Peculiar Professions: Forks in the Career Path

by Beth Carswell

How do people end up with the jobs they have?

A friend of mine recently said she'd been worried about her cat. When I asked what was wrong, envisioning broken bones, diseases, pit bulls, she continued. "She seems depressed. I think she's mad at me."

My friend found, with little difficulty, a person she was sure could help. Not a veterinarian, but a pet psychic, a person who, through spending time with animals, touching them, talking to them and more, feels able to effectively communicate with them. The pet psychic provided - at no small cost - a detailed report to my friend, who was satisfied with the results.

Good grief, I thought. How does one become a cat whisperer? If you can be a cat whisperer for a living, you can be anything. There are people who formulate antidepressants for pets. There are people who taste pet food. There are people whose sole means of income lies in designing dog clothes in every size from Yorkshire Terrier to Great Dane (doubles as a horse blanket).

And that's just pets. What about rodeo clowns? Lighthouse keepers? The voiceover guys for movie trailers? Somewhere out there someone whose job is comprised, at least in part, of naming lipsticks and nailpolish colors. I'd be great at that one. Ruby Rage. Galloping Consumption Rose. Um… Bland Beige. Revlon, call me!

Apparently, the people who herd, castrate and brand steers are called cowpunchers. How does one become a cowpuncher? Perhaps if you grew up in Wyoming, it's perfectly natural, but to a westcoast city slicker, it seems like fiction. The mind boggles at how many forks on the road of life are possible to lead us to different careers.

Granted, things have changed a lot over generations. Being a brushmaker for a living is probably unlikely now, and earning a living as a creator of applications for Facebook only popped into existence in the last decade. But regardless of the time we're living in, our careers shape our lives. How we support ourselves and pay our bills influences our interests and conversations, and becomes part of our identity. Clearly, things change since childhood, or we'd all be firefighters, ballerinas and veterinarians. How many of us follow the career path we wanted in primary school when the teacher asked us what we want to be when we grow up?

Let's take a look at a selection of books dedicated to some of the more unusual career choices out there, and the experiences people have with them.

Recommended Unusual Career Books

Kitchen Confidential

Anthony Bourdain

Celebrity Chef Anthony Bourdain is known as well for his bluntness and humor as he is for his cuisine. InKitchen Confidential he writes with wry candor about what it's like to be a chef, and why you should never order the fish on Monday.

All Anthony Bourdain

Practical Floriculture

Peter Henderson

Originally published in 1892 and reprinted, Practical Floriculturecovers the growing of all manner of florist-quality plants, for both amateur and professional gardeners, and includes advice on how to follow a career as a florist.

Books About Florists

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

Stephen King

Practical, inspiring advice on everything from plot and character to work habits and rejection. Brilliantly structured and chock-full of master's experience and advice,On Writing will enable the work of writers around the globe.

All Stephen King

A Ball Player's Career

Adrian C. Anson

First published in 1900, A Ball-Player's Career is the personal experiences and reminiscences of Adrian C. Anson, late captain of the Chicago Baseball Club, arguably the greatest player of the 19th century.

More Baseball Books

Heat

Bill Buford

Throughout Heat, Buford stunningly details the complex aspects of Italian cooking and its long history, creating an engrossing and visceral narrative stuffed with insight and humor. Perfect for the budding Italian chef!

All Bill Buford

The Great Comedians Talk About Comedy

Larry Wilde

This volume presents 17 of the funniest people of the 20th Century talking about how they make people laugh. Each engaging interview was painstakingly elicited by the author. With chapters on Woody Allen, Jack Benny, Milton Berle, George Burns, Johnny Carson, Phyllis Diller, and many more.

Comedy Biographies

The New Complete Guide to Beekeeping

Roger A. Morse

What's all the buzz about? This guide from one of the world's bee experts will give beginners all they need to start their own healthy bee colony, while existing beekeepers will find advice on how to expand their business and refine their skills.

All Beekeeping Books

Violin-Making, As It Was and Is

Edward Heron-Allen

This classic guide offers an initiation into the mysteries of violins and their makers. Charming in its style and cultivated in its research, it covers every detail of the process and includes a fascinating history of the instrument and its makers.

Violin-Making Books

Doing Prison Work

Elaine Crawley

Full title: Doing Prison Work: The Public and Private Lives of Prison Officers. As well as revealing how the job of the prison officer is accomplished on a day to day basis, the book explores not only what prison officers do but also how they feel about their work.

More Prison Books

Here We Are Again: Recollections of An Old Circus Clown

Robert E. Sherwood

Sherwood, a protege of P.T. Barnum, worked with Tom Thumb, Dan Rice and all the old ones who made the circus a thing of witchery, wonder and romance. Sherwood's artistry as a clown gained him the plaudits of Mark Twain, Queen Victoria and others.

More Clown Books

Tell Me Where It Hurts

Dr. Nick Trout

Trout offers an insider's perpective on 24 hours as a veterinary surgeon, offering engaging anecdotes about pets, their owners and the unique blend of cutting-edge technology, old-fashioned instinct, and caring that comprise veterinary medicine today.

More Veterinarian Books

Techniques of the Professional Pickpocket

Wayne B. Yeager

If you wonder how someone can get inside your pockets, then get inside this book. You'll learn all the techniques of the pickpocket: the grab and run, the finesse lift, cutting the pockets, how they use accomplices, how they can steal a watch right off the wrist.

Wayne Yeager Books

Paper Lion: Confessions of a Last-String Quarterback

George Plimpton

In the 1960s, 36-year-old Plimpton joined the Detroit Lions in the pre-season as a wannabe quarterback and stuck with them through an intra-squad game for the paying public a month later. What resulted is one of the funniest, most insightful books on the game.

All Football Memoirs

Skygirl: A Career Handbook for the Airline Stewardess

Mary F. Murray

Career handbook for flight attendants from over 50 years ago. Book includes tips on proper attire, behaviour and conduct, as well as helpful information about the planes themselves, what to expect from crew and passengers, and more.

Stewardess Books

Practical Taxidermy

Joseph Batty

Fully titled Practical Taxidermy, and Home Decoration; Together with General Information for Sportsmen. If ever you've wondered the proper techniques to stuff a dead owl, fox or badger, and how to most effectively display it in your home, this is the guide for you.

All Taxidermy Books

Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut

Mike Mullane

In 1978, the first group of space shuttle astronauts was introduced to the world. They would carry NASA through the most tumultuous years of the space shuttle program. Among them was USAF Colonel Mike Mullane, author of Riding Rockets,a memoir of the experience.

Astronaut Memoirs

The Secrets of Conjuring and Magic or How to Become a Wizard

Robert Houdin

Robert-Houdin is widely acknowledged as the father of modern conjuring. (Harry Houdini modeled his name after him.) Full explanations of several of Robert-Houdin's magic tricks, plus advice on presentation and general tips on the art of conjuring.

Magician Books

How to Become a Ventriloquist

Edgar Bergen

Easy-to-follow guide offers expert advice from internationally renowned performer. Helpful tips on "near" ventriloquism, hand puppets, dummies, shadowgraphs, staging, entertainment, distant ventriloquism, and more. 48 illustrations.

More Ventriloquism

In Love and Unity: A Book About Brushmaking

Tom Girtin

A history of the Hamilton Brush Company with many interesting pictures of work and processes - the craft of brush and Broom making through History. Published to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Hamilton star limited manufacturers.

All Tom Girtin

How I Became a Cricketer

Alan Oakman

For any cricket-fanciers out there curious about a professional career in the sport. Biography of the Sussex (England) Cricket batter who broke records, won hearts and later went on to coach the sport he loved.

More Cricket Books

One of the first US fruit trees planted by European settlers is still alive and well at age 383+

© Doug Peabody

When the first European settlers stepped foot on Plymouth Rock in 1620, the landscape they encountered must have felt like the epitome of wilderness compared to their developed homeland. In time, of course, cottages and farmhouses, roads and footpaths would sprout up as their colonization took root. But little could they have guessed, from those fragile early shoots, that the continent's nature would be tamed in just a few short centuries.

It may be hard to believe, however, but one of America's earliest settlers is still alive today -- and still bearing fruit after more than 383 years.

Among the first wave of immigrants to the New World was an English Puritan namedJohn Endicott, who in 1629, arrived to serve as the first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Charged with the task of establishing a welcoming setting for new arrivals upon the untamed land, the Pilgrim leader set about making the area around modern-day Salem as homey as possible.

In approximately 1630, as his children watched on, Endicott planted one of the first fruit trees to be cultivated by European settlers in America: a pear sapling imported from across the Atlantic. He is said to have declared at the time: "I hope the tree will love the soil of the old world and no doubt when we have gone the tree will still be alive."

The tree did outlive all witnesses to its planting -- as well as generations and generations that followed.

© Danvers Library

By 1763, colonists noted that the tree, dubbed the Endicott pear tree, was already "very old" and showing signs of decay. But yet it persisted and continued to bear fruit. In 1809, the tree had such notoriety that even President John Adams is said to have received a special delivery of its pears.

After holding fast through three strong hurricanes which battered the region in the first half of the 19th century, the tree became a cherished fixture; a fence was even put up to protect it. As early as 1852, folks were already proclaiming Endicott's pear tree as "probably the oldest cultivated fruit bearing tree in New England."

For Arbor Day in 1890, poet Lucy Larcom composed about the old tree so long rooted in American history:

Such a wonder you may see;
For the patriarchal tree
Blossoms still, -- the living thought
Of good Governor Endicott.
Fruit again this year to bear;
Honor to that brave old pear!

Through the 20th century, Endicott's pear tree endured as the United States -- the nation it predates by 146 years -- continued to grow up around it. Through several more strong hurricanes, and even a vandal attack in the 1960s, the tree never stopped bearing fruit.

Although its pears have been described as "medium in size, unattractive, and coarse textured", the tree's shortcomings have been more than made up for by its resilience -- a legacy that will carry on even after the sands of time eventually wither its branches. The USDA's National Clonal Germplasm Repository, a seed bank, successfully produced a clone of Endicott's pear tree.

There are few surviving remnants of those earliest days in American history, when European settlers arrived to the lands of the New World. But as their centuries-old headstones have weathered and crumbled with time, and their names and stories have become lost to the ages, it's reassuring to know that history is rooted by more than human memory and fading ink -- and that a living monument has been fruitful through it all.

This story was updated in May 2016.

http://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/first-fruit-tree-planted-america-still-alive-and-well-age-383.html

Ready to Grow? 10 Ways to Overcome our Negative Emotions.

Personal growth is a contest of endurance and will.

In order to be able to move forward and make progress physically, emotionally and spiritually, we need to find a way to clear the negative energy first. I like to describe personal growth in terms of a marathon, because although there are sprints here and there to gain ground quickly, overall it is about consistency, commitment and courage in the face of challenges.

Picture running that marathon in bulky sweats, a weighted vest and heavy boots. How far would we get before we quit or our progress slowed to a painful pace with us burdened by all the negative emotions and thoughts? I do not believe it is the suffering itself that prompts our growth, but how we use it to learn. So, if we do not have to run our race shackled and encumbered, why would we?

Logically, it is easy to conclude that we will make better progress if we can shuck the negativity and exchange it for mindfulness and joy. Unfortunately, this change in our state does not come from the brain or logic, otherwise we would just decide and it would magically shift. It takes awareness and a plan to transcend this, so let’s talk strategy.

The first step to breaking free is awareness that we are in a negative or anxious state. Each individual has their own “tells,” such as increased heart rate, body pain, irritability, or sadness—all of which are usually accompanied by cycles of negative thoughts that may or may not be true. Some of our self-defeating behaviors are so ingrained that they may not disappear, but having an awareness of them can activate our clearing strategies.

Once we are aware of our triggers, we can design a system(s) to overcome. We are all resilient once we recognize that we have the power to choose our state. We are not victims; we are warriors. Each person needs to develop their own method, but here are some suggestions:

1. Music: I know my favorite songs can lift my spirits quickly. Whether the beat resonates with some inner rhythm or the song reminds you of wonderful memories, music can bring a smile to your face and remind you of happy times and what you did to create them.

2. Self care rituals: There are numerous self care strategies, but here I am referring to all the small rituals that bring some order to the chaos of our lives. Things such as preparing meals ahead of time so that we can fuel our bodies well, scheduling time for our own activities, and organizing/cleaning our home/work environment. These practices can clear negative energy and help prevent its build up.

3. Exercise: I can’t stress enough how much my weight training sessions restore my calm as I allow negative emotions and thoughts to be “used up” during my exertion. I like to visualize my burdens as fuel to move my body, and like any fuel source they dissipate. I use heavy lifting for this, but yoga or any other physically challenging activity will work as well.

4. Quiet time: Whether time is spent in meditation, prayer, visualization or taking a quick nap,  we all need time away from the busy and frantic to slow down and require less of our body and minds.

5. Journaling: Pouring out our thoughts and emotions on paper or into a digital format is cathartic. It is clarifying and healing to admit and see where our struggles are, which returns us to awareness. Seeing a problem, whether real or imagined, enables our minds to start working on solutions.

6. Hugs: Do not underestimate the power of oxytocin! Not only does a hug give the opportunity for us to feel connection and support from a fellow human, the oxytocin release increases serotonin and dopamine for a calming effect that can last well past the physical contact. This hormone also reduces the stress hormones, cortisol and norepinephrine. When my kids are anxious or sad, I ask them if they want/need a hug before I ask how I can help. I find few things more comforting than someone offering a big hug to help me feel better.

7. Dance and Play: It is amazing how acting more child-like can clear away the woes of the day. The dance I am talking about here is not for performance or exercise, nor is the play. It is geared toward allowing yourself to be silly or productively unproductive. We live in a society that judges people by what they accomplish, so we get stuck feeling like every activity must have some higher goal. The higher goal can be giving yourself time to relax and play a video game, a board game with friends, or even better hit the playground and swing or slide. I am too old/wise to jump out of the swing like I used to, but I love the freedom and exhilaration of swinging as high as I can.

8. Tears: I do not need to cite numerous studies about the healing and stress relieving ability of tears for us to know that we feel better after a good cry. I can usually feel the sadness, anger and frustration building like a huge wave and know tears will get me to the other side of that crest to the calmness. Just as most of us know what songs can bring us a smile, we also know what songs will bring on the tears. If we need a little nudge, cycle back to the power of number one.

9. Sex: Multiply the effect of the hug and add in all the benefits of orgasm, and we have a powerhouse in the clearance of negative energy.

10. Laughter: I know we all have been  down and laughter pulled us out of the hole, at least temporarily. So, call your funny friend. There are countless hilarious videos and articles out there, whether they are about weird cats, the challenges of dating or, my favorite right now, high people and sloths. Pick one. Watch/read. Laugh. Release.

The biggest key to clearing all that burdens us is having a plan or strategy in place before we are suffocating from the pain, unable to move forward at anything other than a crawl. As we have awareness, we can use the weapons in our arsenal. I find that most of these work best when used as a system, since some are more lasting than others. Things like self-care, exercise and quiet time can help prevent build up of negativity, while laughter, music and hugs can provide a quick fix until we can get to the good stuff like play and sex.

It is our choice to either struggle along, hoping to get used to the burden of all that we carry, or we can strip off the heaviness of suffering and get ready to run with joy toward all the victories ahead of us.

Author: Lisa Foreman

Editor: Emily Bartran

Photo: Jem Yoshioka/Flickr

http://www.elephantjournal.com/2016/04/ready-to-grow-10-ways-to-overcome-our-negative-emotions/

Aldous Huxley

Aldous Huxley > Quotes > Quotable Quote

“But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.”

― Aldous Huxley, Brave New World

Connahs Quay Riverside

Connahs Quay Riverside

Yesterday at 21:37 · 

Two hundred years ago life in Connah’s Quay revolved around the riverside.

The town crest shows a wooden sailing ship and three salmon, reflecting the importance of the River Dee.

Most families had some maritime link, whether fishing, working on the sailing ships and steamers, loading and unloading freight between railway and ships at the docks, working in the shipyards, chandlers shops or the shipping companies.

In the early 20th century there were many fishermen in Connah’s Quay and the stretch of river was renowned for its salmon fishing. It was a hard life – the river was notoriously difficult to navigate, with its shifting sands and uncertain weather. It took the lives of many fishermen.

Whole families got involved, with young children helping to land the nets and sons working alongside their fathers from an early age. If fishermen were lost at sea, their womenfolk sometimes took on the work too.

The opening of John Summers Steelworks widened the opportunities for alternative employment. By the 1960s more than 10,000 were employed at the plant.

By then, few people fished full-time but many continued to fish on a part-time basis, working shifts at John Summers and fishing on their days off.

The Rock was the base for many of these fishermen who moored their boats below and met in a small building on the top.

The salmon fishing season ran from March 3-August 31 with flounders and shrimps the main autumn catch. January and February were spent around the Rock, repairing and repainting the boats, knitting or mending nets, tarring them and spreading them to dry.

Nowadays, a visitor passing through Connah’s Quay town centre might be puzzled at the ‘Quay’ in its name as there is little to remind them of its maritime heritage. However, down at the riverside, it is a different story.

Although few earn their living from fishing now and it is much more peaceful without the working docks and railway, numerous boats are still moored at the water’s edge, including small wooden fishing boats. Boat lovers painstakingly restore old boats and there are usually one or two people fishing with rods.

The Quay watermen are keen to reconnect the town with the riverside and to celebrate the stories of the river and those who worked on it.

Keith Marland, chairman of the Quay Watermen’s Association, has fished all his life and was one of the last local fishermen to hold a salmon licence. He no longer fishes for a living but remains passionate about it.

He reminisces: “It was physically hard work but I really enjoyed it. I love the challenge of fishing, using your natural instincts to read the estuary. You need to be there every day to begin to understand the changing channels, the tides and weather.

“During the salmon season I would be out seven days a week. For four days I was salmon fishing, working for 17 hours each day to catch both tides – going home to sleep for a few hours between the tides then out again, with just three to four hours sleep. On the other days I was shrimping or fishing for flukes and other fish.

“There’s nothing quite like being out in a small boat, watching a magnificent sunrise or sunset, looking at the beauty of a few feathers floating on the water, or enjoying the peace and silence. I feel privileged to have seen things that others will never get a chance to see.”

There is always lots of banter among fishermen and plenty of humorous tales. Do you fish or were any of your family fishermen? The Quay Watermen would love to hear your ‘fishermen’s tales’. FROM THE EVENING LEADER.