There is a special part of Hell I'd like to reserve for those arses that order every single Sunday paper. Do you know how heavy that makes the bundle of papers some poor kid (ie me) has to lug around? Funny how your papers always seemed to get mangled in your letterbox...

I loved my paper round, but, looking back, I was getting paid peanuts to ruin my back and cycle around in the cold and dark. How were you exploited as a child?

I painted my neighbor's fence and got paid for it.

I did a bit of babysitting.


And just recently I got my social security statement and realized I've been working and paying income taxes since 1991! Half of my life!

Self chosen exploitation but nevertheless... I went to the stables and worked my ass off, also in the cold and often I was freezing my behind off... why did we do these things? I didn't even start getting paid until I was 14 and I'd been doing pretty much the same shit since I was 8

I remember when I was around 7 I suddenly got obsessed with the idea of earning a bit of money (maybe because my family's economy was so-so at the time and I had overheard my parents worrying about money), so I decided to go out into the street and sell these tiny ginger bread cookies that we'd made, for around $1 a piece. My mom tried her very best to talk me out of it, but I insisted so out I went into the snow and cold. It didn't take more than 10 minutes or so before an old lady came by and felt sorry for me and bought the whole overpriced lot. I was overjoyed.

retina said:

What a cute little Peter you were!

living on the farm meant it was pretty hard to do anything until you had your license. and driving every day was a no no. you only did that for important things. so i babysat. and most times that money went to buying prince albums or cassettes from his back catalogue. or later sometimes booze

Worked for my grandma for a $1.00/h in the 60's mowing her vast lawn and pulling weeds. Had to take a shovel and dig a wedge along the cement driveway and the lawn so it looked finished. (before the days of weedeaters)
Also dug a mound at the base of her 15 trees. (Turned the soil up in a pile)
Painted her "Blessed Virgin" statue in the flower garden and the statue of I forget his name, another saint, Franciscan, at the birdbath. Had to take a wire brush and scrape off the bird doo-doo.
Early jobs teach discipline: showing up on time, doing a job properly, dealing with a boss. Don't regret a minute of it.
When I wasn't doing that, I was helping her make pasta and tortollini. Ricota/spinach, and meat fillings. Notice how I segued into food..
[Edited 4/11/07 17:44pm]
[Edited 4/11/07 19:24pm]

I cleaned my dad's office. Made like $25 per week. I bought a Nintendo, an English saddle (I didn't have a horse, but my neighbor let me ride his, and he only had western saddles). . .untold quantities of Laffy Taffy and Snickers bars. . . every Sweet Valley and Saddle Club book ever published. . .it was great.



Gawd, I miss feeling like having $25 per week was living the high life. I need to mentally transport myself back to that time.
[Edited 4/11/07 19:15pm]

You know what I hated the most about working in a child labour camp?
The taskmaster's whip.
That damn thing stung like a motherfucker!


To this day,
I can almost still feel the lashmarks burning on my back whenever I see a designer purse or a person of South American descent.

/
[Edited 4/11/07 19:32pm]

I was sent to talk to the senile old bat next door.....I suppose one can only guess what effects that had on my life

Illustrator said:

I can't explain it. You make me want to buy a whip. No "almost feel" about it.

I don't think I ever made any money except my 20 cents each saturday

meggy said:

Hahahaha at least she didn't chase you down the street with that ax of hers.

HereToRockYourWorld said:

OMG!
I loved Sweet Valley High books! Those and babysitters club.

Carrie!

Cloudbuster said:

Cloudy!

Cloudbuster said:

You did notice this thread right?

http://www.prince.org/msg/100/223969

There's a fair amount of drooling going on there too.

retina said:

You also saved my pic to crack one off to, huh?

Bless.

Cloudbuster said:

If "crack one off to" is British slang for "throw darts at" then yes.

retina said:

Cloudbuster said:

Jealousy can drive a man into all kinds of pub activities.

CarrieMpls said:

My best friend had all of the Babysitters Club books. I read a lot of those too.