Construction Tales Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes!!

You can now click on the above “LISTEN ON SPOTIFY” (WHEN AVAILABLE) to hear this in audio!

Originally published on my Blogspot page on 10/12/17

Hello everyone,

I have my book Construction Tales on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes. Here is the link on Amazon:

This is the edited teen version of my book:

Here is the raw uncut version of my book:

I have an edited version of the book since some of the wild crazy antics of my coworkers is too embarrassing for me to have young readers view. My story should inspire young readers to fight for what you want in life. Life is a fight and everyone has one to a degree and each fight is different. Have a good day everyone!!

Cheers!
Leslie M Jasper

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Originally Published on 9-3-15 -Let’s Talk Writing Episode 100-Airing on Comcast

Let’s Talk Writing Episode 100- Coming to Comcast Channel 8 and YouTube Soon!

Here is the link to the Let’s Talk Writing Episode 100 program:

This book takes you on what it was like to become an apprentice electrician in New York over 22 years ago. My work perspective and experiences are rather unique. The story is meant to illustrate my apprentice completion while highlighting the challenges I had to overcome. The stories are extremely funny since the guys and gals I work with come from all walks of life and are free to do what they want!

Cheers!

Leslie M. Jasper

Johnny as Wilt Chamberlain Pitching Construction Tales!

You can now click on the above “LISTEN ON SPOTIFY” (WHEN AVAILABLE) to hear this in audio!

Hi everyone,

My son Johnny is at it again with his promo video posing as legend Wilt Chamberlain. He thought it would be funny to promote the book this way. Enjoy this video!🤣🤣😂😂😂 Have any video ideas for Johnny?? Let me know so I can tell him..

Cheers!
Leslie M Jasper

Sneaky Johnny Pitching Construction Tales!!

You can now click on the above “LISTEN ON SPOTIFY” (WHEN AVAILABLE) to hear this in audio!

Hello everyone!

I wanted to share my son Johnny’s Construction Tales promo. He is a smart and creative and came up with the video concept. Check it out on YouTube:

Cheers!

Leslie M. Jasper

The Dynamics Between The General Contractor and Different Trades!!

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Originally Posted: Monday, February 20, 2017

The Dynamics Between The General Contractor and Different Trades!!

hi everyone! I am pitching in and helping with about 3 projects at the moment. One job is in Queens and the other two jobs are in Manhattan. One job has a growing troubled relationship between the trades and the general contractor on the job. At first, I thought it was just our shop that was at odds. Now I see it is a growing distain for the GC amongst all of the trades on the job. They are trying to say that we are holding up progress. Meanwhile, the general contractor should be coordinating work with the trades. We can’t work in the same space as the floor guy when he is gluing his floor down. Oftentimes, our field guys are coordinating with the floor guy. It has been rather frustrating that jobsite. There are people screaming and shouting so that they can push through and get their way. It has definitely been an eye opener for me. My project in Queens has been decently smooth as a construction job can be. I am walking that job weekly to document the progress and see how we are being held up by other trades. The job has been passed to quite a few people over the past 2 years. It is supposedto be wrapped up by summer time. That is our goal and this has been an amazing learning curve for me. I have not gotten into a shouting match yet with anyone. My goal is to avoid that and try to get the job done. I have a great crew of project managers to learn about the PM process along the way. I have been walking a few jobs with our in house inspector consultant to learn more about the potential issues that can come up as violations. Then I have walked with the inspector to see if our cleaned up violations, previously fixed, help us pass our inspection with flying colors. There are alot of items to keep an eye on and make sure they are done correctly! You can delay the job and be at fault if we fail inspections. I learned that there are no rough in inspections in NYC. They just have final inspections. In Westchester and Fairfield territories, we have to get an inspection before the walls are closed up. They want to make sure all holes in the deck and ceiling where a cable or pipe enters is firestopped (sealed up). Walking these inspections makes me feel the need to study the NYC electrical code and earn my master’s electrical license in New York City. I then have to shelf it as long as I work for a shop. It is a good idea so I can either open my own women owned W/MBE business. I can hold a license for a NYC shop if I get laid off from this shop. I can even start up a minority contractor business with my son Tom. He is currently scheduled to enter the apprentice electrician program this fall. It takes about 5.5 years to finish his apprenticeship. He needs about a good ten years worth of work experience before I would open a business with him. Holding a NYC license is a key to success with a means of having a way to work. One of the things I have learned about the business is that as a large shop, the largest electrical contractor in NYC, is that we must award 20-30% of our work to women/minority/disabled supply houses and electrical subcontractors. There is money to be made as a woman owned electrical shop. However, you need deep pockets (investor) to fund material purchases and pay for weekly labor and benefits. It is definitely a goal of mine within the next ten years to get that NYC electrical license. I figured I would share what I discovered while walking the job. I can only imagine the courage needed to spray paint that on the wall and not get pinched by a general contractor employee! This area is near the former temporary elevator used in the beginning of the job to carry labor and materials. We now use a covered permanent elevator to access the jobsite. Here is the work of a disgruntled construction worker taken on the 53rd floor:

Thanks for stopping by my blog to read my material! Cheers! Leslie M Jasper

About Me

This book takes you on what it was like to become an apprentice electrician in New York over 18 years ago. My work perspective and experiences are rather unique. The story is meant to illustrate my apprentice completion while highlighting the challenges I had to overcome. The stories are extremely funny since the guys and gals I work with come from all walks of life and are free to do what they want!

My First Taste of Construction Life (Brief Clip)

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Originally Posted: Sunday, January 6, 2013

My First Taste of Construction Life (Brief Clip)

My first jobsite I stepped foot onto was a remodeling construction project for a major health insurance company. The company space was located in a high rise building in the heart of downtown White Plains, New York. My union called me up and directed me to report to work for my first electrical shop during the month of December, 1995. I was a first year electrician’s apprentice and considered ‘green’ by my peers. I was a young wife with a small one year old child when I had gotten the call for this jobsite. Four months before, I enrolled myself in college to pursue an associate’s degree in business. I had wanted to get a degree while pursuing my apprenticeship.

I would soon discover that my plate was to become very full. I became immersed with work, college courses, apprenticeship school, my family, and my new house that needed attention. The juggling of my new schedule left me with limited free time. This new schedule was a change from my life in the U.S. Navy as a construction electrician in the Seabees. My husband and I were both recently discharged from the military at the same time. He had also served his country as a U.S. Marine. We settled within the New York City suburbs so that we could be near his family. I was a young woman who was in love with my husband and was willing to follow him. I was young and rather foolish to discuss my relationship so openly. I clearly remember the topic of my wedding ring came up at work. My co-workers used to tell me I should not wear it to work. I would tell them that my ring is symbolic and I would be willing to lose a finger just so I could keep it on. I now view this response as typical nonsense an 18 year old would say when foolishly in love. I remember feeling awkward that I had to defend my choice to wear my ring.

This was when I got my first exposure to typical, bitter electricians. The average co-worker was very vocal about telling me that I would be divorced and miserable in no time……..

Cheers!

Leslie M. Jasper

The Purpose of the Book

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Originally Posted: Tuesday, January 8, 2013

The Purpose of the Book

I am sure there are people who are curious as to the reason for my decision to write my first book. I believe that my non-traditional occupation is unique and of interest to people. Due to the unique nature of my work, there are not many woman telling the story. Therefore, I must get the word out what it like to work with a sea of men all day. I must say that this is the best part of working in construction; daily eye candy. I also wanted to tell my story so others may understand what life is like for a woman construction worker. My journey of becoming an electrician was a tight balance of maintaining my focus while constantly learning on my toes. In order to gain any form of respect, I knew I must pay attention and learn everything possible and perform each task to my absolute best ability. There is no doubt that my work holds my signature and is up for constant scrutiny if it is subpar in any nature. No one is paying attention to the work of 100 men; just the one female on the job. My career has it’s many challenges and battles. I view my accomplished career challenges as victories while wearing those badges with honor. Any issues I have dealt with in this book are intended to illustrate life in my business. I walked in and accepted the challenge of entering this field of work while facing resistance many years ago. I do not seek pity from anyone nor will I accept it.

I work with many talented journeymen and journeywomen. Like with any occupation, there are a few ‘bad eggs’ in the carton. Oftentimes, these ‘bad eggs’ have distinct personalities and a zest for life. I embrace all co-workers; no matter how difficult they are to deal with at work. Honestly, people who have distinct personalities are extremely amusing and make coming into work, no matter the conditions, fun and enjoyable. I encourage you, as the reader, to view this book as both informational and as a source of humor….

Cheers!

Leslie M. Jasper

YouTube Commercial for the Book

Originally Posted: Friday, March 29, 2013

Youtube Commercial for the Book

You can now click on the above “LISTEN ON SPOTIFY” (WHEN AVAILABLE) to hear this in audio!

I put together a short video of a recent construction site I was working on. I give an overview of what it is like to work as a female within the construction industry. Check out my book’s commercial on Youtube.com:

Construction Tales: Volume I: A Woman’s Journey to Become an Electrician

Video link:

Back Cover for Construction Tales: Volume II: My Illuminated Path to Learn the Trade Continues..

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Originally Posted: Friday, January 24, 2014

Back Cover for Construction Tales: Volume II: My Illuminated Path to Learn the Trade Continues..

I just met up with my writer’s group last night to read my back cover for Volume 2. I decided to share it with my blog readers so that you get an idea of what Volume 2 will be about! 🙂

In my last volume, I took you on a sheetrock-dusted journey to see what it was like to become a female electrician’s apprentice. You got to experience, through my eyes, my challenges and triumphs during my 5½-year trade school program. You also got a sample of what it is like to work with my crazy co-workers. The beauty of my trade is that you get to keep meeting new and interesting electricians as well as other tradesmen and tradeswomen. The different people within each trade adds to the vibe and energy found on the job. I have many more stories to tell you, from the past twelve years, since gaining journeywoman status. This is exactly why I am able to write this second volume.
In this latest jobsite memoir, I will take you through what it was like to work outside on the railroad tracks while pregnant in the winter. I even worked in the local county jail. My partner and I were nearly attacked and managed to get pepper sprayed in jail while corrections officers were trying to take down an inmate. I will walk you through a near fist fight while on a big deck job where a monocot sprayer underestimated me. You will even know what it is like to encounter a long stint of unemployment during a recession. The best stories are the behaviors of co-workers when there is a long unemployment period on the line. I am quite certain the behaviors of worried employees are not contained within the construction industry. Be prepared to laugh and strain your neck from shaking your head so much… Stay tuned!

Cheers!

Leslie M. Jasper

Walking Away From The Tools

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Originally Posted: Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Walking Away From The Tools

Hello everyone!

After a 2 1/2 year run with my last shop, we ran out of work. I was sad to have to take my termination slip and walk away from my job. The level of unemployment in Westchester, New York is so high, I am looking at over 2 years before I can return to work with the tools. I started my college education journey back in 2009 since I saw the handwriting on the wall. I plan to use my MBA in business and work experience to land a project manager job in New York City. I am in the process of going out on interviews. One shop is promising so far. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will land something soon. I have plenty of work and projects to keep me busy in the meantime. I am going back to get my New York real estate license so I can do that on the side. One must have multiple hustles in order to survive in New York. I am also a writing coach/teach OSHA.

Going in right now to work on a book interview with a writer for the Examiner News in the Hudson Valley in New York. My article should be within the Home Guru section with Bill Primavera. I also plan to work with him selling real estate and working at his PR firm. I am eager to learn and developo a great relationship! I will provide updates soon!

Cheers!
Leslie M. Jasper