I wonder...

I went to a pre bid meeting this morning. This is when the estimators for companies that interested in bidding on a project get together with the Architect, the Owner, the Engineer, and anyone else that can answer questions about the project. Usually the Architect explains some of the important items of the project, and also goes over anything that is out of the ordinary.

This is usually the only time that estimators are in the same room with each other. I got there a little early and was passing the time doing a little people watching. But I started noticing something. Most of the guys ( there was only one woman) were wearing Dockers. I was wearing jeans. With a hole in the leg. Most were wearing button down shirts. And leather jackets. Most had Palm units, or Treo phones. Three of them had Bluetooth ear pieces that they never took out. All of them were wearing loafer shoes. I had on my work boots, and my Carhartt jacket. And I didn’t have a Treo phone.

The reason for this is not that I cannot afford to buy that stuff. Maybe their companies buy the phones. The reason that I don’t wear Dockers is because I could be called out at any moment to help on a jobsite. Its not uncommon for me to have to walk through mud or water. It makes no sense for me to have those things, because they would get destroyed in a hurry.

But it makes me wonder.
What would it be like to spend my days only working on estimating and scheduling?
What would it be like not to have to listen to Dad bitch when someone else really screws up?
What would it be like to not have to answer accounting questions?
What would it be like to have someone come to me with answers instead of questions?
What would it be like to not be interrupted 42 times a day with questions that are totally not related to what I was doing?
What would it be like to be able to work on some of the projects that I have been delaying for years, like a photo archive of our projects?
What would it be like to actually go to a seminar?
What would it be like to not be at least somewhat responsible for making sure that the MSDS file and the OSHA logs are up to date?
Wouldn’t it be cool to actually have a LAWYER look over contracts before we sign them?
What would it be like to not have to give my truck keys to someone who road his motorcycle to work so that he could go get material at the lumber yard?
What would it be like to not feel that I should intercept the mail to make sure that if there is bad news, I can be the one to break it to Dad.
What would it be like to be able to walk out of the building and not check every door twice?
What would it be like to be able to visit a jobsite and not feel like I have to kick ass and take names?
What would it be like to work with a real computer on a real network?
What would it be like to have weeks of vacation instead of days?
What would it be like to have a pension?
What would it be like to have insurance?
What would it be like to have matching 401k?
What would it be like to have an assistant?
What would it be like to be part of a team instead of being the coach?

I should just stop…this could go on for hours and you are probably sick of my whining by now

Peace

3 days and counting for Orlando