How long have you worked together?

jeff kushner

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One of the nice things about this forum is the sense I get that many other members are, ah, eh, more mature......like me.

In getting here, one of the real values I've found to getting older is the appreciation of "quantity of life experience" and many here are likely thinking "what took you so long jeff".

Some of you know, I guess for a living. I work as a chief estimator so in effect, I really do get paid to guess. Those guesses of course are predicated on all available knowledge of the playing field, the client, costs, the competition etc.....but in the end, it's my gut feeling that we follow. I also like smart people, the ones that don't think an excuse is a reason.

Here's one;
I have a guy, Bobby who I work with is retiring next week. He's 82 years old and my Senior Estimator. We first met in '86 & we hated one another, I was the 20-30sum year old Division head with a high degree of "dickage", he was the aging "old man" of nearly 50 and "Keeper the old ways" to me. We clashed a few times, once on the roof of one of the more secure buildings in DC while Secret Service agents tried to figure out what to do! LOL I was too young to give way and he was too smart. It took time but because we were forced to work together, things changed. Within 2 years I had respect for him, add 2 more and he had respect for me. We've worked off and on ever since, for nearly 35 years, more than some folks entire careers.

I've had many, many good estimators work with me over the past 40 yrs. Bobby''s been by far the longest and because I have my own exit strategy, I've planned ahead. Working right next to him is our Future....Brandon(no, not THAT "Brandon"). Brandon is 33-34 and came to work for me when he was 18 and will take over next year as I hand him the reins. I will provide backup for him and will leave in 3 years to go live my fairy tale with Kerry.

Together, Bobby and I have been successful, beating everyone else in the DC market on occasion & building some of the coolest buildings in DC. He's the smartest Refrigeration man I've ever met in 40 years in the trades, period. We've met Presidents together, worked in places that cannot be discussed and we've gotten our butts handed to us countless times when we lose and have argued politics like we belonged in the Capitol building.

I have benefitted far more that he will ever realize......we all have different teachers in life...............but how many do you have for 35 years?

Yeah, it's been an honor not many get...........

jeff
 

MEEJogja

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Watch out Jeff, I guess my uncle was the UK equivalent of an estimator. I forget his job title but considering what could go wrong with projects all day had a lasting impact.

He is now long since retired and a total party pooper. Constantly scanning the horizon for fire escapes, making us change tables or just leave restaurants due to open flames...
He calls resorts and quizzes the manager before booking his holiday and then refuses to leave the safety of the resort etc.

I did manage to use it to my advantage once however. I approached him at an awful family event, and he immediately started complaining about what a hazard the venue was due to X y and z. It served as the perfect excuse to excuse myself and escort him to the safety of the hotel bar.
 

Yvonne G

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Not quite the same thing, but I married at 17 and at that time didn't really know anything. I grew up with my husband, who knew quite a bit more than I, and he taught me almost everything I know. I owe him for the person I grew up to be. We were married 27 years before he passed on to the next phase.
 

Tom

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I've had several mentors in my life. All came out of nowhere. Opportunity knocked and I didn't just answer the door, I invited opportunity in for a meal and a cold beverage. Finding new mentors all the time. Opportunity has been good to me.

I think I have a whole team of angels watching over me and they do a darn good job despite all of my attempts to befuddle them. I thank my angels regularly.
 

Cathie G

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One of the nice things about this forum is the sense I get that many other members are, ah, eh, more mature......like me.

In getting here, one of the real values I've found to getting older is the appreciation of "quantity of life experience" and many here are likely thinking "what took you so long jeff".

Some of you know, I guess for a living. I work as a chief estimator so in effect, I really do get paid to guess. Those guesses of course are predicated on all available knowledge of the playing field, the client, costs, the competition etc.....but in the end, it's my gut feeling that we follow. I also like smart people, the ones that don't think an excuse is a reason.

Here's one;
I have a guy, Bobby who I work with is retiring next week. He's 82 years old and my Senior Estimator. We first met in '86 & we hated one another, I was the 20-30sum year old Division head with a high degree of "dickage", he was the aging "old man" of nearly 50 and "Keeper the old ways" to me. We clashed a few times, once on the roof of one of the more secure buildings in DC while Secret Service agents tried to figure out what to do! LOL I was too young to give way and he was too smart. It took time but because we were forced to work together, things changed. Within 2 years I had respect for him, add 2 more and he had respect for me. We've worked off and on ever since, for nearly 35 years, more than some folks entire careers.

I've had many, many good estimators work with me over the past 40 yrs. Bobby''s been by far the longest and because I have my own exit strategy, I've planned ahead. Working right next to him is our Future....Brandon(no, not THAT "Brandon"). Brandon is 33-34 and came to work for me when he was 18 and will take over next year as I hand him the reins. I will provide backup for him and will leave in 3 years to go live my fairy tale with Kerry.

Together, Bobby and I have been successful, beating everyone else in the DC market on occasion & building some of the coolest buildings in DC. He's the smartest Refrigeration man I've ever met in 40 years in the trades, period. We've met Presidents together, worked in places that cannot be discussed and we've gotten our butts handed to us countless times when we lose and have argued politics like we belonged in the Capitol building.

I have benefitted far more that he will ever realize......we all have different teachers in life...............but how many do you have for 35 years?

Yeah, it's been an honor not many get...........

jeff
I thought you weren't old enough to take part in the thesis ?oh ok you're one day younger...
 

newboxiemama

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I am 30 and have only had two jobs -- apparently, once someone hires me, I pretty much refuse to quit. The first job was at Pier 1 Imports (I swear to god I will NEVER go back to retail!!) and now I manage an ADHD clinic. I love it, it's super flexible and I'm scared because I know the provider will retire within the next 5 years. Working for a corporation again sounds completely daunting. Since it's just myself and one nurse practitioner -- I have to say, I truly miss having coworkers! How do adults make new friends when they work with exactly one person? ?
 

Cathie G

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I am 30 and have only had two jobs -- apparently, once someone hires me, I pretty much refuse to quit. The first job was at Pier 1 Imports (I swear to god I will NEVER go back to retail!!) and now I manage an ADHD clinic. I love it, it's super flexible and I'm scared because I know the provider will retire within the next 5 years. Working for a corporation again sounds completely daunting. Since it's just myself and one nurse practitioner -- I have to say, I truly miss having coworkers! How do adults make new friends when they work with exactly one person? ?
Well... for one thing you just stay here on TFO and keep talking to people here.? And other places you go to also? I have the feeling you will anyway ? the next job will be a slam dunk!
 

jeff kushner

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It's funny that so many work at the same place so long......I was a Field foreman but once I moved into the office, I've worked a total of 7 places since '84 I think.

My personal rule: If you go to work with a pit in your stomach for a full month, it's time to move. Apparently, I've had 7 pits<LOL>.

Bmama, I get it. Isolation sucks ...I dated a lot and with online dating, I can "meet" a dozen people a day, then whittle them down to someone I might want to actually meet. When I dated and wanted "hookups", I used Match.............when I wanted to fall in love, I used Eharmony. If you are looking for someone more risque, pm me and I'll point you in the right direction, cause you never know. LOL

In relationships, there are givers and takers, we all know each.......I will tell you that most takers pretend they are givers.....but when two givers get together, it's really, really special!

Online dating is simple.....and the bar has been "can you write a complete sentence" for around 25 years so you will shine. Remember though, it's very easy to shine in a dark room. So get your spidy senses active and trust your gut....if someone seems wonky, THEY ARE! You seem smart, personable and outgoing..........have fun with it!

jeff
 

Toddrickfl1

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I met my best friend in GA working as a labor at a warehouse in 2005. When that job ended we both vowed we would work together again someday. Fast forward to today and we both run a 100k square foot warehouse with 30 employees.Screenshot_20211222-102714~2.png
 

Cathie G

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I met my best friend in GA working as a labor at a warehouse in 2005. When that job ended we both vowed we would work together again someday. Fast forward to today and we both run a 100k square foot warehouse with 30 employees.View attachment 337897
Cool. Now I get two faces to think of when I read your posts.?
 

ZEROPILOT

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It's funny that so many work at the same place so long......I was a Field foreman but once I moved into the office, I've worked a total of 7 places since '84 I think.

My personal rule: If you go to work with a pit in your stomach for a full month, it's time to move. Apparently, I've had 7 pits<LOL>.

Bmama, I get it. Isolation sucks ...I dated a lot and with online dating, I can "meet" a dozen people a day, then whittle them down to someone I might want to actually meet. When I dated and wanted "hookups", I used Match.............when I wanted to fall in love, I used Eharmony. If you are looking for someone more risque, pm me and I'll point you in the right direction, cause you never know. LOL

In relationships, there are givers and takers, we all know each.......I will tell you that most takers pretend they are givers.....but when two givers get together, it's really, really special!

Online dating is simple.....and the bar has been "can you write a complete sentence" for around 25 years so you will shine. Remember though, it's very easy to shine in a dark room. So get your spidy senses active and trust your gut....if someone seems wonky, THEY ARE! You seem smart, personable and outgoing..........have fun with it!

jeff
I had different positions at the same employer (The BROWARD COUNTY school board)
My first job when I was just 17 was as a laundry attendant washing towels. Then I became a custodian at 18. Then a school repairman at around 20. Then a Bodyshop worker and eventually painter, mostly on school busses. Then I walked across the street and got into vehicle maintenance and worked my final 16 years as a grounds equipment mechanic. Mostly non road vehicles, tractors and generators.
That towel washing gig got me a full pension at the age of 54.
So while I say 36-37 years at the same job. It's more complicated.
And I've also worked at several different motorcycle dealerships most of that time on the side. Although I've stopped that now.
 

newboxiemama

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I am very tha
It's funny that so many work at the same place so long......I was a Field foreman but once I moved into the office, I've worked a total of 7 places since '84 I think.

My personal rule: If you go to work with a pit in your stomach for a full month, it's time to move. Apparently, I've had 7 pits<LOL>.

Bmama, I get it. Isolation sucks ...I dated a lot and with online dating, I can "meet" a dozen people a day, then whittle them down to someone I might want to actually meet. When I dated and wanted "hookups", I used Match.............when I wanted to fall in love, I used Eharmony. If you are looking for someone more risque, pm me and I'll point you in the right direction, cause you never know. LOL

In relationships, there are givers and takers, we all know each.......I will tell you that most takers pretend they are givers.....but when two givers get together, it's really, really special!

Online dating is simple.....and the bar has been "can you write a complete sentence" for around 25 years so you will shine. Remember though, it's very easy to shine in a dark room. So get your spidy senses active and trust your gut....if someone seems wonky, THEY ARE! You seem smart, personable and outgoing..........have fun with it!

jeff
OMG I don't even know how people date online! (Probably because I watch/listen to true crime nonstop and am convinced that everyone is a threat...my spidey sense is always oh high alert!) I have been with my boyfriend for a little over 6 years and we are both total introverts. My energetic bank account feels pretty drained after about 2 hours of social interaction though so I shouldn't be complaining ?
 
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