>Wisconsin Department of Tourism claims that the $13 billion state tourism industry is at risk due to the flooding and gas prices.

My question is this: When did Wisconsin get a $13 billion tourism industry?

Does seeing Frank Lloyd Wright’s house and a state full of flat land and trees hold that much interest?

Is it the casino gaming? (That dog track has been losing money since the day it was founded.)

Is it the dairy & grain products?

I know Summerfest is big, but Jesus Wept, it’s not that big.

I could understand it–somewhat–if they were concerned about the fall and winter travel seasons, but they shouldn’t be worried a whit about summer. The Chicagoans & Twin Cities residents will still come, and I reckon most of the Wisconsinites will stay.

Why?

Because it’s too expensive to go anywhere else.

>Wisconsin Department of Tourism claims that the $13 billion state tourism industry is at risk due to the flooding and gas prices.

My question is this: When did Wisconsin get a $13 billion tourism industry?

Does seeing Frank Lloyd Wright’s house and a state full of flat land and trees hold that much interest?

Is it the casino gaming? (That dog track has been losing money since the day it was founded.)

Is it the dairy & grain products?

I know Summerfest is big, but Jesus Wept, it’s not that big.

I could understand it–somewhat–if they were concerned about the fall and winter travel seasons, but they shouldn’t be worried a whit about summer. The Chicagoans & Twin Cities residents will still come, and I reckon most of the Wisconsinites will stay.

Why?

Because it’s too expensive to go anywhere else.

>We love Akiko Wada here at this corner of the internet. So let’s take one of her big hits, Ano kane wo narasu no wa anata (or as this site puts it “you’re the one that rings that bell”) and see the various versions of it through the years.

First up, Miss Wada winning the Japan Record Award in 1972 for the song, performing–I think–it through tears.

Now the Seikima II version. Lordi didn’t invent camp rock.

A shaky (in my view) acapella version by BAM B CREW

Next, a unique version by some group called Dynamite Pops. Whether they meant it to be camp or not is up for debate.

And finally–bringing it full circle–Miss Wada sings it in 1994 complete with swaying and clapping choir (note what they sing before Akiko makes her entrance)*.

I like Miss Wada, but yet, I suspect this is the most OTT of the lot, even more than Seikima II.

As for my own personal favourite Akiko Wada song, sadly, I haven’t been able to find a clip it yet.