Sprinkler Blowout Land: A Suspiciously Smooth Day

There’s something unsettling about a day during sprinkler blowout season when things actually go according to plan.

No major catastrophes. No compressors attempting to retire early. No unexpected adventures that require three phone calls, four text messages, and a Coke Zero just to figure out what happened.

Just a reasonably productive day.

Frankly, I’m suspicious.

A Little Unfinished Business

Jesse has two stops left over from yesterday that he simply didn’t have time to reach. He’ll be taking care of those today.

That’s one of the realities of sprinkler blowout season. We can plan routes, calculate travel times, and organize stops until the computer starts smoking, but there are only so many hours in a day.

And despite my best efforts, nobody has figured out how to manufacture additional daylight.

I’ve looked into it. Apparently, there are regulations.

The Search for Reinforcements Continues

Meanwhile, we’re reviewing several applications from people interested in joining The Maintenance Shop.

We’re not just looking for someone who can show up, connect a hose, and point compressed air in the general direction of a sprinkler system.

We have standards.

Our technicians need to be dependable, capable of working independently, respectful of customers and their property, and able to handle the occasional unexpected situation without calling headquarters every time a valve looks at them funny.

They also need a reliable vehicle that can tow one of our compressors.

That’s not an optional feature. Our compressors haven’t developed the ability to drive themselves yet, but at this point I’m willing to entertain proposals.

We’re taking a careful look at applicants because finding the right people matters more than simply filling positions. The goal is to add dependable help without sacrificing the quality of service our customers expect.

Our Young CEO Discovers Fame

Now, for the really important company news.

Our grandson, one of the young executives featured in our recent blog post, discovered that he was on the Internet.

Not just mentioned somewhere, mind you. He was featured in an actual blog post.

He was thrilled.

I suspect we’ll have to renegotiate his executive compensation package.

His current arrangement is already pretty favorable. He gets to enjoy the excitement of being part of the family business without worrying about payroll, insurance, equipment maintenance, customer scheduling, or the occasional invoice that seems to have entered the witness protection program.

Quite frankly, I think he has the best job in the company.

And the response to that Nextdoor post has been phenomenal. It’s been wonderful to see so many neighbors enjoying a little family humor mixed with the daily adventures of sprinkler blowout season.

We appreciate everyone who has taken the time to read, react, and share a laugh with us.

Who knew our youngest executives would become our most effective public relations department?

Back to the Real World

Today, we continue working our way through the Treasure Valley, including those two unfinished stops from yesterday.

We’re making progress, we’re evaluating potential reinforcements, and we’re doing our best to keep the operation moving efficiently.

If yesterday’s smooth sailing continues, I might actually get through an entire day without having to solve a problem that wasn’t on the schedule.

But I’m not making any predictions.

I’ve been doing this long enough to know that the moment you announce everything is running perfectly, somewhere a locked gate, a missing valve box, and a loose dog begin coordinating their next move.

Welcome to Sprinkler Blowout Land.

Here are the routes for today:

Eddie in the Boise 83703 with Blowzilla

North Riviera Drive
North 34th Street
North 29th Street
North 30th Street
West Edgemoor Road
West Bellomy Lane
North Tamarack Drive
West Plum Street
West Alamosa Street
West Promise Lane
West Wylie Lane
West Plantation Lane
North Azalea Lane
West Redbridge Drive
Waterwheel Drive
West Peachtree Street
West Gate House Court
North Crimson Way

Jesse in the Boise 83706 then 83705 with Orange Julius (OJ)

South Swallowtail Lane
South Duston Place
South Sun Point Avenue
West Diamond Street
Rovian Street
Hisel Street
South Virginia Avenue
South Columbus Circle
West Lemhi Street
South Robert Street
West Dill Drive
South Kerr Street
Kerr Place
South Arcadia Street
South Latah Street
Tetonia Drive
West Overland Road
South Owyhee Street
West Wood Acres Drive
West Rose Hill Street
Leona Circle