GJJakarta

Blimey!!! Over 3 Months Since My Last Post, and Now I'm Leaving...BUGGER!!!

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:10:00 +0000

G'day to anyone out there!!

I sit here typing this with hoards of removalists buzzing around, wrapping and boxing anything in sight, I'm sure Santa could use these guys at this time of year. I swear that if I stay still too long it will be a month long journey back to Oz in a cardboard carton.

The reality of the GFC is that things change and you must adapt to that change, even if it means leaving magnificent friends, a wonderful country and culture and what has become somewhat of a rock star's lifestyle to go back from whence one came. The only upside I can imagine out of all this is, the chance to be back close with my family and friends and the opportunity to start a new phase in life. So all is not bad considering.

My life in Jakarta over the past 3 years has been nothing less than amazing on some many levels. I have seen things that I could have never imagined before moving here. Some bad, even horrific, things that truly saddened my heart and made me rethink some of my long held values. The killing of innocents, be it through terror bombings, via starvation through government inaction and or corruption and natural disasters have all impacted me. Sometimes one feels so helpless and I'm sure that I should have contributed more than I have during my tenure here. In saying that I do believe that I have made a positive contribution during my time.

These things even though they seem negative are a reality of life here and have been part of shaping my experience in Indonesia. I can honestly put my hand on my heart and swear to my God "Huey" that I would much prefer to stay on rather than to return to Brissy to what will become my home again. The experience of being shaken and not stirred as per my last post is something that I doubt, I would have experienced in Australia and for it to happen twice in a very short period has ensured that I will never forget the experience. I have witnessed no fewer than 3 volcanoes erupt before my eyes albeit with out the sight of lava flowing down the sides. This just goes to prove how "alive" the Earth is, something that is easily lost in the humdrum lifestyle of Aussie suburbia. Swimming in jungle gorges or on a private coral cay beach are things that only a lucky few can ever get to do and for this I have been blessed. Surfing with unknown guys and girls on the Javanese south coast in a support rather than an aggressive manner is something I know is special. Riding an Ojek!!!!!. Let's not forget the joy of wearing Batik, the formal dress standard that is akin to wearing a t-shirt, comfortable, no tie and no need to tuck it in, pure genius!!!

I have always found the people of Indonesia to be friendly, accepting and loyal, I know I will have some life long friendships from my tour of duty here. The smiling faces, even in the face of adversity and poverty has never failed to give me a better appreciation of the human spirit and the humbling experience of how lucky I have been in my life so far. I think that living in Indonesia amplifies any emotion, then moderates it and finally making you a better person for it. I know that I'm now less judgmental of others and more tolerant and compassionate, something I will cherish as I continue the journey of my life.

It is with a tear in my eye, that I ponder the reality on leaving, and I recall some advice I received from what turned out to be a very wise but anonymous traveler whilst disembarking the plane on my arrival. His words ring clearly in my ears right now,

" When you first arrive in Jakarta you cry, and when you have to leave Jakarta you will cry".

To sum up the........

Past 3 years....... Wonderful and Enriching!!!!!!
Right now...........BUGGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The future.......... Bring it on.

Cheers,

GJ

Indonesian Quake, Shake, Rattle and Roll

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:05:00 +0000

Hello peoples,

Just to let all know that everything is fine here for us. Unfortunately some of those who lived closer to the epicenter were not so lucky, currently the death toll is 40+ and expected to rise.

Just before 3Pm yesterday I feel this vibration on the floor that got stronger and worked its way up my legs as well the desk I was sitting at. The whole desk, laptop began to shake, so it was time to move on out.

Our pool sloshed water over the sides, and considering the the level was a good 6 inches below the top gives an indication on the swaying that was going on.
So all in all it was an exciting adjunct to what was otherwise shaping up as a fairly boring afternoon. It spiked usage on twitter and Facebook and I'm sure the telcos got some additional revenues from SMS's and calls in the following hours.

More importantly we must remember those that have suffer enormous loses of love ones, friends and neighbours as well as their property.

Our thoughts are with you.

GJ

Stabbed from the Grave

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:40:00 +0000

Hello stalkers,

Paperwork...........................don't you just love it!!!

Seems that the whole world needs paperwork, what ever happened to the paperless office?????

Apparently it takes two months plus to change the sponsor on my work permit/visa. Yes two months to delete one name and insert another name and print out.

And during that time I'm not able to work.

So GJ is now an International Monkey Man of leisure once again.

'spose every cloud has it's silver lining.

Cheers
GJ

A First ............A Blog Post From My New Job.

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 01:07:00 +0000

Hello fellow peoples,

Just thought while I had a little spare time that I would post from my new job, at my new office, at my new desk, from my new computer. It is a tad lonely at the moment as only 3 of us here, start time is normally 9:00 am but I'm an early riser and would much prefer to start early finish early.

Have first big meeting meeting today, part of an industry presentation to no less than 40 major players, then follow up tomorrow with a media launch with the Indonesian Government, followed by planned meeting with an embassy official. So things are moving along. Only down side is having to dust off the suit, bugger!!!

Only have the black suit at the moment as the other one is at the tailor's being re-sized (Down that is).

Employee update now 4 in office.

Anyway wish me luck for the next few days.

Cheers
GJ

The Party has Started in Central Java

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 15:59:00 +0000

On the word of the likely capture of Asia's most wanted, the party started in his home town (or at least where they think he's rented a place). The locals seem happy enough!!!!!

SEE IT HERE!!!

Cheers

GJ

Friday and Saturday Nights !!!!

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 12:49:00 +0000

G'day Monkey watching Batik freaks,

As the title says, Friday & Saturday nights should be big nights out, and rightly so. For those who work, it's time to unwind and blow off some stream, catch up with friends and usually finish the night off sharing a roadside feast of sate ayam, whilst speaking in fluent braille, all to the tune from the local Mosque.

BOY will I miss those minutes between 4 and 5 am!!!!!

Why? I hear you ask,.............. well no it's not because GJ can't find a willing posse of friends (never a problem).

No!!! I'm not bedridden with some exotic tropical rash that crept off the floor and up my hairy leg whilst visiting an establishment last Friday night. I'm fully fit and ready to fire.

It's just that FG is a tad spooked by a couple of warning that have been issued over the last couple of days, about..........., yep.....you guessed it!!! some loonies that think they can change the world with a mind full of twisted ideals and a fist full of TNT.

They say the discretion is the better part of valor, doesn't seem as much fun though!!!!!!

So the weekend is full of food, friends and magic jungle juice, so all we really need is a good band ( probably will substitute an Ipod here) and presto, GREAT NIGHT. I can almost feel the braille now.

Have a happy weekend and stay safe,

Cheers
GJ

A New Job!!!! What Already?

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 23:26:00 +0000

Hello o' loyal ones,

Just a quick GJ update. Yesterday after a networking email to a friend of a friend, I was invited for an interview. So 4pm it was off to Mega Kuningan with CV in hand. Arrived a little early thanks to the fickle Jakarta traffic.

Had the interview, and now the upshot is they will send me a letter of offer today for a start date on Monday. It's a little different to what I have been doing, but they seem confident that my background and skills will transfer readily.

So we will see how it goes, nothing to lose.

Cheers

GJ

PS should check the batik policy.

Not Working is No Good for the Wallet.

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 01:40:00 +0000

Hello friends and stalkers in the cyber wonderland.

As you may or may not know GJ is not working at present. That means no daily visits to the office to slave over the laptop and supervisor the generation income for the corporate multinational. No these days are spent on the web at home, flying kites, massages and planning beach side escapes for the next few months. Yes, I know nice work if you can get it!!! And I have it, well at least til Jan 2010.................life sux for some!!! Ha.

But this lifestyle is definitely taking it's toll on poor Ol' GJ wallet. Not in the way you might expect though,.............. see GJ's poor wallet is bulging, bulging so much that it can barely be able to be folded to it normal position for insertion into my back pocket.

I have just counted the notes I have in my possession, and surprisingly in comes to the grand total of............................

492,000 IDR

Which in real money equals

AUD$59.01..............or
USD$49.81

At this point I must add that 492,000 will go a long way in this town, in equals more than half the monthly minimum wage. As long as you don't want to drink a scotch/beer/wine and teh is your preferred poison you won't go thirsty. A hot meal will set you back less than 10,000 from a street vendor, so a day out with 492,000 ain't that bad. A massage at a very nice salon will set one back 70,000, cheaper at some other places but GJ deserves the best!!!!

Back to the wallet, the composition of this 492,000 is the problem, I have 35 (see detailed breakdown below in Chart 1), yes 35 notes in the wallet, blimey that would be the same back home of have 25 $2.00 notes and 10 $1.00 notes*, this is the reason they canned the $1 & $2 notes for a coins for sure , to stop destroying wallets.

* approx

CHART 1

1,000 x 12 = 12,000
5,000 x 12 = 60,000
10,000 x 2 = 20,000 ( seem a bit light on here, need to investigate why)
20,000x 5 = 100,000
50,000 x 4 = 200,000
100,000 x 1 = 100,000

I think this situation goes to show that I'm interacting far more often with my local community than when I was in the office all day, and that is definitely a good thing.

I may have to venture out soon for a replacement wallet.

How much is in your wallet/purse/money belt/sock RIGHT now???????????

Cheers

GJ (IMML)

International Monkey Man of Leisure

I Don't Get You Guys & Gals.

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 13:11:00 +0000

I'm shaking the head at the moment.............................

For only the second time ever I post a photo on the blog, not just any photo but one where the Batik wearing Monkey Man is in the frame (I am on a surf board, not standing on the beach)...................... and not a single comment!!!

Then the next post ol' GJ goes and flies a kite with some kids and it's an avalanche of comments ( using my previous comments record as the reference point).

Now having done both activities,...and each has its merits, but for the sheer thrill of interacting with nature, the ocean wins hands downs!!!!

I won't accept any other verdict!!! FINAL, SURFING RULES. The rest of yous can go fly a kite.
Preferably in a 3rd world country on a tiny street with a group of neighborhood kids. (Shucks that sound pretty bloody good too)

What a life I have.

Cheers
GJ

Simple Joys

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:43:00 +0000

Hi All,

Have been working on the resume lately.

Managed to flick off an application today also.

But these are not the simple joys I refer to in the title. This afternoon as I was in front of the laptop (and not Face- booking), when the sounds of happiness and laughter echoed from the street below.

The children were out on the street flying a kite, it was a great afternoon for it. Clear skies, and plenty of wind. The sound of fun and joy was so inviting that I wandered down stairs and out on the road to join in.

Who needs high tech toys when some bamboo, twine and fabric can give so many laughs and squeals of joy.

This is just one of the wonderful sides off Indonesia.

Smile,
GJ

Now for Something Completely Different

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 03:39:00 +0000

Does it get any better than this

Near perfection!!

The ultimate past time

No batik this time just a black rashie

All Photos taken by FG on last visit to Ocean Queen

Cheers from salty, sandy Monkey Man

GJ

Well it has Happened!!!

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:31:00 +0000

Hello cyber surfers,

Just a quick note to advise that the bean counter have triumphed.

I fought a good fight but in the end I couldn't hold back the tide.

Yes the contract won't be renewed in Jan.

Funny how they miss read GJ's character by finishing me up today.

Now I have 6 months to find another position or head back to sleepy old Brissy, bugger, bugger, bugger!!!!

The one thing that has really touched me has been the overwhelming supportive response from "my" staff. We were on track for 36% growth in revenue this year and these are the guys and girls that were doing it, they're bloody champions!!! I assured them that a mutiny would be counter productive, but I must say love them for the passion.

Plus side is I have a salary, house , car and driver and medical til next year, without stepping into the office. should be more blog posts coming up

Any way if you have a job out there, drop me a line, a life line...please!!!!

Cheers
GJ

Mr Sleepy Gets the Axe.

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:08:00 +0000

Hello peoples,

As per the last post (you can see below) my driver couldn't manage to stay awake again. FG was just outside of Bogor yesterday and at 5PM started to head home, only to find minutes into the journey Mr Sleepy started to nod off.

I just don't get it!!!!!!!!

Now he's looking for a new job, silly bugger!!!

Cheers
GJ

The Beach and What you Pick Up There.

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 06:07:00 +0000

Hi All,

Last week traded cyber surfing for some of the real stuff. YES........ in the ocean!!! Packed up the surfin' Serena and headed for the coast, the south coast 4 hours from Jakarta.
Had heard that the surf can be a tad dangerous so caution needed to be shown at all times. A friend who regularly surfs the area told me that 50 people a year drown there. Anyway I found the most dangerous part was getting there, had to give the driver a swift whack as he nodded off while we were descending a steep single lane winding track common call a road over here.

I drove the rest of the way!!!!!!!! If I'm gunna plunge off a mountainside, I certainly want the steering wheel to hold on too rather the the drivers throat, but that's just me.

Anyway finally made in to the lodgings, had a bit to eat and then venture off on an inspection mission. Around the first point was a nice break, if a little full peeling off the point and funnelling between the coast line and a large rock 50 metres off shore. This is postcard stuff!!!!

There was 12 guys........oops 9 guys out and 3 girls......3......25% of the surfers were female................NICE!!!

As I watched the break getting a little knowledge, when one of the girls caught a wave to the beach and as she headed back up the point to jump into the take-off zone, stopped to talk to GJ.
She wanted me to come in and join in, what.......... no "agro" ...... wanting to share the break...
sounded like to good ol' days. I did insult her at the start when I asked where in the States she came from, only to be told the Gold Coast, less than 2 hours from GJ's abode in Brissy. Her Melbourne friend ( yes a surfing chick from Vic..... go figure) confirmed she had developed a beautiful Yankee accent.

Well managed to have a couple of sessions over the next few days with both of them, traded email addresses took photos with the local kids and generally talked waxhead stuff and moving to Indonesia.

FG even thought I was a legend................ to be able to pull not 1 but 2 Aussie surfie chicks, without even trying. What can I say ....................I AM A LEGEND..........and without a shred of batik insight!!!

I will be heading back soon, just need to update the board to better suit the conditions, the one I left back in Brissy would have been ideal...blah!!!
Oh yea get a driver that can stay a wake after driving 3 hours.........What is that with Indonesian drivers???

Maybe I could do a photo.................maybe not!!

Cheers
GJ

PS Padding behind bikini clad surfie girls ain't all bad................come on slap me for that comment!!! Dare You.
GJ

A Few Good Men

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 02:00:00 +0000

Hello all,

It is articles like this that must give everyone interested in Indonesia's future immense hope.

Read and celebrate

http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE56002620090701?pageNumber=2&virtualBrandChannel=0

Cheers

GJ

Creatures of Habit.

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:25:00 +0000

Hi Blog stalkers,

I have to post this!!!!

Look I'm the first to admit it, we are all creatures of habit to some extent. For instance I do have my favorite stall at work, but hey if it's occupied you wont be seeing monkey man pooping his pants.

But today, this made me smile.

It's the Boss's birthday and his wife had organised a surprise party in the office (He was on a day off. Isn't it wonderful what women will do for you. 1 day free from the office and hey presto she magically lands you back in the last place you want to be. Women you gotta love'em or you'd be up on a murder 1 charge!!)

Sorry I digress, so just before lunch time at 12 noon, all the office lights are turned off for his arrival. The streamers and confetti are launched, photos taken all in the relative darkness of the unlit office. Anyway we all adjourn to the conference room for lunch, cake and a couple of different versions of Happy Birthday. Then smack on 12 the receptionist comes in the locked front door like the previous 10 thousands times and switches all the lights and quickly disappears back to her post outside.

Now for the first time in my experience here the office is bathed in light during the lunch hour. The irony is that most days, people including moi, continue to work on by the flicker of their PC screen, and today it's bright as sunshine and not a sole in the office area.

C'mon who's going to miss food and cake right, work can wait.

I just hope we don't now become completely out of sync, as I may turn into a mushroom.

Cheers from the not so darkside,

GJ

Everybody Wins A Prize!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 03:22:00 +0000

Yes,..........Everyone, ...................that is everyone except your truly!!

Blah..................Already had some of it spent too, BUGGER.

Seems the two winners of Australia's largest lotto jackpot have a whole lot of worry now after pocketing a tad over A$53,000,000.00 I would convert the that to Rups but the post would look something like this 4346000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

So you get the drift. Anyway I was sure that I had won, but alas like in so many other things, I turned out to be a loser. Meh!!!

Hang on a sec, me a loser never!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I remember the business class tickets to Bali and the luxury Villa accommodation.
The silver jewelry now residing with FG.
and just the other week I won a stay of execution. Loser my Ass!!!

So peoples......................... life is wonderful!!!!!!!

Looking at places to go over Idul Fitri celebration and am wondering why it is only marginally more expensive to go to Paris or LA than to go to Phuket or Siem Reap?????

Does this say something about the Asian economies?..........possibly.

Anyway how about you help out a banana munching monkey man on a few nice places to escape to.

All proposals considered.

Cheers GJ

World's Largest Condom

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:41:00 +0000

Hi Cyber Surfers,

Had a little weeknight foray into a bar last night. Wasn't going to be a late night and I suppose one can't really consider 1am a late night. Really technically it's morning, early morning.

Any way the lure was free beer from 6pm to 8pm. You see, as this was the 5th Monday in the month, which this year only happens 5 times, the beer flows free. Not a bad little promo.

As most of you know I don't drink beer as Scotch/Irish Whiskey is my poison of choice, and the better the quality the better the enjoyment.
Sorry back to the beer, it was free, people!!!! You must understand that......FREE!!!!!!!

Anyway as I was standing at the bar, waiting patiently for a friend, I had an overwhelming need to try and locate an XLarge condom.
Yes the Monkey Man had an urge, and urgently needed a huge condom. None of the attentive bar staff could help me, even though they were obviously aware of my predicament. I tried to seek one high and low while remaining perfectly discreet.

You see it all started off very innocently, with a "Hello" and "How are you?" followed shortly by how long have you been in the Village Grande. Me being the perfect gentleman politely engaged in the conversation if for no other reason that to kill some time and not drink alone (WOW that makes me sound like a real sad unit).

As the conversation continued and the direction it was taking had me more than a little stirred up. I really needed that XLarge franger and fast at this rate.

Why XLarge you ask, well you know the long finger/big feet routine right well have you seen how long my arms are!!!!

NO. Not really......
I just needed the XLarge condom to slip over this f*cking huge dick that was spurting stuff all over the place. He just wouldn't stop!!!!!!! and he was as thick as two short planks.
Seriously, keep asking the same questions over and over, with the annoying statement "honesty to God" thrown in every second sentence. I have seen fence posts quicker on the up take than this dick.

Anyway eventually he got the message and wandered aimlessly off into the distance to one of his 2 hotel rooms, as he needs to keep his location a secret as people are out to kill him. No Sh*t mate I can fully understand that!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The night dramatically improved after that.

Cheers
GJ

Stunning Jakarta Traffic Fact

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 04:20:00 +0000

Fact.

Speed bumps.......54 between my home and the office, total distance = 10kms

That's one every 185.185 metres. No wonder record pace is only 33 minutes.

Unbelievable

GJ

Still Here !!!!!!!!! Inappropriate Behaviour and Free Bourbon

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 03:31:00 +0000

"ello All,

I'm still here................just...................Unlike like some others i.e. M.Jackson and Ms Fawcett.

I have always said, "Any day above ground is a good day".

So did you all hear the collective sigh of relief from kiddies everywhere when Mr Michael "I'm Bad (because I love children in a very strange way)" Jackson exited stage left.

I know that his fans will yell "nothing was proved", but a $23 million payout smacks of innocence to me!!!!
Sorry, have negative tolerance for kiddie fiddlers no matter have famous. I don't real get that, you know we over look the short comings, and sometimes these a massive shortcomings, because of other impressive attributes. It's wrong!!!

Just think for a moment, GJ is sub planted into Neverland with its magical kid pulling power, but not as the rich founder but a lowly gardener. Then little Johny accuses me of less than savory acts towards him. I plead that I love children!!!!! I would never hurt children (BTW that's purely from my reference point though!!!!). I offer little Johny's parents $457.83 hush money to make the whole thing disappear.

What happens..........you know full well...........yours truly is charged, convicted and I'm now living a life of abject misery much like the life I had inflicted on little Johny.

One law for the rich and the real law for the poor.

Did I mention that I'm still here in "Village Grande" Indonesia.

I commented to FG to other day after telling her a week ago to start packing, that our life hasn't been that great lately. As usual she consolidated what was wrong, the stress and living on the edge, the uncertainty had been effecting our quality of life.

Well I say to "hell with it", let's get back to normal!!!
So this weekend I visited the duty free stores (note plural) to restock the cellar. I had been running it down on the possibility.................. 2 weeks ago, I supplied the good Muslim boys at work a litre of Bourbon and a bottle of Merlot (there is one highly refined wine drinker) for their after soccer BBQ on Friday nights.
The one upside of running down the inventories, was I was treating myself to some very palatable single malts over the last few weeks.

And if the axe does fall then I know that we will have many happy friends that will do justice to our liquor cabinet contents.

So bring on Friday night and the planned rematch of this great Jakarta event !!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers

GJ

In Surabaya

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Wed, 13 May 2009 09:07:00 +0000

G'Day Cyber wanders,

I'm slumming Surabaya this week. Well not slumming really. I don't seem to get the luxury these days to dribble on in this blog, the bloody crisis seems to have made work 10 fold busier with no extra in the piggy bank to show for the effort. Can't explain that, one wonders where we all would be if we were all this focused during the "BOOM" times.

Anyway I seem safe this month, figures well ahead of plan, trick will be to maintain them going forward.

I like Surabaya, the hotel has afforded me two very peaceful nights sleep. Usually I don't sleep well the first night "out" but not this time.

I'm being ferried around in variety of automobiles none of which are comfortable. I have come to the conclusion that Indonesia car seats rival a bed of rusty nails when it come to a place to rest your arse. Now I know why they pack the car so full of bodies, as it would be much more comfortable on someones lap!!!I must say that the trusty Surfin' Serena is streets ahead in the luxury and comfort stakes.

What has my arse really worried is, a drive to Malang later this week, some 3 hours away now, thanks to some community minded dick who drilled a hole in the Earths crust to strike in rich in sloppy mud.

Prick!!!

Now I'll have a numb arse for his efforts. Alas I still do have a home shouldn't complain...............much. As I flew in, the muddy lava lake was clearly visible with its little wisp of stream escaping from the centre. I still remember driving through the area only weeks after the disaster started, mud was only to the house's eaves, well now nothing is above the high mud mark and the levees are getting higher.

There must be a business opportunity with all this free ooze gushing forth, maybe L'oreal will take it. A good marketing campaign, punchie buy line, celeb endorsement and hey presto, women everywhere will be slapping on their dials. GJ your a genius!!!!!

Or maybe I could pipe it to Singapore, as they seem hell bent on making Singa's the biggest island in the world. It's the only place where ocean front land is next to worthless, 'cause tomorrow your waterfront land is 100's of metres from the beach.

Anyway I like the change of being in Surabaya.

BTW the sate kambing for lunch was very tasty.

Cheers from the monkey man,

GJ

And Another One Bites the Dust!!!

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Fri, 01 May 2009 05:50:00 +0000

'ello cyber surfers,

Bet you thought that ol' GJ have been "bean counted"out, well surprise, surprise still clinging on by the finger nails.

The news is, Monday I get to send another bugger packing. This one I will shed no tears, 16 years and still friggin' useless. He's been living in the past way,way too long. He can consider himself lucky he is getting retrenched, I was actually typing up the warning letter yesterday, the plan was in place to manage him out.

Nice wake up call sport!!!!!,........ maybe next time you won't turn your phone off or not respond to the messages I sent.

Happy life you bludger.

On a different note, I have the Flu at the moment, luckily I'm not travelling anywhere. Don't fancy quarantine.
I will go swimming tomorrow, another 2 kms. Great start to the weekend

Cheers
GJ

Inland Tsunami, and Other Tragic Events

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 05:20:00 +0000

Hello all,

Firstly, Friday nights (well early Saturday morning to be accurate) dam wall failure. You will do no better than checking out Dilli's piece. Unfortunately maintenance in this country is not valued at all. The mindset is..... use, use, use ..............................deal with it when it breaks. Sadly that comes at a huge cost!!!
I believe that maintenance is an investment, it's not a guarantee, but a hell of a lot better than playing ostrich and hoping like hell!!!

Enough said!!!

Well the GFC is wrecking havoc through my international company. The share price, well lets not go there.................subsequently this means the bean counters are in the ascendancy, looking to slash costs which BTW only seems to mean peoples jobs. Well a recent victim has been my Admin Manager who finishes tomorrow, but will stay for an additional 2 weeks the complete a hand over. No performance issue, I was told she had to go. On the positive side she is bright and capable woman and now can access a payout which should set her up pretty well for the future.

It's a bugger (well much more than that really) when through no fault of their own people suffer, either the tragedy of the dam or loss of an income. Well I'm thinking that my stint in this wonderful country maybe very close to over as well, I luckily enough can scoot back to the comforts of Australian suburban life, rather than worry where I will live or what will I eat for the next few months/years.

Sometimes things just suck!!!!

A Night Out and 7 Bucks Well Spent

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 05:44:00 +0000

Yes, yes....... I know!!!......... I'm still alive despite what happened on Friday night.

Hello Cyber surfers,

I'm alive, just been super slack at updating the blog. I have been shamed into this post by Oigal, of Greenstump fame. Lucky he wasn't in Victoria over the last week and a bit could have been Charredstump. Checkout the pics on his blog if you haven't already seen them.

Look, I just don't where the time goes. I will let you know up front this won't be a long post as I have to scoot off on a customer visit shortly. The end of last week saw me chewed up spat out and trampled on so when a friend sms'ed suggesting catching up on Friday night it was, Sh*t Yeah I'm up for that.
So teed up FG and headed for a BBQ, spend a lot of time catching up and sipping Scotch and Dry (Yes after about 3 months without Dry ginger ale, FG the wonder girl spotted some in Kem Chicks) and down right forgot to eat much. So as the BBQ was wrapping up me and poor FG were scrambling for some food morsels to ward off a certain level of inebriation.

We moved on to EP for more drinks but this time NO Dry Ginger, bugger so G&T's were the poison of choice. So after watching a really, really crappy band we decide to move on. We then had a brain wave to sort out who paid, ..............A competition!!!!!!!

Yes my competitive friend wanted to race Bajai's around the Kemang circuit. Yes that crazy expat thing. Well I had never done it, so, with a belly full of booze, it was "OK your on" sport.

Trusting driver organised the suitable racing vehicles, and after a quick lesson on how the driver, change gears, stop and start we were off. I lagged behind mainly due to some "up the wrong side of the road" antics from the competition. But I had my revenge as I roared through the Macca's carpark, dodging the parking attendants and the drive through traffic, to snatch back the lead.

I returned to EP to a huge cheer from all and sundry to claim the victor's spoils.

EP's 2009 Bajai Champion.

The competition was stunned on his arrival to see me being hailed the Champion.

And all this for 7 bucks Aussie.

If anyone saw us idiots drop me a comment

Continued on elsewhere to the wee hours but that's another story.

Cheers
GJ

Change

noreply@blogger.com (GJ) — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 08:58:00 +0000

I found this quote on change,

Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better. King Whitney Jr.

Unfortunately Mr K.W Jr doesn't mention what it does for the disheartened. I think it makes them desperate for some change, well me anyway.

Cheers

GJ