Post(Card)s from Winter Break (The Experts Edition)

So it’s up (as promised) part 1 of my guest post for BuildDirect.com.  Here’s the link, and please check it out (after and only after you read this post, of course) >> http://blog.builddirect.com/remodeling-project-stay-sane-part-1/ :: The Dastardly D’s.

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This post was important to me for several reasons:

First, BuildDirect is a world leader in direct to … building supplies. Their site features flooring, sinks, countertops , landscape materials and probably any other thing you could possibly ever need for finishing a house remodel.  BuildDirect is simply a top tier web presence.

Stalker’s Sidebar:  In fact, (and I found out only afterward) BD may have had a small hand in the now storied rise of  international super bloggernaut Bob Borson of LifeofanArchitect.com.  (Nested Parenthetical Sidebar: “Yeah — So . . . .” You may ask . . . “Where in the world is Bob Borson?” That’s right. Spain! . . . Gone International, baby . . . International!)  And all kidding aside — Bob is an architect/writer/man that I do really respect. (Safe travels my friend.)  And inclusion on a site that once featured him is, well, good. Right? Right.

Anyway . . .

Second, and honestly, I haven’t been wholly satisfied with my any of my previous guest submissions.  (Sorry to admit.)  Each relied too heavily on word play, an existential bend, lacked “meat”, or could only have been understood from a mild opium daze.

Third, well, read below . . .

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It seems to be one common thread across the organizational discussions Barry and I have been having (notice the straight face), a big goal this year — take ourselves a little more seriously, i.e. give ourselves a bit more credit . . . for the things we have and can accomplish.

Still . . . when I read the opening lines of the “meta” from editor Rob Jones, it stopped me in my tracks.  The description for the link he provided read, “Remodeling expert, consultant, and blogger JB Bartkowiak . . . .”

Expert, Expert.  Hmmmm – this is a word I have always had a little trouble with.  Even in marketing myself, my “real-world business,” I refer to myself as assistant or partner, but never Expert.  That word just has a strange ring for me.  But hey (and this is version 2011 talking), why not?  I mean — look at the record:

Fourteen years and working now on my “fifth” property.  Nearly seven years working professionally on other people’s houses.  Two (great) years blogging on home improvement-type things.  Is that enough of a resume to qualify me as an Expert . . . in remodeling?  Maybe.

Of course, those numbers don’t even account for Barry, who, from humble beginnings in a local lumber yard, looks back now on some 20 years in the construction industry. Experts?  Are Barry and I really Remodeling Experts?  Maybe, I guess, and yes, if we could just. let. ourselves. be.

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I am going to end with an outtake from the BuildDirect post(s) . . . . Mainly because I liked the way these words (below) fit together. They did also set the piece up nicely — but just. could. not. stay.  You see . . .

As I sat working up the post — I realized that it did come rather naturally.  I mean — I actually had to physically stop myself from writing it.  (And that was only after I noticed the word count topping 2500.)  Ultimately, I did trim it down to 1600 word s or so, and I shipped it off.  Fortunately for me, Rob has the kinda love-magic editing skills to manage run-on writers . . . like me . . . .  and like that — Part 2 coming next week . . . . You won’t want to miss it!

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This Expert in Remodeling (but surely not in Love) is out. Ha!  You just read “official” post number 250 and thanks. ~jb

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Update (3.7):

Here is the link to part 2 of the post for BuildDirect >> http://blog.builddirect.com/home-remodeling-sanity-part-2/ << Questions to ask yourself before beginning a remodel (w/ a humorous twist).

Here is a follow-up written by BuildDirect editor Rob Jones >> http://blog.builddirect.com/home-decorating/