simplybrad

That's right, $750.00 for the damage from rear-ending my car on I-290. More surprising is she actually had insurance - I was relieved. I went through and filed reports and sent off paperwork to her Insurance company, United Equitable Insurance, Inc. UEI will not pay on it because they cannot contact Kimberly to confirm my side of the story. This was a "ta-da" moment. Crap. Moral of the story, no matter how trivial the accident, get a police report to back up your claim. I didn't know - never been in an accident before.

Among many of my pet peaves against our current President is his knack for writing exceptions to bills. Instead of a veto, he simply states that he can choose to ignor the parts he doesn't like.

Previously fascinated by the desolate area of Chernobyl (kidsofspeed), I came across this site that is another look at Chernobyl twenty years later. A very well done site (definitely a broadband connection needed) with great design allowing a look at the area and art done by a group of artist that expand on the horror of the disaster.

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Today is a national holiday for one of my favorite foreign countries. More commonly associated with storming of the Bastille in 1789, officially it celebrates the Fête de la Fédération. Find out all you need to know and more here,

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It was very cool seeing the shuttle launch today, it has been grounded for too long. It's amazing seeing the shuttle take off. I would love to see it live.

It also reminded me that my brothers’ birthday is coming up soon. I vaguely remember watching the astronauts land on the moon while simultaneously being told I have a baby brother - that’s the extent of that memory (loosing it quickly these days).

A little film is out now called “Who killed the elctric car?�

Of course from my point-of-view, a motorcycle is an excellent alternative too. Even my rocket ship gets close to 50mpg on the highway, low 40s in the city. Lower mass, less congestion, lower emissions.

Think of our founding fathers, our Constitution and what it says and stands for.

We are the most powerful nation in the world and we have a responsibility to use that power correctly. Not as global bullies but as leaders. Leaders in freedom and democracy — free of religious persecution.

Yes, I realize the people in Iraq causing the ruckus are no more than thugs–thugs that believe it is glorious to die for their twisted, sick leaders. The Iraq people will come out of this ahead. Have a country run by there own people. Our soldiers will not have been there in vain. We think about them everyday and there sacrifice is like no other in this world. As much as we would all love to bring them back now, I believe it would be catastrophic to leave in the current conditions.

This has been out for a while but I think it is brilliant.

Elena rides through Chernobyl aboard her motorcycle telling the story of what happened through photos and words. Check out her stories at http://www.kiddofspeed.com/

Elena also has a return visit to Chernobyl and some other history travels through different parts of the country.