What can you do with 26 letters?

March 2, 2022

Made of 26 Letters

26 Letters. That is all it takes to create a library. To write a book. To create a world class presentation. To write a blog. And, to communicate with our youth. IMHO, kids are silly. BRB. 

Ok. I'm back. LOL. JK. I never left. 

Here are some interesting facts about English. Now, the information I read didn't specify whether it was British English, Australian English, Canadian English, Millennial English or American English. It also didn't say if it included the many words our kids and grandkids are using today. TBH, it doesn't matter. I wonder if it will catch on? Lawlz! Here is what I found: 

• By the numbers:
• 273,000 - words in the English language
• 171,000 - actively used words in the English language 
• 47,000 - words in the dictionary that are obsolete (wonder why they were included?)
• 40,000 - words the average American understands
• 20,000 - words the average American uses
• 44 - elementary sounds
• 26 - letters in the English alphabet

Who here knew that we only have 44 different sounds in our language? And, all that complexity is created with 26 simple letters. Here is what is fascinating: Learn more words by reading. Increase the size of your passive vocabulary within your industry. You know, that thing we talked about in a previous blog?: jargon. Study public speaking. Simplify your message by sharing complex things within your business in simpler English. Deliver speeches. And, you will be more influential, more broadly received and likely more prosperous. Looks like I should speak my blog instead of typing it. Nowhere in my studies did I see where writing a blog is as impactful as the above revelation. 

44 sounds. I think I heard all of them coming from the neighboring stall at the rest area this morning. Goodness!

Starting tomorrow I will read my blog to you. Close your eyes and ... nightmares. I know. Never mind. Scratch that idea. Read on. 

Imagine what you can do with 26 Letters. Don't close your eyes during this exercise because then it would be hard to read. Now, imagine what you can do with 65 units! We did. And, it's incredible! After the tour today I am impressed to see the vision I have had coming to life. Doorways are cut. Sprinkler system is in. sprinkler heads are up. Drywall is hung. Plumbing is run. Windows are installed. Electrical is run. Fences are blocking the entry. Wait, wut? 

Fenced Entry

What are the most significance improvements this week? Or should I say bi-week as it's an update from my previous blog...? Biggest news: the sprinkler system pressure test PASSED. Yep! That means we can start taping, mudding and painting the drywall. Big things in the coming weeks. Speaking of crazy...well, we weren't but we are now, there was a sprinkler head which flew off during the sprinkler pressure test. And, it flew across the room, through a window and landed in the oleanders yonder. Holy guacamole! That's insane. Luckily no one was injured. And, the head was reattached properly and it passed the test. Dodged a sprinkler head there!

Launched Projectile

A closeup of the culprit:

Sprinkler Head - Unlaunched

In many of the units we need to cut the block for doorways converting the two motel units into the one bed units. Remember that? Well, many more have been cut. Here is a view of the above-mentioned kitchen drywall while looking through the cut in the block from the bedroom side of the one-bed unit:

Kitchen View from Bedroom

And another view:

Kitchen View from Living Room

And yet another view: 

Kitchen View from Dining Room

Isn't this awesome?

Here is the updated plumbing. Well, you can't see it because they artfully covered it with drywall. Doesn't it look nice?

Kitchen Plumbing in Bathroom

No updated pictures of the other plumbing or electrical. However, I do have a picture of a fence:

Fenced Back Entry

Now, why is a fence blocking the entry and limiting access to the property? 

Fenced Side Entry

Well, they are ready to dig a hole. Why are they digging a hole? To gain access to the underground plumbing which attaches to the fire hydrant. This new solution will save us time, money and headaches. Yes. We have located a better place to tap into the water supply. We now have a better place to install the risers INSIDE the building instead of outside. And, we save money on Tylenol, Advil and Motrin. 

No Headache

And here is a pic of a "California Patch". This is the coolest way ever to repair a drywall hole. It makes total sense and is less visible, less work and one of the cool things out of California. One of the few good things out of California these days it seems. And Tesla I suppose. They are out of California. Literally. They moved to Austin. 

California Patch

And that is our project from my corner of the globe with only 26 letters ~Bruce