Man Quits 6-Figure Salary To Become Gardener

[matcom]

<snip>

The zigzag route on San Francisco's Lombard Street may well symbolize John Smith's crazy odyssey -- from high school dropout to rock 'n' roll musician to brokerage firm executive.

His life story took an even quirkier turn recently: After leaving a six- figure-salary job at Charles Schwab, Smith last summer became the official gardener of what's billed as the Crookedest Street in the World.

Several days a week, the 54-year-old Boston native can be seen in mud- stained clothes, walking briskly up and down the steep hill in the heart of the city, tending to the world famous hydrangeas featured on many a San Francisco postcard.

It's hard work that doesn't pay much, but for Smith, who retired after 22 years at the brokerage, it beats being cooped up in an office all day. And now he has a spectacular view.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/05/08/BUG9B6HLGD1.DTL

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

1. And every other gardener in the world now

thinks he's a complete jackass.

[CatWoman]

2. oh, Chauncey......................

[mhr]

3. If Only Gardner Paid A Living Wage He Could Have Followed His Passion

Sooner!

[BringEmOn]

4. Gump?

[Bombero1956]

5. I guess

he had a helluva golden parachute.