Australia Day

Australia Day this year was celebrated on Tuesday. Depending on your social and political persuasion it is also referred to as Invasion Day or Flag Waving Idiots Day. I actually really like it, although I guess it's important to make a distinction between patriotism and nationalism.

Anyway we found ourselves in Commonwealth Park enjoying a traditional sausage sizzle. The prospect of free sausages brought Canberrans out in droves. I loved one of the official slogans of the Day, which rather than getting tied up in the politics, history and meaning simply read Australia Day - Barbecue like you've never Barbecued before. nice.

Being on a Tuesday Australia also recorded it's highest ever number of sickies on Monday, with over half a million people calling in sick and giving themselves a four day weekend. The Retailers Association labelled them 'un-Australian bums' with no concept of 'mateship' which I found pretty funny (I went into work by the way).

thousands queue for 30 minutes for an early morning free sausage in white bread.