Sunday 20 November 2022

Just grabbing a few moments in my busy schedule update the blog and bring a little bit of joy and amusement into your daily lives.

As you know I have been working as an Electoral Officer (EO) for the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) in an Early Voting Centre (EVC).  Last week I worked five days for a minimum of five hours per day, and at the end of each day I was knackered, nearly so tired I struggled to make my Vodka & Tonic (V&T).  How on earth did I work 8 - 10 hours per day 5 days and often 6 days a week when I was working in a proper job.

So far I have actually enjoyed the VEC work, the people I am working with are in the main good to work with a couple of exceptions, but I won't dwell on that here, suffice to say that I am glad that I am not trying to manage a couple of the staff.

I had an interesting experience the other day.  It was about 7.50am and myself and another EO were waiting outside the office door as it was locked and we couldn't get in to start our 8.00am shift.  An important looking lady walked up, punched in the key code to unlock the door and as she opened the door she asked who we were, we both introduced ourselves with our names and told her that we were working in the EVC.  She introduced herself to us as the "Assistant Regional Electoral Manager" but no name!   Without even thinking I said "do you have a name"? 

She then told us her name and swept past us into the office area that they were using.  Bloody public servants, fancy introducing yourself with your self-important job title!

Probably put the kybosh on my burgeoning public service career.

Talking about things amusing, a couple of funny doggy stories from my walk today, well I think that they are funny anyway.

Whilst out on my walk this morning, I came across a couple of people walking a French Bulldog, as I walked past the dog had a bit of a sniff at me and I asked if I could pat it and they said that it would be OK.  I gave the dog a couple of pats on the head and I said to the couple "I suppose in France he would be just a Bulldog" which I thought was pretty funny, like in France French Onion Soup is just soup.  Anyway they appeared to be somewhat underwhelmed by my comment so I kept on walking.

A Bulldog in France

A little later outside the supermarket there was a lady with a child in a pusher and a Dalmation on a lead.  Once again the dog sniffed me I and I asked if I could pat it and was given the OK.  So I gave the dog a bit of a pat and I asked the lady of the dog had a "spotless pedigree", which of course is the traditional Dalmation joke. Once again the response to my attempt at doggy humour was somewhat underwhelming - as in there was no response.

Some Dalmatians enjoying a frolic by a river

At least I got to pat two dogs.

Obviously given my role with the VEC I am unable to make comment on the current political shenanigans leading up to the election next Saturday.  There is enough there to write a book, but I suppose that will have to wait.

Nothing much to report on the Covid front apart from the fact that it is still with us and people are still dying from it or with it.  The latest figures released by the state government tell us the an average 7 Victorians a day are dying with covid and covid related hospital admissions are going up.

Naturally the government won't be releasing too many adverse covid figures in the week before the election.

Interesting table below, those Gibraltarians are doing well with nearly 125% of the population having received their first covid vaccination.  They must be counting the monkeys as well as the people, anyway, well done on achieving those figures.  (Google Gibraltarian monkeys, I think that you will find it interesting).

Vaccinations

Sat 19 Nov - Doses Administered 0+

COUNTRY	FIRST	SECOND	THIRD
Chile	94.1%	92.1%	142.4%
Gibraltar	124.9%	122.9%	107.9%
Japan	82.8%	81.7%	102.0%
Belgium	79.6%	78.8%	98.4%
Taiwan	91.4%	86.0%	89.1%
Malta	92.7%	91.3%	87.6%
Hong Kong	91.2%	89.3%	82.3%
Uruguay	86.1%	83.0%	81.8%
New Zealand	83.9%	80.7%	66.5%
Australia	86.5%	84.3%	55.6%