Today was the first big snowstorm of the year in Chicago. At least, the first one when I was here. It was really treacherous driving at times. Partly, it is just that one forgets how to drive in slippery condidtions. I was fish-tailing quite a bit until I got used to the conditions. I didn't see any accidents which was a blessing. Most people know that you have to greatly reduce speed. It's truly winter. Now we can look forward to spring.

Tomorrow night is Chinese New Year's eve. It's going to be the year of the monkey. The years are signified by twelve animals that sequentially change each year. It supposedly makes it easier for small kids because they don't have to remember how old they are, just under what animal they were born. Of course, it gets a little trickier when you get older. I knew a woman who was born in the year of the monkey. That means she will turn 48 this year. She probably wouldn't mind if someone guessed that she was about to be 36, but she'd definitely be peeved if you guessed she was about to be 60. She doesn't look like she's a day older than the year of the rabbit. It seems that there should be a special animal for people born during Leap year on February 29. Perhaps a unicorn since they are rarely seen. One last thing, don't forget to stop writing year of the goat on your checks and start writing year of the monkey.

I saw the film "Monster" over the weekend. Not a picture that I would recommend to families, but an interesting movie none the less. Charlize Theron portrays a woman who has been called the only female serial killer in the United States. She was executed a few years ago for killing several men who had hired her as a prostitute. Christina Ricci gives a great supporting role as her girlfriend. Of course, I'm not excusing murder. She deserved to be in prison. But, I'm not sure that it's fair and just to give the death penalty to a woman who was repeatedly raped as a child beginning at age eight. I'm beginning to think that Govenor Ryan was right in giving pardons to everyone on death row in Illinois. Without walking in someone's shoes, you really can't judge them. Monsters are usually created by society, not born.