Time In
We recently decided to do an energy upgrade of our house, It all started with seeing an insulation contractor's truck parked in front of our neighbors' house across the street . . .
To keep a long story shorter, the recommendation from the initial energy audit is to seal the house better and add extra insulation to attic. Knowing from experience that it does get drafty indoors in winter, we decided to go ahead and have the work done.
Despite the close-to-100-degree temperature, a crew of four men work all day to clear out the old, bad insulations in the attic before blowing in fiberglass insulation. There is no floor board in the attic; the workmen have to walk like a cat on the ceiling joists. Previously, someone missed his step and went through the ceiling with his leg while doing work in the attic. Fortunately, this time, with the insulation work is complete without such mishap.
Every once in a while, I catch the crew coming out for equipment or to take a quick break. They are suited up in hazmat coverall, with a respirator and a headlight on their heads. Their drippy, sweaty faces are totally covered with dust. The coverall is stuck to their skin because they are drenched underneath it. The men look like they are ready to melt. I feel really sorry that the work has to happen on such a hot day. There is nothing I can do to help except for offering them water and Gatorade.
During lunch break, I get to chat with them a little bit to get to know the crew. Three of the four crew members are in their 20s The other man is probably around 40. Interestingly, being the most senior member of the crew, he goes by the name "Junior".
"Don't you think he is old," says Elliot, the youngest of the four, "Junior moves so swiftly on those joists. When we work together, he is very efficient. Although we are younger, none of us can catch up with him. Junior is the best!" Elliot turns to give Junior a big thumb up. Junior reciprocates with a very understated smile and a nod. When asked, Junior just says that he has been doing this for a long time.
Junior's words makes me think of the teaching of Takeguchi Sensei. Even though Sensei does not move fast, it always feels so -- particularly if you happen to be his uke! When asked, he always says with his signature smile, "You don't need to move fast. When you get older, there is no way you can continue to move fast. You just need to move efficiently. You learn it by repetitions."
Lesson learned: Fast is a function of youth; swift is a function of skills. No matter what you do, time in is everything.
To keep a long story shorter, the recommendation from the initial energy audit is to seal the house better and add extra insulation to attic. Knowing from experience that it does get drafty indoors in winter, we decided to go ahead and have the work done.
Despite the close-to-100-degree temperature, a crew of four men work all day to clear out the old, bad insulations in the attic before blowing in fiberglass insulation. There is no floor board in the attic; the workmen have to walk like a cat on the ceiling joists. Previously, someone missed his step and went through the ceiling with his leg while doing work in the attic. Fortunately, this time, with the insulation work is complete without such mishap.
Every once in a while, I catch the crew coming out for equipment or to take a quick break. They are suited up in hazmat coverall, with a respirator and a headlight on their heads. Their drippy, sweaty faces are totally covered with dust. The coverall is stuck to their skin because they are drenched underneath it. The men look like they are ready to melt. I feel really sorry that the work has to happen on such a hot day. There is nothing I can do to help except for offering them water and Gatorade.
During lunch break, I get to chat with them a little bit to get to know the crew. Three of the four crew members are in their 20s The other man is probably around 40. Interestingly, being the most senior member of the crew, he goes by the name "Junior".
"Don't you think he is old," says Elliot, the youngest of the four, "Junior moves so swiftly on those joists. When we work together, he is very efficient. Although we are younger, none of us can catch up with him. Junior is the best!" Elliot turns to give Junior a big thumb up. Junior reciprocates with a very understated smile and a nod. When asked, Junior just says that he has been doing this for a long time.
Junior's words makes me think of the teaching of Takeguchi Sensei. Even though Sensei does not move fast, it always feels so -- particularly if you happen to be his uke! When asked, he always says with his signature smile, "You don't need to move fast. When you get older, there is no way you can continue to move fast. You just need to move efficiently. You learn it by repetitions."
Lesson learned: Fast is a function of youth; swift is a function of skills. No matter what you do, time in is everything.
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