Timberrr

[olger]

“Hello, my name is Paul Robinson,” said the voice on the telephone. “Does your company install Duro-Last roofing systems?”

“We sure do.”

“Great” he said. “I am the regional director for the Ohio Department of Transportation.”

We made an appointment to meet at the Piqua ODOT building the next week. I was glad they selected me for a bid on their roof. After all, that indicated that our company is recognized as a professional enterprise. I wouldn’t let them down either.

(Pay attention, this could happen to you someday).

The day of the meeting arrived, and I had everything ready. I had the right clothes, the right materials, the right briefcase and the right shoes. It’s fun being a professional! (Pay attention, this could happen to you someday).

Of course, I had a few things to do in the office that morning. Faxes to send. Bids to mail out, that sort of thing. I knew I was running late, but everything was already in my truck, except me.

Without time to tie my shoes, I jumped in the truck and raced down the road to the ODOT meeting. I had just enough time to make the meeting, and I could tie them later…no problem. Only three minutes late (shucks, their watches could be off that much), I slid into their parking lot, killed the diesel engine, grabbed all my stuff and ran to the door. Who says you can’t live life on the edge?

I opened the door and there they were—the ODOT area Director and his plant manager. “Good morning fellows!” I said warmly. I stepped in and shut the heavy steel door behind me and turned to shake their hands. Right away, I noticed that their shoes were tied. I thought about that for a moment… I wish I would have tied mine too.

After shutting the door, I went to step forward into the room and noticed that the upper part of my body was moving well, but the legs were staying put, like my feet were suddenly glued to the floor. Like a large falling tree, I toppled headlong into the room. Papers, notebook, and measuring wheel went tumbling across the smooth concrete, beyond the reach of my frantic arms.

(I should point out that the reason I noticed their shoes so distinctly was that they were now only three inches from my nose. All four ends of my shoelaces were pinched firmly in the heavy steel door….).

I tried to think of a humorous comment as I lay there, but their feet weren’t very inspiring. I finally said “Uhhh…could one of you…gentlemen…umm…well… please open the…uh.. door?” They did.

I got up and shook their hands. They were very kind, managing to conceal almost 10% of their laughter, by turning their heads and wiping their eyes. But I was here to do a job, and I got right on it.

I gave the roof the best inspection I could. However, I noticed that when I got my 24’ ladder out of the truck and prepared to climb up on the roof that they kept watching me nervously. I knew then that it was time. I did the only thing a man could do in my position. I tied my shoes! I wished I would have done it sooner.

Gerry C. Wagoner

8-29-02

(Did I get the job? NO…. Ingrates. They just don’t know a professional when they see one, I guess… ).

[Michelle]

LOL! Too funny.

M

[Gail]

Uh, Gerry

When I first read this, I thought, "Here's a member who has a sense of humour- he can laugh at his own profession!"

But as I read on I realised that there is a good reason you can laugh at your profession- that this really happened to you!

Hilarious! Thanks for sharing it- and I'm glad that you still have your dignity intact!

[Taylor]

Just hilarious!! Thanks for sharing it!!

[olger]

.

I tied my shoes this morning.

olger

[LynnDel]

Have you ever considered loafers?

<img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

LD

[Gail]

Or velcro? <img src="/adventist/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[olger]

Sayy... Velcro? Now there's an idea.

gcw