The big weather news this weekend has been the big snowstorm that took out a large chunk of the Midwest. Whether you like it or not, there's no denying that winter is already here. A lot of snow and ice is piling up in Minneapolis, Milwaukee and right here in Chicago, and because of the storm, I had to cut back on my holiday gigs. Of courst I'm disappointed that it had to come to this, but what I wouldn't give to play a duet with Walter, my younger trumpet-playing brother. Out in Des Moines, at least two planes skidded off the runway, and more of the same thing is targeting the Northeast. The Green Bay Packers have their work cut out for them, since Lambeau Field is now covered in the cold stuff. Traditionally, the Packers do very well in the subzero weather, and with the record they currently have (10-2), they should start chasing opposing teams out of the building again. The Bulls are off to a slow start again, but things should improve once they get it going. After all, they've made the playoffs in each of the last three years, and they swept Miami last year to make it to the second round of the playoffs for the first time since 1998. While it makes me sad that the band and I may not open up on time (usually, we kick things off in the first week of December), it gives me time to relax to the smooth sounds of WNUA while I'm working at home. I think I'll get myself a nice cup of hot chocolate, and then I'll try to salvage what's left of my gig schedule. For now, I'm enjoying the warmth of my toasty room, and I might be staying there for a while. A good, long while, LOL!