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Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Southern California
Posts: 2,547
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Had lunch with my former boss today
When I was in High School, I had a 1967 Datsun that was always breaking down. I took it to a mechanic in the next city, South El Monte, to have the slave cylinder replaced. This was when I was 15 years old and knew nothing about cars. The mechanic needed an assistant, and I needed money to pay for my repairs.
He gave me an after-school job at minimum wage. I rode a bike 4.5 miles to and from work after school until my car ran, then drove until I graduated high school. I went on with the Marine Corps and police force. A few days ago, I showed my youngest daughter where I used to work and I got to thinking about my former boss, Paul. I looked him up on the internet and found a contact number for him a few cities over. I called him yesterday, and I invited him to lunch today. I picked him up, he is a senior citizen now, and we had lunch. Over the course of the next two hours, we reminisced about the good-old-days. I told him how much he had taught me, more than just mechanics. He was an old-school, tough as nails boss who taught me about hard work, character, and life. I owe a lot to old Paul. He had no idea that I was actually listening when he was talking when I was a kid! It brought the old man to tears. He is someone I will always hold in the highest regard. Just thought I would share, David
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99 996 C4 11 Panamera 4S 83 SC Targa converted to a 964 cab (sold) 67 912 (sold) 58 Karmann Ghia choptop (traded for the 912) Last edited by DavidI; 08-06-2009 at 07:58 PM.. |
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08-06-2009, 07:55 PM
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Registered Cruiser
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Pursuing Happiness
Posts: 3,892
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Great story. We should all be so lucky to have mentors in our lives.
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87' Carmine Red Carrera - Keeper 82' Silver SC - Sold 79' Gran Prix White SC - Sold 05' Black C2S - Daily driver I have never really completely understood anything. |
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08-06-2009, 08:08 PM
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Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Michigan
Posts: 14,093
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I'm sure he is very proud of you. Great story.
I spoke to a former client yesterday and he told me a similar story about the kids that worked for him at his grocery store. They still stop in to talk to him.
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1981 911SC ROW SOLD - JULY 2015 Pacific Blue Wayne |
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08-06-2009, 08:10 PM
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Slackerous Maximus
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Columbus, OH
Posts: 18,206
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Great story. Good on you for looking the guy up. He made a difference in your life, and it was nice for you to let him know.
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2022 Royal Enfield Interceptor. 2012 Harley Davidson Road King 2014 Triumph Bonneville T100. 2014 Cayman S, PDK. Mercedes E350 family truckster. |
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08-06-2009, 08:18 PM
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Used to be Singpilot...
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Sioux Falls, SD is what the reg says on the bus.
Posts: 1,867
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A lesson here. Tell the ones that made a difference to you before it's too late.
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08-06-2009, 08:34 PM
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great story!
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poof! gone |
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08-06-2009, 08:37 PM
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Cogito Ergo Sum
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My boss is a mentor much the same way except I work for my father. He drills me on hard work and shrewd business. On occasion spending all of my time around him gets old but most of the time we are able to crack jokes and have a good time at work.
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08-06-2009, 09:58 PM
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Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: So. Cal.
Posts: 9,123
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It's a great form of give back. Years ago I stopped at the business of a boss from maybe 20 years before. I told him he had been an inspiration to me and I had made many decisions in my life based on how I thought he would have handled them. Her was moved and said nobody had ever told him anything like that. I was glad to have given a little back to him.
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Marv Evans '69 911E |
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08-06-2009, 10:35 PM
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Back in the saddle again
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Central TX west of Houston
Posts: 56,335
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Nice, the best part about the story is that you looked him up and told him.
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Steve '08 Boxster RS60 Spyder #0099/1960 - never named a car before, but this is Charlotte. '88 targa  SOLD 2004 - gone but not forgotten
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08-07-2009, 05:14 AM
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Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,664
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Kudos for taking the time to look him up and meet with him. Few things make you feel better than making a difference in someone's life.
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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08-07-2009, 05:41 AM
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Location: Usa
Posts: 5,573
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Quote:
angela
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Hello http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1102514-we-lost-amazing-woman-yesterday.html |
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08-07-2009, 06:04 AM
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Higgs Field
Posts: 22,653
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Outstanding, David. Simply outstanding.
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Jeff '72 911T 3.0 MFI '93 Ducati 900 Super Sport "God invented whiskey so the Irish wouldn't rule the world" |
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08-07-2009, 06:47 AM
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Posts: 1,638
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Great story David.
Thank you for sharing. Mike |
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08-07-2009, 10:44 AM
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Banned
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: South of Heaven
Posts: 21,159
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Quote:
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08-07-2009, 11:05 AM
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: N. Phoenix AZ USA
Posts: 28,969
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Quote:
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2021 Subaru Legacy, 2002 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins (the workhorse), 1992 Jaguar XJ S-3 V-12 VDP (one of only 100 examples made), 1969 Jaguar XJ (been in the family since new), 1985 911 Targa backdated to 1973 RS specs with a 3.6 shoehorned in the back, 1959 Austin Healey Sprite (former SCCA H-Prod), 1995 BMW R1100RSL, 1971 & '72 BMW R75/5 "Toaster," Ural Tourist w/sidecar, 1949 Aeronca Sedan / QB |
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08-07-2009, 04:47 PM
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sudo apt-get purge 930
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 4,838
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I did the same thing with my boss straight out of high school. I gave that man such a hard time. Years later I was back in town and stopped by the old shop. I took him out to lunch and gave him my respects. I did it more for me than him to be honest. I never forgot what a pain in as$ I was to him and wanted to thank him for helping to open my eyes to the real world. It was a great feeling.
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Mark 1979 930 Euro ***GONE AND DON'T MISS IT AT ALL*** "Worrying about depreciation on your car and keeping mileage down is like not ****ing your girlfriend so her next boyfriend finds her more appealing" --clutch-monkey |
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08-07-2009, 05:05 PM
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Great story and great job on getting back in touch with the man. That probably made his day and yours too...! Thanks for sharing it with us.
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08-07-2009, 05:07 PM
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Son of a Son of a Sailor
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Birmingham, Al
Posts: 945
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An old guy that taught me a lot used to say, "Send 'em their flowers while they're living, 'cause they can't smell 'em when they're dead."
I try to take every opportunity I can to tell those that have meant so much to me how I feel rather than telling their widow/widower how great a guy/gal he or she was..... Great Story! |
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08-07-2009, 05:08 PM
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Really great that he knows the positive influence he made.
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Ray H. 1979 911SC Coupe 2000 986 |
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08-07-2009, 05:11 PM
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1986 Porsche 944 2.5l
993 Cab
1979 Porsche 911SC coupe
2000 Porsche 986 Boxster
