Winter used to be dull, gray, cold, snowy, and depressing from New Year's Day straight on through the first warm day in March - or maybe that freakish warm day in February.  But then I discovered SoxFest in 2008 and have looked forward to it ever since.

I'm more of a "memorabilia and discussion panels guy" rather than "stand in line for autographs guy."  Speaking as a 29 year old, I think it's odd to stand in line for an hour to ask a much wealthier 29 year old for his signature. 

As a service to you, the South Side Sox reader, I will give live updates on the various panels on my Twitter page:

http://twitter.com/RobHartWGN

Here are some of the discussion panels this year:

Your 2010 White Sox, with Ozzie, KW, Hawk and Stone Pony.  Be sure to play the Hawk drinking game during any discussion panel he moderates.  Drink every time he hijacks an answer.

Also - drink every time KW says this is a lineup that can win the World Series, drink every time Ozzie talks about flexibility, and drink every time a fan brings up Scott Podsednik. 

Heavy Hitters, with PK, Harold, Walk, Teahen, and Juan Pierre.  Yes, Juan Pierre.  No really, Juan Pierre.  Moderated by DJ.  Take "five swigs"  every time Walk talks about the cold.

Game Face with Hawk, Stoney, AJ, Jenks, Kotsay, and Sweaty Freddy.  Don't play the Hawk drinking game during this panel, because he hijacks every answer and you will pass out.

Any panel with Jeff Cox is fun, because Jeff Cox is insane. 

I'll be there Friday and Saturday.