your 2 cents

[vifferman]

I'm sick of people, who make a huge commitment to furthering our society by having kids, feeling like they have to apologise for commiting to that process instead of doing the great post-modern become-a-rock-star-in-your-chosen-profession thing.

Sorry Jim - didn't mean to make you sick.
And I wasn't completely honest anyway. I don't actually know what I want to be.:confused2
When I was young, my ambition was to be a writer and/or actor, but lacking drive and confidence, I allowed myself to drift into science (my father was a scientist). Waste of many years followed (apart from meeting my wife at university). But not an entire waste - I've done some interesting things, had some good jobs, but made some bad career decisions too.

It is utter bullshit that you can be anything you want to be. You can't. Get over it and stop wasting time looking back when you should be celebrating the things you've done. Don't measure your achievements against the yardstick you made for yourself as a teenager.

No yardstick. Like I said, I just drifted along.
But I don't entirely agree you can't be anything you want to. If you have the talent, and drive (and often - a lucky break is required), it's altogether possible.
I went to a seminar in Chch on "finding your ideal career and going for it" or some such crapola. I walked out part way through, because I realised most of the things I most enjoyed doing I could do in my own time - they didn't need to be part of a career, and in fact may have lost something if they became elements of a job.

I work in IT and I absolutely loathe being a corporate monkey. But how dare I think that I could be selfish enough to reduce the standard of living of the people that rely on me, just so I can follow my dream. My life is as good as it can be at the moment, with all that that entails.

I am fortunate in that I have only a few years left till the kids have been edumicated, and my wife has said when that happens we will likely move, change jobs, and I can do whatever the hell I want to do with my time. I've accepted that in the meantime it's a sacrifice prostituting myself for the good of the family. The unfortunate thing is I believe it's contributed to wrecking my health.

You done good Vifferman. You're obviously proud of your kids, and you have a relationship with your wife that looks pretty darn good from the outside looking in.

Indeed. It is very good, but that hasn't a lot to do with my efforts (well... apart from an awful lot of time and love spent on my autistic son).
Like Joe Walsh said (well, sung, I guess..): "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

[James Deuce]

Paco, strange we in the same business, IT, in fact security, encryption etc plays a huge part of my day, and unless its something you really enjoy it can rob the soul... been thinking down the same lines as you 100%. In fact my first love, music, is calling my name again! I wish you all the luck, what ever you decide to do!

Music is my first passion (more even than motorcycling!), and I am going bug-crazy having to put it on hold while I finish my degree and have babies. I know it'll be worth it though, and after every musical lay off I've come back a better musician, even if my chops do need serious work to recover.

[Motu]

My home workshop has ended up dispersed into my business workshop - I don't work at home anymore,all my bikes are kept at work too.But I will be putting another home shop together soon...a lathe is part of my plan.There are some not too bad cheapies being offered around these days,hard to choose between a new one with whistles and bells,but questionable quality and an old and possibly worn old one for the same price.

It's amaising what can be done on an old big lathe - Ralph Watson made a complete V twin BSA motor for his racing car,cases,crank,rods,pistons,barrels and rotary valve heads on an old pre war job.I know a guy who's making a 1/4 steam roller/traction engine on his big ancient lathe - ok you think for the big stuff,but I am always suprised when he shows me the tiny intricate valves and stuff he has made - ''have you got a Myford to do this stuff on?'' I asked...no,it's all done on the big lathe.

[James Deuce]

Sorry Jim - didn't mean to make you sick.
And I wasn't completely honest anyway. I don't actually know what I want to be.:confused2
When I was young, my ambition was to be a writer and/or actor, but lacking drive and confidence, I allowed myself to drift into science (my father was a scientist). Waste of many years followed (apart from meeting my wife at university). But not an entire waste - I've done some interesting things, had some good jobs, but made some bad career decisions too.

{snippity, snipdey, snip}

No yardstick. Like I said, I just drifted along.
But I don't entirely agree you can't be anything you want to. If you have the talent, and drive (and often - a lucky break is required), it's altogether possible.

I had no idea either, but they were shoving bollocks down our necks if they thought children should know what they want to do when they leave school, let alone what career to enter.

Having been involved in the creative arts for 29 years, I can reliably say that drive, determination, talent, and skill amount to a big fat zero without a massive amount of luck. Luck is by far the biggest component in success for a creative endeavour. Right place, right time and all that, and it is a complete lie, built and disseminated by an uncaring profit motivated industry, that anyone with a little talent can succeed in the entertainment industry. If one person likes something that you created, that should be enough.

[Skunk]

Vifferman; I can relate. I hate going to work each day, not because I don't want to work, just because I don't want to do what I'm doing. Next week is 10 years in this job. I spent 11 in the previous job.

Mortgage is the only reason I'm here. Debt is so high (Spent too much on toys ) I'd have to sell the house to break even. And that's not in a easy sell state.

Sound depressing? I guess so. But I've done it this way myself and I enjoy the toys.

Really I'm one of the lucky ones... I have the toys I want and the health to use them.

[Lord Pac]

What is it with IT staff wanting to get out of it and make billet parts for motorcycles. Your the third person that wants to do this I've herd of in the last 6 months

Occupation-IT- so when are you getting your lathe?

Lathes are heavy and expensive
They require 3 phase power, and if they don't then they are not up to much...Big fish overseas and here have programable [CNC] machines that cut operator time by 2/3 rds, can you compete with that, depending on how much your time is worth...There are some nice and reasonably priced lathes in Lucas Machinery in East Tamiki

Good points. I'll keep that in mind. I'll have to check if residential homes can have 3 phase. Noise will also be a concern as Auckland is infamous for noise control! I probably start off doing it as a hobby than a full time job. I'm just a guppy and no match for the bigger fish. yes CNC machines will give perfect cut parts with little turnaround time! I'll check out Lucas. thanks.

I feel like I've reach my peak and now flat lined. It's the same routine day in day out. Not challenging anymore. Yes it's bloody good money especially contracting. There's lots out there- I'll just have to find what soothes my soul. I've been on temporary retirement since Oct 04 so there's no rush in finding something! I'm just cruising along...

Thanks everyone for your 2 cents. It has been enlightening.

[Blakamin]

I had no idea either, but they were shoving bollocks down our necks if they thought children should know what they want to do when they leave school, let alone what career to enter.

Not wrong... I'm 33 and still don't know what I wanna do when I grow up

Having been involved in the creative arts for 29 years, I can reliably say that drive, determination, talent, and skill amount to a big fat zero without a massive amount of luck. Luck is by far the biggest component in success for a creative endeavour.

again, totally correct... luck is the only thing that makes the pop world go round... look at natasha beddingfield f'rinstance, if she didn't have a brother, she'd be nothing... kelly osbourne, dont make me laugh..... away from music, look at paris friggin hilton.... I could go on for days... maybe I should stop watching "E!"
thats one reason why I got into the engineering side of music, a bit more of a chance... still gotta be lucky tho.... right place, right time and a band you believe in

[Shade]

So- change of profession. Tired of encryption, packeting, access lists, ip's, routing,switching, blah blah blah....and thinking of something totally different!

I am in the process of importing a metal lathe ( I know bugger all about them )and was wondering what the demand is like for bike stuff.

Things like frame sliders, swingarm spools, clutch sliders, barends anything that can be turned on a lathe. I notice peeps import from the US because it's too expensive to make here or cheaper in the US as they churn out volumes.

What does the KB community reckon? I will still be importing the lathe regardless of demand. Another hobby rather than new profession

Cheers!

Bro, pfft.
Dont be a weener. Keep doing IT and buy a race bike - And have fun

[Hitcher]

Not wrong... I'm 33 and still don't know what I wanna do when I grow up

Jeez, you're a pup! Not wanting to make a competition out of this, I'm 47 and in exactly the same position.

I have ended up where I am career-wise through a series of happy coincidences and opportunities, not through any deliberate plan.

By university qualification, I'm a prototype engineer/marketer. By "occupation" I'm a corporate communications director. By passion, I'm a motorcyclist. My "skill", if I have one, is to work with other people to make things happen -- all a bit nebulous really.

Unlike some of you folk, I wouldn't describe myself as being in any way gifted. I like to think that I'm smart enough to recognise people who are smarter than me. What I lack in intellect I make up for in low cunning. I can't play an instrument (hated piano lessons as a kid) but love music.

Regrets? I have very few. If I was given an opportunity to rewind my life and start over, there are very few things I would change -- even the bad stuff, even some of the REALLY bad stuff. I believe our ability to deal with the bad more than the good is what defines us as individuals and as people. If I changed things in my "rewound" life I may never find my Jane, and I would never want to lose her and everything she has added to my life.

Buy that bloody lathe!

[Joni]

Music is my first passion (more even than motorcycling!), and I am going bug-crazy having to put it on hold while I finish my degree and have babies. I know it'll be worth it though, and after every musical lay off I've come back a better musician, even if my chops do need serious work to recover.

I thinked you just answered my question to myself...
I have stopped seeing myself as a muso, when in fact its been the one constant in my life...
:spudguita

[Biff]

There's nothing worse than being stuck in a job you hate. Life is for living - you don't want a little bit of your soul destroyed every day! It's very hard to give up the security of a career, even if it makes you unhappy. It's amazing what a release you feel when you make the break, and you'll be surprised at where your path leads you. The thing is, you'll never know whether you will succeed unless you try it. Go for it, and hopefully the path you take down the trouser of time will bring you happiness and fulfillment!

Sound advice RR, and very similar advice to that which I took some time ago. Too many people just sit there is jobs that they loathe simply because they are scared or concerned about upsetting the status quo.

I jumped ship from a job that paid me three times what I'm currently being paid (conversion rate taken into account), simply because I hated the stress and pressure. Now I'm paid far less, I'm a happy bunny, the family are also happier and I spend all day on forums talking testicules to absolute strangers.

[Marmoot]

Looking at KB trend lately, you'd be better of spending money on fibreglass skills, plastic welding and/or spraypainting.

I know a prospective client......me

[Lord Pac]

Looking at KB trend lately, you'd be better of spending money on fibreglass skills, plastic welding and/or spraypainting.

I know a prospective client......me

lol True

That's why I thought go one up higher and make frame sliders, spools, clutch protectors, barends and whatever else needs protection. I know I'll be the first customer and have a list of other KB members- no names mentioned off course... to protect their innocence....

[Marmoot]

lol True

That's why I thought go one up higher and make frame sliders, spools, clutch protectors, barends and whatever else needs protection. I know I'll be the first customer and have a list of other KB members- no names mentioned off course... to protect their innocence....

How about STREETFIGHTER CONVERSION SPECIALIST?

[Riff Raff]

Sound advice RR, and very similar advice to that which I took some time ago. Too many people just sit there is jobs that they loathe simply because they are scared or concerned about upsetting the status quo.
.

I was once stuck in a job that made me unhappy, but too scared to make the change. Then something really nasty happened to me in my personal life, and I had difficulty coping. So I chucked everything in and moved to Coromandel. Spent two years recharging my batteries, became a volunteer ambulance officer, then moved back to Auckland to do ambulance full time. Now I have a job I love.