Holiday.....

We're due for a holiday........both of us really need a break. I can tell I need a holiday because today I picked a fight with my boss.....four times and somehow walked away without penalty (not a wise move in law enforcement - senior officers don't like being told they are wrong or stupid! Yes I did both:-o)

We are going on holiday in April thankfully........I just have to get that far without opening my mouth once too often! It's promises to be a really good holiday and we'll get to see family who have moved away........We can't wait! We both need to get away from our jobs and become people again.

New places and different ways to get around....time to expand the mind and life experiences.

Must work on my patience and restraint.....only six weeks and four days to go...but who's counting!!!!

Star gazing......

I have a small telescope which I use from time to time.....looking at the Moon and Venus mostly.

The other night 'L' and I spent a very pleasant couple of hours on a lawn in front of a University of Western Australia building looking at parts of the cosmos through some very expensive telescopes.....we went to University Summer School and did an astronomy class. It was way cool!!!

We saw the Moon so closely that I'm sure I saw the glint of the the remains of the lunar landing module.....and the impact stress fractures radiating from the Tyco crater....amazing stuff! We saw Pleiades (the only stars mentioned in the Bible apparently) and the Orion Nebula.....now that's really cool!

Now I want a really big telescope to see everything I can........mmmmmm more money needed, must win Lotto!!!

Hot............

I know we live in the 'sunburnt' country but last weekend was bloody ridiculous..........three days over 42 degrees C (that's around 110F for any US readers) and that's too bloody hot. You could get sunburn indoors at that temperature.

The only good thing was that most of the Australia Day 'idiots' failed to make a showing during the celebrations....sadly the air-conditioning at work failed and wasn't fixed until yesterday which has been somewhat testing (it was 46 C in the building at 7.00 pm on Australia Day)....lots of people with access to firearms, capsicum spray and stun guns in a very bad mood is a recipe for disaster. It's a good thing it's cooled down today.

Unfortunately it's going to happen again in two days time.....over the weekend again so no gardening or outdoor renovations for this little pirate.........Aaaaaarrgh I may have to watch the cricket me hearties!!!! Bummer.......! Now where can I find a Kiwi to flog......the Poms are no challenge.

Exercise.........

I'm not one who finds any type of exercise enticing or appealing in any way......not a natural athlete by any stretch.

I got a new bike for Christmas.....from my better half (a gentle hint maybe?)

I have been cycling to and from work every day when possible and I try to manage about four times a week....I try anyway! I have found it quite enjoyable and it seems to be having a positive effect on my ample midriff....well I can see and feel a difference. At my age I know I need to take care of myself and that's what this is about.

At least the weather has been pretty good so far....some very hot days ahead unfortunately so we'll see how my enthusiasm and resolve cope. I must concentrate on the good aspects.

New Years Eve.........

Well......I survived and so did all my crew. No injuries and generally less trouble than previous years!

Then the real fun began........

I had been in bed at home for about 15 minutes when I was woken by banging on the front door and horrendous wailing. I couldn't imagine what was happening and I obviously had to deal with whatever it was. I opened the door to find a very drunk and distressed lady who was shouting something about being followed and harassed.......oh great I thought I'm going to have to confront a psychopath or rapist....just my luck! I headed out of the yard and found a neatly dressed young fellow standing in the driveway talking on his mobile phone....to police as it happened! He explained that this lady had run into his parked car several streets away, pushing it onto the footpath and after giving him a few different names she had tried to leave the crash scene before police arrived (remember she's pretty drunk!).

It was at this point I began to realise that he was not an offender but most likely the victim. I tried to talk to the lady who had started to shout at the young guy but she wasn't interested in calming down. When I told her that the police were coming she started to ramble about having a brother who was a policeman and she didn't care. I then realised that she was looking to leave so I identified myself as a police officer and suddenly I went from saviour to "arrogant c**t" to use her words. Fortunately the cavalry arrived and she was taken away and charged.........the young fellow was most grateful and then I got to go back to bed.................

Imagine having such a bad night that after getting drunk you run into a parked car on a well-lit street, give several obviously false names, try to do a runner and then end up knocking on the door of the house of the only policeman in the area in the hopes of getting away from the poor sod you ran into.....you wouldn't by a lottery ticket on the strength of that....would you!

I guess that's some of the justice I've been missing..............

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.