/2013 9:30 PM (GMT -5)
I grew up wanting to be an artist, but ended up studying Civil Engineering. There were no jobs when I graduated so I spent a couple of years doing shift work in a paper mill before getting a job as a designer/draftsman/surveyor for residential subdivisions.

At the time everything was done on mylar and paper but computers were starting to come into play. A friend from school started a company training draftsman to use computer software and I joined him for a couple of years.

I was newly married and the job involved too much travel, mostly to the states and England. The company that made the software offered me a job and I jumped at the chance. They were located in New Hampshire and we spent 10 years there. I transitioned from trainer to tester to designer to software developer over that time. Both our sons were born there but in 2000 we decided to move back to Canada.

I kept my job and the last 13 years I've been working out of my home as a software developer for highway design and still reporting to the office in NH. Working from home suits me, I like being left alone while I work.
Posted 6/1/2013 9:39 PM (GMT -5)
Pat - sounds like a very busy and full life for you

Montee - you and your wife sound like you were always busy, that's quite a lot of stuff you had going on

snowbound - where do you report in NH? that was my adopted state before moving south 25 years ago. we lived in the village of Tamworth, about 15 miles from North Conway.

david
Posted 6/2/2013 5:54 AM (GMT -5)
Henniker for the first year (where the company was located) but then we bought a house outside of Warner. It's between Concord and Lebanon. It's a beautiful state, I really had a hard time leaving. Our company was bought by a much larger one in California and our NH office is now in one of the old mill buildings in Manchester.
Posted 6/2/2013 6:31 AM (GMT -5)
Chemical Engineer by education (Iowa State 1970 [go 'clones]). Moved into IT for the last 15 years of my career.

Retired 11 years ago at age 54. I recommend retirement to everyone - they can't lay you off [grin]

...Jerry
Posted 6/2/2013 6:55 AM (GMT -5)
Hello!  Ron retired from Federal Express after he had back (NECK) surgery on C - 5, 6, & 7.  Next, he had his Gall Bladder taken out. He found out he had prostate Cancer while in retirement.   Last summer, he had 2 1/2 feet of Colon removed.   He helps with the little ones.

I taught Sociology at our local University.  The last class I taught was "Marriage & the Family."  It was cool that my daughter was a Freshman while I was in Grad School.  I then taught when my younger daughter entered college.   Now, I am caregiver to my Grandchildren.  (Best job in the world!)

Posted 6/2/2013 9:15 AM (GMT -5)
Fun read, very facinating so thank's for this post. My very first job was a paperboy then went into fast food. After High School, my brother told me about an opening where he worked at a Hotel-The Dearborn Inn. I got the job bussing tables in their fine dining restaurant and the rest is history. LOL ! I have been at this Historic Hotel for 29 years doing just about everything. I am in the Hospitality/Food & Beverage business. Many of you maybe have stayed here as it is right down the street from our world famous Greenfield Village and Henry Ford Museum. I had few other jobs at a private Golf Club, a parts delivery driver/ warehouse guy for a heating & cooling company, and for Sears Co. as a Visual Display Tech as the Hotel was closed for 2 years to remodel and open up as a Marriott Hotel. I am currently working on the catering side of things with bussiness functions,parties and weddings. One more year to go and I will receive "free" hotel stays for the rest of my life so I am very looking forward to that. Yesterday was my first day back post surgery so I bartended for a wedding. Nine hours on my feet and I am feeling it today. LOL !
Posted 6/2/2013 9:35 AM (GMT -5)
Aimzee - as well as I know you, didn't know you taught. So Ron was a Fed Ex guy, just watching them work, don't know how any of them keep up the pace. Hope Ron is still holding his own, often think of both you guys

Donald - 29 years at the same historic hotel, sounds like a dream job to me. quite the career you had there

david
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