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Colleen over at The Chatter Blog included me in her drawing gallery on this one. I love it!

There is an across-the-street, I know it

As snow-experienced as I am from 31 years of living in Central New York, it still takes my breath away when the view from the window is snow and only snow. It had lightened up a bit by the time I went out on the side porch to snap a shot with my iPad Air…

If you get scared flying, you may want to skip ‘Non-Stop’

First-weekend movie-goers have three interesting opening choices. Planes in peril, in “Non-Stop.” Prophet in doubt, in “Son of God.” World War in balance, in “Stalingrad: The IMAX 3D Experience.” The trailers make them all look epic in their own right, the battle in the jet, the pain and passion in Nazareth, the heat of the…

Jim Boeheim stood up for his Syracuse squad, and that’s a good thing

Jim Boeheim is taking a lot of heat nationally for the outburst that got the veteran coach the double-technical heave-ho last Saturday night at the end of Syracuse’s loss to Duke. USA Today headlined the moment as “Boeheim loses his mind at referees.” The site deadspin.com said Boeheim “Goes Nuts After Bad Call” and called…

One year after my blog starts, I’m nominated for the Shauny Award

On Feb. 26, 2013, I posted my first piece on markbialczak.com. It was titled “Yeah, I’ve got a blog.” I was one month out from losing my job with the big daily here in Syracuse. The post was full of emotions, lots of them. It didn’t have a photo with it, though. I was very…

When life gives you so much winter, why not make a fest?

It’s become a tradition for my dear wife Karen and I to make sure we head to the Syracuse, N.Y., downtown space called Hanover Square at this time of year. Since 1985, hardy and hearty Central New Yorkers have been given the opportunity to make the most of this cold, snowy season here in the…

They’re noisy birds, but I don’t mind

Every so often sitting in my living room here in the Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood these past couple of days, I hear a thump against the picture window. Ellie B, aka Dogamous Pyle, jumps on top of me on my recliner to peer out, and I hunch over to protect the family … iPad…

Another snowy day touches down in Syracuse

Temperatures steadily in the 40s. One day in the 50s. Snow melting from the roofs of our Syracuse city neighborhood of Eastwood. Counting the days ’til March with the fingers on one hand. The big tease in our part of the world is over. Wicked winter ’13-14 rolled through again Monday, with a quick, efficient…

Important: Please Help Save MORE Than a House

Not a Punk Rocker stated the effects of losing your home and the causes that have pushed our blogging friend Merry to the brink of that calamity. Reading Merry’s heartfelt telling of her tale on Knocked Over By a Feather this weekend was wrenching. Of course, Merry is proud, and would not think to ask…

In ‘3 Days to Kill,’ CIA guy Kevin Costner aims to win back his daughter

There’s a scene in ‘3 Days to Kill’ when the CIA agent played by Kevin Costner reaches down and scoops a loved one into his protective arms. Yes, thoughts of “The Bodyguard” and the much-missed Whitney Houston jumped into my mind. In different scenes, Costner’s agent Renner tries to figure out how to connect with…