My Projects In Progress & Renewing My OSHA 500 Certification!

hello everyone, I have been busy with a big transition in my life (making my life MUCH easier) and with work responsibilities that soak alot of my time. I am happy to be learning and growing on the business side of the electrical industry. I am working on helping finish a project on a 56 story building in Manhattan. I do have small duties on my Flushing project in Queens still. I have been asked to pitch in and help work on my old project in Brooklyn that is a college addition. I am working on picking apart the schedule and documenting the milestones via photos. It is indeed a learning experience for me since I have never done alot of these tasks before. You get to learn somewhere so I am blessed to have my foot in the door for over three years now. I am happy to gain the experience with general contractor and ownership interface. I have a good group of talented electricians to call on and get things done. This is a vital ingredient for meeting deadlines and encountering issues that need to be fixed. You are only as good as your team of worker bees. This is why it is vital to clear the path for them and keep it moving by feeding them what is needed. I am currently traveling to take an OSHA 502 instructor renewal course. This course keeps me qualified to continue being able to have job certification, if needed, and give people OSHA courses and issue OSHA 10 & 30 cards. I have a backup plan for either during the next recession, a layoff, or as an older person in need of some income. The last recession was difficult and taught me that multiple means of earning cash is necessary. A major pivotal moment for me was sitting out for huge blocks of time back in 2008 and forward. This forced me to consider other options never reviewed before. I plan to study and sit down for the NYC master electrical license in the next 10 years. This not only establishes a steady path for myself but my eldest son as well. My son chose to follow in my footsteps ans become an electrician as well. My sin just got in as a first year apprentice in my union. He sends me clips of his work and daily operations. I got a kick out of how much he realized that people know and respect me. He said he has alot of pressure on him to work as hard as I did and be like me. It warms my heart to see that I have made a positive impact on his life. He is understanding the magnitude of my contributions to his career path. I have yet to hear more of his journey and see him blossum to become an electrician. I fully intend on being the member who hands him his A card in 5-6 years from now when he finishes his apprenticeship. I am sure I will blog about his funny future stories. He said he loves the dynamics of his coworkers since it can be quite humorous. He is shocked at how the guys gossip so much!! I am sure he will have stories to share in the future that I can live vicariously through him..lol!! Well, time to catch my flight!! Talk to you all soon! Cheers! Leslie M Jasper

Originally Published 6-7-17: Here Are Some Progression Photos of My Last Basement Project! Time To Buy Another Project

hello everyone! I keep forgetting to show my last home project that I worked on mainly solo. I had help doing the tile even though I prepped by removing the old floor, a hot water baseboard install, and taping. The rest was my baby. My sons did a few guest appearances to help sheetrock. I framed and did alot of rock solo. I built a sheetrock buddy and joked with my friends that "he" was my boyfriend named, Juan Carlos. I am now done with house projects. I painted the room red then changed the color to a beige so I could put it on the market. I plan to buy house #2 at some point and work on that one. I am leaning towards a condo so work will be lighter than a house. I bought this house at 20 years old with a car accident settlement. I watched guys at work and did projects at the house. I have done some trial and errors along the way. It is highly rewarding to show off a job well done. I was getting roofing estimates years ago. A roofer came to the house and asked if my parents were home. I laughed and said that I was the homeowner...he has so uncomfortable that I was highly amused! After 22 years, it is time to move on and find another diamond in the rough. I shall see what I come up with in the future. Have a safe day at work since it is Hump Day already! Cheers! Leslie M Jasper #Scholastic #nonfiction #bookstagram #DropEverythingAndRead #SpringBookFair2021 #LoveOfReading #Reading #ConstructionTales #books #funny #NYC #podcast #Spotify #VerballyDisastrous #bookfair #bookjoy #ReadAnywhere #LoveToRead #AllForBooks #Adult #FBF21 #LBF21 #BEA21 #IKBF21 #KLF21 #HKTDC21 #GBF21 #IIBF21 #LATFOB21 #SIBF21 #FILBO21 #EIBF21 #BAIBF21 #MIBF21 #BIDLDSP21 #BS21 #BBF21 #HIBF21 #IBTAF21 #IBBF21 #ITEF21 #JLF21 #JIBF21 #LBF21 #NDWBF21 #TiBE21 #TIBF21 #BCBF21 #LIVREPARIS21 #SDLDM21 #HBF21 #FIL21 #IIBF21 #SBF21 #BuchWein21 #VIBF21 #ADIBF21 #AIPF21 #bookstagram #book #bukuislami #b #bukumurah #islamicbookfair #buku #booklover #bukusejarah #buchberlin #booklove #cher #bookshelf #internationalbookfair #bookholic #jualbuku #jualbukumurah #reading #obralbuku #bukuindie #bukujogja #tokobukumurah #buchmesse #langka #pasarbuku #bukulangka #bhfyp #jualbelibukuonline #onlineshop #jualanonline #booklovers #anresbooks #readingbooks #booksofinstagram #boekuitstalling #buch #bookish #buchberlinkids #tokobukuonline #boimela #lesen #bookworm #poetry #gontor #fbm #bazarbuku #bookreview #berlin #read #writer #berlinerbuchmesse #buchmesseberlin #author #instabooks #boekverkoping #virtualbookfair #bookaddict

Can A Relationship Be Ruined By A Woman Being "Too Independent"??

hello everyone! I responded to a friend's question regarding being in a relationship with a woman who is fiercely independent. He asked if attempting to date a woman who is "too independent" ruins it due to her high level of independence?? I thought about it and here is my response below. Feel free to respectfully agree/disagree. I do put thought into these types of questions because they do hit home. I may have scared off many of potential suitors in my day due to their perceptions of how an independent woman operates her life. I don't believe that I missed out on life experiences since they were not meant to be. I have a wonderful man in my life who actually took the time to ask me loads of questions and gain an understanding about who I am as a woman and what makes me tick. He has then worked to systematically serve as my rock, my voice of reason, the man who compliments my flaws, and the man who views me as his treasured stone. He finds what I am capable of doing with my hands and my mind to be extraordinary and it compliments what he brings to the table. We have had some rough patches in the past 3 years and even have taken a break from each other. This was needed, in hindsight, to see if we could weather the storm and fix what was broken and move past it. In addition, it was a good moment to see if we missed each other and how much was not having each other going to impact each of us. I have had a spiritual advisor for the past 5 years now serve as my guide. It has been spot on and well worth the time and money spent. Not to mention the accuracy of her readings on points in my life!! I either see Cindy Grogan in person or chat on the phone with her to do a reading. I have developed from personal growth on learning what works for me and what doesn't work on different aspects of life. I didn't intend to speak about Cindy but her guidance on this life path of mine is instrumental and credit is due to her ability to be so on point!! Cindy Grogan lives in New Jersey and can be reached by looking up wwww.TheSensiblePsychic.com My response to dating an independent woman: An independent woman is self sufficient financially, physically, and emotionally. She would like to have that connection but she survives without it. A man comes into her life and his question is why is this woman is why is this woman "too independent" (missing alot of details)?? Instead of asking why and allowing it to be a sticking point, work to be the kind, loving, and the supportive man she needs in order unravel the layers of armour she must put on to protect her heart from the world. She is fighting for your hand to try to take over the wheel of her life. That wheel is her sense of security and way of survival. Why should she give up that power to a man who merely requests it?? You need to SHOW that you are consistent and capable of taking the wheel as a co-pilot not just being the captain. I have established my way of life and I am NOT going to give the keys to my castle to just anyone. I will never be "dependent" and ever lay in a fetal position. I do not view "independence" as a dirty word. I fully respect women who choose the "dependent" since it is risky but reaps rewards if done correctly. I have chosen to do life "the hard way" for the past 20 years. I had found no one in my travels that I felt comfy letting them take the "wheel" of my life as a co-pilot. I do have someone in my life that I am slowly offering the "keys" to the palace due to his constant work to SHOW me that he has my back. This is accomplished through being the "better road" in managing life challenges that end up panning out better than my method. His goal is to earn that spot as my "co-pilot" since I have clearly demonstrated my ability to not only be a great co-pilot but fully run the ship in the event he can't or serve as his rock during tough times. Prior to wanting to take the wheel, you need to review her life experiences and figure out if you are capable of being the physical rock in the time of need or merely speaking that you want to be one. Then, you work to consistently be the co-pilot that she needs....

Cheers! Leslie M Jasper www.lesliemjasper.blogspot.com

Interesting Construction Drawings (& NYC Job Photos) Found During My Jobsite Walks

hi everyone! Now that I am an assistant project manager in New York City, I often have to walk the job. I take alot of photos with the intent of visually seeing our progress and determining if my field crew faces obstacles. I oftentimes use the photos to communicate issues on the job. It is no surprise that I discover some rather funny artistic creations. Here is a collection from the job and for your amusement!! I added some views of Manhattan from the jobsite as well!

Cheers! Leslie M Jasper

The Dynamics Between The General Contractor and Different Trades!!

hi everyone! I am pitching in and helping with about 3 projects at the moment. One job is in Queens and the other two jobs are in Manhattan. One job has a growing troubled relationship between the trades and the general contractor on the job. At first, I thought it was just our shop that was at odds. Now I see it is a growing distain for the GC amongst all of the trades on the job. They are trying to say that we are holding up progress. Meanwhile, the general contractor should be coordinating work with the trades. We can't work in the same space as the floor guy when he is gluing his floor down. Oftentimes, our field guys are coordinating with the floor guy. It has been rather frustrating that jobsite. There are people screaming and shouting so that they can push through and get their way. It has definitely been an eye opener for me. My project in Queens has been decently smooth as a construction job can be. I am walking that job weekly to document the progress and see how we are being held up by other trades. The job has been passed to quite a few people over the past 2 years. It is supposedto be wrapped up by summer time. That is our goal and this has been an amazing learning curve for me. I have not gotten into a shouting match yet with anyone. My goal is to avoid that and try to get the job done. I have a great crew of project managers to learn about the PM process along the way. I have been walking a few jobs with our in house inspector consultant to learn more about the potential issues that can come up as violations. Then I have walked with the inspector to see if our cleaned up violations, previously fixed, help us pass our inspection with flying colors. There are alot of items to keep an eye on and make sure they are done correctly! You can delay the job and be at fault if we fail inspections. I learned that there are no rough in inspections in NYC. They just have final inspections. In Westchester and Fairfield territories, we have to get an inspection before the walls are closed up. They want to make sure all holes in the deck and ceiling where a cable or pipe enters is firestopped (sealed up). Walking these inspections makes me feel the need to study the NYC electrical code and earn my master's electrical license in New York City. I then have to shelf it as long as I work for a shop. It is a good idea so I can either open my own women owned W/MBE business. I can hold a license for a NYC shop if I get laid off from this shop. I can even start up a minority contractor business with my son Tom. He is currently scheduled to enter the apprentice electrician program this fall. It takes about 5.5 years to finish his apprenticeship. He needs about a good ten years worth of work experience before I would open a business with him. Holding a NYC license is a key to success with a means of having a way to work. One of the things I have learned about the business is that as a large shop, the largest electrical contractor in NYC, is that we must award 20-30% of our work to women/minority/disabled supply houses and electrical subcontractors. There is money to be made as a woman owned electrical shop. However, you need deep pockets (investor) to fund material purchases and pay for weekly labor and benefits. It is definitely a goal of mine within the next ten years to get that NYC electrical license. I figured I would share what I discovered while walking the job. I can only imagine the courage needed to spray paint that on the wall and not get pinched by a general contractor employee! This area is near the former temporary elevator used in the beginning of the job to carry labor and materials. We now use a covered permanent elevator to access the jobsite. Here is the work of a disgruntled construction worker taken on the 53rd floor:

Thanks for stopping by my blog to read my material! Cheers! Leslie M Jasper

Construction Tales: Volume I: A Woman's Journey to Become an Electrican- On iTunes!

hi everyone, I wanted to remind you that Construction Tales: Volume I: A Woman's Journey to Become an Electrican is available on iTunes. Here is the link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/construction-tales-vol-1/id725235089?mt=11 It is also available in paperback and for Nook and Kindle. I hope you are enjoying a productive work week!?! Cheers! Leslie M Jasper

A Connecticut Reader and Friend To Offer A Future Book Review!

hello everyone! I have a friend who picked up a few copies of my books. She is looking forward to reading the book! I am thrilled she shared the selfie with my book on Facebook today! She said she will offer a review when finished! I am looking forward to hearing feedback on her read. She works in a trade oriented high school. If there is interest in the book, I will come and speak about it. When I get the review, I will share. If anyone else has Construction Tales book selfies, I would love to see it!! Thanks for stopping by my blog!!

Cheers!! Leslie M Jasper

Union NYC Workers Protest In The Name Of Worker Safety!!

hello everyone! I am sharing recent NYC construction events with you all. A fellow tradeswoman sista that I know, Shayne Johnson, and a handful of her peers stood up for NYC tradespeople from all trades!! Here are a few questions I posed to Shayne on the current fight for safety for people workimg in the city of New York:

1. What recent events lead you and your peers to take action? 1. Answer-We protested because there has been 30 fatalities of hard hats and 27 of them have been non-union. We feel that someone has to be held accountable. 2. What was the response from the intended target? 2. Answer- Non-union contractors counteracted. They are now organizing and stating that there's no need for Apprentice programs. What we're trying to do is get the legislators to pass #1447. This law would require all construction workers on big jobs to go through an apprentice program. With this new law enacted, safety would be implemented and they will know how to identify unsafe hazards on a job site. 3. Has your actions resulted in action y people in power? 3. Answer- Yes, we have some legislators own our side fighting with us to get #1447 passed. This will change the construction industry for the better. 4. Any regrets? 4. Answer- I have no regrets. While I was locked up, I explained to the officers that I will be back. I'm willing to do whatever it takes. Especially true if it means a life will be saved! 5. What would you do different next time? 5. Answer- Next time I would love to walk on the biggest non-union job in NYC and shut it down!! Get arrested on the jobsite!! 6. How do you feel about the issue today? 6. Answer- I feel that this is going to take more dramatic measures to overcome this matter. It's not like back in the day where we all just walked onto a job site and threw them all off. They are wiser and trying to use our tactics against us. However, we can't stop. We have to be the voice of the voiceless. 7. How did your union leadership feel about your role? Did they offer support? 7. Answer- Some of my union leaders got arrested with me. Their side by side made me proud to be a union member. Some members even waited for us to get out-this made me even more proud. Coming out of jail and seeing my union brothers clapping for us gave me an even greater feeling of unity and pride!!

Here is an article on the workers who are protesting in the name of safety!! https://www.google.com/amp/www.nydailynews.com/amp/new-york/workers-rally-city-hall-unsafe-construction-sites-article-1.2949443?client=safari As a tradeswoman working within the city of New York, I applaud their efforts. I have union members within my trade spearheading an effort to require NYC licensing for all electricians working within the territory. I have always been a union parade marcher, picketter of various jobsites, and a fan of attending demonstrations. I believe in unity and strength in numbers. I did see that their efforts for a push on safety is making headlines on the evening news. I thank them for the courage to take a position and work on behalf of the safety for all New York City construction workers!! There are many safety lessons that all workers should be equipped with prior to stepping foot on a construction site! Best of luck to may fellow tradespeople in accomplishing their goal! When I hear of an update, I will certainly post it! As always, thanks for stopping by my blog!! The safety of members of the construction world is very important to me and my peers. I felt compared to share this story! Cheers! Leslie M Jasper

My Journey Learning The Ropes As A Project Manager

hello everyone, I am taking on more and more responsibilities at work. I help out with a job in Flushing, sometimes in Brooklyn, and two jobs in Manhattan. I have some good project managers to learn about the PM process. One job I send out PowerPoint presentations, loaded with job issues, each week to the jobsite contractor who serves the owner and supposed to coordinate work with all of the trades. I even got to walk with a retired NYC electrical inspector on another job in lower Manhattan. I was asking lots of questions and getting alot of answers. We have the retired inspector as a consultant for my shop. I truly work with some talented guys in my shop. I help out anyone in need. They return the favor by inviting me to different job events to learn or walk me through different processes. Most of the guys I work with hold A journeyman cards. Being an electrician helps out tremendously when learning this job. At the end of the day, the inspector and the other guys asked me to consider becoming a NYC minority contractor. They all said that they would love to come work with me. If I did become a contractor, I would want to hold my own license. I have heard that the test, written and a practical,is a very tough test to pass. It would be a distinction to hold a NYC master electrician license. I would be able to capture a good 20-30% of the work on each project in New York City. The issue with becoming a minority contractor is the requirement to have tremendous amounts of capital to fund payroll and material needed for the project. I would have to figure that out prior to going into business. I need to get the electrical license before even considering going into business. Another key to success is having great guys to work on the jobs. I would need great supervision and estimators to help bid the work and monitor the jobs and become highly profitable. I was going up to learn from estimators in my shop. I have been busy and need to get back into learning how to estimate. Our bread and butter is properly pricing out changes, from ownership, to the job that differs from the contract plans. You can make a few extra million dollars in changes off a $30 million dollar job. I have to learn more about doing the quarterly financials we have to do. We are a public company so we have to project how profitable our job is going to be in the near future. This process is tricky and gives me anxiety since it is very important!! I have a coworker who is going to help me learn more about the financials real soon. First quarter is coming up really soon. We are already starting the process of putting together the paperwork in a few weeks. Like with anything, I want to learn and be really good with this task. I have been learning how to shop for quotes and fill out purchase orders that are big and small for material on the job. There is an internal process to purchase material. I have to include minority suppliers with offering quotes to me. Sometimes they offer reasonable quotes and sometimes their quotes are outrageous! I am not allowed to reveal prices to suppliers so they can adjust their numbers. There are alot of rules when working for a public company that I must follow. I feel that if I can learn to be the best in my shop, I can work for any shop in the country. My goal is to retire in Florida in the future. I have quite a few years before I am able to retire. I am at the halfway point with my pension. I will probably always want to work in some capacity. Once I got past my 20 year mark, I have now earned my union medical for life. That is super important as a retired person. This will be the point in life where I will need it the most. Then again, at the very least, I have VA benefits. My son is following in my footsteps on the road to becoming an electrician. He is a shop boy right now delivering material for an electrical contractor. He is scheduled to come in as an apprentice electrician this fall. He is looking forward to learning the business and becoming an electrician. I have a sense of pride in his choice to learn my trade. I did originally want him to go to college and become a nurse. He was learning to become an EMT and earn an associates degree. He lost interest and dropped out. He got this job opportunity to deliver material and he took it. Now he loves it and eager to get in and start learning. He finds it cool that alot of people know his name and know me. He is learning how hard I have worked through the eyes of my coworkers. He will appreciate my hard work even more as he travels through the business. I know there are few women in this business. I am going to be there at his topping out ceremony when he gets his A card in about six years from now. I want to be the member giving him his A card. I am sure that time will be here beforr we know it! As always, thanks for taking the time to stop by and reading my blog! Have a great day! Thanks, Cheers! Leslie M Jasper

Sunday Construction Humor!