Hey, seen a picture of Dick Cheney lately? He’s really starting to look like Mr. Burns (their personalities have always been a close match, except Burns is much more likable). Speaking of serial killers, I was sad to hear that Dexter and his sister/wife (Michael C Hall and Jennifer Carpenter) have filed for divorce. Why was I sad? I don’t know. I don’t even get Showtime anymore (pained me greatly to not be able to see the rest of this most recent season, but such is life). But I’ve always liked him, ever since Six Feet Under, and she just fascinates me; she looks the result of a breeding experiment between extraterrestrial life and an ironing board. You have to wonder why these showbiz types bother to get married in the first place (or, in his case at least, in the second place). Seems like a lot of trouble to go through if you’re not gonna stick to it.

Fun Fact. This day in history:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

— The First Amendment of the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution, ratified by the Virginia General Assembly on December 15, 1791

Then they all sat around and said, “we hopeth that this shall not unleash upon our fair nation a war upon Christmas (nor the abolition of slavery).”

Speaking of slavery and Xmas, today’s the big office Christmas party. My inclination is to blow it off (not that hangin’ around talkin’ shop isn’t thrilling or anything), but that would be politically bad, so instead I’ll go and justify my reasons for not drinking beer and eating pizza (why, oh why, do some people care enough about what other people ingest that they not only keep track but feel obliged to inquire as to why you’re not meeting the dietary expectations they’ve set forth for you?), and then hopefully sneak out very quickly. Not that I don’t appreciate the sentiment, of course, but I have snow to plow.

Yes, it snowed yesterday and last night and is snowing right now. Not as much as last week, but I’d guess I had, oh maybe six to eight inches in the driveway last night when I got home, and it looks like at least another eight to ten out there since then. More on the way – last I heard, tonight is supposed to be the heaviest stuff. Since I know you care (come on, admit it, you do), for the record, Syracuse gets an average of about 120 inches of snow a year (the average at this time of December is about 20 inches). So far, in about half a month, it’s gotten, like, 55 inches (and that was as of last night). I say “it” because I now live where it snows a lot more than that. We’re supposed to get another 9 inches today, and a foot or more tonight. Anyhow, at this rate, if my math is right, Syracuse is on pace for 238 inches of snow, which would be a record. But no doubt this will peter out and slow down. At least, I hope so. We’re all looking a little haggard around here (we’re not supposed to feel like this ’til late January or so).

Of course, we have our basketball team to keep us warm on the inside (I feel the need to hurry up and mention them while they’re still undefeated and ranked #5 in the country – that aint gonna last), as well as the unexpected bonus of the Pinstripe Bowl (not exactly the Rose Bowl, but, hey, we’ve got over four feet of snow and 10% unemployment, so don’t begrudge us a little fun, OK?).

Speaking of fun, time for another cup of coffee and then out to plow. Can anybody recommend a good brand of heated socks?