I was amazed at how I could have caught another cold. Then today I had that aha moment. I watched the ayi empty the trash can overflowing with used tissues and noticed she had no gloves on. And then waited to see her wash her hands, which never happened. Then I remembered, these people do not wash their hands very often, if ever. My cleaning lady at home wore gloves. Yes, disposable gloves. Need to buy more bleach.
Which brings me to another issue that bugs me. Flight attendants that wear gloves to pick up the trash but do not wear gloves to hand me food and drink. As it is all about me, all the time, shouldn't they wear gloves to hand me consumables? As they never touch the trash and always touch the food and drink I am confused. They hold that bag as far away from themselves as possible and if you miss, oh well, it is gonna stay on the filthy carpet for the duration of the flight.
Big Daddy had another job interview last night, 11PM China time, and these people have won the prize for unattainable candidate. They want someone that is a tooling expert, a manufacturing expert, an engineering manager, a purchasing agent, and someone to set up a department to develop patents for the company. And manage over 100 people. They are firing the current guy because he is a tooling expert and cannot handle the additional responsibilities. So we know one other guy that is competing with BD for a job, that guy has to know they are shopping his job.
We now have reservations for New Orleans. It is a miracle. I think BD is so bogged down in bullshit he is losing his edge in personal lifestyle management. Or I made him brain dead with chanting bigger, bigger. He had an epiphany and called the bar at the hotel and asked to be switched to the reservations manager. Bingo, we have the room we wanted. Not at the old hotel, the second hotel, which is becoming the better hotel. I will post on this if we ever get there. Still waiting for HR sign-off and travel bitch to fuck up the tickets home. Oh, the HR guy that would have signed off and that worked with the expats has disappeared. No one is talking. Hmmm. The stories I could tell.
Showing posts with label Ayis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ayis. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Monday, December 12, 2011
Another chapter in the counter top saga
Phony granite amazes me as it is more expensive than real granite here. The 2 foot hunk of whatever material it is came loose. It was not really heavy but quite awkward to deal with. I had no place to put it and I did not want it to fall and break, especially on my feet.
On closer inspection it also appears it has been repaired in the past. Hmm, how many Shemps have vaulted up on this sink I wonder.
So I sent Big Daddy up to the Concierge with the broken hunk of counter top. Sean seemed amazed that we did not want to keep in a place of honor in the apartment. I have an appointment at 9 AM Wednesday for whatever they are going to do. BD also told Sean that in order to save me throwing cell phones down the toilet, and avoiding a toilet repair, he need to get the ayis under control. And get them to change the towels properly.
In the couple years we have been here we are seeing a pattern. There is some rule that all monies owed to workers somehow has to be paid in full in coordination of the Chinese New Year. This is when people typically quit or change jobs. Huge turnover and this year it is around January 23 I think. As it is nearly impossible to fire someone here employees can get away with practically anything.
My long awaited package from Punkin Head arrived and had to be picked up at the Post Office. It contained my new AMEX and I was getting concerned about the card. It also contained 2 birthday cards and some movies from The Ladies collection. Last night we watched Fried Green Tomatoes, I love that movie.
This is gonna get ugly
I am hopeful I have not lost my sense of humor. I seem to be a bit cranky. Big Daddy is pissing me off, he is taking the stupid pills again. Yes, we have them in America too, men don't take them regularly, just when they need to feel stupid. Yesterday as I was getting a gallon of oil on my toenails and then having them wrapped in plastic film he asked if I wanted to stroll down to the bakery. Then he told me we had new movies, which we don't have. Then he washed kitchen towels this morning instead of last night. Kitchen towels take 4 to 5 hours in the machine. He is on thin ice here.
I am giving him a chance to redeem himself.
The Shemps did not appear for the kitchen counter top repair. I waited for the ayi invasion before I got pissed. Actually the ayis pissed me off. First they dropped everything in the hall. It sounded like all hell broke loose. Then they started shouting at each other. Then they started talking on the phones. Well, when the one ayi got a call in the kitchen and I could hear the caller, I did have to say something. I was nice, I did not swear and scream, I just told her no phone. That will be on BD's list of things to do, ask the manager if he pays the ayis to clean or talk on the phone. I mean really, they get out of hand and you have to say something. They have brought their children when they clean. They have brought husbands and boyfriends, and brothers. Not any more.
Maybe I should have titled this the bitch is back.
So anyway, I called BD and asked him to inquire about the counter top with the management. He talked to Sean. Sean and Brian are the managers and I can't remember which is the big boss. Sean then called me. It seems the counter top cannot be repaired for a few days. They don't know when. They don't have the right shit to fix the counter top. He suggested that I just sit in the apartment and wait for them to show up. I suggested he fuck himself. He suggested that waiting was a great idea. I suggested we get the leasing company involved and then I told him he had given me a Chinese headache. As we were quite far apart in our negotiations I ended the call.
So now BD is in charge of saving the day, my sanity, and Sean's hide. And maybe that ayi's cell phone as I may flush it down the toilet the next time I have to hear that bullshit.
I am giving him a chance to redeem himself.
The Shemps did not appear for the kitchen counter top repair. I waited for the ayi invasion before I got pissed. Actually the ayis pissed me off. First they dropped everything in the hall. It sounded like all hell broke loose. Then they started shouting at each other. Then they started talking on the phones. Well, when the one ayi got a call in the kitchen and I could hear the caller, I did have to say something. I was nice, I did not swear and scream, I just told her no phone. That will be on BD's list of things to do, ask the manager if he pays the ayis to clean or talk on the phone. I mean really, they get out of hand and you have to say something. They have brought their children when they clean. They have brought husbands and boyfriends, and brothers. Not any more.
Maybe I should have titled this the bitch is back.
So anyway, I called BD and asked him to inquire about the counter top with the management. He talked to Sean. Sean and Brian are the managers and I can't remember which is the big boss. Sean then called me. It seems the counter top cannot be repaired for a few days. They don't know when. They don't have the right shit to fix the counter top. He suggested that I just sit in the apartment and wait for them to show up. I suggested he fuck himself. He suggested that waiting was a great idea. I suggested we get the leasing company involved and then I told him he had given me a Chinese headache. As we were quite far apart in our negotiations I ended the call.
So now BD is in charge of saving the day, my sanity, and Sean's hide. And maybe that ayi's cell phone as I may flush it down the toilet the next time I have to hear that bullshit.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Shemp returns
Well I am pretty sure we have heat. Shemp was gone when we returned from our mani and pedi experience. And shortly thereafter an ayi arrived to mop. And she emptied a waste can. Actually she did quite a bit which only means this is worse than I think it is. And she discovered the tub that does not drain and is making a phone call. Woohoo.
The worst part of the entire mess was Shemp once again refused the step stool and used his own methods of getting out the window onto the ledge. That involved vaulting onto the sink and counter. Which resulted in the one piece granite counter breaking/cracking in 2 places. Which of course made the sink dicey. You know, staying in place.
Well the Shemps are supposed to replace the counter top tomorrow while the ayis are doing their regular cleaning. This may require stronger drink than my wine. Or more wine than I have.
Well they just left and I pressed some special tea on the ayi, she acted like she did not want to take it but I persisted and she relented. She did a damn fine job. Tub is now draining properly.
Toes are pretty and Big Daddy is ready to tackle the kitchen with his well massaged hands and arms.
Monday, May 9, 2011
Dirty Dancing
Remember that last scene in the movie where Patrick Swayze is bending Baby like she is a limp twig, back and forth. Quite violently. That is what my ayi was doing to the filthy mop today. It was oddly amusing. Things were bouncing about and making noise and she just kept mopping. With her filthy mop. At one point she handed me a screw. I have a thought that the screw fell out of the Ikea chair, this is the Ikea chair every ex-pat owns. The chair is pretty ugly so if it falls apart I will be okay with that. Except Big Daddy will have to sit on the floor to read his books and he may bitch.
As promised the new Internet Police are working hard at making sure no one can access the crossword puzzles. Internet off today twice and I am sick about this. How will I know what Rex Parker thinks about the puzzle. Half the fun of doing the puzzle is getting everyone's take on the content and construction.
So after I finish cleaning the apartment I guess I need to think about a new chair. Well, what I really need to think about is some pieces I feel I need to make this place better. I want some plates or trays for the "coffee table" and I still need to get that poster framed. How many people haul a poster half way around the world and leave it in a canister in a drawer?
Big Daddy is downloading the pictures Punkin Head sent for Mothers's Day and I need to download the buffalo roaming, oh yes and take a picture of the tiger.
On a lighter note, my mother who has not contacted me in over a year, hid her marriage like it was a joining of the Clampetts to the house of Charlie Sheen and who cannot email as she has no Internet access sent me a fucking chain-mail that if I resend it to 5 people I can find out if I am an awesome mother. Gotta love it.
Off to look for more screws and to sanitize the floors.
As promised the new Internet Police are working hard at making sure no one can access the crossword puzzles. Internet off today twice and I am sick about this. How will I know what Rex Parker thinks about the puzzle. Half the fun of doing the puzzle is getting everyone's take on the content and construction.
So after I finish cleaning the apartment I guess I need to think about a new chair. Well, what I really need to think about is some pieces I feel I need to make this place better. I want some plates or trays for the "coffee table" and I still need to get that poster framed. How many people haul a poster half way around the world and leave it in a canister in a drawer?
Big Daddy is downloading the pictures Punkin Head sent for Mothers's Day and I need to download the buffalo roaming, oh yes and take a picture of the tiger.
On a lighter note, my mother who has not contacted me in over a year, hid her marriage like it was a joining of the Clampetts to the house of Charlie Sheen and who cannot email as she has no Internet access sent me a fucking chain-mail that if I resend it to 5 people I can find out if I am an awesome mother. Gotta love it.
Off to look for more screws and to sanitize the floors.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
The Picture of Dorian Gray
As is my custom after the ayis leave I clean. I go from room to room and make things right and clean up the mess they leave behind.
Well, today on the bedroom nightstand I found a portrait. Of a Chinese girl. Quite a large pastel and chalk drawing encased in a plastic cover.
What the fuck is that doing in my bedroom.
I looked out the peephole and the ayis were still cleaning down the hall so I waited until I saw one of them. I would have gone over but I was still in my nightgown and robe. I would really have liked to look into those apartments.
The ayis acted like they had no idea how this portrait came to be in my apartment. Hmmm, I think it was hidden in the sheets.
Why would someone hide their portrait in the sheets?
Well, today on the bedroom nightstand I found a portrait. Of a Chinese girl. Quite a large pastel and chalk drawing encased in a plastic cover.
What the fuck is that doing in my bedroom.
I looked out the peephole and the ayis were still cleaning down the hall so I waited until I saw one of them. I would have gone over but I was still in my nightgown and robe. I would really have liked to look into those apartments.
The ayis acted like they had no idea how this portrait came to be in my apartment. Hmmm, I think it was hidden in the sheets.
Why would someone hide their portrait in the sheets?
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Yucky Thursday
Finally might be normal from the jet lag.
Ayi's were here and did the usual half-assed job. Asked them to call the laundry to pick up a shirt. After 15 minutes of the ayi on the phone I got a call from someone on the house phone. He wanted to know what I was complaining about this time. Hmmm. Told him I had no laundry bag to send out my shirt. Fuckhead.
Very cold and dreary today.
Someone asked me for a linked-in response, a person that I actually know and worked with-so working this now and trying to firm up my potential new job.
Started putting my laundry out on the balcony with the new spring weather, when I put the underwear out I will post a pic.
Internet still spotty but I got to watch the latest episode of Modern Family, still waiting to see DWTS. And waiting for my new make-up mirror.
Off to Amazon for new books, have 9 left that I want to read, 4 left half read or don't want to really read, no new magazines.
Oh yes, Punkin Head called and the internship of his dreams, good going sweet boy.
Ayi's were here and did the usual half-assed job. Asked them to call the laundry to pick up a shirt. After 15 minutes of the ayi on the phone I got a call from someone on the house phone. He wanted to know what I was complaining about this time. Hmmm. Told him I had no laundry bag to send out my shirt. Fuckhead.
Very cold and dreary today.
Someone asked me for a linked-in response, a person that I actually know and worked with-so working this now and trying to firm up my potential new job.
Started putting my laundry out on the balcony with the new spring weather, when I put the underwear out I will post a pic.
Internet still spotty but I got to watch the latest episode of Modern Family, still waiting to see DWTS. And waiting for my new make-up mirror.
Off to Amazon for new books, have 9 left that I want to read, 4 left half read or don't want to really read, no new magazines.
Oh yes, Punkin Head called and the internship of his dreams, good going sweet boy.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Partial Recovery
Home since Friday evening and not up to par yet. We went for a walk Saturday morning and it was very chilly. All unpacked and put away and have the summer clothes in the closet and the winter stuff packed away. Now some laundry is in order.
The new ayi's came this morning on time and did not fuck up. We will see how long this lasts. Big Daddy did a lot of cleaning while I was gone and it is looking nicer in here.
Have to call a man about a job and I am trying to decide, do it before or after the nap. We will see in a bit how fast I fade.
Flight home was fine and Delta is as fucked up as ever. They should just paint SO WHAT on the sides of the plane and leave it at that.
Something curious happened while I was gone, they rebuilt the coffee shop. I know I am a crazy white furriner but why the hell do you build a coffee shop and 8 months later tear it out and rebuild it? This time tho they did build an outside deck. No change to the footprint so that was not the reason. Maybe they needed some Chinese credits for hiring people or something. Kinda reminds me of Plant Loco but Plant Loco redid everything 3 times minimum.
Taxi driver from the Pudong airport was hilarious, I told him to slow down a couple times and he kept telling me May Quanch (sp) which roughly translates to no problem, no big deal. By the time I gave him the final directions to the apartment he was peeing his pants laughing. He got a good tip for the humor alone.
The new ayi's came this morning on time and did not fuck up. We will see how long this lasts. Big Daddy did a lot of cleaning while I was gone and it is looking nicer in here.
Have to call a man about a job and I am trying to decide, do it before or after the nap. We will see in a bit how fast I fade.
Flight home was fine and Delta is as fucked up as ever. They should just paint SO WHAT on the sides of the plane and leave it at that.
Something curious happened while I was gone, they rebuilt the coffee shop. I know I am a crazy white furriner but why the hell do you build a coffee shop and 8 months later tear it out and rebuild it? This time tho they did build an outside deck. No change to the footprint so that was not the reason. Maybe they needed some Chinese credits for hiring people or something. Kinda reminds me of Plant Loco but Plant Loco redid everything 3 times minimum.
Taxi driver from the Pudong airport was hilarious, I told him to slow down a couple times and he kept telling me May Quanch (sp) which roughly translates to no problem, no big deal. By the time I gave him the final directions to the apartment he was peeing his pants laughing. He got a good tip for the humor alone.
Monday, August 16, 2010
No Face Book
Well, looks like China is done mourning and there is still no Facebook. Hmm. When I am done here I will run a scan and if that does not work may have to leave China to see if Facebook works anywhere in the world. Weekends are the hardest for some reason to stay in touch. Everyone has their schedule and times for exchanges are different. Thank God for Skype.
Hot again, Ayis came and for some reason when they left there was a wierd smell in the kitchen. Weird or wierd, gotta find a dictionary in this place.
Big Daddy cooked last night, pork chops and salad and really not bad. The brussel sprouts sucked but really I have never seen such small sprouts. And it is hard to tell here what is in season. For some reason summer is not the season for cherry tomato or really any tomato. Maybe too hot.
Went shopping for some home items yesterday. Clerks here could either not care less if you bought something or chase you down to buy shit no one would want. Went and looked one more time at these green glass decorative items, vases and candles and such. I thought Big Daddy was screwing with me me when he said how much they wanted. For ok stuff like you would find at Pier One these fucks think they are at Neiman Marcus. I asked them what the metal content was and they did not have a clue. India. Silver. No no. WTF.
ok, gonna clean the kitchen since the ayis made it dirty by cleaning, finish the wash and run web root and scan, then I will start downloading the roof pictures so I can tell that story. And what a story.
Hot again, Ayis came and for some reason when they left there was a wierd smell in the kitchen. Weird or wierd, gotta find a dictionary in this place.
Big Daddy cooked last night, pork chops and salad and really not bad. The brussel sprouts sucked but really I have never seen such small sprouts. And it is hard to tell here what is in season. For some reason summer is not the season for cherry tomato or really any tomato. Maybe too hot.
Went shopping for some home items yesterday. Clerks here could either not care less if you bought something or chase you down to buy shit no one would want. Went and looked one more time at these green glass decorative items, vases and candles and such. I thought Big Daddy was screwing with me me when he said how much they wanted. For ok stuff like you would find at Pier One these fucks think they are at Neiman Marcus. I asked them what the metal content was and they did not have a clue. India. Silver. No no. WTF.
ok, gonna clean the kitchen since the ayis made it dirty by cleaning, finish the wash and run web root and scan, then I will start downloading the roof pictures so I can tell that story. And what a story.
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