BajaNomad - What do Baja Nomads do for a living?

What do Baja Nomads do for a living?

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turtleandtoad - 2-24-2008 at 11:23 AM

It was in the early 70's.

I can't say what the name of the place was because I was in silent partnership with a firefighter and his wife. (Fire and police members can't be involved in any business that sells alcohol in California) and I don't want to get them in trouble.

My liquor license was one of the old "traveling" ones that was issued to a person, not an address, and could be sold or willed to someone else. That meant it could be moved to just about any location in California as long as the zoning laws allowed it. California hasn't issued that type of license since the 50's or 60's.

We sold the place (and the license) in the mid 80's but my partners still live in Monterey.

Neal Johns - 2-24-2008 at 04:17 PM

Skipjack,
Here is my career as an aridologist:

Firstly, you have to decide what an aridologist is. Two choices, either someone who goes around smelling armpits to find out who uses Arid .... or someone who is enthralled with desert lands. I don't want to know which one you choose. :lol:

Life member Oregon-California Trails Association
(Member Trail Turtles GPS/trail mapping group)
www.octa-trails.org/

Life member Old Spanish Trail Association
www.oldspanishtrail.org/

Life member Native Seeds/SEARCH
www.nativeseeds.org/

Chief Scout Friends of the Mojave Road
www.mdhca.org/

Chairman Emeritus Desert Explorers
www.desertexplorers.org

Collector of WiW's

Skipjack Joe - 2-24-2008 at 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Neal Johns
Aridologist,
either someone who goes around smelling armpits to find out who uses Arid ....
.......
Collector of WiW's

I wonder if there's a connection between these two. :?:

Ken Bondy - 2-24-2008 at 08:30 PM

I am making a run at full-time retirement from a long career as a structural engineer. I specialized in the design and construction of post-tensioned concrete buildings, parking structures, office buildings, and residential buildings (apartments, condominiums, etc.). I co-founded two companies in the mid 1970's, one an engineering firm specializing in the structural design of concrete buildings, one a construction firm specializing in building them. My partner and I wound down those companies in the early to mid 1990's, thinking we would retire then. However I got involved in construction defect litigation and, for the last 12+ years I have been retained as a forensic consultant on over 1,000 cases. At the peak I was retained on over 150 cases at one time, now that is down to about 3. Soon it will be zero. I had several avocations, skiing, flying, diving, and the big one, underwater photography. I never tired of my work as a structural engineer specializing in concrete, it was a great ride.

Neal Johns - 2-24-2008 at 09:39 PM

Skip, ROTFLMAO

You are doing it wrong. :biggrin:

Bajafun777 - 2-24-2008 at 11:53 PM

Have worked in the fields, produce sheds, farm work (dad was a vegetable grower), meat plant worker, Peter Paul candy worker, games director at Boys and Girls Club, and finally and I do mean finally 34 years in probation as a director of juvenile hall and a shelter home for abused children. Field work with gangs and drug dealers/users both adult and juvenile also during that time. Have done numerous years doing volunteer work with 4-H clubs, FFA high school club, Boys and Girls Club, non-high school and high school wrestling clubs and teams. My time to retire is the end of this year. I have been going to Baja for over 40 years and have had great experiences and some occassional experiences that scared the hell out of me but loved it all!! When I do retire there will be no more work for pay. However, I will do volunteer work with kid programs, as somethings you just can not get out of your system. Just love seeing all the diversity that the Baja Nomads are involved in. Note, there is no job or skill that is not important as all of them make our lives better one way or another. Later---bajafun777

rogerj1 - 2-25-2008 at 01:15 AM

I've been doing the same thing for the last 27 years, basically right out of college, we used to be called stockbrokers, but now it's financial advisor. The challenge now is figuring out a way to keep doing my job while spending as much time in Mexico as I can get away with. Spotty internet and phone service make this tricky.

turtleandtoad - 2-25-2008 at 11:25 AM

Bajafun777,
Are you aware of the non-profit organization in Baja Sur that are set up for the kids? I can't remember the name but I know they are very well known and respected in the bigger towns and cities. I've run across their funds drives in Loreto, La Paz, San Jose de Cabo and Cabo San Lucas. There was a big educational exhibit on them at the San Jose town square during one of the festivals. The kids from these programs that I have met are a delight to know, and I spend a lot of time with them when I can, just listening to them and answering any questions I can.

If I ever give up the road and settle down in Mexico, one of the first things I'll do is look them up and volunteer. For now, I just help out by giving generously.

Avioinics shop owner

dravnx - 2-25-2008 at 01:02 PM

actually, it owns me.

Wingnut - 2-25-2008 at 05:49 PM

Hotel Controller for most of my career, worked with Doubletree, Hilton, and now Intercontinental Hotels Group and Crowne Plaza. Did a lot of other things growing up but that's the one that stuck. Two and a half years to retirement....

Bajagato - 2-26-2008 at 01:48 PM

I am a school crossing guard and I love it!

P.S. SLOW DOWN

pascuale - 2-26-2008 at 02:22 PM

I Valet cars, Its really not that cool

BajaWarrior - 2-26-2008 at 05:01 PM

I have been in all phases of Carpentry construction for 28 years. Framing, stacking, joisting, finish work, door installs, etc..

Currently I work as a Carpenter for San Diego Unified School District, and have so for 14 years.

I also maintain a small construction company specializing in Wood Fencing and Window Replacement.

Not the most luxurious of jobs but it pays the bills and it is rewarding.

Currently we are building a new home in Baja (close to being done) in addition to our current home and already planning our next project in San Diego.

Barry A. - 2-26-2008 at 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wingnut
Hotel Controller for most of my career, worked with Doubletree, Hilton, and now Intercontinental Hotels Group and Crowne Plaza. Did a lot of other things growing up but that's the one that stuck. Two and a half years to retirement....

You must know Bob Payne. Nice guy.

barry

jeans - 2-26-2008 at 06:16 PM

Speaker/Trainer & Ezine publisher

[Edited on 3-22-2008 by jeans]

bajaboolie - 2-26-2008 at 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajagato
I am a school crossing guard and I love it!

P.S. SLOW DOWN

Thanks for helping to keep our kids safe!

Subastador - 2-27-2008 at 11:06 AM

16 + years as a land acquisition agent for Caltrans,
21 years full time professional auctioneer - Ran my own auction business. Sold everything ---- purebred livestock - antiques - farm equipment - governmental surplus - Miscellaneous. (Auctioneers do not use the word "Junk").
9 years - Equipment and real estate appraiser for a major farm credit bank.

Closed my auction business two years ago. Still available for Charity, Benefit, and Junior Livestock auctions.

Martyman - 2-27-2008 at 02:02 PM

Commercial longline fisherman in Alaska; Crab pot webber; Cannery worker; dishwasher; cook's helper; Striped bass census guy, tortilla chip fryer; Herring study guy; Industrial Waste Inspector; Environmental Compliance Inspector; Bum.

Wingnut - 2-27-2008 at 03:23 PM

Barry A, re: Bob Payne, name does not ring a bell, which company does he work for. I am new to the IHG group and don't know everyone yet.... :?:

bajabass - 2-27-2008 at 03:26 PM

Own an automotive shop in Orange,16 years, mechanic,30 years, Baja lover since 1974!!!

Barry A. - 2-28-2008 at 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Wingnut
Barry A, re: Bob Payne, name does not ring a bell, which company does he work for. I am new to the IHG group and don't know everyone yet.... :?:

Wingnut-----He (along with others) owned the DoubleTree/ Hilton (Mission Valley), and now owns the Crowne Plaza Mission Valley (Hanelai) Hotel in San Diego. Bob just suffered a heart attack last week, but is ok now (sorta).

I sent you a U2U several days ago-----check your u2u messages.

Barry

Ken Cooke - 3-21-2008 at 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaeng
Engineer here working and living in Baja, hence the corny name bajaeng

I thought it had something to do with the English language. Now I know... :light:

Ken Cooke - 3-21-2008 at 09:40 PM

Special Educator. I work with the Mentally Retarded children. This work is extremely rewarding, but can be really tough by the end of the day. After working a full day, I usually work 1 on 1 with the children on my caseload for 2 hrs. in their homes.

These Spanish-speaking children usually cannot learn English very easily, so I do a lot of teaching in English, then Spanish, etc. This is where being bilingual has helped pay extra dividends since communication is key.

Ken Cooke - 3-21-2008 at 09:44 PM

I forgot to mention, I lead 4WD tours in Baja, Mexico. I do this because I don't like to travel alone, everyone else who does it charges lots of $$, and because if someone else did it, then I wouldn't have to.

Baja Pole Line Road (run). A historical 4WD tour.

BAJA GRANDE - this $free$ event is growing yearly

SMUGGLER'S CANYON - north of El Hongo, another popular event

Back in 2000, this guy is the only one who showed up - to tour the Sierra San Pedro Martir. He passed away in June '07. Andrews last wish was to return to the Copper Canyon. In Dec. '06/Jan. '07, I threw him a proper "life celebration."

Sierra San Pedro Martir

Copper Canyon

[Edited on 3-22-2008 by Ken Cooke]

Alan - 3-22-2008 at 07:40 AM

I've been a firefighter in SoCal for over 30 years and still loving it but I'm going to have to hang up my turnouts one of these days.

I find it funny that Police/Fire are listed as one category and I guess the public views us that way but in the realm of emergency services we are different as night and day. The only thing police officers and firefighters really have in common is that when we were kids, we both wanted to be firefighters when we grew up! :lol:

[Edited on 3-22-2008 by Alan]

[Edited on 3-22-2008 by Alan]

bajatorres - 3-22-2008 at 10:29 AM

I was in production control in Electronics for 20 years, then in the travel industry for 6, and have been retired in BuenaVista for 13.
I now do volunteer work to help educate the students of the East Cape area.
My husband was an electrical contractor for 35 years in the San Jose Ca area and now spends his days fishing.

CaboRon - 7-16-2008 at 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grover

Quote:

Originally posted by windgrrl
Registered Nurse - Mental Health.

Will work for margaritas.

Ladies and Genitalmen: I hereby nominate windgrrl as our new moderator.

What better credentials could she possibly have?

Bajalover - 7-17-2008 at 04:32 AM

It's great to read who's who. I retired 3 years ago (57) from Maersk Inc., a Danish transportation company. Wore many hats from Sales to Director of Global Sales.
A fun job for 24 years based out of many places - LSA, San Diego, Mex City, Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. Now traveling in a tin can through out Canada / USA, with visits to Baja during winter months. It's a great life!

Capt. George - 7-17-2008 at 04:54 AM

Should have posted retired, but spent over twenty years as a NYC Firefighter, mostly in the South Bronx in the seventies and eighties....was quite an experience!

Semi retired at 43 but went to work with the I.U.O.E. Local 15 running boats (a 100 ton Licensed Master for 30 yrs) on the East and Hudson rivers during rehab of the major bridges... Then ran a bakery with my wife and two children for 5 years in Provincetown, Cape Cod, MA...

After I retired (semi) I would only work a maximum of 6 months before heading south and acting as a guide in the Florida Keys for bonefish etc.

Now....................PLAYTIME!!!!!!!!!!! no more "haftas". only "want-tos"

Cypress - 7-17-2008 at 05:43 AM

Teacher, Environmentalist, Commercial Fisherman, Ship Painter, Bridge Painter, Fuel Truck Driver, Fish & Wildlife Tech., Canoe Rental/Shuttle service operator/owner and various other construction related jobs.

Retired for the past 3 yrs. :bounce:

jodiego - 7-17-2008 at 07:23 AM

Wife and I retired in 2000. Was a recreation therapist working with kids. Had some big plans for baja but lost my wife in January of 2002. Visits south are mostly surf trips.

shari - 7-17-2008 at 09:02 AM

I am so very impressed with all the Nomads who have volunteered thier personal stories...what an eclectic group we are! It's really neat to put faces to board names and even more interesting finding out what you all do/did...makes it more human and pesonal rather than just an anonymous creature making wise cracks. I thank you for being honest and sharing your lives with us. It's somehow soothing to better understand my fellow nomads.

Bajajorge - 7-17-2008 at 09:05 AM

For the 542nd time, :fire:

I am retired and I triple dip. :bounce:

BajaKeela - 7-17-2008 at 09:20 AM

I am a retired pulp mill worker..my husband is a retired millwright ...so while I ran the machinery at work .. he repaired it...Seems he's still doing it at home.. chuckle chuckle.. Otherwise our claim to fame is our four children..who turned out fantastic. Retired to Baja for the last six winters and loving it.

Bajaboy - 7-17-2008 at 09:21 AM

I teach math at a college prep middle school in the hood and love it. The kids have always been taught they can't make it and we're changing that mentality.

In my free time, I'm usually training for an endurance event. In the past, I was involved with Ironman triathlons and now with a baby on the way, I'm focusing on trail running with a 50 miler planned for May.

Zac

Bajaboy - 7-17-2008 at 10:02 AM

Funny-I met Dean about a month ago. He was premiering his movie Marathon Man at our club meeting here in San Diego. I was impressed with all the work he's done to combat childhood obesity especially among poor children.

Zac

Quote:

Originally posted by grover

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajaboy...I'm focusing on trail running with a 50 miler planned for May.

Zac

I used to sailboard quite a bit with this guy at Punta San Carlos.

I was sitting in a dentist's office, glanced over at Outside magazine, and though "guy looks kind of familiar."

Sunman - 7-17-2008 at 10:26 AM

Had forgotten about this thread...I'm a civilian working in flight test for the Navy. I manage flight operations for a flight test squadron.

Otherwise, I love to travel, Baja and otherwise.

[Edited on 7-17-2008 by Sunman]

wsdunc - 7-17-2008 at 11:15 AM

I am a production manager for a high tech company which builds lane departure warning systems (used by long haul trucking companies to wake the drowsy driver when he crosses a lane without signaling), as well as video based systems to control traffic intersections (not the ones which send you a ticket for running the dark orange light).
My wife is an infant educator performing in home visits for disabled children between 0-3 yrs of age.
We hope to step off the treadmill in the next two years and live extended part time in East Cape, and part time in Bolivia.

Sunman - 7-17-2008 at 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by grover

Quote:

Originally posted by Sunman
Had forgotten about this thread...I'm a civilian working in flight test for the Navy. I manage flight operations for a flight test squadron...

Now THAT is an interesting occupation.
I would love to hear your take on any number of wide-ranging development challenges...perhaps not in public.

Recalcitrant canopies, Osprey software/umbilical flex, various and sundry other concerns...

I went and looked at Raytheon's job site about a year ago; was blown away at how little experience they required for some Predator pilots e.g. 400 TT Instrument/Commercial.

Thanks Grover, yes, it can be quite interesting at times.
That last link is an interesting (and true) incident. Talk about a major (and emabarrassing) engineering oops! Since nobody was hurt, we enjoyed laughing at the Air Force on that one.

Osprey - 7-17-2008 at 06:24 PM

For a lot of years I was a stunt man in porno flicks. When my partner, Rocky, a Great Dane, died suddenly I gave it up. I still think of him often when I'm walking the beach, see a little fuzzy, yippy dog. Sometimes, in my bed, in the early morning hours, when it's sooo quiet I ............

so many jobs,so little time...

eetdrt88 - 7-18-2008 at 03:24 PM

recently i have been training to be a professional couch tester which is a tough gig but someones gotta do it,spent many years doing r and d for huge companies like budweiser,coors,corona,tecate....actually still in that line of work :spingrin:

handy with a hammer,and enjoy dismantling in minutes what took others many hours to construct :lol:

but the big dream i have is to write a book about the best nap spots in the world and boy do i know a few good ones in baja...napping is serious business and after a few barrels and a few beers at the beach there is nothing better that i know of than a nice long nap,well there is but not that i can mention on a public message board :lol:

bajaandy - 7-18-2008 at 09:55 PM

The past seventeen years have found me shaping and forming the gentle little minds of our future. I teach high school woodworking, architecture and computer aided drafting. Prior to that I apprenticed as a stair maker and became a licensed cabinet and millwork contractor, a trade which I thoroughly enjoyed right up til the early 90s when the economy went in the dumper. (That's when the teaching credential I had earned in college paid off!) And before the stair gig, I worked in a number of different cabinet shops in north county. I guess you could say that woodworking sort of runs in the family. My earliest memories of using tools and building something was with my grandfather in his home shop. One of my brothers became (and is still) a building contractor. (Emphasis on "sort of". Dad was an optometrist, but I owe my love of Baja to him. His slides of trips down the peninsula in the early 70's fired my imagination. )

Sure is cool to see what everybody does (or doesn't do!) for a living!

Timo1 - 7-19-2008 at 06:21 AM

My full time job is trying to convince Barb that its time to retire and move to
Baja....In the meantime I operate heavy equipment....the BIG stuff...Mostly
excavators and dozers...We move mountains that get in the way to build roads thru them

Bajagypsy - 7-19-2008 at 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Timo1
My full time job is trying to convince Barb that its time to retire and move to
Baja....In the meantime I operate heavy equipment....the BIG stuff...Mostly
excavators and dozers...We move mountains that get in the way to build roads thru them

Timo1, I try to convince Todd everyday that it is time to retire and move to Baja, we need to double up, you tell Todd, and I'll tell Barb!!! :lol:

The Sculpin - 7-19-2008 at 08:21 AM

Where to start!
Equestrian (Hunter\Jumpers)
Tennis Player
Surfer and shaper
Rock Star
Husband
Fish Monger
Door-Door Insurance Sales (that one is guaranteed to bruise the ego)
Father
Real Estate Broker
Ran several community non-profit org's.
4X4 mechanic (only in baja)
CPA
Currently a corporate tax executive in a public hotel company
World Traveler (Just returned from Bora Bora - oh man, what clear water!)
Too damn busy to retire!!!!

Paula - 7-19-2008 at 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by The Sculpin
Where to start!
Equestrian (Hunter\Jumpers)
Tennis Player
Surfer and shaper
Rock Star
Husband
Fish Monger
Door-Door Insurance Sales (that one is guaranteed to bruise the ego)
Father
Real Estate Broker
Ran several community non-profit org's.
4X4 mechanic (only in baja)
CPA
Currently a corporate tax executive in a public hotel company
World Traveler (Just returned from Bora Bora - oh man, what clear water!)
Too damn busy to retire!!!!

Which rock star are you?

Timo1 - 7-19-2008 at 08:55 AM

I'm with ya BajaGypsy....We got or work cut out for us

Barbareno - 7-20-2008 at 07:13 AM

In the past I worked as a telephone operator, even have a jack as a fob (that sounds rude).

A flag girl for one year. That was fun. Especially the last day when I walked into a pub in full gear and the stripper was playing the part, hard hat, vest, steal toed boots. Man did I get razzed.

What else...oh worked as a check out girl in a produce store. That was when I was first introduced to cilantro. Had no idea what it was but it sure smelt good. So I made up some soup. Tasted like Tim's work boots. Didn't know I wasen't suppose to put in the whole bundle. Its taken 20 years but now have Tim convinced he likes cilantro. Just a smiggion.

For the last 19 years I have been working at the same job as office admin. Accounts recievable, payables, parts ordering, customer service. A family operated store that sells high end appliances. So I deal with the big wigs manufactor's. Imagine people that need a $10,000.00 BBQ or a $5000.00 coffee maker, a dryer that not only dry's your clothes but will iron and fold them as well. Okay I am exaggerating on the dryer.

All this on a grade 12 education.

50 seems too young retire, but I am ready. Truely. Get me out of here.

Barb

palmeto99 - 7-20-2008 at 08:12 AM

Great thread... After I graduated from Clemsom I went to work for a very old Senator who went on to serve 18 more years after I left his employ.
I dabbled in land and worked for a company that sent me to Cabo in the 80s and I fell in love with the area. I bought property in the 90s and spent 12 years consulting to a large title insurance company based in Texas.
I am now retired and still get involved in the odd project but would rather fish and play with my dogs ... I was able to travel to most parts of Baja with my job and have seen the good,the bad and the ugly.. :cool:

palmeto99 - 7-20-2008 at 10:03 AM

Thats a good one.. :lol:

gibson - 7-20-2008 at 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by palmeto99
I was able to travel to most parts of Baja with my job and have seen the good,the bad and the ugly

and you chose Lorghetto ??? hahahahahaha

palmeto99 - 7-20-2008 at 10:07 AM

Before the Bay project B$, It was a great town..

windgrrl - 7-20-2008 at 11:58 AM

Registered Nurse - Mental Health Services Manager

Animal care - mostly birds

BajaHawk - 7-20-2008 at 01:27 PM

I manage an animal collection for a municipal zoo/aquarium. Mostly care for birds native to SoCal area (raptors, waterfowl, shorebirds). Do some endangered species breeding and release.

Get's my vote

Sharksbaja - 7-20-2008 at 01:37 PM

Puddycat.jpg - 8kB

Jack Swords - 7-20-2008 at 04:36 PM

Nice thread. Very interesting to see some of folk's backgrounds. After 5 years in banking, I began teaching math and science in junior high shools in Santa Maria, CA. Worked for the State of CA writing science curriculum during summers, not relevant anymore under the new politics. Wife taught ROP. Retired 10 years ago after 30 years in the classroom, sailed boat down to La Paz (Marina de La Paz) where we live for 5-6 months of the year. Volunteer teaching English, assisting in several groups that work with kids in poorer parts of the city. Will be down again Dec. - April and hope to meet any Nomads in the area. La Paz is truly our second "home".

triarts - 7-21-2008 at 09:42 AM

first job cutting lawns, then washing dishes, working retail nursery, 2 years w uncle sam, past 37 years printing t shirts. first trip to baja 1958, last trip june 2008

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