You, Your Job An You!

Yes, my Dad's Executive Zodiac (Mark 3?) rusted there.

 

And there we go a mk2 with a pre crossflow engine, can't have been many of those about, it has the rostyle wheels the same as the 1600E.
Steve

 

only 2 though...

 

When your posing with your arm out of the window it had to look good from the driver's side.
Steve

 

Lets see,

Had an old fashioned up bringing, the type you respect your elders "children should be seen and not heard". No praise and a few other character building experiences.

Left school at 16

I left home at 17, not by choice, mum moved up North & Dad bought a house with not enough room. Got my own little place, party time, through drinking, poor diet and general stupidity a good few years later my health was not 100%. However, I still managed to become a fully qualified engineer by 21 some how.

Before that I wanted to join the Royal Marine Commandos but they turned me down due to childhood asthma, narrow escape. I did however, join the Royal Engineers (TA) briefly but was made redundant.

I was the only one of 48 to pass all exams first time. Same as, car bike, advance driving, scissor lift, folk truck, car race licence, trailer test, all 1st time with little or 0 instruction.
Yet I've always been told " I can't do, but have" go figure!

At 26
I bought a tired Porsche 911 (dad said I was stupid, you won't fix it, what you want that for). I rebuilt it & featured in 911 magazine. Swapped it for a new Westfield, did one track day, good fun but it was too road orientated. So then set it up better for for the track but damaged the sump on a bumpy road, repaired it and sold it.

Bought a race car at 28
At this time I was self employed, working as an engineer then later in construction.
It was a bad race car, needed too much work to race in a 1 make series. I ended up with a new chassis, altered to current spec.

Only did 10 shake down laps @ Mallory had a few issues, so addressed them then straight into 1st race event @ Rock. I did not test (as I was working) so straight into Quali in the wet (brown pants) Beat several drivers, came third in class. Beating some guys in the faster class. Sold the car after 2 events, I could not afford it really, thought I'm a natural (tosser, I was still a novice). I thought I needed a faster car, to compete in the faster class.
This is when I found out, racing is not that easy and people who think they are great who have not tried it, need to try...

29/30 years old bought a business (huge loan) and continued to renovated a house in spare time. Turned a old fashioned 2 bed semi bungalow into a 3 bed (loft conversion) with big extension - adding 1/3 + to m2. Open plan with volted ceiling, modern kitchen... loved it! Sold for highest price in the area.

Bought a faster race car > same series. Been at it on and off for several years or more now.
Lot's of top ten finishes but it is seriously competitive and more so each year. Hard work to run, prep round work, competing against guys with lots of experience run by teams.
I've met F1 test drivers, raced with people who have broke outright circuit records who have been Mclaren Autosport drivers of the year.

35 bought a nice house (a reasonable size stone cottage) in a different area, did some work to it, sold it.. bought the current house in the same area, this was when I bought the 998 - before the sale completed - gulp. This new house had a garage, current house did not.. kept the Ducati at work until sale went through. Yipeee.

This now, current house (was more than I wanted to spend) long term project right area.
I prefer character property so this is not my bag (I appreciate some people would like it) but it's very practical and I need that right now.

I do my own design, planning, project management and undertake some of the work. Although I now do a bit less on each house we move to.

It kind of feels like a bit of a backwards step (career wise) having previously worked for big companies. Had my own desk, company car, shirt and tie etc... but the rewards are better. I have no boss breathing down my neck, but it is more stressful somehow.

One thing I notice, when people starting getting competitive about job titles and they ask what do you do, sometimes they look at you like you are an idiot because your not (enter job title) of (enter business). Yet when I had job titles and worked lots of hours, I was not really valued. The perks just make you feel good, while the wages keep you working hard.
It's a status BS, unless your earning 100's of thousands or millions a year, you really are just a number or worse maybe a puppet well that's how I felt anyway.

Long term I want to make a couple more investments, for the kids. Although the way the system works it is very hard to get ahead. Is that social engineering?

I'd like to eventually do some kind of selective freelance consultancy for other people. Build up that fake self esteem, self defence for dealing with difficult numpties, perhaps add some letters after my name on a business card.

I never really feel like I have a day off as everything always seems to be a problem with very little appreciation.

That a side, I've dabble with stunts on bikes (broken bones) love MX bikes but never had the funds to race at an earlier age. Lack talent and do not like pain.
I've helped road racing bike teams, been helped by international and national racers.
While working in engineering as a contractor we did work for customers F1, MOD etc...

Racing is a good fit for me, my skills and personality.
I did once think doing it professionally (running a team etc) would be great but after spending time involved I'm not so sure. Although I love the atmosphere, being involved.

I have a boy age 3.5 years old.

These days I mainly project manage, delegate, then get pissed that people are not professional, worry, stress (too much to do not enough time and have wanted a holiday for sometime.

Some might say I'm rich but I'm actually not. I owe tonnes of money (invested).
I pay high tax because paying back the capital is income but I don't see that as take home, when, if I sell up that will be when that hopefully comes good, if I make it that far.

I have at the age 35, decided less is perhaps best, as long as you have enough.
I'd say I have been quite lucky in life with things going my way, but I have really had to make it happen.

Some people will say it's aright for you but it really isn't that easy. I'm sure it has taken it's toll. Being too motivated, driven and ambitious is bad for health, for me it's possible due to dealing with too many idiots in jobs where attitude should be factored into the recruitment process. Long term plans mean lots of worry, sometimes the benefits that seem great to others (on the outside) but are not even enjoyable when your worried about things going tits up.

I do like a BBQ (nice weather) and meeting interesting people that don't talk complete BS.
I don't like people that give it the big one all the time or are very narrow minded.
I'm not as easy going as I used to be. I'm totally cool with all people who are rich, poor what ever if they are pleasant and I like listening to peoples life experiences and learning from people who lead by example.

Sometimes I think I'd like to live on a boat, with a wood burner and no hassle.

Too much info? Missed lots out obviously.

Edit was to correct a few mistakes, probably plenty more in there.

 

Forums do differ of course, but it's your thread Andy! If you want to wander off topic then it should be up to you – if Forum police were to come along and slap some wrists then I wouldn't be hanging around this forum for much longer.

 

Think yourself lucky you can't catch man flue.
Get well soon.
Steve

 

I could rub some ointment on.

 

Ricin poisoning. ....


Sorry just watched the last episode of BB.

 

Get well soon Ducbird.Plenty of rest if you can,and cups of tea.