THE MOTHER OF INTERVENTION -- Is it just us, or is that some spine we see growing on the backs of Madison Avenue? Sure seems that way. First Austin-based GSD&M demonstrated its city limits, respectfully declining to participate in Wal-Mart's re-pitch, after disrespectfully being jilted after decades of outstanding work that helped the mega retailer get, well, mega.

THEM, BUT DEFINITELY NOT YOU -- According to Time magazine, you are the person of the year, but according to trade publication Advertising Age, you definitely are not. Well, at least not if you happen to work on Madison Avenue.

A CONNECTICUT YANKEE IN AL GORE'S COURT -- We just received the January/February issue of Yankee magazine, and at first glance, we assumed it must've been either a really old one, or one from some point in an alternate future--in fact, a different season altogether. The cover, which features a rosy-cheeked young tyke gazing upward amid falling snowflakes, carries the cover lines: "Snow Days" and "What to do.

RESOLUTION NO. 9 -- Actually, this'd be something more in the order of resolution fortysomething, but whose counting? Normally, we'd take the occasion of a New Year to spin a few predictions for the 12 months ahead, but after 2006, we're feeling mighty personal.