If a broken-in cricket glove could speak, it would sound like Largeman, Winona’s old-school-Kiwi uber-boss at the Department of Stodge. He has a baritone that evokes the plummy newsreel voiceovers of yore, slightly muffled, rumbling with deep, slightly indistinct amusement. He understands why she’s moving on. She’ll do grandly in Marianne Swatch’s department. You go […]
Entries Tagged as 'government'
On The Rocks
May 19th, 2011 Comments Off on On The Rocks
There was a nervy little gathering at Wazzer’s bar on Wednesday night. Wazzer’s had a tiring day, and she’d rather go home, but her landlady, Willow, is coming by. Wazzer had been ascribing the Friday-level crowds on a Wednesday to the sunshine outside. But it seems there was another reason behind all the white-collar eating […]
Tags: government · politics
The Underwater Museum
December 29th, 2010 1 Comment
“What d’you want to do?” “I don’t know. What do you want to do?” A pause. All the money has been spent at the Boxing Day sales. Bilious livers cry out for a little mercy between Christmas and New Year’s. A walk would be Just The Thing, or better yet, a beach excursion. Unfortunately, the […]
Tags: geography · government · te papa · tourism
The People’s Choice
September 27th, 2010 Comments Off on The People’s Choice
Winona and Will went to City Market this morning and have just enjoyed the illusion of cooking. After unwrapping and plating their dinner, they are having a glass of wine, some cheese, and a discussion about the local body elections. Their election paperwork is spread out on their retro coffee table. Who to vote for? […]
Tags: government · old city · Wellington · will · winona
The Prisoners of Policy
August 23rd, 2010 Comments Off on The Prisoners of Policy
At the Department of Stodge, Winona has noticed an odd stream of people going to Jen’s desk. “Jen, can you…†Each time, Jen gives them a knowing smile and bustles off with them. Winona decides to have a Manager Moment with her about it. “Jen, I was just looking for you. Were you at a […]
Tags: government · jobs
113 Years On
August 18th, 2010 1 Comment
Let’s eavesdrop on some of Wellington’s movers and shakers, gathered in a penthouse flat. “…generating dollars per hour…” “…they want me to start this contract in Geneva as soon as possible, the problem is the paperwork that the U.N. requires…” “…extremely busy, no sign of the recession…” “…I say, this pinot noir is tasty. Penfold’s? […]
Tags: government · social mores · style
If a budget falls in the forest and nobody spends it…
June 30th, 2010 Comments Off on If a budget falls in the forest and nobody spends it…
News flash – government spending is up. Way, way up. All the government departments are trying to spend their annual budgets before the financial end-of-year deadline of June 30th. Freelancers and contractors stick around town, despite the ghastly June weather. Between projects wrapping up “for the 30th” and shell games involving fungible advance invoicing, this […]
Tags: government
IAWL Likes…Crowdsourcing a Scandal
June 16th, 2010 5 Comments
In response to the recent MPs-charging-personal-items-to-their-credit-cards scandal, a website is enlisting all of us to review MPs’ credit card receipts. And we are replying. I saw this when it first went up yesterday: 18 hours later, over 50% of the available receipts have been reviewed. Utterly fascinating.
Tags: government · social mores
It’s About Time
May 19th, 2010 Comments Off on It’s About Time
Winona has received a job offer from the Department of Stodge. She is not surprised. Twenty years ago, an offer like this would have meant a job for life. Everyone knows that it isn’t, anymore. But the employee selection system around it is still constructed as if this had not changed. Winona has been through […]
Tags: government · jobs · will · winona
The Department of Stodge
May 5th, 2010 1 Comment
Sit bolt upright on the edge of your seat, rigid as a post, and you’ll have the same posture as Winona, who is in the middle of her job interview. On her way in, she surveyed the Department’s location with interest. They are tucked into the bad side of an office tower in the middle […]
Tags: government · jobs · old city · winona