The LBV Chronicles

Episode 4: It’s sometimes better to be lucky

"All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence; then success is sure." Mark Twain

Last episode I wrote about how plans can and will change. I feel for the most part that I was lucky multiple times during the process of putting LBV together. One case in point was the “Ah…S***” moment while, interestingly enough, sitting on the patio one evening. While serenely having a nightcap and smoking a cigar it dawned on me that we (we being the architect, designer, builder and me) had totally forgotten to think about lighting for the entrance into the building. As it turned out one more day and the work on the patio would have been completed to the point that it would have cost serious money to fix properly. As it turned out the solution was quick and relatively painless.

Another one was while trying to tune in the new HVAC and exhaust system for the cigar room. As is typical of architects mine had, as a buddy describes it, used a shotgun on a hummingbird. Upon startup this thing would not only eliminate the smoke in the room but pull your eyebrows off in the process. The solution was to vent off a lot of the power before it got to the room. But where? Well, turns out the ductwork runs through the garage. I had always wanted a heated garage so bingo, two outlets later and the too much power problem and heated garage problem are solved in less than an hour.

There seemed to be several of those knick-of-time moments and I wondered often when my luck was going to not bail me out. But for the most part it held.

Whereas I feel I was lucky in some area others were just following my nose.

My architect was the same one I had used for each phase of the building. They’re great people who do great work and this was the third project with them, so that was an easy decision.

The designer had worked with Bonnie on the second phase of the building with great results, so they too were automatic.

Choosing a contractor wasn’t as automatic. Phase I had been done by one local commercial contractor and Phase II with another. Both did good work but I wasn’t keen on using a commercial group. This was much more of a remodel than a build. Commercial people, for the most part, lack an eye for design and detail. They like boxes.

I’ve spoken before about my Thursday night buddy sessions – The Capital of Talent. During one of these I was introduced to a local guy who makes his living remodeling basements on a high-end scale. After multiple conversations I decided to go with him over the commercial guys. What I gave up in experience dealing with commercial architects and city planning officials I more than got back in his eye for detail, commitment to the job and ultimately a friendship.

Another lucky moment came when I was brilliant enough to perform a little known and ancient practice. It’s so obscure and has been lost from civilization for so long that most people have never heard of it much less practiced it.

I returned a phone call.

Next: Episode 5: If the phone doesn’t ring, it’s me