In our quest, for lack of a better term, to stabilize our pool and deck, which are slowly sliding down the backyard hill, I've learned a thing or two about geologists, engineers, contractors and our local Department of Building and Safety.
Who knew inside the walls where building permits are "copied, pulled and processed" was a single woman's dream location to meet eligible bachelors in every shape, size and age range? Seriously! The place is crawling with prospective love connections! Granted, I'm not single or looking for a man, but I've discovered the proverbial jackpot for all my single gal pals.
The ratio of males to females in the waiting line at Building and Safety is easily 25 guys to one girl. You're not going to find that in a singles bar! And the guys are VERY helpful with no corny, or sleezy come-on lines either.
With few exceptions it seems, contractors, engineers and architects are largely a male dominated business which means the few woman in this office really stand out. And, since the primary reason this group of professionals are in the office is because they are employed, it's all the better!
If you are not in the construction biz, you stand out even more, because, like me, you enter the office with a bewildered, befuddle, what-the-heck-am-I-doing-here kind of look on your face. It's a confusing joint with lots of windows, instructions and often staff who just point to random signs for instruction rather than actually speaking words when spoken to.
On my first visit, I scanned the numerous signs to figure out which line to stand in for a numbered ticket, so I could stand in another line to be assigned a line, then I waited for my number to be called so I could stand in yet another line. You get the idea. If you don't know the drill you're walking in circles and wasting a lot of time. But, if you're a single woman, that could be a good thing because all the experienced contractors, engineers and architects are very helpful and point out where to go and what to do next.
One day I had to complete several forms to obtain copies of past permits. I was joined at a long counter by obviously experience form completers who, upon seeing my lost expression, spoke right up and asked how they could help. I gratefully accepted.
After my forms were finalized and I stood in the proper line for processing, I was finally told to "sit in the chairs along the wall". Woo-hoo! Words were actually spoken and they offered me a place to sit! But before I did, I quickly scanned the 30 plus guys who were also seated and selected a seat near a contractor who had been helpful earlier, and who just happened NOT to be wearing a wedding ring.
On this particular day, that idiot Governor Sanford from South Carolina, had recently been busted for having an affair with a woman in South America, and was all over the front page of the Los Angeles Times. At one point, Mr. Helpful actually laughed out loud as he read the front page story so I used the opportunity to strike up a conversation-- on the behalf of my friend Liz, who was single and dateless.
Mr. Helpful seemed like a nice enough guy and was chatty and pleasant. I found out he's a contractor, divorced, unattached, 48, and had a great sense of humor. He asked about my construction issues and was sympathetic to the seriousness of our problem although it was not his area of expertise. By the time our numbers were called, twenty minutes later, I had his email address and my promise that Liz would be in touch.
Although I swore off matchmaking a long time ago, he just seemed like a nice guy and Liz had just told me to be on the lookout, so I stepped outside my comfort zone and hooked a friend up. I'm happy to report, so far so good. They meet for coffee and are having their third date this coming weekend!
When my other single gal pals heard about the potential dating pool at the Department of Building and Safety they enthusiastically volunteered to "keep me company" anytime I have to return-- to stand in line-- and check out the single guys. Who'd have thought Building and Safety had the potential to replace bar hopping for the singles crowd!
As for our sinking pool and sliding deck. Sadly, they're both still on the move while we await soil tests and geologist reports that are still "being processed". We've gone from having to stand on the deck to see the movement to standing 50 feet away and seeing the movement through the living room window. It makes my heart skip a beat.
Thankfully, our pool and deck are not hanging by a thread and no, we are not in danger of the yard pulling the house crashing down with it like you might have seen during California mud slides glorified and television and replayed hundreds of times. It's no where near that bad. But it's definitely not good and going to be a very big job to repair. If only there was a line to stand in to move the process along faster.
A million thanks to all of you who have sent good wishes and asked about it since my last post. As much as we need rain in California, I'm hoping it holds off until we can get things shored up and stable again.
Back to a happy note...
Where's the craziest place you've ever connected with people?
Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna
Thanks for the tip! If I ever find myself single again (hoping against it, but one never knows...) I'll know where to go hang out. If the relationship works out for your friend, you might've just hit upon a new version of match.com. I'm sure you can come up with a catchy phrase for the dating service. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the update, Joanna! I am going to send up a few prayers to keep that pool and deck right where they are... and maybe one to move it back toward where it should rightfully be.
ReplyDeleteThis is the greatest post ever! Who knew indeed that the Department of Building and Safety was swarming with potential husbands! And yay for Liz! Hope they are able to "build" on their relationship. Yer, yer, yer.
PS: I'm still contemplating my five words. I'll be posting soon!
I will email your post to my single girlfriends!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is an electrical engineering major. She's at a small college, and in her engineering class there are 20 guys and 3 girls. Nice odds to getting a Mrs. degree along with engineering!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about your shifting ground.
Well, who would have ever thunk?!
ReplyDeleteA few years ago I would have said that anyone silly enough to meet someone online.....
ReplyDeleteBut of course I met my hubby four years online, so there....
This is a good post though. You are thinking of your single friends while you are dealing with stuff not so fun to do.
That is so cool that you actually set up a friend and it worked. I have heard we have better sense for our friends than they do (sometimes). I work in a male dominated industry - so very comfortable dealing with them each and every day.
ReplyDeleteTell your other single girlfriends to go for you not with you - guys won't talk to two women as easily - IMHO.
Hoping you get good news soon about saving the pool.
You are funny, but so sweet! I love that in the middle of your troubles you thought of someone else.
ReplyDeleteI work for a construction company and at face value there seems to be a lot of really cute, eligible hot guys in the industry. But look a little closer and most of them have rotting gums from all the tobacco they chew. They do call you "ma'am" and "little missy" which is cute.
ReplyDeleteHey, how long will it take me to whistle over to California?? It sounds like a darned good idea to me! Any slightly older gentlemen? Lol. As for weird places to meet people - how about in a public toilet? Yep. I sure did.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the pool update. So sad. I have never hooked anyone up or if I have, I can't remember. Since I work in a law firm I am suspicious of most men anyway (even though I am married)
ReplyDeleteI was reading this past weekend about another "favorite" John Edwards of North Carolina most likely the dad of the mistriss' baby AND that he would marry her on a rooftop in NYC with the Dave Matthews band performing AFTER his wife died. OH HOW I HATE THIS GUY !!!! Can you imagine poor Mrs. Edwards living out the rest of her days with this information? So cruel!
And to think I majored in geology in college ( and never used it once I left school ).
ReplyDeletePerhaps you're onto something here. This could be the beginning of a matchmaking service. You scope out all the places that other women wouldn't even consider for finding men.
I have to admit. I sure wouldn't have given suggested a place like that to a gal.
That is so funny. I never would have thought of that, but it makes total sense and how awesome that your matchmaking has been a success so far.
ReplyDeleteAs far as place to meet people....no clue. I have been married for 37 years and I am so far out of the loop. I also don't like people :) so I avoid crowded places and ignore people when I have to stand in line anywhere.....now my husband on the other hand, can make 10 new friends a day. Just send him out the door and he'll find someone to chat with!
Like they say....opposites attract!
Hope your pool/deck matters get fix real fast and at low costs for you.
ReplyDeleteReads like an interesting place to meet men, that's for sure.
If your single friends "accompany" you, you are much more likely to to be seen as "scary broads". As a result, the reaction from the guys is much more likely to be the standard "teaming up" (safety in numbers) and the comments will be more as you would normally expect from construction workers.
ReplyDeleteTherefore, I suggest that, if your single frineds want to check out the available talent at that location, they should go INSTEAD of you. That way, they do your chores for you and stand much more chance of getting the "poor helpless chick" response, which as you discovered is a superb opener for any guy to be presented with since he can for once do the "manly" thing and try to help a maiden in distress.
Just a suggestion... :)
Interesting. I'll pass this on to my single coworkers.
ReplyDeleteSounds like your livin' a matchmakers dream. Heck, any chick can window shop, can't she. I have wondered about your pool on the move. Oh, do I ever wish ya luck on that!
ReplyDeleteThe strangest place I ever made a connection was Jury duty. Big Mistake!
Have a wonderful evening, girl!
So sorry about your troubles.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you're picking up men for your friends. Too funny.
You're a good friend, Joanna!
ReplyDeleteI hope things with your pool and deck get fixed quickly.
Hugs!!
and if you are lucky enough to hook the building inspector up with a friend you just might get your permits when you need them. lol. spent quite a bit of time in the office trying to get them myself. hopefully you will be able to post soon that all is well.
ReplyDeleteWOW!!! That's a lot to go through to get a permit! Ya sure you don't want to move to our neck of 'da woods'?? Life in the SLOW lane? One building inspector??? ONE office to go to???
ReplyDeleteThe craziest place??? That's easy...Bloglandia...
ReplyDeleteI am wishing you luck on your pool and deck.
ReplyDeleteUs guys have our own area! It is called Blogland! haha! At least a 10 to 1 ratio!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get your pool problems taken care of soon and at the least possible expense!
ReplyDeleteAre there any vacant store fronts near the Department of Building and Safety? Sounds like a great place to set up a singles bar or match making service!
I hope you will submit a post to my cocktail party. I'm sure your blog would be very popular with my other readers!
Woo hoo.. you go girl.. if you ever need a new job you could become the MATCHMAKER Queen! LOL
ReplyDeletePriceless Joanna, love it. I can see you and your girlfriend standing there in line, looking up at the ceiling and not at each other to avoid laughing while trying to look inconspicuous and serious about 'engineering' concerns at the same time.
ReplyDeleteJoanna, great story today as usual...love that your matchmaking is working out! Hope you get some good news on the pool soon.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great friend you are! I'm looking forward to hearing how the romance progresses. I hope your pool/deck problems are resolved quickly.
ReplyDeleteKudos to you for hooking up a friend..NOW that is a friend Indeed.
ReplyDeleteSure hope you get the info you need!
Can you use some big bungee cords ;-)
I have a feeling all your single friends will be longing for your deck and pool problem to continue for some time!
ReplyDeleteOver here in Sweden, the supermarkets seem to be good places for finding other singles. Or evening courses.
You are so sweet to be on the lookout for the perfect match for Liz. I hope that they continue to hit it off.
ReplyDeleteThe places that I don't like going to and I meet strange people is the DMV. I'm serious...I get creeped out, wondering if someone is going to just have one of those off days and go ballistic.
The 99 cents store is the place to meet the elderly who want to talk about their medical issues or their grandkids.
Besides all the frustration involved, isn't it interesting to learn all these new things that only geologists, engineers and GUYS knew?
ReplyDeleteSome of us older folks haven't connected in so very long, it's hard to remember where the craziest place was;HOWEVER, the place I've connected with the craziest people? BLOGWORLD! I laugh out loud every single day!
ReplyDeleteOld folk comment: when a lone woman shows up in a man establishment, she will have more personal interaction than when 2 or more are together. Men are so easily intimidated and it makes them either very reserved or silly in a non-attractive way. Just sayin. :)
I'd wondered how things were going with the pool and deck 'exodus'. I hope you can get this sorted, and soon, because I can imagine how worrying this is.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of the Dept. of Building and Safety actually being a good stamping ground for potential matchmaking ... suddenly it sounds a lot more interesting. ;)
I forgot to mention that my 5 words will be ready to post tomorrow morning and I will link to your blog and to your 5 word post. :)
ReplyDeleteI think you've just hit the tip of the iceberg here... I'm not sure how, but it just really feels like you're on to something valuable...
ReplyDeleteHope things get resolved with the pool and deck quickly!
This is too funny Joanna. You are funny. Otin's comment is funny. If this is the craziest place, then it is also the nicest :)
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am way past the dating game, I was fascinated by your story and now I am thinking you could write a story about that. Very funny and keep these kinds of stories coming!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're amazing ... and you make me smile. I bet ALL of your single friends are smiling and putting their "orders" in with you too!
ReplyDeleteI love it! I see it now you will be on the next reality show- fixing your friends up with the single guys at city hall. xoxo
ReplyDeleteyou really should write for a magazine...seriously !
ReplyDelete