Another in an intermittent series that could well be subtitled more things I hate1:
- Knowing that the 8.00 kick-off was tradie time, but still getting up at 6.15 “just in case”
- Knowing I’m going to get a dehydration headache, because I’m already thirsty but having that doorbell-will-ring-just-as-I’m-having-a-wee anxiety. And the it’s-going-to-be-a-two-hour-job-so-it’s-not-like-I-can-relax-once-they-get-here anxiety
- Wondering if they were serious when they said (last week) “I hope you make good coffee” because 1. I don’t and 2. it’s your fucking job that you are being paid a fuck load of money for and you expect me to make you a fucking coffee? I didn’t break the window on purpose, and this is the second day I’ve had to hang around waiting, so fuck off
- Wondering whether I’ll recognise the next insurance ad based on a glazier calling a metalworker because he’s put a hole in a verandah, and the metalworker calling an aircon mechanic because he’s stepped through the window unit downstairs… (and hoping that it will be an insurance ad, not a Worksafe ad)
- Trying to figure out how I’m going to lock up the cats and run downstairs in the time allowed before they decide I’m not at home, given that the intercom is not working at the moment
- Knowing that I’m going to have to do all this again, when we decide to get the intercom fixed.
And, now that they’re here:
- Feeling as though I can’t watch a week’s worth of Rock of Love Bus because it’s a guilty secret that only the IQ and a few people on the internet know about and it’s not “real” if I’m not caught watching it in real life
- Being too embarrassed to crank up the stereo to enjoy Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass with Casino Royale, which comes up so rarely on the shuffle that it needs to be celebrated
- Trying not to take the muttered “frame’s so rotten, paint’s all that’s holding it together… that, and putty” personally.
= = = = = = = = = =
I can’t stand that whole waiting bit and you always, always get a massive fright when the knock on the door finally comes. Oh, and feeling like you HAVE to make a coffee…bet they wouldn’t expect that if ‘the man of the house’ was at home. Eugh. Hope all goes well with your windows and that no more freak storms land on your apartment.
I hate tradies, they are constantly late or even don’t call up. And cannot be bothered calling.
Re: Your secret Rock of Love addiction – wasn’t I meant to link your blog post to my site? Whoops
.-= reality raver´s last blog ..Hotness Is Happening On Masterchef Australia =-.
@teacoffeetea – I was pleased to note the takeaway coffees they were holding when they arrived! Apparently they DID take me seriously last week when I said I didn’t make coffee… You’re right, though, if it was a bloke at home, that whole line of conversation wouldn’t even have been followed (and C wouldn’t have cleaned up for fear of being judged a “bad housewife!”).
@reality raver – These guys were pretty funny, once they got here (2.25 hours after I was told to expect them).
As for the Rock of Love addiction, what happens on the internet stays on the internet, or some such… With the “Bus”, I’m learning a lot about the groupie hierarchy. Apparently they are a judgey bunch. The Penthouse Pet is far superior to the strippers, who are a little skeptical that she hasn’t paid her own “gentlemen’s club” dues given the way she attacked the pole at the Truck Stop Games. It’s good for reality show bingo, too – I got a “I didn’t come here to make friends” today.
You’re lucky if they turn up on the prescribed day at all.
The usual trick then is to look at the washing machine (always breaks down 2.5 days after the warranty runs out)and tell you they need another part and guess distant male monarch (DMM)wot. They dont happen to have the part nd they have to order it in from the factory and you will just have to wait till it comes! nd then if you are lucky they will deign to come back within a month (you can turn your underpants inside out in the meantime and then wear them again)ole palaver again.
I told Mrs K she has my permission next time this happens to use my HDJWAAtomic tradies blowerupper on them but only after they’ve fixed the DMM washing machine.
MY SYMPATHIES TO YOU!
Sourkraut – seems I’ve been pretty lucky with my recent experiences (they’ve pitched up, and have fixed what they came for), so I don’t know whether that means I lead a charmed life or I’ve used up all my good tradie Karma. If it’s the latter, I’m going to need your HDJWA gadget for the intercom installment!