Sometimes, winter announces itself subtly; poetically. At other times, it walks in with a full brass ensemble set to fortissimo. The cable satellite feed for my television just broke up - and that doesn't happen unless a storm is approaching. So I checked the Weather Channel. We've got a tornado watch.

And I've got a meeting. See you, somewhere over the rainbow.

THERE AND BACK AGAIN: An excellent meeting with the city's GOP organization. It was a special one, too, as I presided in the absence of the president and first vice-president. With a special presentation by a potential benefits client, a couple of candidates looking to unseat Dennis (more on that later), an election and a bit of heated debate over a couple of issues, it was a fine warmup for my tenure as president next year. We're only about one hundred strong, but boast a rich history stretching back decades and are buttressed by a group of older, chartered members who still have quite a bit of kick in them. I'm looking forward to it.

ON WEATHER: Waiting for snow? Find out your region's prospects in the NOAA Winter 2003-2004 Outlook.