What do you do? Work to live or live to work?

I can tell that some here would appear to only think of work and have no outside life.
Do you commute? How far? or are you one of these skivers who "work from home"?

Enjoy your job?, What would you really like to do as a job?
Do you just turn up at work and do as little as possible or do you creep round the bosses to give the impression you are fab?

Me? I gave it up, couldn't see the point really. Didn't need the money so why bother?

Do you dread monday mornings? Do you take a fag break as often as you can? or do you slave away diligently 9 till 5 and work through lunch like a prat, thinking you actually make a difference.

Col

Poor old Col,
like a pal of mine he obviously didn't enjoy his work.

I basically worked to live, I have a modest life style and therefore had no need to climb higher up the greasy pole than I did, but at that level I enjoyed my work.

Many people enjoy the challenge of their work and thus appear to be those that Col apparently despises, others hate it or have so many outside interests that they do not pull their weight at work, a correct balance is better.

Brian

Poor old Col,
like a pal of mine he obviously didn't enjoy his work.



Not quite right Bri. I did enjoy my work, I did many years (37) in the NHS and felt I had done some good along the way.
The last 18 months wasn't good as I had been writing access databases for some years and many of my creations are still in use, but management decided that I should stop doing that and put me in charge of a Risk Management system I didn't want to be part of, that's when I decided to hang up my mouse.

I did work to live, but like many in the NHS I did loads of unpaid overtime in order to keep things on an even keel - it was my choice to do it and I enjoyed it.

I think overall, I made good moves career wise and salary wise, now I (like you) can sit in the sun eating a mini magnum and drinking tea with no worries about going to work.

Plus - as an added attraction and financial income, we have 2 teenage French girls staying with us next week - can it get better?. . . . . Ahhhh, life is so hard.

Col

Down Boy.

:D

Brian

Plus - as an added attraction and financial income, we have 2 teenage French girls staying with us next week - can it get better?. . . . . Ahhhh, life is so hard.

Col

:eek:

It's too bad they don't know how to use a razor. :D (Hey, I can have a laugh with the stereotypes as much as anyone else on here.)

I work to live at the moment. I do enjoy my job. I'm also using my job so I can go to school nearly free and eventually start my own businesses. Then, I'll really be doing something I enjoy. I actually have a couple of business ideas I hope to pan out eventually.

I work to live. I have a government position which pays most of the bills. Cannot hardly say I commute (live about 1.5 from work). Most of the time I ride my bike or walk.

The job is okay. Many times I am asked to do a task without much direction or goal. In the past nine months I have been tasked to learn as much as possible about Xcelsius and create dashboard for my CIO, but not much has been outlined on what KPI's the CIO wants and how to display them. Also my boss whats Xcelsius to do things that is not capable of. So now I have an dashboard (with a number of layers) that is not very cohesive, but displays some useful data (so I rant).

I have thought about changing jobs, but it would require me to move to a larger city (ugh!) and in this econony, I would be stressed about being laid off (getting too old for that nosense).

:eek:

It's too bad they don't know how to use a razor. :D (Hey, I can have a laugh with the stereotypes as much as anyone else on here.)

Coincidentally, I was in Spain last week, your stereotype is not that far from reality. Our French girls are teenage, so I expect they use the razor a little more than 30 - 40 year old Spanish women.

I work to live at the moment. I do enjoy my job. I'm also using my job so I can go to school nearly free and eventually start my own businesses. Then, I'll really be doing something I enjoy. I actually have a couple of business ideas I hope to pan out eventually.

Good luck with those, I did a couple of business ideas some years ago and that worked out ok financially.

Col

Down Boy.

:D

Brian

In a position of responsibility I am a perfect gentleman. Glad I've got my GTN heart spray though.:)

Col

, now I (like you) can sit in the sun eating a mini magnum and drinking tea with no worries about going to work.
Col

What is a mini magnum?

I forgot that most Americans will think of a gun. It is actually an ice-lolly (? ice-pop in the USA?)

It has ice-cream in the middle with a chocolate coating on the outside, very nice.
http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/thing.32003559.l.jpg

Col

I forgot that most Americans will think of a gun. It is actually an ice-lolly (? ice-pop in the USA?)

It has ice-cream in the middle with a chocolate coating on the outside, very nice.
http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/thing.32003559.l.jpg

Col
Haagen Dazs makes a passable Ice Cream Bar, or you could say Ice Cream Stick.

I've been a "work at home skiver" for the past seven years. During this time I've realized what a "work through lunch prat" I'd been in the past.

I pay more tax; sometimes work for nothing when customers don't pay bills and don't have an accounts dept to take care of my taxes, salary, invoicing and restocking of the TP.

However I would never voluntarily go back to being an employee.

I've been living to work the last 5 years or so. Maybe it's time to change it up and do the skiver thing for a bit--if I can just get the money thing right...

My wife was sacked on Thursday - no disciplinary, no appraisal, not even an informal mention of any problems. They had her working a few hours late on the wednesday - and me changing my hours to accomodate this. Sacked on spot for no apparent reason the next day.

So doing anything beyond the strict call of duty, is a no no with me at the moment. Whats the point?

At least the sun's shining.

I've been a "work at home skiver" for the past seven years. During this time I've realized what a "work through lunch prat" I'd been in the past.

I pay more tax; sometimes work for nothing when customers don't pay bills and don't have an accounts dept to take care of my taxes, salary, invoicing and restocking of the TP.

However I would never voluntarily go back to being an employee.

Ditto, I am the old man... LOL

At the moment it feels like I'm living to work only because I'm so busy but I'm loving it cos my job rocks*, things will change soon as we'll get more resources, facilities and kit so I'll be back to work to live :)

*Who gets to do a shot for shot remake of an iconic scene from Pulp Fiction by someone who loves film? :cool:

My wife was sacked on Thursday - no disciplinary, no appraisal, not even an informal mention of any problems. They had her working a few hours late on the wednesday - and me changing my hours to accomodate this. Sacked on spot for no apparent reason the next day.

So doing anything beyond the strict call of duty, is a no no with me at the moment. Whats the point?

At least the sun's shining.

Their procedure was incorrect if what you say is true.

Claim unfair dismissal and go through an industrial tribunal. If upheld you could get compo. and lots of it.

I remember one time when I was a manager in the NHS one of my staff wanted 3 months unpaid leave to go to Oz. I said that was not possible because of the nature of his work would be extremely difficult to cover and would put excess pressure on the rest of the staff, he took me to a tribunal - I lost, the tribunal said I was being unfair to him by thinking of the effect on the other staff and the smooth running of my department.
When he came back though, he left within 2 months as the staff made his life hell, he was then unemployed - for some strange reason he couldn't get a decent reference from me, I think he lost his house through missed payments on mortgage - how sad.

Col

- I lost, the tribunal said I was being unfair to him by thinking of the effect on the other staff and the smooth running of my department.
Col

Quite right too, are you trying to undermine all of the work of the Left , next thing you will be wanting to make people earn their salary, allow managers to manage and firms make a profit, good God man before you know it Britain will be paying its way, can't have that.

Brian

As I work to live I am pleased to say I love my work, makes the day go faster and then you can get on with life!!!!

Now, what do we do about the brattish behaviour of other members of staff????

As I work to live I am pleased to say I love my work, makes the day go faster and then you can get on with life!!!!

Now, what do we do about the brattish behaviour of other members of staff????

http://www.funz.eu/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Office-Prank-Post-It.jpg

As an aside, I see that today is the 122nd birthday of that great English comedian Charlie Chaplin.

In my opinion he rates alongside that other great English comic, Bob Hope.

Pono1, is it just me? I can't read your attachment:confused:

Col

As an aside, I see that today is the 122nd birthday of that great English comedian Charlie Chaplin.

In my opinion he rates alongside that other great English comic, Bob Hope.

Pono1, is it just me? I can't read your attachment:confused:

Col

What were you googling Col?

Perhaps it's just me---I mean, I can see it...It's not terribly cogent, but so it goes in the WC.

try this (http://www.funz.eu/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Office-Prank-Post-It.jpg)

Perhaps it's just me---I mean, I can see it...It's not terribly cogent, but so it goes in the WC.

try this (http://www.funz.eu/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Office-Prank-Post-It.jpg)

No nor that?

http://www.funz.eu/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Office-Prank-Post-It.jpg

and here...attached...to beat the horse dead...

http://www.funz.eu/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/Office-Prank-Post-It.jpg

Nope still no.

and here...attached...to beat the horse dead...

Yeah - what a disapointment! ;-)

Right now, I work to live. Due to the USA turmoil over Medicare, Medicaid, and a few other retirement issues, I have come to question whether I have enough money saved up despite having put aside money in retirement funds every year of my working life. Prices keep on going up. Some of my co-workers are reaching and passing retirement age without being able to actually retire. Sometimes it is the loophole in government contracting that bars insurance companies from rejecting you for a pre-existing condition if your contracts change. With the recent passage of the "ObamaCare" bill, there is some chance that the pre-existing condition rule would help, but I am not entirely confident about the stability of that bill. Therefore I am planning to retire but I am also considering the option to extend my career a couple of more years. Even if I can't protect myself, I might give my wife a little bit more help in her declining years.

Right now, I work to live. Due to the USA turmoil over Medicare, Medicaid, and a few other retirement issues, I have come to question whether I have enough money saved up despite having put aside money in retirement funds every year of my working life. Prices keep on going up. Some of my co-workers are reaching and passing retirement age without being able to actually retire. Sometimes it is the loophole in government contracting that bars insurance companies from rejecting you for a pre-existing condition if your contracts change. With the recent passage of the "ObamaCare" bill, there is some chance that the pre-existing condition rule would help, but I am not entirely confident about the stability of that bill. Therefore I am planning to retire but I am also considering the option to extend my career a couple of more years. Even if I can't protect myself, I might give my wife a little bit more help in her declining years.

As it turns out; people that work longer, live longer.

As it turns out; people that work longer, live longer.

Are you sure that its not just a case that people who die young don't get a chance to work long.

Brian

I also just read something abiut people who shop daily live longer. I don't think work itself has anything to with it, just staying active, keeping your mind going, and feeling 'necessary'. Some people seem to retire then just fade away, if they have nothing to do all day.

Are you sure that its not just a case that people who die young don't get a chance to work long.

Brian

Alc's right, it's the activity that matters. Stress is a double edged sword, we need it to thrive, yet it can cause some real missery.

Ah yes; the yen and yang.

Alc's right, it's the activity that matters. Stress is a double edged sword, we need it to thrive, yet it can cause some real missery.

Ah yes; the yen and yang.

Why do you think I still come on here after 5 years retirement, and I like logic challenges like the recent Lady Di problem in Excel. Ok not on much at the moment as wife is very ill, but still like a break on here.

My original comment was a little tongue in cheek, but I don't trust statistics as they are usually shallowly based, yeah I did make that word up. :D

Brian

No reason for people to retire and then start up the next career or go on to another job. There is work available - even in a lot of hard hit areas - just not too many people want to work hard for a wage or can not see the work opportunities and make the decision to make money. Anyone who is at "the retirement age" and is pushed out the door (or was pushed out into "early retirement" because they were too expensive and got the golden handshake) could and should take full advantage of having their 'retirement income' to prop up any other work they may want to seek or other business endeavors which become present. Lots of start up money, grants and handouts are available if there is a job you always wanted to do but never got off your butt and took the plunge.

I definitely work to live. I like my job and the people I work with, but the last few years things have taken a turn for the worse with new management and attitudes around here. My immediate supervisor I like, but new directors have been brought in who have the opinion that those of us that were here before their arrival are stupid and worthless, and have proceeded to bring in their buddies making $70,000-$100,000. Not much of a morale booster.

Now that the job market is picking up a little bit, I'm starting to keep my eyes open for something that might fit me. But no job will be better than spending time with my family. If I could, I would be a stay at home mom, but haven't got the finances to a point where I can do that.

I picked up an idea from one of those 'self help' books, changed my contract with the people I'm currently working for, and now pretty much work three days a week. They're happy, as the work still gets done and they save some money. My wife's happy, as those little jobs now get done around the house. My son's happy, as he sees more of me.

Okay, I'll never be rich, but at the moment its nice to be able to drop him at daycare myself and pick him up, or even just keep him out for the day and go to the zoo. I figure, in a few short years from now he'll be embarrassed by Dad so I may as well make the most of the time now.

If you are staying at home more and doing more family activities and being with your son more that is a better definition of a 'rich life' then having extra monies.
I would doubt your sone would be embarrassed by you in a few short years - growing up everyone had friends with 'cool parents' who were not neccessarily more permissive but always around when needed to talk with or consult.
I have found that it is not possible to put a price on the precious things in life.

I picked up an idea from one of those 'self help' books, changed my contract with the people I'm currently working for, and now pretty much work three days a week. They're happy, as the work still gets done and they save some money. My wife's happy, as those little jobs now get done around the house. My son's happy, as he sees more of me.

Okay, I'll never be rich, but at the moment its nice to be able to drop him at daycare myself and pick him up, or even just keep him out for the day and go to the zoo. I figure, in a few short years from now he'll be embarrassed by Dad so I may as well make the most of the time now.

Okay, I'll never be rich, but at the moment its nice to be able to drop him at daycare myself and pick him up, or even just keep him out for the day and go to the zoo. I figure, in a few short years from now he'll be embarrassed by Dad so I may as well make the most of the time now.

Spot on, Alc.

I have found that it is not possible to put a price on the precious things in life.
Wish I'd realised that a few years ago, but it's nice to be in a position to take advantage of it, now that I have.
Spot on, Alc.
Thanks. Believe it or not, most people I speak to seem to gasp at the prospect of giving up the chance to make extra cash, but in some cases I know it's because they can't do the same thing and don't want to admit to jealousy. As I see it, twenty years form now would I look back fondly on the fact I earned an extra few hundred a week? Not likely.

I worked to live so I could afford to do the things I wanted to do. I guess there are very people around who when they are at death's door would say "I wish I had spent more time at work"

Why do you think I still come on here after 5 years retirement, and I like logic challenges like the recent Lady Di problem in Excel. Ok not on much at the moment as wife is very ill, but still like a break on here.

My original comment was a little tongue in cheek, but I don't trust statistics as they are usually shallowly based, yeah I did make that word up. :D

Brian
Brian,
Since the day's of being known as Jsanders I have always had the most respect for you.

Thank you for continuing to show up here.

I think it is more important to me and my family to put life ahead of work. Too many people work their butts off for the future that never comes: either they accidently step out in front of a bus one day, get taken out by some other twist of fate, or have a family which abandons them or moves on with out them as they are rarely present or participating in life.
I guess for some people if they live to work then that is their choice.

I am working to live. I need the insurance with my health difficulties. Would love to pull the plug and live on the cheap, but cannot do that. 5 more years to retirement and then consider me living to live...The corporate clap-trap is really starting to get me down. All we ever hear around here is blah blah blah - trigger word - trigger word - blah blah blah - lie lie lie - (well, you know the rest).:mad:

I forgot that most Americans will think of a gun. It is actually an ice-lolly (? ice-pop in the USA?)

It has ice-cream in the middle with a chocolate coating on the outside, very nice.
http://cf1.polyvoreimg.com/thing.32003559.l.jpg

Col

Damn that looks good! They have me on a steriod right now that gives me a huge appetite. Looks like I'll be stopping at DQ on the way home...

I am working to live. I need the insurance with my health difficulties. Would love to pull the plug and live on the cheap, but cannot do that. 5 more years to retirement and then consider me living to live...The corporate clap-trap is really starting to get me down. All we ever hear around here is blah blah blah - trigger word - trigger word - blah blah blah - lie lie lie - (well, you know the rest).:mad: Why else do we work? We all need to feed our families, pay for their and our own healthcare etc. What depresses me are those people who are complete workaholics, who put work before their families and are completely focused on the job at the expense of everything else.

Why else do we work? We all need to feed our families, pay for their and our own healthcare etc. What depresses me are those people who are complete workaholics, who put work before their families and are completely focused on the job at the expense of everything else.

I used to be one of those types. Glad I no longer am. I watch those kind retire and die within 12 months, it drives them nuts to stay at home. :(

If I could, I would be a stay at home mom, but haven't got the finances to a point where I can do that.

Do you agree that it's ok to have kids even when you can't bring them up yourself?
Or would it be better to wait until you can look after them properly and provide a real family environment, thus giving the child the best start with a real mother, not a paid mother whom the kid sees more than the real mother.

That is after all, a womans job - to raise the children, not to go out - fob the kids off on strangers and then have a nice child free day.

Ok, people say they need the money, why not think of that before conception? Passion before logic? Is that the answer? or logic before passion?

It's no wonder so many kids are mixed-up.

Col

Do you agree that it's ok to have kids even when you can't bring them up yourself?
Or would it be better to wait until you can look after them properly and provide a real family environment, thus giving the child the best start with a real mother, not a paid mother whom the kid sees more than the real mother.

That is after all, a womans job - to raise the children, not to go out - fob the kids off on strangers and then have a nice child free day.

Ok, people say they need the money, why not think of that before conception? Passion before logic? Is that the answer? or logic before passion?

It's no wonder so many kids are mixed-up.

Col

I think that you are being too simplistic, I suspect that the mixed up kids come from uncaring homes that have nothing to do with whether both parents work, infact its more likely to be where neither ever have.

But then I also suspect that you are just trying to be provocative .

Brian

But then I also suspect that you are just trying to be provocative .

Brian

Give a dog a bad name eh Bri?:rolleyes:

Well, actually, I saw a programme recently that touched on whether working parents were able to give the time and nurturing that a child needs.
It said that working parents are stressed / too busy / too tired for the "normal" requirements of parenthood. The parents focus more on money and social status. Therefore too many kids grow up insular and unable to communicate well, they lack confidence etc etc.

Now, whether this is true or not I have no idea. Parents will of course deny it.
It was just a comment not a stir.

I apologise for trying to inject some life into these dead American forums.

Col

Circumstances can change between conception and the baby arriving or indeed later. Very few people nowadays have 100% secure jobs. So it is impossible to accurately predict your income in 5 years time. IMO it is better for any child to be brought up in a loving environment where there is little stress than to be brought up where parents are constantly struggling to make ends meet.

I know from personal experience I was most stressed as a parent when I was struggling to make ends meet on a poor salary. Once I was able to change jobs (not always easy in economic depressions) then stress levels came down when you knew you could pay all the monthly bills. Personally I see no harm in mother of children of school age having a job. It would be a pity ifthey did not feel able to use their talents to help their family.

That is after all, a womans job - to raise the children, not to go out - fob the kids off on strangers and then have a nice child free day.


How 1940 of you.

Personally, I think daycare is good for kids as it teaches them to socialize with children their own age.


I apologise for trying to inject some life into these dead American forums.


haha. I could set my watch by your bitterness. Take a look out your window, I think I see some kids on your lawn!

How 1940 of you.
So what exactly is a womans job then?


haha. I could set my watch by your bitterness. Take a look out your window, I think I see some kids on your lawn!

If you had a good watch it wouldn't need setting, it should keep good time.

Col

So what exactly is a womans job then?


Col

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_OZbzdwfUQ&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_OZbzdwfUQ&feature=related)
:D:D:D:D:D

Personally, I think daycare is good for kids as it teaches them to socialize with children their own age.

I'm not big on the whole daycare thing. When we had our first child my wife quit her job to stay at home, and while we've had to make sacrifices because of losing her pay, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Many children in my daughter's class have 2 working parents. These kids have no idea of right/wrong, manners, or any of the other things thate parents used to teach their children.

Most parents expect the school to do it for them these days.

As far as educationally and socially my daughter is actually slightly ahead of her classmates, all of whom are older than her(this is her teacher's opinion, not just mine).

I attribute it all to having a wonderful loving mother who was able to stay at home with them.

So how many children did you have?

Do you agree that it's ok to have kids even when you can't bring them up yourself?
Or would it be better to wait until you can look after them properly and provide a real family environment, thus giving the child the best start with a real mother, not a paid mother whom the kid sees more than the real mother.

That is after all, a womans job - to raise the children, not to go out - fob the kids off on strangers and then have a nice child free day.

Ok, people say they need the money, why not think of that before conception? Passion before logic? Is that the answer? or logic before passion?

It's no wonder so many kids are mixed-up.

Col

Give a dog a bad name eh Bri?:rolleyes:

......

I apologise for trying to inject some life into these dead American forums.

Col

No need to apologise , just don't be so thin skinned. :)
Being provocative or playing devil's advocate are useful to hone one's arguments.

The use of the adjective "American" was however predictable and unnecessary.

Brian

Personally, I think daycare is good for kids as it teaches them to socialize with children their own age.



That will depend on the day care, but then all parents are different too.

My sister in law does pickups, ie collects from school, children upto the age of 10 that she cared for as 1 year olds +, this mix of ages that she has from 4-6 pm is great for the kids as they interact.

She does rule with strict discipline and lots of love.

Brian

As far as the wife giving up work and sacrificing her salary

1 What if she is the main earner, my daughter earns almost twice as much as her bloke.

2 How long should she stay at home? Are you sure that she could pick up her career after a long break?

Brian

So how many children did you have?

Is that relevent?

I cant fly a plane but have a view on some of the landings I have experienced.

Brian


PS I really must learn how to multi quote. :D

I'm not big on the whole daycare thing. When we had our first child my wife quit her job to stay at home, and while we've had to make sacrifices because of losing her pay, I wouldn't have it any other way.

And what if your wife, like you, wanted to keep her career yet insisted that one parent stayed at home with the kids? Would you have been willing to be the one at home?

Many children in my daughter's class have 2 working parents. These kids have no idea of right/wrong, manners, or any of the other things thate parents used to teach their children.

No doubt you choose the examples to suit your case. There are plenty of very well adjusted children with both parents working. In many cases it is the children with no working parents who are the biggest problems.

As far as educationally and socially my daughter is actually slightly ahead of her classmates, all of whom are older than her(this is her teacher's opinion, not just mine).

I attribute it all to having a wonderful loving mother who was able to stay at home with them.

My daughter is now 25. When she was young she spent a lot of time in daycare, with friend's families etc. She is probably one of the brightest, most responsible and socially adept people I have ever known.

I was not asking about your inability to pilot an aircraft. I was asking someone else about how many children they have, just out of interest in the context of his opinion of his wifes life task being in charge of the household and raising his children.

Is that relevent?
I cant fly a plane but have a view on some of the landings I have experienced.
Brian
PS I really must learn how to multi quote. :D

So how many children did you have?

Not relevant.

If I say none, then I will be dismissed as not knowing what I am talking about. If I say three, then I will be allowed to continue the discussion.

If I have none, then I can see from the "outside" what a mess children have become - and possibly why. If I have three, then I could become blinkered into not seeing the obvious.
No parent likes to be critisised as can be seen by some of the previous posted comments.

Col

No parent likes to be critisised as can be seen by some of the previous posted comments.

ColSpelling. Col you must try to get your spelling right. It should be criticised:D

Gentlemen, and ladies,
I have enjoyed the previous post, as I have been in all of the above mention at one time or another. I now have the best of both worlds. I have retired from the Navy and Navy Reserves with a pension, and my Navy medical. I was in aviation part of that time aboard the Aircraft Carrier Wasp, and then went into the SeeBee Reserves. I have retired from the work to live and the live to work categories, so have my SSI. I have become involved in a ministry that takes me all over the good old USA. I not only get to see many sites, but get paid to do it. If everything has a down side, I guess mine would be I never know from month to month what my total salary will be, as part is based on what is taken up in a collection. Except for the aches and pains this is the most enjoyable time of my life. Just by chance are there any out there that have also served aboard the USS Wasp?

Oh how can that be, I spelled SeaBees wrong, Please shipmates don't throw me overboard.

Hello, Dick7Access... when you were a CB reservist, did you ever run across a Navy Reserve personnel system called RHS?

If so, you have found the RHS system administrator. I've been with that project since 1988 through three different hardware platforms, five major versions of the operating system, and four major disk reconfigurations.

Hey Doc,
Yes I did, I don't remeber what it did and wasn't involve in its operations. I remember my units setting up a small office for it, but don't remember much about it Clue me in.

I was not asking about your inability to pilot an aircraft. I was asking someone else about how many children they have, just out of interest in the context of his opinion of his wifes life task being in charge of the household and raising his children.

It was an analogy, I was indicating that one doesn't have to done something inorder to be able to express an opinion of others performance.

Brian

It was an analogy, I was indicating that one doesn't have to done something inorder to be able to express an opinion of others performance.

Brian

Bri, I'm afraid Fifty2One's reply was a typical American response by being blind to what was an obvious analogy. Strange really.:confused:

Col

Just by chance are there any out there that have also served aboard the USS Wasp?


Was there really a USS Wasp? What an absolutely horrid name - you'd think the US would come up with something a little better.

I thought USS stood for United States Starship - is the Wasp a shuttlecraft?

Col

Col,
Surely you jest, or more over you excel in the art of arousing Oh! but a pity to waste such a talent on a mere mortal as I than cannot be displaced by inane innuendos.

Was there really a USS Wasp? What an absolutely horrid name - you'd think the US would come up with something a little better.

I thought USS stood for United States Starship - is the Wasp a shuttlecraft?

Col

You don't like the British motorcycle company of the same name then?

And what if your wife, like you, wanted to keep her career yet insisted that one parent stayed at home with the kids? Would you have been willing to be the one at home?

Since a one word response wasn't enough. I would have gladly stayed at home with the little ones.

Heck if I had the means, we'd both be at home with them.

It wasn't that I insisted that she stay home. It was that she wanted to stay home.

dan-cat,
What is the British m/c company by the same name? Back in the 40's my Dad had a little M/C shop and new he sold only British bikes. His line was Royal Enfield’s, and Vincent’s. Anybody ever hear of the Vincent Black Shadow. Does anybody know if Vincent is still in business? Years later he switched to Triumphs and Norton’s.

Was there really a USS Wasp? What an absolutely horrid name - you'd think the US would come up with something a little better.

I thought USS stood for United States Starship - is the Wasp a shuttlecraft?

ColSounds to me as if the USS Wasp could have a nippy sting:D

dan-cat,
His line was Royal Enfield’s, and Vincent’s. Anybody ever hear of the Vincent Black Shadow. Does anybody know if Vincent is still in business?


Yes, when at uni in London a shop in Putney sold them and my mate and I used to go and drool over them, but our student finances didn't stretch that far and I had to make do with a BSA B1 and he a solid frame Enfield. but I forget the model.

Vincent stopped trading decades ago.

Brian

Hi Brian
My Dad sold Royal Enfield’s and Vincent new, but used he sold whatever came in for a trade. He uses some of these as his personal bike. One of those that I remember best (1948 I was 5) was a BSA with a side car. When he went and run errands I would sit and lie-down in the side car with my little sister and play games. He was taking care of us as my mother worked in a mill to help get the business of the ground. The bike I remember best is when he bought a British paratrooper bike. He converted it into a mini bike for me before mini bikes were even though of. He also had a race team and we would go often on weekends and race. On intermission they would put me out there in a little white suit and hat and have me ride around in front of the grandstands. Later when I was about 10 we moved up to the main highway and a bigger garage and he switch to Triumph’s and Norton’s. My Dad hated Harley Davidson’s.

Hey, Dick7Access,

The Reserve Headquarters Support (RHS) computer system was the personnel management system for the USNR. Still is. In 1988 when I joined the project, they had just converted it from a PDP-11/70 running RSTS/E v9 to a VAX/VMS cluster running (at the time) some version of VMS around 3.5 or so. As a systems administrator, I rode herd on user security, disk resources, and a few other things. Our Operations group took care of tapes, volume mounting and dismounting, and printer management.

I can't tell you everything the system did or still does because I'm the security and resources guy. The applications team could give you the bloody-gory details. I can tell you that if you got promoted, transferred, mobilized, demobilized, separated from service, joined the service, improved your education, or changed your dependent records by marriage, divorce, or childbirth, RHS probably has a record of it somewhere.

And when Col gets on one of his snits, ignore his silly butt. Everyone recognizes when he is trying to bait you.

To Col: Yes, there were many USA warships with various names. Names like Hornet, Wasp, Sparrow, Stingray, Cuttlefish, Enterprise, Yorktown... But what's in a name? If you are on the business end of a Colt .45 or a Thompson .45 SMG, you are still in a world of hurt when someone pulls the trigger. The name of the gun won't matter, will it?

Regarding names: The military mind in every war comes up with names that are best left to history to decide just how silly they were. That is true on both sides of the pond. A few years ago we had a Dept. of Defense operation called Moonlight Maze. It had to do with computers. That's all I may tell you about it. It provides an excellent example of naming things just to have a name. So why would it matter to you that the Wasp or the Hornet or the Poseidon are all ship's names? Everything has to have a name. Even you, Col.

Hi Doc,
As I said when the RHS hit our unit some guys were involved in it and they were hush hush. I was too busy as a platoon commander trying to whip some SAMS into shape to get them promoted to get involved in the computer stuff, and was not involved with computers even at home. I did use the boxes and boxes of the old card with the slots in them (whatever they were called) as note paper. As for COL I saw thru him very early. I kind of feel sorry for him in a way, except I have a personal motto, “You are now free and 21, you can’t blame your mommy anymore” Secondly usually people like that are 4f’s, and have inherited the “Grapes were probable sour anyways.”
dick S

Last year at an Ottawa rally the Enfield was the feature marque, great bikes. There were also a couple of Greaves which you dont see many of those in North America.
That group does not seem to have many Harley Davidsons except for a couple of older flatheads - one showed up for the rally a WLA which was converted into a civillian bike when sold as 'surplus' and only maintained since.

Hey 521
Thanks for the info. Even tho being brought up around M/C I never heard of the Greaves.

I used to work to live but since I got into MI, I now work to live.

The saddest part of it is that I quite enjoy that :o

ooops it is Greeves not Greaves - runaway fingers I guess.
Its always good to know another person who has had M/Cs in their lives as part of their lifes journey and not as part of an ego trip.

Hey 521
Thanks for the info. Even tho being brought up around M/C I never heard of the Greaves.

Well, Fifty2One, I cannot lie, at times I had a big head. In high school I had a new demonstrator, and was the only kid in high school with a m/c. In fact we had a 21 year old teacher ( I was 17) that was a knock out, and I got a date with her to teach her how to ride. My dad sold triumph cubs to a few young girls, and I told them that the dealership hired me to teach them how to ride. Now that I look back over it, I'd do it all over again. After all you’re only 17 once. <G>

lol I took full advantage of having bikes also when I was young and full of P&V. Got me in trouble more then once but not BIG trouble - worst was the time I met a very lovely girl and she invited me to give her a ride up to where her uncle had his boat docked, so I played hookey from work to spend the day at her uncles boat, upon arrival at the boat I discovered that her uncle was my employer. hahaha funny now but not so amusing back then.

I work to live

Totally work to live.

I live modestly so am not worried about alot of materialistic things that other people worry about. Everything is paid for so even if I were to lose my job I could relax for quite a while before I got bored and found another.

Work is about 10 miles away and while it is an easy drive I generally bicycle there instead.

Life is not bad at the moment ...