[Oldgixxer]

Memory is a bit foggy going back that far but very 1st job I was paid for was working for my grandfather. He was a carpentry contractor back in the 70s,I was 7 or 8yrs old. I'd get all the tools out of the vehicle,get them setup inside and then be a gopher the rest of the day. Learned a hell of a lot.

2nd job was cutting our grass. Then a few neighbors asked if I could do there's. Learned a valuable lesson at the ripe old age of 10: discuss pricing before starting. Old bastard across the street asked if I would cut his lawn for $5 a pop,for the entire summer whilst they were away sailing. He came back,I handed him my little homemade invoice for 10 cuts x $5=$50. He laughed at me and said sorry young man,that $5 price as for the entire summer.
He was strong-armed by my grandpa and delightfully paid me the $50.

3rd job was busboy at local diner when I was 15 and got working papers,then quit that to go pump gas for more money and have use of the mechanic bays after hours since now I had a license and a street bike.

4th job was at a big pharma plant when I was 18 as a "supplier",was great as I had a lot of down time and I was only their temporarily until as I was waiting to be called into the apprentice class of Plumbers Local 14 Jersey City

Got in the Plumbers Union in 1992 and retired a Journeyman master plumber,certified pipe welder and semi-old-man after I was forced to retire with substantial permanent medical issues after an on the job accident at American Dream Mall in NJ involving a 21' length of 8" carbon steel weld pipe,in 2020

Moved down South to HHI and relaxing ever since