My first gig was as lifeguard for the City of Fremont at the Swim Lagoon. They had this enormous man-made pond with a sand bottom and chlorinated and filtered water. Busloads of kids would show up with distracted camp counselors and attempt to end their lives in 10 feet of murky brown water. None were successful under my watch. The "goon" would be my summer gig for 11 seasons until they shut her down in '01. The job sort of ruined me for regular work as I'd look at every situation in comparison to a hectic afternoon at the goon and think, "Who is going to die if this doesn't get done?"