hmmm, I was a fireman(10 yrs), have had pretty much every job doing "manly" things, from building houses to driving heavy equipment. Learned a bunch about being outdoors and what it takes to survive. Can drive anything that has wheels, and most machines that don't. I've been truly loved,never noticing how great things can be. I have given my heart away, and had it destroyed.
I got a lot of chapters in my book.
On a lighter note: Never regretted ONE experience... every single one of them helped me learn, and become...well....me.