Welcome to my regular Friday song/tune day, ladies and gentlemen, where I pick a piece of music that reflects my mood or the times, to share with you.

Like many in Group 1b which has been designated by Australia’s national Cabinet as high priority for the Covid vaccination, I heeded our government’s invitation to make an online booking for my first Covid shot. I was a little mystified as to why the invitation was extended at all given that the vaccination program for the highest priority group (ie. our quarantine and frontline health workers, as well as aged care residents) hasn’t been completed yet and the vaccine is in short supply, but I guess our nimble government can walk and chew gum at the same time. So, I thought I would try to book an appointment anyway. You never know, I might get lucky. Picture this, 6 million of us in the 1b priority group trying to make a booking at the same time. Of course, not all of us in that group tried to book but a large number did make the effort. As you can imagine, it wasn’t a happening thing.

Anyway, anyway, I really do hope we won’t be forced to book our vaccination online. My understanding is that HealthEngine, the company contracted by the government to build the online booking platform, was fined last year for privacy breaches (selling the non-clinical personal data of users). No doubt the government has assured itself that this won’t happen again. She’ll be right, mate. It is truly a confidence inspiring move. Ever heard of vaccine booking hesitancy?

I am dedicating this song to my friend, Punam, who blogs at paeansunplugged. Punam has temporarily stopped blogging for family reasons. Those of you who follow Punam will be relieved to know that she and her family are okay but she is very busy at the moment. I also dedicate my selection to all the wonderful frontline health workers around the world. They are doing it tough. Let’s all do our part to help them out by staying close to home and giving everyone space.

Let’s get into it. I’ve chosen a cover of an old ELO favourite, Mr Blue Sky, sung by Allison Young. Enjoy.

Here’s to more blue sky.

Kind Regards.
Tracy.

35 thoughts on “Blue Sky Thinking”

  2. Oh poor you! I was group 4 here in the UK, but I have had my first dose – about 5 weeks ago I think. Some how the UK has got something right for once. It hasn’t changed my behaviour, but it does feel reassuring all the same. Good luck!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Yes, credit where it is due. Good on the UK for getting its vaccine infrastructure sorted quickly.
      I’m confident I’ll get my first dose some time over the next couple of months. The powers that be really are trying. I’m sure they will sort it out.

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  3. ‘’Mr Blue Sky” is one of my favourite songs. Allison Young has a beautiful voice and I like her interpretation of the song’s lyrics. Thank you Tracy. My YouTube suggestion is by Buffy Sainte-Marie “You got to run.” CBC Music Festival. Buffy is Canadian First Nations person.

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    1. Thank you too, Sid. I’ve listened to several of Buffy Sainte-Marie’s songs since you first recommended her to me. She is incredibly talented. I enjoyed your suggestion very much.
      One of my other readers suggested A song from American singer and Disability advocate, Gaelyn Lea, “Someday We’ll Linger in the Sun”. I think you would really like that one too, Sid.

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      1. Thank you for the suggestion of Garland Lea’s performance. I was unaware of her as a violin player and singer. Her performance was moving. I also watched her TED Talk which was challenging. Glad you like Buffy, Her leadership makes me hopeful.

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  5. I enjoyed listening to today’s song. What a gorgeous voice, and girl. Her appearance and movements make me think of the thirties- not that I was around then.
    I would hate to be working in a doctor’s surgery right now, fielding calls from people and trying to organise vaccinations when there are none available. The whole thing is a shemozzle. We are in 1b too, but waiting a couple of weeks before we try to access a vaccination.

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    1. I really liked it too, Jane. I’m glad I found it.
      Sometimes things get rushed when one is trying to change the political ‘narrative’. In any case, my GP is not one of those clinics and the clinic I called implied that they would be doing all their existing patients first. That’s understandable. So long as someone is getting vaccinated.

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  7. Friends of mine who should both be in Group 1b had a GP appt yesterday and asked about the vaccine. Doctor could not tell them anything about how, when or where they could be vaccinated and suggested the online booking system.
    I expect to be in Group 2 so won’t even bother to look at the website for now. I fully expect it to crash. Remember the last Census?
    I’ll just keep doing what I’m doing and stay safe in Tassie until they get to me, probably sometime around June.

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  8. I so hope you get your vaccinations soon Tracy. The booking platform company does sound ever so slightly dodgy.

    Thanks for the music; it’s a beautiful take on a song I totally love.

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  9. Pingback: Linger in the sun | Zimmerbitch

  10. We are all different. Oh, I am also supposedly in Group !b. I am fully medically trained. Not an anti=vaxxer ! Am allergic to a number of drugs and have some contradictory ailments. Am in no hurry whatsoever to make an appointment. Have read an awful lot here and overseas, have talked a lot. With those in the know. Will be quite happy to watch and see . . . at least for the next 3-4 months.

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  11. If it makes you feel any better, Thailand’s vaccination rollout has been close to nonexistent and fraught with controversy and problems. But honestly, I haven’t looked lately, so maybe things are getting smoothed out?

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      1. Yes, we had a second lockdown at the beginning of the year, but we’re back but not for long. The Thai New Year is around the corner. Thanks for asking and remembering 🙂

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  12. I got my second shot today. It was well organized. I got the first shot without having signed up at all but once that was accomplished I was in the “system.” I took Teddy with me because I didn’t want to go alone.

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  13. Vaccine roll-outs have their problems for sure! We’ve been lucky in the States in that we have more supplies of it, but it’s still a scramble to get an appointment. My state, Missouri, is opening it up to everyone after April 12. So far, my mom (90) and my husband (65 and cancer patient) have had both of their shots and so are fully vaccinated. I got my first shot this week, and should get my second in another three weeks. Hang in there!

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    1. Apart from the odd outbreak, we don’t have any virus in the community, Ann. Our main concern is stopping it entering via international visitors. Still many businesses that rely on those visitors are in precarious circumstances so there is a real imperative to get us all vaccinated as quickly as possible. It will happen. I must have patience, which is of course not my forté. 🙂 I’m so relieved that it is all systems go for you. One thing that has really impressed me is that despite all the politicking, the front line health personnel continue to work tirelessly to ensure people are protected. I imagine it is the same in Missouri too.

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  14. I hope you are able to get your vaccination soon, Tracy. Things are easing up a bit here in the US as the vaccine becomes more available but our daughter only managed to get us our appointments by checking online almost non-stop for weeks. It was a very frustrating experience, sometimes sitting up till gone midnight, hoping to hit the button at just the right time.

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