I called home, and my phone rang (I have a cheap, non-wireless phone in my master bedroom). I guess that means my house didn’t blow away.

I just called my friends in Melbourne:

Frank: Hey, guys. How are you doing?
Big V: Well, we’re…
Frank: That’s great. So, could you go check on my house?
Big V: Dude, there’s like 100mph winds outside and…
Frank: 90mph. Come on. It’s not like I ever ask you for favors.
Big V: You do all the time! The police are still questioning me on some!
Frank: And you better not talk! Now…
Big V: Dude! A tree just came through the wall!
Frank: Fine. Ignore me. Whatever.

Okay, I didn’t call them. I’m going to wait until the main part passes Melbourne and call (if the cells are still up).
Hope they’re all right.
UPDATE: Can’t reach my friends by phone, but the mayor of Melbourne is on CNN right now and says there have been no reported fatalities or serious injuries and no significant flooding.

Trying to get some political news, but it’s all Hurricane Frances right now (her, and now Ivan is on the way!).
I still can’t get over Kerry’s reaction to Cheney’s speech even though it was a couple days ago now. I paraphrase:

“Cheney said I’m unfit for command. Well, my response to that is: Which one of us served in Vietnam?”

The verbatim quote was funnier. You can’t even parody this guy anymore. You know, my Dad was in Vietnam for nearly three times longer than Kerry, but he’s not running for president. He’s not even running for some podunk county position.
My advice to Kerry: fire your campaign adviser, your speech writers, and whoever made you breakfast that morning.
So what should Kerry do to help revive his campaign. Let’s brainstorm.
WAYS KERRY CAN HELP HIS CAMPAIGN
* Die in a plane crash and have your wife run in your place.
Uh… that’s all I can come up with right now. Yeah, I know Teresa Heinz has a bit of a grating personality and can’t constitutionally run for president, but it will shake up the campaign if Kerry dies in a plane crash. The Japanese would also consider it very honorable.
Speaking of the Japanese, they just had a 7.3 magnitude earthquake with tsunami warnings. Glad I live in Florida and not there…

A portion of the proceeds from each Chomps t-shirt will go to the help Frank J. Recover from Hurricane Frances fund.