OK- I'll admit it- I've had more time than usual on my hands this week and last- what with getting sick, Trude getting sick, T having to cross the border, then K & me crossing and T's still not quite up to par. Next week we should be back on the go and I likely won't be writing about smelly handymen...
Which is what they are. See, a LONG time ago (3 months anyway) we had a phone line put in- supposed to be digital so we could hook up to the phone company's broadband. Of course, they got that wrong. So, T- being half Ukr'n herself by now and having an ingenious mind, talked to the downstairs neighbor- How about you up your internet package, we'll split the costs with you and splice into your connection? He was delighted- he gets a faster connection out of the deal and we have internet. Great. It worked wonderfully well. The 1st floor lady had the same idea 2 weeks ago- can we plug into your switch (and the kid on some other floor)? We'll split the costs 4 ways. (Once again Mr Downstairs will go and order a faster connection- but we'll all pay less per month than we do now!) So, today Mr No-Shower and his son, same last name, are here hooking up the other moochers... I mean cooperators. That's what we are. And we're all happy (except my happiness would increase slightly if they'd showered... or put on clean clothes this am or something). That's standard protocol here- share and share alike... just ask Duane about kids and tests and that policy. Really, American teachers present lessons that are supposed to foster teamwork...but these folks have it figured out: just make it impossible to pass a test or afford it or acquire it or whatever WITHOUT teamwork. Works like a charm. (I kid you not- in Izmail, there are 20 apts in the entrance where ours was- of those 20 something like 17 of them were all hooked up to the same cable TV connection- stairwell was a mass of spliced cables running everywhere.)
One more thing! Who's seen Ellery's latest post?! Ok, that would be her Dad's latest! Big smiles and hugs to all 4 but esp to Holly!
You are too funny! I can't imagine having smelly foreign men working in my apartment complex and not saying something about it either. All I have is a pipe-smoking 86 year old that stops be everytime I go to get in my car and leave. Lonely old guy so I feel really bad when I'm running behind and totally have to cut him off.
ReplyDeleteMy nose must be plugged most of the time, because I sure haven't noticed too often that type of smell that gave you topics of several posts lately?! Pretty soon "Old Spice" will be advertising on your blog.
ReplyDeleteYes, if you try and help or get help on a test in my class you'll be back each day for a retake (with a harder version) until you write the exam on your own. I can "smell" that kind of trouble for sure.
Actually, the last post was about A and her renters and her experience with them- we've never met them. The guys yest were so bad as to be extraordinary, which is why I wrote about them. I don't remember ever having anyone in before that we had to air the place after they left... just so no one gets the wrong idea!
ReplyDeleteI'll keep quieter. I shouldn't have a remark about everything I guess.
ReplyDeletekeep talking- we like to hear ya!
ReplyDeleteTalking about BO. I drive a shuttle bus (Marshutney) at the University here and some of the forigners (not Ukraianian) we have on board ocassionally leave an after smell and we have to drive around with the door open for awhile.
ReplyDeleteThe funny thing about those odors is sometimes they're here and gone...and sometimes they really linger. I wonder what would happen if you did a chemical analysis of them????
ReplyDeleteI'm glad we have it straight that it isn't from the Ukrainians on the bus anyway.
ReplyDeleteFor the rest of them I guess we better start advertising: www.oldspice.com