what do you do for a living

[Storm]

Well I started out welding when I was about 14 and then after high school I went to Vietnam for 2 1/2 years. After that I worked as a engineering and architectural draftsman and did surveying on the side. After college I spent over 23 years as an architectural designer and illustrator and as a project manager in Saudia Arabia and the Philippines and worked severl times at the Mid-Pacific Missile Range on Kwajalein Atoll. My job carried me around the world. Guess I have been in every country in Asia with the exception of Mainland China and Burma(Myanmar). Yes I do speak several languages, as someone asked me earlier. Just something I like and love to do. Ialso guess it was because when I was in basic training being tested they said I had no apptitude for language. The stupid thing was that I already spoke two languages at that point.

Got laid off several years ago and could never get back to Architecture. So I taught myself MAC computer systems and computer graphic design and up until 15 months ago I had worked at the LA Times. Did computer graphics and designed ads for them a bit over ten years.

Been carving leather since about 1975 and it had put some money in the bank but never enough to payall the bills. None the less I love tooling leather and it helps me maintain a level of creativity.

[tadziu]

I am retired from the Pen in Leavenworth. Worked there for 22 years, before that I was in the Army for six. Now I am try to learn to do farming with horses.

[Denster]

I spent 35 years in law enforcement. Retired from the Sheriff's Office as a Det. Sgt/Polygraph Examiner. Got bored with retirement full time and decided there would be less stress in leatherworking and traditional archery than doing polygraph monitoring of sex offenders.

[whitebeard]

I started out working for several architects as a draughtsman. Eventually made redundent. I then spent a few years training people to ride motorcycles - again made redundent!

Now I work putting together and supplying weather panels to the newspaper industry - we take the raw data from our tame forecasters and make it look pretty! It's not that exciting, nor is it paid well, but I enjoy it!

[FineasRanch]

While in h.s. I worked at a vet. clinic. Prior to working at the vet clinic I had dreams of becoming a vet, after I started working there I changed my mind. I went off to college and worked various part-time jobs; I cleaned lots of horse stalls, worked as a cashier, worked in a factory that built freezers and as a receptionist/secretary in one of the departments at my college. now I've graduated and am looking for a job in my field.

I had horses for 10 years and learned to love leather then. Now I'm setting out to learn about leather craftsmanship. I would LOVE to eventually learn to make horse equipment, but I know that is probably years down the road. For now, I'm reading your posts and learning what I can. Maybe someday, if I do enjoy this, it may become a career...maybe.

[rickeyfro]

I was a commercial diver for about 21 years then got injured right after hurricane Katrina, now I work at a friends shop operating a wet saw and a CNC fabricating granite countertops and trying to learn what I can from a couple of master stone workers who work in the monument company that we share the shop with

[Tnoisaw]

Service Plumber for past 15 years-currently unemployed.

[MADMAX22]

US Navy here, sub mechanic. Pretty much a really bad job with long hours but if I can put up with it for another 10yrs Ill get a decent retirement.

Before I joined at 24 years of age I had a multitude of odd jobs, bookstore, reptile breeder,builder of campers, flight line, aircraft mechanic ...... guess I needed to join the military so I would settle down a bit lol.

[loopinluke]

I cowboy for a living, currently working for a ranch north of Rock Springs, WY. I grew up on a ranch in Northern Wyoming, then went to college at the University of Wyoming and Colorado State University for a Bachelor's in Range Management, and a Masters in Integrated Resource Management respectively. My folks both work with leather, and I have continued gaining tools when I can and making all my own tack. I just try to do enough leatherwork for other folks to pay for the materials for my own projects. So far I am doin okay I think.

[brathair]

Started out as a LEO then moved to working with troubled youth in RTC settings. It was there and my experience with the BSA both as a Scout and Scout Master that I was introduced to leather working techniques. I served a time in the Army, and am now a Nurse.