Day #14: "Be Happy, It's Monday" – When Construction Makes You Love Workdays

Twenty years ago, stepping out of Toronto's airport, I was greeted by a massive banner spanning half a building façade. The monster.ca ad read: "Be happy, it's Monday."

I smiled at the clever marketing, never imagining that Monday would actually become my favorite day of the week. Even more shocking? I've discovered the only thing I dislike more than weekends is a long holiday!

Why? Because these are the days when absolutely nothing happens on my construction site. All contractors vanish to enjoy their time off, leaving me to stare at motionless machinery and silent earth where progress should be roaring.

The Holiday Confession

Okay, I might be exaggerating slightly. I actually had a wonderful 4th of July long weekend with family and friends!

But the construction pause wasn't just holiday downtime – it was strategically planned. The team had to stop for soil testing and surveying to ensure we're digging in the right places, to the right depth, and that our soil quality can support what we're building.

This critical work is complete. Now we're patiently waiting for results that will determine our next moves.

Blessed by Boulders? (Plot Twist: Yes!)

We've been "blessed" with massive pickup truck-sized boulders that need breaking before we can even extract them from the ground.

My first thought? Misfortune. Why couldn't there just be nice, cooperative soil?

But I insist we're actually blessed because we could have encountered a massive ledge requiring dynamite blasting. Picture the nightmare: explosive permits, evacuation zones, weeks of delays, and a price tag that would make grown contractors weep.

The Symphony of Destruction

During our planned pause, we're doing the only productive thing possible: make an absolutely tremendous amount of noise.

Crushing these boulders is probably the loudest part of our entire construction job. I was terrified it would take weeks of neighbor-annoying cacophony, but fortunately, it looks like we'll finish in 2-3 days using a massive hammer attached to our excavator.

Think Thor's hammer, but diesel-powered and very, very angry.

Much better than dangerous and costly dynamite explosions!

Building Community While Crushing Rock

I used our forced pause productively, starting with a meeting with Ricky Andrade, Athletic Director of Hopkinton High School.

We discussed potential partnerships for pickleball and padel programs for students. As we talked, we began dreaming bigger: What if Hopkinton High School had a competitive pickleball varsity team?

With support from our premier year-round facility and professional coaches, these students would have every opportunity to develop to the highest level. From high school courts to college scholarships to professional careers – the pipeline could start right here. Amen.

I also connected with John, one of the owners of TJ's, a beloved local restaurant. We immediately clicked discussing potential catering partnerships for corporate events and tournaments. Nothing builds community like great food shared after great games.

The Bureaucratic Green Light

Behind the scenes, I worked with our building inspector to secure approval for two retaining walls and the outdoor padel courts. We needed his blessing before ordering these critical components to avoid potential nasty surprises in later construction phases.

We finally got the green light and can proceed!

Another box checked, another potential roadblock cleared.

Progress Beyond the Visible

Even though my site team has already removed 200+ truckloads of dirt and cleared massive amounts of land preparing for foundation pouring, seeing minimal visible progress for days was admittedly frustrating.

But those "slow" days were actually incredibly productive – forging meaningful relationships and connections in the community that will ultimately make this more than just another sports facility.

The Patient Path Forward

While we wait for soil compaction reports and new survey markings, we'll continue our rock-crushing symphony. I just hope we can complete this noisy task in the planned 2-3 days without becoming the neighborhood's least favorite new residents.

The Real Foundation

Sometimes the most important construction happens away from excavators and concrete trucks. It happens in conversations over coffee, handshakes with school administrators, and partnerships with local business owners.

Coming Up: Once soil reports arrive and our boulder-breaking concert concludes, we can finally pour the foundation – the moment when months of planning literally get set in concrete.

The Lesson: Progress isn't always measured in dirt moved or concrete poured. Sometimes it's measured in relationships built and communities strengthened.

So yes, Toronto airport ad from 20 years ago – I finally get it. When you're building something meaningful, Monday really can be the happiest day of the week.

Because Mondays mean contractors return, hammers swing, and dreams inch closer to reality.

Who knew that the soundtrack of crushing boulders could sound so much like progress?