In the first post of this series I said, I appreciate workers of any trade or profession who actually know what they are doing and do it efficiently and effectively.  That kind of performance is worth watching and there is enjoyment in doing so.  It’s a bonus when there is a team of workers and they all exhibit those same qualities.

The team on this job was from the Toho Water Authority and were an interesting group to watch.

I like people, so I don’t like making others uncomfortable.  I try to not seem like a vulture when I’m around a group who are trying to get a job done — they have the expertise and the responsibility for the job outcome, so it’s not my place to give “constructive” comment, nor is it my place to get in the way.  I’m conscious of the fact that some people simply don’t like having someone looking over their shoulder, and there is always the danger of that perception when one “hangs around.”  And it could certainly be a lot worse if one shows up with a camera.

However, as the old saying goes, “If you have nothing to hide…” and nobody seemed to mind as I occasionally snapped a few shots.

This crew was interesting to watch, apart from the process itself, and it was obvious they didn’t come together in the morning as a bunch of strangers. 

It was equally obvious that there weren’t a lot of fences.  When one picked up a shovel to do something, it was only a few seconds later that others picked up other shovels and joined in the task, without a single word being exchanged.  The task needed to be done, someone began it, and therefore it was time for others to join in.

Those you see in the pictures of this series had a sense of humor, knew what they needed to do, and got it done in good time.  You know that other old saying about jobs taking longer if done by people being paid hourly?  These folks never heard it.  When the next step was to be done, it was begun.  Breaks and lunch were transparent.

All in all, it was interesting to see the process, to learn a few new things, and to be around that crew.  They can come back to my place anytime.

To continue with the pictorial essay, click here.