We got a slight dusting, sumi, but so far, that's it.

So, it's not snowing at ALL in Chicago?

It's misting. At least in Evanston.

It's been snowing lightly but steadily all day here. And it's windy.

Yeah, I've never worked anywhere that gave regular bonuses. Or raises, actually. Ah, nonprofits. I have gotten both bonuses and raises a couple of times, but only under special circumstances. I honestly don't think I've ever gotten a regular COLA.

We get $200--cash, which is nice. And a personal card for each of our 60+ employees from the owner of the comany. This year he said in my card that I was not only "incredibly great" at what I do, he considers me a friend.

I work for a state university in California, which tells you all you need to know about the likelihood of Christmas bonuses.

We have a sort of half-assed merit bonus program, which depends on supervisory persons having their shit together enough to fill out the nominating forms, get them signed by the appropriate people, and submit all appropriate supporting documentation by some mysterious flexi-deadline. I got such a bonus once, many years ago: $1000 pre-tax, $400 and change after taxes. The following year I got a $10 gift certificate to See's Candies. Since then, nothing.

I also found out recently about other treats that used to happen back in the good old pre-Prop 13, state education not yet bankrupt days: the departmental holiday parties held at the Hall of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, the live bands, bonuses for everyone large and small, and, coolest of all, the mail cart: for the entire month of December, every day at around two, a mailroom employee would trundle a little cart up and down the halls of all 15 floors of the hospital, selling stamps and shipping supplies and taking people's packages to mail out.

When I left for work at 9:30, there was just a bit of snow on my front and rear windows (easily pushed aside by my wipers), and a bit more on the ground at the office parking lot near Northbrook. Since then, we haven't got any more.

I'm not too sure if other cities have the dibs winter parking system, but Chicago's had it for as long as I know. A few years back, some blowhards were making noise in the press about officially banning it, but Richie Daley came out at a press conference and supported it, so it has official mayoral sanction, now.

So, it's not snowing at ALL in Chicago?

We only got a slight dusting here, too. Right now it's kind of like snow dandruff.

I'm not too sure if other cities have the dibs winter parking system

Not here, but I'm blaming the infamous Scandahoovian desire to avoid confrontation at all costs.

This year he said in my card that I was not only "incredibly great" at what I do, he considers me a friend.

OK, that's fantastic. I'd rather have that than the $50 bonus anyplace I've worked might give. Of course, I'd REALLY rather have the 2x annual salary bonus my friend who works for Citibank gets.