The tape measure lies, the level hates me.

Any builder, man/woman with a sawzall, tells you they always build square, plumb, and level - call their B.S. Or, just know that is a course doomed to failure.How you say? Well, read on you reader. Let's take an...oh, say 1850's era structure, factor in some idiot and his poor friends in the '80's, and some concrete. (Oh Lord, please make people use mortar and NOT concrete to lay brick) This place, yes it's 1837 So. 10th, is not square, plumb, or level. It couldn't be no matter how hard you tried and gosh darned if the framing contractor tried...for two whole days of 58. You work with what the structure allows you to do. You shim, you taper-cut, you allow for bends and curves and off-camber corners. You embrace what you are given.It's like people, maybe. Force on them your way of being, thinking, and acting and you'll get anarchy. Or you'll make CEO of a bank and receive $10billion from the government without recompense but that is another matter entirely.With your head down, nailing another 2x4, it would be easy to think your shinangans may yield a screwy wall but heck if the little adjustments from plumb, level, and square don't create a perfectly fitting structure. One with character. One with soul that works with it's environment. Yes, it meets code and is safe to call 'home' but it transcends home, house, abode. It harkens the past when lumber was hewn from trees with an adze, the nails square, and a man's eye was 'level, plumb and square.'If you know St. Louis, you may have seen the development called "New Town" out past St. Charles a bit. It's nice. The layout is centralized and harkens to the new movement towards town squares, local stores within walking distance, and architect designed 'spaces.' It's cool. I like it. It is very, very...perfect. The brick used to create the Soulard-like facades is probably exactly 3.25"x9.375". Each one. I bet the front dormers are not 3-3/4" off center though. Why would you do that? You wouldn't.But my house was built that way.Square, level, plumb - nope. Warm, charming, and a home - you bet.