[TheForge] Re: Passing on

[Andy Vida]

Jerry Smith wrote:
> 
>          Try the UAE as a family body guard, about $150 to $250 a year,
> personal quarters, no taxes, the hand me down cars have Benz in the name.
> They do look for SF training as well as some cultural sensitivity. They do
> have practicing blacksmiths in their countries, they use different tools
> and techniques but make nice things.

	SF?

	As for cultural sensitivity, that I have plenty of.  Nothing 
	uglier than being a mannerless American in a foreign land.
	I once sat in a restaurant in Viennna and there was this guy
	with what sounded like a Texas accent. "What is this shit?"
	he would say, loudly for all to hear. "In America, we have
	real food..." and on and on he went for perhaps five minutes
	or more.  I was twelve and wanted to squeeze between the floor
	boards for embarrassment.  It was mortifying.

	Seshat grew up in Abu Dhabi.  Safer than Iraq.  

>          These days, I would rather be poor in North America than dead some
> where else. This is the wisdom of growing older and having been be in that
> crazy old Asia war 35 years ago.

	I suppose you're right, but one has to work some time.  A few things
	are in the pipeline, but I can't hold out a whol lot longer.  Once
	there are no more assets to sell, what does one do, go on welfare?

	I've even tried to find jobs in blacksmith or fab shops.  No smiths in
	the Portland area that I have been able to find, and the few fabs I've
	talked to were doing structural and needed welding up to that purpose,
	which I don't have.

	Something will break... at least I hope so. :)