what do you "do"?

[frey2]

I'm a 3rd year mechanical engineering student at the Unviersity of South FLorida. Our club at school SAE builds and races offroad buggies and open wheeled formula type cars. THen we compete against other colleges around the world. We traveled 15000 miles last year in a 15 passenger van. This year we will do the same but in a 37' flat nose international. Private sponsors donated it to us and materials to convert it. I built the kitchen and bathroom today. Ill post pictures soon.

Ive had my own plans and aspirations for a school bus for a long time. I'll learn enough while building this one for school to make my future bus that much better.

But for the mean time i get my fix from my 68 duece and half.

[glock17]

I'm a network administrator for an internet service providor. Linux admin mostly.

[glock17]

Originally Posted by Steve

Right now I am working as a Mechanical Engineer at a precision agricultural company, but maybe in Jan. I will be going back to school (Iowa State University) for a while.

If you work where i think you do, you make a pretty cool product. I helped my dad install one of those systems on his combine a few years ago. The combine was lost in a fire so we now have a new combine with a whole system in the box waiting for a rainy weekend to install it.

[Demonknight]

Just a dishwasher for now (burned out on the cooking side) and liveing in Washington state (also for now)..soon (month or so ) moveing back to CO (raised) and go back into management (resturant)..Just the wife and one kid and soon a very ugly bus...
Granddad and dad both have done buses before so I guessed it was my time.

[chillmobil]

I'm a young 26 year-old HVAC Engineer working and living in British Columbia, Canada. Really involved in the whole green building thing, lots of energy simulations to determine best scenarios to build an energy efficient building.

Been wanting to convert a school bus since I was 16 years old. I just dreamt it up some day and later found out others were doing it. After University in Montreal (where I'm from), 3 other buddies and I converted a Dodge 22' Motorhome with solar panels, woodstove, etc, etc . We called it the ChillMobil. Travelled 10 months all over BC (skiing), the US West Coast (climbing) and Baja Mexico (surfing). That's when I realized I needed to live in BC.

Dreaming of converting my first Bus soon though (maybe 6-7 years), and it will be complete with radiant floor heating. I've actually been doing a lot of radiant floor heating lately and am tweaking the system for a self-sustained bus. If anybody interested, I'd love to write a post with some schematics.

Cheers everyone, good to see such diversity in everyone's occupations!

[wonderkaty]

Originally Posted by wonderkaty

hello again y'all,
I was sitting there today, in my overly stiffling, hopefully temporary cubicle and I started wondering what you all "do" for a living. I am imagining there is a pretty diverse base of people out there.... does anyone actually drive a bus with kids to school?

I'll start: I myself am a recent college graduate (how long can I claim being a graduate as my "profession"?) and am temping, as said above, in an office. doing data entry.... ALL DAY. I aspire to do something creative and outdoorsy someday. either that, or marry rich. a girl has got to dream.

UPDATE: I have removed myself from the over stiffling cubicle and am currently full time nannying for a 4 year old. glad to hang out with cool people and happy to no longer have to make staple chains to amuse myself during lunch breaks. still hoping to find a "profession" and am still open to marriage proposals from men named brad pitt.

[TravelingMan]

OTR truck driver until I had some major heart problems 4 years back now I have a hole lot of time on my hands and want to get back out and see the country at a much slower pace.

[stego]

Originally Posted by Pablo

I work nights for an Internet hosting company. Basically I babysit a data center full of Windows servers and change their diapers when they crap.

Well - that should keep you plenty busy!
I'm curious about the "cow level" - care to explain?

Stego

[Steve]

The "Cow Level" was a rumor that people started about being in the computer game Diablo by Blizzard makers of Warcraft. They actually put a secret cow level in the sequal, Diablo II. The term "there is no cow level" was then used by Blizzard as a cheat code you could type in the game Starcraft which would automatically give you a win on the level you were playing.

[Eric von Kleist]

I'm not just a househusband anymore. I'm a full-time student at USC Upstate (THE USC - South Carolina) in Spartanburg, South Carolina. I think I'm going to have to put my bus dreams on hold, as I'm still unemployed otherwise.

[dammitAndy]

I am a graphic designer and web developer. Just out of college at the University of Toledo. I originally wanted a skoolie to trip to random ski resorts to snowboard, but the project is turning into much more, camping, nascar, etc. I love it!

PS. Im open to contract design jobs... http://www.dammitandy.com

[busone]

I used to be in the IT business until my health went south. Now I stay at home with the little one and my wife works.

[churchbus]

I'm multi-vocational. For my day job, I'm the Director of Communications for an agriculture promotion organizations. For my part-time job, I'm the Youth Pastor at my church. For fun, I own an on-location photography company, specializing in family and senior portraits.

And the best job of all, I'm the father of a wonderful 20 month old son and a husband of five years.

[Eric von Kleist]

You're the father of a husband of 5 years?

[babylonbybus]

heehee I really feel for you guys.
I'm 20 and I've found I'd rather not be employed at all. I've found that sleeping in a tent in the woods is better than sleeping on the sidewalk behind the 7-11. that sleeping in a beater subaru/'90 pontiac wagon/89 ranger/90 plymouth grand voyager w/a homemade raised roof camper top/1989 dodge caravan (never ran)/87 volvo/1970 ford window van/87 subaru rally car(never ran)/1993 dodge dakota is better than sleeping in a tent when it's 40degress/raining etc

and now, I assume sleeping in a solar/wvo powered, boondocking capable, 91 65pass. skoolie is just going to kick ass!

here's how to do it: if you're sleeping on the sidewalk anyway, you might as well get a job at your local mill/industrial complex. i managed to get hired at a lumber mill in VT and by continuing to cut my expenditure to 0, (dumpster diving, collecting soda cans outta the trash cans at work, sleeping in a tent and then a cheap rental (unheated, basement w/out plumbing!) I only made 10 bucks an hour (while I only have a high school diploma, I've dropped out of a couple of pretty good 4yr universities) but after 3 months of working 55 hr weeks beside my loving wife. we saved a handsome 15k+ sum. it also helps that we are expecting a roughly equivalent sum of inheritance this summer (the lesson there is take advantage any kickdowns, gifts, luck, and providance that comes your way- INVEST WISELY!).

as a couple we have priorities, physical and mental toughness and developing understanding of how to get by in this crazy time and place.

I just love that I can manage to kick back and enjoy the simple pleasures of life (family, nature, food, recreational "activity", good music and books, sleep ...) 24/7/365 while being minimally accountable to any authority or corporate beauracy(sp?) .... sh*t I can live perfectly well w/out that "buzzer" setting on the alarm clock @ 5inthemorning.

not that any of you middle aged computer programmers with kids and a morgage are paying attention anyway.

self reliance is more than a virtue, it's a necessity.

[Ryan Grimm]

Handyman/timberframer/mechanic/motorcycle mechanic/hardware sales, you name it, short of killing animals I've done it.

Timber framing is my favorite work, doesn't pay as well but the most satisfying.
Handyman work here in the Boston area brings in $45/hour, so I don't have to kill myself to make a living. I rent, but plan on living full time in a skoolie once I
A) find the bus to convert, and
B) find a place to park it, year-round.
This will allow me ample time/energy to find a piece of land to build on.
Yes, I'm stockpiling materials/appliances to make the build-in faster once I have the skoolie of my wettest dreams.
No, don't have the bus yet.

Babylon, be nice, I've been there, lived in a 1977 F150 two years, and a 1965 Fairlane two years (this includes winters, brrr). Many here have the mortgage, don't knock it. I don't own a house, but that's a choice I made after being divorced. Spent my life savings on that, lost it, never again! Next place I buy is all mine, alone.
Just means meaningless sexual relationships and lots of friends for me

[pixie]

I am 32 and now live full time in my bus with hubby,dog and four birds.I used to be an avian wildlife rehabilitator (if you can call that a profession, I lived and ran the center off donations).

Now I make a living making and selling fantasy art sculptures made from wool.I also am a spinner and weaver as well as a natural dyer.

My hubby makes music and sells his c.d's (he used to be an audio engineer).

When all this doesnt work out we go and petition on various state initiatives or find odd jobs around towns.

Truth be told,I have never really had a regular 9-5 job in my life,but almost always have made things and sold them. I have been living on the outskirts of society since I left home at 18,hithiking around the coutry and living in a tipi for eight years in the Oregon wilderness.

Prior to 18 I only had one job at a pet store for a few months.

I have too much of an independant,wandering type spirit for this world.I used to think (almost wish)it would wear off,but at 32,it seems now I am just getting started.......Pixie

[soused moose]

Artist/Philosopher/Bus Converter /Mad scientist …o yeah , I work as a clerk-manager at our local Radio Shack too.

Yup….there’s nothing wrong with having mortgages, owing money or whatever.
Millie & I paid our ‘dues’ for MANY years in the lets Hitch Hike around the country owning nothing more than we could carry on our backs club.
It was cool & fun and we look back at that stage of our life with mostly fond memories….but , I have to admit I’m happier now .
Even though , like most Americans …I owe a substantial amount of cash and all that , I do feel that’s one of the prices you pay for having nice things.
Babylon… my ‘Idea’ of what a nice thing is will of course be different than some one else’s ….but that doesn’t mean it’s any less valid.

[pixie]

You are so right, there is absolutely nothing wrong with working a 9-5 job and all that....and I hope you didn't think I was insinuating that there was.I have nothing but admiration and respect for people who have the discipline to endure that type of monotony (unless you are fortunate enough to do something you really love).

I WISH I was the kind of person who could tolerate that lifestyle,life would be so much easier...I could just get a job,raise a few kids, and be done with it,but my heart is just not in it and I cant stand the idea of working some place,and living a life style I hate . Instead I have to make life difficult by being an "artist". Sigh.....


I gave it a try after living in the tipi for 8 years,..moved to L.A,.went to school, got a job as a vet tech (the only real job I ever had)...and I was miserable, REALLY miserable...

I then realized,once and for all that lifestyle was just not for me.....

Maybe as I age that will change,but I doubt it. For me I think the answer is to just buy some land,live off the grid and kick back,...maybe raise some wool sheep or something.....

BTW ~ Before I get someone screaming about me being " a liberal,commie,leech on society" I want to say that,I DO pay my taxes.

~ Pixie

[lapeer20m]

I'm not one of those people that is happy working 9-5 five days per week either. I've tried it, and it did not bring me great joy.

I love the job i have now. NOt only do i love what i do, I make good money doing it, and i only work 2 days per week, 24 hour shifts, and i get a lot of time off to travel or whatever. (17 days in a row, twice per year)

Who could ask for more?