Archive through October 15, 2020

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Author Message Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 242 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 - 03:13 pm:    "The only reason some people get lost in thought because it is such unfamiliar territory.” Paul Fix (1901-1983) ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 857 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 - 04:02 pm:    Yes, we call them government officials. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 243 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 - 05:16 pm:    I have encountered several in private industry. Jerome J. Lazar, RA, CCS, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: lazarcitec Post Number: 1226 Registered: 05-2003 Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 - 07:54 pm:    In the old days, I might have asked who the hell is Paul Fix? But these days we don't have to ask those silly questions, we just have to ask Google. So I did and there was a face I remember from Rifleman and other Westerns I watched in my youth, its odd Ellis that you should quote Mr Fix as one of the last posts of 2014 on this forum, any other significance? Ken, have a happy & safe New Year, my friend, and to all the other posters and lurkers on this forum. Every year I learn more and more from what I read on this forum, from the discussions, from the friends I've made, and even from the arguments. Colin, keep up the good work in 2015, the service you provide is really important for the industry, perhaps we don't thank you as much as we should. I am happy to report no dilemmas or catastrophes to end the year with, a few arguments on linkedin over the validity of MF95 in 2015, it appears I am a bad influence on the industry..Poppycock...I am not trying to save the world, just trying to make a few bucks so I can retire someday like my friend Dave Metzger rather than my RIP friend Ralph Liebing. I am spending New Year's Eve with my 25 yr old daughter who has chosen to spend the last day of the year with me instead of her friends. I am taking advantage of it. Good year to all. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, AIA, LEED® AP Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 244 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Monday, January 05, 2015 - 08:30 am:    Jerome; The quote has no significance other than I like it. I have meet many people to whom the quote could apply: including coworkers, consultants, and clients. Ed Storer Senior Member Username: ed_storer Post Number: 49 Registered: 05-2009 Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 - 02:53 pm:    Project Manual was the preferred term for the "spec book" for a couple of decades. I can't recall when or why the Project Manual designation was discontinued. Anybody knowing the reasons for discontinuing the Term? Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 782 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 - 03:10 pm:    ...because nobody reads the instruction manual? Margaret G. Chewning FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: presbspec Post Number: 321 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 - 04:03 pm:    Since when has the Term "project manual" been discontinued? I still use the term instead of "spec book" which I consider to be slang. Ron Beard Senior Member Username: rm_beard_ccs Post Number: 463 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 - 06:40 pm:    The AIA A201 - 2007 edition dropped the term "Project Manual" from their defined terms which was included in the 1997 edition and previous editions. I have always incorporated the definition in my Supplementary Conditions since then. "Fast is good, but accurate is better." .............Wyatt Earp Guest (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2019 - 06:34 pm:    Ed, Why do you think the term has been discontinued? "Project manual" is used throughout the most recent edition of CSI's Project Delivery Practice Guide ... quite extensively actually. In MasterFormat 2014* "project manual" is also used extensively. Can anyone confirm its use in the 2018 version of MasterFormat? *I know, I know, its old but in my defense, CSI includes access to look up the current numbers and titles online with membership, so the incentive to purchase the full publication every two years isn't really there for me. James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 282 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2019 - 09:02 am:    I made a presentation to in my office at the beginning of this year titled "Understanding the Project Manual." In the presentation I mention the slang term "spec book" and placed this image of our beloved hero Charlie Brown next to it. I cannot think of a better expression of my despondency when I hear the term. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2206 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2019 - 09:09 am:    As Ron stated above, it's the AIA that has dropped the term from their contract documents. Define it somewhere in Division 00 or 01 and you'll be good. It's annoying to have AIA drop the term; I thought we could work together. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1248 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2019 - 09:29 am:    Architects are usually happy to work with Specifiers but first we have to get their attention and establish a means of communication. The AIA however, not so much. Sort of the difference between dealing with an individual vs. dealing with a mob. Dan Helphrey Senior Member Username: dbhelphrey Post Number: 41 Registered: 12-2018 Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2019 - 03:37 pm:    I am increasingly working on jobs where our deliverables include no Div 00 and sometimes no Div 01 - in this case, "Specifications" is the correct title for the bound volume, although I have also called it "Project Manual, Vol. II." anon (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2019 - 04:29 pm:    While AIA may have dropped "Project Manual" from the definitions in A201, it has not abandoned the term altogether. See AIA B101 Section 3.4.3, there it is, completely intact: "The Architect shall also compile a project manual that includes the Conditions of the Contract for Construction and Specifications." Guest (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2019 - 05:35 pm:    I found an older comparison showing the changes from the 1997 to 2007 version of AIA A201 and I happen to think the change was a good one. http://content.aia.org/sites/default/files/2017-02/A201-2007-A201-1997%20Comparative.pdf I don't think the term needs to be defined in the General Conditions (or the General Requirements for that matter). For the purposes of establishing necessary conditions and requirements for the work, how does the definition of "Project Manual" in this document help? I could see it being referenced in the Agreement as a volume that contains some of the contract documents as way of enumerating them. For that, all that should be needed is a cover sheet identifying the volume as the "Project Manual" with a date. It doesn't need to be defined in these documents. The definition in the 1997 version was pretty vague and squishy anyway: "The Project Manual is a volume assembled for the Work which may include the bidding requirements, sample forms, Conditions of the Contract and Specifications." What information did this give the Owner or Contractor that was necessary to the conditions of their contract for construction? If anything the language in B101 (thanks for pointing this out anon) was always more descriptive and correct than the definition was in A201 without being established as a "definition." The only change here in B101 between 1997 and 2017 has been a comma between "Specifications" and the rest of the clause, "and may include bidding requirements and sample forms." In this context it's usefulness is simply descriptive as part of the fulfillment of a contractual requirement. It is a compilation of certain items for the Owner as part of the deliverable for the construction documents phase of services. I don't think further definition is necessary. Ron Beard Senior Member Username: rm_beard_ccs Post Number: 465 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Friday, October 25, 2019 - 02:55 am:    As specifiers/editors of documents “assembled for the Work,” we have the responsibility to define what our words mean within the context of our documents. Most words in the construction industry have clearly defined definitions. Many others need to be defined as to their meaning with the documents we produce. Specifiers with a wide range of experience, deal with this more than most. References to AIA B101 are useless if Owner’s custom agreements are used; or, for that matter, what if no AIA documents are used including General Conditions (either Owner’s own GC or EJCDC’s GC). What about projects using a Construction Manager or a design build project? Architect’s are the ‘tail wagging the dog’ in the complete construction industry when including roads, bridges, tunnels, dams, waterways, industrial complexes, etc. CSI was really on the ball when they expanded MasterFormat to 49 Divisions with the clear intent to be relevant to the entire construction industry. Remember procurement projects (when we studied for our various certification exams), where AIA documents are not relevant nor was construction law the basis of our contract documents. As Lynn suggests, the terms we use and our intended meanings need to be defined by the author of our assembled Work preferably within our Division 1 including the many terms we use throughout our documents in addition to the term ‘Project Manual.’ Every spec I write I like to image that an deposition attorney is looking over my shoulder. As specifiers/editors, we need to make our documents complete and concise without relying on other documents outside of our control - even if it means we are redundant FOOTNOTE: The EJCDC’s “Standard General Conditions of the Construction Contract” defines the Project Manual as follows: The written documents prepared for, or made available for, procuring and constructing the Work, including but not limited to the Bidding Documents or other construction procurement documents, geotechnical and existing conditions information, the Agreement, bond forms, General Conditions, Supplementary Conditions and Specifications. The contents of the Project Manual may be bound in one or more volumes. "Fast is good, but accurate is better." .............Wyatt Earp ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1249 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, October 25, 2019 - 10:29 am:    So Ron, if Architects are the 'tail wagging the dog' does that make Specifiers the flea on the tail? Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2207 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, October 25, 2019 - 10:59 am:    And even though we can bite, we're hanging on for dear life. Ron Beard Senior Member Username: rm_beard_ccs Post Number: 466 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Friday, October 25, 2019 - 03:25 pm:    Ken, that's better than being under the tail. "Fast is good, but accurate is better." .............Wyatt Earp Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 488 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Thursday, December 26, 2019 - 05:47 pm:    What do you call people who are afraid of Santa Claus? Claustrophobic. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 489 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Monday, December 30, 2019 - 03:38 pm:    Those people who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do. Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 319 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 - 11:51 am:    Show me a man how is afraid of Christmas and I will show you Noel Coward. (Unknown) Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 490 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 - 04:05 pm:    “If the English language made any sense, lackadaisical would have something to do with a shortage of flowers.” Doug Larson (1926-) Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 491 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, January 03, 2020 - 08:47 am:    “The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits.” Attributed to Albert Einstein James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 290 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Friday, January 03, 2020 - 09:04 am:    Ellis, Doug Larson was right up there with Mark Twain, Will Rogers, and Bennett Cerf when it came to uttering an amusing aphorism or joke. Unfortunately, we lost Mr. Larson on April 1, 2017 but he did have a long life - 91 years - and brightened the day for many. Perhaps is it fitting he entered writers' paradise on the day designated for practical jokes and witticisms. Happy New Year to all my 4specs colleagues. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 492 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, January 03, 2020 - 09:23 am:    James; Thanks for the correction. I treasure the Doug Larson books I own. ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1264 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2020 - 11:47 am:    With thanks to A Word A Day and wordsmith.org: A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: It is better to sleep on things beforehand than lie awake about them afterwards. -Baltasar Gracian, philosopher and writer (8 Jan 1601-1658) Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 494 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2020 - 11:50 am:    Ken; I know that there are several emails I sent which I should have "slept on" instead of hitting "send." :-( ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1265 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2020 - 12:49 pm:    HAHA. I understand. Many of my best emails were never sent:-) Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 495 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Monday, January 13, 2020 - 03:34 pm:    "The two most common elements in the universe are Hydrogen and stupidity." Harlan Ellison (1934 - 2018) Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 496 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Thursday, January 16, 2020 - 01:13 pm:    "They say such nice things about people at their funerals that it makes me sad that I'm going to miss mine by just a few days." Garrison Keillor (1942-) ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1266 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Thursday, January 16, 2020 - 01:28 pm:    May we each be in heaven a week before the devil knows we're dead. Ellis, I only say nice things about you. Reminds me of a great toast by the late Cajun Cook, Justin Wilson: "Here's to those that wish me well and them that don't can go to hell." James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 291 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Friday, January 17, 2020 - 08:59 am:    Justin Wilson; Entertainer, chef, philosopher. "I gaaa'-ron-tee." His International Movie Data Base (IMDB) entry claims many Cajuns were offended by his portrayal of their way of speaking. Being a (east) Texan with Louisiana roots I question that. Though Wilson's accent and syntax was a bit exaggerated I know of no Cajun who claimed to be insulted. Cajuns do, by and large, have a great sense of humor and enjoy his stories as much as anyone. They know their way of speaking is unique and are not ashamed of it. The same can be said for a lot of Texans: "Y'all drop that terminal consonant rat now! I ain't foolin'. :-) Marc Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 564 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, January 17, 2020 - 11:19 am:    I personally like the friendly way that in some parts of Texas (dad is from San Antonio) no one likes to have a vowel left alone...they seem want a vowel to have a friend to play with. Sometimes several. "o" often gets a "u", "a" and "e" are never seen apart and sometimes get "i" to come along. It's like discovering a whole new world of diphthongs James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 292 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Friday, January 17, 2020 - 02:31 pm:    Marc, I love it! And "yes" is a two-syllable word in some parts. Ken, I'm reminded of a quote attributed to Davy Crockett after he lost a congressional race in his home state of Tennessee, "You may all go to Hell and I will go to Texas." ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1267 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, January 17, 2020 - 03:05 pm:    HAHAHA. I guess his exe's didn't live in Texas! Say what you will about states like Louisiana and Texas but how extensive are their lexicons? See http://www.baltimorehon.com/ for a course on how to communicate in the city of Baltimore. Who knew that wash had an "r" in it but library didn't? ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1268 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, January 17, 2020 - 03:47 pm:    Attributed to Abraham Lincoln: If I only had an hour to chop down a tree, I would spend the first 45 minutes sharpening my axe. How would you modify it to address what we do? Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2220 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, January 17, 2020 - 04:18 pm:    Honing my acts...but seriously, gathering all the available information. James Sandoz, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: jsandoz Post Number: 293 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Monday, January 20, 2020 - 08:56 am:    What Lynn said. I never cease to be amazed by the wisdom and insight of our 16th president. When I read "Undaunted Courage" by the late Stephen Ambrose the thing that impressed me most (aside from Toussaint Charbonneau's skill with a long rifle) was the extent of the preparation Lewis and Clark went through prior to the beginning of the expedition. I guess, in its day, it was analogous to a modern day trip to the Moon or Mars. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 497 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, January 24, 2020 - 08:18 am:    "The sooner you fall behind the more time you'll have to catch up." Somehow no matter how much time I have available to catch up, I never do. David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 320 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Friday, January 24, 2020 - 10:41 am:    Lynn, may the facts be with you! Dan Helphrey Senior Member Username: dbhelphrey Post Number: 48 Registered: 12-2018 Posted on Friday, January 24, 2020 - 02:54 pm:    Ellis, I consider any day a success if my to do list is shorter at the end of the day. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 498 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, January 24, 2020 - 05:14 pm:    Dan; Sometimes I think I'm on escher stairs. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 499 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2020 - 09:37 am:    “Illegal aliens have always been a problem in the United States. Ask any Indian.” Robert Orben (1927-) Louis Medcalf, FCSI, CCS Senior Member Username: louis_medcalf Post Number: 110 Registered: 11-2010 Posted on Thursday, February 13, 2020 - 04:08 pm:    Reality is full of blessings, illusion is not. --Eutychus Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 500 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, February 14, 2020 - 07:58 am:    For anyone who needs an example. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 516 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Thursday, March 05, 2020 - 10:50 pm:    “I'd come to realize that all our troubles spring from our failure to use plain, clear-cut language.” Camus, "The Plague" Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 501 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, March 06, 2020 - 07:10 am:    Michael; Sometimes "plan" language starts the fights. Sometimes "white lies" are appropriate. Not always, mind, but sometimes. Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 764 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Friday, March 06, 2020 - 08:43 am:    From 101 Things I Learned in Architecture School by Matthew Frederick: “If you can’t explain your ideas to your grandmother in terms that she understands, you don’t know your subject well enough.” David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 323 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Friday, March 06, 2020 - 10:02 am:    Dave Metzger, I agree. When it comes to specifications, I have always thought that someone who can read a newspaper should be able to derive a general understanding of the content of a specification section. Somewhat along those lines, the mystery writer, Elmore Leonard, said, "If it reads like writing, re-write it." Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2222 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, March 06, 2020 - 04:52 pm:    "explain it to your grandmother" I've told that to many a manufacturer's rep regarding their website. If your grandmother can't find something, redesign. I've also be known to say "I knew exactly what I meant when I wrote that. Why don't you understand it?" Obviously, it's important to have an editor - or reread it in a couple of hours or the next day to be certain it's clear (concise, complete and correct...) Dan Helphrey Senior Member Username: dbhelphrey Post Number: 50 Registered: 12-2018 Posted on Friday, March 06, 2020 - 05:52 pm:    Eschew Obfuscation ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1272 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Friday, March 06, 2020 - 09:15 pm:    Lynn, you reminded me of the old Richard Nixon quote “I know you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant.” He would never have been a good Specifier. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 502 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Saturday, March 07, 2020 - 10:59 am:    Re Dave Metzger's note about "explain your ideas to your grandmother in terms that she understands", I remember a college classmate of mine who about a month after the Apollo 11 mission in 1969 entertained us with a description of his discussion with an older neighbors who denied that a lunar landing had occurred. "God won't let it happen" was the neighbor's only explanation. No amount of discussion availed in the several attempts to educate the neighbor. Sometimes no amount of clarity can resolve communication. David J. Wyatt, CDT Senior Member Username: david_j_wyatt_cdt Post Number: 324 Registered: 03-2011 Posted on Monday, March 16, 2020 - 08:54 am:    "We have nothing to fear but fear itself... and the boogie man." Attributed to Pat Paulsen, writer, actor and candidate for President of the United States. Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 504 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Monday, March 16, 2020 - 05:08 pm:    FYI: Monday the 16th occurs just as often as Friday the 13th. Why is the 16th not unlucky? Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2223 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, March 16, 2020 - 05:24 pm:    This month, this year - Friday the 13th, followed by Pi day, followed by the Ides of March. Coincidence? (grin) Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 518 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Monday, March 16, 2020 - 10:58 pm:    The two specifiers heard they should keep six feet between them. So they got an insect. Lesson: A complete and concise may not be correct. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 509 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 01:19 pm:    “The only really good place to buy lumber is at a store where the lumber has already been cut and attached together in the form of furniture, finished, and put inside boxes.” Dave Barry (1947-) Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2225 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 02:34 pm:    Dave Barry is one of my favorite funny humans Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 510 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 03:43 pm:    Lynn; I agree: I loved virtually all his columns. I was disappointed when he retired from regular column production. But such is life. Jeffrey Wilson CSI CCS SCIP Senior Member Username: wilsonconsulting Post Number: 332 Registered: 03-2006 Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 05:54 pm:    But you can still read his books! Some of the rehashed content from columns is hilarious with repeated readings, and there's some fresh stuff in the books too. My spousal unit forbids reading of Dave Barry in her presence. Apparently, going into uncontrolled hysterics is not fair to people who don't "get" his humor. Jeffrey Wilson CCS CSI SCIP Wilson Consulting Inc Ardmore PA Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEED® AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 2226 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Thursday, March 19, 2020 - 06:06 pm:    Too bad! My "spousal unit" gets not only Barry's humor, but also that of Carl Hiaasen. Another one who causes tears of laughter for me! Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 799 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Tuesday, March 24, 2020 - 12:33 pm:    My standard gift I give to certain new friends is Dave Barry's short book called "The Difference between Guys and Men" So damn funny! Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 514 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2020 - 02:20 pm:    “A bird in the hand is safer than one overhead.” Anon ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1275 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, March 30, 2020 - 03:31 pm:    Until you get bitten ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1302 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 09:57 am:    A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Wear your learning, like your watch, in a private pocket, and do not pull it out and strike it merely to show you have one. If you are asked what o'clock it is, tell it, but do not proclaim it hourly and unasked, like the watchman. -Lord Chesterfield, statesman and writer (22 Sep 1694-1773) What a nice way to tell people to respect other peoples' time and space. With thanks to AWAD on Wordsmith.org Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 535 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Tuesday, September 22, 2020 - 10:38 am:    "He is a self-made man and worships his creator." John Bright (1811-1889) I wonder if anyone knows someone like that? Ron Beard Senior Member Username: rm_beard_ccs Post Number: 473 Registered: 10-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2020 - 04:09 pm:    "My doctor recently told me that jogging could add years to my life. I think he was right. I've only been jogging once and I feel ten years older already." "Fast is good, but accurate is better." .............Wyatt Earp Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 537 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2020 - 05:30 pm:    “It does not matter whether you win or lose, what matters is whether I win or lose!” Steven Weinberg (1933-) Personally, I don't mind other people winning, as long as I do too. I am not a fan of "zero sum" activities or philosophies.