Here’s a little parable for you...
2 and a half months ago, I went for a ride... its not a new bike, but its all mine.
SPLAT! ~ bug on the windscreen!... I’ll just pop into this servo and wash the window
“Gee, buddy,” says the pump attendant... ‘'That’s a bad crack under your headlight...and on the side panel...
better get it seen to... there’s a bike shop right over there”
Then the guy in the bike shop says “Got replacement bitz here, but you got a transmission leak ... better let the mechanic take a looksee”
Mechanic says “Just a minor leak, no biggie, but can you hear that engine knock?... man, that’s trouble!”
So, I order an engine rebuild, a set of gaskets for the transmission leak, two new bitz to replace the cracked ones, and book the bike in
for a full repaint at the spray booth next door (as they couldn't colour match the new bitz), full service and tune,
and two new tyres to replace the ones which mysteriously rotted away in the puddle of transmission fluid on the
floor of the workshop. As an added freebie bonus, they even topped up my window washer bottle, tuned my radio,
greased the antenna, polished my heated grips, snarfled my GPS mounting bracket, replaced my hi-beam fluid, and hornswoggled my thingamyjig.....
NOW they tell me that I can only ride on SOME roads, but only on Wednesday afternoons, and in fine weather,
because each and every Tuesday and Thursday, I am expected to rock up at the car wash for the 'Tub- Thumping-
Hallelujah- Brother!' Festival for the next two months, with a group of other riders who had a bug on their windscreen,
or leaky transmissions.
Now, to put this into context.....
All good here, but sick of the runaround I am getting from this local medical practice.
I initially went to see them because of an umbilical hernia. (the bug on the windscreen)
NOTHING has been done about it, Doc has not even looked at it, I have been fobbed off to see
Podiatrist, “those bike boots are unacceptable, buy some new shoes... THIS brand is ok” (and cost a squillion dollars)
..and of course, they are exactly what I need for riding the bike (NOT!)
Optician, (new glasses... cost me $450) Dietician, who is a pain in the butt “You MUST eat this, you CAN’T eat that
... you MUST eat cereal for breakfast!” (I hate cereals, and haven’t eaten breakfast for 45 years) All she did was
cause me to throw up daily, after attempting breakfast for a week.) "Pre-packed frozen diet meals are the best idea.."
(Yeah, sure.... at $15 per day for two undersized feeds?.... obvious that SHE isn't on a pension...)
Then we get to the 'Hallelujah' Festival.
Diabetes specialist (who wants me to attend 2 hourly ‘lectures’ with a group twice a week for two months ),
regarding what to eat and when, how to test your sugar levels, exercise classes, sleeping habits, and other
equally ridiculous topics.
... ain’t gonna happen... I have better ways of wasting my time.
Sugar levels have all been well within the acceptable range for the past 2 months,, and the finger pricker thingamyy
wont work any more, so the test kit has been chucked into the cupboard. So, I have cancelled all further appointments.
All they have achieved is to cause extremely high stress levels, and I have trebled my smoking rate to 30+ per day
Its just a money-grab.
(Maybe the Ultra- Sonic Electronic blood sugar reading device can be re-programmed to repel ants and cockroaches?)
So, I will just continue with the changed diet and medications etc, and they can all go and whistle.
I might look for a new 'mechanic' who actually does the work that is requested, instead of referring me to his dodgy mates.
