Failed building inspection and a great Coincidence.

Little known facts:

1.   Recycling one glass jar saves enough energy to operate a television for three hours.

2.   The cigarette lighter was invented before the match.

3.   The main library at Indiana University sinks over an inch a year. When it was designed engineers failed to take into account the weight of all the books that would occupy the building.

Now let’s talk government!

Grandson Josh and sweet wife Megan needed a nice building to play in.  She is a Nurse first and artist second.  Josh is a software specialist first and a professional musician second. The building is a relief valve for space, it to be called the ‘Art House’.

Mark is handling the construction. For the first time in our careers we have (Illogically) failed two inspections. Over a hundred houses and no major problems, then a Work/Storage building we are stymied. It was time to talk to the head inspector. I got my ducks in a row. I have spent a good bit of time with building inspectors. Mark and I are used to walking in and talking to inspectors.

As I waited, a security guard looked across the shined floors, smiled and called out, “How are you today?”

“Fine,” I answered too loud methinks. Then I thought and said across the building, “I lied, I ‘ain’t fine,’ or I would not be here.”  He waved, smiled, gave me the thumbs up, everyone laughed.

Two layers of bureaucracy exist before you see an inspector. They were very friendly but kept me insulated from an inspector (they did their jobs well).  Finally after some bantering I did get to see a supervisor. He walked out to me.

“Whoa,” I said loudly again (everyone looked around) “I wanted to see a little guy and they send out Goliath!”  That drew a laugh and broke down the barriers.

 (It is good to have a BIG friend!)

“Nah, no Goliath,” he smiled, “I’m a Teddy Bear.”  He was a good guy.

At a big conference table I laid out the plans. And explained the problems. I said, “First let me explain, this is a family project. I and my son are licensed NC General Contractors.  We have built in this county and the neighboring counties. Building over a hundred houses we never failed an inspection until we got involved in this work/storage building. To be honest I think your inspector thinks Josh is building a ‘mini-home’ for his mother in law. Seeing the Florida auto tags is assuming we are outsiders. I just want to say to you, we are Tar Heels, presently living in Florida. All our family is here. We are not outsiders.”

“Sounds about right, do you build in Florida?”

“NO I am retired and travel. Our journey has taken us to over 26 countries and all 50 states. We are here to help Josh. I would rather be in Maine finishing the AT.”  That was the magic word, the AT.  The Supervisor was a hiker. He was losing 90 pounds so he can have a hip replacement and get back on the AT. 

To try to shorten this, his trail name is ‘Heavy Load’, he is ordering my book. So you can figure the meeting went well, not as much as I wanted, but I got the okay on the main stuff.  He agreed, like his inspector, the building is well built, Imma hoping things will go better now that I have a friend called ‘Heavy Load’.

Nite Shipslog

 This '41 Mercury would have been right at home at the service station.