About Me
Patrick Harfst – Collector of Odd Jobs
Most folks have a number of jobs throughout their lives – in fact, I believe I read that it is normal to change careers 3 times over one’s adult years… Yikes!
Anyway, in my own life, I’ve collected more than a few jobs that might be considered “odd”. Starting at about 9 years old, I helped out at a veterinary clinic. Washing dog stalls, holding the strays as they were euthanized, and (best of all), feeding a black bear the vets had in a corn crib… Delivered the World’s Greatest Newspaper (Chicago Tribune). De-tasseled hybrid corn. Flipped burgers in the town’s coolest drive-in. Did a stint as a janitor. After high school, worked on an aircraft carrier as a flight deck photographer. (That one was way-cool!) In college, drove a commuter bus on the college circuit (great way to meet other students). Collected plant specimens in the Cascade Forest and the Oregon coast. Embalmed cats (there is a career path for ya!). Maintained plants for a rental greenhouse company. Worked as a disc jockey at a radio station. (Had to get that Johnny Fever out of my system…) Worked on recombinant DNA experiments in a biology lab (and proved to myself that medical school was out of the question). Couple years as a wedding photographer. (Pointless stress…)
All of this before I was 28, at which point I became a father, and knew the odd-job circuit was not really a great path for a family guy… I then elected to become a Realtor, and have spent the rest of my time helping folks buy & sell homes. Since the mid-80’s, I have been busy helping individuals & families make wise housing choices here in the Phoenix area. Personal residences & investments, with just a bit of land business thrown in for good measure. Where many of my fellow Realtors have grown weary of the “grind” of being a Realtor, I still get a serious electric jolt out of “curing homeless-ness” for others. I still enjoy the challenges of creating a “match” of seller to buyer, and buyer to home. After 26 years, I’m still here, running strong. And if this real estate gig ever goes south, I can always join the circus! Some of the earlier jobs would be perfect background for Barnum & Bailey!
On the personal side, I have had the good fortune to be the father for 5 kids. With my beautiful wife, we’ve done a good job of parenting. (Biased viewpoint, but backed up by our friends, AND our kid’s friends). Have learned much about Autism. And I know that there is a fine line between being your kid’s parent, and being their friend. Parenting is hard, but I like challenges…
So there, in 475 words, is a little bit about me & my crazy collection of jobs. It’s been fun!
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