Stuff is really popping off at Chain Link Fence these days.  PG&E has accepted and adopted a new fence specification that was developed and finalized by Bob and I.  This means that PG&E is about to buy a whole bunch of fence from us and the rush has begun.  All this is going on and I’m on the sideline, enjoy sometime with the family.  I have been monitoring email and having discussions with Bob.  Yesterday I thought his head would spin 360 degrees on his shoulders.  But it didn’t; Bob has done a really good job picking up my slack at a time when our 3 person management team could really use an extra brain or two.  Perhaps it’s his heart and dedication, or maybe he came back from his vacation rejuvenated but Bob is getting stuff done, maintaining his sanity, and still telling people to get fucked when the time is appropriate.

Craig called yesterday; we used to do a lot of work with him when he was with Grace Construction Co.  Craig was good because he rarely questioned my pricing nor my methodology but he was damn pushy, I didn’t like his vibe, nor him.  Now Craig is with another company, Hotline Construction, yet another civil firm staffed with ex-PG&E employees making a living tight rope walking the line of ethics.  So here’s the sales pitch as relayed to me from Bob; “I need you guys to come up to Valley Springs and move the farmers gate over a smidge.”  What Bob didn’t relay over eMail was Craig’s tone, you can tell a lot from a civil reps tone and I know Craig’s well.  I’m sure Craig’s tone said, “It’ll only take you about an hour so I expect a dirt cheap price.”  The problem with Craig and his tone is that he probably was condescending to Bob as he often was to me.  Bob and I didn’t get run out of PG&E for unethical behavior,  Craig did.  The problem with this situation is Craig acts like he still works for PG&E when he doesn’t; additionally we installed the gate in question one week ago and we know that 2” below the top soil lies a slab of solid rock.  To relocate the post we would need a 2 man crew and a T-300 skid steer on site to bore through the solid rock.  The task could cost no less than $3100.00.  Craig wants to pay $635.  Bob saved us both some time by thanking Craig for the opportunity and recommending him to call the inferior fence company Hotline typically deals with.  Craig would have done that anyway once he saw our $3100 proposal.