‘What to do’ is my perennial lament.

I have wondered this aloud many times. Usually for matters that are outside my scope of comprehension, beyond my control or just … don’t know. And, they can be stuff that happen at the micro, personal level or the macro, national or global level.

Anyway, I say this quite a lot about life. The point or pointlessness of it. Then, I’d resort to my oft-said ‘what to do.’ Not in a question mark kind of way that requires an answer. No, it’s a statement of fact. More or less. There’s nothing to be done or can be done.

And, that was how it was with the ‘replacing-our-water-pipes-cum-renovation’ saga. It took a long while to happen. The actual work was completed in under three months, which felt like a mightly long time. The choice of contractors was limited. They were generally ok except for Wong and his sub-contractors.

Wong promised everything and delivered very little. He claimed that he was a main contractor, which he probably is, with his own team of workers who would do the hacking and tiling works. He didn’t. He subcontracted the job. The subbies, well they were a nightmare. He did not supervise nor was present onsite unless we asked to meet with him.

I sent Wong the water bill that his subbies had ran up. No response. For the cement and stones in the floor traps, he has ‘agreed’ to pay our plumber for the clean-up job. The end result of the tiling works is pretty good but the process to get there was not. ‘What to do.’

We hired Alvin to fix our water pipes and bathroom fixtures. He did an excellent job laying the pipes but the toilets, well…

Alvin was the appointed plumber with the experience and knowledge. We laid our trust and confidence in him. We had expectations of him, which was he would fix the plumbing and bathroom fixtures including the toilets. And, we would have clean, running water and spanking new bathrooms. Hmm. We did/do. Plus, smelly smells that wasn’t part of the expectation/deal.

It took a bit of sleuthing and research to conclude that the toilets, although not conclusively, were the possible culprits. The paint and/or shellac used on the doors were also suspects. Alvin was willing to make right and/or as right as he possibly could. I know.., he should do anyway, but he could’ve chosen to be bloody minded and refused a re-do. The toilets have now been re-installed with an extra plumbing bill. Hmm. ‘What to do.’

This might sound like a moan, and it probably is. We got two cleaners, Hajar and Sheila, to clean our condo, over a period of four weeks. To gradually rid the dirt and dust as we were nearing the end of our ‘replacing-our-water-pipes-cum-renovation.’ Each session was four hours. Both girls are in the cleaning industry, the ‘experts’ in what they do. They were always busy dusting, cleaning, washing, and mopping during each of the four-hour clean. At no time did they take a break or appear to skive off. They did a good job.

Yet, these are two ‘what to do’ examples. Hajar proclaimed that a huge dirt mark on our bedroom floor could not be removed as she had tried several times. I didn’t attempt it myself because she said so, until I decided I would. The mark is no longer there. And, the bathroom windows that Sheila worked hard at but didn’t quite manage to clean completely. She was diligent based on the amount of muck on the windows that transferred onto her t-shirt. Then… Ah Huat and his shower screen team came along, and absolutely nailed the cleaning. The windows are spotless now. Hmm.

It was a somewhat ‘what to do’ situation after my cast was removed. I had expected advice and instruction because I assumed that’s what the doctor, with the education and expertise, would impart to me. Didn’t happen. I still had to pay a chunk of money for the ‘service.’ Hmm.

Shortfalls also happen with the quality of products and services bought online and offline. Sometimes, I complain. Sometimes, I cannot be bothered. Those are my ‘what to dos.’

It’s the same with certain things that occur on the national or global stage. People in power quickly forget they were voted in by the people. I shall not call them leaders as they are not. They are merely politicians. The policies they make. Laws they introduce. Actions they take. Lives they impact. I get upset. It’s unfair. It’s not right. ‘What to do.’

Maybe, find replacements for contractors, plumbers, doctors, cleaners, politicians. Theoretically, yes. Practically, who would be the replacements? Realistically, will the replacements be any better? Don’t know. Stick with the devil/s you know. Not really. So, ‘what to do.’ Hmm.