Although this blog is for Maria’s antics, her daddy’s antics are integral to Maria’s well-being and state-of-mind. I talked to Manolis this evening. His asshole boss wanted him to go to work Thursday or find another job. That would be less than a week off after getting out of the hospital, not the recommended 10 days. I expected him to call Sunday (every 2 days); when I called him Monday to see what was up, he said he was too weak to call the day before (he has to walk to a pay phone, his cell won’t call the US), but he’s feeling better and he’s pretty sure he’ll probably be ok to work Thursday.
Then his AHB (asshole boss, who I hope doesn’t read English or know about this blog) wanted him to go into work today!!! (which is Wednesday there–about 5 days after he got out of the hospital). He said he and his boss (the captain) have to go to the nearby town to talk to the Port Authority, something about the doctor not clearing him to work yet and maybe the captain getting in trouble because he wants him to work. I couldn’t understand what he was saying exactly, but it didn’t sound good, and it sounds like his boss is pissed at him. Maybe the doctor’s report goes to the agency that manages his seaman’s book (which tracks his work time for retirement, licensing, etc), so they have to get special permission for him to work against doctor’s orders??? It pisses me off that the guy is so mean! (One of Manoli’s friends said, “That’s a Greek for you!”) This is a guy he’s worked for for about 15 years or so, so he knows Manoli isn’t a flake.
He only needs to work 10 more days to qualify for retirement, but we’d both like him to come home with some money, so we’re both hoping he can stick it out for the season–without seriously risking his health, of course.
I might be projecting, but Maria seems better when she hears her daddy’s voice periodically.