A page is dedicated to how we have spent much of our waking lives.

From two surveys

2013

2015

Describe the career(s) you have had? e.g engineer, teacher, plumber, marketing

Teacher (7), Architect (3), Banking (3), Insurance (2), Accountant (2), Builder (2), Industrial Chemist, Sales Manager, Consultant, Sales Rep, Gardening Contractor, Aviation Safety Regulator, Economic Forecasting, Risk Manager, Environmental Scientist, Co. Director, Pedorthist, venture capital investment; investment banker, Business management; technician, retail sales, Area Manager, General Manager; Public servant, truck driver, estate manager, gardener, pool table coverer; priest and gardener; financial advice; Military (Lt Col Retd), author, historian, tour guide, consultant; soldier, marketing; Research physicist; transport planner; Retail Sales, Computer Sales and support, IT technical, Naturopath; Sales, Management, own businesses; Carpenter Handyman, Advertising sales; marketing; Information Technology; Psychotherapist; Civil Marriage/Funeral Celebrant; Cartographer;

28/7/04 from Stig Falster

Comprehending Engineers - Take One

Two engineering students were walking across campus when one said, "Where did you get such a great bike?" The second engineer replied, "Well, I was walking along yesterday minding my own business when a beautiful woman rode up on this bike. She threw the bike to the ground, took off all her clothes and said, "Take what you want. " The second engineer nodded approvingly, "Good choice; the clothes probably wouldn't have fitted."

Comprehending Engineers - Take Two

An architect, an artist and an engineer were discussing whether it was better to spend time with the wife or a mistress. The architect said he enjoyed time with his wife, building a solid foundation for an enduring relationship. The artist said he enjoyed time with his mistress, because of the passion and mystery he found there. The engineer said, "I like both." "Both?" Engineer: "Yeah. If you have a wife and a mistress, they will each assume you are spending time with the other woman, and you can go to the plant and get some work done."

Comprehending Engineers - Take Three

What's the difference between Engineers and Architects? Engineers build weapons, Architects build targets.

Comprehending Engineers - Take Four

To the optimist, the glass is half full. To the pessimist, the glass is half empty. To the engineer, the glass is twice as big as it needs to be.

Comprehending Engineers - Take Five

"An Engineer and His Frog" An engineer was crossing a road one day when a frog called out to him and said, "If you kiss me, I'll turn into a beautiful princess". He bent over, picked up the frog and put it in his pocket. The frog spoke up again and said, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a beautiful princess, I will stay with you for one week." The engineer took the frog out of his pocket, smiled at it and returned it to the pocket.

The frog then cried out, "If you kiss me and turn me back into a princess, I'll stay with you and do ANYTHING you want." Again the engineer took the frog out, smiled at it and put it back into his pocket. Finally, the frog asked, "What is the matter? I've told you I'm a beautiful princess, that I'll stay with you for a week and do anything you want. Why

won't you kiss me?" The engineer said, "Look I'm an engineer. I don't have time for a

girlfriend, but a talking frog, now that's cool."

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

Definition: Structural engineering is the art of modelling materials we do not wholly understand into shapes we cannot precisely analyse so as to withstand forces we cannot properly assess in such a way that the public at large has no reason to suspect the extent of our ignorance.

29/7/04 from David Wilson

Comprehending engineer? Isn't that an oxymoron? There you go, John Holme! Your English teaching had some residual effect!

PS As this group's honorary Naturopath, you are advised to obtain before the Sunday morning some Nux Vomica which has a splendid effect on hangovers.

28/7/04 from Greg Baxter

Does anyone remember who uttered the immortal words "I think most of you fellows are flogging a dead horse!" and the circumstances surrounding the remark?

29/7/04 from Rob Symington

You're floggin' a dead horse with this old joker. Can't remember a flippin' thing. Are you going to do a Bob Dyer on the night?

30/7/04 from Greg Baxter

Noone so illustrious I'm afraid, Gary, unless he had a former life, and no I'm not going to coduct a Bob Dyer, Rob - I think just recognising people and slotting them is going to be challenge enough for whatever grey cells remain!

It was none other than our inimitable Ellis Reynolds after the results came back for 5E's trial leaving cert. He was not impressed. (I must have been though, to remember something like that for 40 bloody years!!!)

28/7/04 from Warwick Werner

John, I'm also an architect and still married to my wife of 33 years - not all smooth sailing but still fun. Can't understand anyone being married to an engineer for that long.

28/7/04 from Greg Neilson

John - You seem to have hit a raw nerve there somewhere!! This architect is still married to the same gal after 30 years - couldn't imagine it any other way. Having worked with gingerbeers of all persuasions over the years there are a few definitions that aren't too savoury that might see the light of day soon!!

28/7/04 from John Adderley

NOW NOW Girls! Settle down, or there'll be tears before bedtime. I think the biscuit can be taken for multiple marriages by cinematographers. I have more serial wedders amongst my cameraman friends than any others, but I have had the same wife since 1971. I think long absences can be beneficial to a relationship for some but terminal for others. My wife knew what I did before I married her and sometimes says, "when are you going away again so I can get on with my life?"..... She is only kidding n'est pas? ... I think...

28/7/04 from Jeremy Cahill

I don't know about this, but could it be that :

The camera doesn't lie, but the cameraman does, especially with other women?

The architect has designs on other ladies.?

The engineer would prefer a familiar screw to an an extramarital bolt, where either would loosen his nuts. ?

As I said I don't know and I almost apologise for offering an opinion.

5/8/16 from Stig Falster

Since there is so much talk about marriage, I know of at least one of our cohort who has had very many wives. He shall remain anonymous! It does, however, remind me of this one:

10 Husbands and Still A Virgin

A lawyer married a woman who had previously divorced ten husbands. On their wedding night, she told her new husband, "Please be gentle, I'm still a virgin."

What?" said the puzzled groom. "How can that be if you've been married ten times?"

"Well, Husband #1 was a sales representative; he just kept telling me how great it was going to be.

Husband #2 was in software services; he was never really sure how it was supposed to function, but he said he'd look into it and get back to me

Husband #3 was from field services; he said everything checked out diagnostically but he just couldn't get the system up.

Husband #4 was in telemarketing; even though he knew he had the order, he didn't know when he would be able to deliver.

Husband #5 was an engineer; he understood the basic process but wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state-of-the-art method.

Husband #6 was from finance and administration; he thought he knew how, but he wasn't sure whether it was his job or not.

Husband #7 was in marketing; although he had a nice product, he was never sure how to position it.

Husband #8 was a psychologist; all he ever did was talk about it.

Husband #9 was a gynecologist; all he did was look at it.

Husband #10 was a stamp collector; all he ever did was... God! I miss him!

But now that I've married you, I'm really excited!"

"Good," said the new husband, "but, why?"

"You're a lawyer. This time I know I'm gonna get screwed!"