Square and Level

It took Bob and I all day to arrive at the above accomplishment. Bob says, "It doesn't LOOK like we did a lot, but we did". The day began with working out the elaborate ritual of elevation and square.
First, you have to draw out lines from the completed first wall of block. You set a small line level on a string and make sure both directions are level. This takes a while as you cannot be off or the whole building project is messed up- or "fucked" in the patois. So then after leveling determined, you have to square the strings to make a good corner. (I think I'm really tired from all the work- both mental and physical- and my explanation is dull and confused!) Anyway, it worked or so we hope. Seeing as how I am always maintaining that the universe is crooked, maybe it doesn't matter...  (Only kidding!)
Anyway, after all that Pythagorean figuring, we secured more block and began the sexy and exhausting work of actually erecting the wall on which the sill will set. We established the corners. That took the afternoon. Bob and I were both plum tuckered out after mixing wheel barrow upon wheel barrow load of three parts gravel, two parts sand and one part Portland cement and water to make a stiff mix; that's the recipe. Then of course, you must level the blocks... very exacting stuff, this foundation piece!

Bob tucked the corners in for the evening with tarps so that the concrete will stay damp and set up slowly. I really have learned a lot and the results are nothing short of amazing. I seem to have studio corners and the beginning of a real defined space.