A New Career, can it be done?

[pktruckdriver]

Well most of you know me as a truck driver, An Owner Operator, as we say in the trucking business.

That means I own my own truck, but I run under another companies authority, it is about the only way for independents like myself to have a chance to survive.

Please note that is for me, there are others out here more organized and better in business than me that are doing great, they have done the necessary things needed to survive, things I have not been able to do, and be honest with you, may not be able to do, as my cash reserve is zero and credit is too low to finance needed equipment updates, so that said, it seems that we come to the question in the title, can I change careers?

At Mid-Life , 45 years old, can a man change Careers, no college degree to fall back upon, just 45 yrs of the College of Hard Knocks to rely on.

Does anyone have any type of direction that I may think about going, any suggestions that may be actually possible for me?

Horseplayer is out, I can not hit the broadside of a barn with a sawed off shotgun from 6ft away, case in point ,this years Ky Derby and then the Breeders Cup too, I lost both small bankrolls I had for them, less than $1000 total for both, but I did lose both banks completly on those 2 big events, now these were special cases, with what I called possible life changing payout events, and I experienced no life changing hit's, never have in my entire life, but each year I keep trying, and will continue to do so. Never lose the dream.


Now being a Horseplayer is not like that last paragraph, that is dreaming of getting lucky, not responsible horse playing, which I admit I am taking steps to become a more effecient player, but it too, is a very time consuming thing to do, and w/out a bankroll to begin , one does not become a horseplayer from a 1000.00 bankroll, I doubt it has ever been done, and I find it hard to believe that I could do it, so lets take Pro Handicapper out of the career changing thing.


Maybe start a website based pick service, one that gives out 4 contenders in each race at each track, and throw in a longshot or 2 at each track, and I feel that when you use my top 4 choices, you will win, but would I play them, no of course not, but does that matter, especially if they are priced right, and come with betting instructions , example pick 3, play 4x4x4 , or box top 4 picks in exacta, trifecta and superfecta, and I am sure in time I will show a profit, same as these other site's do, why should I be any different, can some one help me with a website design, some advertising, and who knows , maybe I can become the next "Wizard", God he must make millions each year, I would be happy with just lower 6 figures.

Well if we take those 2 things out, then seriously what can I do for looking for my next career, honestly in these times, what can a 45yr old man, a fat one at that, so hard labor is out of the equation, so what should I do, can I do, classess I could take, partnerships I could form, lines of business I could pursue, as I am limited to knowledge of the transportation industry, off-shore fishing is another huge passion of mine, a passion with knowledge galore, but how to put it into a career? I can't afford a 53ft boat , or about 100 grand for a new truck and tralier, and the other things needed to keep going in the trucking business, maybe becoming a trucking industry consultant, but to who would I consult, as I say I guess I am limited to possible new career choices, but would be willing to listen to this board tell me what they think, I am thick skinned, so do not hold back, let me know what you think. Try to be helpful, but being funny is okay.


Again thanks

Patrick

[pktruckdriver]

A disclaimer from the above post, please forgive any mis-understanding


I guess that I need to add that not all pick service are top 4 type of services, that some are a more detailed and are actually worth the money they charge for their service, but there are still the top 4 type out there, and they were what I was referring to, with my diatribe, no offense was meant to all pick services, as i said some are very good at what they do, or so they say.....

Patrick

[chickenhead]

I feel for you Patrick, I'm not quite in the same boat but dealing with similiar issues. My career so far has been with electronics/telecommunications companies, but it's obvious that the scope of work that will remain here in the US is becoming more and more limited each year. With a lot of years left in my working career, I have really no confidence or want really to remain to fight over a smaller and smaller pie each year, it doesn't appear it will be a sustainable career.

So while I'm not in need of switching careers right now, I'm certainly considering it. Either that, or perhaps learning Mandarin.

[cmoore]

Hey Pk..I'm not sure what career you could go into..I've worked at the same company for over 21 years and if I ever lost my JOB..I would try making it at the horses.

Just a little advice. Never ever use your bankroll for 1 or 2 days of play. I don't care if its breeders cup day and the payouts will be fat and possibly life changing. It doesn't matter. I did absolutely terrible that day also..But I bet very little..Those days are very hard to handicapp imo. Do this..Save up another small bankroll. Say 500 bucks. Pick 1 to 3 tracks and focus on what you think is your strong area..Sprints, routes, mdns , turfs, stake races etc. Make $20 win bets and thats it..For you to go broke. you would have to lose 25 times straight..its not going to get you rich. But you have to take baby steps. Don't throw $1000 at 2 different days of betting at fields that are very very competitive.

[INFRONT07]

PATRICK;
Do what I did;go to dealers school and become a dealer in a casino.I was a few years younger then you but the casino;s like older dealers.good money and a fun job if you like it.it;s never too late.
PS I was also a truck driver.
Good luck;ill help you in any way if your interested in taking this route:)

[pktruckdriver]

Outsourcing

How bad is it and will it affect my career change?

While America has lost 1 million jobs since 2001, employers have been outsourcing hundreds of thousand of jobs to other countries in order to lower their costs. And they've moved millions more to low-cost contractors in the U.S. that provide services on the cheap by paying low wages and providing few or no benefits to employees.

Not only is the Bush Administration not helping the workers and families devastated by these job losses, they think outsourcing is a "good thing" and "a plus for the economy."


Jobs in demand according to Goverment statistics:

See anything in there for me?
http://www.careervoyages.gov/top50occupations-main.cfm

Time to see if any type of school is taking 45 yrs old faat guys.

Patrick

[pktruckdriver]

Hey Pk..I'm not sure what career you could go into..I've worked at the same company for over 21 years and if I ever lost my JOB..I would try making it at the horses.

Just a little advice. Never ever use your bankroll for 1 or 2 days of play. I don't care if its breeders cup day and the payouts will be fat and possibly life changing. It doesn't matter. I did absolutely terrible that day also..But I bet very little..Those days are very hard to handicapp imo. Do this..Save up another small bankroll. Say 500 bucks. Pick 1 to 3 tracks and focus on what you think is your strong area..Sprints, routes, mdns , turfs, stake races etc. Make $20 win bets and thats it..For you to go broke. you would have to lose 25 times straight..its not going to get you rich. But you have to take baby steps. Don't throw $1000 at 2 different days of betting at fields that are very very competitive.

Cmoore, you are so right, and believe it or not ,I am going to be doing exactly what you suggest, I am going to start with a small bankroll and concentrate on a few small tracks that show promise, but I need more time to study and learn before I step out into the great wide open.

1. As far as playing for that one big hit, well that will not stop either, I still play the lottery once in awhile, why, because it would be nice to hit that , and they say if you do not play then you do not win, so I will always keep on trying on those big days of racing, and maybe one day I will hit the big one , but it will be thru some break thru in my handicapping, and of course a little luck too. Never stop dreaming, at least not for me, I just can't.


Patrick

[miesque]

Just a general career note. There is a rather severe shortage of accountants in this country ranging from CPAs all the way down to general bookkeepers and very basic tax preparers. Its not glamorous and nobody wants to do it and you will certainly never be rich but you will always be able to find a job and you won't starve and its not exactly rocket science.

[JustRalph]

welcome to the club...............

[RaceBookJoe]

Patrick, it sounds like you are in a tight situation. The first thing that came to my mind was ( besides learning how to trade/invest stocks,etfs etc) was for you to train other drivers. Either open your own company...not sure the cost, but you can use your truck as the learning vehicle. You may be able to work for another company also doing the same thing...i doubt a college degree is needed ( PLEASE dont take that negatively ). I am and have always been self-employed, and have changed/started/re-started careers 6 times. I wish you the best. Oh yeah...never stop handicapping...it keeps your mind active. rbj

[pktruckdriver]

Thanks RBJ


I was wondering where one goes to learn trading and like horse play, what area should one possibly begin with, and is there a bare minimum to begin investing, probally, 20 grand or more, huh?

Well if that's the case we will have to wait, but then again I am not sitting with a big savings account, nope the opposite, nothing, so what can a broke 45 yr old, do to change careers, might as well add one more problem to the mix ,a Credit Score of about 650, so getting financing may be a problem, in trying to get a start up going, but that should not stop me, it just means that I need a partner or get married to a 750 or above, lol.

No seriously there must be somethings that I can legitimately do, I do own my own Semi-truck, but have no trailer anymore, or a few other things needed., that is why signing on with a company is a must for me.

I am thankful for all replies so far.

Patrick

[pandy]

Patrick, first of all, you're not that old! Of course you can start a new career. Secondly, The Wizard doesn't make millions and probably works a lot longer hours than you might think.

[barn32]

I cannot for the life of me understand why you are gambling with money that you can't afford to lose. Shouldn't you be saving that money for the generator you so desperately need?

Gambling for a living (and this includes trading) is not something that comes overnight. It takes years (decades) to make a go of it. Sure there are whiz kid geniuses who do great right out of the can, but for the majority it takes a lifetime of dedication.

My advice is to work your ass off, save your money, and make the most of the business you know the best--truck driving.

If you try something in a gambling related field without a proven track record of success, you will surely go broke.

[jonnielu]

A disclaimer from the above post, please forgive any mis-understanding


I guess that I need to add that not all pick service are top 4 type of services, that some are a more detailed and are actually worth the money they charge for their service, but there are still the top 4 type out there, and they were what I was referring to, with my diatribe, no offense was meant to all pick services, as i said some are very good at what they do, or so they say.....

Patrick

Seems like I've heard the question before, I can't help but wonder what the post today would be if you had decided on May 4th that starting May 5th you were going to just drive the wheels off of the truck and spend all of the spare time studying. Instead of reaching for a $50,000 super and expecting it to jump in your pocket, while you have no understanding of what factors will likely compose it.

Would you have it today? If you had. Maybe you just need to stop quitting.

Pardon me, if I seem a bit disappointed. I had hopes that you might be able to notice what sat in front of you for several months. If you had, maybe you would be posting today about an $80.00 winner at CD, or the $726.00 exacta, or the other couple of winners in the teens.

It's October 29th, when do you want to get started?

Maybe you can drive the wheels off the truck in time for GP.

jdl

[sammy the sage]

Hammer...MEETS nail...Squarely on head...OUCH.......

""I cannot for the life of me understand why you are gambling with money that you can't afford to lose. Shouldn't you be saving that money for the generator you so desperately need?""

Obviously he didn't include the $50-100+? habit for JUST regular week-end betting........................................... ...............................................

On the POSITIVE side...PT....you have an EXCELLLENT opportunity....for EXAMPLE....my brother hauls...BUT....................................... ...........

He ALSO broker's...ie...he either buys/or/gets a load of something...(let's say plants for example..200 x $70 each)....and then re-sells for say 200 x $90ea.!

You can do that w/many products....used/recycled stuff as well as new products...

so not only do you get PAID to haul...you make EXTRA cash...by getting a small mark-up................................................ .................................

ps...you'll have to quit BETTING w/us degenerate's...and let your finger's do the walking as far as LINING up such deals...and it certainly won't be easy....

b.o.l.

[pktruckdriver]

Seems like I've heard the question before, I can't help but wonder what the post today would be if you had decided on May 4th that starting May 5th you were going to just drive the wheels off of the truck and spend all of the spare time studying. Instead of reaching for a $50,000 super and expecting it to jump in your pocket, while you have no understanding of what factors will likely compose it.

Would you have it today? If you had. Maybe you just need to stop quitting.

Pardon me, if I seem a bit disappointed. I had hopes that you might be able to notice what sat in front of you for several months. If you had, maybe you would be posting today about an $80.00 winner at CD, or the $726.00 exacta, or the other couple of winners in the teens.

It's October 29th, when do you want to get started?

Maybe you can drive the wheels off the truck in time for GP.

JDL


Jon I would seem to have dissappointed you, but not in my eyes, as we met once the day after the Derby, and I have made real efforts to do so many other times, as I thought you may be on to something, the Ability X Factor, I believe you called it, well to me it kinda made sense, the horses ability in todays race should have a lot to do with his ability to win today, sounds logical, or to me at the time it did, kinda still does.

Now as far as Next Years Gulfstream meet, I would like to state here and now that I would love to take the $50,000.00 challenge that you had laid out last year, and would be available for any time necessary to make that happen, heck that is much mre than I am making driving this truck, and you can do it in one winter meet, awesome, Jon, sign me up right now, Please, what does this cost and how much to begin with, bankroll size to begin with, as I can start saving now, heck I may even sell my truck, as I can always go back and lease purchase another one, it may take years to own another one, but it is possible, but back to this 50,000.00 Gulfstream meet challenge, that you had last year, I am trying to get the jump on everyone for the next Gulfstream meet and will make my deposit whenever you need me too.

Why would I do this if I had no believe that you could do what you claim you can, I am willing to try it, so when do we start.

I see this post also on the board:


All,
Any comments from people who were involved with Jonnielu program at Keenland? Jonnielu has conducted some seminars at Gulfstream and of late at Keenland!
Just Curious,
Maxspa


So Jon I am willing to commit to your method of handicspping, now the ball is in your court, let me know what we can do at Gulfstream, please.

Patrick

[betchatoo]

PK:
I am a long time professional in the recruiting world and I've got good news and bad news for you, but let me start by reiterating what several others have said. Stay away from gambling. You have neither the background nor the bankroll for it.

The good news is that 45 is no longer old in the business world. More and more people are working to age 70 and beyond and a good many businesses are recognizing the benefits of hiring older workers. If you can show them that you bring something beneficial to the table, you are not too old.

The bad news is that this is going to be hard work. First you need to sit down and decide what skills you have, where these skills fit in within the business community and what you would like to do with these skills (there is nothing worse than going to a job you don't like. Working with another person can be very advantageous in sorting good ideas from bad. Once you find your proper niche it is time to find people and companies that can help you achieve landing a job. This is a full time job and I would suggest you put in a minimum of 8 hours a day devoted to securing your future.

Here are some basic suggestions:

Networking
50 % or more of the really good jobs are never advertised. The people looking to hire talk to friends and business associates about who they know that might be right for the job. Or they call search firms who have a network of their own. In order to become part of this loop you must have your own network. Make a list of all the people you can contact and let them know you are searching for a position. When you talk to them, be specific! You are not just looking for a job, you are looking for a position in public relations. That way, if they hear about such a spot, they will immediately associate it with you. Your network should consist of the following:
● All of your friends
● All of your relatives
● Business associates you have met, particularly those with whom you have a good relationships
● New people you meet. Many conversations turn to the subject of employment. Use the opportunity to let this person know you are in a search. Keep plenty of cards on hand and pass them out as you speak of this
● Go through all the business cards you've collected and see who among them you can call

In addition make a list of any and all companies you might like to work for, either because you know of them, want to work in their industry, love the location etc. Do some research on the company. Find out who heads the department where you want to work. Write to them telling them that you would love to work with them and why and include your resume. Follow this up with a phone call. Nobody is ever insulted by someone who is interested in them and their company.

Internet and Newspapers
● Spend some time, each day, looking for new places to post your resume and new places to search postings. There are thousands of sites and some companies will post to, or search, only one
● Look for sites that are specific to the industry you want. Just google the industry and employment and you'll be surprised at the sites that turn up
● Look for Association sites connected with the industry. These sites often list employment opportunities, may be an excellent source of networking, and may give you ideas of companies or people to contact
● Spend Sunday checking all the local papers and circling ads for those that fit your requirements

Cover Letters
Make sure your cover letter is specific to the company to which you send it. I suggest starting the letter with something like, “I read your on-line ad with great interest. I am (and then feed back their own words to them, i.e. A dynamic, high energy leader with extensive experience in the public sector). Emphasize as many of the attributes they require as you can and conveniently pass over those requirements you don't meet. There is time to explain why you can handle those during an interview.

Resume
I have an article I wrote for the Chicago Tribune on writing a resume. If you'd like to read it email me at betchatoo@aol.com and I'll send it to you. Don't be hesitant to alter your resume when you send it directly to a company (rather than just post it). When you review a company's ad, check it carefully for key words and include those words on your resume. Even if it is something you haven't accomplished (for example, experience in manufacturing), you can place a line in your Objective relating how you would like to gain experience in manufacturing. If they are sorting by computer key word,, this will make it more likely they will actually read your resume. And, once read, they are more likely to call you if they like the rest of your background.

Interviews
Be fully prepared for an interview before you go. Learn all you can about the company, what they do and who they serve. Closely examine the requirements they've listed. Know exactly how you'll answer if they ask you how you can do the job if you don't meet one or more of these requirements.

Look very closely into any traits they might request (i.e. Leadership). Be prepared to give them examples on how you have successfully displayed these traits in the past in work situations.

Also find out all you can about the values of the company. These will sometimes be displayed on the website or may be listed in the recruitment description. It may also be possible to inquire about these values as you set up your interview. First and foremost, you want to make sure their values are in concord with yours. You do not want to work for a company that expects or condones behavior that is not on your moral compass. Secondly, if your values do match up, during the course of the interview take the opportunity to let them know. For example, if they value respect for people of all types, you may want to let them know that what you liked best about your old position was that everyone was treated with respect.

Finally be prepared with questions to ask the interviewer. Taking on a new job needs to be a win-win situation. Know what's important to you and find out if the company is in line. Don't concentrate on the financial aspects (there will be time enough for that in a second interview if you find you and the company are both interested in proceeding), but do find out about the environment, the people you'll be working with, equipment, support etc. Listen carefully for key words that may tell you more than intended about the situation. For example, unstructured environment means you're on your own and passionate entrepreneur may mean that the boss screams and yells.

This above all, don't settle just because you need a job. You don't want to be doing this again in 6 months.

[njcurveball]

This was an incredibly good post Betchatoo! Lots of great advice for just about anyone looking for a job.

Thanks for sharing! :ThmbUp:

[The Judge]

playing the horses or buying a lottery ticket. If the problem is money not a job then you need more money and this might be a way to get some. All you need is a good day and who hasn't had one or more of those. You maybe only a bet away.

Only bet the money you can afford to lose. You must be able to afford to lose some money as you are still in business and have a phone line and a computer.

The furture comes one day at a time start now. School is the best way ever consider law school or medical school. I am serious you are at the age now where you could zip thru classes. You won't be going to the football rallies and you know how serious life is. This is America and people die trying to get in here, you are already here you can do anything and not only that people will help you student loans, government grants, work-study. I wouldn't be surprised if the trucking industry has a back to school program.

You can still drive part-time maybe local routes while you get your medical degree, Dr. pktruckdriver, brain surgeon. If you are still in shape fixing up real estate is the way to go while you are in school. If your credit is bad go partners with someone with good credit but be ready for problems have it all laid out in writing before you start. Now is the time, you can find a no money down and rent it out. There is a section 8 program where low income people are given rent subsides that go straight to the landlord buy mail so you only have ot collect a part of the rent from the tenant. Many landlords won't rent to secton 8 tenants so this is a good way to get tenants and money. Go where other people aren't (money wise).

You are in a perfect spot "you have nothing to lose". Now is the time to go for it.

If you have a family even more reason to start now. Remember thats who you are working for.

Check it out and aim high check out occupations where the money is and go for it.

[jonnielu]

Jon I would seem to have dissappointed you, but not in my eyes, as we met once the day after the Derby, and I have made real efforts to do so many other times, as I thought you may be on to something, the Ability X Factor, I believe you called it, well to me it kinda made sense, the horses ability in todays race should have a lot to do with his ability to win today, sounds logical, or to me at the time it did, kinda still does.

Now as far as Next Years Gulfstream meet, I would like to state here and now that I would love to take the $50,000.00 challenge that you had laid out last year, and would be available for any time necessary to make that happen, heck that is much mre than I am making driving this truck, and you can do it in one winter meet, awesome, Jon, sign me up right now, Please, what does this cost and how much to begin with, bankroll size to begin with, as I can start saving now, heck I may even sell my truck, as I can always go back and lease purchase another one, it may take years to own another one, but it is possible, but back to this 50,000.00 Gulfstream meet challenge, that you had last year, I am trying to get the jump on everyone for the next Gulfstream meet and will make my deposit whenever you need me too.

Why would I do this if I had no believe that you could do what you claim you can, I am willing to try it, so when do we start.

I see this post also on the board:




So Jon I am willing to commit to your method of handicspping, now the ball is in your court, let me know what we can do at Gulfstream, please.

Patrick

First off, it is not a method of handicapping. And, I still recommend that you make a commitment to yourself to develop more discipline. Although, I will admit that betting the longshots with my ratings does call for a dash of recklessness.

Opportunities are unlimited at GP from the time they open the gate for the first race, but, you have to believe that. And, you have to know/believe that no matter how much you screw up, you are still in the game as long as you are learning.

Like I told you, in 1987, I walked out of Calder and quit. Because there was only one thing left to learn at that point. That was, how I was standing in my own way, and what you learn from winning, that can only be taught by winning.

I was standing in my own way by allowing other people to influence me in my direction instead of following my own heart and spirit. I came back 18 years later to start winning, and the learning has not stopped.

I am re-writing Exacta Magic with what I have learned during 2008, so far. My question is, why aren't you doing it? My point is, that the only failure for any of us, is the failure to learn. The mistake of not expanding what we do actually know, in order to learn more.

So, if I asked the same question this year.... who wants to come to GP to learn what I already know... and everything that I will learn? What would the answer be, if I asked the same people?

What are the possibilities.... ?

There are 60 days to prepare, why don't you ask your pal PA if he wants to organize a PA seminar/syndicate for an outright weekly assault on the pools from Jan 3rd to March 31st.

Of course, any such adventure would include spending the next 60 days in hardcore study of Ability-X Ratings, who knows..... a guy might be able to stack up a respectable bankroll just betting $10 on the No-Brainers in the meantime.

jdl

[pktruckdriver]

I am re-writing Exacta Magic with what I have learned during 2008, so far. My question is, why aren't you doing it? My point is, that the only failure for any of us, is the failure to learn. The mistake of not expanding what we do actually know, in order to learn more.

So, if I asked the same question this year.... who wants to come to GP to learn what I already know... and everything that I will learn? What would the answer be, if I asked the same people?

What are the possibilities.... ?

There are 60 days to prepare, why don't you ask your pal PA if he wants to organize a PA seminar/syndicate for an outright weekly assault on the pools from Jan 3rd to March 31st.

Of course, any such adventure would include spending the next 60 days in hardcore study of Ability-X Ratings, who knows..... a guy might be able to stack up a respectable bankroll just betting $10 on the No-Brainers in the meantime.

jdl

Hey Jon

Same question is when and where do I , me , only me, sign -up for this Gulfstream meet that you stated last year had a 50,000.00 guarantee, is that offer good for this coming year too. If so then, I am ready, sign me up, not the entire PA Board, and yes Me and Bossman are aquainted, but even he would say we are not friends, as I have never met him, I did how ever meet you once, and am honestly only worried about me, yes me, only becoming a winner with your system, not the PA Board for God's sake, But if you feel that I am not sincere , boy you couldn't be farther from the truth , with that.

I ooze desire to win my friend, and yes with actual one on one teaching, than I would NO DOUBT, be able to learn and master this way of yours, as when left to my own and told to learn this, well that does not work to well for me, but actual face to face teaching does me wonders, Guaranteed. I will learn!!


Okay Jon , I will wait for Gulfstream and if you want I will get the hard copies of the new books to read til then, I will email you with my info, Jon.


So I will see you in Florida in 2009, okay?


Patrick

[jonnielu]

Hey Jon


Okay Jon , I will wait for Gulfstream and if you want I will get the hard copies of the new books to read til then, I will email you with my info, Jon.


So I will see you in Florida in 2009, okay?


Patrick

Hey Patrick,

Well, at this point in time, I don't know where I will be this winter. I'd like to go to GP for at least a week, but, I am also trying to get something going at Turfway that would likely involve removing Ability-X from the market for other tracks.

Let me ask you, and the rest of the PA board this:

If I can convince Keeneland, and Turfway to make Ability-X Ratings available (for free) to you thru their websites, and allow me to conduct a daily, on premises class through the Keeneland spring meet (also free).

Would you attend at some point and play those tracks?

jdl

[pktruckdriver]

Betchatoo
I want to say thank you for your awesome reply, really it was extremely well done and thought out, plenty to make me sit down and think things out.

True I may stay a truck driver, but it would be a "dream come true," to come out of the truck.

I thought a few days a the Job service place may be helpful in seeing what may be out there for me, maybe being a Broker, but that is very hard right now , what with the decline in freight movement, but things will get better, sooner or later, they will.

But one must be a slick snake salesman to be a Truck Broker, my opinion.


Again thank you

[pktruckdriver]

Hey Jon

I guess ,good luck with your new pursuits as far as playing Ky Tracks, well I do play The Derby, and If possible Keeneland once in awhile, but tend to stay away from Turfway.


Now it also depends on what the ADW's have available to me thru my home state, and right now that does not include KY TRACKS, so most likely , I will stay away from them, unfortunately.

So no more $50,000.00 guarantee, that is kinda sad, I was looking forward to that challenge, heck I was getting ready to commit 100% to it, if Gulfstream was so great then why not go back, just curious. It seems results are results and supposedly Gulfstream was off the charts, so why not go back. Besides Florida is a great place to spend the winter.


B2

I spent a few days a Job service, took a few tests and the lady suggested that I keep doing what I do, drive a truck, though she did suggest that I take some classess to better run my business, come up with a better business plan , buy better equipment, more fuel effiecent, better fuel milage, better paying freight, heck she wanted it all, just like a woman, oops , I did not say that out loud did I, yeah I did.
Problem with all that is , I've been trying to do just that for the last 5 years with no success at it , yet, so unless she had some suggestion on classess she just suggested the SBA, for help.

The same place that would not help me obtain a, Small Business Loan or Grant ,because I do not have a credit score above 750. It used to be a little more laxed before , but not now, now it is a nightmare, so I guess I keep doing what I do and hope things get better.

So much for changing careers, well I tried a little, maybe next time I can afford to look a little bit harder, and can take time off to do it too.

Where's monster when you need them, or the top job placement specialist, when you actually need them?

Thanks B2 and Jon
Patrick

[jonnielu]

Hey Jon

I guess ,good luck with your new pursuits as far as playing Ky Tracks, well I do play The Derby, and If possible Keeneland once in awhile, but tend to stay away from Turfway.


Now it also depends on what the ADW's have available to me thru my home state, and right now that does not include KY TRACKS, so most likely , I will stay away from them, unfortunately.

So no more $50,000.00 guarantee, that is kinda sad, I was looking forward to that challenge, heck I was getting ready to commit 100% to it, if Gulfstream was so great then why not go back, just curious. It seems results are results and supposedly Gulfstream was off the charts, so why not go back. Besides Florida is a great place to spend the winter.


Patrick

Well Patrick,

I have no doubt that the winter meeting in Florida will survive, and always be seen as one of the premier meetings on the racing industries calender. But, it may be more important to try to do something this winter that may contribute to the survival of the industry. Winning can be done anywhere that horses run.

Each particular venue has its quirks, that may or may not offer greater or less opportunity according to ones perspective. That has more to do with the horses then what it does with the physical traits of the track itself.

I learned two major things in 2008, one of which affirmed what I already knew. The first one was why the lowest rating doesn't always win, which I went far and wide to learn, and in a sense, that brought me full circle in my studies of horse racing.

The other is that it is virtually impossible to teach someone something when it is outside of their beliefs in the first place. At least it is a bigger job then what I prefer, at my advanced age.

Then, on closing day for AP, 6 of 6 no-brainers won and I realized that I will never be able to persuade handicappers that my ratings are worthwhile for measuring a horses ability to run. And, that it doesn't make any difference to me at all.

So, I took my ratings up to Keeneland for the last of the planned seminars, and I offered them to the Keeneland Association, because that is the only track that I know of that loves you back.

I have proposed to the Keeneland Association that they should play an instumental role in instigating a second renaissance for organized horse racing in 2008-2009 by teaching new and old players of this game one simple fact that they apparently are unaware of.

That is, that anyone can win at this game.

If they find it to be a worthy idea, I'll spend the winter where my ancestors are buried instead of where I learned to ride a bicycle.

jdl