Morning people of the palace
Slight cold/flu symptoms. . . the fun one is the sinuses that feels like cement blocks, I am rinsing my nose out with salt and bicarb of soda - its not fun…
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Morning all!
Had intentions of getting up early today to get some gaming in. But it’s cold and windy up here today, and my bed was just so warm and toasty… V Rising and Dirt Rally may have to wait some more.
Hope you feel better soon @Wyvern. Been snotty nose and sneezing too for the last week. Must be something in the air.
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Sjoe im struggling to stay awake tonight…
Rather get some rest while you’re in the sleepy state.
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Top tip: Sleep when you’re sleepy.
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I slept for a while now I’m wide awake
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Late night rambles:
I used my phone to tap and pay for the first time today. I had my card set up in the app for a while now but never remembered to try it, then today I by mistake activated it as I was about to pay and hey presto it worked. Quite convenient. That was at a Woolworths and the cashier seemed quite used to it, then I did the same at a Pick ‘n Pay, got some strange looks there. Looks like ‘Check this guy trying to be a smartass’. I think I’ll stick to Woolies for now at least.
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I’ve been using Apple Pay for almost a year exclusively for payments. Even for parking and Gautrain…
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Goedemorgen lieve vrienden.
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Hello!
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Monday. Merde.
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Good morning everyone.
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Hello julle!
I want to say thanks in advance for letting me vent and being an awesome bunch of strangers I have never met, yet feel close enough to to share random thoughts with!
2 things today, 1 is to share, 1 is to vent.
- UPDATE about Mr Oltman’s-Old-Man:
He went to a second opinion specialist, one who is not buddy-buddy with the group of doctors he went to before. This 2nd opinion doc told him he has severe heart disease and needs to get it sorted ASAP. This was on Friday last week.
He is in for a 2nd angiogram today, and they will be attempting a stent in the worst artery (i will mess up the medical terms, stick with me here…) on the right side of his heart with up to 75% narrowing. If this fails he is not even being dismissed, and will be staying for the bypass on Wednesday.
His name is GT, and any prayers and well wishes and happy thoughts would be appreciated. I am scared for the old man, aged 72, but have full confidence in the medical staff. And besides, better we caught this early rather than him actually having a heart attack.
- A vent about an absolute dick I have to work with.
A difficult client building a $35mil house in Zimbali, forcing his fingers into every decision and instruction on site, changing subcontractors multiple times and appointing cronies. It is his right, it is his house and his money after all. But this has caused about 6 months of delays and we are already 18 months in.
Some background: we decided on WED last week to get scaffolding for the roof erector. They were supposed to get it themselves, but for whatever reason it was left to us. The scaffolding subbie came out on THURS and sent me a quote the same day. I approved it and they started loading on FRI. The size of the load means it would have taken too long to load and deliver on Friday, so it was scheduled for Monday. All in all a pretty decent schedule for the molasses in which most KZN contractors move.
Client knows my dad personally, and knew at the time that my dad was going for a heart checkup. So client phones me on Friday, asks very politely how dad is doing, is this still related to his heart. I made a joke saying at his age most things probably are. Then the client lets rip and starts shouting at me “YOU ARE GIVING YOUR DAD A F***ING HEART ATTACK” and goes on about why the scaffolding is not on site and the roofing guy is waiting…
By the time it actually sunk in what he said I just hung up. He tried to phone me back and I ignored him. I was LIVID. I dont think I have ever been this angry. It struck a nerve and I am glad it was a phone call and not face to face because I dont know how I would have reacted.
Anyway, this is our Whatsapp after. He was so apologetic! (sarcasm)
(at least I had fun blurring his name from the screenshot, looking forward to blurring him from my life…)
I am now talking to the NHBRC about consequences for me and the client if I walk away from this project.
EDIT: My dad and I work together, thats how the client knows my dad’s situation and how he thinks my bad performance affects my dad’s business, and thus heart condition.
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I am thinking of you and your dad. These are stressful times for you and your family.
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On point 1 - praying for you dad Oltman, and that you and the family would have peace over the procedure. May all go well and that they don’t need to do the bypass.
On point 2 - My blood is boiling just reading this! And those WhatsApps… I can only imagine the self-restraint you’ve had to exercise. I really hope that you can walk away from this job and not get penalised because the sooner you get away from this self-entitled, callous twit the better.
Edit: Also, now whenever he complains about something you should just make: “Mistakes are made. Let’s move on” a default reply. “Oh you wanted four walls?” “Mistakes are made. Let’s move on 
”
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My new go-to response! Thanks! 
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@oltman this is why we are here! It’s the safest space to vent, I should know.
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Thoughts and prayers to your dad - which hospital is he at, my mum knows most of the heart surgeons countrywide having worked at Groote Schuur’s heart transplant clinic for over 30 years. But I am sure he is in great hands, they wouldn’t attempt the stent if they didn’t think it is a possibility. If they were really worried, it would have been bypass immediately. I’m holding my thumbs! Keep me updated and any queries, just as ask, you know where to find me.
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He is a dick and I would have done the same as you - the responses I have gotten from people in the industry after the accident has been varied. . . .
Also morning people of the palace, Im still feeling like I have a cement brick in my nose
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haha I unloaded a little to our HR manager last week and just received a response:
Hi Shane,
This is a safe space for you to be frustrated and/or pessimistic.
There is a lot happening now and the changes are frustrating, I agree!
Please reach out should you wish to chat or unload.
lol… I know not your levels of concern or frustration, but also just like here, it’s nice knowing there’s a place for it 
Perhaps I should respond with your newfound go-to response 
(hoping it isn’t trademarked)
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Doc came back just now. Its a cabbage for dad. Will get the op on Wednesday.
cabbage - CABG - coronary arterial bypass graft
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I will hold thumbs!!
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