……..that is to say, the annoyingly happy attitude that I’ve recently adopted (just in case there was any confusion...). Largely people have been very supportive and been instantly suspicious and then mildly irritated. Some have even moved on to being vocally irritated by a constant barrage of happiness – and as a rule, I have been encouraged by their support and managed to generate a happy feeling around me (in my mind anyway…..)
The problem is, all the negative vibes around me…….. in-fact all the things I used to bitch and moan about, to grumble about, such the food (perfectly adequate), the people (generally quite nice), the management (mostly trying their best in difficult circumstances), work (I’m getting paid after all…..), the client (we’ll call them “misinformed”), the boredom (when I were a lad…..), the hotel (nothing fundamentally wrong with it that a change of scenery wouldn’t fix) and even the weather (“it’s not raining” doesn’t really cut it, does it !). People are happier when they’re moaning, or so it seems.
The project grinds inextricably onwards, if not to a conclusion (for me) then at least towards the end of my time. I should at least leave what has to be done in a place where someone else can find it. I can’t remember whether I’ve mentioned this but I’ve ground to a bit of a halt for reasons too long and complicated to explain without a drink. Suffice to say that it all revolves around translation and some decisions that were made without my knowledge a couple of months ago. So there’s nothing much for me to do but annoy people by being happy I guess !
For the record, I’m bored with tidying up loose ends and filing, as well as re-profiling my programme to try and juggle my last few hours in the UAE to solve other peoples lack of foresight. However, on the upside, I’m being paid and all my admin is in order ready for me to fly out next week (Friday). My last week in the desert has been shortened because Mr Spreadsheet made a mistake using the wrong version of my programme and had me down to finish the whole project on Wednesday rather than Thursday. This means that I have to be back in Abu Dhabi Dubai
It doesn’t make any different to me either way in truth, but I just wish it would hurry up now ! (it’s only 5 more working days, after all !) It does give me the opportunity to get some shopping done in Dubai
Turning to the subject of my next job – currently there isn’t one ! I have a number of warm irons in the fire, but they all seem to be stalled somewhere, somehow. Although I’m reasonably confident that I’ll be back here in a few weeks to start a new job, I would like the luxury of knowing that it was all sorted (although I’ve had that luxury before and it’s still gone t1ts up at the last minute !). It might help Mrs G to relax and enjoy my time at home as well – which would be nice !
I’m afraid I haven’t got a huge amount to say really. I did run 13k in the desert last night with Psycho. About 7k was on desert tracks, all of it was in the dark, and I’m not sure I’ve ever sweated so much ! I have to say that I was feeling quite pleased with myself until she told me that her best half marathon time (another 7k) was only 4 minutes longer…….she was very kind though and came up with lots of reasons why (so I’m still feeling quite pleased with myself really, just don’t tell anyone !).
I’m not sure yet, but that might have been my last session with Psycho as she’s had to go back to the UK for a long weekend to go to a funeral and by the time she gets back it might all be over for me…….. I shall miss the incentive (I’m going to pretend that I’m seeing her on my last night so that I don’t just pack up tonight and go back to being slightly overweight……. Besides, I still have about 10 days to get my six-pack sorted !)
My feet hurt a bit this morning but generally I’m fit enough to be back in the gym for a bit of cross-trainer and weights circuits this evening. I had contemplated going to the gym this morning to loosen up a bit but decided that would just be daft after last night – in the end the decision was made for me because it wasn’t open !
Again, I can’t remember whether I’ve ever spoken to you about this in the past but the gym doesn’t officially open until 9 but as the blokes that cleans the pool (who also man the gym, as well as being a life guards……) usually, and I stress usually, get to work at about 6.30, and have to unlock the gym to do something (don’t ask me, I have no idea !), we can usually, and again, I stress usually, get in and have the gym to ourselves (I say ourselves, but actually there’s only me left that uses the gym before breakfast. One of my compatriots used too, but he’s gone now….. L, so I have the place all to myself most mornings J - as long as the bloke that cleans the pool gets out of his bed in the morning in time…………..)
Food, cigars, alcohol, weather and money are all pretty much the same really……….Out of interest, page views sit at 1 shy of 1,650 – so well done you !
Lastly, I think it’s time, again, to publicly thank Mrs G for holding the whole thing together whilst I’ve been away. I know I may have mentioned a couple of times, to her, that now she fully understands what I’ve been doing for the last 19 ish years, which I appreciate isn’t terribly helpful. So I’m sorry for that, but I am eternally grateful that she has been doing it whilst I haven’t. I should also thank the little Gs for helping, in greater or lesser degrees from what I’ve been hearing, but helping none the less. I’m sure I’ll have reason to issue more thanks in the next few days but Mrs G deserves the first round unreservedly.
No comments:
Post a Comment