When the lady (in question) noticed that I was staying in the apartment more than necessary - and that I was really depressed, not to act (more than necessary) - she hugged me.
What's up honey? Is it tibica again?
It goes without saying that tears welled up in my eyes - after all, I am poor, without a father, and recently also without a mother - and I immediately admitted to the lady that the indoor air-conditioning unit in my office (The Office for Sustainable Suburban & Rural Development) had leaked - and that I can't call a repairman (air conditioner) - because I don't have one, so I don't have one - that's when I burst into tears - those 10 euros - how much do repairmen charge for coming, diagnosing the fault and estimating the repair costs.
Uh, uh, it's good, said the lady. And I thought it was a tibica again.
So I got 10 euros from the lady - in cash - and a promise that SHE would! bear the costs of repairing the air conditioning in my office - up to 40 euros (which is a total of 50). And in case that amount is not enough to repair the defect - we will have to consult...
And another, I said, 10 euros for fuel. I'm begging you love. If you have. And I am your slave, while there are songs and sevdah.
You will have to walk, he says. For the shins. Or to drive bys. So when you get below 100, we'll consult...
When The Master appeared - we watched the indoor air conditioning unit for a while - speechless. I told him to cap only when that air conditioning unit is running (I couldn't think of anything smarter). He ignored my statement - but still listened to the sad story about the indoor air-conditioning unit that drips when it is working - constantly shaking his head - left, right. He never took his eyes off the indoor air conditioning unit - as if he expected that unit to speak at any moment. Then I went to the garden and sat in the lingestul, under the mulberry tree - in the thickest, thickest shade - while the maestro simultaneously fiddled with both air-conditioning units - both the outside and the inside.
There was gasping, moaning, huffing, groaning, hissing, whining, mumbling - this is how the masters let their customers know how demanding the operations they are actually performing - that after some - no more than 20 minutes - he would appear in front of me and say that he would now everything should be fine - but he's not entirely sure - and that's why he won't charge anything, for now.
Let her work for a few hours, he says. If it doesn't drip, if everything goes well, you owe me 15 euros. If it leaks, I'll have to come again...
And what do you think - did it leak?
Of course it leaked - but it leaked less than before the intervention. Significantly less - just a few drops here and there. Which means that the master is on the trail of a solution. A little more twist here and there and it's done. I called him and he said that he will come - as soon as he does something in Dajbabe (in Dajbabe).
And here - it's still gone...
It is also possible that I am exaggerating. Maybe those few drops aren't something I should get excited about after all. This is CG after all. This is the year 2020 after all, etc.
***
When I noticed an excavator at the intersection of Blaža Jovanovića and Mehmeda (Meša) Selimovića streets, my timid (I almost wrote - noble) blood boiled.
I am talking about Block V in Podgorica, about the street that is parallel to Dalmatinska and the street that is the border between Block V and Block VI.
We have: an excavator, a container (gray, of serious dimensions, I assume for tools, changing clothes, maybe even for a guard) and about a dozen, let's say, cubic meters of construction - some beams, some so-called colerice. Just right, I thought, to fence off the construction site. And when they dig a hole, like the one under Ljubović (on UP 82, KP 3826/1, KO Podgorica III, Podgorica - in the scope of DUP Zabjelo - Ljubović, Changes and additions) - then it's too late.
The last time I tried to get information by phone about the happenings in the physical space of the Capital City - and to each of those numbers that are properly registered on the website of the Ministry of Sustainable Development and Tourism (MORiT, Directorate for Inspection Affairs and Licensing) - regarding the works on the roof of the building in Karađorđeva Street (on the north-east side, across from Karađorđeva Park), which were not in accordance with the conceptual solution to which uncle Duško, the current chief state architect at the time, had previously given his consent - I failed to get anyone. And I tried, for days, countless times, on each of those numbers, as I said.
I would be happy if there was one phone number - and one person who would be on duty next to that phone - like the city employees who, at one time, were on duty next to the mayor's water machines. That person would answer us, the citizens of the Capital City, to all inquiries related to events in the area - politely and in detail.
What is happening at the intersection of Blaža Jovanovića and Meša Selimovića streets, please? They are building a roundabout! Oh, thank you very much. And just tell me more, please, is there a plan to build a roundabout at the intersection of Dalmatinska and Moskovska streets? You don't know. Thank you, every day. And who should I ask? Mayor Vuković! OK, I'll send the mayor a few questions. They say he doesn't answer questions, but come on, I'll send him questions anyway. And just to ask you again, excuse me, this is the last question - is the planning document entitled "DUP "Blok 5" in Podgorica, amendments and additions", from 2010 - still in force? You don't know. Who should I ask? OK, Vuković. So the mayor knows everything. I'll ask him. Thank you.
I admire Dombi, let's face it. He's been so active lately that I sometimes think he's multiplied into several Dombies.
***
If we take into account that behind the "Competition for conceptual urban-architectural solution of Independence Square in Podgorica" stands the capital of Podgorica, i.e. the main architect of Podgorica, our Filip - then the most bizarre coincidence, related to this whole incredible nonsense, is that Fićko, at the same time , and president of the Association of Architects of Montenegro.
If he were lucky, as he is not - all architectural and urban competitions in Montenegro would be announced by a professional body - i.e. SACG - or local associations of architects - which is the practice everywhere in the civilized world. When this "fashion" will arrive in these virtuous regions of ours - remains to be seen.
Until then...
Comrade GPGA, and at the same time president of SACG, dear Fićko (do you allow me to call you Fićko?), did you announce the mentioned competition in the capacity of GPGA, or in the capacity of president of SACG? Or in both capacities, simultaneously?
Bonus video:
