Building the walls

I went to Home Depot to get enough concrete blocks and mortar to get started. I found that you can get about 24 blocks and 4, 90 lb bags of mortar on one of those flat carts before it can no longer be moved! I lifted each 35 lb block onto the cart, into the truck and out of the truck. The bags of mortar are the most fun!
I made a couple of trips there before I decided that it would be better to have the rest of the blocks and mortar delivered. I thought it would be better to go and get the materials as I needed them instead of having to find a place to put them if it was delivered all at once. I was wrong. Its a killer to make those trips with all of the loading and unloading.
The first picture is of the material for the outside first row ONLY! There will be 5 rows plus seating.
The first row is important for a couple of reasons. It needs to be laid out as square as possible, and it needs to be level. I laid out all of the blocks to be sure they would be square. I drew lines for the inside of this row and marked approximately where the mortar joints would be so I wouldn't come to the end and not have enough room for the last 1/2" mortar joint.
The book says to place the 2 blocks in each corner first. In order to level the blocks in each corner with the blocks of the other corners, I used a 12' metal stud to span the diagonal corners. It was straight and light enough to not move the blocks.
With the corners placed, I could use a mason's string to guide me to cement the blocks between the corners.
When the perimeter was done, I began to place the first row of blocks for the seating. I will place rebar across the top of the outside of this row, even though it doesn't call for it in the plans. when this row is done and I have place the spa jet housings I will fill all of the cells with mortar
I'm a little discouraged that I cannot seem to place these blocks any better and faster. I'm hoping that I will get better with experience, especially since I have about 200 blocks to place!