First stop in Vancouver

La Casa Gelato, some of today's 218 flavors - click to enlarge.



Roche and Chocolate Fudge Gelato.

I am here.

Slow or no blogging for the next week.

I cruise one day ahead of Jonah and the NRO bunch. No bending elbows with John Bolton and Dick Morris for me.

Troofers for $100, Alex.

Answer: Keven Barrett.

Question: What was my response to the UW-Madison student soliciting contributions for the School of Engineering?

From his reaction, I don't think that I was first one to mention Barrett to the student.

Message to UW, don't piss on my leg then come begging for money. I used to be proud to contribute to my alma mater.

Music news

My friend Tom is joining another band. In addition to his solo and bar band performances, he is debuting as the new keyboardist, harmonica player, and backing vocalist for IX Lives. As best as I can tell, IX Lives plays stadium rock from the 1970's and 80's. Tom says

We play higher energy Rock music, with soaring vocals, from bands like Boston, Yes, Journey, Styx, REO, Kansas, Led Zeppelin, Rush, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Queen, Jet, Head East, and other artists, music that many other bands don’t cover, and there are some original rock tunes as well. If I work out in this band, it will be one of my musical dreams fulfilled.

IX Lives has played at the Taste of Chicago and Milwaukee's Summerfest. Tom's debut with IX Lives will be at Chicago's Navy Pier and he is feeling the pressure. I know he will do great.

Green

About one month until harvest.

I've got a pitchfork

Bring tar and feathers.

We'll meet in Madison.

Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructure

I am the Center for Instrumented Critical Infrastructure. Congressman Murtha, send that $1 million to me.

Thank you very much.

Hey Drudge, where did that come from?

The Drudge headline says:

'REACTOR ISN'T IN GOOD SHAPE': Company Says Radioactive Leak Was Bigger...

But there is nothing in the linked article saying anything at all about the reactor. There were some drums containing low-level solid radwaste that were knocked over, an electrical transformer fire, and a discharge of a small amount of contaminated water from a discharge system; but nothing about damage to the reactor. Another linked article states:

Tokyo Electric said the damage from the earthquake did not threaten the safety of the reactors at the Kashiwazaki plant

Help me out Matt.

NEI Nuclear Notes provides a good, non-alarmist description of the damage to the Japanese nuclear plants from the earthquake.

First Que Contest - First Win

Thanks to my wife's Michigan Berry Tiramisu.



My barbecue didn't do as well, but we had fun and we learned a lot this weekend.

XM Programming

XM replied to my billing inquiry regarding their Live Earth broadcast. No surprises.

Thank you for contacting XM Satellite Radio.

We sincerely apologize for the delay in responding to your email. We are sorry to hear that you are unsatisfied with the programming that was aired on 07/07/2007. We regret to inform you that we are unable to provide you with a service credit for 07/07/2007, as you were able to receive our service. However, we have forwarded your email to our Programming Department for review.

In the future, please feel free to contact our Programming Department directly at programming@xmradio.com regardingthe programming on XM.If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to send us an additional emailor you may contact at Listener Care Representative directly at 1-800-XMRADIO (800-967-2346).For commercial accounts please contact 1-888-689-2300. As always, visit our website at www.xmradio.com for all the latest news at XM SatelliteRadio.

XM Radio Live Earth programming

I fired this off to XM Radio this morning.

The XM programming that I contracted and paid for was
unavailable on July 7, 2007. I did not pay to be lectured by failed
politicians and listen to bad music performed by unknown
musicians.

Please extend my XM subscription for one day at no
additional charge to make up for this lost day of programming.

I am anxiously awaiting XM's response.

Periodic random food image

Oven pancake with fresh raspberries.

Update: FEMA + DNR = Trouble

Instead of my constant whining and moaning, I'll give credit today to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency for doing something right. The proposed revision to the Flood Insurance Rate Map for my property arrived and shows improvement over the previous version from 1986. The flood plain on this FIRM closely resembles that drawn by my surveyor in 1992.

The good news bottom line - the 100 Year Flood Limit near my home is at elevation 851'. The lowest elevation of my home (before backfill) was 852.3'.

I am clearly sitting high and dry.

My kid ain't as screwed up as your kid

Hey Al, here's my bit of amateur psycho-analysis. Albert III is so humiliated to have a lying moron for a father that he has turned to drugs, drugs, drugs, drugs, and drugs.

Former Vice President Al Gore's son is getting treatment after his arrest on suspicion of drug possession, according to a Gore spokesman.

Al Gore III, 24, was arrested early Wednesday in Los Angeles after being stopped for speeding, according to a sheriff's department spokesman.

Police found four types of prescription drugs in the car, but Gore did not have a prescription for any of them, according to Orange County Sheriff's Department spokesman Jim Amormino. He also said a small amount of marijuana was found in the car.

Yuck yuck yuck. The loser doesn't fall far from the tree.

Celebrate Independence

Field Study: Is that anything like Summer vacation?

Harry. Nancy. It is time to choose sides.

Either you are with us or you are with them.

My proposal for Wisconsin Universal Healthcare

Jessica McBride suggested that Wisconsin Republicans should propose a health care solution to counter the Democrats $15 Billion Plan.

Republicans are letting Democrats "own" the issue, even if the Democrats favor a socialism plan that would result in $15 billion in payroll taxes. What's the Republicans' own plan? They shouldn't let the Republicans look like they're the only party trying to actively do something about health care.

Republicans shouldn't be a one-trick pony. Being strong on taxes is very important. But what are the Republicans' ideas for other important issues like this one, other than holding the line on taxes?

My solution is impossible and unrealistic to implement, but it makes a great starting position for any negotiations.

The Headless Healthcare Plan for Wisconsin

• Every penny of state and local tax money now being paid for healthcare benefits shall be confiscated and congregated into the Wisconsin Universal Healthcare Fund. That means any and all payments of public money for health insurance for state employees, city and county employees, and especially school teachers. Toss in anything that now goes to Badger Care or Medicaid, too.
  
• Issue a request for proposals to provide a base level of health insurance for each and every one of Wisconsin's 5.5 millions residents. Heck, throw in the illegals too - I am generous and it would be cost effective in the long run.
• Negotiate the best universal health insurance plan possible using the Wisconsin Universal Healthcare Fund to pay for it.
• If you want additional health insurance, you are on your own. Employers may provide supplemental insurance coverage or individuals can supplement the base coverage by purchasing individual policies.

My proposal is on the table. Does anyone have anything better?