Do you find it amusing that some of us end our working lives in a completely different career to the one we originally chose? I’m not sure if I ever really wanted to be a teacher. From the age of about four I often played at being a tradesman, usually a different one every day. Each morning my mum had a four-year-old electrician, plumber or carpenter knocking on the door. As I recall she would then supply me with a household fault and tools accordingly. I must have been very good because I never had a call back or a complaint. During this very busy period I pursued other avenues in my spare time, Cowboy, Astronaut, Superhero and footballer were amongst them.
As I got older further occupations seduced me and I recently found evidence of my days as an artist, and a racing car driver. My days as a tradesman served me in good stead as I built my own state of the art F1 racing car.
I soon realised that I couldn’t paint, but I remember that particular day well. My older sister’s bedroom was directly above my alfresco studio and her favourite song at the time was Running Bear. Not sure why, as it was seven years old by then? She put the song on her Dansette and left the arm up (as in the picture) this allowed it to play over and over. She then fell asleep.
During the following hour or so I learnt every word to that song 🙂 Not long after that Jim Clark my favourite driver was killed in Germany and this dampened my racing ambition permanently. I remember one particular day completing an application for the British Army. They wrote back to me explaining that they would be only too pleased to accept me but I would have to reapply in another six years. I began training in earnest.
By the time I left school at fifteen I was fresh out of ideas so they stuck me into an Engineering factory. That didn’t last long, by the time I was eighteen I had left home and was travelling, but that’s a whole different story. I wonder how many people are still doing the job they set out to do as a teenager? 🙂
A small portion of people are doing what they planned as a teenager. Some people with limited resources may carry on what generations before them have done. However, when I was a teen I did not know what I wanted to do and so had adventures finding my occupation. Still pursuing other dreams.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Excellent, keep pursuing 🙂 Yeah i guess a good example of your comment would be farmers, they do tend to go from generation to generation. Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This post is a great reminder of Walt Whitman’s assertion: “I am large, I contain multitudes.” (Fun photos, too!)
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Donna, it was fun getting all the old photos out 🙂
LikeLike
I heard once statistics show between the ages of 45ish to 55ish many of us go through a career midlife crisis. We tire of what we are doing and begin to pursue something different.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That makes sense, I started teaching at 55 😉
LikeLiked by 2 people
You know, you are so right!! I guess my days of wanting to be Superman are over!! Excellent blog! 🙂
LikeLiked by 3 people
I am yes. Took me time & a College education. Btec Applied science medical level 1 & 2. I work in a Cytogenetics laboratory.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds a little more complicated than Carpentry lol. Well done 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you, took me 3 years to achieve was not a walk in the park, but I`ve got there!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Carpentry is a beautiful craft.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing photos!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much 🙂
LikeLike
Simply awesome! I hope I end up where I wish to work! Haha
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, so do I haha 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very cute images, Charlie; and the reminiscences have me smiling! You were certainly an imaginative child.
I’m looking forward to reading about your travels. Sounds as though you were an independent type!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Carolyn, as far as I remember I think the word ‘nuisance’ was used more than ‘imaginative’ haha. Love your comments 😀😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hugely enjoyable read Pal ! Hope the books on course.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you 😀 a bit behind at the moment, waiting for another holiday lol
LikeLike
What a lovely, heart warning post. Loved the photos.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, it was fun writing it, happy Sunday 🙂
LikeLike
Thought provoking. Have to laugh at the thought of you knocking on your mum’s door as a tradesman. I wanted to be prime minister, guess that hasn’t worked out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a shame we could do with some normal people ha, and there are some that would say it didn’t work out for me ha. 🙂
LikeLike
That’s funny and so true. Love the pics.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and thanks for the follow 🙂
LikeLike
Pingback: So I Left Home | Charliecountryboy's Blog
Maybe actually no one hahahaha.. I am far from my career dream as I was teenager too 😅😅😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
I guess I was one of the lucky ones. I landed up exactly where I wanted to be. Started my working life as an apprenticed aircraft instrument technician and landed up as a Principle Mechanical Engineer leading a team of young graduate engineers in the coal mining industry. When asked by my dad at the time whether I wanted to go to university I said no because I was, and still am, crazy about aviation, and landed up working for the national carrier. Developed a passion for mechanical engineering and after working for a few years took myself off to university and graduated (honours) with an engineering degree. Am now retired and wish I could share my knowledge and experiences as a graduate engineer with some young people who are willing to learn.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s an interesting career and engineering is very popular now I know at both the colleges I worked at the Engineering tutors were in the main ex forces, maybe you should try that 🙂
LikeLike
Enjoyed reading your blog. I love how you put it out!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you I appreciate that vey much 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
When I started college, I was going to be a lawyer. Spent one interim term while in college as a legal clerk & law librarian, where a junior associate lawyer explained the facts of life to me about being a lawyer. So, 10 years later, I was a legal secretary instead of a lawyer. Between those two points, my life too a load of detours. I did not stay a legal secretary, but that experience definitely put me on the path I’m on now. Having one career from early days to retirement sounds boring anyway. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I think you have to be totally focussed and really love what you do. Sounds like you were lucky to get the advice, or maybe you just listened well 😀 thank you for your input 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wanted to write – not allowed. Went to teach. Taught 8 countries pre-school to varsity students. – Began to write – gave up reaching. Wrote more – pre-produced what I write for films. Ran own video company. Retired. Now writing full time – finally!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So guess you actually are where you set out to be, just took a bit of time getting there. 10 out of 10 for persistence 😊😊
LikeLike
Fantastic blog by the way!!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you I love yours too, it creates a mood of reflection for me and raises awareness. 🙂
LikeLike
As a teen, I set out in life to be a writer but did not start writing until last year lol. It is a good thing that blogging came into being or that dream of mine will be just a dream.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a lovely story 😀 And you do it so well 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person