[PRCo] Re: pat__service__cuts__2007.01.23-changed to 2/1/07

[John Swindler]

Hi Bob

Guess we are really straying from the list topic, but perhaps some of this 
will help others.


Concerning your comments:  Maybe the job was dealing with idiotic 
management.  I would call that work.

Maybe the challenge solving computer problems was enjoyable.  I would call 
that having fun - almost like a hobby - and getting paid for it.

That's why, when computer questions come up, I tell people to find a 
teenager.  It's still a game to them.  But adults have made it "work", so 
there is a lack of interest in solving the challenge.

OK, so I'm weird.  But I've been told that for many decades.

I found a lot of enjoyment in the Army Reserve - but I worked primarily in 
budgeting and transportation areas in later years.  Often thought I was 
blessed to have the best of all possible worlds.  But I also often claimed 
that Pogo was right:  "We have met the enemy, and they is us."  By that, I 
meant some of the upper management types.  In too many cases, for them it 
was just a paycheck.

I'm also satisfied that I got out of the reserves at the right time - my 
time in grade as a major was up.  That way I would not have to put up with 
being promoted to a Lt. Col. position, which is something I still haven't 
gotten Fred III to understand.  It would mean leaving behind that which was 
enjoyable, and for that, the money and prestige wasn't worth it.

John



>From: "Bob Dietrich" <bdietrich at comcast.net>
>Reply-To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>To: <pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org>
>Subject: [PRCo] Re: pat__service__cuts__2007.01.23-changed to 2/1/07
>Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2007 09:36:54 -0500
>
>I got a job once working at my hobby - building models, not operating
>transit vehicles.  It didn't take long before I discovered it wasn't much
>fun creating-on-demand.  So instead of finding another hobby I found 
>another
>career.  Best thing I ever did was get into computers before most people
>knew what they were.  I spent 40 challenging and enjoyable years doing
>everything from maintaining operating systems on mainframes (I can explain
>"mainframe" if you really need it explained Derrick :-) ) to deploying
>software to 35,000 PCs.  And when I came home I had my models to help to
>forget about idiotic management for awhile.  Now I have my modeling as 
>often
>as I want, but I can't figure out what I'm trying to forget!!!
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org
>[mailto:pittsburgh-railways-bounce at lists.dementia.org] On Behalf Of John
>Swindler
>Sent: Sunday, February 04, 2007 1:17 AM
>To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
>Subject: [PRCo] Re: pat__service__cuts__2007.01.23-changed to 2/1/07
>
>
>
>
>I've been told that if you work at your hobby, you'll find another hobby.
>Not necessarily so.
>
>Of course there is a downside - many co-workers will be suspicious and
>wonder why you are not miserable like everyone else.  (:>)
>
>John
>
>
>
>
>

_________________________________________________________________
Laugh, share and connect with Windows Live Messenger 
http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwme0020000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://imagine-msn.com/messenger/launch80/default.aspx?locale=en-us&source=hmtagline