Dave's not here

a few days ago, Ice Head Dave was again at the mall in Coburg doing his frantic walking back and forth. Now before you get upset with me for being insensitive - that is all I know him as. Happy Drunk Barry introduced him as such when he was losing it one day

"Ice head Dave, don't worry about him, he's alright. By the way, I'm Happy Drunk Barry"

you might know of both these people from an earlier blog entry, Yeah Nah (17/9)

here's the thing. On this day, Ice Head Dave is firing on all cylinders. Within a brief moment of time he did three things - whilst darting past me he rambled,

"I can't believe you stole me mate's motor cycle jacket!"

which is funny, because I didn't. Next he was standing near the passenger side window of a car, with a look that displayed an intent to break into it. Finally, after frantically walking down the mall and back again, he circled around this guy on a motor scooter with a look that displayed an intent to kick his bloody head in. I stood near the guy on the scooter and Ice Head Dave frantically walked away.

when I got home I went onto Facebook and saw an ad from the local Federal member, stating if you need, or know of anyone who needs assistance, please call me. So I replied on Facebook, talking about all the homeless and drug affected people outside the library at the mall in Coburg. How they need assistance, especially in this time of curfew. Less than a kilometre from your office

silence

so I called and I know what the answer was going to be

"That would be a State issue"

not even a sorry, that would be a State issue. Maybe a caveat in the ad stating that as a Federal member this is what I can actually do for anyone who needs assistance. I can only wonder just how long that list would be.

In a strange piece of coincidence, later that day a candidate for the local council elections finally returned my call. This call would have to have been one of the most, how can I put it? .... depressing calls I have ever received in my life. Even at hello, her whole voice screamed I don't want to talk to you. Or anyone, for that matter. All I wanted to know was the actual date of the election because it didn't appear on the flyer. Then, with a magical blend of disinterest and depression, she replied - 

"The actual election is on October 23rd. Mail in balloting begins on the 5th. You'll be getting a ballot in the mail

then - I swear. She let out a sigh. Conveying please, let this be over. I thought that whilst this beacon of light was here, I might as well ask about an issue I was concerned with. Because of the new Moreland station, they destroyed the Gandolfo Gardens. I wish that they would try to restore it to some semblance of it's former glory.

"That would be a State issue"

well, you got my vote