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fishbait49

fishbait49 Aug. 26, 08 Tomorrow, early, off to MI's UP. Wooo Hooo!! I love vacation!

Updated 3 days ago


58, Male

Relationship status: Married

Member since Feb 09, 2007

Recent Activity

  • August 26
    • Aug. 26, 08 Tomorrow, early, off to MI's UP. Wooo Hooo!! I love vacation!
  • August 25
  • August 23
    • Aug. 23, 08 Finally, new computer hooked up, secured, online. What a PAIN!! But it works GREAT!!
  • August 22
    • August 22, 08 COUNTDOWN. 5 days until a 9 day vacation!!
  • August 21
  • August 20
    • August 20, 08 The MN State Fair is about to begin. FUN!!

    • History

    Places I've been
    Brainerd, MN (Hometown), I grew up in a small town in north central MN, of about 11,000. Probably about 13,000 now. The population triples in the summer as it's a very popular resort area. I graduated from my home town high school in '67. I went on to serve in the Navy from '68 to '71. Trained as a jet mechanic and served on a plane maintenance crew in California, Tennessee, back to California, then in Hawaii until discharge in '71. Pretty good duty for the time. Married my first wife while in the Navy. First child was born in '69. I was divorced 3 years later. Married my current wife in '73. She had 1 child. I started college in '74 at a junior college in Minneapolis. Earned AA/AS degrees. Worked for awhile and then enrolled in a college in St. Paul and earned a BA degree. My major was in Counseling and Human Services. I worked in a number of counseling and treatment centers for about 15 years. Left that field and worked several different jobs over the course of several years. Then on to my current environment, in a local college system, where I've been mostly, in some capacity, since '89. Lived in the Twin Cities from '71 to '94. Owned the same house for 21 years and raised my kids there. In the summer of '94 we moved to our current location about 35 miles NE of St. Paul. It's a pleasant rural farm setting much like where I grew up.
    Education
    • Metro State University St Paul
    • MCTC Minneapolis
    • Century Technical College WBL
    • Kaplan Schools St Paul
    Military
    • U.S. Navy

    View full history

    About Me

    Hello, it's FishBait49 here. My friends call me Bill. I'm 58. I'm married. I have two grown kids and two grand kids. I'm still employed full time but would just love to be full time retired. I joined Eons because I thought it sounded like a good resource for people born, raised and who had grown up in the same era as myself. My main reason for being on Eons is to communicate with others, gain resources that might be helpful and to share and exchange ideas about aging and moving through lifes many changes.

    Interests & Activities

    Favorite Movies
    I'm not sure I have favorite movies. There's a few that I watch over and over when I get the chance or tis the season. Wizard of Oz and all of the 'old' Christmas classics.
    Favorite TV Shows
    I don't subscribe to cable or satelite so my options are limited. But I just don't want to pay for either of those. However, mainstream TV has gotten pretty dismal. If I like a program, seems like it will ultimately be canceled. Some of my favorites have been Jericho, Men in Trees, Globe Trekker (still running on PBC), Journeyman, PBC's Mystery, just to name the main ones. Many years ago I was a faithful Dr. Who fan. I hate so called 'Reality TV'.
    Activities
    I engage in many activities. Some of them are; hiking, biking, gardening, landscaping, flying (small plane), kayaking, fishing, camping, day trips to small towns, spending time with my grandkids, antique shopping, going out to eat, being creative, having fun with my wife, being childish with my dog. Some things I want to learn how to do are; welding, blacksmithing, ceramic tile making, turning pots on a wheel, and creating a nice web page.
    Favorite Charities
    There are a number of charities that I give to each year. Sometimes they change from year to year. I usually keep my giving local. Even in the richest country in the world there are more than enough people right close to home who need help with one thing or another. I'm not a highly paid worker. I'm never going to get rich but I believe it's important for me to support others in need as much as I can. I also try to give of my time as much as I feel comfortable with.
    Favorite Music
    The music I listen to sometimes depends on the mood I'm in. I like most jazz except for what I refer to as schizophrenic jazz; makes me crazy! I like blues, some country western, a little rock-a-billy, especially that sung/played by women musicians, most folk, especially the old time era. I listen to a lot of 50's to 70's rock and roll.
    Favorite Books
    I don't have favorite books as much as I have favorite authors. I recently acquired the supposed last of the Easy Rawlings novels, Blonde Faith, by Walter Mosley. That series has brought me a great deal of enjoyment. One of my all time heroes has been Kurt Vonnegut. His novels had a certain influence on my life as I was growing up. I felt like I lost a friend when he died. Edward Abbey, that redical, activist park ranger was another of my favorites. I only wish he had lived longer to continue to write. My most recent favorite book is probably The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. I recently completed several historical books about the history of some of the small town areas around where I live (the St Croix River valley). And Robert Frost is probably my favorite poet.
    Favorite People
    People who are open minded, tolerant, friendly, willing to discuss issues, interested in new ideas, playful, willing to be childish, have a sense of humor and are not afraid to express it, appreciate nature, have a sense of themselves and embrace life to the fullest.
    Favorite Places
    Any nice trout stream, out in the middle of a quiet lake in my kayak, any place within sight of Lake Superior, looking out over a nice picturesque valley, looking out from the highest point in any small town.
    Favorite Animals
    Beavers, they're such industrious little buggers. Pileated wood peckers, they're amazing to watch on my suet feeders. Bald eagles, they so much make me wish I could soar on the thermals. Otters, they can give such great lessons in playfulness.

    Questions & Answers

    What are you buying at the farmers market?

    Seasonal fruits & vegetables

    Who is the first person you would tell if you won $500?

    My partner

    Are you saving for retirement?

    Yes, sometimes

    Do you own a cell phone? If yes, how long have you owned one?

    4+ years

    Who in your life is going back to school?

    No one

    If you were a contestant on Jeopardy what would be your dream trivia category?

    I would hate to be on Jeopardy. It would make me very uncomfortable. I really don't like to be the center of attention.

    Are you looking for a new job?

    Yes, I like my options open

    What is your favorite family dinner?

    There are two. Thanksgiving and Christmas. I get to engage in some of my family traditions and rituals that I find very special. These are also a couple of the few times of the year when I actually get to see most of my family. Both my own family and my family of origin.

    Who are your heroes?

    I have no living heroes. Heroes, for me, are characters of the past.

    What kind of trip would you love to take in Italy?

    A week long walking tour of Tuscany

    What is your marital status?

    Married

    What would you buy if money wasn't an object?

    Other

    What's your favorite game to play at home?

    Monopoly or other board games

    Do you think it's a good idea to pay for a child's college education?

    Yes, if you can afford it

    Who is the most interesting person you have ever met?

    I've met and know a lot of interesting people who I think have interesting lives. It would be difficult to identify just one.

    Now that you are over 50, what are you doing that you never thought you would?

    Still educating myself for at least one more career change.

    How many children do you have?

    2 - 3

    What do you typically do on a Saturday night?

    Stay at home and watch TV

    What is your educational background?

    Bachelor's/Associate's Degree

    Men look most attractive in:

    Jeans & T-shirt

    What is your favorite type of music?

    Jazz/blues

    What organizations do you belong to?

    Local Lions club and the Community Education Advisory Council in my school district.

    What is your dream vacation?

    There are just too many wonderful places in the world and way to little time to pick just one. But I would like to explore the birthplace of my ancestors, in Poland, some day.

    How is your garden doing this season?

    Blooming & gorgeous

    Where were you born?

    I was born in what's probably the most western city on Lake Superior. The larger half of the Twin Ports. One of the current shipping capitals of the upper mid-west.

    How much are you paying for a gallon of gas this week?

    $3.56 - $4.00

    What is your favorite picnic food?

    BBQ & Coleslaw

    Friends (4)

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