1. It's 62 degrees right now. In Chicago. In January. I'm sweating with the windows open and contemplating turning on the A/C. That's the inconvenient truth.

2. I am basically quite happy while also deeply frustrated. Stress is killing my immune system. Meanwhile, I have reached the sudden conclusion that several of my girlfriend's significant others don't particularly like me. I'm a bad influence with the crack smoking and all, I suppose. Oh, well.

3. Still not liking Red Carpet Massacre.

4. Am still liking Friday Night Lights, but they need to bring back little Bo/Beau from next door to the Riggins' so he can go "Hey Tim Riggins ... we's like brothers!" again and make me smile.

5. Lynette is the only tolerable Desperate Housewife. Bree would be close to likability if she'd unwind a notch.

6. I ruined a pot of red beans and rice last night. Don't know what I put in there, but they were close to inedible. The biggest tragedy is that I used up a bag of imported Camellia red beans in the process.

7. I've got a severe case of the Mondays, but starting one's workweek at 5:30 A.M. will do that.