Anyone else getting tired of it all?

Anyone else getting tired of it all?

Author
Discussion

Ashfordian

2,008 posts

88 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2021
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Pete102 said:
Some of you may recall I'm in the middle of applying for a job in Switzerland, we was in the process of trying to organise a 3rd and final face-to-face interview but contending with current WFH mandates (in Swiss), mandatory quarantine and entry restrictions, it was proving to be a bit of a challenge.

Anyway, yesterday I had a follow up meeting whereby I was offered the role without a 3rd interview!

First reaction - Joy and happiness.

Second reaction - fk, it just got real!.

I'm taking a couple of days to let it settle in and then I'll start to make a plan, its a permanent role so I have a lot of stuff to sort out.
Boom. Congrats clap

And you'll have something to plan and execute to keep you distracted whilst we are still incarcerated.

Pete102

2,042 posts

185 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2021
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Ashfordian said:
Boom. Congrats clap

And you'll have something to plan and execute to keep you distracted whilst we are still incarcerated.
Thankyou, and yes, it'll provide some welcome focus over the coming weeks.

Drive it fix it repeat

1,046 posts

50 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2021
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My congratulations on the new job, refreshing to hear some positive news for a change. Hope the move goes well.

TameRacingDriver

18,048 posts

271 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2021
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Excellent news sir beer

Pete102

2,042 posts

185 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2021
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Thanks all, it means a lot. For those who are facing some uncertainty, it'll work out for the better eventually just keep plugging. This role has been the culmination of maybe 30 applications over a 10 month period, some choosing to ignore me completely, some sending the generic 'thanks but no thanks'.

I think I post this once a week or so, but if there's anything I can do to help anyone out on a bad day, shoot me a line. Some of the guys and girls in this thread vastly under appreciate how their contribution and presence helps.

jules_s

4,236 posts

232 months

Wednesday 3rd March 2021
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Congratulations!

Meanwhile over here has been a day dealing with a massively over stressed.over worked colleague who is at snapping point (well past that tbh)

Something happened when I was on holiday which I was e-mailed about. I picked the e-mail up and passed it on but it got missed somehow (more overwork I think)

It all came to light yesterday. This morning I get the sort of call where you just know the person is angry and looking for a scapegoat - the shouty delivery gave it away smile

Uggers

2,223 posts

210 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Ive now hit day 16 in quarantine, and Pistonheads is pretty much my sole social outlet, moan incoming, so be warned! smile

Was meant to leave yesterday for a boat to take us out to the rig. But somehow they forgot about me and despite a ton of emails and calls I called it quits at 1am, when the boat officially left port.

Idea was to try again tonight, but there has been multiple things needing sorted paperwork wise (mental amounts of paperwork) which looks as though it was all coming together tonight ready for me to leave.

Now it turn outs a worker coming off a rig earlier on today has tested positive, which has left a bit of a situation with the crew that operate the boat in and out of port as they work in essentially a bubble. But they have come into contact with this worker albeit fleetingly, and then have mixed between their bubble before results were known of the passengers that day.

So getting the boat tonight isn't happening. whilst they figure out if the crew can work or not. Or have to go into a 14 day quarantine, with the other guys off the rig.

I left the UK on the 15th of Feb, looks like the job is going to only last until a few weeks before it finishes. Once off the boat into hotels again for 2 days to get preflight PCR, then another 10 days isolation at the Sturgeons pleasure.

I could literally weep. 28days in hotels to do 14 days work.

How they they think my job is tenable when stuff like this going on I don't know.

One upside is the last 2 days I'm in a considerably better hotel whilst delayed, food is better too but eating out of silver foil trays is bringing me down slowly each day.




Uggers

2,223 posts

210 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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anonymous said:
[redacted]
Luanda, Angola. It looks nice from a distance smile

Levin

2,019 posts

123 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Uggers said:
Luanda, Angola. It looks nice from a distance smile
Entirely unrelated, but what do you make of Angola? Does the country still bear any of the scars of various conflicts? Actually, on top of that, have you been before and what did you think of it? Unsurprisingly, I've never been, although I would be curious what your thoughts are based on that last sentence.

Uggers

2,223 posts

210 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Levin said:
Entirely unrelated, but what do you make of Angola? Does the country still bear any of the scars of various conflicts? Actually, on top of that, have you been before and what did you think of it? Unsurprisingly, I've never been, although I would be curious what your thoughts are based on that last sentence.
I've spent around 18 months in and out of the country, spending 11 months working on a project onshore in Lobito. Don't get to see a lot of Luanda as it's not as safe as Lobito.

It suffers from the same issues a lot of African countries suffer from, huge disparity between the rich and the poor. You can be on the road looking at a man trying to find scraps of food from a bin, whilst a gold plated AMG G-Class goes driving by. The presidents officials/ministers were in the same lounge as us in Lobito airport waiting for the President to arrive. I've never seen so many expensive watches, really expensive watches! I believe the difference was much more marked a few years ago during the oil boom years so it must have been crazy then.

The scars of the civil war seem to have healed to a certain extent, but there does seem to be unrest at times. Work were considering pulling us out during the elections, but it seemed to go relatively smoothly.

Luanda still has significant links with Portugal, and some of the colonial and more recent Art Deco buildings still left are absolutely stunning. Lobito specifically the Restinga area used to be a resort and playground for the rich and famous. Old casinos reminiscent of something from a Sean Connery Bond film lay dormant, but the signs are there that it was once a significant place to be.

We once did a 300 mile drive via SUVs between Luanda and Lobito, went right inside the national park and it was stunning. Open plains as far as the eye could see, village homes made of mud and straw and a very traditional way of life remains for some.

The people I have found to be generally incredibly friendly, sure some are after money but their is a genuine warmth to them. We went to a fair few big beach parties with DJ sets, never felt threatening. Just everyone out for a good time and the Angolans like a good drink!

If I was just wanting a week in the sun, among fantastic beaches a stay at the Terminus Hotel in Restinga would suit me nicely. In fact it's cheered me up thinking about the place. Back to google images I go!



Levin

2,019 posts

123 months

Thursday 4th March 2021
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Uggers said:
I've spent around 18 months in and out of the country, spending 11 months working on a project onshore in Lobito. Don't get to see a lot of Luanda as it's not as safe as Lobito.

It suffers from the same issues a lot of African countries suffer from, huge disparity between the rich and the poor. You can be on the road looking at a man trying to find scraps of food from a bin, whilst a gold plated AMG G-Class goes driving by. The presidents officials/ministers were in the same lounge as us in Lobito airport waiting for the President to arrive. I've never seen so many expensive watches, really expensive watches! I believe the difference was much more marked a few years ago during the oil boom years so it must have been crazy then.

The scars of the civil war seem to have healed to a certain extent, but there does seem to be unrest at times. Work were considering pulling us out during the elections, but it seemed to go relatively smoothly.

Luanda still has significant links with Portugal, and some of the colonial and more recent Art Deco buildings still left are absolutely stunning. Lobito specifically the Restinga area used to be a resort and playground for the rich and famous. Old casinos reminiscent of something from a Sean Connery Bond film lay dormant, but the signs are there that it was once a significant place to be.

We once did a 300 mile drive via SUVs between Luanda and Lobito, went right inside the national park and it was stunning. Open plains as far as the eye could see, village homes made of mud and straw and a very traditional way of life remains for some.

The people I have found to be generally incredibly friendly, sure some are after money but their is a genuine warmth to them. We went to a fair few big beach parties with DJ sets, never felt threatening. Just everyone out for a good time and the Angolans like a good drink!

If I was just wanting a week in the sun, among fantastic beaches a stay at the Terminus Hotel in Restinga would suit me nicely. In fact it's cheered me up thinking about the place. Back to google images I go!
Thank you very much for your thoughts. I ask as the timing is bizarrely good - I'm researching Portuguese decolonisation since it relates to what I'm studying in university. Unsurprisingly I've not been in Angola but I understand the country went through a long-term insurrection between 1961 and 1974 (and then arguably longer given Rhodesia was still fighting African insurgents into 1980.

It came as a genuine surprise to read a post from somebody working in Luanda, but getting insight now could not have been more perfectly timed. You make it sound like a place I'd very much like to see in the future. Like anywhere else, I'm sure there are areas more dangerous than others, but the national parks sound like a tremendous sight. Thanks again for some genuinely enlightening knowledge on how the country has healed.

croyde

22,701 posts

229 months

Friday 5th March 2021
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Uggers said:
I've spent around 18 months in and out of the country, spending 11 months working on a project onshore in Lobito. Don't get to see a lot of Luanda as it's not as safe as Lobito.

It suffers from the same issues a lot of African countries suffer from, huge disparity between the rich and the poor. You can be on the road looking at a man trying to find scraps of food from a bin, whilst a gold plated AMG G-Class goes driving by. The presidents officials/ministers were in the same lounge as us in Lobito airport waiting for the President to arrive. I've never seen so many expensive watches, really expensive watches! I believe the difference was much more marked a few years ago during the oil boom years so it must have been crazy then.

The scars of the civil war seem to have healed to a certain extent, but there does seem to be unrest at times. Work were considering pulling us out during the elections, but it seemed to go relatively smoothly.

Luanda still has significant links with Portugal, and some of the colonial and more recent Art Deco buildings still left are absolutely stunning. Lobito specifically the Restinga area used to be a resort and playground for the rich and famous. Old casinos reminiscent of something from a Sean Connery Bond film lay dormant, but the signs are there that it was once a significant place to be.

We once did a 300 mile drive via SUVs between Luanda and Lobito, went right inside the national park and it was stunning. Open plains as far as the eye could see, village homes made of mud and straw and a very traditional way of life remains for some.

The people I have found to be generally incredibly friendly, sure some are after money but their is a genuine warmth to them. We went to a fair few big beach parties with DJ sets, never felt threatening. Just everyone out for a good time and the Angolans like a good drink!

If I was just wanting a week in the sun, among fantastic beaches a stay at the Terminus Hotel in Restinga would suit me nicely. In fact it's cheered me up thinking about the place. Back to google images I go!
Thanks for the interesting read Uggers. I've never been to Africa but have done short stints in Saudi back in the 90s.

It was in a small town near the Yemenese border. I remember being warned not to go near the town square on a Friday as that's when the beheadings and chopping off of hands occurred.

Apparently if a westerner was seen in the crowd, they would be pushed to the front to be splashed by the blood yikes

I hope that wasn't true but I didn't bother to find out. I just went to the shops to buy expensive watches that were half UK prices.

Uggers

2,223 posts

210 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Levin said:
It came as a genuine surprise to read a post from somebody working in Luanda, but getting insight now could not have been more perfectly timed. You make it sound like a place I'd very much like to see in the future. Like anywhere else, I'm sure there are areas more dangerous than others, but the national parks sound like a tremendous sight. Thanks again for some genuinely enlightening knowledge on how the country has healed.
Anytime, It helps pass the time in quarantine. smile
Like anywhere, it has its bad places, but richer in life for seeing it. It also gives you a deep appreciation of what we have in the UK
croyde said:
Thanks for the interesting read Uggers. I've never been to Africa but have done short stints in Saudi back in the 90s.
It was in a small town near the Yemenese border. I remember being warned not to go near the town square on a Friday as that's when the beheadings and chopping off of hands occurred.
Apparently if a westerner was seen in the crowd, they would be pushed to the front to be splashed by the blood yikes
I hope that wasn't true but I didn't bother to find out. I just went to the shops to buy expensive watches that were half UK prices.
Worse place I've been is Mauritania. A place I don't mind admitting I had to consult an Atlas to find out where it was. Nouakchott from above looks like something out of Mad Max, a city in a desert. Slavery still exists, although outlawed in 1981 it was only a criminal offence from 2007! The Chinese are there busy taking over the place, shiny new airport is testament to that.

Was meant to get on the boat today, turned out it's 7 days from my last PCR and even though I've been in solitary confinement I couldn't go. frown Decision made that there isn't enough time for the job so I'm going home. Maybe the next few days to then go back into quarantine in Heathrow.

So my 'trip' will have been 6 PCR tests, 2LFT's 3 days of travelling, 28 days of quarantine. And I never did a single day of work. I'm absolutely scunnered with the current situation. Been in a hotel room this length of time is just not right. It's just making it so impossible for me to work that I think, why bother?

mike80

2,248 posts

215 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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That sounds bloody awful Uggers, my sympathies.

I've got quite a bit of international travel coming up from the end of March, hopefully it won't be too much hassle. Last year wasn't too bad, even had a travel corridor opened while I was away on one job, but this year looks like it will be stricter.

Flooble

5,565 posts

99 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Uggers said:
Worse place I've been is Mauritania. A place I don't mind admitting I had to consult an Atlas to find out where it was. Nouakchott from above looks like something out of Mad Max, a city in a desert. Slavery still exists, although outlawed in 1981 it was only a criminal offence from 2007! The Chinese are there busy taking over the place, shiny new airport is testament to that.

Was meant to get on the boat today, turned out it's 7 days from my last PCR and even though I've been in solitary confinement I couldn't go. frown Decision made that there isn't enough time for the job so I'm going home. Maybe the next few days to then go back into quarantine in Heathrow.

So my 'trip' will have been 6 PCR tests, 2LFT's 3 days of travelling, 28 days of quarantine. And I never did a single day of work. I'm absolutely scunnered with the current situation. Been in a hotel room this length of time is just not right. It's just making it so impossible for me to work that I think, why bother?
I'm struggling to see how any firm can function with those restrictions. Without wishing to probe I assume you are employed and so get paid anyway, and your employer owns the rig you were supposed to go out to, so there won't be a bunfight over your employer getting paid for not having done any actual work. But presumably you weren't going off on a jolly so that work still needs doing, or they'll get a local to do it (must be a reason they don't do that as a matter of course?)


Uggers

2,223 posts

210 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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mike80 said:
That sounds bloody awful Uggers, my sympathies.

I've got quite a bit of international travel coming up from the end of March, hopefully it won't be too much hassle. Last year wasn't too bad, even had a travel corridor opened while I was away on one job, but this year looks like it will be stricter.
Thanks, it really is starting to get a bit much. Flying is a nightmare, no one in their right mind would do it at the moment. Paperwork from embassies, minimum time left on PCR certs. Flying in and out of a red countres and their restrictions is another level again.

Flooble said:
I'm struggling to see how any firm can function with those restrictions. Without wishing to probe I assume you are employed and so get paid anyway, and your employer owns the rig you were supposed to go out to, so there won't be a bunfight over your employer getting paid for not having done any actual work. But presumably you weren't going off on a jolly so that work still needs doing, or they'll get a local to do it (must be a reason they don't do that as a matter of course?)
We are a service company, but it's a substantial group. We lost over £1Billion the last financial year. They have said it's stretching the business and the employees to a point where we are struggling with the logistics and the manpower to stay operational.

I get paid, it's around 2/3rds pay. But importantly it's not contracted days. I need to do 120, before I can start turning down work. Not good because in my opinion isolation is harder than work, if you are a normal social type of person anyway.

I'll have done 60+ days in quarantine over the last year. My sleep patterns have gone to hell, and trying to concentrate best I can on various tasks, but find my mind is beginning to race which on a night makes sleep even more difficult.
Physically I have noticed a big change, very lethargic and takes huge effort to get up and to do something. I then ache all over the next day and what I was doing wasn't anything particularly taxing IMO

Pete102

2,042 posts

185 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Uggers, I have nothing else to say other than that sounds fking st. We can only hope that with the inevitable introduction of vaccine passports, travel is streamlined somewhat in the coming months.

Although I'll soon be living abroad, Ideally I'll need to be back in the UK every 2nd weekend for family commitments, although I expect a bit of a rocky ride in the beginning.

I can only imagine how it must be spending extended periods in the confines of a hotel room - both physically and mentally. Have you considered writing a journal to help get the thoughts out and maybe look back on in the future?

Flooble

5,565 posts

99 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Uggers said:
We are a service company, but it's a substantial group. We lost over £1Billion the last financial year. They have said it's stretching the business and the employees to a point where we are struggling with the logistics and the manpower to stay operational.

I get paid, it's around 2/3rds pay. But importantly it's not contracted days. I need to do 120, before I can start turning down work. Not good because in my opinion isolation is harder than work, if you are a normal social type of person anyway.

I'll have done 60+ days in quarantine over the last year. My sleep patterns have gone to hell, and trying to concentrate best I can on various tasks, but find my mind is beginning to race which on a night makes sleep even more difficult.
Physically I have noticed a big change, very lethargic and takes huge effort to get up and to do something. I then ache all over the next day and what I was doing wasn't anything particularly taxing IMO
Sounds awful, both for you and the company trying to keep going. I suppose at least you get paid something, although 120 contracted days is a tough target if every trip is going to be 50%+ non-productive. We used to reckon on 180-220 days per year so logically you'd be doing the equivalent of 240 billable days just to get to 120, if you that makes sense.

I don't suppose you can bodge together any kind of exercise regime? Too late now, but some of those resistance band things might be small and light enough to pack? You can maybe do dips off the bed and obviously you have press-ups, sit-ups and so on you can do (although not sure I'd fancy getting down on the floor of some hotel rooms, a mat would again be pretty light to pack I guess?).

I know what you mean about concentration though. In theory it's an ideal time to read a tonne of books, but it's hard to get into and stay focussed on the book. I have found reading some really lightweight stuff which doesn't require much concentration was actually quite good, as well as some thrillers where I basically just wanted to see how it finished. I even read that JK Rowling one they made all the fuss over recently (can't remember the name now, some Detective thing) - the best bit was it was so long that it filled a lot of days!


Uggers

2,223 posts

210 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Flooble said:
Sounds awful, both for you and the company trying to keep going. I suppose at least you get paid something, although 120 contracted days is a tough target if every trip is going to be 50%+ non-productive. We used to reckon on 180-220 days per year so logically you'd be doing the equivalent of 240 billable days just to get to 120, if you that makes sense.
Totally makes sense. At the current rate I'll be doing the most days away from family and home I'll have ever done, for the least amount of money I've ever earnt.

Flooble said:
I don't suppose you can bodge together any kind of exercise regime? Too late now, but some of those resistance band things might be small and light enough to pack? You can maybe do dips off the bed and obviously you have press-ups, sit-ups and so on you can do (although not sure I'd fancy getting down on the floor of some hotel rooms, a mat would again be pretty light to pack I guess?).
I've got a skipping rope, and manage to do the odd 3K running the 8m between the door and the window but I know I should be doing that everyday, my steps per day can be in the low 100's sometimes. I prefer to stay fit doing an activity I find enjoyable, so MTB'ing, kayaking and hillwalking are just not going to happen at the moment hehe

13 days till I get home wobble

Levin

2,019 posts

123 months

Saturday 6th March 2021
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Uggers said:
13 days till I get home wobble
Do you have access to a computer or are you relying on a phone/tablet? I'd seriously suggest downloading Steam in your case and getting into a game or two (Internet quality permitting). Something like Sid Meier's Civilisation or - a personal favourite - Mount and Blade Warband would eat into the next 13 days for you. Or you could go ridiculously complex. After 13 days of Hearts of Iron 4 the interface might make enough sense to be able to begin playing the game!