The Good Humor Man....Peej
Skilled construction personnel, tradesman, journeymen. These are people that have a skill beyond the physical hard learned ability to perform their chosen craft….they can often see in their minds eye the fruits of their efforts though its completion may be days, weeks or months away. Though always in a hurry “to get it done” they hold a patience inside that allows them to see that structure standing while its foundation is being laid. A well laid foundation sets the scene for a smooth and successful finished project This chosen field of endeavor often entails however,long stretches of tedium in very adverse conditions causing a reliance on the basest of human elements to see them through……construction humor.
I love construction humor…..smack your thumb with a hammer and in all likelihood you will get.
“Stop your whining”…..or “Don’t make me laugh”…..possibly a sympathetic “We’ll rush you to the hospital at lunch time”…..man I live for that shit.
Recently while I worked a hospital rehab job in Key West one of the guys brought in a very cliche joke…an artificial turd. I have to say that the Chinese have finally excelled in the manufacturing of something….they have perfected the art of a perfect imitation of dog shit. I’m talking realistic to the point a sane man would never touch it. And so some of this jobs tedium was relieved by showing unsuspecting hospital staff “what the seeing eye dog” just did. It was lots of.. “Richie…watch me get this guy” and “Richie… watch me get that guy”
One afternoon while lagging behind the others up the driveway of our digs my pal Peej turned to warn me ‘Don’t step in that one Rich” to which Boss man Bob says….”Richie knows the joke Peej “.
“Worth a try” says Peej who then says. ” Might as well bring it inside Rich, Bobby B will be here tomorrow and we can scare him with it” and so with that thought in mind I reached on down while saying ” Damn that Friggin thing looks real don’t it” and instantly sank my fingers deep into the delicate freshness of reality. Though a victim of the pefect setup the most beautiful sound I know filled my ears….the laughter of an American construction crew. I used to hear it more often before we were all replaced by inexpensive imported labor. It was music to my ears…
And so….the worst thing that could have happened to me that day….was the very best. I would be well pleased to work any time with a crew that could lay such a perfect foundation……
I miss the days when American construction crews laughed and the best made dog shit in the world was stamped Made in the USA
