[Zeke]

I started repairing bicycles when I was 12. I maintained my race kart at 14. My dad couldn't have adjusted the chain, let alone tune the thing. I always worked with my hands and tools. I ended up working for race car people, Mickey Thompson being one of the more well known. Lots of car stuff, very little money.

Someone interested me in some construction type work in my mid 20's. Much better money and a lot of pride in workmanship back in the late 60's and 70's. I worked my way through the basic trades used in home improvement and ended up a general contractor. I did delve into commercial work for a few years, but it was more about the business and less about the quality. Some pretty rough people too, when it got time to be paid. I stayed over on the residential side eventually getting into doors and windows for 25 of the 40 years spent.

I learned from the older trades guys before me, many of whom started out right after WWII. I admired these men for their ethics and ability and even their rougher way of life. I noticed that they got respect and when they got on in years they cherry picked their work never lacking for a job. Word of mouth. I figured someday I would be in their position and reap the benefits of working hard and honestly for literally 1000's of folks and a few bosses.

Things changed in the trades and this is not the thread to discuss that. It's the crappiest business to be in unless your job is to clean out crappers. That was my bad choice, to go into construction even though I've had a good run. But, I wouldn't advise the trades to any young person. I don't care about whatever shortage there may be, it's all about being exploited now with no respect.

Back in those race car days I worked with some phenomenal people. Fabricators that made the Chip Fooses of the world look like a cartoon. People that could build a tube frame car with the frame being a masterpiece of a sculpture worthy of display as art. They could form a body around the frame out of flat sheets of aluminum that were granite straight and beautifully curved. No fillers. I could have learned those trades from those men instead.

You know who is getting the respect, the word of mouth, and the decent pay today, don't you? I sure don't see anyone standing in a Home Depot parking lot looking for a job as a custom car or race car builder.