Would a different career path have altered my life, not so much in earning big bucks but self-satisfaction? A little fame involved would have been nice too. No statues of myself though in case they had to marred like our first PM’s was.
A psychic reading onetime predicted my career as a Canadian diplomat to Belgium or Belarus – I remember it began with ‘B’. I scoffed at the thought of it.
When I was a youth, I couldn’t see anything beyond being a professional athlete – not a mediocre one or a bench-sitter either. However I wasn’t big-boned and muscular and a good weight like my friends were. They would often tease about my wafer-thin physique and say things like, “Don’t turn sideways – we can’t see you.”
I played hockey like others but was far from a hotshot. On one bitterly cold night in the open-air rink in Beachburg, I hung up the blades for good after the second period.
I once made a softball team. Slotted as the third baseman which gave me the jitters as that position played closest to the batters. A couple of line drives to various parts of my body made me give up on that ambition.
In high school I enjoyed reading and drafting short stories and had my eye on the Pembroke Observer. However, encouraged toward high finances like accounting or auditing, I knew even back then that I was more of a big spender than a saver – not practical for a fiscal career.
I had often imagined working and living my life in the caboose of a major cross – country freight train. It would have sleeping quarters and a kitchen for comfort. When it accommodated a crew required in switching and shunting, I had good company. The caboose also served as the conductor’s office. Nothing to worry about, except only to report a problem occasionally or be on the ready to initiate the additional braking system in the case of a runaway train. (I might have considered leaping off first though).
I know someone nearby who had a position such as this. He is retired now but says he wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I heard he had a girlfriend at every stopover. Nowadays, cabooses are for rail maintenance, hazardous materials transportation, or industrial spur lines and on occasion for tourist sightseeing runs.
After high school it was on to a community college in Ottawa and a 3-year technical program but only because a friend also registered. I managed okay since I graduated – but still not what I wanted. I always volunteered for tasks that weren’t directly related. That opened a door to a more satisfying position in technical purchasing. So I did end up with the career I sought and was best suited for. I still pondered other options though.
Ever since Sheila and I went on a bus trip to New York City and when taking a stroll that evening, I noticed a hot dog vendor on the corner. “It struck me as perfect job.” As we approached, I heard him humming in between greeting his customers so courteously, even kibitzing with some. We were next. I noticed that his stained long apron revealed a hard day’s work. There was a moment to chat. He said, “I have enjoyed my job for 20 years.” He was so cool. The dog I ate was the best ever. I thought too as we drifted away that his BBQ would keep him warm on the cold nights.
Later on I looked into human cloning – the genetically identical copy of a human, which is the reproduction of human cells and tissues in the field of biotechnology. There were advantages. It would allow me to make decisions of those deserving of cloning. I wouldn’t put my name first but definitely in the top ten. Of course there would be a No-No list of all persons I’d like to never meet again. Can everyone see the common sense of a multitude of persons being a perfect copy of yourself?
Back in the day there were limited career choices. Today one must be prepared to adapt to varying work careers whether wanted or not.
