Observations on the construction world

• It really does take five guys to operate one shovel.
  
• Never try to use construction lingo -- you'll just end up looking like an idiot.
  
• Five pick-up trucks parked out back?  Of course.  Two white panel vans out in the street?  Naturally.  A sparkling clean, white BMW in the middle of it all?  Huh.
  
• The first five delays will happen before the crew even arrives.  The next five will happen within the first two weeks of the job.  The remaining setbacks (to infinity and beyond) are anybody's guess.
  
• That loud piece of machinery you hear but can't see is most definitely at your house.
  
• It's never surprising to come home to an earth-mover in your front yard.


• Or a cement truck out back.