I have lived what I think of as different lives in this span of six decades. You go thru changes and add experience as you travel. I have not always been into the counterculture of the '60s but I have always dared to try new things. After finally riding a Jet Ski, it occured to me that this was just another thing I have done in my life to add to my total experience. So, I sat down and listed all the things I've done. This is much more personal than those surveys that go around and it might be fun for others to do an "I Have" list. Some may have done more in 20 years than I have in 60. Anyhow, I Have ... Worked As: US Air Force Airman Oil Rig Roughneck (Lead Tong & Derrick) Security Guard Police Patrolman Computer Operator (1970) French Market Sweeper Warehouseman Hospital Stock Tech Hoagy/Pizza Maker Art Museum Security/Attendant Free Clinic Live-In Staff Clinic Assistant - India Veterinarian Assistant Child Care Worker Grounds Keeper Nursing Assistant Direct Care Staff MR Training Instructor MR Office Manager Slept In: Paris London Luxembourg Assisi(Walked Basilica of St. Francis) Brindisi Athens(Walked - Acropolis) Istanbul Bursa(Hotel & Brothel) Ankara Tehran(Park Bench) Mashad Herat Kabul(Room with dirt floor) Kandahar Rawalpindi Lahore New Delhi Agra(Walked - Taj Mahal) Sanchi Bombay(Now Mumbai) Ahmednagar Merida Yucatán Tulum (Visit Chichen Itza, Uxmal ) Villa Hermosa (Park Bench) San Cristobal de las Casas Guatemala City Flores San Miguel (hammock under thatched roof) Puerto Barrios (Hotel/Saloon/Brothel) Managua San Jose Puerto Limon Walked In: Nassau Dominican Republic Jamaica Haiti British Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands Cayman Islands Driven: All sorts of cars (stick and automatic) 15 passenger van 50 passenger school bus Tractor (with Bush Hog & Disc Harrow) Tenant Street Sweeper Fork Lift Jet Ski Owned & Driven: 1956 Ford 1957 Chevy 1960 Chevy IH Pickup Truck 4 VW Beetles Honda 450 Motorcycle Ridden: DC-3 Airplane (2 propeller) Jetliner (Boeing 707, 727, 747) Car Ferry Ocean Liner Rail Trains (Steam & Diesel) Street Car Cable Car Roller Coaster (Zephyr - New Orleans) Also: Fired rifles, shotguns, pistols Shot arrows from a bow Water Skied Paddled a dugout canoe Swam Naked with Others Cooked on an open fire Drawn water from a well Drank water from the Ganges Read by kerosene lamp Ridden a Horse (and plow mule) Eaten Meat; (crawfish, crabs, oysters, fish, chicken, beef, pork, deer, goat, frog, rabbit, squirrel) Caught fish, shot rabbit, squirrel Killed chickens Helped slaughter a calf Watched people die Smoked cigarettes & pipe Chewed tobacco Gotten drunk on alcohol Smoked marijuana Taken psychedelics & speed As of September 19, 2009 To Be Continued ...
I love it !!!!! I haven't given a lot of thought to listing or categorising what I have done with my life but reading your post hasn't only given me the urge to do it but has also allowed some good memories to resurface. Thanks!
Actually, it gives a little focus on your own life and since doing that on Saturday, I've remembered some other little details that didn't make the initial list. Like I worked as a psychiatric technician (aide), built my own little dwelling in the woods, broke my leg, and have been anaestitized four times for surgery in my life. Sort of blends the good with bad experience in a continuum of life.
Very interesting list Drinking from the Ganges ... I've always heard it will make you sick because it's so polluted. I'm glad you made it ok
I love this post. I know I am still young and my journey has barely begun but this post reminds me that I have many experiences left to live. Everyone has different experiences but in a way it reminds me to open my eyes to everything and anything that might come along. I could listen to stories forever. I feel I would gain wisdom from that alone. Lots of good vibes and love your way.
That was in 1975 while following an acquaintance thru a Hindu temple in Agra. Part of the ritual besides ringing bells at certain parts, was to drink some water poured into our hands from a brass pot. I wasn't aware at the time that it was untreated water from the Ganges but told later. The holy river was supposed to take care of all the pollution, such as sick ppl bathing, cremation ashes being thrown in and the occasional dead baby that the family could not afford to cremate. I didn't get sick - guess it worked.
I really don't know about you younguns Oh yeah, just remembered. Add one to my list: I have lived in Pittsburgh (in the winter - why I now live in Miami Beach)
Thats really cool, Shale! I'm envious of all the things you've done. It inspires me to make sure I add neat things to my life experience.
Too many people spend their last moments wondering, wishing and regretting. It's nice to see someone who's living life and taking in the scenery whilst on their journey; I hope to follow in your footsteps.:cheers2:
As of November 28, 2009 ParaSailed! I have a bit of acrophobia, but if I can hang onto something it can be overcome. (my real fear was that I would be up there looking into the water and see sharks swimming around under me). But I did it and am glad I took the leap into the air. The water was choppy and we bounced a lot going in the boat, sending up sea sprays. I got harnessed in and told what to do and off the back of the bouncing boat I went, lifting up and away. Up, Up, Up. Then the beauty of the moment hit me. The tiny bouncing boat was so far below me I couldn't hear the engine and what seemed big turbulence before hardly looked like movement at all. I could see all over the Island of Cozumel and it was quiet. That is what struck me most - I was out of range of noise and all I could hear was the wind that was blowing over me. I suppose it is the closest to being one of those sea birds that stand still on the wind and hover.
