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.
For the conventional version, see my Curriculum Vitae.