It feels so good to be at work today. I have spent the last 9 days working on a retaining wall at my house. 250 stones and a huge pile of rotten railroad ties later (I ripped them out---good times), it is amazing that I "retained" my services and "contained" my patience.

I am to home improvement projects what Bill Buckner is to the 1986 World Series: a big mistake waiting to happen.

It goes back to my college days when I was a plumber's assistant, check that, a plumber's worst nightmare. My career is about as legendary as Mario Mendoza's.

I spilled acid primer on a brand new linoleum floor, not once, but twice in the same day! A pipe once fell on my nose sending me to the hospital. And I once ran out of gas in a company car with a dollar to my name. I used that dollar for gas, but forgot to fill up the car when I took it home that night. And yes, on my way to work the next day, I ran out of gas again, this time with no money on me.

So I guess I picked the right career or at least not the wrong one. The bottom line to me is effort. What I lack in talent, I make up for with sweat equity. As I tell my kids, work hard and have fun. I'm just not sure how much fun this latest project has been for me.

As far as the end results of my retaining wall, ask me in about three years. It looks good right now. But so does the Celtics trade for Ray Allen. Retaining walls are like sports transactions. A few winters need to pass before we know if the deal or in my case the wall was a good one or bad one.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to finish writing the six o'clock sports. I find that much easier than building walls or installing toilets.