What does a mudcatter do?

Subject: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Children's Pastor
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 08:52 AM

We have a nice survey going that enables the Mudcat community to know who we are a little better by posting our ages annonymously. I Propose that we do the same with our professions, former professions or perhaps favorite hobbies or activities (aside from music) being listed on the subject line. As with the other thread no messages are needed.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: microcomputer technical support
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 09:15 AM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: professor
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 09:38 AM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Former Chemist, now mainframe Programmer
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 09:44 AM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:03 AM

Union Organizer

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: full-time musician
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:05 AM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Steve Parkes
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:08 AM

I remember many years ago being bemused by the thought of Joe Cocker, described by the Press as a gas fitter who sings Rock. In reality, as I eventually realised, he was a Rock singer who worked as a gas fitter to put a crust on the table while waiting for the real job to start paying.

That makes me a musician/singer who does a bit of full-time computer programming on the side. Well, someone has to do it!

Steve

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: AndyG
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:09 AM

I fly kites for pleasure and mollycoddle computer systems for money.

Subject: 3-season carpenter...
From: Bill Cameron
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:42 AM

...but in winter I waste time on the Internet, and do some web page design, plus supposedly studying to become a computer tech.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Gearoid
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:42 AM

I work in the Dublin funds Industry (exciting stuff) no really Honest NOT

Big Mick (Why am I not suprised you are involved in Unions)

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: woodturner
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:46 AM

I make round stuff out of trees..(mostly bowls, lidded jars,platters, candlesticks, art objects..etc,) plus a bit of other wooden things which are not round

Bill D

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Computer programmer...
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 10:48 AM

and wanna-be amatuer luthier & carpenter/cabinetmaker/handyman on the side.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Dan Keding
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 11:14 AM

I'm a full time storyteller and folksinger.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 11:19 AM

Gearoid,
I don't know why you are surprised my friend. And I do describe myself as a Musician with a day job.
All the best,
Mick Lane

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: elementary music teacher/ women's chorus director
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 11:51 AM

The first one's my day job which sucks a lot of energy out of me- someday I hope to teach the kiddies part-time ; I'd also like a kids chorus along the lines of my grownup one. And I sing wherever anyone will let me do it- not on stage as often as I'd like...

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Gearoid
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 12:04 PM

Mick

Sorry it's just my aul fella was involved with Unions in Dublin way back when and from your response to other threads i probably could have guessed you'd have something to do with people

This is a compliment of course

take care

Gearoid

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Big Mick
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 12:47 PM

Thank you for the compliment, I took it that way to begin with. One of the presentations that I do for various Irish American clubs is on James Connolly. He is, of course, quite a hero to those of us of Irish heritage in the States, who also happen to be part of the labor movement. A acquaintance of mine who is an author and lives in Dublin, tells me she lives near James Larkin, grandson of Big Jim. I have meant to send him snail mail, he doesn't have a computer, and let him know that his Grandda is not forgotten in the States. Morgan tells me that she thinks he would enjoy that.

Slan go foill,

Mick

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: I.T. Project Leader & Computer Programmer
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 12:48 PM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Sandy Paton
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 12:52 PM

We (my wife and I) divide our time between running a small record label (Hey, watch this, Joe!) - Folk-Legacy - and presenting folkmusic programs here and there. One thing for sure: we don't know beans about computers! Our younger son works for us full-time; our older son helps do the digital editing. Both are musicians, strongly tradition oriented. We must have done something right!

Sandy

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Wolfgang Hell
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 01:07 PM

Sandy and Joe,

The "hey, watch this, Joe" insert would even fit better at the before last sentence.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: M69 Retired Chemical Engineer
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 01:19 PM

Retired for the second time. Voluntarily, and none too soon. Now can mess with the computers as I wish. After 54 years of various work glad to be loose for a few months. Actually retired Jan 1998. Will probably start looking for a job (Well not really a JOB) this spring.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Er. Anything.
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 01:27 PM

I started out as a BoilerMaker
Did some Sheet Metal Work.
Drove an icecream van.
Technical Clerk.
Draftsman.
Engineering Designer.
Mechanical Engineer.
Site Manager.
Planning Engineer.
Project Engineer.
Estimator.
Software engineer.
Teacher - Computer Science.
Engineering Consultant.
and now I'm doing Technical Support for custom programming for a leading CAD company.

Bert - The singing stuff is strictly for fun.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Mild-mannered Private Investigator
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 01:28 PM

Well, heck, what else can a guy with a theology degree do to make a living? I'm very nice about it, and have been known to sing to reluctant witnesses....

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From:
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 01:44 PM

Get any offers when you were singing?

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: That Investigator Again
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 02:16 PM

I hate to sound paranoid, but it's probably best to be careful about revealing too much personal information, even here at Mudcat. This method of telling occupations without telling names is OK, but do exercise at least a bit of care. If you do an "exact phrase" search under your name at www.lycos.com, you will be amazed at what you can find out about yourself. I tend to be rather open about myself, but I haven't got much to lose.
-Most of you can figure out who I am-

Subject: I'm a diesel fitter--I look & say, "Yeah, dese'll
From: Art Thieme
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 02:34 PM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: full time FBI agent--part time ASCAP & BMI songcop
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 02:38 PM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Massage therapist
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 02:48 PM

mom costumer clay and stone sculptor musician singer non-fiction writer (for those of you who believe in the difference between fiction and non-fiction) newspaper journalist cartoonist, underground and ground level

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Art Thieme
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 02:51 PM

That should've read: I'm a diesel fitter! She comes lollygaggin' inta da shop. I just look at her and say to m'self, "YEAH, DESE'LL FIT HER!

And den she buys 'em, yuz guys!

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Electronics Technician
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 03:01 PM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: TV/Radio Announcer
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 03:15 PM

Yay! I don't exist - tried the mild mannered P.I.'s search as suggested above - nothing!!! First time I've been glad of that! Plenty on Art though..... (Sorry Art, yours is the only name I could quickly think of with both first and sur-names - it's all musical stuff)

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: jack of all trades..master of none
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 03:35 PM

hmmm...interesting to remember my past lives...beside 'woodturner'

grocery checker, 'analyst' for computer company.(means I can program, but I could tell 'em when it made no sense!), Philosophy instructor, general flunky in a junk yard/hardware store, cabinet maker,

and....(ready?)...a 'bean counter' !! yep..I spent 1½ years actually counting beans! (and lots of other things) at a Stokley-Van Camp pork & bean cannery/warehouse! I was cycle inventory clerk, and had to account for 30,000-40,000 cases of beans ..plus peaches, peas, and potatoes etc.,at any one time...

I always wanted to appear on that "What's My Line" TV show and drive'em crazy!

Bill (he'll try anything once) D

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Elementary Librarian
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 03:40 PM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Barry Finn
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 03:43 PM

A father of 2, a husband of 1 & been playing on people's roofs for over 25, yrs till I thought I'd try flying off one. Now I estimate & bid & keep the other guys playing fiddles on the roof & singing "Up on the Roof" (we really did sing up there). I wish singing was a less dangerous hobby, I'd have taken it up as a trade long time ago & thrown away the saftey belts. Barry

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Dean of Science and Technology
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 03:44 PM

at a distance learning college for adults

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: programer/tester
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 03:45 PM

I tell people my job is to break computers, and I'm not lieing. The best part is I only have to break them, someone else fixes them! I'm rather good at it too if you will allow me to ignore modesty and brag about something you all want to do.

Well, I've moved to the other side of the wall now. I create computer bugs now, not find them.

I'm a pro ice skater inside, but neither good enough, nor of the right type to make it big. I hate everything type of ice skating that could make me money. (hockey, various olympic, and diseny on ice.)

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Richk
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 03:49 PM

Full time computer sytems support, one-time folk musician and perpetually-frazzled dad of a 9-month old...

Oh and very happily married to a retired actress/singer

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Technology Transfer Specialist
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 04:19 PM

What a fun thread; How interesting! Prior to Technology: Reliability Engineer, Engineering Manager (retired), Logistics Support Engineer, Systems Engineer, Adjunct Professor of Management (Part Time), Marine Infantry Officer (retired), Marine Enlistedman. I've only been folking around for the past 10 years. I'm ready for your retirement home, Helen.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Glorified Computer Programmer
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 04:50 PM

Senior Business Analyst!

formerly:
Copier Salesman
Master Electrician
Swimming Pool Contractor
Navy Pilot

Amature:
folk singer
sawdust maker

I guess I'm probably the only one on the list who has flown a Goodyear Blimp.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: electro/mechanical design, automation sys. retired
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 05:23 PM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Alice
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 05:24 PM

#1. I AM MY KID'S MOM.

#2. I make money as an illustrator and art director (at-home office).

#3. I am in bliss when singing, studying, and making music.

#4. I enjoy gardens, ponds, birds, butterflies.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: you mean there are other occupations besides this?
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 05:28 PM

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Sharon - Kindergarten teacher
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 05:29 PM

And my "kids" have learned to love lots of folk music, which we sing daily!

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Career & life planning, part-time lots of things
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 05:31 PM

Hi I'm trying to get my business into income generating mode - harder than I thought it would be, but still sticking to it. I am helping people who are hit by their mid-life career crisis, with that total life-rethinking thing that seems to hit us all sooner or later. I also tutor classes in management subjects at university, and pick up temporary and part time work where I can to keep myself alive while I'm getting the business going.

Before that, in reverse chronological order:

Organisational development consultant for local government councils Worked on a special project for identifying competency standards for a local council Worked on a cultural project A Best Practice Facilitator A branch librarian/manager - for 15 years - trapped in a job which I didn't want in the first place, but couldn't seem to get out of, so I went off on the organisational development tangent - became a committee member on every available workplace change committee at work, (as a Union representative - Hi, Mick!)and that gave me a lot of relevant, hands-on experience to apply for the consulting job. Studying for my business/admin degree helped too. Part-time teacher at technical college for a few years Before that a high school teacher for 5 months - not my scene at all, but the teacher training & experience was useful later

Hobbies/interests etc: *all* sorts of music - not a lot that I don't like. I want to spend some more time learning to play African drum - diversifying from the Celtic lever harp art/pastel painting/computer graphics trying to figure out what makes people tick etc etc etc - I'm a typical Gemini, multitasking is the only way to live

Helen

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Alice
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 05:36 PM

BTW, thanks to all of you who emailed to my son when he broke his leg last April. This week it is a broken collar bone. Knocked onto the ice-packed playground by the school bully.

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Dawn
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 05:45 PM

I earn money as a zookeeper - really!

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Currently President of the United States. (just)
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 05:57 PM

I can play the saxaphone too?

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Margarita
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 06:17 PM

I am a full time Mom of two beautiful, intelligent, extremely active autistic children! Thank God they like music. I am having a RENAISSANCE now, having discovered that I had completely lost myself in mothering leaving no time for me to be myself.

Now I have made time for activities I enjoy among which are songwriting as well as writing fiction. I have been a singer as long as I can remember.

The balance is important!

Subject: RE: What does a mudcatter do?
From: Bill Sables
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 06:53 PM

Leather Carver I make belts ,bags and Instrument straps

Subject: Addictions Specialist
From: Roger in Baltimore
Date: 08 Jan 99 - 06:55 PM

Relatively short job history.

Counter clerk/donut maker at a 15 cent hamburger joint.
Machine operator for Black and Decker Mfg. Co. Warehouseman and deliveryman for a carnival prize supply company. US Army enlisted man, 3 yrs., company clerk and petroleum products analyst. Includes visits to Germany and South Vietnam. Junior Chemist in a coatings mfg. company. Entreprenuer (records and clothing retail store). The last 26 or so years have been in the field of addictions and mental health for five different employers. I am currently a supervisor at Johns Hopkins Hospital's Addictions Program (a little puffery there). I also do training of addictions counselors.

Roger in Baltimore