I never thought I'd be in surveying for almost 40 years. But I've been and I want a new life(something else to be happy about).
This brings me to looking back and lamenting the best of times, which are usually non-descript times . . . at the time, but for which the passing of time has enhanced.
In particular, my best times . . .
first off getting my first job and actually being paid more than I asked for.
The very first time I gave a backsite,I was expected to drop a plumbob on a point(as I was taught). Instead I got down and held the plumbob "on" the point, which impressed the crewchief, and made me feel appreciated.
The first time I was trusted to operate the "instrument", and was elevated to "instrument-man" . . . wow, what a title.
The very first time I measured off old tacks in an old fence to a place in a road, in order to dig down far enough for our pinfinder to finally get a beep. I'll never forget that hole.
The first time I measured up a cliff face, after waiting for the front chainman to climb the face and drop the tape down to us, and the time our crew measured 9000' through woods in the winter on one day.
The day I took my P.S. test.
The first time I answered my Business phone by simply saying. . . "John Francis".
Problem is, my most memorable times have been less intense through the following years . . . much like chasing that one girl, doing everything to impress her . . . then getting her and seeing life in a less intense, somewhat mundane, so-so routine.
I think I'm a little burnt out and feel like I need something else to pursue.
BUT, what does a person who ate drank and slept surveying for almost 40 years do now?
Well, I could retire and live on a sailboat, or . . . since I have just been given a Yukon Delta 26(houseboat), try to figure a way to make my surveying "different" and really "cool". If only I could imagine a rather unique way to outfit a small houseboat to do a "different" kind of surveying(or something) . . . any ideas?
Flood certifications along whatever shoreline you find.
John, Enjoy your memories, retirement, and sailing your boat.
'Tis scarey John
If I include uni I have clocked up around 45 years...Geeeeeez that makes one feel old. Have only been 33 years in own business.
Very satisfying ! Tonight have been sitting studying on line for white card and passing tests. All about work place safety as a very old client in years of working together and age has asked me to provide data . We both also have to attend a site induction programs on Monday, he is a consulting engineer. Total age of we two will be around 135 years . Have to get with the times !
Once upon a time way back when I started you just wandered around on a site and did your surveying now days no more . Guess I have been fortunate to have worked more in boundary area away from active construction sites as usually first in before there is any site action or announcement of a major project. Seems these days common sense is no longer being absorbed by the young workers when growing up as now has to be taught in class....
As for houseboat surveying POB's latest edition has a canoe surveyor!
I must admit how seaworthy he would be in rough water given the GPS and computing material he has installed on/in his canoe. Especially when only last weekend I witnessed a fisherman in a canoe overturn as he paddled to the shore losing the canoes entire contents in the waves....
RADU
'Tis scarey John
Im 39 and have been surveying for 36 years..
Well #*&/?-+=!^(!!
I'll be damned if it isn't John Francis.
Good luck with your endeavors. I have wondered whatever happened to you (as far as posting)
"...what to do now..."
Well I could have said the same about software engineering about 7 years ago, then I went surveying. I fondly remember my first surveying job at my job acceptance meeting and filling out paper work and such. The crew had come in and came to check in with the "boss" with whom I was filling out said paper work. Introductions all around and the party chief says "I know you!". Much to my dismay I ask how so. "Aren't you The Big E?". I suppose the rest is history.
As to "what to do now"... well before I went surveying, after being the VP and CTO of a company, I was doing house remodelling, farm handing and did some logging in the mean time.
Perhaps I'm a little lucky in that before I got into software engineering I had already had a number of various jobs. Pharmacy apprentice (licensed), farm hand, carpenter, barn [pole building] builder and stuff like that.
In fact my landlord just dropped off (last night) a bunch of paint and stuff for me to work on this [my] place. Our agreement was I was going to do that when I first moved in here but the unit next door came open and he wanted me to completely redo that place top to bottom. AT that time I was full-time surveying while trying to get this stuff done around here. I suppose neither expected me to be here this long. I redid that place several times over several tenants and I'm still here. Maybe he figures it's about time I got around to my own place - finally. Then the surveying dried up and I'm back doing a little programming again. Looks like I'm about to do some remodelling for my own pad finally.
You should consider taking up sky diving. That will get your "excitement level" back up again...
no thanks Mr. Legs
The one time I was going to go sky diving, a schedule conflict arose and I didn't go. The plane went down with all hands lost - I think about 17 aboard. I've had zero desire since.
If you pick up a Yamaha 50Hp High Thrust 4 stroke outboard to power your new Yukon Delta 26, you'll be amazed how many MPG you can get. All my life, my parents have had a 1961 Drift-R-Cruz Houseboat (27'). It's presently powered by the engine described above, and gets amazing fuel economy (between 4 and 6 mpg) at speeds under 8mph. For those unfamiliar with boats, their economy is commonly rated in gallons per mile, not miles per gallon, especially with planing hulls.
I got bored last December, so I enrolled in a class at the local community college this spring entitled "Intro to Solar Power". I now realize I could be using my experience to measure people's rooftops, do solar panel "lot-fits" on their roof (because fitting the maximum number of panels on a roof is much like fitting houses on tight irregular shaped lots), and might it lead to a job that could help lower the dependence on nuclear and fossil fuels.
Everyone's interests are different. Pick something interesting.
