Report from the Front

Editor's Note: The format of the APTA will be adjusted to bring readers up to speed on current, ongoing events while continuing to document the back story of the PTA. This may be confusing for awhile but . . . tough.

The PTA met with a current client yesterday to discuss among other things, the lack of "artistry" by the PTA's masons in their work and how the PTA needs to understand that quality and interesting design can be achieved for little of no money if you know what you're doing. The client confided that she could find items of taste even in Wal-Mart in 15 minutes or less. She went on to say that most people don't care about how things look and settle for just regular paint applied with rollers and not brushes like 100 years ago.

This client, if you can't tell, is a challenge. The PTA was hired for a very meager amount as he has sacrificed financial success for garnering work. In effect, he has proved the client's theory as she is getting great service at low costs although the client often doesn't appreciate that fact. This client falls into the champagne taste with beer budget although they don't think they have champagne tastes and so those tastes should fall well within their beer budget. This is a bad combination. This often leads to the client assuming things that they've seen in magazines can be achieved for minimal or no cost. Case in point, "I would like the edge of the coping stone to not be square." PTA: "Okay, you mean beveled or eased." Client: "No, I mean like this (drawing a sketch of an elaborate, ogee style edge)." PTA: "You mean an ogee? No, that will cost a lot more money." Client: "Really, I don't think so." This is the life.