Today when I was jogging, I saw a kid with a huge hard-looking hunk of snow cocked back and ready to throw it at his dog which looked to be only around 35 or 40 pounds. Now, I would give him the benefit of the doubt and say he was throwing it at his brother or some other target, but when he saw that I was looking at him, he stopped.

What I should have said was, "Hey, you kids! Don't throw snow hunks at your dog," but all that came out was, in my stern teacher voice, "Fellas . . ." With that one word, I hope I conveyed that they shouldn't hurt their poor little dog, who came running over to me to greet me.

Also, I saw this snowman today, and you may notice that he/she is holding a Starbucks cup, perhaps a latte, and he/she is wearing a scarf, or maybe one of those hipster ascots. That's what I get for jogging through Lincoln Park in Chicago; even the snowmen think they're all that.

So, I'm off to Florida tomorrow morning to stay with one of my best friends (guy from this post) and his wife, a great couple that I hardly see these days. HLP (Heterosexual Life Partner) and his wife are also coming, so while I'm not too enthused about being the 5th wheel, I am glad to be spending New Years Eve with some of my greatest of friends. Remember people, we often make a big deal about what we're doing for NYE, and then we're horribly disappointed when it's not the perfect night. Well, let me lay this one you: It's not about where you go or what you do; just surround yourself with great friends you care about and who care about you, and you're going to have a terrific time.

I'll be signing off for a few days, having a ball in Florida, but I wish you all a "Merry New Year!"