Mind and Body

N-3 / MIND & BODY : The Dream Is Created; Ready….Set….

N-3 / MIND & BODY : The Dream Is Created; Ready….Set….

Get in shape, mentally. That doesn't mean to try to become a super genius. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are still the most powerful mental tools in the human mind. So, practice by reading everything you can find, write just for yourself. Buil Read more
Be IndistrActable

Be IndistrActable

Be IndistrActable The character trait most likely to lead to success in every aspect of life is : the ability to resist distractions. To give attention to detail, within the swirl of information and activities vying for a dominant place among your t Read more
Self-Loaning Can Become Self-Loathing

Self-Loaning Can Become Self-Loathing

The global attitude of the new millennium concerning the possession of things is, sadly, comprised of traits related to 1. impatience, 2. over-consumption, 3. waste, 4. ostentation, 5. swaggering; and the irrational fear of being the only one in an Read more
Sacred Laws PLUS Strong Citizens

Sacred Laws PLUS Strong Citizens

It is not enough to have sacred laws to lead citizens, unless those citizens are prudent of mind by learning, and strong of body by exercise, that they may lead themselves and others, as well as defend themselves from oppressors. Andrea Palladio - 15 Read more
Nail Guns Don’t Kill Houses. PEOPLE With Nail Guns Kill Houses

Nail Guns Don’t Kill Houses. PEOPLE With Nail Guns Kill Houses

The Nail Gun in the wrong hands is one of the worst things to ever happen to the dwelling industry. The rapid fire ability of nail gun technology makes it seem like a logical replacement for the lowly hammer. An experienced handler with knowledge of Read more
No Parachute for Late Jumpers

No Parachute for Late Jumpers

Homebuilding is not an activity well suited to procrastinators. Putting off important decisions about planning and building ( there are no UN-important ones ) is dangerous. To end up with a home that is right and ready you have to train yourself Read more
Directionally-Specific Claustrophobia

Directionally-Specific Claustrophobia

This story isn't intended to be funny, but it is interesting. Whenever a claustrophobic client is encountered, conventional wisdom says, "every room has to be huge." But I've learned to say, "You're claustrophobic? Which way?" Throughout my fou Read more
Way Out in the Country

Way Out in the Country

H-10 and L-10 BEADS KEYSTONE      Way out in the country, how many people does it take to go to the bathroom?       “OK. On ‘hup-two-hike’ you do a down & out towards the feed bin. Curl right and head f Read more
Then, Now and Later

Then, Now and Later

The answer is : Because we keep planning such stupidly expensive houses! The questions are : How did American homes get so expensive? How did we get in this mess? How can we get out of it? This article is about what houses were like Read more
Olympic Game

Olympic Game

I've discovered a new game. It can be enjoyed by women and girls, men and boys, all races, all religions and all ages. However, in spite of the potential popularity, I don’t think there will ever be an Olympic gold medal awarded for falling-off-the Read more
Perry Scope

Perry Scope

“Raise up......... A little more........ Yes. Yes. That’s it!........ Perfect! We do have a view of the river!!” I dream of the day when I’ll be able to go home to my country, river side estate after a week of hard, productive Read more
Retaining Wall Song by the Rapper Girls

Retaining Wall Song by the Rapper Girls

The Rapper Girls Retaining Wall Song verse Prop it up, baby. Prop it in the air. Prop it up, baby. Prop it everywhere! chorus Prop it up, baby. Prop it up, baby. Read more
Modern Cooking

Modern Cooking

The twentieth century has seen the greatest changes in cooking and food storage since the introduction of fire. A real flame-kissed steak is a weekend luxury in a world where food is most commonly made safe to eat by the same high energy beam the mil Read more
EIGHT LOBE

EIGHT LOBE

....This home building horror story was brought to my attention by an engineer who had been asked to look at a foundation slab. He arrived at the site before the owner and took the opportunity to look over the concrete pad which would soon support a Read more
Arms Race of the Neighbors

Arms Race of the Neighbors

It’s Thanksgiving. Be thankful you don’t live in this neighborhood. But, if you do, then never mind. In a rural, upscale housing development two neighbors share a passion for yard care. Bill pounces like a tiger on anything that lands in his cry Read more
TV DINNER CHRISTMAS

TV DINNER CHRISTMAS

Christmas is a target for more than retail sales. It’s also a cut-off time. “We Just Have To Be In By Christmas” is the theme song for any family trying to build during late Summer and Fall. However, it’s only the cut-off time by default, Read more
Distracted Driving – Hidden Building Cost – No Recovery

Distracted Driving – Hidden Building Cost – No Recovery

SETTING - It’s a dark and stormy night. A lull in the storm offers a chance for a man (his real name is Husband) to leave the sprawling building, where his office is located; and from which he is the last to exit. In front of the sprawling buil Read more
Seller : “…and You’ll Have Your Own Lake!”

Seller : “…and You’ll Have Your Own Lake!”

In a round-about, ambiguous way the seller made it sound like a private lake was in the deal. But, it wouldn't be a lake that belonged only to him, the buyer. The seller just made it sound that way; and was apparently very convincing. ...The new Read more
Homebuilding Haze PREMIUM

Homebuilding Haze

NOT a warning. NOT a judgmental rant. NOT a point-the-finger-and-condemn to hell sermon. This is simply an observation. This is about drugs and alcohol and how they affect the decision-making ability of users who try to plan and/or build a home, Read more