It's hot. The lady on the seat in front of me is fanning herself with a piece of paper because the air-conditioning unit on the bus is struggling to keep up with the heat and it's only 7am. There are bush-fires burning all around the city, billowing smoke in to the sky which in turn … Continue reading Dress for the job you want
Author: Jack Brumby
I thought they were making me a spy.
Instead they made me a data analyst.
So now I am going to be a writer.
Data Security
Data security is kind of a big deal. No, scrap that. No 'kind of' about it. Data security is really big fucking deal. Trust me. Not only do I whittle away the best hours of the best days of the best years of my life as a data analyst within a state government department but … Continue reading Data Security
Guy
Let me tell you about 'Guy'. His name is not actually Guy. At least, I don't know if that is his name. You see I don't know what his name is so in my head I nicknamed him Guy. I initially called him 'Friendly Asian Guy' but the departmental habit of shortening everything to acronyms … Continue reading Guy
Fire Drill
Greg stalked around the corner, back from his meeting, looking every bit a man ready for action. I watched as he strode past my desk without a second glance. His normal jovial demeanour was gone, replaced with a pursed mouth lurking under his greying ginger beard. He leaned over Rachel's cubicle wall and whispered something … Continue reading Fire Drill
One-on-One Combat
Thrust, parry. Thrust, parry. Thrust, parry. We retreat to our safe spaces and eye each other warily. My opponent is dangerous and obviously well trained in the nuances of one-on-one combat. They have the slight positional upper hand but so far they have not launched an all out attack. They have been happy to remain … Continue reading One-on-One Combat
The Devil’s in the Detail (Part One)
I have always considered myself a nice guy and yes I know that, according to any number of pop culture references, nice guys finish last. So what? What does that actually mean? Last in what? I contemplate this idea as I begin my slow trudge home from the bus stop. The concept of nice guys … Continue reading The Devil’s in the Detail (Part One)
The Waitress
Why doesn’t she remember me? I eat breakfast here at least three days a week, sitting at the same table, ordering from the same girl and yet she does not even show a hint of recognition. I am beginning to think that my playful banter is less charming than I give myself credit for. She … Continue reading The Waitress
Love at First Sight
I'm not one for all that love at first sight bullshit but this was different. My gaze fell up on her from across the room and my heart beat spiked instantly. She was gorgeous - a wonderful full-bodied specimen dressed in white, with only a glimpse of her caramel skin shining through, and curves in … Continue reading Love at First Sight
Saturday Night
Saturday night. The party night. The pinnacle of the weekend. The time when everything feels great. That moment in which work can be completely forgotten about - far enough removed from Friday afternoon and yet not close enough to Monday to warrant worrying about work. Saturday night is that wonderful time when a few casual … Continue reading Saturday Night
My Greatest Fear
My face contorts under the dull orange glow, My lip aggressively chewed - time is running low. My heart pumps and jumps, faster and harder; My mind knows that I cannot go much farther. The other people fly straight by, content in their hurry- No abject stress, crushing doubt, or depressing worry. They all seem … Continue reading My Greatest Fear
Jack Brumby 