I was really surprised to learn that the All-Star game was last night (not that I really pay much attention to baseball; for some reason, it never really piqued my interest). Then I looked at the date, and it seems we’re already halfway through July. Too bad; I hate the thought of the nights getting longer again, though autumn is my favorite season, what with the leaves changing, cool, crisp nights, and football. Speaking of cool nights, I hope the rest of the summer stays as cool as this one has been so far (apologies to those of you in those good God-fearing Kristian parts of the country where it’s been really hot; I guess that’s the good lord’s way of giving you a little hell on earth so you’ll know what those of us in the godless northeast have in store for us come judgment day). Anyhow, unlike yesterday, there seems to be lots going on in the world today. First, the good news.

Back in January, a boxer named Flower wandered out of her back yard in El Paso, TX. Well, Flower turned up 1,800 miles away, in Ohio. Continental Airlines is flying the pooch to Albuquerque to be reunited with her mommy. Too bad she isn’t flying Southwest; she could stick her head out the roof.

More good news (I think) in that our beloved NY State Senate gets back to work today, now that prodigal son Pedro Espada has returned to the Democratic side of the aisle, having bravely forced “reform” on the esteemed (and well-respected) legislative body. Hopefully Pedro is up for a little personal reform courtesy of the NYS penal system, after he goes to prison for his campaign contribution shenanigans. But I don’t really reckon that’ll ever happen. He’ll probably wind up as Governor.

Less than good news may be in store for New Zealand, unfortunately. A 7.8 magnitude earthquake has triggered a Tsunami alert for the island from the USGS. Hopefully nothing major will come of it, but they may want to ask Gandalf if he can do a protection spell or something. Hopefully Bret, Jemaine, and Murray are all on high ground.

A major plane crash in Iran this morning, with all 168 aboard believed to be dead. Even given that way more people die in car accidents in the US alone, I still have no desire to fly anywhere. It’s not just the potential for death or the roof ripping off, but the whole goddamn hassle factor, and getting to the airport early to ensure you have a long wait. Plus they always seem to search all my shit.

Another day of listening to a bunch of old white men tell her that “you people” are a bunch of racists (unlike us good Christian white guys) is in store for Sonia today. I really shouldn’t be amazed at the extent of their hypocrisy, but, by golly, I’m in awe of the depths to which they dive. I hope the job is worth all the bullshit.

The CBO says they House version of health care reform will cost a trillion dollars and insure 97% of Americans. Half the uninsured will be “unauthorized immigrants” (who will also be legally proscribed from getting sick, I guess), with the other half either being too rich to be bothered with such nonsense, or too poor or “out of the loop” (like, living in a refrigerator box) to sign up for the program. This is apparently the best we can do, though Rep. Anthony Weiner of NY is supposedly going to introduce a Single-Payer amendment in the House, and Bernie Sanders a similar amendment in the Senate. If you’re so inclined, you can go here to urge your congress critter to vote for the amendment, and/or here to contact your US Senator.

Well, time to make the donuts (or, in my case, the turkey burgers).