What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Kim C
Date: 28 May 03 - 12:01 PM

The more nefarious it is, I bet the more people will be interested!

I have a notion to get certified as a personal trainer. I had hoped to take the test this year but other financial obligations have come along. In the meantime, I will keep studying, and get my CPR certification (which I have to have to take the personal trainer exam).

I don't know how good of a trainer I would make, though, as people already don't listen to me... ;-)

Also I have rediscovered that I like to write short stories. Maybe in a few years I will have enough for a book, I don't know.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 28 May 03 - 12:06 PM

Beccy - You built a trebuchet? Fascinating! I recall them well from playing "Age of Empires", a game in which they are quite deadly.

- LH

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Beccy
Date: 28 May 03 - 01:39 PM

Little Hawk- Building the trebuchet was a hoot. Our excuse for the endeavour was that we're homeschoolers, but the truth of the matter is that we're nerds and liked the idea of having a trebuchet in our yard... Now let's see the Joneses keep up with THAT! Plus, we just wanted to prove that we COULD do it. We ended up using my husband's free weights as our counterweight and cut the sling from a pair of jeans that were chewed up by a rat (see previous rodentia threads.)
It's not large enough for the traditional trebuchet ammo (but hey-- a trebuchet large enough to sling a dead, diseased cow just might fall into zoning violations despite being in the country.) Besides, we have no one to whom to lay siege- with the exception maybe of those folks up the road from us who burn their garbage only when the winds blowing in our direction. Grrrrrr....

Beccy

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: mexican
Date: 28 May 03 - 01:46 PM

I am a busker!

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 28 May 03 - 01:56 PM

I wonder how far one can hurl a weiner dog with a moderate-sized trebuchet?

(Valdy has been barking for about half an hour, and I can't shut him up.)

- LH

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST, heric
Date: 28 May 03 - 02:15 PM

I saw a trebuchet competition on NPR recently. Buncha engineers and such from several nations all heading to Scotland for a couple of weeks each year (or three?). It was awesome.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: beadie
Date: 28 May 03 - 02:24 PM

I am the living embodiment of the world's most feared greeting.

I am a lawyer.

I work for the government.

And I'm here to help you.

Seriously, I really am a lawyer, but I work for a tiny state agency that keeps nursing homes from beating up on the old folks. We have staff who travel far and wide across fair Wisconsin, poking into the homes and talking with the residents to find out what's happening and who has problems. We then try to help solve those problems. My job is to provide backup legal support for the field staff when they run into a problem interpreting or applying one or more of the regulations.

In a prior life, I was a respiratory therapist working in hospitals.

For fun, I travel with my lovely wife, manage a domestic menagerie (2 dogs, 4 cats, and a ferret), and play an old autoharp and vocalize (I hesitate to use the word "sing").

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Sam L
Date: 28 May 03 - 02:41 PM

Kim C, I also work to support my habit of fiddling, except I don't play a violin.

I too have made wedding dresses. As a stitcher for a theatre in cape cod I made a distressable wedding dress velcroed to be ripped apart every night, and go back together again. Every woman should have one.

   In addition to being a seamster, I'm a teamster, and work at ups part time, also work at an oriental rug shop. May be quitting the ups thing next month. I paint portraits of kids.

For fun I come up with absurd yet perhaps viable business plans that I never quite get around to doing. Play for kids a lot, may start busking around this summer.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Dani
Date: 28 May 03 - 04:11 PM

Wow! What a bunch!

I am currently a restaurateur (GOD I wish someone would call me that out LOUD!) since my partner/friend and I and our respective spouses bought a restaurant last year. He and I haven't done a damn thing for fun since then.

But honestly, since the job includes planning, cooking for and serving people, a little teaching, shopping for food, organizing stuff, listening to great music, and a thousand other jobs for my overactive brain, I guess I'm having some fun too.

I'm also a wife and mother, and every day is one great big fat adventure.

For REAL fun, I go to the FSGW Getaway as often as possible. It is SO appropriately named. By the time Autumn rolls around, the word is like a mantra to my soul. Thanks, guys, for not naming it ANYTHING else.

Dani

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST, heric
Date: 28 May 03 - 04:34 PM

beadie: Are you formerly of Missouri (and healthlaw-L)? Or am I thinking of a different respiratory therapist/lawyer?

Dan

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: beadie
Date: 28 May 03 - 04:41 PM

heric:
    A different one,I;m afraid.

    I do know of an RT/JD who used to practice in southern Iowa (and may have migrated) but I never ran into one of us from your fair state.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST, heric
Date: 28 May 03 - 04:55 PM

Well good luck with those nursing homes in any event. There's a noble calling. Dan

(It looks as though we may have the makings of a professional society you could "found.")

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST,member but at work
Date: 28 May 03 - 07:53 PM

Obstetrician-gynecologist.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Walking Eagle
Date: 28 May 03 - 08:27 PM

I'm an academic librarian and a saddlemaster.

I work in a mid size library (1,000,000 or so circulating items) at a mid-size university in S.E. Pa. Childrens' Lit and Native Am erican History. As for a Saddlemaster, I make custom, high end, saddlery and tack for customers who can pay. I also do custom saddlery re-fitting for Civil War Re-enactors. All customers have to pay upfront and in cash. Horse folks are notorious for skunking people.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST,noddy
Date: 29 May 03 - 05:20 AM

I was sure I posted here before but its not here so...

Started off as a Research Chemist got made redundant and went into sport...
via jobs as a student as
postman
Building site Labourer
Shop assisant
Shop porter
Bar Man
Bar Manager
Forrest Guide

Started as a cleaner/assistant/lifeguard now I manage the sports facilities at a College.
Part time roadie and publicity agent for folk duo.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: RangerSteve
Date: 29 May 03 - 07:10 AM

I'm a New Jersey State Park Ranger.

For fun, I'm a musician, but all my jobs tend to be non-paying.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Larkin
Date: 29 May 03 - 07:56 AM

I'm a stiltwalker and I perform mainly in the UK with occaisional forays into europe and beyond , check out my website at here . For fun I sing and play guitar and cittern - mainly celtic music.
Martin

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Beccy
Date: 29 May 03 - 08:46 AM

Little Hawk- I betcha Valdy would FLY in my trebuchet :-) In the immortal words of I don't know who... "Drop kick me Jesus through the goalposts of life."

Beccy

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Alba
Date: 29 May 03 - 09:43 AM

Very Interesting to hear what everyone does to get by on this wee planet. Neat to think that we are all brought together by the Joy of a Tune.
I was a fulltime Musician before coming to Live in the US. I go back to Europe a few times a year to make Music with some Friends. I started out with nothing and Ive managed to hold on to most of it:>)
For an Income here I design and create Stained Glass pieces.
For relaxation I take lessons from my Animal friends who live with us and I enjoy Canoeing, Horseriding and Gardening in the Summer and Cross Country Skiing in the Winter and Playing my Instruments and Singing all year round.
For Stress and Tension I try and figure out how to use this Computer that I bought 6 months ago, it has taught me that I am, without a doubt, very technically challenged:>)

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST,Lidy
Date: 29 May 03 - 09:44 AM

LtS- maybe we should! But can I finish uni first? sadly in my current impoverished student state i cannot really consider the downpayment on a £500,000 house. But if you would like to begin by sending me contact details of any men who might fit the husband bill, then I would be very interested!
lol...
Lidy

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST,CreoleJack
Date: 29 May 03 - 01:49 PM

Being the most fortunate of men, I have spent most of my life in and around the swamps and bayous in Loosana 'round Nawlins. This is what the Maker meant for the world to be like. I have evolved into the world's greatest:

1. cook
2. guide
3. grower
4. fisherman
5. shimper
6. storyteller
7. man ('nuff said)
8. top ten stringed instrument players
9. poet

AND the world's foremost authority on:

1. Loosana
2. food
3. local wildlife
4. music (all kinds)
5. the world in general
6. literature

The only two things I haven't mastered is how:

1. women think
2. politicians become instant liars and low-rents

I have made my living here in Loosana doing what I like and being free.

Jack

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: harpgirl
Date: 29 May 03 - 02:28 PM

...I talk to people who "cut mince pies from children's thighs, with which to feed the fairies!"

and I hike, camp,fish, swim, and make music in la florida, when not paying college bills for my unfledgling.....harpgirl

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Kim C
Date: 29 May 03 - 03:57 PM

Jack, I don't think anyone has figured out how women think. I've been a women all my life and I still don't understand it. Come to think of it, I don't understand how men think either and I been married to one for nigh on to 13 years...

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: rock chick
Date: 29 May 03 - 05:00 PM

I sign for deaf people and assess deaf people in their workplace recommending support and equipment so they can carry out their jobs on a equal basis as any other person.
Desperately want to move to Yorkshire to be with my partner/sole mate, just need to find similar work up there....not an easy task have been trying for some time now, so anyone in the know please contact me.

Live in the South of England at moment, Love my music and play as often as possible, learning fiddle also at the moment.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST,From the Hanging Town
Date: 29 May 03 - 06:22 PM

I am contracted in blood to the local Local Authority. For them I work 85-90 hours a week(ish) - in truth 45-50 (quite a bit of it unpaid)and many weekends and Bank Holidays, so that visitors can enjoy themselves on various weekends of the year - in short - I'm an event organiser!!!

Hobbies - drinking, enjoying the garden and the birdsong, sleeping, listening to traditional folk music - used to sing but confidence went along with opportunity, dog walking, listening to early musicians in wonderfully appropriate buildings, soaking in atmosphere - and then - creating wonderfully appropriate atmosphere for other people to soak things in in - if you see what I mean! (oh, and ...The Archers!)

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Midchuck
Date: 29 May 03 - 08:21 PM

I, also, am a lawyer, but don't go to court anymore. I have an office in one room of my house - just me and the computer and a few file cabinets - and grind out deeds and wills and title searches. I doubt I've ever netted, in any year of my 35+/- years of practice, as much as an entry-level garbage collector in New York City. But I get to be in Vermont, and have no boss unless you count myself, or my wife, or any of the three cats.

For fun, and extra money, I play and sing with Woodchucks' Revenge. We make a couple of thou extra a year, apiece. I spend mine on more guitars.

I also like to:

Bumble about on the internet
Read, mostly sci-fi/fantasy
Cross-country ski
Telemark ski
Hike
Go to festivals
Drink good beer
Drink bad beer if good is unavailable.

Peter

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: 2feathers
Date: 29 May 03 - 08:49 PM

Just reading all this exhausts me. Where do you guys and gals get all the energy ? Must be youth, eternal youth, these are the days, my friend, we think they'll never end....you KNOW they won't end.

Now that I'm older my slippers are black, I huff to the store and I puff my way back.   ('scuse me Pete).   

Well what do OLDER Mudcatters do for fun? Well we like the fact that we do get older. Stopping doesn't seem much fun to me.
I do oil painting. I work very slowly, and am deeply absorbed in the actifvity.
Just put my name on a garden plot 8x8 at the retirement residence and am thinking about what kind of seed will I put in that will grow without much care. (Inch by inch and row by row, gonna watch this garden grow). Off to Home Depot Saturday to pick out some sets. That will use up my Saturday's energy store.
Looking forward to a sing/picnic in the afternoon in a couple of weeks. Can't go to night time sings anymore; the eyes won't let me drive safely at night.

I laugh a lot. Well at least THAT kind of activity lasts and lasts and lasts.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST,Den at work
Date: 30 May 03 - 12:45 PM

I am a Graphic Designer in a variety of media. I currently work in a medium size library system as communications and marketing manager. I helped our library win a John Cotton Dana Award this year and an ALA award for our website promo last year. I used to play music professionally but now just play with friends and my kids. My oldest is learning the drums and my middle one is learning bass. The youngest is still trying to decide what he wants to learn to play. The other day I was jamming with the kids and I showed them this little blues thing. After a while my middle guy says, "this blues stuff is fun Dad, did they have blues when you were a kid"? I said, "believe it or not they did".

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: leprechaun
Date: 30 May 03 - 02:27 PM

I sit in front of a computer for hours. Then I go kick a door. Then I talk to people and bring them to the big brick building. Then I go sit in front of a computer for hours.

Then I do it all again.

Ho Hum.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Merritt
Date: 30 May 03 - 04:09 PM

What a great wierd bunch of people.

I'm a state specialist for university extension with a focus on land use education. This mostly involves providing technical, process, research and teaching support related to community planning and development for our county-based faculty.

In former lives:
~ blue-collar worker the first 10 years after high school
~ disaster response project coordinator
~ different planning, development, research and education jobs in the public and private sectors

For fun (and occasionally profit) I play guitar and sing in solo, duo and larger groups.

- Merritt

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Jazzyjack
Date: 13 Jun 03 - 12:30 AM

Man ,do I love being a folksinger ( semi-pro ) when I read about you guys. The entire spectrum. I'm just a simple school teacher with a humdrum life and no fodder for songwriting .But I have 3 kids who perform and love meaningful music like I do. I host a weekly jam at a night club in Nanaimo, Canada on Vancouver Island ( lotusland for Canadians ) where I think half of the folk era enthusiasts retired to. There is no shortage of places to play. I usually perform solo but have a few guys and gals I met through the jam and my son that I will do harmonies with at some gigs. Life without music? meaningless ! !

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: tooligan
Date: 13 Jun 03 - 03:49 AM

I work for the Clydesdale bank, the inland revenue, customs and excise and a few other free loaders in the pursuit of getting everybody to dress up and have a party. I have a shop on Kirkcaldy High Street in Scotland and also on the web at this   I am also full time at the music playing Scottish stuff for concerts, ceilidhs, kids and cairry oans.

For fun I like to have days off somewhere and do nothing.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: mike the knife
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 11:43 AM

I am the Promotions Director for a local/regional restaurant chain. I have worked in sales, broadcasting, advertising, as "professional" jobs- and when I was living in Germany (for no real good reason other than I just wanted to go), I worked in retail, was a bartender/waiter/cook, tour guide, construction worker, and finally wound up working in radio in Berlin. In my spare time I scribble on pieces of paper with a pen, throw boomerangs and am learning the Lap Dulcimer. And beer. Good beer.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Donuel
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 12:04 PM

artist writer

if people understand my stuff or not...


http://www.angelfire.com/md2/customviolins/alionpo.jpg

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: C-flat
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 12:36 PM

Up until the last 5years I've been in wholesale, retail and blackmail. The original box-moving man! Bankrupt stock, fire damaged goods, anything that I could move from A to B and make a margin on (within the law of course).
Then I realised that I was killing myself with stress and opted for a more sedate lifestyle. Still working (mortgage and family etc.) but not wheeler-dealing anymore. I work with my brother-in-law in a small finance company but I sometimes miss the excitement of a good deal; Forty tons of German firelighters (Kolenenzunders) at £5 per ton or 10,000 games of Monopoly at 50p each to find a buyer for.
I can't watch Fools and Horses without a wry smile!

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Big Mick
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 12:54 PM

Profession and addiction: Union Organizer, Community Activist, political advisor/activist, part time professional musician.

For fun: Make music, play golf, make music, coach my daughters soccer (football) team w/ 10-11 year old girls , make music

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Amos
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 01:17 PM

This weekend the real work was tearing out an old bathroom including ripping up old lino tiles from an ancient floor. Groaaaan. For posture I go to an office where I get called names lilke "Senior System Analyst". This never amounts to much. My real value added is in tearing out old bathrooms and helping choose tile and replacement cabinets etc., by encouraging as many mind-changes as necessary to acheive domestic tranquility.



A

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: jacqui c
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 01:57 PM

I make a living dealing with motor injury claims for a fairly large Insurer Actually, I'm lucky because I enjoy the work (you occasionally get to shaft solicitors!).

That pays the bills and lets me indulge my hobbies -music, films - especially sci-fi, voluntary work, grandchildren, reading and to spend time with my friends - a very important part of my life. At the moment I'm contemplating retirement in a few years time and the possibility of studying psychology, just for fun. Actually, with that in mind, I'd love to study John from Hull although it would probably drive anyone mad trying to work that one out. John - it takes real brains to produce such bad typing and to be so crass. I salute you mate!

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Rapparee
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 09:10 PM

Actually, I'm a hit man for the mob.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Amos
Date: 18 Aug 03 - 09:59 PM

Rapaire:

This sounds intuitively truthful -- but which mob??

A

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 08:17 AM

I used to work for the Purple Gang out of Detroit, but after I had a hit record I left Motown and freelanced. At the moment I'm working for RIAA, doing hit after hit.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Amos
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 08:44 AM

ooooo noooooo, mister hands!!!

Is that your final answer?


A

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: jimmyt
Date: 19 Aug 03 - 10:42 AM

I practice family dentistry which allows me the luxury to mess about with all kinds of music. I play upright acoustic bass and sing in a 4 member harmony group, ala Kingston trio style music, I also have a 4 man do-wop group doing mostly accapella 50s-60s music. I mess about with a bit of jazz, but am still in the learning stage, as the jazz folks tend to play a lot of weird keys! I perform in several productions yearly in community theater. I love trad music and listen to it as much as possible. My passion is travel. Hope to meet lots of catters in Banbury this fall if I can arrange to get it on my travel schedule.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 05:29 AM

Librarian at Giessen, Germany (near Frankfurt/Main). For 30 years librarian of the Oriental Institute's library, since 2001 transferred to University Library, in charge of the Oriental Library, too.
There are 3 other librarians in this thread, greetings to them all.
For fun: drummer with the fifes and drums of a volunteer fire fighters' department.
Had my first and only personal gig when playing the bass drum with a sinfony orchestra performing Brahms' Acadeic Ouverture at the age of 58.
In former times I used to sing (boy scouts, church choirs) and play the bass tuba, till I was severely injured and lost both voice and breath. Started a new career as a percussionist with a triangle, even wrote a solo piece for triangle (3 movements) for the Hallingburies, near Bishop's Stortford, UK.

Wilfried

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Wilfried Schaum
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 05:37 AM

Before starting as a librarian I earned my money as student:
henchman for food deliverers, on building sites and street taring,
but the best work was co-driver delivering beer for several breweries (got 3 liters a day without the other bottles picked up inadvertently, hence the pot belly).
Also academic teaching (introduction to islamic studies and writing Arabic for about 15 years in the Oriental Institute).

Wilfried

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Alasdair
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 05:41 AM

I work for a biotch firm in sales and marketing. for fun... beer, music, the occasional spliff, clubbing in London, folky stuff when I go home to see me mum & dad... that kind of thing

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST,Pete Peterson
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 08:41 AM

Retired chemist, spent 31 years after getting a Ph.D. working in industry working first on tires, then agricultural chemicals (natural pesticides, made in a fermentation tank isntead of a chemical factory) and finally on germicides and disinfectants. Retired a little early and unexpectedly. . . and have now concluded that I am Retired and not simply Unemployed. I did some tutoring last year and THAT was fun and may try to get back to it as school starts.

Playing lots of music with the Well Tempered String Band (q.v.)and with friends, "specializing" in the Carter Family and Charlie Poole.

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: Paul G.
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 05:40 PM

Corporate Compliance Manager and Privacy Officer for a large multi-state not-for-profit health care system. Basically I try to make sure our people play by the rules and keep their mouths shut...

For fun I play a lot of music, listen to a lot of music, tinker at landscaping and birding, start irrational arguments, tease my grandson, annoy Mrs. G. and sip good red wines as often as possible.

pg

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: harpgirl
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 05:58 PM

Here is what I am when I fantasize:

Radio station owner and operator
Coffee cart owner and operator
Poet
Music therapist

Only employed because I work for myself. Wouldn't have it any other way..neither would anyone else! I'm notoriously difficult! But hey, at least I'm not a wimp! Around here I get NO RESPECT for my profession of thirty years so I won't bother talking about it!

I play autoharp, sing and fool around with a few other instruments. It looks like I may be teaching autoharp along with Bryan B and Cheryl Belanger at the next autoharp/dulcimer retreat at Stephen Foster Park in Novemeber . Ya'll come. It's a great time to visit Florid-duh!   

harpy the difficult

Subject: RE: What Do Mudcatters Do For A Living?
From: GUEST,skippy
Date: 20 Aug 03 - 06:25 PM

neighmond?
where you involved in the purchase of one of europe's most hidious clocks less than a week ago?
if so thanks, Folkforms did very well out of that
regards skippy