Three Monkeys, Ten Minutes

I think I said that the last time I mentioned my dear departed workplace. Now it really has fallen into the abyss.

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-06-05/viq-solutions-australia-court-transcription-winding-down/106763466

It looks like they tried to sell it, after the company tanked back in March and they called in the receivers. No takers, so now the entire justice system in Australia is flailing, because VIQ, previously Auscript, was BIG and now the courts don't have anyone doing most of their transcribing. The Federal Court says it's trying to put something in place itself, but the transcribers haven't heard anything from them. So, good luck with that, FC, you always were the most boring court in the business. Think big companies doing shonky deals, that's what shows up in the FC. Wait a minute, VIQ, you resembled that remark!

Part of me still feels involved, because after years in that job, one develops a sense of responsibility for the courts and wants to see them taken care of properly, getting the vital information they need to run cases. That feeling persisted through several owners of the company, all wanting to make money out of transcriptions. Which you actually can't do. It's an essential service, not a moneymaker.

I was so freaked out by the time I was made redundant at the end of 2024 that it has taken me many months to get over it. The latest owners brought in a voice to text program [cough - AI!] which we were forced to learn. I was not great at it and I guess I couldn't change enough with the job, hence they got rid of me. I never felt any regret for being retired, which I decided to do because I had had way past enough and was past 60 years old. Yes, I might have been able to get another job, but clearly not in this industry, which I worked in for 32 years. 

This way, I live on the superannuation [which will work properly the moment the orange horror is an ex-president and/or the freaking Middle East war stops] I do what my mother needs, am available nearby etc, and I don't go any more crazy. 

The image in the icon isn't very clear. That's a skull wearing headphones, sitting on a transcriber's desk in front of their computer screen :-) That was set up when somebody did Halloween decorations and then they just left it there.

I'm home from Swancon and having a recovery day!

It was an excellent convention and I'm very pleased to witness the con's revival, after several years in the doldrums following Covid, when all we had was a daytime event at a community centre. This was also Swancon 50 AND an Australian Natcon, so it felt like absolutely everyone fannish I had ever known was there.

The weekend also featured what they're calling the most violent storm in 50 years, so a bit more than the prediction. My balcony plants are okay, but the storm had plenty to say to one of the carports at the apartment complex. By carport I mean it's a tin roof on supports, so no walls or door. Said tin roof has taken a bit of a dive. I have pictures, along with the obligatory "this was my room for the con" and the view of the carpark!

photos.google.com/share/AF1QipNJMTB35YXYd0cKRpLOD0OtPN6WUzEd8Ov0uu1UkDIiZ0y1-L2kv8ciEMTNH4wNxg/photo/AF1QipNdjzP2hthhA9TRj-UAf5EWl27Ef7C0XPQT-M2E