Today, I’m spending my time with Carlos Iglesias, a construction consultant in the District who helps builders stay in compliance with city codes.

After our first stop for the day, Iglesias and I head to another condo building on Bladensburg Road in Northeast. This 18-unit structure is almost done. But—-and this is a maaaaaaajor ‘but’—-Washington Gas has not hooked up the building’s gas meters, and Iglesias has been waiting three weeks already for crew-members to come out.

We’re here to check if anything’s changed. It hasn’t. Ugh.

This is no good.

Thus far, Iglesias has been in a good mood. I ask how average his day is going. I’m wondering if this irritation has left him less sunny. Now, after all, he’s got to spend several hours at Washington Gas, trying to move things along.

“Let’s quantify it,” I say. “On a one to ten scale, how are you feeling? Five is average. One is downright suicidal. Ten is blissful—-like maybe Linda Argo, head of Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs, has just called to congratulate you on your building code prowess.”

Okay, I didn’t say all that. But I said something along those lines.

Iglesias pauses to consider my question. He’s searching for a number.

“Six or seven,” he says. “I wouldn’t say eight. My meters aren’t in. But that’s average.”