Woke up this morning to the most beautiful snowfall…thick flakes falling fast, branches heavy laden, everything blanketed in white powder…the kind of day where you want to stay home in a comfy chair with a warm blanket, hot chocolate, and a good book. Put some Enya or Sarah Brightman on in the background and it would be perfect. This fantasy is not to be, however, as its Monday morning and work beckons. I don’t know what it is about a good snowfall that makes me feel relaxed and at peace. It may be a connection with childhood memories of snow days in Nebraska. Oddly enough days like this also make me nostalgic for older console/pc games that I’ve played that have snow levels: James Bond’s Goldeneye for Nintendo 64 and No One Lives Forever (PC) are 2 games that immediately spring to mind. This is one of those moments when I wish I had a digital camera to take a quick picture to post on the site. I’ll have to rely on Mosker to take care of that!

I’ve added a link in the Art/Comic Links section to DiTerlizzi.com, site of celebrated illustrator Tony DiTerlizzi. Tony DiTerlizzi has created some of the most entertaining and visually stunning children’s books currently available. His illustrated books for younger children, Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-this-World Moon-Pie Adventure and The Spider and the Fly, are as entertaining to read as they are to look at. Mr. DiTerlizzi has also illustrated and co-authored (with Holly Black) the immensely popular 5-volume series The Spiderwick Chronicles. I own all the books previously mentioned and have enjoyed them as much, if not more than, my daughter has.

This site is a must-see for children and children-at-heart. There are delightful desktops, downloadable paper-dolls, coloring pages and even a birthday kit.

Ah the end of January…..that time of year when New Year’s resolutions have run their course and the guilt has almost faded away. And then this guy comes along. Since he’s a fellow Cornhusker do I get some sort of residual benefits from his dedication???

Oscar nomination day was not something that I was particularly excited about this year. Unlike the last few years there is a noticeable absence of truly great movies this year. The 2 movies that I really enjoyed, Finding Neverland and Phantom of the Opera, are movies that I knew would garner nominations but that I honestly don’t believe will win Oscars. That being said I was disappointed that Phantom was ignored in the Best Picture category and even more disappointed that Emmy Rossum‘s magnificient performance as Christine Daae was overlooked for a best actress nomination. Her performace was truly memorable, all the more so considering the fact that she was just 16 years old when shooting began. On the radio this morning I heard an interview in which Ms. Rossum genuinely expressed how wonderful it would be to receive a nomination and I’m very sorry that her performace was not acknowledged by the Academy.

I was saddened by the news today of Johnny Carson’s death. Mr. Carson was raised in my hometown of Norfolk, Nebraska and his name and presence have always been a big part of the town. Norfolk has always been proud of Johnny Carson, not just because of the fame garnered from many years on the Tonight Show, but because of the type of man that he was when not in the limelight. Mr. Carson contributed much to this small town, giving money towards a new high school several years ago, funding what is now the Carson Cancer Center, and other philanthropic work. In addition to making donations that caught the public eye, Mr. Carson was generous in private as well. For several years my mother worked in a local retirement center in which Mr. Carson’s high school drama teacher lived. Without any fanfare, and often by sneeking in unannounced, he visited this teacher who had meant so much to him and provided for her needs throughout the last years of her life. He was very caring that way. Being allowed to stay up late to catch the beginning of The Tonight Show was always a special treat as a child. Johnny, as a fellow Norfolkan, I wish you “a very heart-felt goodnight”.