What is your job?

[Robert]

What do you do for a living?

I am a web designer, developer and manager of a company.

[Jimi75]

I have a regular job as a project manager in consumer electronical business. I also have fix engagements with my music (studio jobs, writing pieces for kids) that grow more and more. Today we will meet people from a record company who will check the draft for our kids musical. Things work great and I consider myself more a musician than a business man.

[Robert]

Oh wow, that is cool Jimi. It's great you have such connections and the time for it too. I am more of a Jack Of All Trades than anything else... :whatever:

[Jimi75]

It's great you have such connections and the time for it too.

It's tough really. Most days look like this:
Coming home from work, playing with the kids, spending the evening with my wife, then working on my music from 10-1h in the night and getting up again at 6h in the morning.

[SuperSwede]

I work at the Police, I take care of those who wishes to file a police report and stuff like that.

[Rocket]

67-69 Arcade manager weekday evenings; Roller Rink whistleblower weekends
69-71 Wild West Show; Fill-in musician
71-89 Warmonger; Part-time musician
89-08 Musician
09- Retired

[marnold]

They don't call me Rev. Rawk for nothing!

[t_ross33]

a) My Kids' Dad

b) Project Manager for a cleaning & restoration company (http://www.actionhelps.com) working with clients, insurance adjusters and contractors to clean/restore/repair flood or fire damage to property

c) Guitar Slinger for my band "The Barley Boys"

d) Aspiring singer/songwriter working up the courage to do some solo acoustic gigs

[stingx]

I am a Unix systems engineer.

[djmcconnell]

I do interactive strategy in a marketing agency by day.

At night, I hang out with my wife (and college-aged kids when I can). I seem to find some time to practice guitar most nights, too.

On Sundays, I sing and play in the church worship band.

Life is good!

[tunghaichuan]

I am a librarian. I work in a small suburban library at the reference desk.

tung

[duhvoodooman]

Quality assurance manager for a manufacturer of large industrial air and gas compressor equipment. When I first graduated from college with a degree in chemistry, I was an organic and polymer chemist at a major research facility. Much has transpired in between. What a long, strange trip it's been....

P.S. Unlike that guy on "Breaking Bad", I've never run my own meth lab, so don't even ask. ;)

[tunghaichuan]

P.S. Unlike that guy on "Breaking Bad", I've never run my own meth lab, so don't even ask. ;)

But you could if you wanted to, right? Just sayin... :D

tung

[Monkus]

I'm a geoscientist, specializing in seismic data processing, I'm also the Managing Director of the company. :thwap:

[bigG]

Well, let's see. Alot of ground to cover...

Working musician from 1964 - 1971.
During that time, I also did part-time as an apprentice electrician.

1972 - got my electrician's journeyman's card. Worked full-time as journeyman electrician - residential, commercial and industrial.

1975 - got my State of Florida Master Electrician Certification, and ran a business for abt 3 years.

1977 - opened and owned and operated my record store thru 1980. (Be careful what you wish for! My love of music really waned during this time, as I was in the store from 10 AM til 9 PM six days a week, w music playing constantly. The LAST thing I wanted to do was listen to music at home or in the car! My enjoyment of my first love - music - had run out! Also, every beautiful album cover and its contents became just a catalog #, as ordering and shipping from major labels was handled this way. Got to where I couldn't handle it anymore and sold the store!)

1980 - started my own electrical contracting business thru 1991.

!981 - 1983 - got a three-piece acoustic group together (miced thru our PA) and became house band at local legendary cut'n'shoot bar. Finally got playing live out of my system. Had been bugging me for years. So glad I finally did that! Weekends only while running my contracting business.

1992 - returned to college (I had done abt a year and a half back in the late 60s - and all those credits transferred!). Graduated Summa Cum Laude w a B. A. Degree in counseling psychology in 1995.

Took a break, then went back for my Master's Degree in 1998 - my world then proceeded to fall apart: had a nervous breakdown in 1999-2000 and was a vegetable for abt a year and a half. Never quite fully recovered and haven't worked since, although I keep my Electrical Contractor's License active (that damn thing was just SO hard to get, I'll never let go of it).

Luckily, my three children (by three different wives) were grown by then, and are all doing very well!

2005 - decided to get serious abt playing guitar again, and have spent many thousands of dollars acquiring most of the gear you see in my signature since then.

Welp, that's the bulk of my story and I'm stickin' to it! I guess the short answer would be Master Electrician! :)

[sumitomo]

In 1972 got a job on a fishing boat baiting hooks.
1973 got promoted from junior baitor to master.
Sumi:D

[hubberjub]

I'm a job developer for a not-for-profit. I find jobs for disabled people.
I also own a small real estate development business and play in a fairly active band.

[street music]

By day, I am a staking Engineer, GPS tech, emergency lineman for a rural electric co-op.
I am also the Music show chairman for www.kyapplefest.org
and have served on the Board of Directors for The Kentucky Apple Festival for17 years.

[luvmyshiner]

In 1972 got a job on a fishing boat baiting hooks.
1973 got promoted from junior baitor to master.
Sumi:D
:rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Lawyer. I've been a sole practitioner since 1998 when I decided that if I was going to work for an a**, it might as well be me.:D Primary areas of practice are family law (board certified) and criminal law.

[just strum]

I've been in manufacturing and marketing in the aerospace industry for small period of time and the rest has been in aerospace procurement. A total of 28 years in the aerospace industry and by far where I work now is the best place.

By night I am a crime fighter.

[Childbride]

when my paternal gpa got back from his service in wwii, he and gram started a lumberyard/hardware store... he also contracted to build, as well.

so from the time i was old enough to slap price tags on paint cans, i would help... when i was old enough to legally work there, i did...

and i remained in some position in that general industry through undergrad.

have been an attorney since 96.

[ted s]

Almost 20 yrs. of building controls/fire alarm service/install related through 4 different employers, end-user or mother-ship. Currently and happily working for a mother-ship as a project manager for fire alarm installations.

[sunvalleylaw]

I am a lawyer, sole practitioner, with similar practice areas to Shiner, though I add in a few things. I also do wills, bankruptcy, some small biz/real estate, and guardianship/conservatorship, which really falls into my family law category.

My other job is as a fully certified ski coach/instructor, and I run a kids ski program on weekends in the winter time. I love that job as well, and it provides a good balance to the human tragedy I often deal with in my lawyering. It also buys the family ski and recreation privileges and some good company benefits I do not have access to as a self employed lawyer.

Needless to say, I am also a full time Dad, musician, etc., but none of those are jobs.

Here is a flyer describing the ski program, which was my brain child and a labor of love:

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w92/sunvalleylaw/FREERIDEFLYER08-09.jpg

[piebaldpython]

US Fed Gov't since 01/03/77......have been a claims authorizer for the past 25 years......I basically make sure that the RIGHT people get their Social Security checks and that they follow the rules and that they submit the proper proofs so that we can pay them.

[Kazz]

Process Coordinator for deregulated Natural Gas Supplier who happens to supply gas in Strum's neck of the woods :-) as well as Voods too I believe...depending on if Vood is a National Fuel or National Grid customer and not Con Ed.

We sell gas in most of Ohio, 2 large areas in New York and Mid to Northern Indiana. We just recently exited the market in Georgia as the risk outweighed the reward.

Basically I examine other departments processes and streamline them. I am also gifted that I can speak technical and layman so I am often called on to translate between all our other departments and our IT department.

On the side I do computer repair and custom builds, networking and repair/modding of ipods and tivos.

[oldguy]

My job is much like Street Music's. I use GPS to stake grades for a construction company.

[duhvoodooman]

By night I am a crime fighter.
What a coincidence! By night, I'm a criminal! At least, my wife says that what I do to a song on my guitar is a crime....

[Lev]

I am a Unix systems engineer.

Me too!! :beer:

[Ro3b]

I'm a Program Assistant at a large nonprofit science advisory institution you've probably heard of, my little branch of which focuses on atmospheric sciences and climate change. I handle meeting and travel logistics, maintain websites, put out newsletters, edit reports, and suchlike. About a third of my income comes from gigging and teaching, though.

[Suhnton]

English teacher in Japan. Mostly to kids (from 2 years old to Junior High).
Which means I get to sing a ton of kids' songs and do weird dance actions and stuff. High tolerance to self-embarrassment required, but it's kind of fun.

[Brian Krashpad]

I'm an attorney.

My firm only does legal research and writing for other attorneys. So that includes opinion letters, trial-level pleadings, contracts and agreements, appellate briefs, and even the occasional ghost-written bar journal article.

But no layperson clients and no court. That stuff would drive me batsh*t fast.

Plus I wouldn't be able to wear t-shirts, shorts, and Converse to work.

[ibanezjunkie]

1. lifting stuff for money

2. voluntary musical entertainer (hope to be paid for this one day!)

[just strum]

1. lifting stuff for money



I'm not sure how you are using that, but in the States that is meant as stealing for a living - literally.

[aeolian]

I am a hardware and software design engineer.

In the mid 1970s I started working for a well-known semiconductor company designing integrated circuits. Part of my design was used in the first IBM personal computer.

After about 8 years I quit and ended up being a founding member of an electronics design automation company. We produced a software product that helps circuit board designer simulate their design before they spend money building their board. After 10 years the company was bought and I left shortly afterward.

Although we were pretty successful with this startup we decided that we gave away too much of the company, so a few of us started another company with our own money. Unfortunately lightning did not strike twice, and after 7 years we called it quits.

I then ended up at another electronics design automation company working on a tool to help chip designer debug their design on a chip. I've been here now for over 8 years and thoroughly enjoy what I'm doing. We used a lot of new ideas and so far 2 have been granted patent rights with a couple more in the pipeline.

[ibanezjunkie]

what i mean was

like, freight lifting, moving stuff around, unloaded lorries. etc.

i might have some immoral views on certain things, and ive done my fair share of dirty deeds, but im no criminal.

[just strum]

and ive done my fair share of dirty deeds, ...

Done dirt cheap.

(couldn't resist)

[sunvalleylaw]

I'm an attorney.

My firm only does legal research and writing for other attorneys. So that includes opinion letters, trial-level pleadings, contracts and agreements, appellate briefs, and even the occasional ghost-written bar journal article.

But no layperson clients and no court. That stuff would drive me batsh*t fast.

Plus I wouldn't be able to wear t-shirts, shorts, and Converse to work.

Sometimes I think I would like to re-invent my practice that way. I like helping people, but the business aspects of a small general practice make it challenging at times. Plus, as a former appellate clerk and law review geek (ok, I tried to be the guy on law review that was not a geek), I love research and writing. In small town general practice, one does not often get a chance to do much of it at the level I prefer.

[Gil Janus]

62-66 USAF Weapons Control System Tech - worked on F-101B/Fs
66-72 Computer Systems Tech for Control Data Corporation
Worked on many different systems, specialized in exotic gear
such as high-speed drums, and computer communication equipment
72-00 Computer Software Engineer for New York University
Worked on many different types of computer communication equipment
and systems, including custom hardware interfaces
Worked on very early time-sharing systems
Worked on ARPAnet and the follow on IP/TCP projects (which became the Internet)
Worked on Internet-2, a really high-speed version of the internet
Retired, then helped to start a new Computer/Network Management Company
00-06 Network and Software Engineer for IP-Soft
Retired for good


Now I'm just a retired, lazy hippie bum who's re-learning the guitar! :D

I used to tell folks that I was a specialist in getting folks to communicate using computers - networks weren't known about by the general public :thwap: People would say - who would want to do that :whatever:

Gil :cool:

[Rocket]

Now I'm just a retired, lazy hippie bum...
+1

[bek]

Powerhouse operation/system dispatching for a major US City over 31 years. They're trying to fire me a month before my optimum retirement date. Maybe one of you lawyers could help!

[street music]

With all the lawyers and criminals we have, I think we could come up with jurors for our own court:D :D :D

[birv2]

Middle School teacher: computers and history. I've taught pretty much every age from beginning reading to adult ed over my 30 years in the trade.

[bigoldron]

Computer tech in a small school system, which entails working on computers, projection units, and many other kinds of technology. Also training over-educated idiots (teachers & admins), covering everyone's butt when they don't know what they're doing, running sound for our elementary auditorium, pulling cable when needed, running electrical circuits when convenient, doing data entry when no one else will, doing paperwork, sweeping floors, taking out the trash, cleaning the bathrooms, etc. (OK, so I don't sweep floors, take out the trash and clean the bathrooms.) :thwap:

We have 2 schools and the board office, 850+ computers, about 50 interactive whiteboards and projectors, approximately 125 networked printers, 1,625 students, about 200 employees, and 2 "technology specialists". Needless to say, my co-worker and I stay busy. Most of the time, I tell people that I'm a firefighter, 'cause most of my day is spent putting out somebody's fire. :whatever:

[Mr Grumpy]

I am a workshop supervisor at the UK national repair centre of one of the worlds largest forklift manufacturers, looking after a small team of technicians and the northern UK rental fleet of about 500 machines. Used to be a techician myself, prior to which I worked as an electrical engineer for a large bus company. I still keep my hand in 'on the trucks', whenever I can get away from the phone calls and the targets/kpi's, emails and exel spreadsheets which form the basis of my day these days..............

[markb]

Semi-retired IT techie majoring in Microsoft products. This explains why I'm burnt out and a Mac user at home :)

Also semi-pro musician and sound tech. This means I'm paid about half what I'd like :mad:

[Geraint Jones]

I`ve been fixing planes since I was seventeen and I`d still like someone to explain to me how they get off the ground.

[WackyT]

I work on the IT Helpdesk of an emergency medical company.

[tjcurtin1]

I have the best job in the world. I teach at a Waldorf school, where today I graduated my 8th grade class after having started with them in first grade. They are beautiful human beings and it has been a great honor to accompany them on their journey. They are also good musicians - at graduation they performed a beautiful arrangement of 'Ashokan Farewell' we worked up for soprano, alto and tenor recorders, cello and two guitars. Next year I get to go back to first grade and do it again!

EDIT: Sorry if that opening line sounds obnoxious - I was pretty high that day!

[ZMAN]

I am CEO of Stewart Investments Inc. I have a large portfolio of investments that I manage.
For myself!
Actually I have been retired for 5 years from an Accounting job with a large Canadian Steel manufacturer.
My actual job is having a blast with my childrens inheritance!

[sunvalleylaw]

I have the best job in the world. I teach at a Waldorf school, where today I graduated my 8th grade class after having started with them in first grade. They are beautiful human beings and it has been a great honor to accompany them on their journey. They are also good musicians - at graduation they performed a beautiful arrangement of 'Ashokan Farewell' we worked up for soprano, alto and tenor recorders, cello and two guitars. Next year I get to go back to first grade and do it again!

That sounds like a great job! :AOK: :AOK:

[piebaldpython]

I have the best job in the world. I teach at a Waldorf school, where today I graduated my 8th grade class after having started with them in first grade. They are beautiful human beings and it has been a great honor to accompany them on their journey. They are also good musicians - at graduation they performed a beautiful arrangement of 'Ashokan Farewell' we worked up for soprano, alto and tenor recorders, cello and two guitars. Next year I get to go back to first grade and do it again!

So, you have them ALL 8 years? WOW, I never heard of that. That can be very rewarding......OR.....hell on earth, depending on the kids. :D

[tjcurtin1]

So, you have them ALL 8 years? WOW, I never heard of that. That can be very rewarding......OR.....hell on earth, depending on the kids. :D
Yep, 4 of them have been with me since first grade, and the rest for from 2 to 5 years, having joined us along the way. It's a brilliant part of the Waldorf curriculum in my experience. The class becomes a kind of family. It can be challenging and demanding work, but I've never found it onerous. When you know that a child will be with you for 8 years, it creates a different expectation for you both, an incentive - a need - to find a way to meet that child and to find a way to love them. It's usually not hard - kids are naturally wonderful people and can stay that way if you give them good experiences and protect their childhood from being overwhelmed by the pressures of contemporary culture. Actually, a lot depends on the parents and their willingness to work with the program!

[pes_laul]

I do whatever makes me money. though giving guitar lessons has been giving me a good chunk of money. :dude:

[Rx Tone]

Working guitar tech.
13 years pro touring nationwide, plus 2 European tours. Over a thousand shows.
Have passport, tools and extensive experience.Will travel.References available.
Airport 40 minutes away.

When I'm not on the road I perform complete guitar repair and restorations in my own shop. (except paint/refinishing). References available.

27 years as a Union and non union stagehand

Also, if/when I'm not touring I work as a stagehand for the New Orleans Arena (a few of the shows this year: Metallica, Eagles, Britney, New Kids, Kenny Chesney, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, etc.... and day before yesterday Coldplay.Next week Fleetwood Mac.

I also work for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra as a stagehand during their season when not touring..

[Monkus]

Working guitar tech.
13 years pro touring nationwide, plus 2 European tours. Over a thousand shows.
Have passport, tools and extensive experience.Will travel.References available.
Airport 40 minutes away.

When I'm not on the road I perform complete guitar repair and restorations in my own shop. (except paint/refinishing). References available.

27 years as a Union and non union stagehand

Also, if/when I'm not touring I work as a stagehand for the New Orleans Arena (a few of the shows this year: Metallica, Eagles, Britney, New Kids, Kenny Chesney, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kid Rock, etc.... and day before yesterday Coldplay.Next week Fleetwood Mac.

I also work for the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra as a stagehand during their season when not touring..


Dream Job !!!!!!

[Rx Tone]

Dream Job !!!!!!

Yeah, I guess.
I made the "mistake" of having a career that I love versus a career that is stable, has benefits, insurance, 401k, paid vacations, etc...

It's tough when you work entirely at the whim of musicians. THEY have to decide that they need a tech. Nobody can tell them anything.

..and there's 2 things, I've found, that EVERBODY knows.
One is whatever it is they do for a living..and the other is guitars.EVERYBODY is an expert...no experience required.
I charge an extra $20.00 for people that start a sentence with " I read on the internet that......"

"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs.
There is also a negative side."
Hunter S. Thompson

[Rx Tone]

...and then out of the blue this appears on my itinerary:

AUGUST, 2009
Festival du Chant Marin. Paimpol, Brittany. FRANCE

Can't complain about that.

[evenkeel]

Late to the party but a fascinating thread!! Great idea Robert. :bravo:

Graduated college in 1975 with a degree in Art History, what was I thinking. :thwap: Generally muddled around a few years working in a gallery and teaching skiing in NH. In the early stages of the running boom I opened a running store. Usual small business story, underfunded, worked 24/7 trying to keep it open. Lots of mistakes. I was running for a athletic shoe company, Saucony, and when the store went belly up went to work for them in marketing/product development. Eventually wound up at adidas as marketing director for the track and feld division. Then moved over to the dress casual side of the shoe business with jobs at Bally and Cole-Haan. Left Cole-Haan to go cruising and semi retired. During our cruising years Mrs Keel and I feel into a job with an event company in Annapolis. We produce a variety of boat show events in the Annapolis/D.C. area. I'm the Operations Manager and Mrs. Keel handles temp hiring and purchasing. Our flag ship event is the Annapolis Sail and Power boat show which celebrates it's 40th year this October.

[Monkus]

I made the "mistake" of having a career that I love versus a career that is stable, has benefits, insurance, 401k, paid vacations, etc...

How can it be a "mistake" when you do what you love? We should all be so lucky...

And to top it all, ur gigging in France ?!?!?!?

Dream Job !!!

[TS808]

I worked 21 years in addictions treatment and forensic psychology...my undergrad degree and first master's are both in psychology. I started as a therapist and eventually wound up managing two outpatient treatment programs.

In 1997 I went back for a second masters degree in management, and eventually left the addictions treatment field and managed an international psychiatric research study on childhood-onset depression. That was federally funded so the grant was set to expire after being there 4 years.

I now work at a large university managing a department that has to review and approve ALL of the research that is conducted at the university, and university medical centers. We review 6500 research studies a year and have to make sure they are ethical, scientifically sound, and adhere to federal regulations pertaining to human subject research.

[MichaelE]

I used to maintain and load targeting data for the Minuteman II ICBM weapon system.

Now I'm a sales manager.

[hagarfreak33]

I used to install phone systems now I install Cable and internet

[Perfect Stranger]

I am what I am....and that's all what I am....

[Tig]

I'm working a part time contract position as the evil jerk who filters internet traffic (like thefret.net) for 17,000 users. Don't shoot me, 'cause I don't make the policy, I just admin the Websense filtering product.

I'll be here a few more months at best. I do like working 8:30-3:30, though. Hopefully I'll get back into an IT security position with a wider range of duties.

[marnold]

Hopefully I'll get back into an IT security position with a wider range of duties.
Maybe you can get in with the Federal Government. They seem to need all the help they can get in that area.

Nice Unknown Hinson avatar, BTW.

[ted s]

Well Tig, you should be able to tell us how to get around it then ? no ?
;)

[Tig]

Well Tig, you should be able to tell us how to get around it then ? no ?
;)
'Scuse me while I whip this out... :eek:

Many of the internet filtering systems block proxy server websites. There is an ongoing game to keep ahead of them, but there is always a period of time that you can use one without getting noticed. A new website will appear to be uncategorized by the filter and usually lets it through. You can surf from there.

Here's the latest: http://www.fishbasketball.com/

If you want to know when a new proxy avoidance site is online, go to http://peacefire.org/ and sign up for email notices. There are others out there, but this one isn't risky or loaded with malware, and they don't sell your email addy.

EDIT: Oh, and you didn't hear this from me! ;)

[ted s]

Thanks for sharing !

[Rocket]

Many of the internet filtering systems block proxy server websites. There is an ongoing game to keep ahead of them, but there is always a period of time that you can use one without getting noticed. A new website will appear to be uncategorized by the filter and usually lets it through. You can surf from there.

Here's the latest: http://www.fishbasketball.com/

If you want to know when a new proxy avoidance site is online, go to http://peacefire.org/ and sign up for email notices. There are others out there, but this one isn't risky or loaded with malware, and they don't sell your email addy.

EDIT: Oh, and you didn't hear this from me! ;)
Hear what? That all sounds like muted trumpet talk to Peanuts characters... wuh, wuh, wah!

[ibanezjunkie]

Middle School teacher: computers and history. I've taught pretty much every age from beginning reading to adult ed over my 30 years in the trade.


you teach history? what are your wages like? i do history GCSE and got an A in the mock exam, and am considering doing A Level and a degree in modern and medieval history.

the wages over there probably differ slightly but what you think of my education/life idea? since your a teacher AND a fellow fretter i can trust what you tell me.

[pes_laul]

'Scuse me while I whip this out... :eek:

Many of the internet filtering systems block proxy server websites. There is an ongoing game to keep ahead of them, but there is always a period of time that you can use one without getting noticed. A new website will appear to be uncategorized by the filter and usually lets it through. You can surf from there.

Here's the latest: http://www.fishbasketball.com/

If you want to know when a new proxy avoidance site is online, go to http://peacefire.org/ and sign up for email notices. There are others out there, but this one isn't risky or loaded with malware, and they don't sell your email addy.

EDIT: Oh, and you didn't hear this from me! ;)
hmm I can use that when school starts

[Hardass blues]

.... Graduated high school in 3 years and had a scholarship started college at 16 and blew it off to be a rock star LOL! Had a chance and being signed in the late eighties and was passed on (who wasn't in the city LOL!). I have been a working plumbing foreman (local 130 Chicago) for the last 11 or so years. Was laid off for the first time in my life over the winter, that was how I found the Fret.com. I have always had construction jobs. I have to know how things work. I am intrigued by all sorts of mechanical's guitars,cars motorcycles, houses, high rises, I have worked on or built all of the fore mentioned. I tried going to the same place for a while like a white collar gig. I get too jumpy after a while so I stuck with plumbing. I like to move around a lot site to site. The early part of my career I plumbed mansions in the Chicago west suburbs 25,000 sq foot houses! Crazy Crazy stuff. Good pay, I work hard and can look in the boss's face when I get my check. I owe know one. I have two great kids and a awesome wife who I have been with for 24 years. My addiction to guitars and motorcycles is accepted and supported by them and I love them for it. As it goes I'm a waaa:rockon:yyy lucky dude. Later,J.H.

[deeaa]

Teacher...I teach at a vocational college.

[SharkUSMC]

I'm an IT Security Guy. I sit around a lot thinking of ways to break things - my work comes to me naturally. :)I did the intel thing in the Marine Corps, where I first became paranoid and started thinking about how to break things, and look for weaknesses in systems and such. I'm not as technical as I used to be, I spend more time on policy and management and "big picture thinking" now. I also teach at a local University one night a week, doing classes on computer networking and security.

Pretty active in my church as well, and started learning lead and getting into electric guitar a few months back. Discovered I'm a Strat guy after buying and later selling a knockoff Les Paul. Been focusing on basics for now, just learning scales and practicing those.

Glad to be here.

[jpfeifer]

... been away from the board for a while, just catching up and I saw this thread. Sorry to jump in late ...

I'm a scuba diver for Roto Rooter :-)
No, just being a wise guy.

I'm actually a field applications engineer for a software company that makes streaming video and music software for mobile phones and consumer electronics. It's interesting to see where things are going with the mobile industry as the new entertainment medium.

I'm also a freelance musician on the side. I play at churches, casuals, and the occasional recording gig. But mostly, I play just for the love of it.

-- Jim

[helliott]

Been in the newspaper business for 33 years. Managing editor now, specifically responsible for op-ed (opinions and commentary), union relations, Newsroom IT and web operations.

[pie_man_25]

I have the best job ever, I mooch off my parents!

[ibanezjunkie]

I have the best job ever, I mooch off my parents!


right on, brother!:dude:

[thekiwidisciple]

I'm an Apprentice Aircraft Maintenance Engineer in the Mechanical trade.

[rylanmartin]

I work at a snobby, high end golf course as a sous chef. Aside from that I run a small home based recording studio and teach guitar lessons.

I'm also involved in a self-funded research project to discover the greatest beers of all time.

[rugbynyc]

I trade stocks for a large bank.

[bedroom rocker]

i work various casual positions throughout the year, depending on the season. cherry picker, cane cutter, pruner, almond sweeper driver, grape picker etc etc... id rather work full time but at least i can afford to fund my addiction to guitar :dude:

[Rampant]

I tell the guy in front where to point the behemoth with the smartie-shaped roof-box. He listens and complies.

:D

[sunvalleylaw]

Navigator?

[FrankenFretter]

I've done many things, including but not limited to: Pizza cook, gas station attendant, night club VJ/DJ, soundman, college radio DJ, shift manager for a fast food restaurant, groundskeeper/painter for a large apartment complex, purchasing agent for an engine remanufacturer, and now I work for a large, well known cable company, working with video, phone and Internet. I worked at a bike shop for a little while, one of my favorite jobs. I also had my own apartment/house rental magazine, which I managed to run into the ground all too soon.

I'm pretty happy doing what I do now, and I've been at it for almost four years now. I get to work with my hands and use my brain, so it's nearly ideal for me.

Interesting variety of skill sets here on The Fret. A little of everything. Very nice indeed!

-Sean

[Rampant]

Navigator?

Username requires amendment: SharpSherlockLaw

:D

[sunvalleylaw]

Username requires amendment: SharpSherlockLaw

:D
:D But now the question is navigator of what? What has a smartie shaped box on top? Naval ship, commercial vessel, airplane? Inquiring minds want to know!

[Kodiak3D]

Forensic chemist :D

[Rampant]

:D But now the question is navigator of what? What has a smartie shaped box on top? Naval ship, commercial vessel, airplane? Inquiring minds want to know!


Think Smarties UK...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/331700674_510c2e2e2b_m.jpg

Enough clues, already, Sherlock :D

[sunvalleylaw]

Ahh, got it. I was thinking US Smarties which are like mini sardine cans. I saw lots of those smarties perched on stilts above aircraft on Boeing field as I was raised in the Tacoma/Seattle area.

[Perfect Stranger]

Ne'er-do-well....

[ragnarpk]

currently wash dishes in restaurants and work as a waiter at the british embassy to procure funds for college etc. its terrible, but its money.

[jazzrat]

Art Director/IT goon for a sign company

[Geraint Jones]

Think Smarties UK...

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/164/331700674_510c2e2e2b_m.jpg

Enough clues, already, Sherlock :D

you got me `cos thats the new shape smartie box , I remember the old disc ones with the alphabet on the back

[Trailer Park Casanova]

Large, commercial & industrial Air Conditioning (HVAC) and refer contractor, Retired early.
Wife works in specialty Oncology.

[sumitomo]

I'm still baiting hooks and if this keeps up I think I'll go blind.Sumi:D

[Katastrophe]

Route sales for a large frozen foods home delivery company.

[sunvalleylaw]

Like Schwans? My Mother in Law loves their stuff, and keeps at least two boxes of the little mini ice cream bars that compare to mini Dove bars in the freezer at all times.

[Eric]

Chemical engineer for a biotech company in the R&D pilot plant.

[VoodoChild]

I work with cadavers(dissecting) procuring tissue for medical research at the nations leading tissue bank for whole body donation.( Not Kidding )

[sumitomo]

When I was 20 I worked for Inglewood Park Cemetery(next to the L.A.Forum)I was doing concrete borders for headstones,it was next to the crematorium,man it used to smell like a big barbeque,then it smelled like someone forgot to turn the meat.We used to call the guy who ran it colonel burns,we say hey who's cookin colonel.I saw the whole process start to finish,they grind up the ashes and bones,we would find old hip joints made of metal with the screws,it was a great place to ride my Harley or have a picnic by the pond.Sumi:D

[Pickngrin]

Clinical psychologist

[guitardan777]

I'm an electrical engineer w/ GM, just had my 25th annev. in Oct 09.
Our department develops software for powertrain and chassis controllers.
My duties are Lab and Intrumentation managment which is basically a supporting role for the software developers and validators.
Located at the Proving Grounds in Milford Michigan. (the country club as they say).

Before GM, I worked in a family buisness (TV sales and service) as a technician.

Been out of the band scene for about a year, but looking to get something started again.

On the side, I build custom guitar amps for GDS and Guytron amplification in Fenton Mi.

[Commodore 64]

Project Manager, Geologist for an environmental engineering company.

[sumitomo]

Chemical engineer for a biotech company in the R&D pilot plant.Do you get any samples?:poke Sumi:D

[Eric]

Do you get any samples?:poke Sumi:D
How do you think I got to be 6'3"?

I could get some ultra-pure water for a humidifier if you wanted...

[sumitomo]

Wow Eric that's strange,I mean in a good way because I am very interested in water purification,I visit South America alot and see what a problem clean water is,and it is an element we (man) cannot create and we need it to sustain live,so I am on a quest to find a method to purify water at a low cost or no cost(using sunlight)to help people have a better live and a healthy live also.Sumi:D

[guitarhack]

Program Director/Operations Mgr./Morning Show host/Whatever for a small market radio station combo.

[otaypanky]

Wow Eric that's strange,I mean in a good way because I am very interested in water purification,I visit South America alot and see what a problem clean water is,and it is an element we (man) cannot create and we need it to sustain live,so I am on a quest to find a method to purify water at a low cost or no cost(using sunlight)to help people have a better live and a healthy live also.Sumi:D

I remember hearing about a system developed by the man who invented the Segway. He's quite the bright fellow. He also concocted a wheel chair that allowed the person to climb stairs. I can't recall his name at the moment ~

I worked in the auto and motorcycle industries for decades. Everything from tech to sales. Then I did paintless dent removal for about 12 years. Now I make custom guitar straps, Brookwood Leather (http://www.brookwoodleather.com)~ I love working with my hands the most

[phoenix_p0]

Those straps are amazing Otay.

I'm an administrator and event organiser for a charity working with persecuted Christians.

[R.B. Huckleberry]

Unemployed insurance/financial manager.

[Ilovecheapguitars]

I am an aviation structural engineer in the U.S. Navy. what that means is I fix planes with a BIG hammer. I also hot rod guitars on the side.

[MAXIFUNK]

Senior Unix Systems Administrator

Semi-retired Body guard to the stars.
Ex-clients Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Prince, Janet Jackson, Micheal Jackson, Hugh M. Hefner, Sigourney Weaver, Rick James, Van Halen, I could go on and on but you get the idea I toured with every one of those bands and artist except the gloved one.

[Soulstress]

Went into the Air Force back in 93 till they kicked me out for asking too many questions and not following the rules. An out-going California party girl stuck on a Strategic Air Command remote base with mainly officers in bumpf&$k North Dakota with a bunch of enlisted men that never seen much outside of their little towns before. Along with a low population of women. YOU TELL ME, WTF WAS I SUPPOSE TO DO!! :thwap

95' worked as a supervisor for Bank of America's Online Banking Dept in San Francisco and traveled around the US hooking up with friends to party :happy

Till 99' when I met a guy from an AOL online dating thing ( back when AOL was all there was). Graduated with an AA in Psych.

Got married in 01' to the AOL guy. Loving man and father. I put my aspirations on hold. Had two children. One of which was diagnosed with autism. :help

Now attending University of California in the Speech and Language Pathology program and learning guitar :happy

[sumitomo]

Cool feedback otay and those are awesome straps(I can feel the G.A.S. comming).Sumi:D

[Plank_Spanker]

Went into the Air Force back in 93 till they kicked me out for asking too many questions and not following the rules. An out-going California party girl stuck on a Strategic Air Command remote base with mainly officers in bumpf&$k North Dakota with a bunch of enlisted men that never seen much outside of their little towns before. Along with a low population of women. YOU TELL ME, WTF WAS I SUPPOSE TO DO!! :thwap

Spend a little time at Grand Forks, did you? :rotflmao:

I've been TDY there a couple of times, and that is one lonely, desolate, extreme backwater, off the beaten path, go nowhere little seen corners of the world. I don't know how young single airmen survive there without going crazy............it's like a remote in CONUS........:nope The place is depressing to say the least.

I have 30 years in the military - 12 active duty, 18 in the ANG, and I going to retire this year.

Right now, I'm an electronics quality assurance specialist (Civil Service) for the U.S government.

[otaypanky]

thank you phoenix_p0 and sumitomo :AOK

[@nthony]

Civil Servant serving Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain.

[Tarin]

Funny... i'm an Architect but have always worked as a Civil Engineer, and for the past 5 months i've been on front of a survey crew.
Times are tough here in Mexico also... you gotta do what you can.

I also gain some extra pesos by buying guitar stuff on Ebay and and selling it on the mexican version of Ebay... this is how i get to try out lots of guitar stuff, so it's more of a hobby for me.

[Mr Pants]

Environmental Health Officer, and part time painter of military miniatures. Also spent some time delivering lighbulbs in Canada. Worked in a slaughterhouse for a while once, which was interesting.

[Robert]

Martin, you never came by my house? I always seem to be missing a few.

In other words, I'm running out of ideas.

[Tig]

I forgot to update...
Since late January '10, I've been working weekend nights doing domain security work, mostly MS Active Directory, for a huge company that has a bunch of people in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Australia, etc. It pays better than any previous job, which is great in today's economy.

The good thing is that there's no politics at night and enough work to keep things moving. The bad part is it is at night for 11-12 hours. I manage to stay awake, but it is difficult to stay healthy. I haven't ridden a bike since February and have gained weight while my fitness has disappeared completely.

As I move up in seniority, I'll have a shot at a day shift slot, hopefully before the end of 2010. Any longer and I'll start feeding on blood and avoid sunlight completely. :messedup:

_____________________________


// Way back in my NASA days, I'd work nights, usually 1 or 2 months out of 3. Started in the Crew Systems Lab running and repairing old mainframes that collected test data. We ran bends prevention testing for astronauts preparing for EVA's (space walks). Since the spacesuit is pressurized at only 5 to 5.5 PSI, they counter the effects with a higher O2 level.

http://nwfmoa.org/images/atlantis-3.jpg


Also worked in the Space Environment Simulation Lab (7 story tall vacuum chamber),
http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/aviation/Buildings/lab1.jpg
and eventually in the Mission Control Center for several dozen missions. It was cool being part of all that, but it isn't as great a place to work as many might think.

No I wasn't a controller, but did support various equipment from old, clunky systems you'd laugh at to modern UNIX systems on a fiber optic network. I also got to support the Spaceflight Meteorology Group (Noaa/NWS). I love weather and meteorology.
http://www.satsig.net/satellite-internet/mission-control-gemini-v-aug-1965.jpg

[Mr Pants]

Well that certainly trumps my slaughterhouse story.

[omegadot]

I worked food service all through college. I actually didn't mind it, I like when stuff is all ****ed up and busy. Now I do computer forensics in the Navy. I'm actually a CTN, which is a great rate if you like networking and have ambition, but I don't do much with networks :-(. I get to travel and play with really expensive geeky toys so I love it anyway.

[guitargrizz]

I'm finishing up high school right now (get my diploma in May), and I work full-time at a bar/restaurant called Hail Mary's Sports Pub. It's on it's way to being franchised in the next year. Not sure exactly where the other locations are going to be though.

But right now they're training me to be head cook and kitchen manager and I'll be getting a couple more raises in the next year, so I'm pretty stoked about that. Not bad for a high school student. Especially in the economy we live in today here in the states.
Surely isn't great money, not for someone who is in search of a career and a good yearly salary, but like I said, I'm in high school and still living at home. I'll be moving to Louisiana in a year or two and attending a music program at a University of some sort, so yeah, life is good as of right now. :]

[street music]

I have moved into a non-union position now as a GIS Engineer for the rural co-op that have been with for 20 years, I spent many years as a lineman and kept going to every school that they would send me to. Now I no longer have to climb poles and I spend a lot of time inside on the computers and dealing with maps, engineering, and dispatching. I got a boost to my retirement and saved a bunch by not paying union dues.

[Robert]

This is a great thread. :)
Really interesting to see what the fretters do when they are not playing guitar.

[Tig]

After 1 year as a temp in my position, I'm now permanent with the company as of today. The bad part is a slight pay cut, about 10%. It was 11.3% cut, but I negotiated for a little more. :bootyshake The good part is the benefits cost me a good deal less, so the overall bottom line is I'll be taking home the same pay, but now get paid vacation and sick days.

Also, we'll be moving from the company's ghetto manufacturing campus location to the big shiny corporate tower in downtown next week, 25th floor.

Having a good job is something I never take for granted, especially these days.

[kidsmoke]

I'll let you know when I get one.

Was laid off two weeks ago along with 2/3rds of the company. Shouldn't have let it go so long but I did.

Tig, man, that's great news. I'm determined to do it right this time and get a gig that I'm excited about, not just a check.

Playin' a lot of guitar though!

[deeaa]

Yeah nothing like a steady job. Took me over ten years after school to get one. I graduated after studying for well over 20 years of my life, so the first steady job I got I was well over 35 already. It does make a big difference, being able to plan further etc.

[Tig]

I'll let you know when I get one.

Was laid off two weeks ago along with 2/3rds of the company. Shouldn't have let it go so long but I did.

Tig, man, that's great news. I'm determined to do it right this time and get a gig that I'm excited about, not just a check.

Playin' a lot of guitar though!

Hang in there, Tio Kimo!
I know it is tough on you and yours, but you'll make it through. Things are starting to turn around already.

I remember my guitar learning curve was rapid when I was last layed off, so enjoy! :R

[Eric]

I do have a new job now, though it's largely the same as before. I was laid off on a couple of weeks ago as well, but I had an interview the following Monday, and started the new job 3 days later.

Things couldn't have been smoother transition-wise, so I'm very grateful. I'll relax a little after I get that first paycheck, but it looks pretty good right now.

[Tig]

I do have a new job now, though it's largely the same as before. I was laid off on a couple of weeks ago as well, but I had an interview the following Monday, and started the new job 3 days later.


I remember your thread a few months ago about how the recent job would be ending. Good to know everything worked out, Eric. :happy

[deeaa]

What I've been thinking lately is I should maybe start to think about working my way to some other position after maybe, say ten or fifteen years...I should think past 50 I'll find it really hard to teach the same stuff still to teenagers. Can't see myself having the energy to do that properly by then, it's already now after ten years very exhausting, especially midwinter, to lecture and rally kids day in day out with all kinds of tricks. Sometimes I think my job resembles more of that of a stand-up comedian than anything else.

So, maybe I should start inching towards some sort of a desk job here later on...maybe international liaisons...work safety and wellbeing manager...some sort of mid-level manager or research job...perhaps even something in IT side of things.

[scruff]

Wow, this forum really has one of everything!
I'm a mid-level manager for a document management company here in the Houston area - and like most folks here, also a part-time musician.

[Glacies]

I thought I posted in this thread back in the day. Looks like I didn't even read it. Nice to have so many lawyers!

Technically I'm a Nuclear Engineer, but I've tried to get my hand in as much experimental testing and programming as I have been able to lately. I really enjoy that work and so far it's the only thing in my line of work that has offered me the creative space that I've always wanted.

My wife and I are in the works of starting our own small catering business and if we can get that off and running and profitable I will leave the engineering world to run that full time. If it fails, we took a shot and had a lot of fun getting there. Every weekend we're trying to invent new and interesting recipes together. Sometimes they work, sometimes not.

For conversation sake, I was a videogame coder back in late HS and try to keep up with the industry somewhat today. Was head referee at a paintball field for almost 6 years. Was a ditch digger for a month once. Worst. Job. Ever.

[Gibbo]

I'm a neurological surgeon.

Haha............no really I work in a factory, inspecting auto oil pans for defects in the paint finish. How mundane can you get :rollover
It pays the bills though. :thumbsup

[cheapgtrs]

I'm a chef in a Kurdish restaurant

[omegadot]

I'm still in the Navy but now I do mostly programing for our web tools and various analytical stuff. Other than malware analysis it's the coolest thing I've done yet. I may be getting medically separated in the next year so hopefully I'll land someplace doing similar work!

[Pickngrin]

I'm a chef in a Kurdish restaurant

Kurds? No whey! ;-)

[Photomike666]

I guess I've been around the block a bit.

92-96 I was a freelance journalist & photographer working in the music industry

97-02 I ran my own web based heavy metal magazine. I covered all the great bands when the played in London & other bits of Europe. Best job ever!!!

I sold the magazine when my kids went to school as I wasn't seeing them and went into logistic & planning.

04 I moved to Australia and presently work as a planner for a major oil company.

Now my kids are growing up I'm looking at starting a photography business and am in negotiations with a talent school to work a stage on their premises. If it pans out I'll do their stage work, get bands in and hopefully band management

[Tig]

Same job but finally on day shift after 3 1/2 years of nights. I'm feeling healthier already thanks to better meals, much less snacking, and a weekly bike ride for the last 2 months.
My group just took over the security for ERP (Oracle) this month, and it is quite a cluster-you-know-what. Luckily, only the Canada offices are on it this phase. I can't believe it is in such bad shape after 2 years of development and configuration. We're in it for $100 million so far! It reminds me of the 787 Dreamliner, only more complex and less amazing.
:thwap

[Eric]

Same job but finally on day shift after 3 1/2 years of nights. I'm feeling healthier already thanks to better meals, much less snacking, and a weekly bike ride for the last 2 months.
My group just took over the security for ERP (Oracle) this month, and it is quite a cluster-you-know-what.
Cool. So is that like a similar software to SAP or something?

[Tig]

Cool. So is that like a similar software to SAP or something?

Yes, Oracle is a prime competitor of SAP. We have SAP currently but I guess they out grew it or something. Both are highly customizable, but I think Oracle is more complex. Maybe that comes with having more options.

The good part is I get to learn a whole new system as it is going live, as well as future developments instead of just showing up later and admin'ing something existing.

[sixstringdrug]

M-F I put windshields into cars, install storefront windows and frames, and other misc. glass related activities

evenings and weekends I am a full time single dad

I get together with a group of dads a few times a month to jam when our schedules permit, we've had a couple gigs but not a real working band, I play an acoustic set at a local bar once a month and sit in with a classic rock cover band every so often when their regular rythym guitarist cant make it.

Music is my second passion and I feed it when I can but feeding my kids comes first