Phil and Oscar

Hmpf. Phil, that rodent, has seen his shadow.

This year, you could receive Phil's prediction by text message. CNN says 26,000 people signed up to have this happen. I hate the idea of receiving a text message from an animal. (By the way, did you know groundhogs are called  "land beavers" and "whistle pigs"  in some parts of the country? I think I would like those parts of the country.)

In merrier news, the Oscars noms have been announced and Crazy Heart is up for three. I was very happy to attend the special Rhode Island College screening at the Avon last Friday, held in honor of RIC professor Thomas Cobb, who wrote the novel on which the movie is based. The movie was great (Jeff Bridges has the Oscar in the bag, and I'm not even one of those Big Lebowski people), but the nicest part was when a screen credit came up that read "Based on the novel by Thomas Cobb" and the audience burst into wild applause. I'm not sure who loved it better, the crowd cheering on their colleague, or Tom, getting cheered, but either way. May we all have such moments in life.

My cheer to you right now: Six more weeks of winter! Do it!