After much searching, I uncover the truth. We duplicated off a HP duplication machine located in our building in an environmental engineering business. The courtesy cost us a re-design effort of 40K. I informed our client of the unfortunate situation for two reasons, to highlight the additional time to do it right and acknowledge and identify no additional cost. It definitely wasn't their problem. The copies provided by our client most likely had some inherent distortion that was enhanced on the HP with an additional + 5% accuracy. Lesson learned, I could have done field investigation to confirm the dimensions and never will I trust the claims of duplication machines. I invested in a Ricoh duplication machine, purchased outright, but first traveled to locations where they were in use to verify zero distortion claims. It was dead nuts accurate. It reminded me of the scene from "My Cousin Vinny", where Marisa Tomei checks out the leaking sink faucet and claims she is certain of her facts because she used a tool "Calibrated by a NASA engineer". I checked and was completely satisfied. Now I utilize my favorite engineering toy. It was recently serviced at $ 253/hr.. I have three degrees and I don't get $253/hr. But that was our total service cost in four years, a whopping $253 service for 1hr. It is still worth it.

This international organization has a local NJ chapter which meets in Bedminster NJ at the Biovale research facility once a month. The goal is to provide relevant education segments pertinent to solutions of common problems faced by facility managers. It also provides access to and networking with other facility managers to benefit from their experiences. On May 18th and 19th of this month, we will be attending their NJIFMA 2006 Professional Development Conference located at the Bridgewater Marriot. All educational sessions are CEU - accredited. A brief outline: Thursday May 18th 2006 8am - 5:15pm will consist of conference overview, Educational sessions on Conflict Resolution, Document Management & Current Indoor Air Quality Issues in Non-Industrial Buildings, followed by Happy hour and networking. Registered attendees will be provided continental breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks. Friday May 19th 2006 8am- 4:45pm will consist of conference overview, Educational sessions on Retro-commissioning Existing buildings, Strategic Alliances: The Nature & Form of a true partnership, Facility security and state resources followed by a roundtable discussion of your choice for Career Development & IFMA as a resource, Facility Commissioning/Retro-commissioning, Strategic Partnering and facility Security. Followed by Happy hour and networking.

For more information on how to register and or join NJIFMA go to their website @ www.njifma.org or contact Caroline Shelly at shelly@njifma.com, 908- 735-0300 phone, 908-735-0033 Fax.

Russell Davis is multi-talented, comfortable with creating designs and detailing the construction details and specifications from homes to commercial construction, he is a true asset. Raised in Topsfield Massachusetts, he is a man of very few words, and reliably practical. He also has the best music (in my opinion) wafting from his office and is a great listener. This has come in handy as fellow employees struggle with some life experiences. He patiently listens and offers a sound perspective, sparing his compatriots from seeking expensive therapy. I'm thinking this is a company benefit. Often the best medicine is someone who just listens and cares. Because Russ is so quiet, very few realize he is currently in phase II of his home construction. He himself has designed and constructed it, to a large extent, while continuing to manage all aspects of this major reconstruction. As his family enjoyed radiant floor heat, they are in the last stages of finishing the grand kitchen. Thanks to scheduling and a smart design, the current kitchen will be converted to an envious laundry room providing a place to wash, dry, sort, fold and iron.

As a multitude of floor plans are developed from all venues of driving concerns, it is absolutely fun to work out the kinks and get fresh ideas with Russ.

Just then the phone rings and I'm coaching Theresa if its Jimmy don't fess up, I want to enjoy my day a little longer, soon enough we are going to hear about it. But no, she regales him of the morning kybosh of his coffee pot and he fires back how we are just two peas in a pod. And so it begins, just thinking about the loss of his coffee has sent him into sympathy withdrawal. I offer to go to Dunkin Donuts and get those mega coffee jugs each day, anything to preclude his crankiness. Well, hopefully only two more days. Meanwhile, we watch Jimmy, out of habit, just walk to the kitchen and stare at the empty space. WHEW!!!!!