What work do you do?

[DaveO (David)]

Just to keep the theme going.. yes I am in IT. I started out programming multi-user micros running CMS and Pascal, and spent 20+ years working with construction and engineering companies doing accounting and job costing software. In that time I was programmer, analyst, trainer, technical author, software development manager and a great many other things (including coffee maker). Ended up being minority partner (not a great outcome believe me!). Left that and have since been involved with software to help people better run meetings, face-to-face and via web conferencing.
I now work with Qld Police as a contract Data Architect.

[okiscopey (Mike)]

A somewhat unusual profession ... medical photography!

Graduated in scientific and technical photography (UK technical college, 1969) and have worked in university photographic and hospital 'medical illustration' departments ever since.

Fascinating field - includes clinical, post-mortem, operative and general photography, graphics and video. It's all to do with patient care, medical, nursing and paramedical teaching, plus support for research publication (e.g. designing and printing scientific posters for conferences).

The eight folks in my department spend 80% of our time in front of a computer (sound familiar?), usually sweating over PhotoShop, Illustrator, InDesign, Flash and Final Cut Studio.

Despite my supposed photographic expertise, I still don't have a clue how to take a decent astrophoto - a very specialised and exacting business I hope to master one day.

Couldn't let this go without an amusing story from my early medical photography days. A little old lady was sent down to our studio for clinical photography which I carried out with great attention to detail, ensuring I wore my white lab coat (which was de rigeur in those days) and taking plenty of carefully-lit shots with our big studio flashes. On leaving, my subject turned to me and said in all seriousness: "Thank you doctor, I feel so much better now".

[matt]

Originally Posted by okiscopey

Couldn't let this go without an amusing story from my early medical photography days. A little old lady was sent down to our studio for clinical photography which I carried out with great attention to detail, ensuring I wore my white lab coat (which was de rigeur in those days) and taking plenty of carefully-lit shots with our big studio flashes. On leaving, my subject turned to me and said in all seriousness: "Thank you doctor, I feel so much better now".

And who's to say she didn't feel better?

Must be your fabulous bedside manner

[leon]

I'm working hard at retirement, however before that I had a few jobs mainly in Horticulture, Gardening and Groundsman, for larger organizations, always out doors. and loved it.

Leon

[middy]

I currently work as a software engineer cutting code for the weapons system of the F-111's.

Before that I worked as a Research Scientist at CSIRO Minerals in Sydney and then the Dental school at Univ. of QLD in Brisbane.

[ving (David)]

I am proud of what I am, I am a librarian!

yup thats right... my official title which i so often forget is "team leader - customer service". I also do a little backup IT, but not so much these days.
the pay is pretty bad but the job is very rewarding

[StarKers]

Hi Chris,
I departed The Ridge in Sep 93 after a wall in my open cut mine
collapsed on top of me and crushed the top of my femur, right at
the hip joint. I still have a pin through the joint into my hip
and down through the cavity in the femur bone. A real fun day
that one. I have never had so many people pay so much attention
to me all at once. I was lucky not to lose the whole leg.

My wife says the mine was at the six mile, I can't remember. It
was right next door to one that struck it rich. You know, the
usual story. I was lucky to break even after selling my gear.
In fact my best earning period was when I sold some corrugated
iron. The guy in the second hand yard complained and I had to
curtail my operation. I've still got a bit of potch and colour
lying around, but nothing of any value.

I remember a Black Opal Mine that we toured, and the old Bottle
cottage. I'm not sure about the Black Queen. The most memorable
site was my old mate's Castle, where I spent many a day or three
sharing a drink with Amigo.

And I often wonder if Neil is still wheeling and dealing. Any
reports on Neil?

That's a great web page, for anyone reading this, I recommend
that you take a look at: http//www.blackqueen.net.au then take
a trip to the Ridge; It's not a holiday, it's an experience.

Cheers Chris,
John.

PS. Sorry I didn't add a quote. Not sure how to.

[DobDobDob (Ron)]

WOW we have some seriously diverse and engrossingly interesting occupations going on here at IIS, and we have only sampled about 40 from over 2,000.

This of course demonstrates how universally (pun intended) astronomy appeals to just about everyone from all walks of life. It is fair to say that looking at the stars is the thing that probably (other than breathing) almost every human that has ever lived, has done.

Let's keep those occupations rolling in

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Ouch John!! Sounds like a horrible experience - not one I'd like to have happen to me I'm sure.

Were you near Three Mile somewhere? Out near Fred Bodel's camp? He made millions, and spent it all on wine women and song. Lucky beggar!

Amigo's castle is still there. It's a bit of a tourist attraction nowadays on Sims Hill. It's part of the Red Car Door tour along with the astronomer's monument. The Black Queen is right near it on the other side of the hill. I'm not sure about Neil, but Tony (Spaghetti) is still there. He's a real local character who's been there for decades. Top bloke too.

Thanks for the kind words on the website - it's one of my little projects.

Cheers
Chris

[xelasnave]

I dont do anything but privately funded research into gravity rain .
I help people get what they want by adding my little suggestions that may help their approach and profit.

Needless to say I have a small client base which suits them and me.

I simply take time to think more about them than they do really about themselves and apply wholsome approaches to producing profit and giving them stress free life style.

Started in a suburban lawyers office..in Parramatta..another in Hornsby and and later in Sydney.. later worked in Commonwealth Attorn, Generals.. family Law as a clerk..list clerk, orders clerk..horrible work great social life however. I was the best Social Club President they ever had... got the Judges and the common folk at parties together ..many benefited from the experience.

Went into Real Estate as a employed salesman and eventulally took over the office by being too stupid to leave the business. Loved selling houses..homes came so easy ..always sold the first house I showed people.. made the biggest sale in the area ..that sort of thing ..so it just went right for me. I was honest and people knew it and trusted me..I did not abuse the trust..everything went fine and only got better.

Loved Real Estate, still love it, dont do the usual stuff (if anything) as they say.
But that is the past folks I am now burnt out and old, not sure if I can make it to the office ..not sure I will wake up... not a perfect employee or service provider. Health issues play a large part in my life unfortunately these days. But I try to remain active even if it is rattling on here from time to time.

Like being at work on my projects in the bush, no farming just projects and surviving out there.

Like being a father and a Son that is my greatest work.

Or sometimes I work for the governemnet and have helped them cash in some real estate they wanted moved.

Done some promotions in bike racing.
Have held a good Contract cleaning business. Very good industry if professional about your work.

I have to stop.. as I sit here thinking, there has been a lot of work in my life, I started when I was 13 as a copy boy.. part time now that I recall.. and then there are the little "side" businesses that robbed the savings to consider...

Ron why do you ask these questions that have no short answer

alex

[DobDobDob (Ron)]

Originally Posted by xelasnave

Ron why do you ask these questions that have no short answer

alex

To make me think Alex, to make us all think it's the last thing any of us will ever do

[xelasnave]

Well thinking about it I think being a father and a Son is the best work I can offer.
alex

[astro_nutt]

Hospitality...Supervisor at a Sporting Club..bit of handyman stuff at the local Primary school...that's enough for me!!

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Install, maintain and administer two way radio system, and microwave radio link infrastructure.

As well as day to day network operations, I'm also the one who drives out to remote sites for maintenance works which sometimes has me overnighting at some lovely dark places

[astronut (John)]

"International Man of Mystery".................


If I told you, I would have to kill you all!!!!

[John Saunders]

So many IT folks...I feel somewhat over-awed! My knowledge of Pascal is somewhat Basic, and I have been known to reboot my PC, but once I pick it up from the floor it doesn't seem to want to work all that well.

As for me, I started life as a Secondary school teacher in the Mackay NQ area and had an enjoyable 17 years doing that. Ended up in administration at a school in Brisvegas and had a ball.

Concurrently with my teaching career I became the minister of a congregation at the beach-side suburb of Slade Point in Mackay (palm trees, coconuts, gentle breezes) and pastored there for almost ten years. Resigned that eventually and moved to Brisbane.

Oh yes, did I mention I dabbled in politics for a while here in Brissy, but didn't quite get elected before I managed to appreciate the strain it was taking on my family. My wife still reckons I should have been in parliament somewhere, but I think she had her eye on the income as well as the public life!

Eventually I left teaching and joined the Army as an Educational Corps officer. My job there has been instructional design and I have enjoyed postings in Darwin and Albury-Wodonga. Now, I'm back in Brisbane again studying for the Uniting Church ministry with the goal of being an Army chaplain when I finish. Fortunately Uncle Army has decided to sponsor my study, so technically I'm employed by Defence as a uni bum...albeit one who does a lot of exercise, has short hair and doesn't smoke dope.

Ahhhh, as Bert Facey once said, it's been a fortunate life...and I've got plenty of good years in front of me.

John

[duncan]

Me i'm just a dumb ar--d labourer whom does a bit of car detailing to buy my beer and smokes,LOL And anything else that takes my whim!!!.

[GeoffW1 (Geoff)]

Hi,

I'd be one of the newer members here, started as a Fitting & Machining apprentice, became an Industrial Engineer instead, worked for a while in the metals industry in Sydney, then became a TAFE teacher at Ultimo. I progressed to Head Teacher, but threw that in for educational admin. Now I look after the TAFE electronic rollbook system there, CLAMS, so I guess I'm in IT as well now.

I have wanted for many years to get into amateur astronomy, but there was always something to spend the money on first. I am retiring from the fulltime workforce in July, so it will figure large in my life from then on I hope.

Cheers

GeoffW1

[DobDobDob (Ron)]

Originally Posted by duncan

Me i'm just a dumb ar--d labourer whom does a bit of car detailing to buy my beer and smokes,LOL And anything else that takes my whim!!!.

Duncan, don't kid yourself, I can't count the number of times I have yearned to live your lifestyle, don't write yourself off mate, you are truly amongst good friends - regardless of what you do to earn a quid

[duncan]

Hi Ron,
Mate i don't write myself off for anyone. One thing life has taught me is that those who profess to know it all are the dumbest of the dumb.
Open mind, a good heart , and you'll never grow old alone. You will always have friends and someone to turn too.
Cheers,
Duncan