Thanks for filling everyone in Paul - Cheers mate that was appreciated!
Thanks also to the others who also offered positive comment which was not unnoticed.
Now to business
Firko said >>>>>>>>
"I've been trying to contact Dave for weeks and weeks. He finally got back to me the week before last, we set aside last Thursday for me to pick up my Ducati engine but when I called to make sure he was going to be there...no answer de phone and no returning my messages.
I know and like Dave but I'm getting a tad annoyed with his inability to return calls and emails. After nearly two years of waiting, I just want my engine back. "
And so my reply is >>>>>>>>.
Mark,
I don't know why you chose to raise a Ducati 250 Mk3 engine rebuild on a thread relating to my little vapour-blasting business which has, thankfully, made me lots of happy customers with zero complaints about time frames, including yourself when I did the Yammy stuff for you while you waited, but you know me well enough to know I will answer either way!
Yeah, that rebuild has been on the simmer for quite a while although I would dispute the two year claim quite vigorously and if I recall I threw it back to you to source parts at the cheapest possible prices eg ebay etc as you said you were strapped for cash and if anyone who knows anything about Ducati's you rarely build them on a St Vinnie DP budget which you are no doubt aware! Their parts are expensive and they are a VERY labour intensive engine to rebuild correctly (shame whoever 'built' your engine before I stripped it down didn't know that - it's pretty shabby as I said to you when we talked about the Thursday pick up).
I know that we arranged for you to come over last Thursday which was all well and good but for one thing.
On Wednesday morning I was recalled to duty to be part of a FRNSW USAR task force to go to the Lockyer Valley where all those poor people lost lives and homes in that order and that to me takes priority so sorry I wasn't available for Thursday as required. Vodafone wasn't working in Gatton where we were based, and I was far too busy with the deployment but Sophie said you didn't ring, nor were any messages left on the answering machine at home, nor did I have any record on my mobile of missed calls or messages when we were re tasked in Brisbane on Sunday where phone contact was restored. I did try and send you a "failed to send" message on the Friday to the effect - "Firko - I'm in Qld with our USAR task force in the Lockyer Valley but should be back early next week" so you weren't forgotten and I will happily keep the message on my phone as proof lest I also be called a liar! A search of my yahoo account also did not have any trace of your contact after last Thursday and given the sort of work we do we don't have direct contact with computers unless it is a screaming necessity as they are used for more important task force work!!!
A mate rang me at the airport in Brissy yesterday and said you were shitty and having a snipe at me in my absence and for that I am sorry but you have known for years I am a rescue trained firey so surely you could have had the smarts to put two and two together. I messaged Paul after that as I know he is often on here to pass on the message which he kindly did.
If you saw the things we saw in our work I doubt your engine would rate as an issue to you and at the time save for trying to get that sms to you it didn't rate with me either, knowing it could be dealt with on my return. In the area of Brisbane we worked we saw people whose whole lives have been brought to a shuddering halt with homes inundated with foetid sewerage polluted water which means their homes are unliveable.
What did strike me though was the indomitable Aussie spirit and the selfless help from hundreds of volunteers who gave up there time to help others in their time of greatest need. Aussie flags were hung out of windows and strung on fences, stalls set up by home owners serving free food and drinks were manned out the front of their homes along with wash facilities, use of toilets etc and for me there was an unbelievable restoration of pride in what most Australians are capable of over-riding other peoples selfish outlook that seems to dominate modern life, or the total drop kicks that sponge off the social security as if it their right!
The people of south west qld had their lives changed forever and we met plenty of old folk who had also lived through the 74 floods - lots of images I will never forget!
A very sobering experience.
Please give freely to any fund raisers as these people really need a helping hand!
Dave Mac
