1. The UP is far. We put something like 2,300 miles behind us and saw lots of everything - wildlife, trees, hills, the works. Between satellite radio and a Christmas gift GPS it's almost fun to be in the car for days on end, too.

2. New Years Day football might be fun for people, but I'm not one of them. At least there won't be an unending stream of one-liners from across the purchasing office in GR.

3. I'm glad for all of life's blessings. Nothing visible has changed for the better in the UP since we were last there 18 months ago. It's hard to see this happen, especially to a place that's still so wild and watery-wonderful.

4. Global weirding is terrible. It rained poured on New Year's Eve, and the temperature in Macungie was 50F when we rolled in this afternoon. We're switching to wind power.

5. Sure there's other stuff, but that'll do. That'll do.