BREAKING NEWS: It is snowing in Washington!

Oh wait, that's not news. That happens every day. Or at least it feels that way. Hello? Spring? You there? You reading this? Couldja get here already? I'm kinda tired of being freezing cold all the time and not being able to drive around for fear of being run over by an SUV driven by someone who thinks 4-wheel-drive means brakes can stop on ice just like on dry pavement. Oh I hate them. But anyway, yes. Again it snows. And probably tomorrow. And Friday. Not as much or as debilitating to the city as Presidents Day, but still no fun. No snowman under the Washington Monument this time -- just a lot of turning the heat up in my apartment and glaring out the window. Harrumph.

But winter is not all bad! My little heart was warmed just yesterday when Lyle Lovett released a new CD! And by "new," I mean "old stuff from a bunch of movie soundtracks collected on one disc." Hey, it's better than nothing. In fact, it's pretty good! Some of the songs I already had on bootlegs (doesn't it make me sound so cool when I make reference to my "bootlegs"?), but several are new to my ears, very nice. Mostly jazzy stuff, nice and mellow, good for being stuck inside on a snowy day. Thanks, Lyle, for something. I know I'm demanding, but let's hope the rumors of you working on your first album of new material since, oh, 1996, are true. You know you can do it. I believe in you.

Speaking of Lyle, Geoffrey and I have made a nice little offer to take over one of the Lyle fan sites -- the guy who runs it is always complaining that he has some problems and lack of time to keep it up. Not that we have tons of time, but I'm sure we could manage (with big bad Sara P. on the assist) to at least keep up what he's built. No word yet from the guy, but we'll see. Man, I'm a dork with an unhealthly love of Lyle Lovett. Ah well, there are worse things ...

As for the wedding, the chances that we will elope seem to increase every day. Taking a fab trip to New Zealand for a no-frills, just-us ceremony seems SO much, um, specialer, than losing our shirts paying into the wedding machine if we take the traditional route. We would, of course, return to the States all married and stuff and have a big ol' party for everyone, casual, fun, lots o' beer. Seems like it would be better for everyone. Here's the people we're talking to about doing the ceremony. We really like their philosophy, and some of the venues they offer are just breathtaking. Nothing's decided yet (no, not even date -- we that slack), but it's an idea we like. What do you think?

LISTENING TO: LYLE LOVETT, of course. The album's called "Smile." Also a HOT CLUB OF COWTOWN album borrowed from a friend at work. They're lots o' fun to listen to. Trying also to get better acquainted with HOWIE DAY. And yes, Marcus, I will buy BECK/Sea Change soon. Very soon.