What do you do?

Reading through some of the threads on this board, I often get little glimpses into what catsailors do for a living or what sort of education they have. I know, for example, we get a lot of engineers in our sport for some reason. Made me curious, though - what do you do?

I am a geologist - BS degree from Florida State. I worked in hazardous waste site assessment, designing and installing groundater monitoring and remedial networks. At least until my daughter was born in 2003 - now I do laundry. Groundwater modeling was easier. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

LPN with associates degree from the local J.C. I have a wife, no kids and three cats.

Naval Architecture and MBA degrees from University of Michigan - now an asset manager for a mid-sized property management company in suburban Detroit.

Basically, I keep watch on the physical and financial (mostly the latter) aspects of about 30 properties (apartments and office buildings) scattered throughout lower Michigan and northern Ohio.

I am a Radiologic Technologist with licenses in Diagnostic Radiology, Mammography, CT and MRI. Have worked in all those areas of imaging and now do Surgical Radiology. Basically I help the surgeons make sure they are in the correct place when setting leads, catheters, screws/plates and using dye. It is a really cool job..most of the time. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

BSc Hons; Work in The City for an Investment bank; Generally I muck around with Computers.

John,

I grew up in the Belmont Shores area and have always been told that one day the breakwall will come down. Last week on 2nd street there was a petition signing and 'they' claim they have enough signatures to get rid of the southern most wall (in front of ABYC/ LB peninsula) What say you? Will the day ever come?

Interesting that you would ask that question, John, because I have always thought that it was for the best that catamaran sailing just be a great equalizer, where people did not have to reveal their education or talents or income, etc. Like, you can be a janitor or a ditch-digger or an attorney or a doctor and all are on the same level when it comes to sailing.

"Occupation" is a question I have always asked on our forms for application to participants in Rick White's Sailing Seminars, but I do not ever tell anybody else what somebody's occupation is. I figure that is up to the individual if they want to share it with somebody else. (It can be scary and inhibiting if you know there are lawyers on some of the other boats.)

And I also think that it can be intimidating to prospective sailors if they find out that most sailors are doctors/people in the medical field or lawyers or engineers. It is just not relevant.

Well, it may be relevant in a demographic sense (for commercial purposes?), but I just don't think it is relevant on an individual level.

HOWEVER, what I DO think is interesting and relevant is the other hobbies and interests and sports of sailors, other than sailing. I don't care what you do for a living, but I do like to know what the other things are that sailors do for fun -- like tennis, bicycling, motocross, surfing, kayaking, landsailing, skiing, rock-climbing, ice-fishing, etc., etc.

Okay, please do not anybody start saying anything on this thread about their non-sailing hobbies, because I am going to start another thread for that right now.

And I really hope that people stop inputting their work and education-related information, because I think it is counterproductive.

Hey Mike -

PM on the breakwater on the way in a few minutes.

Seriously? I think it's pretty interesting and in no way is it intimidating. I'm proud of what I do and find it interesting that someone else is interested - I think it adds a bit of human interest to the forums.

I have a BS in Mechanical Engineering and almost a double major as Electrical Engineer, this after investing two years as a music major (Jazz Studies - saxophone). I am currently the Aftermarket Sales Manager for Hartness International and run a small and very hardworking international sales group that has been growing 36% in annual sales for each of the last two years. I've been a designer, Product Manager, Field Service Manager, and led a Lean Process Manufacturing group for a short while.

For the most part of the last year, I feel like my avatar at work.

P.S. I used to think it would be neat if sailors could network and let all their fellow sailors know what they did for a living. I thought it would be nice if you could know a local sailor to contact if you needed a doctor or a lawyer or an accountant, or a plumber or a roofer or a real estate agent. Like, keep the money in the "family," so to speak.

But now I am not so sure that is a good thing.

There are good and bad things about it.

What do you guys think? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Mary, but not for the same reason.

Sailing i do when i get away from work.

I don't want to be reminded about work all that much.

Some of us don't have the exciting work life and we do it to make it to the weekend to go sailing.

Not intimidating to you, but totally intimidating to me -- and to the janitor and to the plumber, who are not going to come on and tell you what they do for a living -- and maybe not ever get into racing because some engineer might ask them what they do for a living. "Well, I dig ditches." <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Pre-Press for a local commercial offset printing company.

Hi Mary -

I'm sure that folks can decide if they want to post or not.

Digging ditches - I resemble that remark. Drilling wells is dirty work and at hazardous waste sites, often smelly too. My ditches went straight down and I wore a hard hat. Made me feel like I'd earned the beer at the end of the day. Also made me very good at estimating for new projects - a soft-handed desk-jockey wouldn't have a clue about what it takes to make a hole in karst topography. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

My nickname on the drill rig was "Tex." Great story - ask me at the bar some time.

I've dug ditches, framed houses, mowed lawns, shoveled driveways, built stone walls, bussed tables, and bar teneded. All of this while in high school and college to pay for my flying lessons (and my racing dinghys; a 505 and Laser).

In college after my sophmore year, I got a job flying freight at night in a twin engine turbo prop, hauling cancelled checks and overnight film mostly.

On Monday through Thursday nights, we departed Boston at 9pm, to JFK, to Detroit (City airport, on the shore of Lake St. Clair) then back to JFK, back to Boston, arrive at 0600, then drive to an 0800 class at UNH, a good 1 1/2 hour drive north of Logan, if it wasn't snowing. Sit in classes from 0800-1200, go home, go to bed at 1pm, get up at 7pm, eat, drive to Boston and do it all over agian. This was my job through college. I had to take classes all summer to make up for the ones I slept through during fall and spring semesters. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In 1981, after graduation from UNH with a BS in Business Admin. (transfered to Business from Engineering when I got that night freight job) I joined the NH Air Guard to fly KC135's and then in 1985 was hired by Delta Air Lines.

Been flying since I was about 8 only because my dad had a Piper Cub and was an instructor at a little grass strip 1/4 mile from our house in Hampton, NH. So I got a lot of stick time early in life from him, but I also pounded a lot of nails in high school. Those flying lessons didn't come cheap!

Now after 22+ years at Delta, I can just sit up there at 35,000' for 16 hours, picking lint out of my belly button, somewhere over Iran or Afganistan or Pakistan, on my way to Mumbai, wondering if Delta is going to survive $100/bbl oil for the next 15 years so I can retire to a big cat in the Keys...or maybe I'll go back to digging ditches, and retire to "Living in a van, down by the River!"

"The world needs ditch diggers too, Danny."

I agree as well. I got a kick out of what one of my foreman told me once, "Work is actually fun about three days a year...the rest of the time it's just a job". I used to be really enamored with my job, can you say workaholic? It was more of a peer pressure thing than anything else, but that's the nature of the construction industry, a dog-eat-dog world with a LOT of type A, "driver" personalities. It feels good to leave daily knowing you gave it your best, you gave your boss his money's worth. For me it makes the hobbies more enjoyable. If knowing what your sailing acquaintances do for a living comes over time in establishing a friendship that's cool.

I do find it interesting to hear what others do, especially celebs like Jake and John! JW you forgot to mention your fine career as a sportscaster/anchorman! I have to admit one of the things I love about my fleet, and catsailors in general, is the diversity. We don't have a lot of racial diversity yet, but the spectrum for careers is pretty vast! My career has certainly given me appreciation for regatta organizers. I'm a waiter and bartender in a convention hotel. In past incarnations there, I oversaw dinners for 1,000+ people, have designed, and implemented a training program, training more than 300 people. It has always amazed me how hard it is to get people to simply set a table properly...I am also a full time caregiver for an Alzheimer's patient. I spent 5 years, off and on at an art school. I was a TA for a portrait sculpture class, and hope to return to teaching that at some point.

If we are getting into past jobs....one of my favorites (and yes I am crazy!) was hand collecting eggs for 28,000 chickens every day. It was very smelly and loud but it was a great way to spend time alone.

Is that time alone during or after that work? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Past jobs? Professional (broke) musician, fast food, Wal-Mart Tire and Lube auto technician, Valvoline Instant Oil Change, had my own business rebuilding RX-7's, interned for Chattanooga Gas Company (before they were bought by Atlanta Gas Light) as a new installation inspector and a pipeline corrosion technician, and a couple of years working on production lines at McKee Foods (Little Debbie).

here's some old stuff I recorded with a group called "The Sygn" while in college in Ohio.

http://www.teamseacats.com/jake/music/London%20Lights.mp3

http://www.teamseacats.com/jake/music/Something%20About%20Ethiopia.mp3

That stuff sure sounded better back then <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I have since misplaced my crowning achievement in a band call "Ummm Clunk" with a 2 song LP where one side was titled "Jammin' Jake's X-rated Chili Theater" where I played piano, cello, (yes) pan flute, flute, and saxophone accompanied by a really, un-sober, rock band. We did a small tour playing planetariums in the mid-west. The band name came from one of the music recitals we were required to attend - it had this Native American Indian guy playing traditional compositions that always ended with "UUUUUUMmmmmmm [clunk]" ... the [clunk] was him beating on something different every time. I have no doubt that THAT one certainly sounded a whole lot better back then. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Cabinet maker. I haven't known another job since I was 17, I'm almost 27 now. I worked at an autoparts store, and a glass factory prior to the woodworking career. I've been self employed for 4 years with my own shop. My advice when it comes to starting your own business is to just let the American dream slide. Someday it will pay but at this point the pay doesn't make up for the long hours, the stress and the trouble. Especially in this crap housing market.

Here's a kitchen I did in a 1.5m town home. One of my favorite/high paying projects.

Well, that sounds great compared to my job. I had to pull the guts out of the chickens, separate out the livers and the gizzards, and then wrap up the livers and gizzards in packages to go to the customers. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Jake! Nice music - I think I hear some blue turtles in there... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

How about dating ourselves with past jobs? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Hauled hay at 1/2 cent per bale

Replaced fence posts for 5 cents each

Dishwasher (1st "real" job) $1.45/hour

In "Something about Ethiopia" do I hear a bit of Mark Knopfler influence?

Nice stuff <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Civil Engineer and industrial mechanics technician, but almost never worked in those fields. Real work started in commodities, then financial institutions from back office to head of treasury/markets. Investments and advisory nowadays.

Quite possibly - the lead singer/guitarist in that song was my summer-school college English Professor, Micky, from Ireland. The other lead singer / backup guitarist, Ian, was from England. The bass player, Dieter, was from Germany, and the drummer, Denny, was from Wal-Mart.

Well currently I work as a pharmacy tech, basically I go through my day working out insurances for thousands of older people. The CVS I work at is very near the busiest in the nation doing over 1000 scripts per day.

But that is just to pay the bills while I am in school, hopefully I will be the pharmacist and possibly own my own pharmacy.

One more and then I'll quit...I haven't listened to these in a while...The quality is a little muttled because they were duped from a 1991 cassette tape a few years ago. This is my favorite song from that Album though I didn't play on this song..."57 Chevy"

http://www.teamseacats.com/jake/music/'57%20Chevy.mp3

Started working and cleaning parts in gasoline at 12 years old for my dad who was rebuilding motors for extra money.By 14 I rebuilt my first motor by myself.(a 40hp VW motor). Worked at El taco for 1.00 an hour,a drive-in theater,and circle K all at 16 years. I have laid block for 15 years in Arizona,laid sewer pipe,"live and inactive". As I got older I realized it is time to get a job with benefits.

Started working on the ramp loading bags on aircraft while going to school for my A&P license. After 2 years started as a mechanic and am now an inspector for southwest airlines.

Will retire in 10 years.

At the risk of intimitdating some, here goes:

B.Sc. in Cell & Molecular Biology.

Spent a summer working in municipal sewage treatment plant...does that win me the most smelly job award?

M.Sc. in Virology

Several years working in a virus lab on a Ph.D. before I opted to start making money (so I could sail again ;-) and took a job at the leading Biotechnology company...Amgen in So.Cal. where I do science application support & training for the research staff.

Currently,
Field Service Engineer, biotech company was called Chiron, now owned by Novartis.

I work on automated blood test systems, screening donated blood at blood banks to prevent disease transmission from transfusion. Quite the blend of electronics, automation, fluidics, chemistry, biochemistry and immunology. Always having to learn something new which keeps it interesting.

Well I used to be an Electrical Engineer, but now I'm working as a Property Tax Consultant. But I'm one of the "good guys"; we help to get people's property taxes LOWERED. That's a very hot topic in Indiana these days. (The Governor was almost lynched by angry mobs of taxpayers recently.)

I sure wish Mike Roe was a catsailor. My computer would crash loading that Resume.

I am a construction inspector/project manager on highway (mostly bridges)construction projects for the Texas Department of Transportation.

I are a college student...that sells a few boats and parts here and there.
May 2008 will bring a BS degree (and I don't mean bachelor's of science) in Business Management and Marketing.

So who in here is hiring? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I have a BS in Physics. I worked in the aerospace industry for a while on some mission control teams, then testing software. This dryed up, so now I'm in Nursing school. I have about a year to go in the RN program at the local JC.

D. Ho
TheMightyHobie18 1067

Howdy Indywave,
What does that long Hawaiian name of your boat mean?

David Ho
TheMightyHobie18 1067

A two year degreee in machine tool with a 4 year apprenticeship to become a tool & die maker. (Good for making custom parts for boats). I went back to school at night for a BS in Manufacturing Engineering. I currently work in the office furniture industry as a Engineer. I am volunteering as a machinest for the local First Robotics team and I am Past President of the local Toastmasters Club.

I should have listed cooking in the hobby thread. Nice kitchen, Karl! Double convection ovens with a microwave and warming drawer, six-burner gas stove with custom hood and lighted glass-front hardwood cabinetry. Particularly like the tile backsplash and pot filler. Nice use of space, dude.

Worked at car washes, then a marina(that was good job),then a gov't job~~3yrs-Army.. 2yrs in Vietnam 69-71(pissed my pants a few times).. Hon. discharge, and odd jobs that sucked after military service. I now work in a steel mill making ''specialty'' steel~~valve,stainless,tool,and things like that. I'v been there 35 yrs with super benefits.It paid for my operations. I will be 59 in Feb. Can't retire yet <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Work sucks~ sailin's Great. Oh well !!!

Starting boating on the Monongahela river in West Virginia, outboard racing at 11. later, B stock hydros and C runabouts. First real job, putting up hay and other jobs on Grandfathers Farm in the summers. BSME West Virginia University followed by 40 years at Johnson Controls in Sales and Sales Management, http://www.johnsoncontrols.com/publish/us/en/products/building_efficiency.html Concurrently, 2 1/2 years in the US Army on active duty, then 5 1/2 yrs Ready Reserve, left as Captain. Retired from JCI in 1999. Now giving back, volunteering at Sail Sand Point in Seattle, and several other worth while organizations.

Caleb Tarleton

Deckhand on a scallop boat, bank clerk, car parts shop manager, radio announcer, news journalist, two stressful years (on the other side of the mike) as a political media advisor. The last 15 years, most enjoyably, doing science research based PR for a government department.

I hope to graduate this year with a Masters in PR, only 30 years late.

I really like the in-cabinet lighting and the color of those cabinets! I'm planning a kitchen remodel and that will be considered in the plan now. Thanks Karl!

Caleb, I worked for Johnson for 10years. I ended up as a project manager. Then went to Trane for a few years, got recruited to be a sales manager for a HVAC rep firm, started my own rep firm, closed that(stress,taxes & slow payers).
I am now the Maintenance Superintendent for Onondaga County Parks. Much more secure, less stress(and money) and good benefits.
The general maintenance workers, carpenters,plumbers and electricians work for me. Their jobs are as important as any and day to day things would not run without them.
When the toilet won't flush, the water isn't on, the roof is leaking or the lights are out, they are the most important guys we have.
I to have spent time in sewage ejector pits fixing pumps <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

Get out your checkbook. I charged $15k for that kitchen just in cabinets.

MSc. Geology: Work in construction dewatering and treatment.

It's the state fish of Hawaii. I think it was chosen, somewhat as a joke, for its ridiculously long name. It's small, but very colorful (like a Hobie Wave). You can even buy t-shirts with the fish on them. My wife and I have seen several humuhumunukunukuapua'as while snokeling there.

Body Double

Also known as the Picasso Trigger Fish

Now there is an idea for a paint job.

Well I used work on underwater explosives (mines) for the USNAVY, and built them up for war time (as needed)... but I hated the BS so I got out and went to school

Pre Law / Economics (with a minor in music). Which lead me directly into ... LOL apartment painting.... That is where I met a guy going to art school for Interactive Computer Design and animation. I absorbed everything he and his friends could teach me and went for a few semesters myself. I was recruited from school (during the DotCom explosion)and became a Search Engine specialist / production monkey.

That has leaded me to my current position (after surviving the dotcom bubble burst and many other jobs) as Marketing Director for 3 medical companies. that is a VERY glorified title for a webmaster/salesguy/designer/scapegoat.

I got my undergraduate degree in physical therapy in the Netherlands, and moved to the USA in 1989 with my wife Jacqueline, who also is a PT (no jobs there, plenty here!). While practicing here I went back to graduate school, first for a masters in PT and then for my doctorate in education. A couple of years ago a made the switch from clinical practice to full-time teaching in a PT program.

I work in the pharmaceutical industry creating and maintaining databases to store and analyze clinical trial information.

Sounds more exciting that it really is.

Before that, I was a IT Support type dude at the university, a building facilities/events worker (setup tables and chairs for functions), a grocery store store accountant, a landscape worker (yes I did dig ditches), a bicycle repairman, a busboy at a restaurant, a school tutor... what else... I can't remember anymore.

My first stab at entrepeneurship was dealing drugs in the 70s. Small stuff -- just enough to live on. That worked till I got busted! Through the 80s and 90s I tried a few "real" jobs but couldn't get the hang of it. Even tried one gig for 5 years with a corporation. What a waste of 5 good years!

I've always made just enough money to "get by" on our relatively simple lifestyle. Early on I realized that there was an infinite amount of money, but only a finite amount of time. I decided right then and there that time was way more valuable than money, and went off pursuing experiences at the expense of making money! If I had to do it all over again, I'd keep it just that way.

I take personal responsibility for getting my crew to quit her job of 40 years! And a good percentage of my friends are either unemployed or unemployable...or both!

When it is all said and done and you are lying there on your bed watching the lights go out, you gotta ask yourself are you gonna be grateful for that extra sale your closed or that extra gig you landed, or are you gonna wish you had spent more time with your kids or more time on the sailboat. I choose the latter...every day!

Very true Peter!

I'm a semiprofessional race car driver and an amateur tattoo artist.
Actually I’m a Mechanical Engineer PE designing building systems.

I'm fascinated, Peter! How did you convince your crew to stop working?

The corporation she was working for -- a manufacturer of airplanes here in Seattle (but who shall remain nameless!) -- was just like most corporations. They get the workers thinking that they absolutely have to keep working until they die or are no longer needed by the corporation. Usually it is the latter!!

I just started pickling her thinking into a different direction. Basically she and her husband already had plenty of money to live on the rest of their lives. It was pretty obvious to me. She started doing some research, and the more she dug, the more she realized I was right. I mean after that many years in the 'system', there better be a nest egg!!

So she up and quit. Actually she arranged a 3-year temporary leave of absence so she could officially 'retire' without losing any benefits. Two months later her husband did the same thing!

She is stressing right now as she adjusts to living without a regular income. This is a pretty typical stage I have seen lots of retired folks go through. It usually lasts about 6 months. Heck, I went through it, and I didn't even have a regular job!

But in a couple of more months she'll come back out on the other side and wake up one morning realizing she is just fine. The sky ain't gonna fall. She ain't gonna end up in a ditch. And her lifestyle is gonna take a huge leap forward! Actually, that part has already happened. She is waaay more relaxed (even as she stresses!), and is much happier.

started my first company at 15 sold it to go to University!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Ended up in Medicine but swiftly jumped into developmental neurology and research. Left that after the paperwork time became more than the surgery time. Started another business and gave it to my sister and brother after listing on the Au stock market?? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> so I am now currently listing 3 multinational businesses..

Hey never said I was smart!!

I dropped out of college because I thought I was smarter than they are (boy was I wrong). Now I am a mild mannered service manager at Chevrolet dealership by day and a great father and semi okay husband by night. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Hi again Gang:


I am a Non Destructive Tester. I test metal for cracks, stress, thickmess and corrosion and for inproper welds. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> I went to Ocean Corporation in Houston. In Shreveport now. Fun career and VERY good money, only took 7 1/2 months of training. Fun to change careers at 58!!!!! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Doug Snell

I am a Destructive Tester.

I am a part time mental crack tester! i push and test my girlfriend to see what it takes to make her crack and have a mental failure. So far she is holding steady... more work to do!

This should be fun to tell.
At 14 my brother and I bought a trucking company and sold by the time I got out of high school
Was a radioman in the CG, then started another truck line hauling heavy machinery and sold that in 72,
Bought land and started a motocross track outside of Akron, Ohio -- first name was Crash & Burn Motorpark, then changed it to Grand Prix Raceway
Became an entertainer, started at the Bloody Bucket in W. Palm where I did a duo with another guy at a topless go-go bar for free beer, Then had a regular gig in Zoar, Ohio at a Rathskeller in a Hotel,
Then on to Chicago.
Had several singles and an album, one single charted in the Country/Western arena -- "Sweet Revenge" (about divorce, my 3rd)
Moved to Vail, CO where I entertained there for 10 years, starting as a single, then duo and finally a band we called the Sweetwater Junction. Off season we did concerts around the country was warmup band for such as Michael Martin Murphy (Horse named Wildfire), John Stewart, Ricky Nelson, Hoyt Axton (wrote Heartbreak Hotel sung by the King0, Kenny Rogers, et al.
Moved to Key Largo and did singles, but had to play late at night, so quit.
Became a 500 ton Master Captain and ran charters to the Bahamas and did yacht deliveries.
Then started teaching sailing seminars (still at it)
Publishing Catamaran Sailor Magazine (still at it)
Running www.OnLineMarineStore.com (still at it)

Oh, college -- took 7 years of college, never graduated as I kept changing schools and majors.
Rick

That's waaayyy cheap in Hawaii. Do you ship? On second thought the shipping would be more than the product price.


We see those guys at the beach at the bottom of our hill. They're pretty shy.

My final real job was SE Program Manager for a data storage manufacturer. The stock exploded so I was able to both buy a home in West Maui and self fund my retirement. My present official title is Sabot Repair Guy at the Lahaina YC.

I've done certified welding as a contractor for more years than I can remember. In 96, I got a wild hair up my a$$ and went to tryouts as a walk on for one of the Semi-Pro Arena Football teams in Arizona. My fat butt ran a 4.78 40 and got me a starting position. Then went on to the Pros in the PIFL (Professional Indoor Football League), AFL2, and UAFL. Never thought I would take it to the level that I did. 2002 cam with too many body pains and I decided to stop and get serious about sailing.
I just quit my job as a Project Engineer for a downhole monitoring company and went back to welding. MUCH happier and certainly pays better. I did moonlight as a bouncer in a few topless bars from time to time in the early years.

Lee Wicklund

I told you this would be interesting!

I always knew you were a badass!

Lee wins, hands down, no questions asked.

Jake,

I am also a mechanical engineer and I currently work as a manufacturer's rep specializing in dry bulk material handling solutions. Looks like you do a lot of package handling. I just checked out your website and chuckled. I recently sold and started up a Fuji robotic palletizer being fed by a Haver vertical form-fill-seal machine for a customer packaging and palletizing 25 kg bags of plastic resins for overseas customers. Just love that robot, seems human to me!

Bob Hodges

To anyone else, I'm sure that reply sounding like gibberish! I've had some contact with Fuji but mostly with their aseptic fillers...worked extensively with Tetra Pak through Hartness for several years.

Ooohhhh, the robots are amazing. We have partnered with a company out of Australia (Visy) and have a robotic palletizing and packaging engineering group in our Greenville facility. In just two years, we're already the 4th largest GE Fanuc integrator in the US. I don't have much business interaction with them yet but occasionally, when they are wrapping up a big project, I'll sit and watch robots during lunch. The reliability and range of capabilities are really amazing.

Don't let Peter fool you. He has several advanced degrees, and did work in the High Tech world. But, he does have the right attitude.

It is not what you do, but what you learn, and pass on to others. Most of my friends that have retired, all agree on several things. 1. We should have done it sooner. 2. We are now more busy that ever. 3. We have a responsibility to share what we have learned, and give back to others. We now have time to enjoy family and friends, the important things in life.

Caleb Tarleton

Jake.... suddenly I find myself hoping your avitar trips.

his avatar too :P

"I always knew you were a badass!

Lee wins, hands down, no questions asked."

Thanks, Trey.

I think Rick's takes it.

Lee Wicklund

You got that right Batman! Now you guys can see why Caleb and Rick are some of my "heroes".

Navy helicopter pilot for about 10 years. One year in sales (investments & insurance), then software development since 1996.

I'm still a software developer. It pays most of the bills. I am also a flight instructor for airplanes part time and fly helicopters in the national guard.

I fuel the American Dream (I boil oil and make gasoline). I'm a ChemE by degree.

Before University I was a bicycle courier in London - I think that has left me with a life long appetite for taking risks.

Chris.

I personally think Rick should write his memoir's down in something that would resemble a book <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That's my next project.

In order, Restaurant Manager, Restaurant Manager,Restaurant Manager, investments and securities sales, Restaurant Manager,Restaurant Manager, Restaurant Manager, Hospital Nutrition Services Operations Director. Now I'm thinking about developing a healthier option restaurant concept.

As long as you use that special sauce you brought for Mug Race! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I'm about to start working on a research project for the next 12 months. Basically a feasibility study on using "memory-metals" as actuators of "vibration reducing control flaps" on very large scale wind turbine blades. "Large" meaning that the diameter of the rotor is larger 300 ft. These are BIG "windmills" !

The final intent being to test such a setup on a smaller scale in the windtunnel and proof its usefulness. My part in it will most probably be to design and implement an "inverted dynamic model" as a compensator for the strongly non-linear behaviour the "memory-metal" actuator (the control flap) and when time permits a first-try controller for the windtunnel test. I think an artificial neural network is best used to implement such a compensator. When that is done then I have to think about what I want to do next. More research, more teaching or switch over to the industry and earn my pension. I really enjoy teaching but I hate the political games and lack of upward mobility that is found in such environments. I'm told that the windpower sector is booming right now and looking for lots of scientists and engineers and honestly I would like to earn some bucks again.

Wouter

So jumping in on random threads and bugging us about the F12 is just a "hobby"???

Good morning, Wouter. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Mike

Pizza delivery, cobol programmer, then 20 years as an IT/WAN consultant. Semi-retired after Y2K, and then started a small catamaran shop to pay for my hobby. Currently working overtime again with a Nacra dealership - Sailmax.biz, partner in an online sailing store - Layline.com, and importer/distributor of clothing for the high performance sailor - Zhik.com

Hopefully in a couple of years, I can go back to sailing full time again...

Never finished my PhD in physics and got a job at university administration (investigation analysis and IT stuff). Also writing software for psychologists in my spare time. Some musical background, but at a very amateur level. Probably we could get a good band together for what I read <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I was a QC tech for years, then a musician for years, then had with an electronic instrument repair shop for years, then moved on to computers in the 90's. Now I'm the IT dept. for a company that changes cataylst in reactors. I like being my own boss, but it doesn't pay like working for the man. Need that retirement fund.

ALOT of people, including myself, say this. Why? Seems like most of the people I worked for were a bunch of rich pricks. Where do so many go wrong? How can I be a rich [censored]?

Swimmer in High school and college
Went out of my first undergrad, right into Grad degree, in Kinesiology (Sports Science).
Category 2 Bicycle racer, Semi Pro Triathalete
Managed a Bicycle shop
Hit by car while training, in coma
Taught public school, coached swimming

Got another degree in Physician Assistant studies
Got married (still am)
1st assist Open Heart& Cardiovascular surgery
Orthopedic surgery
Now work in Emergency rooms and Urgent care clinics, seeing and treating patients.
2 wonderful boys now 4 & 7 yrs old

Some say I never really came out of the coma though! :-)

Todd,

You only really need to come out of it to go sailing anyway.

Lee

Karl, I thought you were your own boss? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Anyhow, you may be right about the owner/boss you work for might be a rich [censored] but have you ever gotten a job from a poor [censored]? <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Clayton

Find a early on RP who's going places. Do a good job for the RP so the RP takes you along on the adventure. The smart RPs realize they need good people to make them look good. Most won't share the glory but they will share the filthy lucre.

Daddy's Bad butt skrimp sauce.

If anyone wants the sauce I will overnight it to you with the cooking procedure. Spicy fans, this is a must. Skrimp, wrapped in bacon, skewered and basted with Daddy's Bad butt Skrimp Sauce. Serve on top of Fett Alfredo, with asparagus or brussells sprouts. oooooohhh.

I don't have a batch ready but will produce it for a modest fee. Really modest.

Should I be putting this on the classifieds?

i build boats.
i build race boats.
i build way cool race boats.
i build way cool race boats and i love it.

I'm now a pastor at a local church in the Netherlands. Before that I worked as IT "infrastructure specialist" with EDS.
I like the new job a whole lot better, even though it pays less and I get to work weird hours.

Hi, late to the thread.
I studied jazz in college, was a professional drummer for two years, got tired of starving and went back to university to take pharmacy. I'm now pushing paper in a regional health authority.

Jake, I'll have to check out the music when I reclaim the entertainmet centre from the kids. I think most of the stuff I've recorded has been mercifully destroyed.

Al