What Do You Do For A Living? Do You Like Your Job?

[querelle]

I studied to be a teacher but ended up being a diplomat because I passed a simple test administered by the Canadian government. Apparently I knew more about international affairs than the average Canadian. I am now in charge of NAFTA regulations and also OAS negotiations. Never thought I'd ever be here, but I like it. I get to travel alot and meet alot of interesting people.

What's your story?

Q

[mduffy31]

1. I am a nurse

I work in a Ventilator Care Facility and I am currently beginning to study to become a CRNA (Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist) which would probably mean that I will then become a Republican because starting pay is around 153K a year...

[querelle]

3. Don't Say That!

There are plenty of wealthy liberals! But seriously, my best friend's wife is a nurse as well. She works in pediatric oncology. I don't know how she does it. I know that one must maintain a professional detachment in that line of work, but geez.....it must be hard sometime.

Q

[mduffy31]

7. Well this is what I say, and I mean it

When I walk out the building I don't care what is happening. Now I love the patients, but I cannot get wrapped up in their lives and forget about my own. Its not that I don't care, I do, but you need to have that kind of detachment. I think with some of the people that we serve, there by the grace of God go I, and I do everything that I can do to make their stay there comfortable, but I can't take their problems home with me, I have enough of my own to deal with. I have seen it ruin the lives of some of the people that I work with when they take it home with them. I was kidding about the Republican thing, all I ask from my government is to build roads, have an armed force to protect us, police and fire, and to help take care of people who need help. I don't care if boys kiss boys and girls kiss girls, as long as people are consenting adults I don't give a shit what they do as long as they are happy. Happy people don't bring guns to work and make more patients for me. Disease does that enough without any help from them.

[querelle]

13. Bless You

And people like you. I couldn't do what you do, but I feel better that there are people like you in this world.

:loveya:

Q

[BleedingHeartRN]

24. Me too!

Are you in a program? I officially start anesthesia school in August, but right now I work in inpatient recovery and go to grad school part-time.

I like my job most days, but sometimes it's really tough. I worked ICU for years and the burnout is high. I really enjoy taking care of people, but some of the politics of nursing are hard to stomach. It'a also a "high responsibility/low autonomy" profession, which is a recipe for job dissatisfaction.

I will never, ever become a rethuglican! Warren Buffett has a bazillion dollars and he doesn't support wingnuts.....

[thefool_wa]

2. Workforce Management - Call Center

And no, this is NOT what I wanted to be when I grew up.

However, the bills must be paid until the novel is sold so here I sit, managing the workforce.

I take solace that some day someone other than me (and my currently meager fan base) will realize that I have written the next great sci-fi story of our time and I will cast off my corporate oppressors in the call center industry for corporate oppressors in the publishing industry.....

[querelle]

4. Really?

Where could one buy a copy of your book? I would support you!

Q

[thefool_wa]

10. That is the unfortunate thing

I am 350pgs in and I STILL haven't found a publisher. So it is not for sale anywhere.

I had the first 9 chapters posted to my website (link in my sigline), but now that I have kicked my search for a publisher into full swing I had some concerns over being able to sell something that was already technically "published" to the web, so I pulled it.

I would be happy to send you a couple of chapters to read if you want :)

[reyd reid reed]

8. Until

and after the novel is sold. God, that's depressing.

:(

Did you enter the gather.com thingie?

[thefool_wa]

14. Corporate oppressors are everywhere

But check this out: My novel is actually a vehicle for some revolutionary political ideas I have for our world that essentially emasculate corporate America and end their control of our government. So, irony being a staple of my life, if I succeed it will be I who enslave the corporate oppressors.

All this sounds way more grand than my vision of my life really is (believe it or not) - but first thing is first; finish and sell my first novel so I can go on (eventually) to do nothing more than that for the rest of my life.

gather.com? I'll check it out...

[Katherine Brengle]

21. Is that Phobos?

Did I spell that right...

:D

[thefool_wa]

25. Diemos actually

And my sitation about the gravitational anmoalies is from the NASA planet site. There are apparently tracks from boulders that apear to have rolled up the crater wall - no one knows why.

This was a great source of inspiration for my book.

[Katherine Brengle]

72. Very cool.

I watched a Science Channel (or Nat'l Geo, can't remember) docu on Mars and all the weird things that make scientists think there may have once been an advanced civilization there.

It's fascinating, and even more so when you consider that we are limited to looking for the possibility of life only within our own solar system - there is so much more universe out there.

[thefool_wa]

112. For sure

That is the basis of my novels - that an advanced race was forced undergroud by the passing of a comet that stole their atmosphere.

Mars facinates me endlessly, I think that is why I chose it as the basis of my work.

Wanna read any of it? (I am all about gratuitous self promotion)

:)

[sce56]

5. I'm an electrician great work but sometimes it gets cold on the job

[qnr]

38. kudus... n/t

[1gobluedem]

6. Marketing & Development Director for an NPR affiliate

My degree is in history. I worked in various retail jobs after college while in grad school one of which led to an office manager job which led to a receptionist job at a large company which led to a PR job in the same company (that's when I quit grad schoo); after I was let go from that (for which I am grateful; the president was a right wing wacko) I got a job selling newspaper advertising which led to selling radio advertising which led to this. I LOVE my job passionately but never dreamed that my career would be in radio.

[qnr]

39. Braver than me. I can't talk to people (which is strange, since I was in

communications for so many years).

[auntAgonist]

43. .

:hi:

any news re the 24th?


aA

[Omphaloskepsis]

9. I work for myself.

I do basic computer nerdery. Mostly back-end web things with PHP, MySQL, Ruby, and Python. I also do random computer repair for people. I like it, mostly do to my insane hourly wage. I only work about 10 hours per week.

I also repair projectors for a local cinema. Sometimes the normal tech takes too long and they call me. And, I am better at fixing them. That is usually only five hours per month. And I love fixing things. I was a full time projectionist for three years and loved it.

[graywarrior]

11. Copy editor for fiction & non-fiction books

[thefool_wa]

12. You have a cool job

But you knew I thought that :)

[querelle]

15. I Thought You Managed Hotels!

I thought I read that in a thread yesterday. Why such a drastic change in careers?

Q

[graywarrior]

54. That was years ago...and I changed it because I HATED it.

:rofl:

[RebelOne]

215. Copy editor for hunting and fishing magazines

I'm being paid for reading, which is something I love to do. But I'm not wild about reading the hunting stories, especially the graphic ones.

[Deja Q]

16. I can't say right now because of a couple of 'issues' I am facing...

But they will work out in the end...

[Pierre.Suave]

165. ???

thats an odd answer.

[Deja Q]

182. Clarification - issues with another coworker.

A coworker others have reported him in on as well.

[SPKrazy]

17. Clinical Social Worker

mental health

working with the elderly with mental illness and dementia now.

Have worked with addictions, general psychiatry, chronic pain.

My favorite was the chronic pain work because I enjoyed the clientele for the most part, and I got to do some cool things (hypnosis and biofeedback mainly) not enough reimbursement for the employer I had to continue to pay me.

I'd like to either be in an independent or group practice doing that kind of work (alternative healing stuff) or go get my PhD in a related field, public policy, and teach, consult, make policy and legislation.

:shrug:

Do I like it? Most of the time. I like the work, the clients. I dislike the office politics, policies of people who employ me when they have no understanding of what I do, and well, :shrug: won't say what else.

[Dastard Stepchild]

113. I'm a social worker :)

I'm taking the LSW test this summer, as a matter of fact. (The Illinois certification)

I'm currently getting my PhD in social work.

:hi:

(edited for spelling)

[SPKrazy]

131. Cool!

Where ya getting your PhD from?

I'm an MSW

would love to get my PhD in social work, no programs around here for that.

Might get one in Public Policy?

:hi:

[Dastard Stepchild]

148. In Illinois..

I'll PM you with more details if you'd like. I always worry that one of my classmates will catch me acting the fool on DU one of these days and hold it over me. :)

I'm enjoying it, though. I'm also already counting down when it will be over.

[SPKrazy]

171. Yeah PM Me About It If You Would

:hi:

[Chan790]

18. Barista.

for the big bad mermaid. Some days I love my job, some days I hate my job...it's hard knowing that I'm better than the people I work with...they're all awesome, but I could do my job blind and crippled.

[zingaro]

19. Queen of the Universe.

Some days it's OK. Other days it sucks.

:D

[SPKrazy]

29. You Are Queen Of The Universe!

and I'm a Prince of the Universe

and here's Queen singing princes of the universe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzdpTfOxR1Y


:hug:

:loveya:

[zingaro]

61. It's good work if you can get it.

And you, Sir, are a Prince in my book.

:loveya:

And it's such a shame that there's no longer a Freddie Mercury in this physical world. Thanks for the FreddieGram.

[SPKrazy]

64. Yes Freddie Is Missed

and you are my queen!

:loveya:

:hi:

[Katherine Brengle]

20. I'm a SAHM and I do some freelance writing...

of a political nature. I'm also studying to be a personal trainer - should have been there by now but I've had a couple of physical setbacks this year...

[thefool_wa]

28. SAHM?

what's that? And freelance political writing sounds like fun.

[Kutjara]

30. Stay At Home Mom. n/t

[thefool_wa]

33. I knew I should have known that

Quite possibly the most honorable profession in the world. Kudos m'lady!

[Katherine Brengle]

48. Thanks :D

Wish it paid better lol.

[thefool_wa]

49. So does my wife

While there isn't a tangible salary - it has to be the most rewarding job there is.

I wish my wife an I could trade places for a year or two - just to be able to do it. Hell, I wouldn't mind trading permanently, but I'm sure she would find she liked the SAHM thing WAY better than the workaday world. I know I would.

[Katherine Brengle]

73. At first,

I didn't like it at all. It took a lot of getting used to. But once I realized how awesome it was not having to kiss ass all day... wow. Plus it gave me the time (albeit in small amounts at a time) to pursue my writing and a couple of hobbies I never would have had time for.

Luckily my husband loves his job, so doesn't feel jilted lol.

I'm hoping to never really work for anyone else again - when I start "working" professionally again, I'll probably mix it up with 10-20 hours of training a week and then writing in what additional time I have.

[thefool_wa]

111. My ideal job...

Stay at home with the kids and write sci-fi novels.

Someday...

[Katherine Brengle]

47. Someone else already answered, but as to the second part --

it can be. It gets exhausting sometimes, I've been known to take long breaks.

This last one was for 10 months - it's a damn good thing I don't count on any money from it lol.

[dben88]

22. Child protection social worker...

And while no one can believe it, I do, in fact, love my job. I have seen some unspeakably heinous things, but I have also learned how resilient, strong and courageous people can be.

[Critters2]

40. That's important work!! I'm glad you're doing it, and that you find it rewarding

I have a friend who does child protective work. I'm in awe of her strength! And yours!

[Dastard Stepchild]

115. Another social worker...

Me, too. Howdy!

:hi:

[dben88]

135. How are you?

Thanks, howdy to you, too.

[Dastard Stepchild]

155. Woah...

Welcome to DU! :)

I am doing well. Yourself?

[oustemnow]

23. Magazine editor

And yes, I do dig it very much. There are daily minor trifles--it's a minimal staff, so I end up wearing a lot of hats--but with very few exceptions I am able to determine the content, tone and direction of the magazine.

Now if only this damn Internet would go aay and stop cutting into print sales...

[eyesroll]

26. What type of magazine, if you don't mind me asking?

I was the editor of a trade mag (serving the janitorial industry) for several years; I left when it was time. I'm in law school now -- and I like law school much better.

[oustemnow]

32. It's a, um, gentlemen's magazine

But it's not gross--it's along the lines of Playboy, but for a younger crowd. And, yes, the articles are numerous, varied and interesting!

It's interesting, a good friend who I used to work with at another magazine and who has done a lot of freelancing for me recently started law school, and I suspect he finds that much more in agreement with him as well.

[sir_captain]

27. I'm a medical student

It's harder work than I could have ever imagined. I work days at a time and routinely take 9 or 10 exams over the course of a couple days. It's a very rewarding profession, though, and no, I don't mean monetarily. It's intellectually and emotionally stimulating and I know it was what I was born to do.

I wish that more people realized the personal and financial sacrifices that doctors have to make. It's hardly the Bentley-driving, mansion-living lifestyle so many people seem to imagine. All the negativity directed our way gets a little old.

[Lost-in-FL]

77. .

[Tess49]

80. Some of us do understand your sacrifice. My son is a 3rd year

ER resident. He has worked his tail off for the past seven years. I work in health care, and my spies tell me that he is kind to those of us who work in allied health professions. I hope he keeps it up. He worked as an EKG tech and an Er tech when he was an undergraduate, and was on the receiving end of some shoddy treatment by some of the docs he ran into from time to time. I think that made an impression on him. That, plus my ranting and raving about verbally abusive docs.
Good luck, and stay nice.

[bmbmd]

177. Twenty-two years in private practice.

(internal medicine). I still like it. I thought I would retire early, but I'm just now getting the hang of it. The medicine part is easy-it's relating to people that is fun.

[sir_captain]

194. That's great to hear

Particularly with all the job satisfaction surveys one sees from the AMA and ACP. I'm probably going to match in internal medicine. Interacting with patients is definitely my favorite part of the experience. Each one is really different and amazing in their own right.

[bmbmd]

202. I love general internal medicine.

I wish I had done a fellowship.

[sir_captain]

209. That's my aim

I spent several years before school as a clinical researcher in the general internal medicine divisions at hospitals in NY and it was really great. I can definitely see myself spending my career involved in academic medicine.

[NewWaveChick1981]

31. Mine:

Director of Financial Aid at a small private liberal arts college. Been back on this side of things since early December. I had worked in student financial aid for twenty years (was a financial aid director for seven of those years), then I left that side to become a student loan lender representative. I did that for a little over a year, and I found I was much happier on the school side. I'm back and loving it! :D (And loving to hate it at times, too, like right now... :rofl:)

[SKKY]

34. I'm in the United States Navy...

...and yes, I do love it. It's an honor to serve this country, and it's an honor I take quite seriously. Which should convey to some extent the reasons for my utter disgust at what goes on in this day and age.

[querelle]

37. You Sir Deserve Our Highest Accolades

I salute you. Keep well and come home to your family safe.

God Bless You

Q

[SKKY]

143. Thank you very much!

Although, I have to admit, I am at home right now. I don't know if I'll be able to say that in 6 months or a year, but at least for right now, I'm good!

[usaftmo]

156. Air Force is present!

It's always an honor to meet someone else in uniform that isn't one of the sheeple.
:toast:

[SKKY]

184. It definitely is!

Actually, I've come to realize that there are many more liberals in the military than once thought. And now that I mention it, it was a Marine Major who turned me onto this site in the first place. Go figure!? A Marine Major who's liberal.

[Fatima]

207. I am a Navy vet and agree with you

There are many democrats, libertarians, and independent types in the service.

I got out years ago, but work with them today in a tech support capacity. Leaving that job soon for something different in the same industry.

Good luck to you.

[LeftyMom]

35. I wouldn't really call it a living.

I work at a toy store. It keeps me from starving while I go to school, and sometimes I can buy myself lunch out without having to check my bank balance first.

[Critters2]

41. I had no idea! I would think that could be fun some days. nt

[qnr]

36. I'm a developer for a Linux distribution, and I love it. However, it's not "work" in the

sense that you mean. I'm retired USCG, and all my distro work is volunteer.

[aePrime]

59. As a user of several Linux distros

and many many open source apps, I thank you!

I'm a professional programmer and am sad to admit that I haven't contributed much to the open source community. I don't run Windows at home, but have sold my soul and work for a proprietary software shop whose products work only on Windows.

[qnr]

62. Everyone needs to eat, nice to see you're using FOSS though :) n/t

[flvegan]

42. I love my job, but I can't begin to tell you what I do for a living.

I'm in the title insurance industry, sort of a pioneer of sorts. Can't really explain it.

[Critters2]

45. I probably wouldn't understand it anyway.

It's all I can do to stay awake through church trustees meetings. Don't understand this stuff, don't care. Even when I'm supposed to. Good thing there are people who do.

[auntAgonist]

44. Hard to explain what I do .. I'm a microfilm, microfiche

specialist. Quality control inspector.

aA
:hi:

[Redstone]

158. They STILL make microfilm and microfiches? I haven't seen that in AGES.

Redstone

[auntAgonist]

183. there is still a demand for it thankfully

A lot of stuff is digitized now though. The company I work for is the largest, 2nd only to the library of congress in what we have archived.

aA
:hi:

[IndyBob]

46. Consulting Engineer - Control Systems

Primarily do municipal water and wastewater projects. When you flush, if it goes away and is properly treated, I have done my job well.

[sleepyhead]

50. Veterinarian.

My husband and I own a small animal hospital. Lots of administrative headaches go with being the boss, but I far prefer it to working for someone else. We are lucky to have a large 24/7 emergency hospital nearby, so that we don't have to be on call all the time and we know that our patients will be well cared for after hours. Mr. Sleepyhead (also a veterinarian) does all the surgery and I take care of the medical cases. Our hospital is small, but very personal, and we spend a lot of time with our clients (some of whom have become personal friends). We will never be wealthy, but we make a decent living and truly enjoy what we do.

[Malikshah]

51. Corruptor of Youth. Avoiding Hemlock like the dickens.

Wouldn't have it any other way.

Damn! I've proven Horowitz right! Alas, I didn't make his "list" of dangerous academics. Maybe one day...

[sweetladybug]

52. I'm in social work with senior citizens and a small business owner

I love working with senior citizens, but most of my income comes from my business.

[nuxvomica]

53. I was an English major in college and wound up being a DBA

What I like about my job is designing complex databases and transforming legacy data to fit into them. It's odd to me that application developers find the design task both daunting and boring because I think it's pretty straightforward though nonetheless fascinating.

[UncleSepp]

150. Ha! Russian and International Business DBA here

I find that the analysis of a supported process and the transformation of data "feels" the same as translation or the analysis of literature. Do you ever feel that there is a connection between being an English major and understanding databases? Do you ever get annoyed with geeks dissing "liberal arts majors" and the like?

[nuxvomica]

154. Yes!

Gosh, I could ramble on about the parallels between literary study and data management. My mentor, a systems manager, also has a degree in English. We both started at the company in the editorial department and we often talk about how an understanding of the nuances of language is so important to good programming and database design.
When I first moved into a project development group several years ago I had a lot of dust-ups with the comp-sci folks over the proper approach to design. They initially dismissed me as a liberal-arts guy who didn't understand their bit-twiddling ways but they eventually discovered my designs to be efficient and flexible. I think DBAs and developers tend to form these separate camps regardless of their background but the fact that I had no BS degree was something of a hurdle at the start.

[UncleSepp]

159. Someone ought to write about this

I can go on for hours about it. What really gets me is how data design has everything to do with understanding exactly what a person means and what a thing is. Everyone thinks they know what a user is, but what is a user really?

The worst example was with a website that supplied driver updates. At the beginning, everyone thought they knew what a driver was, and started coding from both ends of the pipeline. We got to a major deadline, and someone promised we would have x many drivers available by the time we launched the new version of our product. Well, as it turned out, nobody could agree on how many drivers we had, because nobody could agree on what a driver was. Was it just the unique bits that run on the user's machine? Was it platform plus language plus installation package? This seemingly philosophical or semantic question resulted in the very real effect of users being presented with what looked like multiple instances of the same driver for a given platform and language, even after having installed the most recent driver for their device. It also resulted in us not knowing if we had really met our goal, or if we had missed it.

The problem could have been solved before it ever arose with careful thought and precise communication, but the questions that would have established the necessary precision were often dismissed as 'semantic quibbling' - as if semantics were an unneccessary polish on the surface of the thing, instead of the essence of the thing! 'Just semantics', indeed!

[femmocrat]

55. I'm a public school teacher. And damn proud of it! LOL

Seriously, there is no finer profession than teaching. It is what I planned to become since I was in the second grade. It is constantly challenging, interesting, rewarding, and sometimes frustrating. No two days are alike, and it is never, never boring.

[Nikia]

56. I work in quality assurance and research and development in food processing

At a somewhat small company (one location, under 100 people). I find it to be stressful because I am expected to be competitive with much larger companies that have departments larger than our company. I think that I'd like it focusing on r&d at a larger company and work under a good mentor.

[sweetheart]

57. hmm

i guess i'm a crofter.

[mvd]

58. Right now, I'm not employed and help out my parents

This year I hope to fix that. I hope to be self-employed, and have bookmarked several business opportunities for further evaluation.

[reyd reid reed]

60. I do agate.

And I love it. I do. It's the most fun I've ever had at a job, usually.

Usually.

:eyes:

[bluethruandthru]

70. Agate?

Like the gemstone?

[reyd reid reed]

104. Heh...

Nah. Like the little tiny print on the scoreboard pages of the sports section in the newspaper.

That kind of agate.

[TK421]

63. I work for a professional theatre company in Pennsylvania.....here is their link

http://www.brtstage.org/


It's a strange job, all-in-all....but I like it for the most part. It's a non-profit organization, so I can't depend on raises like most places offer. There have been times when I have felt like walking out the door with no other job lined up. :shrug:

[w8liftinglady]

65. I am a nurse-I used to love what I do...

...we have become so "Customer service" oriented,that I HATE my job.Let me preface by saying that I am an excellent critical care nurse,supervisor,charge nurse,et al.I treat my patients like my parents.I am sensitive to their needs and their family's needs.I have had patient's family members pull me from another patient's room to get them coffee-and complain to my boss when I wasn't sensitive to their needs.I have had them put on the call light to see how long it took me to respond-even though they saw me dealing with another sick patient...and then...again...complain to my boss.I deal with short-staffing and nickel-and -diming me...even though I am very effective in communicating my pateints' needs.I have had to take on more acutely ill patients,with less staff and be expected to do a better job schmoozing their families.There are still the rewarding moments,but they are few and far between now.

[bluethruandthru]

66. I'm a radio promotion director.

I went to school to be a social worker. Somehow ended up a radio newscaster for many years until my kids were born and I couldn't do the early hours. Switched to promotions and I love it!

[blockhead]

67. bricklayer,

but you must have qualifications to become one.

shirt size: 48

hat size: 2

;-)

[Kali]

98. the husband is a stone mason

gotta have some knees too, doncha?

[Tyo]

99. I don't qualify. I'll never be a 48

But that is a craft I've always wanted to learn.

[dropkickpa]

68. Vet tech in biomedical research

and I love it!

[dysfunctional press]

69. i retired at age 38 due to a disabling spinal condition...

prior to that i was a concrete laborer for awhile, until pain from the then mis/un-diagnosed spinal condition(ankylosing spondylitis) drove me to a short-lived 'career' in corporate travel agenting...eventually the condition got worse, and was finally correctly diagnosed. prior to the concrete work, i also spent time as a store detective, fine-dininig waiter/captain, marionetteer, costume character, zamboni driver, landscaper, ironworker, repo-man/bill collector.

it was an interesting ride, but i'm glad it's over- i've attained my number one goal in life- i don't have to have a boss, or be a boss.

[Thickasabrick]

71. Consumer Packaged Goods Analyst

I like it but I've been doing it for many years and don't really have a broader perspective on what else is out there.

Your story is way more interesting.

[JanMichael]

74. Planner. And I love it.

The regulatory work can be mind-numbing but the other 50% of the time it's a blast.

[Left Is Write]

75. I don't work for a living. I work for extra money.

My husband makes the living.

I work part-time in the daycare at my gym, and yes, I do enjoy it.

[Lost-in-FL]

76. CAT Scan Tech

No one appreciate my free drinks. :shrug:

I've been told I am a good "sticker". (my IV starting skills are good)

I love my job must of the time.

[smoogatz]

78. I write fiction, poetry and creative non-fiction, and teach creative writing

at the college level. It's a great way to cobble together a living--there's nothing else I'd rather do. Except maybe play guitar in a blues band.

[grace0418]

79. I'm a graphic designer. I like being a designer but I hate my job. If I worked for

a better company I would enjoy it a lot. But in reality I'm just a frustrated and unmotivated artist.

[Dastard Stepchild]

120. Sell out....

:sarcasm:

Many of my wonderful artist friends have taken work in graphic design and thank the opportunity for the paycheck and for the ability to be creative, but lament their seemingly stalled personal art life, so to speak. One is planning a trip to Belize this summer in hopes of being motivated by a new locale.

I mention sell out because they get that lobbed at them a lot after they describe themselves as artists and then mention that they work for the man in advertising agencies. :eyes:

:)

[grace0418]

130. LOL! Oh, yeah. There's definitely an element of that "sell out" guilt. But I must admit

I enjoy being able to pay my mortgage and eat food and take a trip once in awhile. I have siblings that have chosen the bohemian lifestyle and, while sometimes I am terribly jealous of their freedom, I often wonder what toll that is taking on them. My one sister is always miserably broke, never can just take a trip or do something fun without a lot of anxiety over whether or not she can afford it. And she's healthy now but as she gets older (she's almost 44) healthcare is going to be a big issue for her, I know it will. She has no savings, no insurance, and she gets paid by the hour so she has no sick days or vacation days. If she gets sick or injures herself, not only will she have no safety net to pay for her medical bills, but she'll have no money coming in to pay for her day to day necessities.

Isn't that always the rub though? You have the freedom to pursue what you want to do but not the funds to do it, or you have the funds but not the free time. Oh, to be independently wealthy.

[Dastard Stepchild]

147. I was on the path to creative writing...

with a minor in philosophy. I envisioned a life of the mind where I sat about in coffeehouses and waxed poetic about the state of the world. Do you know how obscenely expensive it is to write in coffeehouses every day? After a few weeks, I had to get a job at a coffeehouse just to support my illusion of a boho life. :silly:

I really struggled to come to terms with my desire for a writer's/photographer's/artist's life versus my desire to eat and buy things. I don't regret my choices, but every now and then I play the "I wonder what my life would be like..." game.

[Auggie]

136. Have you considered freelance?

[grace0418]

140. I'm seriously considering it. There are pluses and minus though.

A regular salaried job is steady, has benefits, predictable paychecks, and someone else goes out and gets the clients. If the pay, benefits, projects, managers and clients are good, it's golden. You still have to deal with sitting in an office all day but that's a fairly small price to pay if everything else is good. Trouble is that rarely can you find a design job where the pay, benefits, projects, managers and clients are good. One or more of them usually suck (or, in my case, all of them suck).

Going freelance would take me out of the stupid corporate politics crap for sure, and give me a lot more freedom and autonomy. However, I would have to get my own clients and be in charge of everything. I'm a creative type, sales is not my thing. I don't really like talking to people if I can avoid it. ;)

If I sign up with an agency I can potentially get the best of both worlds, but of course the agency then gets a big cut of the money.

So yeah, I'm weighing my options. And as you can probably tell I don't know what is going to work best for me. All I know is that I have to get out of my current situation. I don't want to jump into anything just because I hate my job though. I want to find something that really works for me.

[Auggie]

145. I've been freelancing for over ten years

Ex ad agency art director, though now doing as much design as advertising. I have some of my own clients, and do work for public relations firms and other businesses without in-house staffs. Yes, it's tough getting new clients and can be pretty lonely at times, not to mention expensive (buying computers and software) and frightening when you're not busy. But you develop thick skin. Whatever you decide, best of luck.

[grace0418]

164. Thanks! Whatever I decide, it's going to have to be soon. I'm going to go

nuts if I have to stay at my current job much longer. I used to work at an ad agency. Now I design stationery items, photo albums, scrapbooking stuff, etc. for a book publishing company. It could be pretty fun work but it unfortunately has turned into an utter nightmare. My dream job (if I couldn't be a self-supporting artist) would be to design for Chronicle Books. They do such amazing stuff. Not to mention that would mean I'd live in Northern California, my dream location.

I'm in a design collective of (mostly) freelancers, all friends from college, so if I did decide to go freelance I would definitely have a network of people who could show me the ropes, have lunch with me when I get lonely, and talk me down when I'm freaking out about not having work. I just have to decide if I have the personality to work on the front line with clients. If I'm being honest I have my doubts about that. I'm not the most patient person.

Anyway, thanks for the encouragement and good wishes. :hi: :hug:

[wildhorses]

81. indian maiden

;)

[SPKrazy]

82. Can I Crawl In Your Wigwam

with you?

:hug:

:hi:

:rofl:

[wildhorses]

83. --

;):hi:

[SPKrazy]

84. Hi horsey!

:hi:

:hug:

are you feeling good tonight?

:shrug:

[wildhorses]

85. tired

long day...and you?

[SPKrazy]

86. Peaceful, dreamy

tired

pretty relaxed

you worked didn't you...

good to see you.

:pals:

[wildhorses]

87. sounds like

you are on drugs:rofl:

yeah, i worked:/

[SPKrazy]

90. Well, Mebbe...

did take ambien a bit ago...

tried just a half because a whole seems to gork me out and I don't go to sleep except laying next to my computer after posting and not remembering things.

so maybe that is it.

but it feels pretty good

I can hear that wind in the trees on the beach, and the water lapping at the shore I can see a horse walking in the grass.

I saw a bumper sticker today, it said "love my horse, love me"

Somehow that made me think of you. Funny how the real world and DU have melded in some way in my mind like that.

I think of people on DU a lot of times in ways that I think of people in my "real life"

*sigh*

:hug:

[wildhorses]

91. i know what you mean

:hug:

i wish i wasn't on dial up--

[SPKrazy]

93. I'd Dial You Up

:evilgrin:

:hug:

[wildhorses]

95. dude--

you got everyone on speed dial:rofl:

bfitl...new acronym:evilgrin:

[SPKrazy]

96. Not True

only a few people on speed dial

bfitl? I can't compute it tonight.

:rofl:

:shrug:

[wildhorses]

100. remind me tomorrow

when i am at my computer and i will start a thread...

gotta go...mom's bf is homex(

i hope i can sleep...work in the morning

working weekends, i think, til i am off orientation...

i just show up:rofl:

[SPKrazy]

101. Good nite Sweet horse!

:hug:

[hughee99]

88. Software engineer...

I had actually wanted to be a history teacher when I got out of high school, but in college I found that math and computer programming were enjoyable to me (and you made better money) so I got my degree in computer science and that's what I do now. I'd still like to go back to school at some point and teach history, but I enjoy what I do and look forward to going to work (almost) every day so I don't regret my decision.

[Drum]

89. Rehearsal director for a modern dance company...

and I love my job.

I was such a performer myself, until a knee injury a few years ago grounded me. Though it was a very unexpected transition, I embrace the challenges of a whole new career as "management"---I have learned to work with a whole new set of pressures and responsibilities, and though I miss the dancing very much I do feel suited for what I am doing now. I am very happy to continue in this field (and by extension with my former boss and mentor,) as a guide to the next generation of concert dancers. I travel a lot---love this too, mostly---and get to meet a lot of people. It also affords me the opportunity to teach, and to interact with audiences and lots of young dancers...I very much enjoy the "A-ha!" effect when students are introduced to our art-form, and I think that I'm doing something meaningful in keeping the act of live performance going in our increasingly televised and digitized culture. It certainly is not a big-money job---we're non-profit of course, and there are about a dozen laid-off weeks annually---but it isn't really about the $$ to me...I've always managed somehow and always will.

Thanks for asking! :hi:

[blogslut]

92. I write articles and lessons

for the adult Internet industry.

[fishwax]

94. I'm a grad student and teaching assistant

and I like it very much :)

Yours sounds like a cool story--congrats on a good bounce :toast:

[gemdem]

97. Accidental Software Engineer

MANY years ago, I received my Bachelor's in English and Communication Arts with a minor in German. I was going to get my Master's and teach literature and composition. During my Senior year, I took a part time job as a technical writer. That led to a full time job as a tech writer, and over time I became a Software Engineer. I like many aspects of the job, but with the wave of jobs going offshore, I can't say that I truly enjoy my job. It's a grind keeping up with technology, and my role has changed to where I'm mainly a paper pusher (courtesy of Sarbanes-Oxley).

I would love to turn back the clock and get back to my original plan. Even at this late stage, I'm looking into taking the PRAXIS exams and pursuing my Master's in English. I'm working to get back into the writing habit -- poetry and short stories, but I'm rather rusty. Time will tell if I can make the switch.

[Kali]

102. Rancher, love it (most of the time) - more than a job, it is my life

[Pretty Go Pale]

103. I work for a company . . .

. . . that provides daily news briefings for a number of government agencies, political organizations, individual politicians and private businesses, such as NASA, DOJ, DOD, White House, etc. My part in the operation is to summarize TV, print, online, etc. news reports in a tight fashion so as to allow the client an opportunity to quickly peruse the news of the day. I enjoy my work.

[Mendocino]

105. Federal government...

..and I don't like it much. I can retire in a few years and would like to go back to school and get my teaching certificate.

[nuxvomica]

125. Are you really George W. Bush?

:D

[Mendocino]

153. No I not W,

I think all the words were spelled correctly in my post.

Could you imagine W teaching? "Hi class, I'm the gradecider. The 51st state is Iraq. A billion is more than a brazillian. Tax cuts mean a strong economity. Fool me once..uh.. I won't be a fool again."

[nuxvomica]

160. LOL. A few parallels but, yes, the accurate spelling doesn't jibe

I figured the teaching was going to be just one more career at which he was attempting to fail miserably.

Hopefully you will begin your teaching career after NCLB is repealed. I know at least one young teacher who left the public school system because of it.

[Rockit]

106. Guitar Maker

I had been playing guitar for years, and one day one of my guitars broke. A bad experience with a repair tech led me to thinking that I could do better. I later began an apprenticeship in guitar repair at a shop where they also built guitars. I went there to learn about repair, but discovered that I love making guitars.

[smoogatz]

107. I used to work at Guitar Shop Supply, with Dan Erlewine--

he taught me how to do some simple stuff--fret dressing and such--but I don't have much aptitude for it. What kind of guitars do you build?

[Dastard Stepchild]

117. I had a friend that got into building sound systems this way...

He was really dissatisfied with his experiences with repair technicians, felt he could do better, and teamed up with some people that were on the construction side of sound systems. He loved it. If I am not mistaken, his team outfitted the House of Blues in Chicago (among other venues).

We've lost touch, but I think the business is still going strong.

[flamingyouth]

129. That is really cool

I'd love to see some of your work. :hi:

[kedrys]

108. IT project manager and web developer

I own my own business, but because of circumstance, I'm currently plying my trade for a largish energy company I'm too embarrassed to mention. I took a job there so we could have benefits. I love my work, but I loathe my job and feel like I've sold out. On the plus side, at age 45 it's a tad bit late for me to become a good little corporate drone, and watching them try can be entertaining.

My formal background is in molecular biophysics. Anyone need cloning? :P

[av8rdave]

109. Airline pilot....

I love the flying and the trips...I hate the economics and endless attacks by greedy management and ignorant press.

[CTyankee]

146. Hey, it's great you're here on DU! I thought most pilots were repubs.

Glad to see you in our ranks. Welcome!

Why do you think so many airline pilots are anti Democratic Party?

[av8rdave]

151. Not all of us are....

Most are I think because of a large percentage of military background (including me), and I think a lot were just "raised that way" and haven't bothered to think things through. More and more, however, are seeing the light.

[Earth_First]

110. Horticulture Consultant + Landscape Construction

I oversee the day to day nursery operations, vitality of the nursery stock, irrigation, oversee installation on jobsites, schmooze and upsell to clients. I also install hardscapes in the landscape construction portion of Brighton Landscape Services Inc. My hardscape specialty is working with limestone dolomite.

Overall, I'm a glorified landscaper.

But do I love my job? ABSOLUTELY! I'll never earn a million dollars doing what I do for a living, however I go to work everyday enjoying what I do, and very rarely am I miserable while at work.

[martymar64]

114. I'm a software trainer for a well known shipping company

I teach customers how to use the applications on it's website and it's separate stand-alone software. All from a cube farm over the phone.

It pays the bills, but I'm not that crazy about it. Too much work for not enough money. Thanks George.

I also edit video on the side using Final Cut Pro. I'm working at making video editing my full time gig. The pay is much much better and its creative. I previously edited sound effects in Hollywood and it looks like I'll have to go back if I want to work steady. Back to the land of beaches and SIG alerts.

[Dastard Stepchild]

116. Social Work PhD Student and researcher...

And I love what I am doing. I didn't start out on this path, though in the back of my head, I always wanted to work towards a PhD. I just never knew what field it would be in when I was younger. I started out in creative writing, detoured to sociology, philosophy, French, women's studies and journalism, then ended up at organizational leadership. :)

Got my Masters in social work and loved it. Am now doing my PhD in social work (though I was thisclose to pursuing public health).

I mostly do work around needle exchange/harm reduction, public health, inmate mental health, and HIV/AIDS.

:hi:

[sakabatou]

118. Student

It can be a giant pain in the ass.

[hfojvt]

119. part-time janitor

Yeah, when I was a kid I used to dream about cleaning toilets, vacuuming and cleaning up after drunken parties, mopping and hauling tables. I think that is every kid's dream. But it is nice to have a good paying, good benefits job so I can semi-retire at 44. I'd rather do that than work full time at a library for the same money, even though I love books. Too bad I could not have made $10,000 a year at my bookstore (plus insurance).

[conscious evolution]

121. Electrician

I like the work itself it's the contractors I used to work for I can't stand.Thats why I have been building my own business.
You want to know something wierd?When I have to hire people to help out I can pay them $ 30.00 an hour and still make money.When I hear electrical contractors say they can't afford to pay that much I think "you mean you can't afford your new McMansion and SUV and expensive vacations if you pay a livable wage".

[Dervill Crow]

122. Medical transcription quality assurance and training.

I wanted to be a teacher, but my mom encouraged me to go to business school so I could get a decent job to pay for college. Thirty-three years later and I haven't made it back to school yet. Can't think of anything I would rather do, so guess that means I like my job.

[GoneOffShore]

123. Casting director

for commercials, voiceover and films.

Somedays we love it and other days I'd rather stick needles in my eyes.

Added on edit:

I sure your child, grandkid, sister is incredibly talented but unless they have an agent and can come to Philly or NYC for auditions ..... :evilgrin::freak:

[amitten]

127. Make me famous.

I'm kidding.

[GoneOffShore]

128. I knew when I posted my job

I'd get at least one response like yours.

:)

[MedleyMisty]

124. I take pictures of rental properties

I worked at Wal-Mart the summer after high school.

Then I worked at Arby's while going to college but quit to work in the computer lab.

Then after graduation only Arby's would hire me, so I spent two more years in that hellhole.

One day I was getting ready for work and crying, and my husband said, "Why don't you just go ahead and quit?" I said, "Seriously?" and he said "Yeah, it's not worth all this. We'll make it somehow." So that day I put in my resignation.

I'm a lot more mentally healthy now.

Nine months after quitting Arby's, I got hired at a local real estate management company. I think it's because the president's son went to Duke's TIP program too.

It's actually pretty nice. I recently got a raise, so I make $10.25/hour. When I left Arby's I was only making $9/hour. I get to drive around in a truck all day listening to my CDs and I don't have to deal with the public at all, and taking the pictures and tours of the houses is pretty fun. I'm off every weekend and bank holiday (which means I'm off tomorrow, woot!), I pretty much direct myself and come up with my own lists of pictures and tours to take and where to put supra locks and all that, and because it's a small local company and not some huge conglomerate the employees are treated like humans, not robots. I like it a lot.

When I tell other people about it, they always say that I've got a good job and/or an easy job. And it's true. But I put in my time in the trenches in drive-thru, and quite frankly if I'd been at Arby's much longer I would have killed myself. I asked my husband later why he told me to quit, and he said it was because I was extremely close to a complete psychotic break.

So I'm okay with having a good and easy job.

[GirlinContempt]

126. Right now I'm running a multi-faceted business

Costumes, dance wear, formal wear, both rental and retail, with a large staff and in house production capabilities.

Do I like it? No, not really. It's a family responsibility, and the cross gets heavier with the passage of time.

[Bzzzz]

132. Commercial Loan Officer...

for a republican, family owned, bank. I absolutely HATE my job and am currently looking for other employment. I've been in finance for the past 21 years and I'm sick of it. I need a change for sure, but in our neck of the woods, there's not much opportunity.:shrug:

[Scooter24]

133. I am an event producer.

I started my own company 8 years ago at 18. I have so much fun doing it, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.

[GalleryGod]

134. KICK IT like Vinateri!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[Auggie]

137. Advertising Creative

I work for myself -- freelance. Wish I had better clients, but you take what you can get. I love the freedom though. No agency politics. No egotists. No assholes.

[democracyindanger]

208. Nah.

The egos and assholes are still there. You just don't care as much.

[Norwood]

138. I'm a programmer for a shipping company

I dispise my job, I wish everyday I would have studied something else...

[YellowRubberDuckie]

139. I work in the loss draft department of a mortgage company.

I work with victims of the Katrina and Rita Hurricanes from every end of the spectrum. It's been really interesting and I love my job. I have a freaking criminal justice degree that I don't use, but I really like this end of the business world, so it's ok.
Duckie

[chknltl]

141. It's a secret so I ain't sayin. nuff said

[redwitch]

142. sales rep. independent. I sell cool and pretty things to stores and museums

galleries etc. Some days I love my job. Some days I don't.

[XemaSab]

144. I'm a biologist

I really enjoy my job. :D

[Evoman]

174. What kind of biology? Can you be specific?

I'm a grad student who will be finishing up in the next couple of months, and I'm looking for ideas.

[XemaSab]

179. Biologist for an environmental consulting firm

I work for the man. :D

[UncleSepp]

149. I am a database generalist

I have been a database architect, developer, tester, and administrator. It's okay - whether I like it or not depends entirely on the work environment. Some teams are great to work for, and some are soul-sucking.

It isn't what I planned to do - I wanted to go into marketing. The entry level database jobs paid a lot more than the entry level marketing jobs, and I couldn't afford to wait several years before making enough money to pay for a car, an apartment, and my student loans. Most days I wonder how the hell I got into this field.

[quiet.american]

152. Funny you ask -- somehow I've ended up working for a punk I can't stand.

I worked every way I could to make a living doing creative work, and it just didn't happen, and so my day jobs (of the office variety) gradually ended being my only job. The latest one was bearable, until my manager, with whom I had great rapport, left, to be replaced by someone who is interested in possessing power, but has no capacity to lead.

Working for this person is like being told what to do by a petulant five-year-old. I hope I can at least last the year, and that my plans for escape come through (which I am as diligently laying the groundwork for as though I were Prisoner No. 6).

[marzipanni]

193. Take a one minute vacation or two

http://www.quietamerican.org/vacation.html ;)

[quiet.american]

199. Lol! Thanks -- I'd say that's tailor-made! n/t

[Redstone]

157. Some of this, some of that (I own an advertising agency so every day is different). I does beat the

hell out of having a real job, though. I shudder at the idea of having someone else decide what my time is worth. I set my rates, and if someone thinks it's too much, they have the option of not doing business with me.

And, by the way, any freelance DU graphics or web-development or other creative types who might be looking for some work, please do PM me. I've gotten to the point where I am really going to be needing to subcontract some of this stuff.


Redstone

[GenDem]

161. Artist/Art teacher

I have ADD, so I guess my schedule suits my attention span. If any of my jobs ever get boring, all I have to do is wait a few minutes and it all changes.

Monday - private school art teacher, private classes after school
Tuesday - private school art teacher, commissions
Wednesday - home schooler art class, 1 class at private school, commission work
Thursday - senior citizen art classes morning and afternoon, art class at a local community center late afternoon
Friday - senior citizen class in the morning, Mental Health Association class in the afternoon.

Also am working on a mural at a local library, and usually am working on house portraits, dog portraits, or other commission work.

[nedbal]

162. Radio technical / system repairs NYC police

[Aristus]

163. I'm a Certified Medical Assistant. I f*****g LOVE my job!

Absolutely love it. Not that it doesn't have its stresses and frustrations, but still, I love helping people get the medical care they need. I'm also a phlebotomist, and I love that because I'm good at drawing blood quickly and painlessly.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

166. Guess you could say I work in the entertainment industry, to an extent.

And no, it's not what you're thinking of. :P

[Dastard Stepchild]

167. Are you sure this doesn't represent your typical evening?

The vagueness of your post leaves me awfully suspicious. ;)

(edited for spelling)

[JackBeck]

168. You have GOT to see his show.

LostinVA and haruka took me one night. That Starbucks knows how to work it for a dollar bill!

[Dastard Stepchild]

170. It's all flashing smiles and

immodest gyrations, yes? The patrons leave happy no doubt. :)

[JackBeck]

172. Shy and demure is the way to my heart.

And we all left as happy as the bees knees.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

181. I'm overpriced.

:rofl: :hi:

[Starbucks Anarchist]

176. LMAO!

:rofl:

[Dastard Stepchild]

180. :)

Note the confirmation above from JackBeck. Try as you might to keep secrets off DU, they ALWAYS come to the fore.

:)

[Heidi]

169. I'm a painter

and part time corporate communications consultant. Yes, I like it. It beats the hell out of being a member of the mainstream media, which I was for 20 years.

[NMMNG]

173. I provide care to adults with developmental disabilities

It can be frustrating at times, the pay sucks and it's a dead-end job but it has its intrinsic rewards.

[Evoman]

175. I'm just finishing my masters in biology, and am looking for work.

I hope to defend next month, if my prof gives the go ahead. I like grad school enough, I guess, but I'm getting rather tired of being poor. My stipend is less than a grand a month, and it just allows me to pay my bills and not starve. My self esteem took a bit of a beating this month...I applied for a job that I thought was a sure thing, did the interview (one of three people), and didn't get the position. I knew the girl who got the job, and she literally has NOTHING on me...I am much more experienced, and much more qualified. But shes bubbly, and cute, and she charmed the interviewer. Oh well...life goes on.

[Justpat]

178. This:

I've been riding since '69. I'm pretty tired of it, but there are
worse way to make a living.

[riderinthestorm]

190. Oh man, I did this. You must be an excellent gallop girl to have stayed on that long!

:7

Seriously though, I did that for a year in Australia for a trainer that did the pre-race breaking and starting. My neck is still an inch shorter than it used to be from falling on my head every damn time one of those babies freaked out at their first gallop. I got better as the year went on but it takes real skill to do it right. My daughter got offered a job for this summer as a steeplechase gallop girl and my heart just hammers for her.... :scared:

We train combined training horses now and our training gallops are so much more pleasant since they don't have to start doing sets until they are well into their training....

[Justpat]

192. Well, I admire the jumping people of any discipline.

I think it takes lots of courage to do it.

Make sure your daughter is working for someone good.

Send me a PM if you want. My daughter rode steeplechase
races for a couple of years and I know most of those people.

[riderinthestorm]

201. She's going to be in the UK this summer. I will pm you when I find out who she's working for

she's an archeology major at Indiana. She's going to be doing a dig over there for 6 weeks and wanted to stay in shape and earn a few bucks at the same time (she competes my husband's old Advanced horse and she needs to keep fit to compete when she gets back). She got the job through Nadeem Noon who is an event rider in Bloomington who has some contacts over there. She's riding in the early am, then working at the dig site for the day.

And courage??!! You are the one with the courage. Sheesh, like racing gallops are some kinda walk in the park! It took me the entire year I galloped to feel really comfortable with it and even now I prefer the over fences work than conditioning.

[u4ic]

196. Your pics never show up for me, Old Broad!

:-(

[Justpat]

197. I wonder why.

It is there. I just looked.

I don't know enough about posting pics to know what to tell you.
It took me over a year to learn how to post them at all.

[u4ic]

198. Can you post or PM me the link?

Nice to see you in the Lounge!

[Justpat]

204. Check your mailbox

[u4ic]

212. Got it.

Thank you! I just knew you were gorgeous! :7

I have no idea why the pics don't show up for me. Weird. :shrug:


You'll have to change your name, though. You don't look like an Old Broad to me! :P

[SteppingRazor]

185. associate editor/music columnist of an altweekly

I love my job.

[mike_c]

186. biologist, university prof....

I like it. I'm feeling a little burned out these days, but hey-- everyone gets that way eventually.

[XemaSab]

213. hippie.

You forgot hippie. :P

[mike_c]

216. yeah, that too....

[ripmolly]

187. I'm a stay at home mom

I have a daughter who just started school. I need to find a job.

[riderinthestorm]

188. Farmer. Breeder of dressage and combined training horses.

We have 2 acres in organic veggies which we market to a local restaurant and sell at a roadside stand. Plus we breed, train, compete and sell dressage and combined training horses. This also means we own/run a boarding stable (40 horses).

I love the breeding, training, competing and selling of horses but hate, hate, hate the boarding operation (which is a necessity to maximize the farm's profitability). My husband loves raising organic veggies. It's hard work 24/7 but with agriculture you are certainly the master of your own destiny for better or for worse: it's wonderful testing yourself and your skills - being the boss, being outside, but perilous as you are subject to a lot of factors out of your control (weather, equipment failure, animal accidents etc.)

I have also worked free-lance as a grant writer/development officer for various museums and non-profit land conservation agencies in the Chicago area. If I weren't farming I'd do this full time.

[u4ic]

195. What breed(s)?

Sounds like a great life! :-)

[riderinthestorm]

200. Trakehners, Hanoverians, Connemaras and TB crosses of those breeds

Our mares are all stakes winning TBs who are also at least 1 star competitors which means they are fast, outstanding jumpers, and usually of good pedigree quality. We don't stand any stallions presently although we hope to do that in the future (they are a pain to keep and compete and breed successfully. We're just not set up for them at the moment). We've got stock by Abdullah, Erin Go Bragh, Cor de la Breyere and more - basically anything that has excellent movement and a fantastic jump. My youngest daughter's Welsh/Shetland pony mare is a 12.2h superstar so instead of selling her when she's outgrown after this summer, we're going to breed her too. I've never bred ponies before but it's a blast shopping for stallions for her - I have to laugh when they bring out these little balls of spitfire stallion. I can't help myself even as the owner is glaring at me chuckling behind my hand, they are just so small.... ah, but there's nothing cuter than a pony foal.

Like anything it's mostly a great life with it's share of hiccups: equipment failure, the boarding operation, and weather extremes are my big problems. We've also got encroaching suburbia (outside of Chicago). I'm lucky in that our property is surrounded by Forest Preserve but the housing developments are now within sight of our back fence line. Large animals (and our large composted manure pile!) usually aren't compatible with urban sprawl. I think we have enough space between us and them (knock on wood). No matter how classy we look and are managed, we are still a farm with all that entails.

Thanks for asking! :hi:

[u4ic]

211. Isn't that funny

On the weekend, I was rearranging some old photos I have, and came across some from Grand Prixs from the 80's, all just outside of Toronto.

I have a picture of Abdullah - at that time, ridden by Debbie...was it Scharfenberger?...before he went to Conrad Holmfeld. I think it was 1984 - the photos bring back memories, and I believe it was the same year Mario Deslauriers won the World Cup final for us.

It's a blurry pic, but what a magnificent horse he was. Canadian bred, too. :-)

There's a short video of Cor de la Bryere (and many others) at this site: http://www.horse-gate.com/hengstvideos/index_tab.html


I don't know a lot about show jumping pedigrees, but I do recognize many names. TB pedigrees are a different story - I find them fascinating. Very much an amateur - still, pedigreequery.com is like crack to me. :silly:


Oooh...I'm glad the urban sprawl hasn't gotten to you yet. Many of the places that I used to ride when I lived in the Toronto area were gobbled up and are now suburbia.

I envy your life! Thanks for taking the time to share it with me. :) :hi:

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

189. Immigration specialist

with specialization in non-immigrant and immigrant visas for highly-qualified or highly skilled foreign workers, artists, celebrities, scientists, etc.

I happened into the field by chance, although my personal struggles with U.S. immigration made me a natural for this.

I love my job and I cannot see myself doing anything else, with the exception of travel or cruise critic!

In my professional career, I have interacted with some of the smartest people, some of the dumbest (yes, those fashion models!) and some of the most famous names in their respective fields and I have developed relationships with these people that I will cherish for the rest of my life. I don't think this could have happened with other jobs.

[JackBeck]

191. I'm an HIV/HCV Health Educator.

Basically, we go to AIDS service organizations in each of the five boroughs and present health related workshops in order to increase the health literacy of our infected clients. We take all that medical language that can be confusing and make it accessible for them. I never in a million years saw myself doing something like this, but I feel like I could go to medical school after this experience.

[Common Sense Party]

203. I'm a Retirement Plan (401k) Consultant. Lots of Public Speaking.

Never thought I'd like public speaking, but I do. And I love helping people figure out how to invest for their retirement.

[Downtown Hound]

205. Carpenter at the moment

but currently working on my IT degree. Will graduate in Aug.

[pink-o]

206. I'm an airline ticket agent...

..the perfect slacker job, really! It's very physical, with lots of running, lifting, hoisting open heavey 737 doors, et al. You're not confined by an office cubicle, and you get to tell your family the best human interest stories ever--and best of all, the last thing it does is tax you intellectually! You can keep your brain cells for the things that really matter--the creative stuff, like writing and producing songs (I just need someone with talent to sing and play 'em!)

Anyway, the biggest perk of course is the free travel, and the flexible schedule that allows you to take off at the drop of a hat. I'm a Sagittarius, and what with the travel and the spontaneity, it suits my zodic personality perfectly.

As I said, my ideal job would be a record producer or a movie director, but realistically, this is a pretty good substitute.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

210. I do not have a job. I am too old and too qualified.

[cloudbase]

214. Retired Merchant Marine Officer

I was an engineering officer, and I considered it the greatest job in the world, at least in my younger days. Plenty of travel, decent money, and we worked hard and played harder. The move to quicker turnaround vessels and the addition of instant communication that allows some weenie to try to manage a ship from his desk pretty much sucked the fun out of the job. After 29 years, I knew it was time to go. I don't regret it, and I get to make up for all the lost time with Mrs. Cloudbase.

[trackfan]

217. I am a clerk.

I don't like it.