What a great thread. a hem. When I was in my teens, I always had several 10 speeds that I was working on. With one of the road readys as my steed, my buddy and I would ride many miles sometimes to the next miniature golf course, or batting cages, and have to get back before my Dad got home from work. When I joined the Navy in 83, I learned to be a dental technician-my stepping stone to be a dentist I thought. I chose the field because my high school metal shop teacher had us do a lesson in lost wax casting, "like how they make rings, jewelry, and crowns", he said. 35 years later, I'm still doing the dental technician gig, last year earning my Master Certified Dental Technician designation. Thankfully growing up, Dad taught me everything home and income property repair. It allowed me to open a construction business at the age of 20 while in the Navy (never served on a ship sadly). Got married and started a family way too early. After 11 years, the marriage and the Navy ended. On the bright side though, 21 years ago now, I met who is my current wife. While at a dental conference, she was there with a friend. My wife was a general contractor, and we hit it off, just because I was knowledgable about commercial and residential construction. Doing the long distance relationship thing for a year was breaking the bank, so I moved up to Canada to be with her. 3 years in, we had our first 2 apartment blocks. Still own them, thankfully most days. I still do a few dental cases now and then. More of a hobby now. But with the income property, it keeps us afloat, and has allowed me the time necessary to ride across Canada, ride up to the Arctic Sea, walk the Camino in Spain with dad, scuba dive, and take numerous other vacations with family and friends. Life is good.
By the way berner, I lived in Bristol for a short time while I was stationed in Newport.