 Old guy griping
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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OP
Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
It's late, I'm hurtin, and I'm gripin. Just turned 52 a couple of weeks ago. Am a self employed carpenter/plumber/electrician. One and sometimes two guys working for me. Just make a living but get to call my own hours and don't have to put up with any crapola from some dummy higher in "rank" than I. Here's the whining.... It just ain't as easy anymore. Just finished putting on fairly large steel roof, pretty easy pitch. My ankles, back and knees are killing me. Last week, crawling around in a crawlspace, installing new wiring and plumbing. That kicked my butt too. The thing is, I hate to whine, with others on here looking for jobs or working crummy ones to get by, but crap, I can't see me doing this up to retirement, ten plus years from now! Nuts, I went and did the college thing in 96, graduated with honors near the top of my class, still didn't work out to any long term career. Back to the power tools! Here's the funny thing, my regular employee is 60, and my occasional employee is 28, and they hurt more than I do. Ok, I'll quit bitchin now.  Somebody pass the Tylenol.... 
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590
Check Pants
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Check Pants
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,590 |
Quote:
It's late, I'm hurtin, and I'm gripin.
No problemo'
I remember passing references over the years that ba.com is at times a "geezer site". We do have a token yute or two for diversity & remembrances of the good old days
I ran into a rancher friend the other day who was frustrated how recent shoulder surgery has slowed him down a bit from his normal routine of working cattle from atop a cowhorse. He's 75 
Now where is that "best recliner chair" thread and are those so-called magic fingers all they're cracked up to be? 
jh
"It's not what I say that's important, it's what you hear" Red Auerbach
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 286
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 286 |
Don't feel so bad arstaren, you could have gotten a corporate job and then been "downsized" anyway. As far as BA.com being a geezer site, well most of us bought an America or Speedmaster because they were comfortable. I'm 45 and when I was younger had BMW's with low bars and cafe fairings. Not anymore. I love the Ducati new classics, but just couldn't ride one for any length of time cause it would begin to hurt my wrists. So keep taking the pain meds and keep riding.
Pat
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 755
3/4 Throttle
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3/4 Throttle
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 755 |
well your not alone being self employed and just make a living. At the moment some weeks I'm not doing that. I have a market stall outside and my ex's are high with rent derv and the cost of goods going higher.making a profit is hard at the moment. "BUT" the good thing is no one will call me into the office and say sorry you gota GO at the end of the week or month. for that im gratefull thats not over my head which i think most people in work have at this time.but I feel like griping too at this time with the winter coming not good outside with all the elements against you and the fact people dont want to go out to a market when you can just as easily go to a supermarket  All The Best from another over 50 gezzer 
2003 black and silver T.B.A A1 removed,Specialty Spares long slashed Pipes .
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,227 Likes: 62 |
I was self-employed for the last 20+ years and now work for Wal Mart so things could be worse. Only good thing is I don't have to "find" work anymore and have the same pay every week I can plan on. I am also the big fish in my little pond since I work in the tire and lube side. I know more about cars and trucks than my boss and superviser. I am now ,after just over 6 months, up for a management position, hope I get it.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
I know what you mean Rich... I'm a carpenter too and 57 years young and I'm constantly amazed at how much it hurts to do this work. Mind you I don't work full time... far from it as I am blessed with low overhead. But when I do a job I can tell you it's not often a full 8 hour day for me 'cause it just hurts too much. I take a little herb which helps with the aches and pains. 
Live to love, love to live.
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 Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,626 |
Steelheart- '03 Speedmaster Black/Yellow
The Hayabusa Killa
16" Shorties/140 mains/Airbox drilled
Procom CDI
"There is no cure for Celibacy. But we can treat the symptoms."
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
A neighbor who was 70 just got mashed flat(crushed) when a large round bale of hay rolled off the truck he was loading. Bet that really hurt! Those things weigh 1800 to 2400 pounds.
Working at Lowes, I sometimes come home rather sore, especially when I spent the day wrestling with tire shop size air compressors or the large size drill presses and bandsaws. But then, it's not so bad, before I retired from it, designing software made my head ache.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,586 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
I know what you mean Rich... I'm a carpenter too and 57 years young and I'm constantly amazed at how much it hurts to do this work. Mind you I don't work full time... far from it as I am blessed with low overhead. But when I do a job I can tell you it's not often a full 8 hour day for me 'cause it just hurts too much. I take a little herb which helps with the aches and pains.
 Blessed with low overhead,or a sideline Keith.I'll be cramped up when I ride out in the spring may need some medicne.
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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OP
Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Another reason I should stop crying... there is an old guy here in town that is still roofing, has his own crew of "immigrants", still climbing ladders and shucking shingles, and he is 86!!! Wiry, lean as leather and mean as a snake. But he can kick my butte!
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 106
Adjunct
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Adjunct
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 106 |
My father-inlaw is 86 and still cuts lots of wood... The problem is that he forgets where he leaves it....(o; V.
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3
Old Hand
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Old Hand
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,639 Likes: 3 |
Quote:
My father-inlaw is 86 and still cuts lots of wood... The problem is that he forgets where he leaves it....(o; V.
Oh, that reminds me, my axe is out on the front porch.
Let's hope there's intelligent life somewhere in space 'cause it's buggar all down here. -- Monte Python
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,971 |
`  Doctor Death says: "Form a line you old bast---s"
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 49
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 49 |
I hear ya...15 yrs in my own business...10 years working for other companies both as a carpenter. I have spent the last 10 yrs in an office setting. yesterday I put my snow blower on my lawn tractor and I am still in pain shoulders,knees, ankles and wrists are all shot.
07 America,
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 20,096 Likes: 2 |
Hmmmmmm, so Steve...sounds like your joints are kind'a stiff lately, huh?!  And uuummmmmmm....you noticed this most recently while settin' up your snow blower the other day, huh?! Well, let's see here. Now granted, while I'm no doctor here you understand, I'm juuuuust wonderin' IF MAYBE them there MINNESOTA WINTERS might not exactly be doin' those creaky ol' bones o' yours much good lately, dude?! 
Yep! Just like a good Single Malt Scotch, you might call me "an acquired taste" TOO.(among the many OTHER things you may care to call me, of course)
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,681 Likes: 1 |
Quote:
My father-inlaw is 86 and still cuts lots of wood... The problem is that he forgets where he leaves it....(o; V.
My dad was a wuss. He retired from working in his bakery, 18-20 hours a day, at 80.
"Catching a yellow jacket in your shirt at seventy miles per hour can double your vocabulary" Author unknown
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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OP
Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
Quote:
My father-inlaw is 86 and still cuts lots of wood... The problem is that he forgets where he leaves it....(o; V.
My dad was a wuss. He retired from working in his bakery, 18-20 hours a day, at 80.
And that's what I'm sayin! I'm gripin, while the previous generation is still doing it! The only thing that makes me feel better is watching the younger, 20 somethings work. Now, THERE'S some wussies! (Except for Dave, of course. He's the only guy on here ballsy enough to get his nuts chrome plated!  )(Sorry to drag you into this Dave, but it's been awhile)
Fidelis et Fortis
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821
Bar Shake
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Bar Shake
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,821 |
I guess the elevator design gig didn't work out then?
Contra todo mal, mezcal; contra todo bien, también
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,730 Likes: 5 |
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
My father-inlaw is 86 and still cuts lots of wood... The problem is that he forgets where he leaves it....(o; V.
My dad was a wuss. He retired from working in his bakery, 18-20 hours a day, at 80.
And that's what I'm sayin! I'm gripin, while the previous generation is still doing it! The only thing that makes me feel better is watching the younger, 20 somethings work. Now, THERE'S some wussies! (Except for Dave, of course. He's the only guy on here ballsy enough to get his nuts chrome plated! )(Sorry to drag you into this Dave, but it's been awhile)
 Chrome nuts! I'll show them off to anyone who asks!
Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go to work. Hard work. With tools. And a hard hat.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 49
Greenhorn
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Greenhorn
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 49 |
Hmmmm... I think you might be on to something here, Dwight. Since I rely heavily on the diagnosis of friends and the opinions of members at this super forum, it appears I should sell the snowblower and move back to SW Missouri. I would imagine it would be less painful.
07 America,
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Re: Old guy griping
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6
Worn Saddle
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OP
Worn Saddle
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,060 Likes: 6 |
Quote:
I guess the elevator design gig didn't work out then?
Oh yes, I'm still working on a prototype that works every time. And along that line, I haven't had one complaint yet from any of the "testers". 
Fidelis et Fortis
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