The Root of All Evil...

Yesterday,The Partner and I were assigned to repair a sprinkler valve that had been damaged by the roots of a nearby tree.
Funny how,when I think of 'roots',I conjure up visions of a stringy mass of delicate tendrils,weaving their way about the sub soil in search of nutrients.
..Take a look at this nasty bastard!!


That 90 degree angle is where it grew around the foundation of the building,some 10 inches below the surface.
It's relentless quest entirely engulfed the valve,after crushing the 1/4 inch PVC box that protected it.
...This is what was spared from annihilation..Notable for it's lack of,..you know,..technically complex sprinkling thingys.


Here's the long view of the offender.
I figure it weighs in at about 200 pounds,and 25 feet long.
Yeah,..that's a chainsaw..We refer to it as a 'Gardening tool'.


The whole operation took about 6 hours of pick axes,shovels,and all manner of power tool wielding determination..All the while,the sun has graced us with temperatures in the 90's.

Did I mention that this job only pays minimum wage?..No?
Did I also forget to mention that,as part-time employment,Unemployment deducts what I earn,and pays me the difference of my Unemployment entitlement so that I make exactly the same money busting my ass that I would if I just sat at home?..
Of course,..then I wouldn't have the satisfaction of a job well done.
Seriously,..that's important to a man's self-esteem.
The fact that I choose to do this,somehow keeps the whole thing one step above indentured servitude.

AnyHebrewSlave..I told you that story,..so I could tell you this one.

The first thing I do when I get home,(after pounding down a handful of extra strength Tylenol),is check my e-mail,and find a note from Bobbi over at Experience Works.
It seems that I have neglected to send in my job search paperwork for the last couple of weeks.
She notes that I have a 3 month performance review coming up,and that if I don't send them in,she will rate my participation in the program as 'VERY POOR'..

At first I thought,..'My bad'.

That lasted all of about 0.05 seconds,..when it occurred to me..
'So,..here's this broad sitting at her desk across town,in her air-conditioned office,who picks up my file,shuffles a few papers, and decides that my efforts are below her standards of how a man is supposed to 'perform',so she'll just reach for her rubber stamp and slam 'VERY POOR!' on my life!'
..Don't break a nail sweetheart!

It just seems to me that someone regularly disposed to business communication,should be more adept at their choice of words.
I've become accustomed to the well-chosen words of veteran bloggers,and frankly,I just wasn't in the mood.

I mean,..I like to think that I have some small skill at formulating a sentence,so I quick-fax her the errant copies of my job searches,and compose a reply to her
ultimatum;

'Good Morning Bobbi,
It seems that you have inadvertently wandered onto MY turf!
..Here is my advice...'

..I've yet to receive a response.