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Entries Tagged as 'government'

Largeman’s Run

August 9th, 2011 2 Comments

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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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? […]

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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 […]

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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? […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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