Thoughts of an Old Fart

Building a house can cause you to do some pretty strange things. Not strange as in running around naked barking at the moon or anything. But things that when you look back at, you wonder just what good it did… You make hundred’s of little decisions on the way to actually completing the house. Things like which way a door swings. Does it swing in or out? What kind of knobs and hardware? What color is the trim? How high do you want your cabinets in the kitchen? Will kids be using the bathroom? How high to make the seats on the toilet? Sometimes you just shrug and ask the builder what do other people do. If you have a good builder, they give good advice.

Our builder is a good one. I learned early on when something was a not-so-smart decision. He doesn’t exactly come out and say it. Just pauses and then looks slightly puzzled. Then acknowledges they could do it. Now on the other hand, if the decision is a good one, you get praised immediately. I sometimes wonder how other home buyers must react. Sometimes the guys get this, don’t-hit-me-look on their faces when they disagree with you. We don’t scream, we don’t yell, and we go out of our way to make sure they know we like what they are doing.

I don’t know if I want to do this again. There is something to be said for limiting choices.

Went to the Kitchen place to pick up a door sample for the house. Had to sign out the sample. When the lady asked my name, she went into way-back mode. My name usually gets associated with someone’s dog. But this time she started telling me all about her favorite doll she had when she was 9 years old. It was fun to see her face as she went to her happy place for a while. Big difference from being someone’s dog to someone’s really cool childhood toy.

I’ve been reading other people’s blogs and feeling inadequate. I know it’s not a competition. But some people can write. I cant seem to get what’s in my head into words. I read them later and the pictures that are there don’t match my imagination. Emotions, intensity, colors, conundrums just don’t come thru. Maybe with practice? Maybe with talent? Lol

Things I saw along the road today:

• Gas charcoal grill looked like it drove itself off the side of the road.
• Girl dancing so hard while driving she almost flew out of her car window or maybe she was having a seizure. How about putting down that phone, babe?
• Two dogs being walked. One was trotting along UNDERNEATH the other. Perfectly content with life.
• The Sunshine Carpet Cleaners van. Seinfeld need I say more?
• One lone lawn sprinkler watering the road.
• 2 fawns, 1 doe, and 1 buck. Darn I didn’t have my shotgun!
• Geese going south for the winter… already? Or maybe a practice run?

There is a rooster in my neighborhood. Every time I hear him, I giggle.

See real earth shattering stuff. 🙂

Ciao

I am covered in mosquito bites. Its amazing what changing your soap can do to make one appetizing to those little critters. I can be in a room with one mosquito and unerringly she will find me for dinner. I can sit out on a deck slathered in bug repellent and they still sacrifice themselves to have my blood. No one around me has to worry cause if it’s a choice between me and them, I’m filet mignon to bugs

Why? Is it the new soap? Is it the food I eat? It sure isn’t cause I’m sweet! Just ask the SO.

Hmmm…
Ciao

So many things to do and so little time. I’ve been lectured and fussed about trying to take on to much. But when you try and find someone else to help out, everyone runs for the hills. My big boss is really applying stress. What do you do when senior management comes directly to you and tells you, you must drop everything to work on their special pet project? Even if the project does not fall into your area. You just suffer and get lectured and fussed more. It all comes back to bite you in the ass cause it sure is a good recipe for disaster.

So tired of the bullshit. I go thru waves of euphoria thinking I’m at least treading water and then sink to new lows as my management dumps more on me. The most amazing thing and one of the most stressful things, is when they say “what resources can we bring to bear to help out.” It’s all beginning to remind me of a Dilbert strip. They just don’t get it.

Big sigh… thinking of a new job…

Peace.