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.)
Analogies; I love em.
Sometimes Im like Sergeant Joe Friday in Dragnet; trying to get Just The Facts.
Sometimes Im like Siegfried & Roy; keeping trouble makers at bay with nothing more than a chair.
Sometimes Im like Rowdy Yates in Rawhide; except Im herding Cats instead of cattle.
Mostly though Im like Rodney Dangerfield.
and David, Youre going to need a bigger boat.
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 dont 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?
…the “mushroom syndrome”…
kept in the dark and fead alot of crap!
and then everyone expects a bumper crop!
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.
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!”
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”
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?
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?!
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
ambassador
From the way some of the projects have been going around here lately, I’d say “psychic”.
After some projects, I believe that “psychotic” may be more appropriate: Everyone IS against you
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.
Oh, come on-- it’s “highly astute, and thoroughly unflappable professionals” in ALL instances!!
NEVER let 'em see you sweat!