Try being at a union party. There were grown men in tears. Yeah, the sausage thing has really become a feature in the past decade or so. Overall, voting venues are more and more resembling small fairs, which I'm loving. Clifton Hill Primary School was offering democracy daiquiris during the state election last year. I fully support compulsory voting, but watching pensioners down cocktails at 10 in the morning is its own reward.

Federal Election in Australia last Saturday. Since voting is compulsory (sorta), everybody turns out, has a sausage and then goes to the pub. It almost feels like a public holiday. This one was particularly portentous because the conservative government of the past three years has been bloody awful and there was widespread expectation that the progressive Labor Party would walk it in. Instead, an electoral car crash ensued and we woke up on Sunday stuck with the government unchanged. A lot of people are deeply disappointed.

I wrote a research paper on the Sperrgebiet years ago when I worked for an independent think tank. That area has an amazing history. How was Kolmanskop? I'd love to see some photos.

Visitors to the Monthly get access to one free article per month (per browser and per device, obviously). This one is worth reading.

>as soon as Fox News changes their tune, so should the voters, right?

The extent to which Fox shapes public opinion, and to which public opinion shapes Fox, is a topic that likely deserves its own hubski post and a great deal of considered discussion.

That could be awesome. Recommend any bars? I'll work out what dates we're going to be there.

Welcome back.

We're passing through Detroit when we're next in the US in a few weeks. This is excellent to know. Thanks everyone.

Wait. Hamilton is still showing? In New York? Where's the best site to buy tickets?

I have just been informed that my short story submission to Kill Your Darlings was rejected. It was a pretty niche genre and very geographically specific, so finding a new journal to publish it in is going to be difficult.

A project, which I knew from the outset would become a Gordian knot if I touched it, has dominated my working hours for so long that I have passed through the other side of disgust.

On the other hand, once it's done and dusted I'll probably be pretty idle.

Looking forward to our holiday in the States in a few weeks. Thanks again tacocat for the Chicago recommendations.

Lastly, am I alone in getting the distinct impression that an economic downturn in on its way?

Huh. It appears I asked this same question four years ago. I really need to lift my content game.