The Irony before Christmas

Now that was the week that was. A remarkable week in which:

• Len Brown was told to pull his pants up (literally) or else. Or else he’d be told to… pull his pants up, again
• A man is taken in custody from a Northern Motorway overhead gantry and ties up CBD traffic for hours
• Police sue their own commissioner
• The bikini-clad road rager is identified and charged
• A paedophile who pleaded guilty to 60 charges of indecencies, including with an 18-month-old baby, has his sentence reduced on appeal
• A new survey reveals that a dog possesses the ability to recognise its owner
• A week in which Hamilton is described as the city of the future
• And more…

It is truly a weird and fascinating world in which we live and whilst it could be said that any or all of the above may happen at any time of the year, the fact is that they all happened the week before Christmas. Is it coincidence, or irony? The two are not interchangeable. Because these incidents and Christmas have no direct relation it is coincidence. Irony is defined as “the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect.” This week—the week before Christmas—when I am  forced to reluctantly scan the jobs section for communication positions the only one advertised is
                          Communications Manager Hamilton City Council.
Now, that’s irony. Have a very Merry Christmas folks. Be kind, be patient and, if you are going to be weird, be prepared to wind up here.