What do you do to make a living?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by jeff532003, Mar 1, 2011.

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  1. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    WOW! I just sprinted through this thread and I gotta say that you guys are very cool. I'm just a nano-bot in the vast military-industrial complex that we affectionately refer to as the USA.
     
  2. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    We almost always ask for discounts. We have received discounts at Walmart, Lowe's, local Computer store, and more. Often we will look for a blemished item, floor model, etc. and buy that at a discount (sometimes surprisingly big)
    We also buy our vehicles through Costco, AAA or my last employer and usually pay cash (we have been surprised that we were able to pay $10,000 on our credit card thus getting $100 on our card.
     
  3. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I'm a wastewater treatment plant operator at a petroleum refinery. My job is not all that exciting, but it pays the bills on time every month. I also work by myself which is a major plus. :tragedy:
     
  4. b4cz28

    b4cz28 Active Member

    Some good tips in there, I'm going to have to start doing that.
     
  5. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    Lawrence - Do you know anything about desalinization? I know it's not your main thing but it's a water thing and so I thought that maybe you might. What are the big desalinization companies?
     
  6. sandraeli

    sandraeli New Member

    I work in the executive office of a private Christian liberal arts college. I get to meet some very interesting people, work with the governing board, and watch decisions as they unfold. Some days are West Wing; others are Ugly Betty (sorry, still stuck in the TV thread).

    I'm raising a teenage son who is now taller than I am (it's been many years since I felt short), learning more about the stock market, slowly remodeling my house, slowly working on degrees, and enjoying my family, friends, and life.
     
  7. lawrenceq

    lawrenceq Member

    I don't know crap about desalinization.
     
  8. ITJD

    ITJD Active Member

    meh.. here's the list in chronological order.

    1. Bus boy and dishwasher.
    2. Musician
    3. Home Depot
    4. Bail Enforcement Officer.
    5. Field Service Engineer
    6. Help Desk Manager
    7. Desktop Manager
    8. Director of Support

    I still think I was way better off in the Bail Enforcement Career and I would have liked it if I had stuck with music beyond 91.
    IT was a huge mistake in hindsight, but it is what it is.
     
  9. AlRam

    AlRam New Member

    Hello, Im new around and in my case since Im a huge fan of cigars I work in a nice cigar shop. The culture of tobacco is fascinating and one never ends learning about it.

    Cheers!
     
  10. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    While trying to finish my PhD, worked as a project manager for a small biotech company in Florida. Wife (then girlfriend) was offered a post-doc at Rutgers. It was one of those "fork in the road" kind of moments, the girl or the job. I went with the girl, and moved to NJ. Using my ample free time, I put the nail in the coffin on the dissertation. I defended, graduated, and got married. Decided not to do the post-doc thing since that would require moving around the country every 1 to 2 years for about half what I was making at my old job, not to mention the disruption on my wife's career.

    After some awkward visits from the FBI, was offered a job I never thought about doing, with a DoD agency I never heard of, at a place few people know about. That's right, I'm a contract specialist. :usa2: I must say, I thought this would be a temporary thing, but I'm enjoying it immensely. I can't see myself doing anything else now. Funny where life takes you sometimes.

    However, can't seem to get hired as an adjunct anywhere.... :dunno:
     
  11. Dr Rene

    Dr Rene Member

    I spent over twenty years as an Air Force officer (ROTC). First, as an ICBM missile combat crew commander (Minuteman III) in North Dakota, then as an acquisition contracting officer, buying missiles (Peacekeeper, Maverick), aircraft (F-22, C-20, C-26, ..) space satellites (Defense Support Program, Space Based Infrared System), and rockets (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles). I am now retired from the Air Force and teach MBA acquisition and contracting courses, and conduct research and write about acquisition and contract management.
     
  12. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member



    I used to live in CT where cigar wrap tobacco is (or was?) grown - it was a big economic impact to them when the Cuba embargo was enacted.

    P.S. I hope you don't smoke cigars or breath in cigar smoke.
    Cigar Smoking and Cancer - National Cancer Institute
     
  13. nanoose

    nanoose New Member

    I occasionally think of taking up a pipe once I retire....
     
  14. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    I don't smoke and while I'm not sure that I'd want to have a steady diet of second hand smoke I have to say that I actually like the smell of burning tobacco.
     
  15. Brez

    Brez Member

    I'm a community association manager, if you live in a HOA I'm probably the guy you despise :)

    Prior to this, Marine Corp, Retail Night Manager, Tire Store Manager, Vehicle Import Manager.... still looking.....
     
  16. Ian Anderson

    Ian Anderson Active Member

    I live in a HOA community and we appreciate our HOA managers and employees - we have an annual budget of $16 million and payroll of $2 million.
     
  17. edowave

    edowave Active Member

    If I ever become a TT professor, I will smoke a pipe, wear a jacket with leather elbow patches, and of course, requisite bow tie.

    Maybe if I just show up like that, they will hire me.
     
  18. jeff532003

    jeff532003 New Member

    They still do. You'll see the fields under cover out by the airport in the summer. They also grow chewing tobacco.
     
  19. I have been a freelance writer for some 30+ years, producing a syndicated column on business topics covering finance, law and general management for a string of trade journals. My Masters from California State University, Dominguez Hills, helped me refine my writing skills (and writing the resulting "Aesthetikon" based upon my thesis was a lot of fun). Experiencing the same benefit from my ongoing studies for a DA from Harrison Middleton University.
    Interesting to see the varied fields in which people are engaged.
     
  20. Ted Heiks

    Ted Heiks Moderator and Distinguished Senior Member

    What's an HOA?
     

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