Why is it.................?

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by AMB

I've always look out for potholes, rough surface, and anything else on the road. Its something I've done since a little kid riding a push bike, must have done thousands of km on a push bike, then many more on a motor bike. You won't last long on a bike if you don't watch the road surface. I've thought that people that dont watch the road surface must not have ridden bikes much, if at all. Probably also don't understand the damage and wear it does to the car.

People have asked me if I've been drinking, not understanding that I'm avoiding bad spots on the road. Down here in Victoria many highways (even newish ones) have ruts worn into the road where everyone drives. So I dont drive centred in the lane when its like that, I'm always driving closer to right or left line, where the road surface is nice smooth.

I just did a 360 km round trip to Melbourne and back. The quality of the roads used on this trip were appallingly bad, covered in severe potholes and ruts. These roads are considered a national highway, but they would easily pass as a c-grade back road.

I did my best to move around them, but so many people just smashed into them, over and over again. Those same people will then whine and moan about having a flat tyre or damaging a wheel, then get so astonished by the following repairs.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

I just did a 360 km round trip to Melbourne and back. The quality of the roads used on this trip were appallingly bad, covered in severe potholes and ruts. These roads are considered a national highway, but they would easily pass as a c-grade back road.

I did my best to move around them, but so many people just smashed into them, over and over again. Those same people will then whine and moan about having a flat tyre or damaging a wheel, then get so astonished by the following repairs.

Roads in Victoria are in a disgusting condition, our government has been appalling in road maintenance in the last 5 years, worse I've ever seen in my 50 years of driving.

[Citroënbender]

Originally Posted by Itsme

Roads in Victoria are in a disgusting condition, our government has been appalling in road maintenance in the last 5 years, worse I've ever seen in my 50 years of driving.

I’m not aware of any part of existing civil infrastructure in Victoria that isn’t suffering from long-term neglect. The “Big Build” projects don’t count; they are essentially new works.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by Itsme

Roads in Victoria are in a disgusting condition, our government has been appalling in road maintenance in the last 5 years, worse I've ever seen in my 50 years of driving.

5 years ? People from the cities are only just realizing country roads (in every state) are crap.

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

5 years ? People from the cities are only just realizing country roads (in every state) are crap.

Talking from my own experience of travelling regularly, I find Victorian roads are worse out of all states, to answer citroebender comment, road repairs are now slow and far between these days as to what you seen pre covid period.
Cheers

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by roKWiz

5 years ? People from the cities are only just realizing country roads (in every state) are crap.

Have you travelled along Echuca road recently heading out of Mooroopna? Abysmal would be an understatement, and its been like that for years.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Have you travelled along Echuca road recently heading out of Mooroopna? Abysmal would be an understatement, and its been like that for years.

Yes, agree, but that road is also subject to regular flooding.

The one that I can not believe is in such good condition now is Murchison the Bendigo via Cobinabbin. Spent some big bucks fixing it in recent times.

On a side note. The Olympic hwy between Henty and The Rock is still being worked on, several long years since first spotting road workers there.

Hence why I've been using train services more, saving wear and tear on my fleet.

[Citroënbender]

…That if you have a Spanish guitar on a stand in your living room, it’s apparently OK for any visitor to pick up and fiddle with it, barely (if at all) preceded by a polite request that they might do so?

[OneMadMan]

Citroen Bender said…

That if you have a Spanish guitar on a stand in your living room, it’s apparently OK for any visitor to pick up and fiddle with it, barely (if at all) preceded by a polite request that they might do so?

Yep, I must admit, I nearly crack it myself when some unknown person that has been summoned by the other half thinks it's totally ok to use MY tools to do a job he's getting paid to do on the house.

Call me special, or precious, BUT, they are MY tools, and I know:

A) where I left them
B) know where to find them
C) know that they functioned perfectly when I last used them
D) know that I don't have an extra job of going to buy a tool, that I've had forever because some A hole has used / broken / stolen / damaged the tool.

Had this clown in recently, repainting the interior of the house. He says to me that there's a problem with the lamp / chandelier in the spare bedroom he's just finished repainting. Did a good job to, for the price charged.

Tells me when he "attempted" to change the blown light globe, that, whilst unscrewing the old globe, the whole fitting turned (i'm guessing he only used one hand to remove the Bailey socket globe) the whole fitting spun as he attempted to press and twist the globe, and broke the wires.
Now the light doesn't work. Tells me he's separated the wires and shielded them to stop them shorting out / or starting a fire. Recommends that we call call an electrician, at our cost to repair his fupar. I don't think so sunshine...

Pull Ease. Spare me.

I really dislike touching anything that can kill me without my knowledge.

Had a look. 2 wires, 2 holes. Isolated the light switch, which is visible to me the whole time while doing repair. Tested the wires with a non contact electrical tester. Tick.

Stripped 2 wires, unscrewed 2 brass terminals, inserted stripped wires into each of their respective terminals. Tightened each of the 2 brass screws.
Re-Assemble. Test. Tick.
Job done. Tick.

Another 12 mins out of my life I will never see again, versus waiting for a sparkologist for a few weeks, then being reamed for who knows how much for the call out fee + I'm guessing a minimum 1 hour labour fee...

Fsckin muppet.

Really did my head in that he could be so useless / clueless.
I guess I just afford some people with to WAY to much intelligence.
As a sparky, this guy makes a good painter.


Rant off,


One Mad Man.

[jaydee]

In NZ on holidays. Booked a 2 berth camper like Toyota Hi Ace van.
The intention was not to sleep in it unless emergency, but BnB or motel and could boil the kettle when ever we pulled up at a nice spot.
Went to pick it up, sorry they're all gone, but good news, we've upgraded you to a 4 berth with your own toilet and shower.
One of those big Maui camper homes, 3 metres high, 7 metres long.
Now I have to plug it in every 2nd day at a caravan park to recharge batteries.
Not what I wanted, like driving a whale, can't park anywhere, limited to 90 kays and bounces around on the road, acts like a sail boat in the cross winds.
Why couldn't I have what I ordered 2 months ago?
Woke up grumpy this morning too.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by jaydee

In NZ on holidays. Booked a 2 berth camper like Toyota Hi Ace van.
The intention was not to sleep in it unless emergency, but BnB or motel and could boil the kettle when ever we pulled up at a nice spot.
Went to pick it up, sorry they're all gone, but good news, we've upgraded you to a 4 berth with your own toilet and shower.
One of those big Maui camper homes, 3 metres high, 7 metres long.
Now I have to plug it in every 2nd day at a caravan park to recharge batteries.
Not what I wanted, like driving a whale, can't park anywhere, limited to 90 kays and bounces around on the road, acts like a sail boat in the cross winds.
Why couldn't I have what I ordered 2 months ago?
Woke up grumpy this morning too.

Sounds like fun. At least crosswinds while parked should rock you to sleep at night.

[kevino]

Originally Posted by jaydee

In NZ on holidays. Booked a 2 berth camper like Toyota Hi Ace van.
The intention was not to sleep in it unless emergency, but BnB or motel and could boil the kettle when ever we pulled up at a nice spot.
Went to pick it up, sorry they're all gone, but good news, we've upgraded you to a 4 berth with your own toilet and shower.
One of those big Maui camper homes, 3 metres high, 7 metres long.
Now I have to plug it in every 2nd day at a caravan park to recharge batteries.
Not what I wanted, like driving a whale, can't park anywhere, limited to 90 kays and bounces around on the road, acts like a sail boat in the cross winds.
Why couldn't I have what I ordered 2 months ago?
Woke up grumpy this morning too.

If you had a two berth you might actually find it was worse.
Embrace big.

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by jaydee

In NZ on holidays. Booked a 2 berth camper like Toyota Hi Ace van.

Woke up grumpy this morning too.

should let her sleep in.

[ford71V8]

Originally Posted by jaydee

In NZ on holidays. Booked a 2 berth camper like Toyota Hi Ace van.
The intention was not to sleep in it unless emergency, but BnB or motel and could boil the kettle when ever we pulled up at a nice spot.
Went to pick it up, sorry they're all gone, but good news, we've upgraded you to a 4 berth with your own toilet and shower.
One of those big Maui camper homes, 3 metres high, 7 metres long.
Now I have to plug it in every 2nd day at a caravan park to recharge batteries.
Not what I wanted, like driving a whale, can't park anywhere, limited to 90 kays and bounces around on the road, acts like a sail boat in the cross winds.
Why couldn't I have what I ordered 2 months ago?
Woke up grumpy this morning too.

You"ll be right. We did both islands in a 6berth a few years back.... enjoy the freedom.
And dont worry about plugging in every 2nd day.
We've gone up to a week without plugging in in those motorhomes.
Wouldnt bother trying that shower though 😄

[five 7]

Originally Posted by ford71V8

You"ll be right. We did both islands in a 6berth a few years back.... enjoy the freedom.
And dont worry about plugging in every 2nd day.
We've gone up to a week without plugging in in those motorhomes.
Wouldnt bother trying that shower though 😄

Hahaha we have hired a few campers, think i manged 2 hot showers, someone didn't listen while things were getting explained and yep never had to plug in for charging most have solar as well, also make sure the dunny flap is shut or it looks like a smuf exploded.

[Citroënbender]

I literally LOL’d at the “like a Smurf exploded” comment.

[five 7]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

I literally LOL’d at the “like a Smurf exploded” comment.

The wife learned a valuable lesson that day.

[roKWiz]

Originally Posted by five 7

The wife learned a valuable lesson that day.
image

Hope she never goes sailing.

[Citroënbender]

…I have so much trouble remembering the name “Agapanthus”?

I see them and think “More of that rotten whatsit stuff” but cannot remember its name for the life of me. All I can get right is that it’s a word beginning with A, which also contains S and P.

Does anyone else struggle repeatedly with recalling a particular word?

[.:4:.]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

…I have so much trouble remembering the name “Agapanthus”?

I see them and think “More of that rotten whatsit stuff” but cannot remember its name for the life of me. All I can get right is that it’s a word beginning with A, which also contains S and P.

Does anyone else struggle repeatedly with recalling a particular word?

Yeah, fake cartilage they use for knee or hip replacements. Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene

[Tonz]

my wifes name

[uranium_death]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

…I have so much trouble remembering the name “Agapanthus”?

Garden cancer. Hate them with a passion. Ugly.

Bought a place, and had 7 in a row. Getting a mattock through that big, fibrous crap was no good. Took a lot of work.

Replaced with natives.

[OneMadMan]

That... I only ever hear from my 'Boss' when he has some gripe / negative thing to say?

Never hear "Mate you absolutely crushed that delivery" etc..

I don't do it for praise, however it wouldn't go astray to keep my morale on an even keel.

The last whinge Friday the 20th Dec (below) he had was that I transported 3000 litres of Ethanol (Class 2) in 3 IBC's (intermediate bulk container) in a truck that wasn't licensed to carry dangerous goods...

Whinge text message:
"Hey mate, had a phone call from xxxdeletedxxx. Please be aware that that truck is not dangerous.Good registered and carrying 3000 L you should've been plucked anyway."
/End Whinge text message


Little did he know, I have a major problem with that.
English or lack there of would have to be one of the things.

What a Dunce.

The 2nd thing is, he probably sent this to me, while driving on his way home... as is evident by the english or lack there of. The guy is an Aussie BTW.
No excuse for totally crap disjointed english.


Fact 1.



Fact 2.
I was actually carrying 2500L of DG (Class 2) not 3000L... and I knew this, because I had a chat with the owner before he loaded it on my truck. I questioned why they were not full, and he tells me it's easier to split 2500L across 3 nearly full IBC's, instead of two full and one with dregs..

If the obnoxious thing at the receiving end (turd who made the phone call) had bothered to read the con note, he would have known this... before picking up the phone to have a crack at me.
P rick.

Fact 3. I am currently licensed to carry DG.

Fact 4. The truck has DG diamonds / placards and were correctly displayed before and during my journey.

Fact 5. I broke no laws, the load was restrained correctly, and I am legally allowed to carry said quantity of DG in that vehicle.

So.. why did that make me feel good?

Indicating to my 'Boss' that he is mistaken in front of his "work and or drinking mates". Bunch of ar se lickers. Making him feel like he could limbo under a pregnant ant with room to spare...

Mr know it all just stepped on his d ick in a big way. Yes he is younger than me. No, he is NOT smarter than me. Thinks he is tho... and yes he's on the "Big Bucks". $34 an hour versus my $33.. Woo Who!! Your Livin the dream their sunshine.

THAT mad me feel good.



Cheers,

One Mad Man

[Vekgib]

Originally Posted by OneMadMan

That... I only ever hear from my 'Boss' when he has some gripe / negative thing to say?

At a Transport Company I worked for years ago, there was a "Manager" who would travel from Sydney to the various country depots, observe how things were being done, nit pick, criticise, and generally destroy morale.
As an example:
If us drivers left freight behind on our docks, we had to attach a "Non-conforming Freight" sticker to it explaining why it was left behind.
Reasons might include:
Short consignment and customer won't accept unless complete.
Embargo on delivery until a predetermined date etc.
If parcels were left on the dock with a sticker saying ( for example ) that the receiver was closed on that day of the week ( eg every Monday ), this clown, who I'll call MH, would 'phone the receiver to make sure nobody answered.
Anyway, one morning, our Manager calls us in for a meeting and gives us the run-down on MH's visit the day before:
This was wrong.
That wasn't done correctly.
Freight was left behind when it shouldn't have been.
At the end, our Manager asks if there are any questions.
My hand goes up.
Manager: "Yes Vekgib"
Me: "Did this depot actually do anything RIGHT ?"
Manager: "I'm sure we did"
Me: "Well, we never hear about it. What a pathetic job MH has where all he does is criticise, and never actually praise. What a terrible way to go about your working life."

Silence except for muffled grunts of agreement.

Manager: "Vekgib, can I see you in my office please?"
Management tried to give me a written warning for abusing a senior manager. Even though I said nothing at the time to MH's face. However, the Union Delegate stepped in and industrial action was averted.
To this day, I maintain that if my entire job was simply criticising poor buggers who were working their backsides off, I'd seriously reconsider my life choices.
As a side note, one of the drivers got some revenge by "rooting and booting" MH's daughter. Funny.

[OneMadMan]

For some reason, I had a premonition about the load, a little voice inside my head said, grab a happy snap... and took a photo when I got to my next pickup.. after grabbing the 3 IBC's that I mentioned.







Cheers,

One Smug Mad Man...

[DFB FGXR6]

Originally Posted by OneMadMan

That... I only ever hear from my 'Boss' when he has some gripe / negative thing to say?

Never hear "Mate you absolutely crushed that delivery" etc..

Because it's a natural human trait, we focus on the bad, not the good because we that's the way to make things better.

Originally Posted by Vekgib

Me: "Did this depot actually do anything RIGHT ?"
Manager: "I'm sure we did"
Me: "Well, we never hear about it. What a pathetic job MH has where all he does is criticise, and never actually praise. What a terrible way to go about your working life."

Silence except for muffled grunts of agreement.

Manager: "Vekgib, can I see you in my office please?"

This was me a few months ago, two weeks before taking leave.

We get a monthly update regarding sales and the business. On this occasion, ALL of it negative feedback that was clearly taking pot-shots at certain staff. I had myself just finished the biggest job of the season with little to no assistance, a job that once took a team of people to do. I was already worked up, so I cracked the sh.ts and replied back along the lines of "let's hope the customers appreciate the good work we do".

That landed me in the office on my next shift, was dressed down in front of the rest of the staff on duty that day. Apparently, we shouldn't expect to be patted on the back all the time, that he had to be able to "speak to the staff to keep everyone informed", that they were "very happy with their staff"....................despite all the moaning, winging and b.tching that I have to listen every day, one staff member in particular who doesn't deserve what she gets subjected to because she is a very good salesman. I can only imagine what they say about me, I certainly don't filter my emotions like I used to do.

I was then told that if I had a problem, that I was to present to management. Which is what I was actually doing with a weekly progress report, something they insisted I do earlier this year. That report was more about projected and completed tasks, but also suggested maintenance and concerns. I made notes about hydraulic leaks on a machine, very dangerous if it let go. Nothing. I pleaded for a reliable sprayer for insecticide, that the provided equipment is either broken, leaks or doesn't exist, that its not fair to expect staff to provide their own equipment, and that this wasn't an isolated case, it had been going on for more than 10-years. Crickets. There was a broken slat on one of the bridges, a trip hazard. Ignored, I had to fix it myself a week later despite being told that so-and-so was responsible for maintenance and repairs.

I'm a very literal person, you ask me to do something, I do. To be asked for feedback then have all of that ignored, you can imagine how that feels. Then the cheek to tell me that I should present to management if I had a problem? Because they were listening weren't they.

So yes, its apparently easier to be critical than praise. I do of course realize that there is a need to be critical, but not 100% of the time. Because if that's the ONLY feedback you give out, then naturally, it's going to hack someone off eventually.

[DFB FGXR6]

Why is American's are no oblivious to what goes on around them.

I had the following posted in a thread I created about detailing products.......................

Reminder that it is the start of "summer" in Australia.

My reply was like, "Ok? Thanks for the reminder?"

This was the response...........................

Many in North America may not be aware of the season differences between those counties in south of the equator. My comment was meant as an FYI.

Seriously? Are Americans that insular to not know this? Do they only teach geography based on US boarders, and everywhere else is irrelevant. Actually, I find that quite arrogant.

[Tonz]

you should go there. I (illegally) worked across USA 40 years ago in motel cleaning etc through a contact. Number of times I was asked 'howd you learn the language?' 'do you still have kangaroos in down town Sydney?'
then the shit stirrer I( helped saved your country in WW2 (Fook off you dumbass)
But to put it into contect
Australian TV news (not that I watch it)
10 minutes sensational Aus news
10 minutes advertising
5 minutes other international news
5 minutes sport/weather consider the same for americans. they are not ignorant rather just not aware

[Itsme]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Why is American's are no oblivious to what goes on around them.

I had the following posted in a thread I created about detailing products.......................



My reply was like, "Ok? Thanks for the reminder?"

This was the response...........................



Seriously? Are Americans that insular to not know this? Do they only teach geography based on US boarders, and everywhere else is irrelevant. Actually, I find that quite arrogant.

Did you not know, America is the world, the rest of the world does not exist.

[Citroënbender]

The roads were full of people driving in such a manner today. “Australian roads: Population one.”