Today is Melbourne Cup Day!

I will preface this post by saying that I don't bet on horse races and I don't live in Melbourne, so there is no public holiday that comes with 'the race that stops a nation.' The race is one that stops most of the nation. Work finishes early in most places, where people dress up in race wear when they head into work. At some schools, children decorate hats and they have a hat parade which is innocent. It's actually a really convivial day but alas myself and a few others won't be indulging in the merriment that comes with the race day. No. We will be marking papers. You see, not everyone in the nation stops!

I did get to thinking though that there will be some distinct similarities between us markers and the racegoers. We all have to park a decent walk away from the car, so some markers will have lost their heels for thongs. In the anticipation for the end of the evening, markers are a little like horses at the barrier gate, waiting to begin the race to the car. You see, if you aren't one of the first few out of the car park, then you join a queue of cars and remain at the back of the pack.

I suppose the day itself is a little like a race, the markers, like jockeys remain abreast of their marking duties for the entire 4 hours. They don't wane and they come up as good at the end as when they started! A talented and dedicated group no doubt.

Well, that's my really ordinary blog post for this morning. I suppose I should get back to writing report comments and then get ready to go to a meeting! You should know it is raining in Sydney, has been all night. So the weather will indeed match the day.

Have a wonderful day!