Electricians do have some serious job-related safety issues, though--my mom's high school BFF lost her brother when he touched a power cable while doing an install.

The receptionist in my office participated in a non-traditional jobs for women program, certified as a carpenter, got in the union, the whole bit, and then decided she couldn't deal with the day-to-day bullshit she had to deal with as a woman in a non-traditional job. So now she's underpaid and underappreciated in my office, and builds stuff for her own house.

See, Jesse's receptionist is who I need to be friends with, who could slowly do work in my place. Slowly is how I would need to pay for it. Lots of paint stripping.

I keep thinking about buying lotto tickets, but then I remind myself of the odds, and how they're better if I want to get struck by lightening.

I think of them as a cheap form of entertainment.

Ah, yes. I learned that one the hard way, when I was switching out the power cord on my clothes dryer. "Will this even work in the plug?" ZAP "Yes. Yes it will. Also, yikes!"

I was installing a kitchen ceiling fan and discovered that the ceiling light was not on the kitchen breaker. I didn't really get much of a shock, but it made me a bit more cautious.

I bought a tester thingy just for that reason. I did several light fixture switches in my place and have some wall outlets that needed to be closed off.

We had the half day trade school thing too, but when I was in school, only one or two people who weren't in special education went to trade school, so even if it looked interesting, no one wanted to go. Also, considering the cow that was had when I didn't want to take AP classes I can't imagine the guidance counselor letting me go learn to be a hair dresser.

See, Jesse's receptionist is who I need to be friends with, who could slowly do work in my place. Slowly is how I would need to pay for it. Lots of paint stripping.

If you're serious, remind me next week, and I'll find out if she's interested in any of that kind of work.

We had the half day trade school thing too, but when I was in school, only one or two people who weren't in special education went to trade school, so even if it looked interesting, no one wanted to go.

It was more popular at my school, it may be a regional thing.

Gud, I think trade jobs are in demand. I know in my neighborhood - there are only 2 plumbers that get recommended and both are older guys - neither has young apprentices that I've ever seen and it can take weeks to get on their schedule...

The market isn't seem over saturated here either, but the last time we've needed a plumber or HVAC guy we've been able to get somebody the same day.

I'm totally serious, probably to start in the spring. But it really is paint stripping.