We have a bathroom. A 70% pretty, yet 100% functional bathroom.
The 30% fugly are thanks to the shower cabin that I can't even begin to describe. Let's just say that much: shaving your legs is not an option, as it is too tight to bend over without hitting any of the walls.
The boyfriend did a splendid job. Washbasin, Mirror, Cabinet - all up!! We can now finally use the bathroom instead of the kitchen and hallway substitutes.
No more brushing teeth and taking make up off in the kitchen, no more hair blowdrying in the hallway and applying make up in funky light. woohooo!
Here's to getting one step closer to a fully functional apartment.
Life is good!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Monday, October 12, 2009
Happy Bad Delft, the sequel of the sequel
So. It is Friday and our stuff is supposed to be delivered. By stuff I mean:
1 Washbasin
1 drawer combination closet for underneath the washbasin
Despite the fact that these imbeciles from HappyBad hadn't called back when they were supposed to or kept their part of ANY agreement so far, we were trying to stay positive that the stuff will get delivered. Positive thinking, you know.
So, the things were supposed to be delivered between 8 and 9 in the morning. The nice delivery truck man arrived at just before 9, delivered the bits and headed on to his next adventure further down into the south (he was from up north and spoke with a very thick accent..even I heard that)
The boyfriend had decided to work from home that day so we could have a look and potentially start hanging up the magic.
He started measuring, checking, worrying, rechecking and then finally realizing: we need a big, HUGE, drill and patience.
AND:
A different washbasin.
The amazing people at HappyBad in Delf had sent us surprisesurprise the wrong washbasin. It lacked the hole to put the faucet in. At that point, I was just laughing cause clearly, there's nothing else I could do without having my head explode in sheer disbelieve.
It was, however, the slightly mad laugh you hear in old movies about mental asylumns. I had an appointment in the afternoon, so I had to leave my poor lovey at home, dealing with it without the powers of Arnolda.
He called Villeroy&Boch to make 100% sure that there is no way to put a hole into this washbasin without breaking it.
"erm, we only do these washbasins on special order, it takes about 9 month to get one, sir"
Well, they came pretty close to the timeframe we're looking at, yet we didn't order that one.
shocker
Yes, that is totally unexpected and doesn't fit into the so far perfect customer service we've experienced.
The boyfriend called the HappyBad people, and first OF COURSE, noone answered. Finally he got Douche A (aka Jerry) on the line who said: oh, I have one of those here, let me drop it off at your house later today.
Erm. You have one of these washbasins 'standing around'? A showroom model?
No no, it's just standing here.
OK, is there any point in actually pointing out to them that as it was just 'standing around' they could have given it us WAY EARLIER?
No, there isn't, so just don't bother wasting energy and breath.
By the time I was back from town the guy was about to deliver the new washbasin - without a box. So, let's check again - which manufacturer actually delivers a washbasin without a box around it? hmmm....
Anyways. I'm still amazed at the lack of professionalism and can't wait to write the letter to trading standards and the yellow press here in the Netherlands and the Ombudsman and whoever feels like reading it.
Oh man. *sigh*
Anyways, the boyfriend hung it up today and it looks really nice. Could have looked nice for 2 months already...
1 Washbasin
1 drawer combination closet for underneath the washbasin
Despite the fact that these imbeciles from HappyBad hadn't called back when they were supposed to or kept their part of ANY agreement so far, we were trying to stay positive that the stuff will get delivered. Positive thinking, you know.
So, the things were supposed to be delivered between 8 and 9 in the morning. The nice delivery truck man arrived at just before 9, delivered the bits and headed on to his next adventure further down into the south (he was from up north and spoke with a very thick accent..even I heard that)
The boyfriend had decided to work from home that day so we could have a look and potentially start hanging up the magic.
He started measuring, checking, worrying, rechecking and then finally realizing: we need a big, HUGE, drill and patience.
AND:
A different washbasin.
The amazing people at HappyBad in Delf had sent us surprisesurprise the wrong washbasin. It lacked the hole to put the faucet in. At that point, I was just laughing cause clearly, there's nothing else I could do without having my head explode in sheer disbelieve.
It was, however, the slightly mad laugh you hear in old movies about mental asylumns. I had an appointment in the afternoon, so I had to leave my poor lovey at home, dealing with it without the powers of Arnolda.
He called Villeroy&Boch to make 100% sure that there is no way to put a hole into this washbasin without breaking it.
"erm, we only do these washbasins on special order, it takes about 9 month to get one, sir"
Well, they came pretty close to the timeframe we're looking at, yet we didn't order that one.
shocker
Yes, that is totally unexpected and doesn't fit into the so far perfect customer service we've experienced.
The boyfriend called the HappyBad people, and first OF COURSE, noone answered. Finally he got Douche A (aka Jerry) on the line who said: oh, I have one of those here, let me drop it off at your house later today.
Erm. You have one of these washbasins 'standing around'? A showroom model?
No no, it's just standing here.
OK, is there any point in actually pointing out to them that as it was just 'standing around' they could have given it us WAY EARLIER?
No, there isn't, so just don't bother wasting energy and breath.
By the time I was back from town the guy was about to deliver the new washbasin - without a box. So, let's check again - which manufacturer actually delivers a washbasin without a box around it? hmmm....
Anyways. I'm still amazed at the lack of professionalism and can't wait to write the letter to trading standards and the yellow press here in the Netherlands and the Ombudsman and whoever feels like reading it.
Oh man. *sigh*
Anyways, the boyfriend hung it up today and it looks really nice. Could have looked nice for 2 months already...
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
HappyBad Delft...
...or the neverending shower.
Alright, there's new developments. On Saturday, we went to HappyBad (my toesnails cringe when I hear, say or write that name) and I was able to bark a bit at the guy who manages the store. I was tempted to give him a written assignment:
What is successful managing and how does it relate to customer satisfaction?
But instead I just barked and he said yes yes yes it's all my fault I'm so sorry blablabla. Douche. He would contact the Headquarters and now it's only 5 weeks until the shower comes in FOR SURE and then they will install it and yes, we'll get a rebate and he'll try to make us happy and satisfied again. I couldn't help but say: I think it's a little late for that, but hey, try!
So. Today, the boyfriend gets a call from that douche (HA HA, SO FUNNY!) and he says: we will install the shower and offer you a 150Euro Rebate.
right.
RIGHT
RIGHT!!
WHAT.THE.HECK?!
We have been told initially that we'll get 300 Euros off, and potentiall free installation. However, when we asked for it in writing, the email didn't come.
Anyways, I was SO upset that I called the guy back and requested to talk to his supervisor. Surprise, surprise, he was out and tadaa! I was talking to his supervisor. His name is Christian, he sounded roughly 25. oookay. You're the supervisor. Right. ok, then, listen up, imbecile:
*insertrantaboutshittycustomerserviceandlackofknowledgeskillandcompetency*
So, he then hangs up - whoops, so sorry. Well, ok, it just HELPED with my mood. Woohoo.
So, now he tells me that they'll offer us 50 Euro credit and they'll install it. Cause installing a shower costs 350 Euro. How can that be? It's a stupid SHOWER, not ROCKET SCIENCE!!!
So I tell him to shove the installation up his bum (in nice words, of course, all friendly yet upset) and give us the 350 PLUS the 50.
No no, that doesn't work. And then I have it and tell him to give me the address to which I can send a proper complaint letter, and that I'm ready to cancel the order.
That's fine, we can do it right now. There are 50 other customers who we offered this and they are happy. Well, Christian, I'd call them all a bunch of idiots and I don't care how many customers you mess around with.
This is about MY FLIPPING BATHROOM!!
So, he gives me the address of the headquarters. And I tell him to give me a name, of the MD or the owner of the company.
He then tells me that HE IS THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY.
Are you kidding me? Dude, go back to school of basic customer service and do your homework!
So. I think I've decided to have them shove the shower up their bums and look for something else. Need to discuss it with the boyfriend, obviously. On top of that, we'll inform every consumer board in the Netherlands about it. Raise hell, idiots.
Oh, funny story on the side: I went to an interview tonight and one of the other girls getting interviewed used to work for HappyBad and quit cause she couldn't stand the lack of professionalism and competence. HA!
Alright, there's new developments. On Saturday, we went to HappyBad (my toesnails cringe when I hear, say or write that name) and I was able to bark a bit at the guy who manages the store. I was tempted to give him a written assignment:
What is successful managing and how does it relate to customer satisfaction?
But instead I just barked and he said yes yes yes it's all my fault I'm so sorry blablabla. Douche. He would contact the Headquarters and now it's only 5 weeks until the shower comes in FOR SURE and then they will install it and yes, we'll get a rebate and he'll try to make us happy and satisfied again. I couldn't help but say: I think it's a little late for that, but hey, try!
So. Today, the boyfriend gets a call from that douche (HA HA, SO FUNNY!) and he says: we will install the shower and offer you a 150Euro Rebate.
right.
RIGHT
RIGHT!!
WHAT.THE.HECK?!
We have been told initially that we'll get 300 Euros off, and potentiall free installation. However, when we asked for it in writing, the email didn't come.
Anyways, I was SO upset that I called the guy back and requested to talk to his supervisor. Surprise, surprise, he was out and tadaa! I was talking to his supervisor. His name is Christian, he sounded roughly 25. oookay. You're the supervisor. Right. ok, then, listen up, imbecile:
*insertrantaboutshittycustomerserviceandlackofknowledgeskillandcompetency*
So, he then hangs up - whoops, so sorry. Well, ok, it just HELPED with my mood. Woohoo.
So, now he tells me that they'll offer us 50 Euro credit and they'll install it. Cause installing a shower costs 350 Euro. How can that be? It's a stupid SHOWER, not ROCKET SCIENCE!!!
So I tell him to shove the installation up his bum (in nice words, of course, all friendly yet upset) and give us the 350 PLUS the 50.
No no, that doesn't work. And then I have it and tell him to give me the address to which I can send a proper complaint letter, and that I'm ready to cancel the order.
That's fine, we can do it right now. There are 50 other customers who we offered this and they are happy. Well, Christian, I'd call them all a bunch of idiots and I don't care how many customers you mess around with.
This is about MY FLIPPING BATHROOM!!
So, he gives me the address of the headquarters. And I tell him to give me a name, of the MD or the owner of the company.
He then tells me that HE IS THE OWNER OF THE COMPANY.
Are you kidding me? Dude, go back to school of basic customer service and do your homework!
So. I think I've decided to have them shove the shower up their bums and look for something else. Need to discuss it with the boyfriend, obviously. On top of that, we'll inform every consumer board in the Netherlands about it. Raise hell, idiots.
Oh, funny story on the side: I went to an interview tonight and one of the other girls getting interviewed used to work for HappyBad and quit cause she couldn't stand the lack of professionalism and competence. HA!
Monday, October 5, 2009
Some more quiet thoughts...
...comforting someone who has lost two people that were a part of his life within 6 weeks is tough.
It is tough because there's nothing I can do to ease the pain, there are no answers I can provide, and as an Atheist, I can't even hold on to the thought of an afterlife and some higher meaning of death. We're all part of a comedy, and all of us are actually pretty meaningless in this big global circus. There's noone up there or down there guiding us, telling us off if something is wrong, patting us on the back if something is right. Life isn't fair, life just is.
I wish more people considered that fact when making choices in their lifes. I wish more people decided to live every day to the fullest.
The last 12 months have been very emotionally exhausting, and I hope that the following 12 months will give us some peace and happiness to enjoy, and rest.
It is tough because there's nothing I can do to ease the pain, there are no answers I can provide, and as an Atheist, I can't even hold on to the thought of an afterlife and some higher meaning of death. We're all part of a comedy, and all of us are actually pretty meaningless in this big global circus. There's noone up there or down there guiding us, telling us off if something is wrong, patting us on the back if something is right. Life isn't fair, life just is.
I wish more people considered that fact when making choices in their lifes. I wish more people decided to live every day to the fullest.
The last 12 months have been very emotionally exhausting, and I hope that the following 12 months will give us some peace and happiness to enjoy, and rest.
Classical Music
On Saturday night, the boyfriend and I went to Rotterdam, to the famour concert hall called 'de doelen'. It's just as ugly as the Philharmonie in Berlin - maybe a tad bit uglier. But the sound was pretty neat.
Beethoven Ouverture Die Weihe des Hauses
Kurtág Songs of Sorrow and Despair
Beethoven Symfonie nr.9
Die Weihe des Hauses - we missed part of it cause we were a tad bit late. But at least we got pretty seats because of it - last box on the right. Great view, great sound.
Songs of Sorrow and Despair by Kurtag...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurtag - yeah, sorry, but that contemporary stuff isn't for me. I might have to listen to it a few more times, but jesus, tough on the ears.
I love Beethoven's Nr. 9, I love classical orchestra music. If you compare the regular pop music to classical orchestra music, it's like 1-D vs. 3-D.
I mean, look at it - in Popmusic, there's a few bits you punch into your pc (I know, I know, it's not THAT easy) and then, on the other side, it's a new song. Tadaa! Here we go, who do we make famous today? I do like popmusic, don't mind a bit of 'Barbie Girl' or 'Hit me baby one more time'.
But it just doesn't move me like classical music - when the strings dwell up to make you feel like you're drowning in sound, it tingles your spine and I feel like I'm hugged by music, so tight that it makes me dwell up.
The Moldau, by Smetana, is one of my favorites. Close your eyes and let the music take you on a journey. The way Smetana makes you feel like you're floating on the Moldau, how the scenery changes with the difference in sounds and instruments...how the emotions change.
These guys, these composers where truly genius. If you ever get the chance to look at scores for big orchestras and choirs, it's amazing how they managed to make it all sound so amazing. So perfect.
I need to get back into the routine of enjoying at least one classical concert per month. In Berlin it was the season ticket to the Opera, let's see what I can find here.
Take the time to listen to classical music and let it give you goosebumps and tingles in your spine...start with easy composers, not the heavy Wagner things. Maybe Bach, maybe Beethoven. It's beautiful, and uplifting. True work of art.
Beethoven Ouverture Die Weihe des Hauses
Kurtág Songs of Sorrow and Despair
Beethoven Symfonie nr.9
Die Weihe des Hauses - we missed part of it cause we were a tad bit late. But at least we got pretty seats because of it - last box on the right. Great view, great sound.
Songs of Sorrow and Despair by Kurtag...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kurtag - yeah, sorry, but that contemporary stuff isn't for me. I might have to listen to it a few more times, but jesus, tough on the ears.
I love Beethoven's Nr. 9, I love classical orchestra music. If you compare the regular pop music to classical orchestra music, it's like 1-D vs. 3-D.
I mean, look at it - in Popmusic, there's a few bits you punch into your pc (I know, I know, it's not THAT easy) and then, on the other side, it's a new song. Tadaa! Here we go, who do we make famous today? I do like popmusic, don't mind a bit of 'Barbie Girl' or 'Hit me baby one more time'.
But it just doesn't move me like classical music - when the strings dwell up to make you feel like you're drowning in sound, it tingles your spine and I feel like I'm hugged by music, so tight that it makes me dwell up.
The Moldau, by Smetana, is one of my favorites. Close your eyes and let the music take you on a journey. The way Smetana makes you feel like you're floating on the Moldau, how the scenery changes with the difference in sounds and instruments...how the emotions change.
These guys, these composers where truly genius. If you ever get the chance to look at scores for big orchestras and choirs, it's amazing how they managed to make it all sound so amazing. So perfect.
I need to get back into the routine of enjoying at least one classical concert per month. In Berlin it was the season ticket to the Opera, let's see what I can find here.
Take the time to listen to classical music and let it give you goosebumps and tingles in your spine...start with easy composers, not the heavy Wagner things. Maybe Bach, maybe Beethoven. It's beautiful, and uplifting. True work of art.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Oh, and...
I'd like to welcome my first follower, Jules. Stay tuned, I'll try to inspire you every day. As always. I'm good at that, right?
...or shall we just go shopping?
Miss you!
...or shall we just go shopping?
Miss you!
Happy Birthday Germany...
it's German Reunification Day...amazing, how I was born into a world of cold war and a parted Germany, and now it's the 20th time that we celebrate the wall coming down. Despite all the Nay-sayers and the definite downsides the Reunification had for the former Western part of Germany, and all the former Eastern Germans who still believe that their regime rocked their socks off - I am a sucker for reunions, and love it.
I loved living in Berlin, it was great to be right in the middle, to breath and live in recent history.
Happy Birthday, Germany. I'm proud of you, and I love being German.
I celebrated the German Reunification Day in Rotterdam with a beautiful, beautiful concert http://www.dedoelen.nl/concertgebouw/index.php?go=agenda.showAgendaDetail&idnr=4262
(Kurtág Songs of Sorrow and Despair were a bit tough on the ear, but other than that, it was fantastic...)
I loved living in Berlin, it was great to be right in the middle, to breath and live in recent history.
Happy Birthday, Germany. I'm proud of you, and I love being German.
I celebrated the German Reunification Day in Rotterdam with a beautiful, beautiful concert http://www.dedoelen.nl/concertgebouw/index.php?go=agenda.showAgendaDetail&idnr=4262
(Kurtág Songs of Sorrow and Despair were a bit tough on the ear, but other than that, it was fantastic...)
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