Today’s the day we pay tribute to the Martian King. Oh, wait – that can’t be right. Damn lysdexia. I guess that’s Martin Luther King. It’s not actually MLK’s birthday, of course (that was was Saturday, when he’d have turned 82, and my dad would have turned 91), but they were kind enough to make it a Monday holiday (even in AZ, which – surprise, surprise – resisted for quite a while, with citizens finally voting to make it a holiday in 1992, mostly so they could get the Super Bowl there). I don’t know if you’re off today, but I am. And it’s a good day to be off, since it’s -1° here (and the coldest part of the day doesn’t usually come for another hour or two).

It appears that we won’t be getting any new snow today (for a change), at least. I can’t begin to estimate what we’ve had at my house (the snow piles by my driveway are, oh, I’d guess at least eight feet high – maybe more), but, in Syracuse (whose snowfall pales in comparison to what we get out this way), they’ve officially gone over the 100 inch mark, hitting 103.5″ for the season as of yesterday. That’s about 50″ above average for this time of year, and if it continues at this rate (which of course it won’t), we’ll wind up with something like 235″ for the season, which would be a new record (by more than 3 feet).

I guess now that I’ve lapsed into weather, I might as well go ahead and talk sports. Or should I just say, JETS? If you hate (or are at least really sick and tired of) the New England Patriots, Bill Belichick, and, in particular, Tom Brady, you are neither alone nor disappointed this morning as the Jets went to Foxboro and kicked ass (and managed not to screw it up in the end, which would have been very Jets-like).

Oh, I know, lots of people out there don’t like the Jets because their coach – Rex Ryan – is a big fat loudmouth Irishman. But, hey, that’s exactly what I like best (I admit, I don’t get the whole foot thing, but, hey, to each his own, and besides, it’s not like Rex can see his own feet).

Speaking of sports, 50 years ago today the NBA All-Star game was held here in Syracuse. The East team included Dolph Schayes, Tommy Heinsohn, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, and Bill Russelland was coached by Red Auerbach. Suiting up for the West were Elgin Baylor, Bob Pettit, Oscar Robertson, Gene Shue, and Jerry West, among others. They were coached by Paul Seymour. Was there any scoring done back in the NBA’s olden days? Well, in the end, the West beat the East, 153-131.

Looks like Republicans and Democrats will sit with each other for the SOTU address. Well isn’t that nice? They should hand out baseball bats, too. That’d make things more interesting when somebody gets the urge to shout out “YOU LIE!”

It may not be MLK’s birthday today, but guess what? It is Betty White’s (not to mention Michelle Obama, Jim Carey, Andy Kaufman, Muhammad Ali, Al Capone, Kid Rock, James Earl Jones, and Ben Franklin, among others). Number 89 for Ms White (but, hey, who’s counting?). Happy Birthday, Betty.