Okay, so it snowed a lot. As usual, there are plenty of people and news organization who seem to have forgotten that it snows every year. ADD on a regional scale, I guess.

Anyway, I've been reluctant to move my car, mostly because I have no patience for the Chicago tradition of "dibs," which is where people attempt to reserve their hard-earned parking space -- earned mostly by driving out of them -- by throwing all manner of junk in the spot previously occupied by their cars. Take 15 minutes and a shovel when you're coming or going and the street will end up being clear for everybody, but apparently that sort of unselfish enlightened self-interest doesn't fly in this city.

Most of this city, at least. Now, I moved back in May, and my old street was old-school Chicago, in that people left their milk crates and patio furniture out as long a two full weeks after a storm. So I figured being only two or three blocks away would be more of the same. But I swear, I don't think I've seen a single instance of dibs on my street. Around the corner, yes, but not on my street itself. It's very encouraging, but we'll see if it lasts through the weekend when more people (myself included) actually get around to digging their cars out.

I may have discovered a good backup plan for the occasional lack of street parking in my immediate 'hood (particularly post-Vaughan's on Tuesdays), too, although I have to check for signage to make sure.

Still haven't figured out how to get that "now playing" field back, dammit.