Ryan, thank you for that nice post. I agree, reefkeeping is not a competition, I don't have the nicest tank on here and I don't care, it is the tank I want it to be and if it crashes tomorrow, it had a good run. It is there for one thing and one thing only, my own enjoyment. I can throw thousands of dollars into it and have a TOTM, but why?
It has been TOTM a few times on other forums and I am proud of that but that was never my goal. It is just a hobby like my metal work, acrylic work, painting and inventing.
I am also disappointed in some of the people in your generation. I don't think I know a 24 year old who could change oil or even a flat and it is embarrassing. Of course we need computer programers, engineers, doctors, and software whatevers, but we also need plumbers, electricians, carpenters, steelworkers, welders and mechanics.
I am very proud that I did not go to college and attained the success I have. (My wife hates when I say that) But I think I have common sence and street smarts which not only allows me to think outside the box, but there is no box. I will be 65 this year (I just got my Medicare card) and in all of those years I have never hired anyone to fix or build anything except once for the air conditioner on my boat, and they screwed it up. I could not live in my neighborhood with these high taxes if I could not do my own work.
College degrees don't impress me at all, anyone with some money could get a degree, even me. I can't get into the technical threads with these very educated people because I lack the technical skills and vocabulary, but I do have the oldest, still running tank here despite my lack of knowledge. When I was in the Army I was promoted to the rank of Sargent in 16 weeks. That is almost impossible and as a construction electrician I became a General Foreman running many men in less than a year after my apprenticeship. That was from common sense, not brains. Then I went on to work in the largest electrical construction firm in NYC as a General Foreman running almost 150 men. All without college.
Now I am enjoying my retirement along with my pension that you don't get with most technical jobs. I also used to get home at 3:00 so I could enjoy my hobbies. Today as I am washing my car or puttering with something interesting I see people walking home from the train station after a long day of work at 8 or 9:00pm. Why would you go through all that college and get a job with no pension to work 100+ hours a week? Usually for less money than a worker in one of the trades.
Of course many people love their jobs, and if you do, I applaud you. I found many aspects of my job interesting, but I would much rather be home playing with my algae bleeny or mandarin. :lmao:
Just my opinion of course and I know many, or even most people here have technical jobs and are much smarter than I am. I admire knowledge, but it is what you do with that knowledge that impresses me.
If I need an operation I do want a Dr. operating on me rather than a plumber and I want a CPA to do my taxes rather than a carpenter. But remember, you may be retired for a long time and if you have a job with a pension, life will be a lot easier.
If I offended anyone, I am sorry but you will just have to get over it, or call me names. You can use something like: baldy, Blue collar idiot, squengeel or just think outside the box and make up something, be creative because that will impress me. Remember, no one on a fish site could offend me, I am a big boy
