Tell us about yourself.

Ralph 123 · Aug 9, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Catfish, I am very sorry to hear about your friend. I am a firm believer engineers are born. That is, we all tend to have a lot of similar traits, personalities, etc. so I'm not too surprised to hear I remind you of him somewhat. I needed a break and luckily things worked out to allow one

Thanks for sharing

ratltrap Even though you didn't ask for it and it is damned presumptious of me to give it, here is my 2 cents: Life is too short to be stuck in a job you hate and not try to do something about it. Go to school for Marine and specialize in electrical - I read where electrical failures account for the vast majority of marine problems yet I've yet to find anyone who specializes in it and knows it well. Either quit your job and do it (if you can swing it) or go nights. But start. While you're in school, find a nice girl that wants to get married and have children. Then get married and have a child. It will change your life forever. Besides, it will make your Mother very happy

I'm sure your sister and all your married friends' wives have a list of prospects for you

I hope you don't mind but I could not resist.

Skinnywater · Aug 9, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Just turned 48. Born and raised in Pasco County, Fla. Discharged from the Army in '74 and was bumming around the country when I met a California girl. I married her and took her back home. A year later she gave me an untimatum, her or Florida. We'll be married 29 years this month. We raised 3 daughters who are beautiful, hardworking and successful. I have a grandson that has just been weaned and housebroke. I'm a lead Mercedes Tech/shopforeskin at a small Mercedes/BMW/Volvo dealer. I'm the luckyest person I know. My wife , my children and my whole life has far exceeded my expectations.

ob · Aug 9, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

49.Us Navy 71-75.Got out and collected senses for about 3 months and caught up on some sleep.Went to work for Brown and Root as a boilermaker/iron worker in the petro chemical division in Houston area .That lasted about three years.At 24 I met a beatiful girl and we got married.That was 25 years ago. Worked at Reynolds Metals reduction plant as a large stationary engine mechanic for two years until layoff.Recieved A/C certification at local tech school.Have two wonderful children.Bobby 21 years old and Kelly 17 years old.In 1981 I went to work with local power and light company where I worked as a plant mechanic for 16 years.Took early retirement offer in the wake of downsizing in preparation for deregulation.What a mess.Own some rental properties and take life a bit easier these days.Wife has a wonderful carreer in budget dept. for the City.She's planning retirement in about 3 years.Son recently graduated local college as a medical lab student and was recently put on full time at an area hospital lab.One down ,one to go.Hobbies include gardening,classic cars,guitars,golf,motorcycles,woodworking,lifting weights,oh and did I mention boating and fishing.

aspeck · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Ratltrap, gotta throw in my .02. I was 38 and single, enjoying the bachelor life - hunting and fishing when I wanted to, buying guns for the gun collection whenever the mood struck, not interested in changing my situation in life, quite happy and content, until ... Actually met Tam when I was 29. We enjoyed each other's company and were very good friends, but that was enough. However, over the 11 years that followed, our friendship grew and one day I asked her to marry me. She said yes (that was the first day we HELD HANDS!). Next thing I knew the preacher was having me say "I DO" and then we had our FIRST KISS! Pretty amazing isn't it?!?! If I knew how good being married to the right woman was going to be I would have wanted to do it much sooner! Had seen too many friends in the bad marriages, and I didn't want any part of that. Glad I got to know Tam without all the sexual pressures and fell in love with her, not with what she could do to me (which is pretty amazing also). Anyway, that is my "love story" and it is a great one. She is letting me design a new gun room in the new house we are building and installing a 4 car garage (as big as the house) so my Yukon Denali, bass boat, 2 Kawasaki bikes, and '76 T/A will all have a home too (she has a bay for her Bonneville), and although I joke around about "She who must be obeyed" it is far from that - we make a great team! I know, more info that you wanted in this thread, but when you got a good woman, you just got to brag a bit! Oh, and kids are great too, really change the life style, but are a blast and when they look at you and say, "Daddy, I love you!" it is enough to make any heart melt.

JHOLE · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

38 , Married , 3 of the smaller variety - 3, 5, 9. We live here on Lake Erie east of Tol. OH. Started young in remodeling and ran it all the way up to Builder - new homes and condos etc. Major burn out ! Having fun now went back to 1 man and a van like when it started. Have a much more reasonable schedule now to let me boat, catsailing, spend time around house, try to fish. Sinse the post was " about yourself" - coming here has become one of my things. I come here every morning for the past two years. (He!! I remember when sloopy wasn't sloopy, moose miller, derwood, etc.) Just wanted to say thanks for all the info etc. Great group of people.

Ralph 123 · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

aspeck That is an amazing story. I don't think that sort of thing happens any more except in countries with arrange marriages.

plywoody · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

I'll jump in here. I'm 55, divorced with two great daughters. The oldest graduated from University of Alaska Fairbanks, and is now teaching school. The youngest is a senior at Oregon State University, in computer science. She is currently working on a grant for the University of Washington setting up an adaptive technology program for them while in Corvallis, Oregon. Go figure. And my 9 yr old golden retriever lives with me. I graduated with a Chemistry degree from the U of Washington, and first job out of school was quality and environmental control of the aboveground insulation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline. Did not want to move back east or Texas in the chem industry, so took a job as statistical process control for a plywood mill in Port Angeles, Wa. Truly God's country! It is difficult to make a living in the Forest products industry in the Northwest any longer, so accepted a request to move back to Sault Ste Marie, Mi and get a veneer mill going in Blind River, Ontario, Canada and a plywood mill going in Kinross Michigan. The one plant requires the other to be operating, so we had to start both at the same time. It is a challenge. But it is where I am now. I'd rather be in Port Angeles, but so it goes. I have a 17' Crestliner with a 50 hp Johnson, and managed to catch a 17 lb Chinook Salmon off Detour Village, Michigan yesterday, so life is not too bad.

ratltrap · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Ralph- Thanks for your .02

.Thats the kind of thing I need to here.Very interesting about the electrical part.Just 3 weeks ago I saw a man & son pull a 2002 Ranger(150 Merc.)out of ramp(never got off trailer)wouldn't start,no power to anything.He asked if I knew anything about boats and unfortunately my answer was very little,not enough to help him.I sure hope he got that thing fixed. If I can figure a way to go to MMI in Florida that might just be in my future. Ralph & aspeck- Yea Mom would love to see me get married & have her a granyungin

.If I could just find one with enough money to support us whilst I went to school(hehehe

) Couple of friends have tried to set me up w/ ladies w/ kids from previous marriages,but I seen to much bad things in those kinda situations(the ex causin' all kinda trouble for example).@ this age I know it'd be dang near immpossible to find one that ain't never been marrried before(that's the kind I'd prefer),but I do not want to get involved in a ready made family although I hate to see single moms & kids w/ no daddy

. Enough already-Sorry for the long post Thanks RS and aspeck for ya'lls .02.

snapperbait · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Ratltrap.. bout the last part, I know how ya feel...

eurolarva · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Hi guys I am new to Iboats and really enjoy Iboats chat. Great bunch of people in that chat room. I am printergod2000 in that room I am 42 and have been married for 12 years today. Two girls one is 10 and the other is 6. I like to fish and have a chrysler outboard (This is where I hang out in iboats). Because of the chrysler half my time fishing is with a tackle box and the other half is with a tool box.

Kenneth Brown · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Hummm... I don't know if I wanna get inon this one. I'm 29 with a wife of 9 years and 2 kiddos. Tyler is 8 (and a girl, I realize more think of it as a boys name) and Stephanie is 1 1/2. I work at a prison as a Laundry Manager. I was in security there for 7 years and this job came open, so much better. I also reserve at a local pd, I've had my Peace Officers liscense for about 6 years now. I shadetree mechanic for folks whenever time allows, which is not too often anymore. My wife is an LVN (or pratical nurse for some other states) and in school right now for her RN. I just paid off my first house and we are trying to find some land for a future house. I am not a boater really. I do a little fishing out of my 14' flat bottom. I stumbled on this site trying to get my motor fixed and have been here ever since. One heck of a site.

BassMan283 · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Fascinating. Almost all of you are way, way younger than I would have guessed from your other posts. I'm 57 and would have guessed most of you at my age or older. Don't know what that means, but I'll think on it. (Had a few scotches this pm so am in thinking mode.) Well, here's the Cliff Notes version: held a variety of jobs starting with shelf stocking in my father's general store (if you have to ask...)at age 8 to farm worker, construction worker, Air Force grunt, taxi driver (while in Air Force), pharmacy tech, construction worker (again), trucker, some other stuff too minimal to mention and I don't really remeber anyway, and now a quality engineer for an OEM automotive supplier, which is roughly the equivalent of having a daily hot mustard enema. The vagaries of the stock market and a buyout of my company a few years ago took early retirement off the table, so I keep plugging along, fishing and/or boating as much ss possible and going to car races (not NASCAR).

Solittle · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Interesting that we can come here every day and not have a clue about the folks here. Anyway - - I'm 62. My first boat was an 11' sailboat that I gave $100.00 for in 1970. I've been through quite a few since then. Currently I have a 1988 Wellcraft CC with a pair of OMC V4 SeaDrives. I met my gal 40 years ago in the Boom Boom Room (lounge) of the Fountainbleau Hotel on Miami Beach. That was the site of much of the action in an old TV show called Surfside Six. [long story behind our meeting and no I was not a wealthy playboy]. We celebrated our 37 anniversary last week. We have three kids and so far two grand-dogs. Our son (34) is a Seargent in the police force in one of the local communities. Our oldest daughter (32) is a Lieutenant in the Tampa Fire Dept. Our youngest daughter (30) is an artist, teacher and big time surfer. I work at Miami International Airport in IT and have had an interest in aviation all my life. I am a licensed private pilot who no longer flies. In my free time I bum around here to learn stuff & help when I can. I also enjoy Microsoft Flight Simulator and watch almost no TV. The wife and I are both active in our church.

THE-TAZ · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

I am 39 yrs. old and I am currently a conductor with CSX Railroad. Been married almost 13 years to a woman who is my best friend as well as my wife. Have held a variety of jobs since my 4 yrs. in the Navy. I've done industrial security work, I was an electrial General Foreman for a company that built oil rigs, I was a service tech for Hobart, repairing commercial kitchen equipment and I've worked for myself in a home repair business. I have two grown stepsons and 2 grand sons. Hobbies are hunting, fishing and scuba diving and also ten yrs. as a reserve law enforcement officer which I chose to give up. As the name implies I have a 24 ft Mako 240 with a '97 225 Evinrude Ocean Pro and a '75 model Ranger Bass boat with a '87 90hp Mariner. Well that's my story and I'm stickin to it!! Mike"TAZ"

aspeck · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Ralph Yea, it is a strange story, it wasn't arranged, and has been so wonderful. Strongly recommend it! Can you tell I am a happy camper!

Ralph 123 · Aug 10, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

aspeck There are two type of people in the world, the first group sees a guy as happy as you are and they hate him for it. The second group, is genuinely happy for him. I fall into the later group! Nothing makes me happier than meeting a happy person. Your happiness comes thorugh loud and clear. Not too many people are lucky enough to exceed their own expectations from life. You are a very rich man indeed! BassMan283 I not what you mean about QC. Some guys are born to it though - I'm sure you know what I mean. All process no added value. No common sense. I get the chills thinking about it

SoLittle Belated happy anniversary! 50 is within site!

miloman · Aug 12, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Im 35 been married for close to 10 years have 3 great kids and fish just about 160days a year. I thank god for giving me my wife to let me do it

Carphunter · Aug 12, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Well now, i'm 34. I have been married for 14 years to my high school sweetheart. We first met in 1986. (She is the best, I really don't deserve someone as great as her). I have two young boys who are 7 and 9 years old. ('ol dad loves them little fellas more than they will ever know). I live out in the sticks in southern Indiana. I am the Production Manager for a small Manufacturing company here in Indiana. As most of you know who have read some of my posts, I love to hunt, especially with my bow for big whitetails. Other than huntin and fishin, I just love to hang out and spend time with my family. Life is really really good. I am truly blessed.

Carphunter · Aug 12, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Hey Ralph, isn't it wierd how everybody is 6'4", 210 lbs on the internet.

Just kidding, now don't gang up on me. Really though, i'm 7'2" and 350 lbs, and you can call me Shaq.

Ralph 123 · Aug 12, 2003

Re: Tell us about yourself.

Eactly, I though I was posting to the dating site..

Nobody knows you're a dog om thr internet

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