A New Year.........

Well we got through Christmas and it went very well.....give or take. We ate and drank too much so now we have to work hard to get rid of those extra kilo's!

It's New Years Eve and I'm trying to mentally prepare myself for work tonight.....not an easy task because we only see the 'bad' people. I have decided I need to balance my life by spending more time with decent people so I don't always think the worst of everyone....an occupational hazard I'm afraid......

Wish me luck for tonight.....hopefully no injuries to any of my crew and maybe for a change everyone will behave and just have fun........here's hoping!

To paraphrase the 'Bard' - "Once more unto the breech dear friends!"

Twas the night before Christmas....

Well it's the afternoon before really........we are wrapping presents and I'm about to cook a magnificent leg of pork (roast...!!!).

We are awash with food for tomorrow as we are doing Christmas lunch for immediate family......last minute decision but I think it will come together nicely. The roast will be interesting as I've never done one before.........fingers crossed!

I have mixed feelings about Christmas due to some recent 'turbulence' and I am hoping the day turns out to be fun......I will be making every effort and may be 'under the weather' for work on Boxing Day (who cares!!!)

For anyone who reads this on or around the day............."Happy Hanukkah....Merry Christmas.....Happy Non-denominational Festive Season" and most of all

"PEACE"

Modern life experiences!

I had a strange day today.....I underwent a medical experience (no, not just for the sake of it) that made me think about how so many things humans do have changed significantly in the time I've been alive.

I caught the train to hospital at midday, was admitted at 12:45, had a surgical procedure at 2:15 and caught the train home arriving at 3:15, all without any pain or need for significant follow up care......how amazing is that? That is something that no one could have dreamt of only 20 years ago and I also appreciate that many people still won't have the same benefits even today!

Now here I sit with 5 stitches in my lower lip and, as I mentioned before, without pain. I certainly realise how lucky I really am.

For the record I had a small black lesion removed that had grown just under the surface of my lower lip......just to be sure it wasn't the 'Australian' cancer (skin!).

If only we spent more time on the good things and less on the weapons

Pay Rise!!!!

After all the bitching and whining I can happily (well sort of!) say we have been given a pay rise....and a good one too! It will make life a lot more palatable and certainly pay for the upcoming holiday!

The small sting in the tail is twofold:-

Now applying for other jobs becomes a little less easy because the wage will always play some part in the decision, and

We were put in a very uncomfortable position in this pay agreement in that we are expected to publicly say we got less than we actually did!! (the Government wants to save face and avoid paying the teachers and nurses a lot more in their pay negotiations......!!!!!)

It makes me feel a little dirty......but I'm going to take it anyway......a man's wife has to live to a standard you know!!!

Bollocks...!!!

I hate applying for jobs......especially when you don't even get an interview!

Very sad face......:-(

Silver!!!!!

Today marks a momentous occasion....not in global terms, but in my world!

My best friend, soul mate, lover, wife, supporter and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. Twenty-five years!

She has been and will be the most important person in my life.....ever!

The only thing I really need to say is :- "I love you and always will!"

It's getting worse...!!!

I thought my last post demonstrated the lowest behaviour possible in a court case........I was wrong.....way wrong!

The witnesses being intimidated all are workers in the same location....and now their supervisor/boss/overlord has started telling them what evidence they should give and what they should leave out.

Now I'm really gobsmacked.........somebody is about to receive a visit from a pelican with a forty foot wingspan...and diahorrea!

Parity....yeah right!

Today we discovered that a defence lawyer was attempting to interfere with (no......honest I just want to chat to them.....!!!) a large group of prosecution witnesses in an upcoming case. This is a first for me.....I've experienced chicanery and dirty tricks in the court room but interfering with witnesses in a blatant manner is not what even the worse legal practiitioners would do....obviously we have moved to a lower level these days.

We spoke to our prosecutor and suggested that we should protect the witnesses by suggesting they avoid this lawyer and we were met with admonishment in the form of "we shouldn't interfere as long as he doesn't threaten them". I suggested we ensure that if they are approached we should also be present to provide some support and was told "that would not be fair on the lawyer"

Bollocks to the lawyer....what about the witnesses......no wonder most people don't want to get involved these days. I'm not sure I do anymore....where's that new job.

A thought.......

I was watching 'Cosmos' the television series by Dr. Carl Sagan the other night in which he said,

"The suppression of theories and ideas, whilst common practise in politics and religion, is not the path to knowledge"

Enough said really..........

Now what's happening....

Well I've been quiet of late so here's the skinny.....

I'm writing some more job applications......counselling a couple of stressed colleagues (well at least trying to!) and tomorrow, which is Saturday we are going to paint some of the house......hopefully!

So I guess you would say things have been quiet....

Oh ....apart from the fact I'm doing two jobs, we had several serious offences to investigate, a suicide by train (always very nasty), the Royal Show is on (it's like a State Fair for those in the US), school holidays have started and the Govt has told us to "get f@$ked" in reference to our pay offer.

It's going to be very interesting when I leave this 'job'....and I'm not the only one jumping ship!

International talk like a pirate day!!!

Did ye talk as a pirate would t'day???

Well I certainly did!!!!! All those scurvy dogs who sail with me seemed confused.....

They thought I was bloody mad!

(They may be right!)

It's the day of the pirates!!!!!!!!!

September 19 is "International talk like a pirate day".........so lets celebrate me hearties!!

If ye do not wish to walk the plank......ye will join us! Aaaaaaarrrgghhhh!!!

Fifteen men in a dead man's chest.........well blow me down and shiver me timbers!!! Now where's me bloody parrot!

Now on a serious note.....the first job application went in today.....wish me well maties!!!!!

Jobs.........

This applying for jobs lark is no picnic............I'd forgotten how stressful it can be.

I hope it turns out to be worthwhile.

Bloody Hell...!!!

The Government has treated us like shit....and this is what happens

This is getting really nasty.......

Quiet calm..........

Today the government updated their offer on our pay negotiations..........it was virtually the same as the first offer.

I should be feeling very angry about this but I find myself strangely calm.....almost alarmingly so!

I want better pay and we all deserve it.....but as I am looking for greener pastures I have suddenly discovered that the arrogance of the W.A. State Government now only seems to make me feel pity......for their stupidity. A large number of Police are going to resign over this......experienced senior staff.....and the Government is going to reap what they have sown.

Good luck...........I'm not going to hang around to suffer the fall-out. Alan Carpenter and John Kobelke.....may the societal detritus you are breeding visit upon you personally.

Now here's the latest news.....

Since my last post I have turned a year older (yes I may be two years older than you for a month little bro but you aren't getting much sleep ...... so I think I'm ahead!). I had a wonderful day out and about with the one I love.

The rally I mentioned was extremely successful in as much as more than 2000 police protested outside parliament, we got national media coverage and the arbitration body is now taking our side in negotiations.....we kicked arse and the politicians know it! They are still not feeling terribly generous towards us but they know we mean business. Anyway I'm looking elsewhere so they can shovel sand up their respective arses!

I am seriously hunting for new employ so things are looking up.....we'll see where things go.

It's about time I started a new batch of homebrew....in fact several batches I think........what about you little bro????

It's been a while....

Since I have said anything. A lot has happened of late....I was on holidays, got sick (tonsilitis!), saw the doctor, got better and now I'm back at work. I didn't get much of the home maintenance done that I had wanted to but sometimes you just have to roll with the punches.

Work is much the same sadly and a very good work friend has been promoted and moved on to better things.....we shall miss her forthright comments to all and sundry....especially those to 'hairplug'!

Tomorrow we are going to do something that has never been necessary for police to do in this state......hold a union rally at the state parliament!!!! It is a bold and somewhat risky move but the politicians that should be negotiating our pay conditions have indicated that we are not important to them....they won't even talk to us about our fair pay and conditions claims.

It's an interesting thought....if this rally got out of hand (which it won't) who would be called to sort it out.........after all we are the police and that's what we would normally do.....interesting thought just the same............

Holidays.....

I'm into the second week of two weeks holiday and as could be expected I came down with some dread disease on the first day.....I am still not well and it is obviously related to my general well-being - yes I know little brother, my job is not good for my health!!!!! I am grateful to my better half for being so understanding but it's not really fair on her.

Today we had lunch with an old work colleague of mine who saw sense some years ago and 'jumped ship' so to speak....she is now working in a federal law enforcement agency on a posting to a tropical island off the east coast of Australia....well she calls it working!!!! Well she and my better half ganged up on me over lunch and it made me think about work....seriously think about work!!!!

I am starting to look around to see what I can do that is better for and too both of us!

Let's see what there is............

Pay Offer....update!

The government has not yet accepted our rejection of their original offer.....two weeks after we made it! Talk about stretching things out. Most of the officers I know are very pissed off......and rightly so. We are being treated very badly, in fact, ignored completely by the government.

To cap it all the minister keeps telling the media and public that we are refusing to negotiate.....what a liar.....we turn up to talk and he sends some junior staff members to tell us "take it or leave it!". Even a politician can't call that negotiating.

It looks like a long struggle ahead......bugger!

Tears of joy.......

There is nothing quite so heartening as hearing the tears of joy coming from a good friend who has been down in the depths for so long.......congratulations to you and 'The Mexican'. You both deserve this news.....now go and enjoy!

The fat lady is singing your song now................!!!!!!!!