Little Darwin

I have reconciled the fact that failing to hear from my sons is reflective (in part) of my failure to raise them as well as I should have... and I only hope that I raised them well enough that they only fail to communicate with me based on their pain in the way I left (which again is my failure) and in the fact that I only worked at trying to maintain the communication for a while myself before deciding to leave the ball in their courts. The birds have flown the nest (at least from my perspective).

As far as philosophy. Other than one course in ethics (community college level) when i was urged by the professor to take more of his courses, my exposure to philosophy has been only from a distance... so I would not only agree to let you win arguments, I would be powerless to prevent it.

I still don't know how I got an A in the ethics course... about all I remember is that one of the books was Nichomechean (sp) Ethics by Aristotle. Of course, it was over 20 years ago.

I have picked up a couple of books on philosophy as I stumble across them in thrift stores etc, and they are among the books in my shelves awaiting the time when they will actually be read. One of the books I picked up last year was a copy of the text mentioned above... since I didn't seem to keep it around after I took the course.

Maybe I will have to make arrangements with you to venture down your way this spring to discuss the possibility of actually cracking open some philosophy books as we take a casual ride somewhere...

I think books are like bicycles to me... I search them out and buy them more than I use them. And always intend to use them more.

jebensch

Wow this is a great thread! You guys and girls are all real people out there...

32, storyboard artist and animator for TV cartoons. Girlfriend, 2 dogs, and about to be bathroom-gutted-and-renovated (by me good god) apartment in Brooklyn. Hoping to move to either Maine, VT or Mass where I would like to:

raise kids,
let dogs run without leashes
move career into slow-food co-op arena
help girlfriend (hopefully wife) get nursing degree so she can compensate for lousy pay of said arena

High Fist Shin

I like this thread. It has made me really think hard about all the different jobs I've had through the years. Jack of all trades, master of none applies to me.

I would probably be easier for me to work backwards so here goes:

1. Desktop, laptop computer and printer repairs, certified in Dell and HP systems. Rack servers too.
2. Auto industry:
a. Auto parts specialist for Chrysler, Mazda, Volvo, Kia.
b. Shop assistant (clean up crew).
c. Courtesy vehicle driver (I dropped off people at work and picked them up. I met Peter Benchley
once on a pickup).
3. Machinist (I worked on machining weapons parts for the US government).
4. Anesthesia medical equipment repair and assembly. Oxygen, air and vacuum regulators.
5. Retail sales (Caldor. Remember them?).
6. Hotdog cart vendor.
7. Sandwich maker.
8. Bowling alley lane boy (I kept the place clean, dragged and helped oil the lanes).
9. Paperboy for The Trentonian.

I think thats all. My current job in the computer support field has me traveling a lot. In the last three years I've been to Montana five times, California, where I dipped my toes in the Pacific for the first time, and just about everywhere in Pennsylvania. I've had the chance to see some amazing things out west and I hope to someday take the family and move out there. I love the open skies of Montana.

Dan Burkhart 

They don't call it "Big Sky Country" for nothing.

Skylar

I work at one of the more popular restaraunts here in town, I have bussed tables for a long time and I also tend the bar. I worked the November election at city hall as well, which was an awesome experience. I'm looking to get out of food and drink and do something more meaningful with myself, even if it's for less money. I consider being a good friend and great brother/son pivotal parts of who I am.

bmaxwell

Where in Montana do you want to move to? I spent 12 years in a town called Belgrade it was or is 9 miles west of Bozeman... I do miss it there lots, oh the sun the blue sky's the cold.... oh and of course all the very high paying jobs............................................................NOT

squirtdad

I grew up in Montana....best way to descibe it is my home town is 140 miles from the nearest starbucks. You can live in a small town fairly cheaply.... but job's and salaries are tough (www.chinookmontana.com)

My brother is in Belgrade....He manages a small company that makes electronic highway contructions signs (type in your message), has a side business recycling pallets, and is developing a custom fabrication subsidary for his company, his wife does art for the farmers market (painted stone, etc) and my niece sells lemonade at the market. Some if this is his hyperactivity and some is what it takes for the $.

I love visiting but after California can't take 40 below any more.

Road Fan

One here for engineering. I'm an electrical and systems engineer for an automotive Tier 1 supplier (nearly 15 years), where I mainly design active safety products and work on ISO standards for same. I've also worked on powertrain electronics, that control engines and transmissions. Last job before that was to design the electronics for a large particle detector, similar to what we've been reading about at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland. B4 THAT I was in teh aerospace industry for about 13 years. I did power electronics, space vehicle power systems design, and reliability/survivability of space vehicle power systems, out in Denver, CO. That was the best job I've had.

I also sing, been singing in choirs since early grade school (now 55). It's not a job, but it's been a lifelong commitment. I married a choir director, and we met in a community chorus.

I went to college all around the Chicago area: Lake Forest College, Northwestern, Chicago City Colleges, and University of Illinois at Chicago Circle. I miss the narrow gear spread, too, even 30 years later.

So I fit a few of those stereotypes.

Road Fan

Poguemahone

Believe it or not, I draw cartoons and teach the fine arts of cartooning and animation.

junkfoodjunkie

28, Married with a wonderful wife a 2 year old daughter and another child arriving around August 1st! # spoiled dogs.
I am a carpenter during the day, mainly custom cabinets and trim on large scale residential remodels. I am also an Artist.
Have been into to vintage bicycles for not even a year, but am extremely addicted.

kbpfister

architect-married-30-no kids-4 bikes

I'm in front of a computer almost all day so it's easy to check in on the forum

AlanPetersen

I'm 53 and married. I teach painting and art history full-time at the community college here in Flagstaff and occasionally take on an extra art history class at the university. I also work as the curator of fine arts at the Museum of Northern Arizona. So, I get to work with a lot of great artists. I also do abstract paintings inspired by the landscapes of the Colorado Plateau. Worked as a bike mechanic for a number of years in California and as a river guide in Grand Canyon. My commutes are the highlight of my days and and weekend rides the highlight of the week. After a bad day of bureaucracy at the college being a mechanic in a nice shop again sounds good (and they smell as good as my studio).
Although I haven't posted much here either it feels like online home.

nivekdodge

Married and just as manybikes as you -not enough. I am an Account Manger/Technician for a local collision supplier based in VA. AKA I sell paint to bodyshops and tell the painters when they are screwing up. So i hafta drive all day.

High Fist Shin

I'd like to move to Polson and spent my days riding around Flathead Lake. Up Rt93 and down Rt35. I also like Thompson Falls and Kalispell. The drive from Kalispell to Troy along Rt2 is something I think I'll remember till my dying days. Stunning is the only word that comes close.

I've been to Belgrade and Bozeman and also to the barren eastern parts like Colstrip and Lame Deer. If you're an outdoors type person, Montana is just about heaven on earth.

Spinz

I work in a very busy emergency department. This past year we will have seen around 47K patients ---- it wears you down. My job title is MICN/ Mobile Intensive Care RN.

Montana sounds great ---- the flyfishing is well ----- the absolute best there is. Lp

EddyR

Surprising that there are not that many old guys like me,68. Long time retired. Direct from ROTC to Army Special Forces in 1961 and contracted to CIA for 30 years.
Ed

bmaxwell

how long has your brother lived in Belgrade? I left there 3 years ago. I lived on Kennedy Street for 12 years. My kids went to school there, I went to MSU that is where I got my poli sci degree...

And Machin yes I did LOTS of outdoor stuff... skiing hiking rafting soccer coaching biking.... and I am sure there is more oh ya rock hounding crystal digging.... oh I could go on and on....

now I just live with the grey sky's and drizzle... or rain.... or fog.... blah blah blah.

DavidW56

Well, thank you for ascribing to me far more intelligence and aspiration than I really have! My goodness!

But, to be serious for a moment, my original intent was just to find out a little more about everyone beyond what's in their signatures, because I knew my preconceived notions couldn't be all that accurate. But now that you mention it, I (or somebody) should assemble this data, create a scatterplot --- uh oh. Slipping into nerddom again.

J T CUNNINGHAM

What, don"t we have any

FRANK ZAPPA "Montana" jokes?


Regards,
J T

soonerbills

Dental floss tycoons are few and far between.

ozneddy

I,ll keep it short,------I,m a trucker !

steve-rsa

36, Geologist/geophysicist from South Africa. 2 kids (20 mo and 6years - his 1st day of primary school today!)

Pompiere

Reactor Operator at a nuclear power plant. Also for fun, I am a volunteer firefighter. 47, married, three kids, one in college.

Road Fan

I sympathize, too! After the company cutting staff by more than 50% over the past three years, we've just gone to mandatory 4-day weeks with a 20% pay cut. Other large auto parts suppliers are continuing layoffs with 3-week months for the remaining white-collar staff. A lot of job cuts are due to retirement and people looking for better opportunities, but there have been tons of layoffs.

Road Fan

Road Fan

This is exciting, we are huge opera fans. Plus my wife teaches high school choral music and employs local singers and PhD candidates (we are close to University of Michigan) as voice teachers in her high school.

I find it hard to sing while cycling, but keeping a constant cadence is good for thinking through music we're rehearsing.

Road Fan