Thread: Useless trade skills AAAAARRGH!

I spent my salad days learning Latin and Ancient Greek; my parents had the curious idea that this would qualify me to become a diplomat. At the age of 21, I began to realize that Latin and Greek were not going to get me anywhere exciting; so I decided to study Geology instead, and soon found myself working in Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Iran, and latterly in Queensland's north and the Northern Territory. I didn't make much money, but I did have fun. The only problem was that I couldn't do much woodwork while working in that profession. But I did enjoy setting up a 5-acre tropical fruit orchard near Darwin. And I did enjoy a few years of computer programming.

Once I retired, I have been able to indulge my true passion of woodworking. I would say, If you don't like what you are doing, do something you do like. That is what I did, anyway.

Rocker

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

No learning or trade is wasted, no matter how trivial it seems at the time.

I worked in a bank for a total of three weeks after I left school, including the two weeks notice I had to give, and to this day some of the procedures I learned as a Continuation Passbook Clerk are still in use in my business!

(Never write a number over another number when correcting it, always clearly cross out the old one, and write the correct one clearly in its entirety)

I've worked in more different jobs than anyone I know (except BarryWhite that is), some of them have taken years of training, others I made up as I went along. I still can't weld though.

Work for experience/satisfaction/happiness rather than dosh, and you'll be surprised at how easy it is to make a living!

Don't hang around doing something you hate, don't wait for something better to come along, just jump ship. Something always turns up!

Cheers,

P (it didn't always seem as easy at the time, as it does looking back!)

Are you me long lost brudder midge ???

Originally Posted by echnidna

Are you me long lost brudder midge ???

Dad??

Is that you???

P

Originally Posted by echnidna

Are you me long lost brudder midge ???

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

Dad??

Is that you???

P

ouch

babieeee

Originally Posted by Skew ChiDAMN!!

That was more than 10 years ago, I'm still a self-employed JOAT, still single, broke (more or less. But it's the shed's fault this time) and still unencumbered (except for the shed)...

...and ya know what? Life is good.

I'll never be rich... so sue me.

Sigh....

Hating careers seems to be my career. Couldn't find work studying female anatomy so retained my amature standing.

Originally Posted by ozwinner

Ok, I went option 5, is that area 5 in the desert?

Al

That is Area 51 Al.

Seeing that my name was mentioned by Midge I thought I had better post.

I couldn't pick anything in the poll so I will post a reply here.

The biggest problem in life is that when picking an occupation for ones life it is being done by a 15 to 18 year old that has no life skills or experience at this.

I have never regretted any thing I have done but I did learn the trade of Pattermaking which has stood me in good stead for all the things that I would eventually do over the next 54 years.

As a result I have plenty of life skills but no money as the saying goes a "Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss"

Here is the current list of my occupations. I have added a couple since I last posted this on the forum and seeing that I am still alive I will probably add some more to the list. These are all things that I have earnt income from. There are a few other things that I have done that I haven't earnt income from. Sometimes I reckon I know all the answers I just don't know all the questions.

Telegram Boy
Refrigeration Maintenance Person
Clothing Salesperson
Fabric Cutter
Sewing Machinist
Engineering Pattern Maker
Army Sargent
Foundry Casting Inspector
Taxi Driver
Life Insurance Salesperson
Car Salesperson
Ambulance Subscription Salesperson
Truck Salesperson
Oil Heater Installation Contractor
Oil Heater Salesperson
Furnace Installer
Air Conditioner Installation Contractor
Electrician
Window Furnishing Installation Contractor
Screen Door & Awning Fabricator
Screen Door & Awning Installation Contractor
Window & Shop front Fabricator
Window & Shop front Installation Contractor
Building Contractor
Tilt-A-Door Fabricator
Tilt-A-Door, Panel-Lift Door and Roller Door Installation Contractor
Truck Driver
Insulation Installation Contractor
Insulation Salesperson
Ramset Fasteners Salesperson
Stainless Steel Cookware Salesperson
Vacuum Cleaner Salesperson
Steel Roofing Salesperson
Factory Manager
Software Salesperson
Security Burglar Alarm Salesperson
Accident Insurance Salesperson
Security Door & Awning Salesperson
Shed Salesperson
Shed Erector
Spanline Awning Salesperson
Draftperson.
Educational Software Tutor
Retired Person

And before you ask Cliff I did find the time to have "SMOKO"

I was under the impression doing it all and getting in and having a go was the Aussie way.

Barry reminds me of Old Charlie Drake who past away recently star of the UK TV series "The Worker" also singer of "My Boomerang Wont Come Back".

Funny seems to be a few armed forces types on this forum.

I have had my share of jobs and tags working within jobs, as something else shyte kicker mostly. Done a few courses apprentiship included. I always found I worked better with those who took pride in their work (even if at times I didn't I was young and stupid) Always found working alone where I could produce faster and better.

I don't regret anything I have done as I gleaned from it always even it was to never ever do it again. A few times i went back to work for the same man we just clashed which I should have never done the 2nd time eventually I learnt he played one worker against the other.

Not in order
I am a licenced motor vehicle builder funny some of the vehicles I built are still going diesel mechanic buses & Coaches mainly, spray painter,
worked for GBro's , newsagents, travel consultant, tour planner, car washer, mail box pamphlet delivery, contract repairer, contract technician, technical writter (never ever get in a JAKAB ambulance), servcie station attendant whe they still were around (you now when people used to come out and put the fuel in check your oil n water clean your windows all for the price you paid for the fuel n oil).
Done web design, computer tech, computer aided photo restoration before it became common. dug holes, cleaned out stalls. Kitchen hand in top sydney restaurant Swedish inn long gone highest customer there was Prince Gustaf.
Draughting checker, engineers assistant ( you may even know him Barry).
My most important job the one I loved best wouldn't changeit fortheworld Father of 3

Originally Posted by Barry_White

As a result I have plenty of life skills but no money as the saying goes a "Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss"

That's an interesting observation too Baz, I have this theory that if you want to get rich (and good luck to you if that's the best thing you can come up with to do with your life,) all you have to do is pick something and stick at it.

Pretty much everyone who's made a big quid, has done it slowly by sticking to their knitting.

The saying "money doesn't buy happiness" is pretty spot on though. I was talking to a bloke the other day who has a few bob and he confirmed it. He told me he's worth around $15m, and he said as far as he can make out, he's not really any happier than he was when he had $14m.

Cheers,

P

Originally Posted by bitingmidge

That's an interesting observation too Baz, I have this theory that if you want to get rich (and good luck to you if that's the best thing you can come up with to do with your life,) all you have to do is pick something and stick at it.

Pretty much everyone who's made a big quid, has done it slowly by sticking to their knitting.

The saying "money doesn't buy happiness" is pretty spot on though. I was talking to a bloke the other day who has a few bob and he confirmed it. He told me he's worth around $15m, and he said as far as he can make out, he's not really any happier than he was when he had $14m.

Cheers,

P

Ok so LOML has been kniting for over 40 yrs how much longer do we have to wait

Packer has never stuck to one thing .sorry yes he has MONEY.

Third generation carpenter/builder Wanted to be a mechanic but followed the old man as I couldn't get an apprenticeship.

Then the government refuses to pay me to live in the manner to which I am accustomed

Originally Posted by wheelinround

Packer has never stuck to one thing .sorry yes he has MONEY.

If you are talking about James, you are correct, he's done two things, he's been an heir, and a beneficiary.

cheers,

P