Evening all, I've had a lovely day at the park lazing in the sun today.
I overheard some very entertaining children on the jungle gym speaking of their future occupations...One screaming that he was going to be an explorer while he scaled the slide the wrong way up and fell off several times and his friend screaming back equally loudly that he was going to be a nurse like his mum as he kicked boy A back onto the bouncy tarmac. Boy A's mother looked both parts amused and horrified while she sipped on her can of G&T - classy bird obviously.

What did you want to be as a child and is it greatly different to what you do now? I wanted to be an astronaut, but hadn't reckoned on physics being that challenging, so I did a film degree and am now training to be a veterinary nurse.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:11, 99 replies, latest was 11 years ago)

I wanted to be a PE teacher,
but ended up with arthritis so now I'm an admin whore.
( Batshitmentalist is sane for once, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:20, Reply)

I wanted to be a PE teacher,
but ended up with arthritis so now

'm

n
( Amorous Badger NAKED BEA ARTHUR PHOTOS 4U, Thu 13 Mar 2014, 0:20, Reply)

I wanted to be a scientist.
Had electronics sets, chemistry sets, dissected a couple of animals for teh lulz. But I lacked commitment to anything. I always knew I could write well (fiction that is, or at least I HOPE I can write well) and I wanted to be a writer for a while. I have a very vivid imagination.

I just flitted around, and have dug myself into a Classics shaped hole. I feel I couldn't do anything BUT Classics at uni. I'm doing an non-vocational degree, but it's something I really like. The people telling me I'm not good enough hurts, especially as it's my family, but I'm keeping going.
As to not being good, 92% at AS level in Latin. 88% in Greek, and I feel I underperformed in both. Fuck the haters. I have failed my A2s though :D
( Lampito rise with the moon, go to bed with the sun, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:34, Reply)

I'm sure I've asked you before
but what do you want to do with it for a job?
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:38, Reply)

I don't think you have
Nothing in particular. Transferable skills, I think. Analysis :)
( Lampito rise with the moon, go to bed with the sun, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:42, Reply)

I'm a scientist.
It can be tedious or fascinating depending on what you do. But the main plus is working for interesting people
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:55, Reply)

I wanted to be a bus driver
And now I am, albeit on a casual basis.

Nothing within my background, upbringing or education would have suggested that I'd end up running a warehouse staffed by surly uncooperative Eastern Europeans, but that's what's paying the bills until December, when I have to make myself - and them - redundant.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:35, Reply)

Why December? Is that what the bosses up on high have said?

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:38, Reply)

That's when the work runs out
I no longer feel reticent about naming names.

I work for Grattan/Freemans/Kaliedescope/Look Again/Oli/Montage - it's all the same stuff but with different labels and catalogues.

The brands are now German owned and the Krauts have sold us down the river. We've actually traded close to profit for the last few years but the accountancy systems imposed upon us are set up in such a way that we always trade at a loss, because we have to buy our stock from our parent company at a loss.

In future all your home shopping requirements will be met from a warehouse in Hamburg and a distribution centre in Nuneaton.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:48, Reply)

Wot
That huge site on Thornton Road. closing?
(CheatingRabbit, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:52, Reply)

That huge site on Thornton Road closing.
And that huge office block on Ingleby Road closing.

And that huge warehouse by the railway line at Peterborough closing very soon.

£15 million for Thornton Road if you're in the market....
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:57, Reply)

That's one hell of a lot of people out of work
Anything lined up for when it happens?
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:58, Reply)

On a personal basis
I'm not too worried. I've got skills, a broad employment background and I live on the Leeds/Bradford border - Leeds hasn't been too badly hit.

Probably 33% of the current warehouse workforce are Eastern Europeans, who will either find somewhere else in the UK or head back home - many already have.

The remaining 66% are buggered. Bradford was an economic desert even before the "current downturn", and many of these people have come straight from school and have no other particular abilities.

Cheating Rabbit will doubtless verify that a job with Grattan used to be seen as a job for life, and there are people now at risk who have followed parents and grandparents into the business.

I have the thankless task, as a fairly senior manager, of making these people redundant. So far, those that have gone have either wanted to go or deserved to go. Soon we'll be getting into the emotional stuff and I'm not looking forward to that.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:24, Reply)

Economic desert
About right..., since the collapse of the wool industry in the late 70's

As for "Jobs for life" at Grattan - I can't confirm or deny, but I'd suspect that it was the case.
(CheatingRabbit, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:35, Reply)

Are these people who work there aware of the situation?

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:43, Reply)

Very much so
Which makes it all the harder.

They'll still work their arses off to get the orders out if they have to.

Quite a few seem to be "in denial" - they really don't think they'll ever loose their jobs.

Others are working harder than they've ever worked before as we sell stuff for a pittance, and take in the stock that the Peterborough warehouse (which is closing sooner than Bradford) can't sell.

As above - I'll get along. If you want to worry, worry about the staff.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:51, Reply)

This ^
As above - I'll get along. If you want to worry, worry about the staff.
(CheatingRabbit, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:57, Reply)

I wont worry as I'm sure you'll be fine
I just find it sad when people who've worked hard for so long end up out of a job because of the economic climate. Not many shops where I live have closed, but further out towards college there are so many shops lying dormant now.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:02, Reply)

Naah - Too much money
I just remember when the Mill that was there before Grattan burnt down. Amazing photos of the fire in the Fighting Cock
(CheatingRabbit, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:00, Reply)

The Fighting Cock
Is the only business that will do well out of this, as nearly every Friday brings about a multiple redundancy piss-up starting there.

The Lord Clyde and The Black Swan (Thornton Road, not the excellent Frizinghall Black Swan) tend to miss out.
( The Disappointed Caravanner of the year, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:33, Reply)

Never liked the the Lord Clyde
as I was once forced (by penury) to set up Karaoke nights in it...

never been in either of the Mucky Ducks.
(CheatingRabbit, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:54, Reply)

That's a shame. I'm sorry.
At least you have the knowledge now so you can start looking for something else though.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:00, Reply)

Not much of a consolation
but if you have a PSV, you won't be entirely without prospects!
(CheatingRabbit, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:17, Reply)

a Coal miner
but they closed the mines...

So I became an Audio geek, and then a Telephone system engineer (VoIP Geek)
(CheatingRabbit, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:36, Reply)

I wanted to be a theatre technician
Unfortunatly, getting fired by Welsh National Opera means nobody will employ me, so I've ended up as an admin whore as well in a printers.
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 19:57, Reply)

is this a true story?

( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:11, Reply)

Surely you could omit working there from your cv and get another job elsewhere in that field?

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:12, Reply)

No-one else?
What about a regional theatre co? Or work experience to get your foot back in the door?
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:20, Reply)

I probably would be ok now
I was fired due to imcompetance by accidentally recording a show. If I done the equipment checks properly I'd have seen there was a minidisc in the recorder and removed it, as it was I didn't and the wrong person found the recording, then they went apeshit at me over copyright. I know they were just trying to scare me now, but at the time I was somewhat scared of being sued.

When applying for jobs after that I found they'd told various people what have happened, or they told theatres who called them to check my CV with them (having worked for both Welsh National Opera and Prince Charles on there makes it slightly unbelievable) which meant nobody wanted anything to do with me. Now, I'm not in a position to get any work experiance (my fault, can't drive to the places where I'll get it). Something I want to change though, so the current job is just a holding position for now...
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:14, Reply)

I did not know they blacklisted you.
The utter cunts!
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:22, Reply)

twunts

( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:39, Reply)

fired by Welsh National Opera
So long as it wasn't incompetence or safety related - you should be able to brush it off.
(CheatingRabbit, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:22, Reply)

Bloody Welsh.
Still think it was a silly reason to fire you...
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:50, Reply)

Evenin'!
I wanted, and this is genuine, and not a "I'm-resurrecting-a-meme" way, to be a fast jet pilot. I have spazzy eyes, so I wanted to be an actor. And now I work in Marketing. So quite different from what I was aiming for.

I am confused.
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:23, Reply)

I have spazzy eyes knees...sorry couldn't resist it.

Do you love it though? Do you do you do you?
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:25, Reply)

My dad couldn't get in the RAF
so he used build surface to air missile launchers for a living
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:25, Reply)

Makes sense...
:)
( Devil_In_Tights the *real* DiT!, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:26, Reply)

Now that would be a fun job to do :)

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:28, Reply)

It was
when your a kid its fun to chat with your parents about missile guidance systems
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:44, Reply)

I'll bet
Did you ever get to go out on test days?
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:03, Reply)

nah
but I got to see the finished article

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapier_missile
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:07, Reply)

Not jealous
not even a little bit. Curses own dad owning a furniture shop when young instead of testing nuclear war devices.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:20, Reply)

yet I wasent allowed a BB gun
"but da-aaad you make WMDs at work!"
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:21, Reply)

In a continuing pattern
I wanted to write books, it's all I've ever wanted to do.

And now I'm an admin whore who writes books in her head at work and forgets them by the time she comes home. I'm vicious with stationery though.
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:33, Reply)

get a dictaphone

( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:47, Reply)

Given my current trend for writing nawty stories
not the best thing to do at work sadly :(
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:49, Reply)

nawty?
EXCERPTS of GTFO
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:12, Reply)

It's not finished :(
It is an epic of epic proportions and I need to show it to my proofreader first...

/leaves by the fire escape
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:15, Reply)

Link to amazon listing in a few years
Hopefully I can afford it then
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:16, Reply)

We shall see.
I have a pen name and a proofreader and everything!
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:17, Reply)

Can you give me the gist of the nawty?
I have a filthy imagination.
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:20, Reply)

Er... it's a little kinky.
Not sure if that's your bag but there is no actual sexy tiem in it as yet.
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:22, Reply)

meh
I'm game. Even if you already have a nom de plume, will you consider Derriere Du Fesse?
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:27, Reply)

I like that!
It could well work; I must admit I'm not 100% happy with it at the moment since I've come to a brick wall (please tell me the last little while has not been a temporary break in my almost constant writer's block). However, I am not lacking in inspiration of late...
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:33, Reply)

If you speak minimal french
I assume the name satisfies the 'kink'
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:36, Reply)

I have a BA in French :)
the name makes me giggle!

I'm so mature...
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:38, Reply)

I only know a few words
'Fesse' being one of them
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:42, Reply)

Sweary French FTW
I'd be happy to teach you a few choice phrases!
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:45, Reply)

I work with a french girl
When things go wrong shes all "merde!"
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:48, Reply)

I work with loads of Frenchies
and they teach me new and interesting ways to swear :D as well as sing dirty songs!
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:52, Reply)

good times

( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:55, Reply)

I love my job :)

( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:09, Reply)

Or...
Use your finger like everyone else :)
(pizzaforcat ate some cement and HARDENED the FUCK UP on, Mon 13 Jul 2009, 10:40, Reply)

I had
no idea what I wanted to do with my life when I was a child, and in that respect I haven't changed a jot, as still no idea what to do with my life now, apart from try to be happy and lead an good life with as little stress and undue hassle as possible (house purchasing not included)

I would quite like to be better at golf though, still if its a shots to cash ratio I damn well got more for my money than the other 21 in the gang today!
(Halfy By light alone, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:42, Reply)

when the teacher asked us what we wanted to be when we grew up
I said retired.
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:49, Reply)

*click*
Even though I know a click counts for nothing on OT...
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 20:50, Reply)

Yes it does, we have an all page, same as QOTW
The tale of Bert Monkeysex by MM and I is on there :)
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:06, Reply)

ORLY?
You learn something new every day.
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:14, Reply)

No problem
I know a cynical kid in 1996 who appreciates it
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:09, Reply)

To be completly honest
Just to be happy and with little stress is all I want as well, and all I want to aim for.
(Potty Jag har smör i min rumpspringa, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:16, Reply)

^ This
A job that pays the bills and that I enjoy doing is all I want. Anything else is a bonus.
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:46, Reply)

I used to
Want to be a carpenter (when I was in primary school) not a clue why, i'm monumentally crap at anything arty or crafty. Currently seeing where my degree (Physics, only on the first of 4 years) takes me, at the moment looking between going into fusion research (If I can get some work experience at Culham), or learning some more programming and maybe going into games, but open to other possibilities.
( Tedium Alduce me to interlow myself., Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:13, Reply)

Carpentry is a good skill
but then again so is advanced physical science.

quite a conundrum
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:17, Reply)

When I was a kid
I wanted to be an inventor. In a way, I'm now sort of in an abstract kind of way.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:41, Reply)

do go on

( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:42, Reply)

*pours a cup of tea*
Yes. Pray continue.
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:45, Reply)

man this is getting proper
I wish I had brought that cigarette holder now
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:49, Reply)

I prefer not to mention on the boards what I do for a living
but I'll gaz both of you.
( mistaspakkaman and the inedible shifting caterpillars, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:51, Reply)

Yay!
I likes getting gazzes :)
( Maladicta, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:53, Reply)

As you wish

( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 21:54, Reply)

Randomly
I wanted to be a farmer when I was very young (had a thing about tractors when I was about four, for some reason). Then I wanted to be an artist, then honed that to graphic design.

I now work, via a convoluted path through packing sanitary protection (yup), to the DSS, to the Jobcentre, in rural regeneration, which puts me in touch with a lot of farmers and land owners, so I suppose by some abstract route, my original desire has been reached.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:12, Reply)

Next stop crop munching and a farmers hat to save your nose when you fall ,)

( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:17, Reply)

Fuck off.
:)
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:20, Reply)

Aha, another Beckyhater
adds to list
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:24, Reply)

It's all good natured banter
Innit?
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:46, Reply)

From you, of course :)
From certain others, not so much.
( fuck shit up the best you never had, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:49, Reply)

I'm just zis guy, you know?
I think I'm pretty much the same on here as in real life.

*shrugs*
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:52, Reply)

I had a clear idea when I were a sprog
Make an obscene amount of money with minimal work.

I ended up in the Civil Service on a fucking pittance and with less than certain job prospects. Nowadays I'd settle for owning a burger van on a [rofitable pitch.
(SpunkyMcSpunkbubble Diddled your nubbin on, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:30, Reply)

on an unrelated note
is that the lake district in your profile?
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:32, Reply)

Tis indeed - Well spotted
Over looking Glen Riding .... I can't get enough of the place. About 3 hours later we saw 3 red squirrels being as mad as lorries chasing each other about a tree.

First time I'd ever seen a red. We're hopefully going back again next year.
(SpunkyMcSpunkbubble Diddled your nubbin on, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:47, Reply)

I know of a good campsite near walsdale head

( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:49, Reply)

Cool
We were total grockles and stayed at the travel lodge at Cockermouth but at £19 a night what can you do?

If we go up for the weekend I'll tap you up for the addy - I've still got all the gumf from Leeds 2002. I'm assuming you manage to get up there more than we do?
(SpunkyMcSpunkbubble Diddled your nubbin on, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:54, Reply)

not really
I just did scarfell
( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:55, Reply)

Come to Northumberland if you want to see reds
Or, more specifically, Kielder forest. It's the last place in England where there are relatively large numbers left.

It's almost the most remote village in England, but the surrounding countryside is spectacular. And you get the best views of the stars at night anywhere in the country because there's fuck all light pollution.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:52, Reply)

sounds lovely

( willenium Fist bump for verification, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:52, Reply)

I have heard it's superb
Is this where that chap was laying war unto the greys and reclaiming ground for the reds?
(SpunkyMcSpunkbubble Diddled your nubbin on, Sun 12 Jul 2009, 22:58, Reply)

Probably, yeah.
I worked on a project a few years back which was aiming to cull the greys in identified exclusion zones around the county. Seems to be working.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Sun 12 Jul 2009, 23:11, Reply)

I wanted
to be a monkey, I reckon I'm slowly making progress.
(knackerz is skinning up, Mon 13 Jul 2009, 1:44, Reply)

I wanted to be
a Victorian gentleman of leisure and do the Grand Tour. Or a Viking.

I've only ever had a tenuous grip on reality.
( Monty Boyce, My cheese game is strong, Mon 13 Jul 2009, 14:17, Reply)