There’s Angie’s List. Which is great and wonderful and the list I’ve turned to when I’ve needed a mechanic, a plasterer or a chimney repairman. And then there’s this other list I sometimes use — the “I Gotta Guy List.” Friends or neighbors supply this list, usually by saying, “I gotta a guy who…” or “I know a guy who…” This list is very short, but the repairmen on it have been fantastic. Often I get to see their work in person before I hire them. I always compare lists to see if the repairman is on both. If not, I offer to add him (or her) to Angie’s List.
So I confess. Tonight, I’m meeting a plumber at my house who’s on my “I Gotta Guy List” but not Angie’s List. I hope that’s not grounds for dismissal?! (I promise to submit a report on their service!)
Robin is a staff writer who recently joined
Angie’s List magazine. She lives in South Broad Ripple, Indianapolis with her husband and a cat in a tiny bungalow that needs lots of work.
Maybe you know the story of the Tower of Babel. These old-timey peoples began building a tower to reach the heavens, but God deemed it an homage to man’s glory, not his. So he smote their society — which was united by a common language — by creating multiple languages and distancing the people.
I think those forces are still somewhat at work. Ever notice the members-only speak of certain professions? I’ve worked in the journalism field for more than 10 years and I know we’ve got some unique lingo and notations of our own.
“The paper’s been put to bed.” = “The paper’s gone to print.” “Adjust the kerning.” = “Take in the spacing between letters.” “SIC” = “Spelling is correct.”
And so it goes with other professions, as well. To me, a budding handyman(dy), it happens most frequently with construction specialists and home improvement gurus. Continue reading ‘Home improvement Babylon’
Mandy Miller is senior online editor for Angie's List publication department. When she's not focusing on the
magazine's website and other online offerings, she's tackling a mounting list of home improvements she thinks she can do herself. Plus, she really likes to ride her bike, play with her puppy, Boo Radley, and take naps.
