A practical guide to living, working & traveling in Greece, plus insider tips and personal stories from an American in Athens
April 8, 2008 at 21:46
· Filed under OTE, Personal
Somewhere between tragedy and comedy is my life.
I fully intended to resume posting and have a number of articles nearly finished, however the Fates have a different path for me. Please understand that this is not a post for sympathy. It’s not tragic — it’s a slice of comedy I’ve come to call my life.
Thomas says that if I believe in superstition, this string of bad luck will be followed by a good string…it’s just that some strings are longer than others. Super!!! 
LOL
Friday, our ADSL again went down and has not returned. We have no information on when and if it will.
Saturday, the valve that controls the petrol to our home was found to be broken, and the repairman never showed up on Monday. We’ve not had heat since. As I sat shivering that night and my nerves quite frayed, I started a long list of what I hate about Greece and what my life has become.
Sunday, we found a pool of water in our bedroom. We don’t know where it came from, but the wall was glistening. I also aired out the kitchen and within seconds, a mosquito saw fit to sample me, so I got out the DEET since I’m allergic to mosquitoes. I must now wear poison to cook.
Monday, I’m at work and agree to help a colleague with something in the storeroom. As the closet door is closing, my finger gets slammed between the doors and it’s the kind of pain that leaves you speechless for a second. Luckily, only the skin was pinched so it’s bleeding underneath and not gushing out. Hurts like a m#@&^%.
Today is Tuesday, and I broke down and went to Starcraps to wifi. Unfortunately, their hotspot ain’t that hot and never worked after 2 hours and 6 euros, but I was attacked by a swarm of hungry mosquitoes that I swear have GPS on me. Because of the beautiful weather pointed out by Dio, I resolved to take a walk to console myself, stopped at the store for some groceries and walked home. Not only did I find myself out of shape — although in my defense, I was carrying an extra 8 10 kilos of weight in groceries and laptop — but I locked myself out of the house, was accused by neighbors across the street of breaking into my own house and then had to walk 45 minutes to my fiancé’s workplace to meet him. That’s where I am now, sweating, feeling the burn and laughing.
For those who know what the project is, this has been a trying and challenging time at best. But to quote a song I heard today:
I will not be beaten.
You have yet to see me shining.
Shining – Kristian Leontiou (That’s right, he’s Greek)
Related posts
“Just another day in Hellas”
“OTE: Miracle on Thiseos Street”
“Communications blackout”
“The magic of DSL in Greece“
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First, thanks for the reply!
Dont worry… like my friend Bob says: “every little thing is gonna be alright…”
luc wrote @ April 9th, 2008 at 00:43
I was ready with a warm and heart-felt expression of sympathy, but you’d hate that. You locked yourself out of your own house?… That’s classic comedy!
rositta wrote @ April 9th, 2008 at 02:08
Looks like Mr Murphy (Law) came to visit…hope things get better real soon. I can just picture you trying to break into your house…ciao
graffic wrote @ April 9th, 2008 at 02:09
My best warmer hugs from my little dungeon. I guess you need to disconnect and let your friends take care of you. That’s the reason you (both) are invited for dinner in my dungeon whenever you want. And let me (and perhaps more people) help you to disconnect a bit
Sometimes the life challenges you to give your best. I’m not gonna say I wasn’t angry in those moments, or with my mood lower than my shoes. But after a while you realize that the good things are still there: Your fiance, your friends, your blog, your old mac, your life full of stories. Try to keep them near you.
I wish/send you my best feelings
PS: In the office we got the visit of some flies bomber-size. They don’t bite, but they annoy.
Stathis wrote @ April 9th, 2008 at 11:13
Tragedy is only for the gods dear, for men (and women) there are only dramas
The sun will come out tomorrow.
Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, there’ll be fun.
Just thinking about tomorrow…
This is where I have to end it cos I don’t know the rest! Let’s hope tomorrow (well today really because tomorrow is today and today is now yesterday) is a better day!
Kat wrote @ April 9th, 2008 at 14:24
AA – That’s true. I never stop believing that.
L – Thank you for knowing what I hate and holding back, but please know that I appreciate it nonetheless. I just happen to be the kind of person who soldiers on and doesn’t look back. My neighbor also threatened to call the police on me for trying to get into my own house. Imagine the comedy in that. My fiance will be having words with her.
R – I hope you can also picture me laughing because that’s the first thing I did. My laughing is what caught the attention of my vlaka nosy neighbor, as if I’d make that much noise to break in and rob myself. Filakia
G – You know I love you Graf for the kindness, warmth and friendship you’ve shown me, Mac and Hoff man. I always focus on what’s important, and sometimes when you’re raw, you can feel your emotions more strongly. I don’t mind, in fact I take it all in gratefully. I’ve faced a greater number and much more difficult times than these. These are simple annoyances, like mosquitoes. May I recommend a flip flop for the flies? Shoes and swatters, dual purpose.
S mou – I thought you agreed with me that the world is a stage? Anyway, it’s not tragedy or drama; it’s pure comedy.
ED – So my life is like Little Orphan Annie now? Yeesh.
G – I hate the word adventure. Ultimately, it’s just life. Your last comment was received 3 times, however I can’t publish it for three reasons: a) You don’t know me well enough to know what’s easier or harder for me — there is much that happens behinds the scenes that I do not talk about publicly; b) you inaccurately depict my living situation — I am not on my own, I live with my fiance and living with anyone has pros and cons; c) you do not speak for me or my life — I’m fully able to speak for myself. I realize you were perhaps trying to compliment me on my perseverance, but what you’re saying isn’t true.
Stathis wrote @ April 9th, 2008 at 14:35
The world is a stage -I agree on that- but some events are dramas..
personal or otherwise! The thing that i am trying to say is that:
Drama is real, Tragedy is something unreal, bigger than life. However Life is bigger than Life always..
Kisses Kat
Kat, just look on the bright side. When you reach the bottom as you have, you can only go up.
Cheryl wrote @ April 13th, 2008 at 01:28
At least you got a laugh out of it. I’m also glad to know that I’m not the only one that as a lot of crap happening to me simultaneously. Wouldn’t life be boring if things were to actually work in our favor?
btw-I can’t imagine what was being said as you were accused of breaking into your own home. Where were those neighbors when you were REALLY almost burglarized?!! Aye.
Kat wrote @ April 13th, 2008 at 10:55
The S – I’ve experienced a lot more difficult times than this, so it’s just a matter of perspective, which is the reason I find this period ironic and funny.
C – I hear you, but I still maintain that my life isn’t in need of this type of irritation. I prefer to choose my challenges and enjoy my life. I’m silly that way
Because I was laughing, talking on the phone and alternately trying my key, apparently that caused her to come on the balcony to watch me. Honestly, I don’t know why she didn’t recognize me; she spies on us from across the way whenever our outer doors are open. It’s the typical story of people being nosy when it’s none of their business, and doing nothing when it matters.
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Kat Reply:
April 9th, 2008 at 20:33
Fair enough, but my use of the word ‘tragedy’ was ironic not serious. I meant it more in Aristotle’s sense in that it’s really a misadventure (which is a theme on this site). Filia