Need something to look forward to in 2008? Start planning your next trip with these suggestions. Wisconsin Destinations Point Beach State Forest: This beautiful, 6-mile, sandy and serene beach on Lake Michigan just north of Manitowoc-Two Rivers allows you to soak up the sun and listen to the waves.

I was out last week, so I only just caught Stereogum's awesome "In Memoriam 2008" feature, a hilarious Oscar-styled tribute to the bands that broke up this year. Really, there were no big loses. Bands like Georgie James and Be Your Own Pet were too fleeting to really mourn, while Phantom Planet was past its expiration date anyway and Velvet Revolver beat the Vegas odds by at least a couple of year...

Fred Thompson is no stranger to the spotlight. Born in Alabama, Thompson began his professional career as an assistant U.S. attorney, and by 1973 was earning TV time for his role as the minority counsel in the Watergate scandal hearings.