my democratic process let me show you it

@ Google

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Yesterday I was over at the Google campus in Kirkland to give a reading and talk about The Mirage. It’s been seven months since the book tour ended and my head’s been in a very different fictional universe lately (Jim Crow-era U.S. rather than alt-world Iraq) so I was a little nervous I’d be rusty, but it was a really friendly crowd and the Q&A went well. Big thanks to my hosts David Levin and Jeremiah Spradlin for showing me such a good time.

Meanwhile:

* Want your own Google-style logo? Go here.

* I celebrated the end of election season by buying Nate Silver’s book, The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail — but Some Don’t. I’ve just started it, but it’s pretty good so far.

* In case you missed it, here’s the most entertaining comedy bit from election night, Karl Rove arguing with FOX News over their decision to call Ohio for Obama.

* Hey, it’s official: Washington state has legalized gay marriage! Mazel tov to all the soon-to-be-newlyweds!

Election Day

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Given all the stories about voter suppression and other ongoing political shenanigans, it seems appropriate to note that this is the 200th anniversary of the election of Vice President Elbridge Gerry (pictured at right), the man from whose name we get the term “gerrymandering.” If you are voting today in a bizarrely shaped electoral district that overwhelmingly favors one of the two main parties, spare a thought for dear old Elbridge. And if you find yourself waiting six or seven hours to get to the polling booth, know that the American tradition of screwing with the voters goes all the way back to the days when Democrats and Republicans were the same party. Hang in there.

Other random Election Day notes:

* Still working on the new novel. Still really liking it.

* Yes, I did take time to vote. Washington state uses the incredibly convenient mail-in ballot system, so it took me all of twenty minutes, plus a stroll to the post office. You folks in Ohio and Florida should try it!

* If you are seeking 21st amendment remedies to help you get through the election returns, the band Train now has its own wine label, offering a California Red called “Drops of Jupiter” and a Chardonnay, “Calling All Angels.”

* The Coptic Church just had an election, too — for Pope!

* Have you seen the puggle yet?