::sympathetically stuffs tissues through the intertube, towards Australia::

While you're at it, see if you can rustle up a government. It's been over a week since the election and we still don't have one.

It's been over a week since the election and we still don't have one.

Dude, that is so 2000. Get with the times.

Dude, that is so 2000. Get with the times.

omg. Perkins beat me to it.

::rotating index finger and thumb in the 'world's smallest record player playing, My Heart Bleeds for You.' gesture.::

No joke though, I hope that the one you finally get is better than the one we did!

Dude, that is so 2000. Get with the times.

I know, right? Actually, there are a couple of key differences:

1. Your system, rather sensibly, allows a caretaker period from the election to the inauguration. Gives time to sort out disputes. We're just in limbo here. The incumbent is still PM if one's absolutely necessary, but otherwise, there's not much governing going on here.

2. There's no real dispute about who won what - this won't wind up in the High Court. It's just that neither major party won a majority; the balance of power rests with a handful of independents, who have yet to declare which party (if any) they will support. (Not an everyday occurrence; this is our first hung parliament in 70 years.) They seem to be learning towards our progressive party, which is interesting since they represent conservative electorates and were originally elected representing the conservative party. But there's no decision yet.

One historic outcome: it seems that for the first time ever, an Aboriginal has been elected to the lower house (representing the conservatives). Sadly, he's already started receiving hate mail.

Better~ma for family bt! And government~ma, too. And especially strength towards the newly-elected Aboriginal rep.

Slept in and missed the K5 Second Line in the Lower Nine, whoops. But the air mattress is just SO comfortable and yesterday was a long day.

You should come here and visit your crush. And me. I will TOTALLY enable you!

Ahahaha! I had already asked him to be my date for your party, and he was disappointed to hear it had been postponed. But if he doesn't make it down here this week, I just might have to come to KC some time this fall. So I just may take you up on that. Maybe we can do some f2f scouting work while I'm there.

I should go grocery shopping today. I don't have enough food to last through next week without a lot of creative cooking, and I don't have time for creativity, so I need sandwich stuff and things to put on pasta. I really don't feel like grocery shopping, though.

I don't have enough food to last through next week without a lot of creative cooking, and I don't have time for creativity, so I need sandwich stuff and things to put on pasta. I really don't feel like grocery shopping, though.

That's quite a dilemma.

Hil, do you have Peapod in your area? It's totally worth the extra money if you are worn out or in pain, imho.

We have officially booked our elopement, and now the OMG I need a dress! panic is setting in.

If we had a teleporter you could eat my food--I bought lots and lots for a party last night, and not too many people showed up. But I leave Wednesday for a trip, and am basically gone after that.

Yay elopement booking!

DON'T PANIC! Whatever you wear, you will have a beautiful and happy wedding day.