Things would have turned out differently if only...

[Dandelion]

Talking to a friend the other night, I mentioned that our family almost emigrated in 1966 - the '£10 poms' scheme.



I can't imagine how my life would have turned out had we taken the plunge. I would have interacted with completely different people. I would never have met the individuals that fostered and encouraged me to appreciate certain kinds of music, for instance.



Would my world-view be any different?



This got me thinking about other members' and if they had any similar stories or crucial turning-points in their lives.

[Steve Crook]

I nearly joined the Royal Navy



I was in the Sea Cadets and was always interested in seafaring things. I am also an engineer. The Navy would have sponsored me though an engineering degree and then done the normal Dartmouth training. But for that they wanted me to commit to 10 years.



I went as far as the final selection weekend at Portsmouth. It was while we were doing that when I had some doubts. It wasn't that I definitely didn't want to do it. It was just that I wasn't 100% sure that I did want to do it. So i said "Thanks, but no thanks".



That life would have almost certainly been very interesting, but totally different from the life I did lead



Steve

[Dandelion]

Similar story - in 1970 I joined the Army (Military Police). Did the usual week at Sutton Coldfield and then off to the barracks at Chichester.



Within weeks, I was out!



Had I been able to take the regime, then who knows?

[Steve Crook]

Oh I knew exactly what I would be getting into. I had already done loads of courses at RN shore establishments and had gone out on lots of ships where I'd met and talked to people in the Navy at all levels.



It was just a huge fork in the road. Either path would have been very interesting but I've got no regrets about choosing the path I took



Steve

[Dandelion]

And would there have been a britmovie forum?

[Dame Starry]

name='Dandelion']And would there have been a britmovie forum?

Ask the Webmaster - DB7...............

[Dandelion]

My mistake, but I'll bet he has his own story 'what if...'

[davidb]

things would have turned out differently if only ......i could pick the right six numbers on a wednesday or saturday night .

[BRACKEN321]

To those of you that are young enough, you can make things turn our better for yourselves. Don't just think because you have the rest of your lives before you that everything will be OK. Start to plan the rest of your life NOW! You can enjoy your life now AND prepare for the future as well. Don't be complacent. Keep some money back for the future and if your employer has a pension scheme subscribe to it. It may look that life is rosy now but when age catches up with you it may be too late.

[Steve Crook]

name='BRACKEN321']To those of you that are young enough, you can make things turn our better for yourselves. Don't just think because you have the rest of your lives before you that everything will be OK. Start to plan the rest of your life NOW! You can enjoy your life now AND prepare for the future as well. Don't be complacent. Keep some money back for the future and if your employer has a pension scheme subscribe to it. It may look that life is rosy now but when age catches up with you it may be too late.

Nah, don't plan anything

Plans can always go wrong. I just embrace and learn from everything life throws at me and treat it all as a learning experience



Steve

[Marky B]

name='Dandelion']Talking to a friend the other night, I mentioned that our family almost emigrated in 1966 - the '£10 poms' scheme.



I can't imagine how my life would have turned out had we taken the plunge. I would have interacted with completely different people. I would never have met the individuals that fostered and encouraged me to appreciate certain kinds of music, for instance.



Would my world-view be any different?



This got me thinking about other members' and if they had any similar stories or crucial turning-points in their lives.

My parents and family nearly emigrated to Australia before I was born,so I might have been out there.

However,I think if you keep pondering on the "what ifs" of life,you build up too many regrets. I should know - I have many.

Ta Ta

Marky B

[Chevyman]

name='davidb']things would have turned out differently if only ......i could pick the right six numbers on a wednesday or saturday night .

Try the Irish one; you only have to pick five

[penfold]

name='Steve Crook']Oh I knew exactly what I would be getting into. I had already done loads of courses at RN shore establishments and had gone out on lots of ships where I'd met and talked to people in the Navy at all levels.



It was just a huge fork in the road. Either path would have been very interesting but I've got no regrets about choosing the path I took



Steve

Prett much the same story here...only with me it was the RAF, and Air Traffic Control in particular. Being the age we are, I'm guessing we would have both probably been involved in the Falklands and/or Desert Storm.....