Winter is tough in
this business. I stare at a computer, looking at numbers, calculating and devising
a plan on how the summer is going to go. Looking back at how the last year
went. Strategizing on how the next year can be even better. Patiently waiting
for spring to break so you can get back out there again.
Once it begins, it is
exciting but you know there is a long road ahead. Every morning I get up early
and hit the road. I typically drive from 45 minutes to 3 hours to get to where
I need to be. It's rigorous and wears a person out over a 6-7 month period
where the work days can be from 12-18 hours. I am always away from home. I know
every back road, every place to go to the bathroom when McDonald's or the
Holiday hamburger isn't sitting right. You know every small town that no one
has heard of and can tell them useless information about it.
During the hot summer
day, the sun beats down, slowly draining a person of energy and life sustaining
liquid. It isn't rare for me to drink a gallon of water, a couple bottles of
Mt. Dew and the biggest bottle of Powerade they dare to make. Sometimes two, if
they are 2/$3 as Casey's is want to do. I'm not even the one working. I'm just
watching the progress made, documenting what I see so that those who make
decisions have the information they need to justify spending millions of dollars.
I watch their actions,
their routines from the time they step onto the dirt to the time they leave, I
watch. Some to know their personality to see if they are good people, others to
see if they are cheating, making a hard job easier that will cost them, and me,
in the long run. Some are truly gifted at their craft and can make the most
difficult things look easy. These are the guys you want more of, but they are
rare. It makes the job easier and the bosses happy too. Too bad you can't
always get the best.
It's funny, every day
I talk with people, former professionals, who say that "they don't do it
like we used to." Some argue if
they are doing it right or if it will hold up over the long term. No one can be
certain but you hope it does. Some criticize work ethic, the hustle, the
carelessness. They complain about the guys goofing around. Guys have to have
fun when they work this hard. There is no way around it. When you work in this
business, it's a lifestyle, it really is. Just about every waking hour is
dedicated to it. It is hard not to be the way they are, even if you don't
always agree with their actions. Some party all night, some take it seriously,
some can do both and you just don't understand how they do it.
It's a difficult
business. I often wonder why I do it. I have left the industry and came back to
it. It's a business that once you are in, it's hard to do something different.
It kind of gets in your blood. The smell of the grass, the dirt, the action.
Someone who is good at it always gets another chance but it never gets easier.
It doesn't pay great for what you have to sacrifice but it's a good living and
I enjoy being outdoors. I don't have my boss looking over my shoulder and I
don't have to punch a clock.
Years after you pour
your heart into something, you can see how much it was improved. How it is
holding up. How much better it is. Maybe where a few things went wrong or what
should have been different, but that is hind sight.
Such is being a construction
inspector. Making sure the plans are followed, the contracts are adhered to and
the best product is constructed for the best price. Getting the most out of
your contractor and keeping the residents as happy as you can. It's not an easy
life but everybody thinks it is.
