First it was as an investigator for a private company. Most of the stuff involved Workers Compensation claims, some divorce and child custody. There is nothing more boring than sitting surveillance on a divorce case. You aren't getting laid and you really don't care about anyone else. However, it paid and there are some great stories in there.

Next it was as an investigator for the State of Oregon. That involved fraud, mostly, and would be the final link in an evidence chain. That was anything, but I was mostly involved in construction stuff, things such as phony contractors, roofing and driveway resurfacing, etc. Tended to be tamer circumstances than the private stuff.

Was either boring as all hell, or exciting. Was chased by a guy once with a gun but he had me dead to rights - I was trespassing and the State would have been thoroughly embarrased were I caught. I was operating on suspicion only and took advantage of an opportunity. No warrant. A neighbor ratted me out, as I would have had I been that neighbor. The subject made the mistake of firing the gun, and had absolutely no chance of catching me after that. I finally got a female friend to retreive my car, which was nearby, as I was sure they would be watching it.

Some if it sort of funny in retrospect. A peacock snuck up behind me once in a rural area as I was sitting surveillance on a farm house. I had left my car, and was relaxed, congratulating myself on the perfect setup and settling in to stay for 4 or 6 hours, until after dark. I had enough alcohol and a snack, and was virtually invisible. I had no idea that bird was there until it screamed. Even half-drunk it jarred my nerves as far as they could be jarred. Before I had time to think I jumped and whirled ready to use my camera as a club. That bird was 20 feet or so away, but I thought it was right behind me. Sounded for all the world like a soprano opera singer with especially healthy lungs and vocal cords being attacked by a knife-wielding rapist in a small room. It chided me some more and then left.

I can still hear that.

Arf