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Old May 21, 2016, 08:58 AM
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GordonJ GordonJ is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: West Palm Beach, FL
Posts: 3,590
Default Quirky, off-beat, unusual jobs I've had. POST TEN

Pulled from the GJA, 'you did THAT?' file..0

Yes, yes I did.

When the new medical school opened in Rootstown, now known as Northeast Ohio Medical University, they needed simulated patients.

In addition to presenting a variety of symptoms to the students during their 'HOUSE' type diagnosis classes, I also was the first live human they examined.

A complete neurological physical, top to bottom. They trained me so I knew what they were supposed to do. Honestly, I could give a better exam than most doctors do, they speed and skip things.

When I got released from active duty in 1972, I contacted a car transport co. I think it was AAA of some kind, and drove a really hot GTO from San Francisco to New York, sort of like Burt Reynolds without Sally Field. In NY, I got to take a big Caddy down to Miami.

Also had several driving jobs, including

lot driver at two Auto Auctions
Long distance fleet pick up driver for Akron Auto Auction
Jewelry Courier for Finley Fine Jewelry (O'Neils)
Document Courier for local courier company

Driving Instructor for SEARS E-Z METHOD DRIVING SCHOOL.

Artist model (non-nude), although I worked with several others who were....I got the job because, oddly and ironically for this ADD guy, I could sit very still for long periods of time, go figure?!

Food Sampler with several companies including GFS Marketplace.
Cutlery demo guy at fairs, selling knives and such

Costumed Character. My friend Paul B. in Kent, OH owned a costume shop and I would frequently wear one of his big costumes, a magician in a huge rabbit's hat was my fav. Got paid about 250 bux for a 4 hour gig standing on sidewalk waving at people.

Mail Order "Salt"... local company paid me to buy stuff, and to collect junk mail to insure the integrity of their mailing lists, my start in the mail order biz.

Well, just a few of the crazy, weird, oddball little businesses out there, and a few of the ones I've done.

I suggest asking Dien about his books on these subjects, or his newsletter, I think he has uncovered some more since his last publication.

Care to share your unusual work experiences?

.j