"I expect many of you who are "blessed" with four seasons to be bitching and moaning about how much you hate February, while I'm making plans to attend a Rice baseball game on my birthday. Yes, this is another reason why It's Worth It."

That's OK, I'll be in Florida in less than two months watching spring training. The temperature here will be near 60 degrees during the middle of the week.

Therefore, PHFFTHT (a Bronx cheer) from Staten Island (originally from the Bronx).

Listen, if you wanted a more intelligent argument, talk to Olivia. :-)

Many of us, including myself, bitch and moan about winter. But as the saying goes, "it's an ill wind that blows no good." Winter kills off many insects, including fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. It's no coincidence that malaria is only seen in warmer climates.

Of course, as global warming accelerates under Bush's policies, those of us who currently endure winter are finding that our winter is becoming more and more Houstonian (or Phoenician). The good news is that we have less to bitch and moan about. The bad news is that tropical diseases like malaria are spreading back into Texas and other parts of the U.S.

As for whether "It's Worth It," every city has its bad, as well as its good, points. As Atrios posted last week, according to Fitness Magazine:

"Houston was named the fattest city for the fourth time in five years, followed by Philadelphia, Detroit, Memphis and Chicago."

Geez. Dallas leads the nation in heart disease but didn't even make the Fat Five? What's up with that?