...he was a machinist. He had been on the job - with on the job training - for a year or two. On an hourly basis he was making more than me. After a few years though, I caught up and eventually made more than him.

I also ran into a lot of oil field workers who made a lot more than me. However, in those days the oil business had a lot of ups and downs. During downturns they often got laid off, moved around and lived on uneployment or took low paying work.

Besides, I was built for a desk and enjoyed working indoors.