Phil Cates:  

Well I am 50 years old; oops, for a minute I forgot who I was talking to, you know the truth. Below are my big events that took place over the past 40 years, just ordinary stuff: First wife-Debbie (2 kids; Matt now 34, with twin 9 year old girls, & Janelle now 31, with her first bun in the oven). First real job-used car salesman, yes with white shoes. Quit after two years, could not screw another customer. Second job-gas station attendant on the new I-5 outside of Los Banos. I guess screwing people was still in my blood. I committed credit card fraud. My partners in crime got prison time, my brother the cop knew the judge, I got off¿thanks bro. Homerun-Got lucky; made a bunch of money with oak whisky barrels, I thought I was gods gift to great ideas, semi-retired at 29. Divorce of first wife-Lost everything, I began to party, did a lot of meaningless stuff for nine years. Nine years later married present wife- Karin Reenstierna (2 kids; Jon now 18 on his way to becoming a thespian, Erikka now 15, a member of professional ballet co.). Next job-residential loan officer for 11 years, financially successful, but high-roller, lost it all in real estate turn down back then; went BK in 1996. Quit residential lending because again, I got tired of screwing people. First meaningful job- after residential lending I developed a special loan product to provide financing for companies that operate group homes for people living with developmental disabilities. Finally, I found the occupation that brought meaning to my life and ha...Expand for more