Newspaper carrier: from the ages of 13 to 16, I delivered the daily paper Newsday along a route of 32 homes in Plainview, NY (about 2 hours a day; longer if I took my baby brother or the dog). In addition, I had to collect the weekly fees from each customer -- including the deadbeats. Looking back, it was an unlikely livelihood but what else could I do at that age? This opened up for me the worlds of responsibility, independence and perseverance.
Babysitter: for about 4 teenage years, while my friends were out drinking and gallivanting, I regularly babysat for 6 families. Yeah, even on New Years Eve.
Internship at Charlie Pillar Pediatric Dentistry: "Dr. Charlie" is a legend and I'm lucky enough to have assisted him at 16. My job was to play off his jokes and hand him tools and gauze pads.
Telemarketing: In 1982, I called people and asked them if they were interested in time sharing. It was a lousy job but I needed money.
Flower delivery: Pennock Wholesale Flowers. Delivered flowers to florists around Long Island and Queens. I had to know the names of all flowers we sold. I used to bring home the leftovers every day, which pleased my mom.
University Law Enforcement Department (ULED) "Escort" service: SUNY-Binghamton. Night shifts during my first year at college. If someone felt unsafe walking around campus at night, they could call Security and I would get a call by walkie-talkie: who to escort, and where. Between escorts I would monitor the fire extinguishers in the dormitories, basements, lecture halls etc. I learned how to wield authority and responsibility professionally and friendly, even as a 'security guy'.
Oxygen delivery: for 4 summers while at university, I delivered (heavy) liquid oxygen tanks to dying patients all over NYC and Long Island. The money was good, thanks to hazard pay and heavy lifting. I regularly spent time with these patients, each happy to get their O2 supply on time. I learned to organize my schedule so as to deliver the right amount of oxygen at the right time. And I got to refine my 'bedside manner'.
Asbestos abatement: South Bronx, NYC, 1990. I wasn't actually removing the asbestos, but I donned a hazmat suit at 8am to set up the air meter, and again at 4pm to take readings. In between, I either slept in the car and/or wandered around the most dangerous neighborhood in the City.
Bartender: "The Last Waterhole", red light district, Amsterdam, 1991-92. Probably the most fun job I ever had. Live bands every night! I learned how to persuade drunk and sometimes aggressive people to go home at closing time, and I never had to use the emergency 'protection' hotline to call the Hell's Angels.
Cook: kitchen work in various restaurants (1990s) in Amsterdam. I managed the kitchen in two of these: Theehuis in Diemen, and on Zeedijk (red light district).
Rhetorical consultant: Amsterdam, 1991-1993. Established "Network CV" resume-writing service, placing flyers in employment agencies, and eventually coaching job candidates at all levels.
Telesales: Amsterdam, 1994. Selling international lottery tickets to Brits over the phone. I eventually figured out that the company was not actually buying any lottery tickets, but was instead acting as the lottery. I soon quit that job.
Sauna Fenomeen: Amsterdam, 1995-1999. Volunteer on the board and weekly shifts behind the bar. My mandate at this squatter's sauna club was to turn it from an illegal establishment into a legal one, with all the associated regulations. As most of the members were anarchists, this was an exercise in diplomacy, to say the least.