Tonight we're going for a braai (LIU) with some friends. It's some of the Princess's mates which she still keeps contact with from the days when she was on the school PTA (primary school for the boys). Should be an OK evening.
Tomorrow morning Witness is coming to work. If it does not rain he'll cut the grass (mow the lawn), and then clear more rocks. if it's all wet, he'll clear rocks!
I've got to try and figure out another way to finish the frames for my coasters, as my first idea failed, and my second option was too expensive. However, having given it some thought, I think I've got a way now. Will keep you updated.
Saturday afternoon we're off to a wedding. my nephew (on the princess's side of the family) is getting married. That should prove to be a good bash. Hope it all goes well on the day.
Sunday, well no plans yet, but will be fitting in a visit to Mom. And as for the rest of the day, it's just chill out time.
Salagatle!
LIU - Look It Up!
Friday, November 02, 2007
A day in the life
So yesterday I'm on a conference call with a whole bunch of guys, including some guy from the UK, and my manager. My position is ITSM - IT service Manager, I go out, identify opportunities, validate them, and then pass it on to an OO - Opportunity owner, who then puts the proposal / solution / pricing together, and closes the deal, with or without my assistance. If the OO goes on vacation, either another OO stands in for him, or I can assist in this role. No problem.
Yesterday, the papvreter who is my manager has the audacity to state, publicly, on the conference call:-
" I expect you to assist as you need to do something towards the commission you are going to earn for this deal!"
WHAT? Are you fucking suicidal? Do you know who I am?
So my response was:-
" Exxx, what the fuck do you mean? I've already done my part, I brought in the opp., validated it, and have been filling in for the absent OO. Don't you come and pass your uninformed snide remarks here!" And I hung up.
He called me back a little later to apologise, and to tell me how much he appreciates the extra work I'm doing filling in for the OO!
DOOS! (LIU).
This morning I'm stuck in traffic, so I call him re some stuff that needs to get processed, and because I'm not an OO, I'm not sure how the process flows. So he fills me in - no problem, and then ends off by saying, "When you get to the office, send an email to the following people, and ask if they have done their bits yet."
EXCUSE ME??
So I say," Are you in the office?".
"Yes".
"OK, you send off the email, copy me. This way, if they have not yet done their bit, they can get on with it, and I can follow up when I get to the office".
"Oh, OK".
Do me a favour. Where is this guy from?
Anyway, he did as asked, and things are moving, albeit slowly.
What a moron.
Salagatle!
Yesterday, the papvreter who is my manager has the audacity to state, publicly, on the conference call:-
" I expect you to assist as you need to do something towards the commission you are going to earn for this deal!"
WHAT? Are you fucking suicidal? Do you know who I am?
So my response was:-
" Exxx, what the fuck do you mean? I've already done my part, I brought in the opp., validated it, and have been filling in for the absent OO. Don't you come and pass your uninformed snide remarks here!" And I hung up.
He called me back a little later to apologise, and to tell me how much he appreciates the extra work I'm doing filling in for the OO!
DOOS! (LIU).
This morning I'm stuck in traffic, so I call him re some stuff that needs to get processed, and because I'm not an OO, I'm not sure how the process flows. So he fills me in - no problem, and then ends off by saying, "When you get to the office, send an email to the following people, and ask if they have done their bits yet."
EXCUSE ME??
So I say," Are you in the office?".
"Yes".
"OK, you send off the email, copy me. This way, if they have not yet done their bit, they can get on with it, and I can follow up when I get to the office".
"Oh, OK".
Do me a favour. Where is this guy from?
Anyway, he did as asked, and things are moving, albeit slowly.
What a moron.
Salagatle!
More poor service, nay, CRAP service
This morning I had the displeasure of having to visit one of our local large hyper stores. Game stores is a big retailer, and every week they run special discounts on various items. As it turns out, yesterday Queenie's 20 year old washing machine packed up. I recommended she just replace it as parts and spares probably won't be available, and anyway, one these things start to break, there is normally a flow of failures.
Game has a nice top loader on special this week, and it's just what she wants, so she draws the money and asks me to get her one. No problem, except I don't like Game as I always have a shit experience when I shop there. Anyway, I go to one of their larger stores, in what is considered an upmarket area, thinking maybe, just maybe, I'll get better service there.
Well, was I disappointed. I don't know if it because it's all papvreters on the floor, and they don't even have the basic knowledge of product, and no training on customer service and satisfaction, but I didn't buy the item. I have just sent them this email via their web page.
########################
Once again I have had the displeasure of trying to buy something from a game store, this time at Cresta. Your weekly special started 01 Nov. Today it's the 2nd, and guess what? Oh sorry sir, we still waiting for stock. When can I have it, oh maybe Monday or Tuesday, we will call you. Crap!!! I cannot believe how your business capitalises on the apathy of the South African consumer, where they are quite happy to pay now for something they might get Mon, or Tues! I'm better off going to Hirsch stores, where they are quite happy to meet your prices, and have stock ON THE FLOOR, not in some obscure warehouse somewhere. I refuse to ever shop at your stores again, in fact, I am quite willing to pay the floor price of the product at ANY other dealer, just for the convenience of having it available immediately. Why should I have to come back a second time when you decide to get the stock to collect something I had to pay for 3 - 7 days before. it's rubbish, and the only reason you get away with it is because the general shopper knows no better, or is so apathetic they think thats business as usual.
I think a letter to the press, again, is overdue!
if it wasn't that my mother in law asked me to get this washing machine for her, I would have never crossed your doorway.
###################
A few years back I went to their Westgate branch, to buy a circular saw they had on special. There they also didn't have stock. When I inquired I was told it's coming. I asked to see the manager, who gave me serious attitude. At that time I also lodged a complaint, but that included the problem with the rude manager. I got a call later that day requesting the details of the occurrence. The end of the story was that that manager hand delivered a saw, to me, at my workplace, at his cost. i didn't pay a cent. And rightfully so.
Now I don't expect to get this washing machine for nothing, but I am expecting an apology, which, if I get t, will be posted here.
Salagatle!
Game has a nice top loader on special this week, and it's just what she wants, so she draws the money and asks me to get her one. No problem, except I don't like Game as I always have a shit experience when I shop there. Anyway, I go to one of their larger stores, in what is considered an upmarket area, thinking maybe, just maybe, I'll get better service there.
Well, was I disappointed. I don't know if it because it's all papvreters on the floor, and they don't even have the basic knowledge of product, and no training on customer service and satisfaction, but I didn't buy the item. I have just sent them this email via their web page.
########################
Once again I have had the displeasure of trying to buy something from a game store, this time at Cresta. Your weekly special started 01 Nov. Today it's the 2nd, and guess what? Oh sorry sir, we still waiting for stock. When can I have it, oh maybe Monday or Tuesday, we will call you. Crap!!! I cannot believe how your business capitalises on the apathy of the South African consumer, where they are quite happy to pay now for something they might get Mon, or Tues! I'm better off going to Hirsch stores, where they are quite happy to meet your prices, and have stock ON THE FLOOR, not in some obscure warehouse somewhere. I refuse to ever shop at your stores again, in fact, I am quite willing to pay the floor price of the product at ANY other dealer, just for the convenience of having it available immediately. Why should I have to come back a second time when you decide to get the stock to collect something I had to pay for 3 - 7 days before. it's rubbish, and the only reason you get away with it is because the general shopper knows no better, or is so apathetic they think thats business as usual.
I think a letter to the press, again, is overdue!
if it wasn't that my mother in law asked me to get this washing machine for her, I would have never crossed your doorway.
###################
A few years back I went to their Westgate branch, to buy a circular saw they had on special. There they also didn't have stock. When I inquired I was told it's coming. I asked to see the manager, who gave me serious attitude. At that time I also lodged a complaint, but that included the problem with the rude manager. I got a call later that day requesting the details of the occurrence. The end of the story was that that manager hand delivered a saw, to me, at my workplace, at his cost. i didn't pay a cent. And rightfully so.
Now I don't expect to get this washing machine for nothing, but I am expecting an apology, which, if I get t, will be posted here.
Salagatle!
Thursday, November 01, 2007
At the police station
We (GMan and I) arrived about 15 minutes early, which gave me some time to let the inspector read through the school "Code of conduct", a copy of which I supplied to him. Then the papvreter and his parents arrived.
They came into the office, the parents looking, well, scared I suppose, because historically police stations were not the friendliest places for papvreters, and I suppose they still don't feel comfortable there. And followed by their son, a young, full of attitude punk.
The inspector explained why we were there, the seriousness of the situation, and tried to make the boy understand where he would be going if he continued in this manner. But, he seemed to be restrained. (He explained after that he couldn't lay it on the line like he wanted, because it could be construed as threatening, and that would raise other issues). So, when it seemed like he had said his bit, I said mine!
And believe me I made sure this kid understood what my opinion is, where I'm coming from, and what will happen to him. I also made sure he understood that he better not get one of his friends to take on GMan, cause after I have him arrested, I guarantee he will tie the incident back to this idiot, and then they would both be in shit.
Anyway, I got the feeling that his parents might not have full control of him, and I'm sorry for them for that. But most times, that problem is self generated.
GMan seemed happy with the outcome. Back at the school I informed the headmaster that I still expect the school to have a disciplinary hearing, as this will then provide a written warning to the child, to which the school body can refer in the event of their being further incidents!
So, for now, it's done.
Salagatle!
They came into the office, the parents looking, well, scared I suppose, because historically police stations were not the friendliest places for papvreters, and I suppose they still don't feel comfortable there. And followed by their son, a young, full of attitude punk.
The inspector explained why we were there, the seriousness of the situation, and tried to make the boy understand where he would be going if he continued in this manner. But, he seemed to be restrained. (He explained after that he couldn't lay it on the line like he wanted, because it could be construed as threatening, and that would raise other issues). So, when it seemed like he had said his bit, I said mine!
And believe me I made sure this kid understood what my opinion is, where I'm coming from, and what will happen to him. I also made sure he understood that he better not get one of his friends to take on GMan, cause after I have him arrested, I guarantee he will tie the incident back to this idiot, and then they would both be in shit.
Anyway, I got the feeling that his parents might not have full control of him, and I'm sorry for them for that. But most times, that problem is self generated.
GMan seemed happy with the outcome. Back at the school I informed the headmaster that I still expect the school to have a disciplinary hearing, as this will then provide a written warning to the child, to which the school body can refer in the event of their being further incidents!
So, for now, it's done.
Salagatle!
Just for laughs
Joke 1
A man is sitting reading his newspaper when his wife sneaks up behind him and whacks him on the head with a frying pan. "What was that for? He asks.
"That was for the piece of paper in your trouser pocket with the name "Mary Ellen written on it," she replies.
"Don't be silly, " he says "Two weeks ago when I went to the races Mary Ellen was the name of one of the horse I bet on".
His wife seemed satisfied at this and apologized. Three days later he's again sitting in his chair reading when she nails him with an even bigger frying pan, knocking him out cold.
When he comes around he asks, "What was that for?"
"Your f*#kin' horse phoned!"
Joke 2
THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK:
1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon
THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK:
1. Specificity
2. Anti-constitutionality's
3. Passive-aggressive disorder
4. Tran substantiate
THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK:
1. Thanks, but I don't want to have sex.
2. Nope, no more booze for me!
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. Taco Bell ? No thanks, I'm not hungry.
5. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
6. Oh, I couldn't! No one wants to hear me sing karaoke.
7. I'm not interested in fighting you.
8. Thank you, but I won't make any attempt to dance, I have no coordination. I'd hate to look like a fool!
9. Where is the nearest bathroom? I refuse to pee in this parking lot or on the side of the road.
10. I must be going home now as I have to work in the morning...
Salagatle!
A man is sitting reading his newspaper when his wife sneaks up behind him and whacks him on the head with a frying pan. "What was that for? He asks.
"That was for the piece of paper in your trouser pocket with the name "Mary Ellen written on it," she replies.
"Don't be silly, " he says "Two weeks ago when I went to the races Mary Ellen was the name of one of the horse I bet on".
His wife seemed satisfied at this and apologized. Three days later he's again sitting in his chair reading when she nails him with an even bigger frying pan, knocking him out cold.
When he comes around he asks, "What was that for?"
"Your f*#kin' horse phoned!"
Joke 2
THINGS THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK:
1. Innovative
2. Preliminary
3. Proliferation
4. Cinnamon
THINGS THAT ARE VERY DIFFICULT TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK:
1. Specificity
2. Anti-constitutionality's
3. Passive-aggressive disorder
4. Tran substantiate
THINGS THAT ARE DOWNRIGHT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAY WHEN YOU'RE DRUNK:
1. Thanks, but I don't want to have sex.
2. Nope, no more booze for me!
3. Sorry, but you're not really my type.
4. Taco Bell ? No thanks, I'm not hungry.
5. Good evening, officer. Isn't it lovely out tonight?
6. Oh, I couldn't! No one wants to hear me sing karaoke.
7. I'm not interested in fighting you.
8. Thank you, but I won't make any attempt to dance, I have no coordination. I'd hate to look like a fool!
9. Where is the nearest bathroom? I refuse to pee in this parking lot or on the side of the road.
10. I must be going home now as I have to work in the morning...
Salagatle!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Just for a laugh
When they said this guy was a big Lions supporter, I didn't think they meant this!
Glad this wasn't my kids drawing!
And, a final warning to speeding motorists....Salagatle
More on the GMan assault situation
So yesterday I called the korrelkop, and he agreed to call me back at 3.30pm when he knows what shift he's on the next day. At 5.30 I called him, and he had forgotten to call me. We arranged to meet Wednesday morning at about 7.30am in front of the police station.
I'm there at 7.30 this morning, I call him on his cellphone and he says he'll be right down. About 15 minutes later I see a guy who fits his description come out, and walk about like he's looking for someone. So I call him over, and introduce myself. I explain the situation and he takes me to his captain. Now we're getting somewhere.
Inside he introduces me to his captain - he's a white Afrikaaner!! great! just what I needed! (No sarcasm here, I'm ecstatic!). I explain the situation to him, and his eyes light up. He introduces me to another inspector, another white Afrikaaner who he makes responsible for sorting this out. Within 2 minutes this guy has called the parents of the perpetrator, and agreed that they will be at the police station at 3pm TODAY!!
I can't believe the efficiency - do you think it might be because they are white? or because I am too?
Anyway, I drove back to the school, and informed the headmaster of what was going down. he's quite pleased, needs more parents like me he says. Apparantly on Monday there was another similar incident (more blood maybe) at the school. And the parents of that victim have laid assault charges!
Anyway, the only down side is that GMan was supposed to play in an important cricket match this afternoon, but he will be missing it.
I also arranged with the headmaster that we get an "Adopt a cop" thing going at the school, and I will arrange for a policeman to come and address the whole school in the first week of the new year.
As for this kid, I hope he learns his lesson. If I do lay charges of assault, he gets arrested on the spot, and will probably have to overnight in the holding cells. The last time a kid was held in similar circumstances, he was raped by 5 serious convicts....... This is one of the reasons I don't want to go that route!
Whilst I was in the headmasters office I got a call from..... Inspector Ralph. This is the guy I had spoken to yesterday, and who agreed to meet me this morning, and who, I assumed had met me outside the station and taken me to the captain.... he wanted to know if I still wanted to meet with him?? So, who the fuck was the guy I spoke to first this morning?
Salagatle!
I'm there at 7.30 this morning, I call him on his cellphone and he says he'll be right down. About 15 minutes later I see a guy who fits his description come out, and walk about like he's looking for someone. So I call him over, and introduce myself. I explain the situation and he takes me to his captain. Now we're getting somewhere.
Inside he introduces me to his captain - he's a white Afrikaaner!! great! just what I needed! (No sarcasm here, I'm ecstatic!). I explain the situation to him, and his eyes light up. He introduces me to another inspector, another white Afrikaaner who he makes responsible for sorting this out. Within 2 minutes this guy has called the parents of the perpetrator, and agreed that they will be at the police station at 3pm TODAY!!
I can't believe the efficiency - do you think it might be because they are white? or because I am too?
Anyway, I drove back to the school, and informed the headmaster of what was going down. he's quite pleased, needs more parents like me he says. Apparantly on Monday there was another similar incident (more blood maybe) at the school. And the parents of that victim have laid assault charges!
Anyway, the only down side is that GMan was supposed to play in an important cricket match this afternoon, but he will be missing it.
I also arranged with the headmaster that we get an "Adopt a cop" thing going at the school, and I will arrange for a policeman to come and address the whole school in the first week of the new year.
As for this kid, I hope he learns his lesson. If I do lay charges of assault, he gets arrested on the spot, and will probably have to overnight in the holding cells. The last time a kid was held in similar circumstances, he was raped by 5 serious convicts....... This is one of the reasons I don't want to go that route!
Whilst I was in the headmasters office I got a call from..... Inspector Ralph. This is the guy I had spoken to yesterday, and who agreed to meet me this morning, and who, I assumed had met me outside the station and taken me to the captain.... he wanted to know if I still wanted to meet with him?? So, who the fuck was the guy I spoke to first this morning?
Salagatle!
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, 29 Oct, 2007
I get a please call me form GMan. I call, and he says he's been assaulted at school. FUCK! Turns out some papvreter (who else?) punched him in the mouth.
Now I'm not going to get into the justifications of his actions, but GMan walked away. And then went and reported the matter to his Standard head, and ultimately the headmaster. Last night I met with the Standard Head, and then went off to the SAPS (police) station to find out what out options are.
Lay a charge of assault, or lodge a complaint, which will see the kid, and his parents being called in by the SAPS, and him being "instructed" in the shit he's stepping in, and what the ultimate consequences would be. After all, I think this would be a stern enough warning for him (or at least I hope so).
This morning I met with the school headmaster, and informed him of my decision, and got the full name and contact details of the aggressor.
Then, off to the cop shop, where at 10 minutes to 8 am, I lodged my complaint. I was asked to wait, and someone would come across to me, and we would go together to the school.....
At 5 minutes to 10am I stepped outside, used my cellphone to find the SAPS station number and called them!!! I got through to the Station Commissioners secretary, who asked me to come right up.
Explained the situation to her, and she sent me upstairs to another lady. This one was insistent that I lay a charge of assault, but I insisted I did not want to take that option at this time.
So she has given me the details of the Inspector (another nero) who is the manager ? responsible for the area wherein the school falls. I must call him later today to get this thing off the ground.
If this fucking "korrelkop" (LIU) doesn't come through, I will be laying the charge of assault, and we'll do it the hard way.
The charge office - or community service center as it's now called, is a shit hole. It's manned by loud, incompetent, inefficient darkies! 7 of them behind the counter, only 2 manning the customer desk at any one time, all of them talking at the top of their voices at the same time!
A flow of rabble come through the doors, get helped eventually, and then leave. A pathetic bunch, who accept the pathetic level of service, and who, eventually don't really expect much from the SAPS anyway. One service they did / do well is stamping and signing as true copies of the original all the photocopies that the masses come in there with. Stamp and sign.....
Oh, well, it is Africa after all!
Salagatle!
Now I'm not going to get into the justifications of his actions, but GMan walked away. And then went and reported the matter to his Standard head, and ultimately the headmaster. Last night I met with the Standard Head, and then went off to the SAPS (police) station to find out what out options are.
Lay a charge of assault, or lodge a complaint, which will see the kid, and his parents being called in by the SAPS, and him being "instructed" in the shit he's stepping in, and what the ultimate consequences would be. After all, I think this would be a stern enough warning for him (or at least I hope so).
This morning I met with the school headmaster, and informed him of my decision, and got the full name and contact details of the aggressor.
Then, off to the cop shop, where at 10 minutes to 8 am, I lodged my complaint. I was asked to wait, and someone would come across to me, and we would go together to the school.....
At 5 minutes to 10am I stepped outside, used my cellphone to find the SAPS station number and called them!!! I got through to the Station Commissioners secretary, who asked me to come right up.
Explained the situation to her, and she sent me upstairs to another lady. This one was insistent that I lay a charge of assault, but I insisted I did not want to take that option at this time.
So she has given me the details of the Inspector (another nero) who is the manager ? responsible for the area wherein the school falls. I must call him later today to get this thing off the ground.
If this fucking "korrelkop" (LIU) doesn't come through, I will be laying the charge of assault, and we'll do it the hard way.
The charge office - or community service center as it's now called, is a shit hole. It's manned by loud, incompetent, inefficient darkies! 7 of them behind the counter, only 2 manning the customer desk at any one time, all of them talking at the top of their voices at the same time!
A flow of rabble come through the doors, get helped eventually, and then leave. A pathetic bunch, who accept the pathetic level of service, and who, eventually don't really expect much from the SAPS anyway. One service they did / do well is stamping and signing as true copies of the original all the photocopies that the masses come in there with. Stamp and sign.....
Oh, well, it is Africa after all!
Salagatle!
Monday, October 29, 2007
So, in closing
After all of my previous posts around my disappointment, I woke up this morning thinking that maybe the situation isn't that bad. For most other parents it may not be. But for me it's serious enough. However, it is not the end of the world, and it's not a permanent problem, so I'll just end off with this:-
Last night I dreamt that I went to look at some of the comments left on these posts, and one from karma lennon read:-
I find your latest posts make me more depressed, so I won't be around visiting for a while till this blows over. Please continue to visit my sites. Thanx .......
Now this isn't a real comment, but one I saw in my dream, so, as far as this issue is concerned, it's now closed.
Salagatle!
Last night I dreamt that I went to look at some of the comments left on these posts, and one from karma lennon read:-
I find your latest posts make me more depressed, so I won't be around visiting for a while till this blows over. Please continue to visit my sites. Thanx .......
Now this isn't a real comment, but one I saw in my dream, so, as far as this issue is concerned, it's now closed.
Salagatle!
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Do you know
that it's impossible to get pricing for cardboard boxes in this country? Oh, if it's standard, off the shelf, run of the mill boxes you can get plenty. But don't ask for pricing for a specific size box. No matter how many you want. These stupid bastards just don't come back to you. So, in the interests of self preservation, as I told the MD of one box manufacturing company recently, "I'm going to start importing boxes of all shapes and sizes from China, and I'm going to put arseholes like you out of business!'
So, I'm in touch with some Chinese companies who are very keen to quote me prices for boxes, of all shapes and sizes!
Watch this space.
Salagatle!
So, I'm in touch with some Chinese companies who are very keen to quote me prices for boxes, of all shapes and sizes!
Watch this space.
Salagatle!
Further to my previous blog
Is disappointment something that moves on? I know that for me it's changed things. I look at the individual differently. Their life, at home anyway, will be changed from now on. It affects all spheres of relationships, doesn't it? Trust is probably one of the biggest. It takes so long to build that trust, and when it's there you can feel it, taste it, and, like me, brag about it. And then, in one incident it's gone. And I don't think it's replaceable, no, I don't think so.
For those of you who know me personally, this subject is not open for discussion. What you read here is what you get. No personal interviews and / or discussions on this. Suffice to say it's not a critical / life threatening situation, just me, a disappointed Dad.
Salagatle!
For those of you who know me personally, this subject is not open for discussion. What you read here is what you get. No personal interviews and / or discussions on this. Suffice to say it's not a critical / life threatening situation, just me, a disappointed Dad.
Salagatle!
The Shark supporters
If another Shark supporter / fan says to me "The only reason we didn't win the Currie cup was because most of the Sharks players were overseas in the Springbok team playing for the World Cup!",
I'M GOING TO KICK HIM IN HIS POES!!!!
What's your fucking excuse for last year and the year before that you DOOS!!!!?
Salagatle!
I'M GOING TO KICK HIM IN HIS POES!!!!
What's your fucking excuse for last year and the year before that you DOOS!!!!?
Salagatle!
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