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00:38 - 16.12.05
ups and downs
Yesterday wasn't good dear diary. We had to give some of our cats to the humane society. Just too many for the house. No time to care for them was the biggest issue. All the same, I cried for the entire day and I think my youngest did a lot of the same. All the cats were traumatized to some degree too. They've always seemed to mourn when we adopt one of their number out and this time it was more than half. My Dad and sister came by to take some of the smallest ones to a pet store where the owner felt they would have no trouble finding them homes. Too bad she hadn't been able to help during the summer, but I guess that some is better than none. Got into work about 4:30 pm after getting enough self control back to cope. A lot of details meant that my focus just stayed on the work. No time for anything else. My assistant went out to a dinner theater function, so I was on my own for that time.

On the way to work this morning news of a house fire in the community one over. Two young girls dead and two more in the hospital. Arrived at work and just got settled when the phone rang. The gentleman who came to see me who is the head of security for the Iraqi vote asked me to come by while the voting was going on. I couldn't on Monday or Tuesday, but he called again today and seemed very eager for me to witness what was occurring. My assistant and I walked across the street and down one block to get to their offices. He was overseeing what might have become an altercation in the parking lot when we arrived, so we watched as he handled the issue. Very professional - standing back to let the Iraqis work it out among themselves, but also with his own presence and that of a couple of police cars calming things down. We didn't feel uncomfortable at the site, although I suspect a lot of Canadians might. The head of security showed us up to the offices and after we had gone through several security checks we were allowed into the voting areas. There were Iraqis from all over Canada and the US attending to vote and there were a number of Iraqi officials, some of whom seemed very well known. We were allowed to witness the casting of the votes and were also allowed to examine a specimen ballot. A lot of really good thought went into the process from what I could see.

Next we were ushered in to the technical specialists'room and met a retired Returning Officer turned international specialist. I've spoken with her before, but never met her face to face. She seemed to be finding some of the work a little challenging, but also appeared to have things under control. We talked about some of the details that were an issues, then got on to the topic of Elections Canada and the senior staff. She asked if I would like to come in as an observer for the count tomorrow if she could get permission from the Iraqi management. I said I would love to, of course. I asked Elections Canada for permission and the most senior staff said no emphatically. Seemed to be the theme today with my other requests too. Oh well. Guess it's one of those very rare times when not being one of the pet ROs did actually hurt.

Work was focussed on cleaning up more problems with just about every process. A call from the printer revealed major problems with the polling station database. We can't do a mobile poll in a hospital for example, because one has to be a local elector to be able to vote. A lot of patients wouldn't qualify since they come from all over the Provinces as well as Calgary for treatment. The law states that it be done a very specific way that is very difficult to explain. The tech couldn't seem to understand that no matter how he asked the question he would not receive the answer he was looking for - that it could remain the way head office had set it up. I don't know how many ways one can say "it's the law" without it registering with the person one is speaking with. Confirmed another candidate and then there were three. He picked up his next layer of paper and went happily off to his campaign. We started training our polling station supervisors last night and continued on tonight. Lots of people eager to get involved. One campaign worker trying to cause trouble for the receptionist, but she was quick enough to realize what was happening and referred it to me. Called that campaign office to ensure that they understood the legislation with respect to mail in ballots is very stringent. Big fines and jailtime for tampering. Guess that person forgot that part of the act.

Got home to find a lot of email. One from the sister of one of our office staff. She collapsed enroute to a family funeral and is in the hospital. Discharge may not be for at least a month. Next up from my friend working in Palestine. She is still really feeling overwhelmed, but seemed calmer than last post. She was more interested in stories from here. One from the woman who was using my email address by mistake in the fall just wishing me a Happy Christmas. A card from the one cousin in Australia and I think that's all I have to say today. Good night dear diary.

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