Economic Stimulus – Courtesy of Mother Nature

A recent Government Report out of Washington DC claims job market improvement may be slowing. Look out your window gentlemen. New jobs abound in the snow-ravaged mid-Atlantic!

Folks are still digging out from the storm of the century. Millions are being spent on snow removal. Anyone with a plow hitch, a back hoe or a shovel has new income opportunities.

BGE employees, past and present, are gainfully employed. Auto body shops are at full capacity. Bread, milk and toilet paper sales realized a significant jump (at least in snow-phobic Baltimore) as did salt, sand and cat litter.

As the great meltdown occurs, new job prospects arise. Plumbers, roofers and maintenance repair folks of all variety are hard at work on falling gutters, leaking roofs and flooded basements.

New employment opportunities will continue with pot hole repairs, sidewalk re-pointing and road resurfacing. Even arborists will have a full Spring calendar, trimming damaged trees and vegetation encroaching power lines.

As we brace for yet another run of the white stuff, don’t grumble. Remember, Mother Nature’s got her own economic stimulus plan.
It’s working its magic right here in Maryland.

Living the Good Life

As some of you may recall, Bryan, the contractor working on my kitchen renovation, was on his way over one afternoon in early April, but never made it here. I called the hospitals. I checked the morgue. To my relief, I did not find him there. I phoned a friend. He said Bryan had hopped a plane to California, for a week’s vacation. We can all use a little spontaneous R&R every now and again. I wasn’t mad, but I was a little jealous. I patiently waited for his week to pass.

Bryan never did returned to finish the job. He never came by to pick up the tools he left in my backyard. He never answered his cell phone. (I probably wasn’t the only client calling.) While I was a tad concerned about Bryan’s whereabouts, I was more concerned that I was stranded with a non-functional kitchen.

I quickly realized kitchen contractors are pretty busy in April. Seems a lot of folks use their tax return checks on home updates. Who knew? Luckily, I found Chris – on a tip from a bartender. (What can I say, I was getting a bit desperate after 6 weeks with no running water.) The kitchen was completed and Chris moved on, but the pile of Bryan's tools remained in my backyard – a constant reminder of the great disappearing contractor.

Last week, I found out that Bryan is indeed alive, and living in California. Seems his plane did not go down on his return flight. He never actually boarded a return flight. I’m glad he’s not in jail (as my brother speculated) or laying in a gutter somewhere. He’s simply enjoying the sun, sand and surf on the west coast. Oh, to be young again.

I’ve since given away Bryan’s tools and moved on to the next home improvement project, but every now and again when I walk into my kitchen, I picture surfer boy Bryan living the good life in LA.

My New Best Friend

I have a new best friend. His name is Chris. He is in my kitchen right now, hanging cabinet trim as I type. Chris is my new best friend. Why? Because he actually shows up when you need him. Isn't that the hallmark of any true friend? OK, I pay him for his work, but don't we repay all our friends in some way?!

Before Chris, my best friend was Bryan. He was here everyday for weeks working on my kitchen renovation. I likde Bryan. He was quiet and polite. His talents were many - dry wall, electric, carpentry and plumbing. He owned every tool imaginable and he brought nice guys with him on occassion to help out. He charged a fair price. He did great work. But then, he stopped showing up. And he stopped answering his cell phone.

It's been 4 weeks today since I've seen Bryan. I've given up leaving messages on his cell phone. Last I heard, he was taking a trip to California. I didn't read of any planes crashing so I can only assume he landed safely. My brother thinks he's probably in jail, but I prefer to imagine him surfing the waves on the west coast. Some of his tools are still here. I put them out back and covered them with a tarp. Perhaps some day he'll come back and get them.

I told Chris this morning I was so happy to see him. I tell him that every morning. Truth is, I'll be even happier when I don't see him anymore. That will mean the renovation work on my kitchen is done. My relationship with Chris is short term. Perhaps he will become one of those dear friends you touch base with on rare occassions but alway remember fondly. I hope so.