Does A Bear (blank) In The Alcove?
Having taken myself out of the lineup in the PR world in order to blog, inadvertently, I find myself doing ‘dirty gigs’ on the side for sustenance. And every stint has unique challenges — much more so than my former life behind a desk in the business world.
PR was filled with papercuts and backstabs … my new line of part-time work is filled with OSHA training, safety harnesses, hardhats, respirators, etc., etc. Sometimes the challenges are more basic.
In both lines of work, I have met some interesting people.
Understatement.
Most recently, a ‘dirty gig’ placed me in a burned out retirement center in Winston-Salem. I was teamed up with a couple of guys from Georgia and Arizona, respectively.
On the jobsite my new colleagues are all business — ripping out walls and ceilings at record pace … But after hours, what a couple of nuts.
Daniel is a “Deep South,” slow talker and deep thinker. He addresses everyone — male or female, regardless of age — with a courtesy title and their first name. For instance, I am “Mr. Kent.”
Kevin is a competitive, team-roping, hyper/enthusiastic piece of work with an overactive sense of humor.
So, what a trio we made with my inexperience in the restoration industry, coupled with my laid back nature. Lots of good laughs!
I owe Mr. Daniel and Mr. Kevin many thanks for showing me the ropes on a fire demolition/rebuild project. The three of us were supervisors on the site. I was the green one, asking questions. It is amazing how quickly friendships can form during an 80-hour work week. They are both patient, quite knowledgeable … I am lucky to have worked with them.
Continually, I see that work experience, common sense and ingenuity can be much more impressive than “book smarts” and multiple degrees.
And I’ll be frank, when you work with temporary laborers — on the other end of the spectrum — you also meet some real characters.
Supervising laborers is a combination of being safety cop, teaching, refereeing, working side-by-side and occasionally “baby sitting.” My philosophy? Treat peeps like peeps, and it will be okay. So far, so good.
On my most recent ‘dirty gig’ I found it curious that there were so many athletes on the job site — among the supervisors, laborers and vendors.
I met a former offensive lineman from Grambling University; a defensive end who played at Tennessee State and Arizona State; a line backer from Appalachian State; a cornerback from Eastern Carolina … and one basketball player.
Let’s stop right there. “Houston we have a problem” or in the vernacular of the day … “this is messed up.”
Although most of these athletes were pretty good size boys in their own right … one — the latter — is a 6-10 basketball star, who still plays for a local college. Our demolition job was a summer fundraiser for this young man who blocked 60-70 shots on the hardwoods last year. For obvious reasons, I called him “Stretch.”
He showed me his wrists — covered with scars from the basketball rim during blood-curdling dunks. I kid you not, he could reach over the sides of the industrial size trash dumpster to drop, grab or remove stuff other guys couldn’t even see.
Think about that for a second — the height that is such an advantage under the hoop can also be such a hindrance in many other daily tasks. Have you ever ridden a plane with a basketball player, for instance?
If not, just imagine them crouching to board a commuter jet … folding up their legs to fit between the seats … tucking their arms to their sides to keep from dangling elbows across the next passenger. Save that thought …
Now consider an ever-present challenge in the construction world … yes … that little necessity called the porta-pot-tay.
No two ways about it … when nature calls your number on a job site, there are few options (referring to restrooms) — none of them are good. The PPs are nastay! … Rivaling anything that poor soul faces on the network “Dirty Jobs.” Oh … and there is this little joke. Other workers will almost knock the stall over, while you are inside. Make no mistake, a good scare can speed the process in these situations. Ewww.
In fact, this never-ending search for privacy and hygiene, led one of my co-workers to ingeniously construct a makeshift restroom shelter for his own self — using an old shower stall to section off the commode in an apartment interior that was otherwise stripped clean. Have paper, will travel, so to speak.
Like I always say … “Necessity is a mother” … He made his own little hidden alcove … his happy place. I digress …
Anyway, do you see where this is going?
Well, not being one for bathroom humor, I will make quick work of this. As I supervised a team of laborers the other day, I was faced with an unusual management challenge. One of my workers was too tall to fit into the temporary facilities provided on the job. Ha … this poor guy couldn’t sit down without his legs sticking out of the plastic stall. Not that anyone wants to go in one of these things, but once you’re there, a closed door policy is preferable … well .. You get the picture.
Enough said. We called a time out and allowed the player to find another place for a big two-pointer — in a super-sized alcove of his own.
Because even though you got game, some times you just got-2-go. Man I hope he makes it to the NBA, just so I can say “I knew you when.”
Know what I sayin?
