Spec Writer Analogies

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Author Message David R. Combs, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: davidcombs Post Number: 99 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 10:24 am:    Does everyone remember the movie "Jaws"? Some days, I feel like the oceanographer, and I work for a bunch of town mayors and police chiefs. (Of course, there's also days when I feel like the chum.) Doug Frank FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: doug_frank_ccs Post Number: 132 Registered: 06-2002 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 10:57 am:    Analogies; I love ‘em. Sometimes I’m like Sergeant Joe Friday in Dragnet; trying to get “Just The Facts”. Sometimes I’m like Siegfried & Roy; keeping trouble makers at bay with nothing more than a chair. Sometimes I’m like Rowdy Yates in Rawhide; except I’m herding Cats instead of cattle. Mostly though I’m like Rodney Dangerfield. and David,, You’re going to need a bigger boat. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 313 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 10:58 am:    I understand. Maybe the following will cheer you up-- then again, maybe not. BEST IN SHOW ! by Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Cincinnati, OH How is Rufus, the colored bull terrier that went Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show like a specifications writer? Oh, come on! Not that he is “dogged”!!!! But he IS colorful, serious about his work, joyful at success, close to the perfect standard for his breed, “showy” to the point of attracting due attention, loving to his owners and handler, responsive and is quite drawn to a good meal! Now you apply that to yourself, if you write specs, or to the spec writer in your office. There is absolutely no difference— except, hopefully, the specs writer makes it around on 2 legs! But of course, when pushed the nature in Rufus and the spec writer will elicit a growl, but only as a precaution and when richly deserved. Now the spec writer, again hopefully will not lick your hand, but still is more than willing to please. Another thing is that for that one night, Rufus is the Best to be had [at least in the eyes of the one judge]. He will bring due credit to his handler and owners, will draw endorsements, and will be pictured on various products-- but sadly, next year, this time, he will be demoted to Westminster Best in Show 2006, and will have to demur to that other precocious K-9 who will become WBinS 2007. Here we, spec writers have it all over Rufus. We endure!!! We go on and are more like the Eveready bunny-- boom, boom, boom! ‘Course, there is a down side for us-- we don’t go to stud like Rufus will, or out to pasture like the Derby winner! [As a lasting remembrance, I think CSI should issue a large colorful rosette with streamers for the Best in Spec Writers, in each office!!!] You with me? Mitch Miller,AIA ,CSI,CCS Senior Member Username: m2architek Post Number: 65 Registered: 02-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 11:06 am:    ......the "mushroom syndrome"... kept in the dark and fead alot of crap! and then everyone expects a bumper crop! David R. Combs, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: davidcombs Post Number: 100 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 12:25 pm:    Doug, I don't know if they make boats that big! Come to think of it, wearing a [Rodney's trademark] red tie would also be most appropriate. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 303 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 05:57 pm:    And from the distaff side: some days I feel like a street-walker (not necessarily the first word choice, but a little more gentile)- wrong side of town, not respected by anyone, but expected to perform and put out just because I'm getting paid! "Don't think, just do it!" Joanne Rodriguez, CSI, CDT, LEED AP Senior Member Username: joanne Post Number: 21 Registered: 09-2004 Posted on Thursday, February 16, 2006 - 09:44 pm:    I might get myself in trouble here but I often think of spec writers as a "necessary evil" with the emphasis on...thinking....thinking...saving my position within a respected community..."necessary" Kenneth C. Crocco Senior Member Username: kcrocco Post Number: 42 Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 09:54 am:    When I started specification writing there was a little sign on the bulletin board: It was a picture of a mushroom. It was as Mitch stated above, the mushroom syndrome: "kept in the dark and fed a lot of BS". Did you ever feel maybe being a CSI Member is a lot like that? What Happened? Joanne Rodriguez, CSI, CDT, LEED AP Senior Member Username: joanne Post Number: 23 Registered: 09-2004 Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 01:31 pm:    Ken, you are a trouble maker! We haven't "owned" the membership of CSI for a long time. Like all things it has gone corporate. If we are to realize the success and grassroots feel we once had, and some Chapters still retain, we need to take "ownership". Unfortunately for us right now that means the good, the bad, and the ugly. Our phones weren't ringing for advice on personnel matters. Decisions were made for reasons which we should never really realize. I know that it seems so scandalous because it is. The scandal is not the "issue" itself but how it was handled. This entire episode lacked a level of professional judgement that we should question. So if we are to ask "what happened" shouldn't we also ask "how do we insure it never happens again?" CSI is wearing a very black eye right now. I personally welcome the time when we are proud and ask "what next" with great anticipation, or ask "how can we help"--all great signs of a successful member-driven organization. In the vein of analogies how about: One for all and all for one?! Ronald J. Ray, RA, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: rjray Post Number: 55 Registered: 04-2004 Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 03:13 pm:    Joanne, what episode are you talking about? I feel that way about MasterFormat 2004, a document that provided very little improvement over its predecessor, in my opinion. Richard L Matteo, AIA, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: rlmat Post Number: 150 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Friday, February 17, 2006 - 06:00 pm:    Let's not stir up that hornets' nest again! The development and implementation of MF04 is just the tip of the iceberg compared to the current situation where CSI is now going to be run by Committee (of the Staff)as Karl Borgstrom is no longer the Executive Director. Anne Whitacre, CCS CSI Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 299 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 01:44 am:    I think a spec writer is a librarian: showing people how to find the answers; organizing the information and making it palatable and shining a light on wrong-doings in the office. I see us as having judgement and perspective, since we work on 30 projects a year, not 2 of them; we hear every sales pitch out there and know the good reps from the bad reps; and understand how it all fits together John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 239 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Saturday, February 18, 2006 - 02:18 am:    I have difficulty coming up with an analogy that doesn't have unintended negative connotations. I have a well-developed cynical attitude about many things but right now I have 11 active clients and 5 additional inactive clients whom I generally and genuinely like to work with. There are some rough spots, mainly having to do with prompt payment of invoices and encounters with technically and contractually ignorant project team members, but those are usually resolved without too much distress because of well-developed personal relationships. Mutual respect has developed between us and it is healthy atmosphere to work in. I find, whether as an in-house or out-sourced specifications writer, that I function much like one of the gate agents for Southwest Airlines on the A&E cable network show "Airline." I've got to keep my cool despite unreasonable people and situations. I have to remember that the goal is not "winning" but of serving customers (A/E's, project owners and contractors) in a safe and competent manner, despite some of the Lulu's who occasionally come along and create havoc. Dean E. McCarty Senior Member Username: dean_e_mccarty Post Number: 14 Registered: 08-2002 Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 12:12 pm:    I sometimes feel we are viewed as the "ditch diggers" of the design industry. There is a need that no one else wants to do because it is not glamorous. Maybe we are the “Ed Nortons” of the industry. You all remember the ignoble job he had on the Honeymooners. Not that I am saying what we do is ignoble. Far from it. It is just the perception that I think architects as a generalization have about us. I love what I do, and like John, I have some great clients that, after several projects, have come to realize the important role I play, and they act accordingly; like getting me information in a timely manner. Overall, I think that the market in the Twin Cities has historically had a generally poor attitude towards us lowly spec writers; but that seems to be changing a great deal as fewer of us are available, and as the architects realize that they need the project manual to complete their documents. Kenneth C. Crocco Senior Member Username: kcrocco Post Number: 46 Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Wednesday, March 01, 2006 - 01:31 pm:    I rather feel like we are the "Androids" of the Star Trek generation: Similar to Data: Position: Science Officer Place of birth: Science colony Education: Starfleet Academy (where else do you learn specification writing? not in architecture/engineering school.) We measure our time in nanoseconds and we hold most of the "data" in our brains. You might be aware, however, that Data, like spec writers, is highly proficient and has several talants, like singing, playing the violin, dancing and from a specially placed chip, will show some emotion. Chris Grimm, RLA, CDT, MAI, CSI Senior Member Username: tsugaguy Post Number: 25 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Thursday, March 02, 2006 - 04:14 pm:    ambassador Tracy Van Niel Senior Member Username: tracy_van_niel Post Number: 160 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 09:52 am:    From the way some of the projects have been going around here lately, I'd say "psychic". Ellis C. Whitby, AIA, PE, CSI Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 10 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 02:52 pm:    After some projects, I believe that "psychotic" may be more appropriate: Everyone IS against you Ronald L. Geren, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, MAI Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 217 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 03:01 pm:    Sometimes, we could be referred to as "magicians"; capable of pulling a spec out of our a...well, let's leave it at "hat" for now. Ralph Liebing, RA, CSI Senior Member Username: rliebing Post Number: 325 Registered: 02-2003 Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 03:37 pm:    Oh, come on-- it's "highly astute, and thoroughly unflappable professionals" in ALL instances!! NEVER let 'em see you sweat! Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEED AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 312 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 04:28 pm:    It's been a hectic, but good, week. I've had some of the younger architects come to me for help. So today, I'm feeling like a spec guru. Anne Whitacre, CCS CSI Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 303 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 05:02 pm:    I think my "specially placed chip" is missing much of the time in the office.... otherwise, the emotion wouldn't be ... conducive to a pleasant working environment Doug Brinley AIA CSI CDT CCS Senior Member Username: dbrinley Post Number: 175 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Friday, March 03, 2006 - 05:05 pm:    My 'specially placed chip' produced a low buzzing noise in my head, so I turned it off. Richard Howard, AIA CSI CCS Senior Member Username: rick_howard Post Number: 67 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 04:49 pm:    Architectural Proctologist. What we do is not glamorous, it is something nobody else wants to do, and it provides relief to a bunch of a------s. I guess it is OK to spell out "architects." Dean McCarty, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: dean_e_mccarty Post Number: 23 Registered: 08-2002 Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 04:57 pm:    And the money is good, too. At least it is for me. Kenneth C. Crocco Senior Member Username: kcrocco Post Number: 47 Registered: 04-2003 Posted on Monday, March 06, 2006 - 05:05 pm:    Architectural Proctologist, now that is great. By the way, incase anyone needs to know what we do: A man went into the proctologist's office for his first exam. The doctor told him to have a seat in the examination room and that he would be with him in just a few minutes. Well, when the man sat down in the examination room, he noticed that there was three items on a stand next to the doctors desk: a tube of K-Y jelly, a rubber glove and a beer. When the doctor came in, the man said, "Look Doc, this is my first exam.. I know what the K-Y is for... and I know what the glove is for... but what's the BEER for?" At that instant, the doctor became noticeably outraged and stormed over to the door. The doc flung the door open and yelled to his nurse, "Damnit, nurse!!! I said BUTT LIGHT!!!"