Post by: Kodackamera on July 27, 2011, 04:51:27 PM
I recently earned my Level 3 qualification for Motorcycles, I can now become a technician, it's fantastic! 8)
I'm 22, one thing I've noticed is that a lot of people who either don't finish school or just have an earlier start, begin apprenticeships much younger than me, and so by my age can have a certain level of experience while having been taken under the wing of a garage whilst studying part time.
What's not in dispute is how hard I will work, and how much I love this, you ever seen a rocket launching into space? That's how much I am into this. It's my life now and I will not stop until I reach my goal of designing and building my own vehicles, whether it takes me till 40 or 70, the destination is the same.
One guy I know has suggested very personal approaches to garages, "turning up" and showing in person who I am, offering to work for free for 2 weeks, less risk for them. I am up for this.
Does anyone have any particular advice with regards to my situation? I have some good credentials as "student of the year" and I understand 2 strokes, which we were only taught about at college because I tore the roof down about them.
I would appreciate any advice, and don't hold back, I am willing to do anything to achieve my goal, this is the first step, initial employment.
Kodack
Post by: TMKIWI on July 27, 2011, 05:47:33 PM
That will get you along way in my opinion.
I have hired young guys in the past and the worst thing from a bosses perspective is a kid who shrugs his shoulders when you ask them is this the industry you want to work in. :( Passion is a good thing.
I would go door knocking and introduce myself to the different shops.
You will be surprised what can happen.
When I was living overseas that is how I found employment ( I am a mechanic ). I just picked up the Yellow pages and found garages in the area and went door knocking. Always found a job.
Be proactive & good luck. ;D
Post by: SachsGS on July 28, 2011, 07:21:09 AM
Too many motorsports businesses do little more then replace expensive parts and cater only to the "gravy" jobs.Try to do better then that. ;D
Post by: ford832 on July 30, 2011, 05:31:21 PM
Post by: factoryX on July 30, 2011, 06:20:18 PM
Post by: SachsGS on July 30, 2011, 07:06:47 PM
I maintain almost all of my machinery myself - there's just something about knowing my hands (and my standards) are behind that machine.
Post by: ford832 on July 31, 2011, 03:00:08 PM
Post by: Coop on July 31, 2011, 05:33:19 PM
For me though,I've found when a passion becomes a job in time it becomes a drudge.
Same here. I became a motorcycle mechanic because I have always loved bikes and thought it would be great to work around them all day. After a few years my own bikes were neglected and I hardly rode, I was so sick of them. Deciding to go a different direction for my career was a great choice for me because my passion came back in a very short time. I don't regret it because I learned a lot and can do anything to my own bikes now. But I would never go back to doing it for a living.
To Kodack, congrats and best of luck. You seem to have way more enthusiasm about the job than I did.
Post by: SachsGS on July 31, 2011, 09:02:37 PM
Post by: Kodackamera on August 14, 2011, 10:38:23 AM
I hear what some are saying including Ford, let me clarify.
My passion isn't "working on pizza delivery bikes, changing the brakes and oil, in a crap garage with a bad boss"
It is, to ride and design vehicles, build them and even take them or help take them racing around the world.
One must come before the other.
The current situation is that many of the typical garages want experience, yet many of us have just qualified and not worked before, it's really weird and makes things difficult.
People say "Do an apprenticeship" which is another 2 years of my life, to earn the exact same qualification that I already have, just under the wing of a run of the mill tyre, brakes and oil garage. I'm not 16, I'm 22 and time must be invested wisely.
For the past year I have been looking at options of leaving England, eventually forever. Getting a job is down to me, not the country or economic/social situations. However, I must maximize my chances with the location and way I go about it.
My uncle has a printing company which has business going through the roof, I can work for him, save every penny and then get out to Japan or Germany or even Australia, where perhaps there isn't such a small minded "cottage industry" way as in England.
Thoughts?
Post by: TMKIWI on August 14, 2011, 12:46:40 PM
You are in a catch 22 situation. Most garages want experience but you can't get experience if you don't get employed.
Get door knocking/e-mailing CV's etc.
Something will happen.
You are better off taking a shit job first and working up from there.
You can't expect to start in a dream job to start off with.
Go to local races and introduce your self to people. Keep pestering them.
And be positive.
Post by: EJ on August 14, 2011, 01:30:12 PM
Go to local races and introduce your self to people. Keep pestering them.
And be positive.
Exactly what he should do!
Lucky for him this should be easier in England than in most other european countries.
(Only Italy / France / Spain would be the other possible european options...)
The British do have the best racing mentality, and are still quite positive towards racing...
Finding races in the UK shouldn't be a problem, as there are many different events going on every weekend there.
Post by: SachsGS on August 14, 2011, 04:59:53 PM
People underestimate the value of sales.The product you are marketing is yourself and if you give a prospective employer an upbeat,positive sales pitch he/she will see the potential in you and hire you.Don't be afraid of very hard work - this is what makes the world go round.
From the practical vantage point,learn as much about the mechanical repair/machining and fabricating of motorsports as possible - in life you need to be multi faceted and adaptive.Keep in mind as well that the design aspect will require design/engineering courses to better help you understand the dynamics of what you are hoping to accomplish.
Above all,never give up.Something always comes of something and nothing of nothing - in life you have try and not be afraid to fail.Life has given me a hide like a rhino and I suspect other TSM members will tell you the same thing.Good luck! ;D
Post by: TMKIWI on August 14, 2011, 10:22:47 PM
It only lasted a week but it got me where I wanted to be.
As Sachs said do what you have to.
Post by: VintageBlueSmoke on August 15, 2011, 10:42:11 AM
England has a huge racing scene and you should have little problem finding a team to take you in.
Post by: Kodackamera on August 17, 2011, 01:00:11 AM
Didn't mean to come across aggressively, ignore that, I was having an odd day as we sometimes can.
I think however, I may not have been clear enough, let me clarify.
I'm willing to clean the places toilets for all I care, If it gets me a job. Let me make that clear, nothing is beneath me whatsoever, I will do whatever is necessary, as one poster pointed out, that is so important, to do what others wont. It's not a case of what the job is, it's getting one at all.
What concerns me is the culture of "you must have an apprenticeship" or what we call in England "The Computer says "No" culture. It may get me a job in a garage, and there's nothing wrong with that, that's fantastic. But in 2 years? And to earn a qualification I already have, for thousands of pounds, which could be invested more wisely.
You could argue that If I saved time by working for my uncle straightaway instead of wasting time with England's job market, I could stack good money and quickly get onto a design or autocad course. Getting me closer to my goal than paying money for a 2 year apprenticeship, if there are even places that can employ anyone at the moment in said job market, Garages I've approached are clinging onto people who have been at the same place 10 years plus. They actively don't want to risk anything in this current climate.
But with the same time, 2 years, I could take my money and go to another country, I know people in the states, germany, Japan who could help me get settled, may even try australia, know some people there.
I know high flying law graduates, they work in supermarkets now.
One girl applied to 46 law firms across the country, one place had her listed as the 900th applicant for the position she applied to.
My feeling is that the time is just too valuable, I could get out into the world and experience it. I will regret the things I didn't do more than the things I did.
I got on very well with my lecturers. One of them, a professor, off the record told me to not bother with university courses for motorcycles/motorsport, as I wouldn't learn anything much more ( current state of Uni's), and to get out into the world to get hands on experience wherever it may be.
Vintagebluesmoke, your suggestion seems really interesting, If I stay in England, that's definitely something to explore, thanks.
Another lecturer I know, told me (like you guys) that I had great enthusiasm, and that it was part of my driving force. I'm optimistic and won't stop till high performance vehicles (and two strokes) return, whatever fuel they may use in the future.
Post by: Kodackamera on August 25, 2011, 12:20:20 PM
Post by: Kodackamera on October 25, 2011, 11:48:27 AM
I discovered an up and coming garage, went immediately there that day, the owner told me the position had already been given earlier that day..I stayed there for 45 minutes working my magic/just being myself, he asked to see my CV (I included a photocopy of my certificates, student of the year award and a confirmation of what subjects I have been taught).
I now work there! It is unpaid for the time being, but with food and travel paid for. I do half the week at the garage and half the week at a posh supermarket, which does pay. The owner is very into bikes and especially stresses customer service and relations. My first task was to get a 50cc 2 stroke running again, no service history, no service manual and it had clearly been modified. After a couple of hours it sang like a bird! That was a great feeling.
It's a start..and I am so relieved, breaking the deadlock cycle of "experience needed".
Onwards and upwards!
Post by: TMKIWI on October 25, 2011, 03:20:18 PM
Post by: Coop on October 25, 2011, 09:53:20 PM
Post by: scotty dog on October 26, 2011, 04:19:57 AM
Post by: VintageBlueSmoke on October 31, 2011, 09:08:45 PM
Post by: SachsGS on November 01, 2011, 12:00:51 AM
Post by: Kodackamera on April 10, 2012, 08:06:36 PM
May end up getting philosophical, but it's been a while. Buckle up and swig your coffee/beer/mineral water, we're going in.
I began working at the place, mainly brakes, general servicing and sprinkling of electrical work, being in a new business, you are surrounded by how the business is working and that in itself is very good experience, as mentioned before, this was/is all voluntary.
I live with my parents, both of them run their own small business' they each have, things have been very tough and for me, not bringing in money isn't an option. On the side of that, I need to be making money to even be saving for anything whatsoever and just living. My friend who's also at this place, spends the entire week there, he's only 20, he's got a couple of years to muck around for no pay, I don't, I'm 24 this year, I have to be making some money.
Part of me feels ashamed. People from my youth are getting married, dying, excelling, exploring things, competing at the olympics this year, moving away (most have), and I still feel in the position of a teenager in some respects. In some ways that's a bullshit way of thinking, we all live different lives that can't be compared. I'm interested in "Am I doing what I can be capable of?", that's a better focus for me or anyone else.
So for one day a week I've been at the garage, the rest of the week is working at the posh supermarket about 30-40 hours a week. during November to December, I was able to do 3 days garage, 3 days supermarket and maintain some balance.
Money is coming in thankfully. I do customer service. While I stack shelves, operate laser scanning guns and blue-tooth printers I sustain my relative sanity by chatting to the customers who actually like their lives and do problem solving in my head, my future, my family's future, the worlds future, jiujitsu techniques, twostroke saving.
The sleep at one time had me really drained, waking up at 4 am every day of work, I've gotten used to it now after a couple of months, the sleeping pattern has knocked me off of keeping up with some people socially, since I have to hit the deck at 8 every evening to get enough sleep, evenings out just don't happen and I'm on a different clock to everybody else.
I got slightly paranoid after a while that the garage really couldn't be bothered with me anymore, being there one day a week means I miss out a huge amount, then the vibe did get weird, I didn't communicate much with the guys and was quiet around them, braindead fgrom the 4am mornings. Looking back it was because of my projection of it, my own fear of being ousted as not contributing enough. However, it's not the case, the owner's happy to have me there and he told me to come down whenever it works for me and that I can come anytime. When he said that, I felt a huge relief and he was very understanding of my situation. Last week a CR-250 came in for repair, just seeing it lifted my spirits immeasurably.
I want to say "things are tough", but to me that's giving in, and an insult to those starving all around the world or working in slavery.
Here's something to put a spin on things.
Since I was 19/20, I've been training in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. For those who have never heard of it, you could liken it to Olympic wrestling with pairing of Japanese Jiujitsu, either using the traditional suit or simply shorts, it uses many jointlocks, positions and techniques, it is very popular now, used in mixed martial arts and is growing all the time. It's something I get extreme joy out of, I love the rush, the strategy, everything about it.
I was never an athlete, yet, at school, I was a very natural sprinter with little training, and this was noted, in one 100m race, the only person faster was an African girl with very very long legs, she had crazy top speed, I was sheer acceleration and my game was to hold people off till the very end. Once I hit 17, I lost weight and my hormones went turbo, they still are, I put on zero fat and I improve at whatever I do relatively quickly with enough training. Sports and dancing makes me feel alive in a way that very few things do, very very alive, almost addicting.
Since I was 19, I showed alot of promise at Jiujitsu, latin dancing, where I got to advanced groups quickly, and at 21 a return to sprinting in a youth programme where a member of the Olympic team told me "You clearly have a natural element of sport to you". Even in Jiujitsu, people will ask me "have you ever done Judo, your instincts are very good!" (I haven't). "Your balance/instincts are very good" "Have you trained in Japan?" "the dancing...you ave it, you just ave the natural movement" I kept/keep getting comments like this.
As a side note,
For the past 3 years, amongst life, Motorcycle college and everything else, I have only been able to sustain usually 1 or even less sessions a week doing Jiu-jitsu, which itself costs me alot of money and going to it takes up a whole day due to the travel.
For me, there is something tragic here. Can you see it? Let me explain.
I feel that one on hand, based on a lot of evidence and experience, I have a VERY good untapped potential for sports or something physical, If I could make it a full time thing, I could use myself to my full potential. Considering that being "genetically gifted" as the phrase goes, is something not everyone can be, a large part of me feels, "who am I to turn this down/waste this!"
On the other hand I feel that I would lie down on my death bed and think "So I did some sport...But I never worked to save/develop the two stroke/rotary/hoverboard/whatever we have in the future, I never made the supreme effort that could have been my life's work that would bring fun to many people all over the world, I was just a "sports" guy.
There is an equal and opposite reaction to this "Or I could let my health wane, do loads of theoretical analysis in engine labs becoming anal over the stoichiometric ratio, work my way up to becoming an engine designer or R&D for a huge company, make alot more money perhaps..in the hope that one day I'd have enough to make my own creations from scratch..can a designer do this with their position in a company with their salary? hmm. A business owner/entrepeneur perhaps could fund such a thing..But not someone who does the autocad sat in a chair all day at the beck and call of the marketing department"
Also, I could become a great martial artist/dancer and excel in something that In my wildest dreams I never would have thought I could have the will to do, to go from the quiet guy who was never picked at school to the man who takes control and pushes his body to the limit. In the process, developing myself in a very particular way. It needn't stop at sport, perhaps I could even climb everest.
Or. I could do something to change the two stroke engine forever, or come up with a new fuel, or something to get more people having fun with sports vehicles.
Business is something that I've taken an interest to, I've been studying business materials from schoolfriends, reading financial times and learning german in the little spare time I have.
The answers to these questions have been going through my head at 13,500 RPM, every day since the start of 2012. There was a month here or there where I would openly say, I felt very depressed, this affected me alot with my family and friends and I became withdrawn, pushing them away, even at Jiujitsu and at the garage and the supermarket. There have been some times here or there where I sat down and felt "I'm not enjoying life at all, anytime". There have even been times of having chest pains, at random moments of the day, sometimes in the middle of the night, and I feel difficulty breathing.
Amidst all this, I'm extremely grateful to even have a job, the amount of unemployed is no joke.
I feel that there cannot be room for all of this if I'm going to do something to the best of my ability and do something with my life I have to choose just one thing and run with it and never look back.
In clear perspective I have options, realising that makes me feel very very guilty and very very stupid given the circumstances of many others in our world who have nothing..not even food.
This is my situation, these are my thoughts
Post by: SachsGS on April 15, 2012, 05:26:22 PM
Hang in there,keep your nose to the grind stone and never give up.An old boss once told me "If it was easy we'd all be doing it" and he was a self educated man that built some of the most advanced deepwater submersibles in the world.
Post by: Kodackamera on April 22, 2012, 10:51:17 PM
Post by: Kodackamera on October 25, 2012, 03:32:49 AM
Had to leave the garage to take on jobs and actually get paid, they could not afford to pay me, just food and travel. had a few months of nothing to do with bikes, engines whatsoever, lots of family things happening in between.
Got invited to Brazil by a long lost friend..since then been saving money for a trip, plenty of countryside over there, MX, enduro and alcohol engines! (from sugar cane etc). Made the trip my motivation lately, almost got the money. Switching my continual German learning to Brazilian portuguese because of this.
Back at the garage now for 1 or 2 days a week, Because of the time I gave for almost a year, the owner has agreed to write me an official reference with which to apply to any garages wether I choose to stay or not, I've told him to delay this so that he can train me in his diagnostic equipment and other equipment/engines which can be added to my reference, he has agreed to this. Having a reference is absolutely golden!!!! not everything, but very important. One of my buddies who stayed at the garage is now being paid some money, but it's alot less than I earn doing a supermarket job for half the hours he does.
I am considering applying, in any capacity physically possible, to the garage of an expert 2 stroke tuner who is very famous in europe, I have heard from people that he is extremely shrewd and untrusting of people in general, however, lets see.
Another one of my ideas is to stay in america with a family friend for a while to attend an evinrude mechanics training or something to learn and be certified in DI FIRST HAND!! I SAID DI!!! wooooooooooo.
In my view It's best to keep up the 1-2 days, keep the skills gathering momentum, learn to use the latest gear, document my learning and get that reference.
Also, I have gone back to learning business, teaching myself and eventually looking to taking past exam papers. I think it's not enough to be just be creative or technically competent to create your own vehicles, you must understand business and trade if you want to have a view of the whole picture.
Feeling rejuvenated, also helped one of my friend to start beating his 5k running times by sorting out his diet, training intervals and sleep he's going places!
Post by: TMKIWI on October 25, 2012, 08:31:28 AM
I have the etec traing dvd's at home. They are pretty informative.
Check online to see if anyone has posted them up. Probably not but worth a try.
Post by: Stusmoke on November 12, 2012, 11:17:43 PM
That's interesting to hear your experience, thanks! Money isn't everything, I hear this often, I will take in what you've said and consider it in my own life.
What I thought I said near the beginning of this thread is, what I eventually want, is to NOT be a mechanic, a technician etc.
I think perhaps some misunderstand.
I enjoy vehicles, engines and working on them, but I definitely do not want to be a technician and make that the job for the rest of my life, far from it. I think Ford mentioned "running, not walking away" from constantly working on vehicles. I would rather say that for me, if I did the very same thing for the next 40 years till I'm 60, I wouldn't feel much accomplishment wether my body is wrecked or not.
What I actually want, is to be able to create my own vehicles, my own designs or help people with theirs in a team, that is the dream.
It is a long, tough road, to get anywhere near that! When I talk about leaving the supermarket job, getting a reference, the difficulties of not qualification but job markets, completing my training, learning languages, doing all these things, It doesn't stop at being a mechanic.
Though it is what I will "attack", but it is just a first stage to be attacked.
I am not passionate about being simply "a mechanic", I am passionate about two strokes and special vehicles, travel, the real life things people do with bikes, not measuring valve seat wear for a pizza bike four stroke. But if being a mechanic involves those things, and gets me to where I want to get to by being a first step, then during my time as a mechanic I shall be passionate to enjoy my time, learn and move beyond it, does that clear it up?
I could not find much on the Evinrude training DVD's, I have heard they existed on the net once though.
I skim read the last half a thread, in which you mentiuoned that. So my bad.
I would personally love to be a mechanic for a race team, or something like that. Designing engines, fixing them for the big companies etc. I'd love to be a Roger Decoster kind of guy.
At any rate you've made a good first impression with me. And remember that Eric Gore, Roger and all those other big names that have the engine world at their fingertips had to battle their way to it.
I'm looking forward to seeing your name on the KTM factory racing team. It takes dedication, and you've got that.
Good luck.
Post by: Super Trucker on November 13, 2012, 09:01:00 PM
I,m sure Eric will get cold out on the lake, just like anyone. And would apprieciate a helping hand, carb adjustments, carb swaps, different cylinders, heads, pipes, silencers, gearing, etc. Plymouth Wi. is near Lake Michigan, just north of Milwaukee, Road America road race track is in Plymouth. Lake effect snow nearly everyday, Green Bay is just 60 some miles north. Oshkosh is about 45 mi. where you could get a job building Oshkosh trucks one of the oldest truck builders in the world.
Post by: ford832 on November 15, 2012, 12:41:17 AM
It's easy to say that money isn't everything and as long as I like what I'm doing etc,etc but oftentimes,reality intrudes and mortgages,kids expenses,education etc needs to take priority so you end up doing what you need to do to get the most $$ you can,regardless of how you feel about it.
If I could afford it,I'd try a new job every two years or so but it's hard to make any entry level living for the rest of your life.
Anyhoo,keep us apprised and keep going for what you want-the last thing you want to do is end up an old,crippled,worn out,bitter mechanic.......like TMKIWI for instance
Post by: TMKIWI on November 15, 2012, 08:28:15 AM
the last thing you want to do is end up an old,crippled,worn out,bitter mechanic.......like TMKIWI for instance
This worn out mechanic is pulling 15k a month. And not too bitter about it.
I might not be fixing cars/bikes/boats anymore but I definatly do not regret training as a mechanic.
When I was 15 that is what I wanted to do and it gave me the opportunity to work around the world,working with a F1 engineer, Designing kits for Weber carburettors UK and have had the joy of driving cars such as, Jaguar D type, Ferrari 275TGB,365BB, 308GTB, Porsche 930, Aston DB5/6, Audi quattro sport to name the memorable one's.
I enjoyed myself at that time in my life but always enjoyed engineering as well and came to a point where I decided that I would rather drive my own ferrari then work on one. ( figure of speech here, I dont have one nor care for one)
Bottom line, if you have a passion for it go for it because no one knows what they want to do in 20 years.
Post by: Super Trucker on November 15, 2012, 10:01:52 PM
Post by: Super Trucker on November 15, 2012, 10:54:26 PM
life was better than I ever imagined, had a job that I loved and never got borred with, had up to 4,500 a week checks, crazy amount of women. Then the injuries start, blown out knee, shoulder, back. I broke my hands and feet different times and never missed a day, but these other injuries are serious. I was always pressured to quit, buy friends and family, I ended up quitting. Was in operators and laborers union, operators union never had work. So I,m jackhammering 7 days a week 12hr shifts, that sucked along with borring concrete work, escavating was ok I ran the trackhoe or dozer when the dad,s boy didn,t showup. I knew how to survey, so I got some work there. I finnaly had my back repaired to 02. I was borred with construction,I drove truck a bit at the pipeline co., I wanted a challenge so I went trucking.Next adventure is the oilfields, my drillrig exp. will help me there. I learned the most driving truck, about people, how the country works, buisness, how to deal with difficult situtions. You never know where life will take you, if your willing to take risk.
Post by: ford832 on November 16, 2012, 06:44:44 PM
This worn out mechanic is pulling 15k a month. And not too bitter about it.
Pbbbfffffftttttt,that's nothing,I can do that in 4.5 months
What are you doing now anyway?Sounds like you and supertrucker have done some interesting stuff thus far.As for me,I moved around for a couple years doing different jobs but only from Ontario eastwards.(Rumour has it there's nothing out west but Steers and Queers
)Mechanics was my third choice but school closures and job availability left me with that.Bikes,Hunting and Fishing were my only focus in my early years.New bikes,trips etc were all I worked for.Most of my $$ went to feed the addictions with no real thought to the future (harder,faster and all that)until my GF forced me to marry her(I owed her money for a bike)-lol then mortgage,little one,outside family responsibilities etc.
25 years on a cement floor with cold,damp winters has taken it's toll.I've also had broken bones,dislocations,separations,ripped and torn tendons and other bits-all from various motorcycles over the years.
My wife blames bikes for my pained,gimpy state-I blame the garage.
As she puts it" I've told you a hundred times over years that you couldn't expect to abuse yourself like that all the time and expect to not pay for it when you're old"
Hateful witch.
Post by: Super Trucker on November 16, 2012, 08:09:32 PM
Post by: TMKIWI on November 16, 2012, 10:11:26 PM
Welding at the moment. Mainly in the food/Dairy industries.
There is a big project starting up locally very soon that the company I contract to wants me to work on. It is a dryer for paper packaging ( egg cartons etc ) that is 68m long by 4m x 5m. It is literally a massive oven with a conveyer running through.
It will take 6 months to build and is cycling distance from my house.
Or I can go back down south and build another dairy factory.
It's a toss up weather I go for the money and be away from home for 12 months living in a shit hole or I sleep in my own bed each night and still make good coin. And go fishing and ride my bikes.
Post by: ford832 on November 17, 2012, 12:27:11 PM
It's a toss up weather I go for the money and be away from home for 12 months living in a shit hole or I sleep in my own bed each night and still make good coin. And go fishing and ride my bikes.
Lol,I know which one I'd take.On the other hand,if my daughter was out on her own and it was just me and the wife,I'd probably take the first one.
Post by: SachsGS on November 17, 2012, 04:41:16 PM
Hey Super Trucker sounds like life has been quite an adventure.You ever plan on the ball and chain, little Super Truckers and so on?
Post by: Super Trucker on November 17, 2012, 08:26:31 PM
Ford, the reality is that Western Canada is stunningly beautiful and you owe it to yourself (and your family) to check it out.
Hey Super Trucker sounds like life has been quite an adventure.You ever plan on the ball and chain, little Super Truckers and so on?
Post by: ford832 on November 17, 2012, 11:03:09 PM
Ford, the reality is that Western Canada is stunningly beautiful and you owe it to yourself (and your family) to check it out.
Hmmmm...maybe I'll have to send the old girl on an extended scouting mission just to confirm your claims.What was your address again?
Post by: ford832 on November 17, 2012, 11:16:42 PM
Not to sound like a dick, but driving you can have women in different states, that you have a relationship with.
You're a lucky man supertrucker...
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=trucker%20tramp%20pics&source=web&cd=22&cad=rja&ved=0CGcQFjAV&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.myspace.com%2F90608760%2Fphotos&ei=nGupUKiGHq_8yAGe_IHIAQ&usg=AFQjCNFt_1YQDDdNZUo7loC9q1yo1GW4hg
http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/cdafd1fd34/truckstop-lover
Post by: Kodackamera on December 04, 2012, 11:07:13 PM
While I don't actually live in the USA (you mentioned moving to Wisconsin), a mechanically inclined friend and I have been talking for a few years, since we were about 18, about just taking the opportunity of going to another country, possibly for good. be it USA/Brazil/Australia.
And with these ideas, people always bring up horror stories, when we mention such an idea, they don't put me off though.
"You never know where life will take you, if you're willing to take the risk"
Perhaps I need to take more risks, not necessarily reckless ones, but risks nontheless.
I'm now 24 and I am starting to have thoughts that this is the last opportunity to "set my course" on my lifes flight, career wise. Are these thoughts a bit twisted or just realistic?
I've narrowed it down to three general areas that I have talent in. Music/audio. Martial arts/Fitness. Engineering/motorcycles.
These three have their pro's and cons as long term careers, for example sports, I would get injured, but the other 90% i would be super fit.
Audio, sedentry work on computers, but a great creative outlet. etc.
I've need to go over them some more and sort myself out with this.
I suppose the best combo would be a top club performing DJ in USA/south america, who can do martial arts and ride a motorcycle that he maintains.
Post by: Stusmoke on December 06, 2012, 12:33:37 AM
Post by: Kodackamera on December 06, 2012, 10:54:11 AM
With not many opportunities afterwards? I'm all for hard work, but not if it's dead end.
Post by: MOMSMX47 on December 06, 2012, 01:51:20 PM
Hey Forum, wanted a bit of advice/widsom.
I recently earned my Level 3 qualification for Motorcycles, I can now become a technician, it's fantastic!
I'm 22, one thing I've noticed is that a lot of people who either don't finish school or just have an earlier start, begin apprenticeships much younger than me, and so by my age can have a certain level of experience while having been taken under the wing of a garage whilst studying part time.
What's not in dispute is how hard I will work, and how much I love this, you ever seen a rocket launching into space? That's how much I am into this. It's my life now and I will not stop until I reach my goal of designing and building my own vehicles, whether it takes me till 40 or 70, the destination is the same.
One guy I know has suggested very personal approaches to garages, "turning up" and showing in person who I am, offering to work for free for 2 weeks, less risk for them. I am up for this.
Does anyone have any particular advice with regards to my situation? I have some good credentials as "student of the year" and I understand 2 strokes, which we were only taught about at college because I tore the roof down about them.
I would appreciate any advice, and don't hold back, I am willing to do anything to achieve my goal, this is the first step, initial employment.
Kodack
Post by: Kodackamera on January 22, 2013, 12:16:03 AM
I've been having a lot of thoughts and ideas about careers, I am beginning to think that being a mechanic with engines beyond a certain point won't necessarily give me greater ability or influence to do more with vehicles beyond working "on" them. Business skill is needed at a point.
What's the point of me being a two stroke expert, if I could have simply learned to save or reinvigorate them instead through business and industry instead within the same time frame, Id rather be able to influence the future of the two stroke, getting more people using them, instead of "being in the lab" inventing the "ultimate" Dykes ring made of glass and diamond that would never be used and be top secret.
We shall see though, bring on the future.
Post by: SachsGS on January 22, 2013, 03:21:04 PM
Post by: Kodackamera on April 25, 2013, 12:24:02 PM
After a hiatus of a few months, I've returned to the motorcycle garage part time, skills are a little rusty, but it's all still there. While I have been promised a reference from the guy, I am holding off slightly until I become more proficient with electronics, then I can say I am more adept within electronics.
I've spent alot of the last year in a bit of a weird zone, thoughts running round my head like "you can't do this, or that" Thoughts such as "there is no future" alot of people my age now are getting a bit like this in Britain. I can even see this looking back on this thread, its amazing to have a record of my past thoughts. It feels almost narcissistic even, but I just use it for what it is and perhaps my story can resonate with other young people.
People are starting to talk about me at work, my friends and family and they say "it's a tragedy that such an intelligent, skilled guy, is still spending half his week at a supermarket". A cooler went down last week, I spoke to the technician as I filled the milk fridge, his reaction "
how do you know about Glycol and cooling systems?" (I'm just a supermarket guy) hahahah, Nowadays I'm more positive, looking for opportunities. The advent of 3d printing, has really inspired me as well as recent times with friends and their bikes, four stroke and two stroke. I've started to feel that I am not really a fan of circuit racing, but more of enduro, adventuring, street riding or even road racing. My parents are going through difficulties after a long marriage that has recently turned sour, this has added to the fire of life. I've got a lot of books from my dad, electrical engineering, foundry work etc, all very valuable.
I've had a shift mentally, that has helped me with my martial arts as well. To try new things and not fall into habits, to go further.
I'm off to Brazil in a couple of months, hopefully gonna see bikes there, some alcohol engines also, very excited. Also going to an off-road event for the public to try out brand new models from manufacturers, two strokes are there, gasgas etc. Should be amazing fun.
In short I feel inspired again and my heads in the right place.