Notes on Today

Koontz - I had a fun conversation with my stucco guy at the end of today's work day. It's rare that I get to talk with other tradespeople. Neither my partner nor I are big networkers; the one trade association we joined years ago seemed to have more to do with drinking and schmoozing than "work" and I found it to be a colossal bore. ( I expect Jody will insert a note here telling me that "schmoozing" is exactly what networking is about...and that apparently I don't get it!). I really don't---and perhaps to my downfall, don't feel like learning at this late date. BUT, I do enjoy taking the time now and again to actually talk with someone that gets what I'm talking about. Mates and friends might be sympathetic, but only other self-employed tradespeople can finish my stories for me, because they've been there too.

So my stucco guy, Ron, comes by for a bid and five minutes later, we're emeshed in a conversation about employees, clients, wages, being underbid and the bullshit we saw on a show about flipping houses. (Buy the property low, upgrade/rehab it and resell it). I laughed and laughed and then drove home wondering how on earth any of us make it in this field and why we do it.

I expect that regardless of the field you work in, the highs and lows are similar. The things that burn you and the things that make it worthwhile run along the same lines. Why do I work in this field? Because the highs still outweigh the lows I guess, and when you can share some of those lows with someone who's also experienced them, they don't seem so bad-they become downright comical.

Gee, I think we had theraphy today