4th November 2022
DIARY ENTRY
Dear Diary
The microwave clock hit has just hit 8.14pm on the first day of freedom for our State. This morning a WA Gov post popped up — State of Emergency ended at 12:01 am.
I left for a walk around 6am. Dazza saluted from behind his toilet-paper citadel (heritage-listed since 2020) and declared the fort open to visitors again. I stood on the corner in Inglewood with a lukewarm long black and listened to the city do “quiet”. No fireworks, just a lone cab on Beaufort St and a wind chime trying to sing the anthem.
On the way home I passed a bin with a faded “Check-In Here” poster clinging on like a stubborn barnacle. I saluted it. Thanks for the memories, mate. Now please fall off.
I texted Mum: “We made it.” She wrote back: “Breathe, love.” So I did. I thought about the neighbours we met at driveway drinks, the nurse on our street who learnt to smile with her eyes, and Uncle Kev’s elbow-bump era.
At 10am some mates and I gathered for morning beers. We clinked reusable cups — a tiny cheer for boring normal. Respect to frontline legends and anyone who carried extra weight we didn’t see.
Plan for tomorrow: pin a “Thanks legends” note on the community board, return two rolls from the treasury, and finally unstick the “Check-In Here” sign (if the tape ever surrenders).
P.S. If I start hoarding yeast again, stage an intervention.
* as depicted by AI - may not factually be correct