I doubt this EVER applies to you fellas over yonder, so thought I'd just share what life for a surveyor can be like Downunder.
My lovely wife often asks that question, often with a degree of fervour that pricks the ears and is obviously in need of a reply.
But to what?
So being the good boundary surveyor I am I look at the evidence before me and the order and importance of what is to be used and what is to be cast aside as 'of dubious value' or 'not to be counted on' or 'it doesn't fit anything original' until I wear down through the many ideas and notions in my mind and then more often than not have to ask for a 're-run'.
Once we get past the next stage comes the 're-run'.
Well there's light at the end of the tunnel of ignorance, as today I suggested she start a conversation with yelling 'Backsight' and then when I'm focussed head into the conversation.
But jokes aside it is a bad habit I guess others share, that we get switched off most things and at times think of 'matters pertaining to boundaries' (or similar) of the job at hand.
Then theres the quiet stroll we would embark on. You have no idea the number of survey marks there are in the pavement, footpaths, on fences and engraved into sides of buildings around here.
Makes for great conversation when all one is need of is a bit of company 'away from that blessed phone!'
You can imagine my surprise though when I was looking at some photos of a recent trip and lo and behold a state survey mark on a rock near where we were staying.
Wow.
So thats a snippet of a boundary surveyors lament at 42° South.
Overall though life is good and she is very understanding and tolerant and able to bring me back from musing on some boundary I lost miles from here and am busting to get back to sort out.
They must make a special breed of wives just for surveyors. For that I am eternally greatful. (in my case thats singular B-) )
I found the lady that can understand me. I guess we all need a logical women.
> They must make a special breed of wives just for surveyors. For that I am eternally greatful. (in my case thats singular B-) )
Isn't that the truth! Silent conversation... She always says she doesn't want to say something; by chance she'll interrupt.
From my travels, I've observed that many surveyor's wives are teachers. Most of them are elementary grades with a majority of first-grade.
Is that any reflection on surveyors?
Man, I love my wife!
;o)
JBS
"You have no idea the number of survey marks there are in the pavement, footpaths, on fences"
My wife and I like to travel. When we arrive at a new destination and go for a walk I am constantly searching the ground and surrounding area for survey evidence. SWMBO ignores me and narrates what I am missing had I been a “normal” person.
We were married at age 18, (well she was 19) and have been for the last 43 years. I have yet to figure her out, let alone find the volume control on/off switch thingy. It does exist doesn’t it?
Have a great week!
Think back to every Charlie Brown TV Special you have ever watched. Whenever an adult has something to say, all you hear is mwahmwahmwahmwahmwahmwahmwah. That is exactly how female voices come to my ears. I blame this on having to spend most of the time in my developmental years being guided by my mother, grandmothers and older sister plus nearly all female school and Sunday school teachers as well as swimming instructors and 4-H leaders. Of course, this was followed by two wives, three daughters, a mother-in-law and two granddaughters. Add to this the annoying manner of secretaries and other female assistants.
I absolutely agree with Richard's request that one's attention be gained prior to talking to the male figure. We, as surveyors, learn to "tune out" noise while focusing on the matter at hand. We do not begin to listen until the "tune out" button has been switched off. Anything said prior to that is wasted effort and must be repeated.
Last evening as I was purchasing a Subway sandwich the sandwich artist said something about, "....would you like to have on it?" So, I said, "Tomatoes and mayonnaise." She said,"Fine, but first, what kind of CHEESE would you like to have on it?"
>two wives ... a mother-in-law
Why more wives than mothers-in-law, were the wives sisters? I on the other hand have one wife and had two mothers-in-law. One was wife's birth mom and the other her adoptive mom, and both are/were great people. My stepdaughter's other grandma also was friendly, but I don't really count her as a mother-in-law.
With wife number one I acquired a mother-in-law but the father-in-law had died about six years prior to our marriage. With wife number two I acquired a father-in-law but the mother-in-law had died about eight years prior to our marriage.
Had a friend whose father had died young and his wife's mother had died young. Eventually, his mother married his wife's father. So his mother became his mother-in-law and his father-in-law became his father......Ooooooooooohhhhh, I'm my own Grandpa..................
Dead on for me... My wife is first grade teacher and changing to kindergarden next year.
When she is frustrated with me not paying attention she always says,"I teach first graders, quit acting like one." So i always reply in Adam Sandler style, " i read on a 6th grade level..."
A logical woman?
Would that be an oxymoron?
> ...You have no idea the number of survey marks there are in the pavement, footpaths, on fences and engraved into sides of buildings around here...
The wife of a friend of mine calls those things "surveyor droppings".
