The first day of concrete was today. Most of the work we’ve accomplished over the past five months will soon be covered over, inaccessible, invisible, and in the past. The time just before a concrete pour is the most stressful time in a superintendent’s existence on a job site. As the day to begin pouring approaches, one’s senses get heightened as does one’s anxiety level. Problems on the job site seem alive and wicked as curses.
Today, more than ever before in my building career, I am having to trust that the men on the ground know their craft, care enough to produce a good product, and have the experience necessary to catch all of the things that I’ve missed. The Plagenhoefs and I decided to hire the work out to a crew which specializes in concrete work; instead of taking on the task of pouring the flat-work ourselves. Weather the crew on site today is composed of men who are skilled in the craft of concrete remains to be proven.
Two of the four man crew hired by Fisnik were men I’ve worked with in the past. Cole and Edmund seem like good men, but it is difficult for me to get a bearing on whether or not they are trustworthy. When faces become friendly too quickly it always causes me to doubt. Tomorrow morning I will have a look at the results of the first day’s pour and after that I should be able to relax a little.
Vissy and Sajmir were in site today to install more pieces of border; the results of a last-minute change made in a meeting last Friday. Tomorrow Vissy will be working on the sprutso, alone. It will be good to have his eyes on site in the morning before I get there. Tomorrow I am going to take my first class of formal language instruction. I am a little nervous.
Today was the first day of school in Albania for gradeshoolers. Fatjon came by the job site with his friend Mario for a quick visit. It is always nice to see young men in their best clothing with their faces washed, and their hair clean; looking sharper than a diamond-carved razor blade. I had not expected to see him today and it was a nice surprise. He is a good young man and he is intelligent and sincere besides. Working with young people is a good way to remind oneself how unwritten the future is and how beautiful it has the potential to be.
albaniacalling 