After returning from my little holiday, i realised there were only three more days of me being able to vote. There was only one location in Los Angeles which i could go to and, due to work, there was only one real day where i could turn up. Friday before 4pm had to be it so i let my supervisor know that my country would be needing me and prepared for the journey.
Los Angeles is not far from Glendora - as the crow flies. Unfortunately i would not be flying on the crow's back. Rather, i would be driving on the I-10 or the 680 or the CA60 or a combination of all three to reach my destination which was, naturally, about as far away as could be while still in an LA post code.
I took off from work at about eleven after some touching up for the week and, donning my Aussie soccer shirt and feeling very patriotic, took off to do my bit for the democracy. The traffic stood in the way. I was just thinking to myself how well i was doing until i hit it. Surely this back up was caused by an accident. Alas, it was just traffic for the sake of traffic. At one stage i was wondering why on earth the car in front and behind had their hazard lights on after merging into their lane. Then i saw a sticker on a window saying "Funeral" and a hearse a bit further up. Surely this is bad luck or a curse on your family or something like that to be in the middle of a procession so i swerved out post haste and almost took a smart car with me.
After some late lane changing, turns down streets i had never heard of and searching for a parking lot, i found myself outside the building which housed the Australian Consulate. Thank you, Siri baby for the directions. It had taken about an hour and a half but, thankfully, i have excellent taste in music.
I felt proud. I am proud to call Australia home. Proud to be able to vote despite being so far away and very proud to feel as though my voice is being heard.
Upon entering the Suite for the consulate, i found myself in a room with a whole bunch of other Australians. ABC was being streamed on the big tv and there was a general chatter. A young, beautiful girl sat at the desk with a distinctly Australian look. I still call Australia home. All of the voting was just off to the side but still visible. There was a bit of a wait and no way of dealing with it but the Aussies handled it in the relaxed, efficient manner i knew they would. I found a seat any old place and the guy next to me said "we are just keeping track of the order. That man over there (he pointed to a young guy in an LA Clippers hat) was last before you came so you will be after him." Many people entered after me and someone always gave that same instruction and everyone smiled, laughed at the simplistic way we were handling it and joined the chatter.
After a little while it became my turn to vote. I knew the drill and required no instruction from the attendant. Just filled out my form and off i went. Up until i got to the booth i planned to vote below the line. Simply because it had been quite an effort to get here and i thought i ought to make the most of it. As i unfurled the paper for the Senate i changed my mind quickly. It just kept unfurling. I could not be that bothered to go through 1-110.
I waved goodbye and left the room happy to have done my duty but not looking forward to the drive ahead. LA traffic was a bitch but, as a good friend put it, at least i did not have to contend with mortars, blackmail, gun fire or any other difficulties to vote.
And so that was it. Until next election, double dissolution or whatever comes, my voice had been heard for Federal Politics. It is something we should be proud of. Something which we respect and something that we do not take for granted. We are responsible for who runs this country and by not voting, voting informally (because donkey voting is not what you think it is) or not taking it seriously, you show contempt and disdain for your country and how it is run.
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