Two-Cent Tuesday’s post on creativity happens to do with several creative occupations. What makes for an interesting job? The best jobs just may also be the most unusual. The book entitled: Odd Jobs by Nancy Rica Schiff introduces you to the real-life people who perform peculiar jobs on a daily basis for a living. Nancy Rica Schiff is a photo essayist and photographer. The book Odd Jobs, highlights sixty-five personalities and their oddball professions. This post will mention a few that are written about in her first of two odd-ball job books.
Book: Odd Jobs by: Nancy Rica Schiff
Did you ever wonder who blows the bugle at the Kentucky Derby? Who might sniff dog’s breath for a living? Who could be an earthworm farmer? At the time of the writing of the 2002 book, many persons were interviewed and spotlighted. I just want to mention a few of these creative jobs. Why do the ordinary nine to five job when there is apparently variety in life and creative ways to make a living?
Think about your “day job” and if you would change or quit yours for one of these out of the ordinary occupations.
Page Turner- New York, New York
Louis Yelnick, as a page turner is inconspicuous and turns pages for pianists in Carnegie Hall of Avery Fisher Hall.
Coffin Maker- Christoval Texas
Doug Keys, creates custom-made caskets in pine or more lavish materials.
Dinosaur Duster -Washington, D.C.
For over thirty-five years, Frank Braisted serves as the one and only bone duster at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Golf Ball Diver- Kissimmee, Florida
On a typical day, Jeffrey Bleim in scuba gear may collect 5,000 balls from waters on a golf course. For a week his total may be 25,000.
Odor Judge- Cincinnati, Ohio
Odor tests are conducted daily on armpits, breath, feet, cat liter, and diapers at Hilltop Labs. Betty Lyons has sniffed for over thirty-five years.
LEGO Model Maker- Enfield, Connecticut
Francie Berger has her dream job creating from an endless supply of LEGO blocks. Her favorite is a six-foot tall surfing hippo image.
Ocularist- New York, New York
The art of painting artificial eyes has been enjoyed by Annette Kirszrot for over thirty years.
Crack Filler- Keystone, South Dakota
Jeffery Glanzer repairs the wear and tear cracks that appear on the weathered sculpture on Mount Rushmore in the Black Hills.
Stanley Cup Keeper- Toronto, Ontario
Someone has to chaperone that revered Hockey famous cup and Phil Pritchard is the keeper of the cup, seated next to it on planes.
Visit www.nancyricaschiff.com to discover more about Nancy’s photographic and writing works. She is a creative published photographer. She even has another book that follows in the foot steps of the first book called : Odder Jobs. I wonder about those jobs.
Book by: Nancy Rica Schiff (cover jacket)
With today’s economy, I bet you would have people lined up for these jobs. Never thought about it until you wrote this Veronica, but I guess you do have to have people willing to do these unusual tasks!
I thought it interesting to read about as well as appreciate the beautiful photos of people that are maybe overlooked in what they do for a living. Sure makes the usual 9-5 day job look differently with a twist.
You could have a lot of fun with these job descriptions – what some people will say to make their jobs sound important or interesting. And I so agree with Roy
I think the most creative job is the excuse maker. Our politicians keep them very busy.
Awesome reply…wonder how much that job pays, the hours would be demanding that is true.