Father of four, husband of one. Other duties - production and supplies scheduler for small company that manufactures printer ribbons, tech support, some maint., some sales..some of dis and some of dat.
Early retired Chem Engineer, work a few hours a week at a quilt shop. It’s a good life. 
I often click on the profile icons of members on this board to see what else they do and I’m often disappointed that their occupations seem to be classified information. I thought CIA agents at least pretend to have other jobs.
I quit teaching public school after thirteen years. The last four of those I lived in an old school bus in the desert to save up money to do what I am doing this year–writing fiction, organic gardening including a small commercial sprout factory, playing Irish music for money, helping boyfriend with jewelry and lapidary business, and publishing a green alternative zine for the local area.
How nice to learn something personal about all of you! I hope this thread eventually surpasses “It’s Sickening” in posts and views.
My day job is actually a night job. I’m the manager of a printing plant. One of the great things about this job is that it’s only 3 nights a week (12 hour shifts). That leaves me lots of time for the things I love, like raising my kids, playing music, teaching, reading, taking naps and drinking coffee.
YSGWD, what is the difference between the jewelry and lapidary business? I always thought that lapidary meant jewelry. To quote Samuel Johnson, “In lapidary inscriptions, no man is upon his honor.” I had to look up lapidary in the dictionary when I first heard that.
Scott Stewart, I lived for 4 years (1992-1996) in Canton, OH, so we were neighbors and (unfortunately) didn’t know it. I though I was the only whistler in northeast Ohio at the time. Next time I’m out there visiting, I’ll look you up and we’ll jam!
Some of the other replies hinted that they took up the whistle because their day job did not offer much creativity. This was not the case for me I get to destroy and re-build other people’s houses for money. My motivation was this:after seeing my wife’s eyes glaze over as I expound on the fine points of carpentry for the hundredth time, I decided my personality could use a little depth, so I asked for a tinwhistle for my birthday.I’ll take up some music.I love my tinwhistles.My wife would rather hear more about carpentry.
I’m a chaplain in the Fort Worth Divorce Courts working with families going through separtion and or divorce. I also am the executive director of a faith-based non-profit which provides chaplains and programs to our civil and juvenile courts.
Then I also have a part-time job, basically just for the flight benefits and health insurance, as a gate agent with a major air line.
My wife and I have two teens at home, a married son in the air force and just nine months ago, a grand-daughter. Wanna see her picture?
I’m a homeschool student. I’m not old enough to have a job yet - does doing chores count?
On 2002-02-22 16:59, TelegramSam wrote:
I’m in high school. I do nothing. Actually, I work at the Krusty Krab (aka Sonic drive-in) on weekends and I HATE IT. Blah. It’s boring, makes me want to hit my head against the wall until I pass out.bang
I didn’t know you were in highschool, I thought Brent and I were the only teens on the board!
Peace and love,
Sara
Tomcat, please do show off your new grandbaby! It’s always good to celebrate life!! Does she already have her first whistle? 
It’s really great to see a glimpse into the lives of all the names I see every day… some really interesting day jobs out there. Dan was a Disney illustrator-- too cool! I’ve always wished I could draw, but music seemed to be my path.
Thanks to all for sharing a bit of themselves!
All the best,
Andrea ~*~
ysgwd, are the Marfa lights really as amazing as I’ve heard?
Also, talk about living in a bus in the desert. Did you rent land or buy it? How did it work out? What are some viable organic crops in the Chihuahuan desert?
I’m nosy as all get out!
[ This Message was edited by: LittleMy on 2002-02-22 21:09 ]
For the last 21 years I’ve been an employee of the National Health Service, and work with people who have learning disabilities. Presently, I’m assistant manager of a community home for four men with challenging behaviour.
In real life, I play whistles.
Mick
I am a nurse (obviously), more specifically a Public Health Nurse, where I manage our county’s immunization program (yes, I’m the shot lady), run the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (as a certified Lead Risk Assessor), and just generally preserve the health of my community.
I am also an aunt of 9, sister of 5, daughter of 3 (I was adopted by my stepfather but still see my biological dad), friend to a few and hopefully an enemy to none.
Beth
Jim,
cutter, polisher, engraver of gems–we cut cabochons out of agate, turquoise, opal, malachite, dinosaur bone, quartz, etc., and slabs for other lapidarists–my boyfriend is a silversmith and we cut the stones from rough material that he sets in his jewelry
LittleMy,
I suppose it is about time we had a messageboard conversation considering our proximity! In season, I grow fairly typical veggies, but in washer and dryer barrels I salvaged from the dump, in home mixed growing medium. Right now I’m just growing sprouts hydroponically in the house–not in jars–I have an automatic misting system and grow the sprouts in drawer organizers inside a big plastic tub–see gogreen.com for your own system. I still have my place in Presidio–I bought forty acres CHEAP and chose to live in a bus and haul water to save money for a house in Marfa later. I’m keeping the property because the Entrada Al Pacifico should increase my property value . . .
If you want to know about the Marfa Lights, I will sell you a book
or just come see them for yourself . . .
Lisa
I’m a recently retired academic–which means
that I’m free to devote myself largely
to writing and research concerning arcane philosophical questions that almost
nobody cares about. My wife (also a
philosopher) supports me, which is OK
because I supported her for a long
time. I’m interested
to learn everybody’s occupations, very
helpful, and I’m especially interested
in the theologians. I’ve published
a fair amount of philosophy
of religion. (The Undisputed has
an MA in theology, you know.) Also I play whistle on the street to help make ends meet.
And I box. Best to all
What a fun thread! It’s great to find out more about everybody…
I’m in radio production for His Kids Radio, a full-time national radio ministry for kids from Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI. And, I have the privilege of being an air host (as “Captain Cal”), as well as doing a weekly syndicated music appreciation program for kids called “Captain Cal’s Classical Corner.” (take a look at http://www.kidsradio.org to hear a sample of the program)
And, I count it a privilege as well to be a part of this good company here on Chiff And Fipple!
Cal
Im a rural letter carrier for the USPS to pay the bills, my husband and I own and operate a Virginia Century Farm that has been in his family for over 150 yrs,(he was born here in our house) we raise beef cattle, tobacco, and in the last 4 yrs have begun to grow winegrapes and are building a winery(hope to open this fall). Formerly was a veterinary technician for 13 yrs and showed Skye Terriers(the greatest dogs on earth)for 25 yrs. Also do freelance art work , animals only.Been married for going on 31 yrs, two grown daughters, 7 dogs.
Music is what keeps me semi-sane, play bagpipes, great and shuttle, whistles, mandolin(old-time mountain music mostly cause I was raised on it as a certified real-live hillbilly) piano, organ at church,scottish tenor drum with a local pipe band,bodhran,clarinet,oboe and guitar. So many instruments,so much music, so little time.
What a colorful and interesting goup of people.
We all need our diversions and music has always been a not-often-enough-used but peaceful diversion for me.
You’re all a friendly and hospitable bunch
and I thank you for that.
I write childrens stories. I don’t make any money but it does give me time with my three kids and my whistle.
Angie
I work in the shipping department of an industrial lighting manufacturer.
I get to load trucks destined for locations all across the USA and parts of Canada, so I get to meet truck drivers from everywhere.
The accoustics are great in the warehouse, and I get in lots of practice throughout the day during my breaks… and nobody has seen a mouse since I took up playing the whistle last spring!
It’s great fun to see the look on the faces of the truck drivers when they figure out where “that sound” is coming from… but I have yet to meet one who shows any indication of knowing anything about whistles or Irish tunes.
Retired after 33 years as a ‘public servant’. Social work management in the early days, then planning/building computer and communications systems, then running high-tech buying office and finally two years as payroll manager, the latter three for the Illinois State Police.
Cowtime -
showed Skye Terriers(the greatest dogs on earth)for 25 yrs.<
Another dog person - cool. Except I’ve only been doing it for twelve years and must very respectfully disagree as to which breed is the greatest. My Border Terrorists (Terriers) won’t speak to me anymore if I don’t.
Nothing salves a weary soul like a cheap whistle.
[ This Message was edited by: Chuck_Clark on 2002-02-23 02:41 ]
Wow. This is the coolest thread ever. I agree that if this one exceeds “Sickening” it would be a healing thing.
The Undisputed: Child/Adolescent Clinical Psychologist, lecturer, adult educator.