I just had a great weekend of fun and, no, I didn’t go to the movies or a concert. I got to try two really cool things. So if you’re looking to start a new list, here are two of my suggestions.

First: Raspberry’s. It’s a new restaurant in South Sioux City and its food is wonderful. Friends took me there and I left realizing the 2009 diet would have to start a day or two later.  The menu is packed with flavorful items and incredible desserts. Trust me. If you want to treat yourself, order the chocolate souffle. It’s chocolate decadence.

Then, the Musketeers: If you haven’t been to a game in a while, you’ve got to check them out. I saw them beat Des Moines Friday (there will be blood…and there was) and the action was pretty brisk. Between periods we walked around and who do you suppose we saw? Three of the players on the injured list (see photo) and the mascot. They looked sharp and were eager to get back on the ice (so, hurry up and heal). The folks behind the team have crafted a pretty nifty evening of fun. Even if you don’t know a thing about hockey (like me), you’ll have a good time.

Heck, you might even say, “Super Bowl? What Super Bowl?” That’s how good the entertainment is.

Do you have a favorite Siouxland outing? Let me know. I want more items for my list.

I can’t go to movies all the time, you know.

No wonder they put two cities in one show. There wasn’t much talent. (Note to future contestants: Audition in a bad location, your chances are better.)

But there were some good Simonisms: “You were shockingly bad.” “I can’t listen to this. It’s everything I hate.” “The whole act is excruciating.” “It’s pointless.” “That was actually fairly horrendous.” “A complete and utter waste of time.”

One kid pretended he was an iPod. Another brought her brother (who charmed a golden ticket out of the judges for his sister). Several had badly ironed hair. And a guy named Nick pretended he was a singer named Norman.

When the sunshades fell down on the judges, you kinda knew it was going in the dumper.  And it did. They can’t get this show to California fast enough.

I’m betting the best singers are ones we never saw beyond the montage.

Otherwise it’s going to be a shockingly bad season.

OK, I had to share something with you. Forgive me, but the Fox folks put up the background they use for “American Idol” during their portion of the television press tour. The thing was supposed to be used for photo ops. But when The Simpsons showed up, I ignored protocol, pulled them over and got them to pose for a picture. So, behind us is the “Idol” backdrop. In front? Me, Bart and the gang. There’s not a singer in the picture.

You knew an Osmond would show up in Salt Lake City and, sure enough, one did. The only problem? The kid has been performing for years (I saw him in Branson) and you know the idea that “AI” is going to get a herd of Osmonds in the audience had to play into the hands of the judges. David, one of Alan’s sons, was good — if not a little old. His wife (girlfriend?) looked a little porn-starrish and dad seemed like he was going to cry at any minute. I’m thinkin’ David’s going to make the first Hollywood cut.

Thankfully, Salt Lake had more to offer than other cities. Most of the kids seemed counter to the state’s reputation and, yup, there were some hard-luck stories. One girl sounded like Amy Winehouse, another was getting a divorce and a third lost both her parents. The third — Rose — wasn’t that great of a singer, but she was cute and had personality. Plus, how do you beat that story?

A guy came dressed as a rabbit to support his friend and Greg the Rabbit was so cute I bet he’s going to turn up at one of the Hollywood shows.

My favorite? A gung-ho kid named Austin who’s senior class president. He had a lot of energy, sang well and seemed like the cheerleader “Idol” needs. Look for him to continue.

During one of the commercials, Kelly Clarkson’s new video was previewed. It’s old Kelly (in terms of vibe) and it sounds like something they’d play over a particularly dramatic moment in “The Hills.”

Interestingly, nobody in Utah seemed like the next Kelly.

But we did get a new Randyism: “It didn’t jump off today.”

How many times do you think you can use that? Work it into a conversation today. Then, dawg, you got it goin’ on. I’m feelin’ it. Right, man?

Wednesday: There’s a double-header (yup, even Fox is getting tired of these auditions). Next week: We’re going to Hollywood, baby.

Friday in the A&E section, I talk to the woman who does the makeup for “Idol.” Did you know she’s at all the auditions and starts then to devise the finalists’ “look”? That’s right, dawg.

Now, that jumps off.

Boy, Louisville is filled with bad singers.  If there’s a theme to this year’s “Idol” contestants it’s this: Nerds, hard luck stories and deluded individuals.

Tuesday’s show was boring…let’s face it …and it didn’t produce anyone who had surprising talent. Paula and Kara faked a kiss. Paula walked off the set. Randy rocked some bad Journey hair. Simon was Simon. You can always tell when he’s going to send someone packing and you know when the tears are going to fall.

A cute girl with even cuter sisters plucked the heartstrings with a bit about her and her mom who both almost died when she was born.

Now, the judges are headed to Utah. Pray David Archuleta has a brother.

The Screen Actors Guild honored “Slumdog Millionaire,” Sean Penn, Meryl Streep, Heath Ledger and Kate Winslet Sunday night.

So, who cares, you say? Well, since SAG represents the largest group of voters in the Motion Picture Academy, you might say “Oscar watchers.”

What can we glean from the results? “Slumdog Millionaire” will probably get Best Picture and Heath Ledger will get Best Supporting Actor. The two have won most of the awards.

Then, it gets a bit dicey. Winslet won Best Supporting Actress for her work in “The Reader” but was elevated to Best Actress status for the Oscars. She would have been a shoo-in in the supporting category, but she’ll have some trouble in the Best Actress sweepstakes. (Especially since Streep gave such a fun speech. She’s due a third.)

That leaves the door open for someone else in the supporting ranks. I’m still betting on Viola Davis, who gave the best female performance of the year in “Doubt.”  And she did it in less than 15 minutes.

Still, the jockeying could change the race in a dozen different directions.

Among the observations:

1. Viola Davis could do a Diana Ross bio pic. She’s lookin’ a lot like her during the Supremes days.

2. Former Siouxlander January Jones won as part of the “Mad Men” ensemble that won.

3. Angelina Jolie has mastered the art of looking peeved when she doesn’t win. (And, guess what? She ain’t gettin’ the Oscar, either.)

4. Marisa Tomei looked better in “The Wrestler” than she does at awards shows.

5. Mickey Rouke is still a mess. (And looked mad that Sean Penn beat him for Best Actor. That race, by the way, is still a toss-up.)

6. Is nudity a requirement for an acting prize? A good chunk of the nominees had nude scenes this year.

If you thought it was too cold to go to the Okoboji Winter Games this weekend you’re just not American.

Some great friends took me to the 29th festivities and I had a super  time…and I wasn’t cold. HONEST.

Friday night, we got the heat going with the chili cookoff. And who should we see there? Journal politico Bret Hayworth and his talented wife Jamie (see pic). They were taking the competition seriously. I was just filling my cup.

Warmed with the glow of chili (and a mug…which was my sole purpose for going. Gotta get the collectibles), I was able to make it up at 7 a.m. SEVEN EH EM Saturday to go snowmobiling. Now, I’ve never been on a snowmobile before (I was freaked by the Terry Branstad accident more than a decade ago), so I was a little hesitant. That, and I don’t like the cold. But they got me dressed in Michelin style and plopped me on a sled (how’s that Todd Palin?). I looked like Ralphie’s brother Randy in “Christmas Story.” But I wasn’t cold and when I got to drive the thing, I actually felt the power. Poker run? Here I come.

Following that? The chocolate tasting. It was all great — particularly the fried chocolate dipped in chocolate (think State Fair candy bar) — and the molasses cookies. Once fortified with chocolate, we headed to the polar plunge where some of the bravest kids in the world actually  jumped in the water. Now, either they had lower body temperatures than I or they were determined to win some bet. The crowd was larger than I’ve seen in years. (Whoo-hoo! Spring Break 2009!)

That was followed by some good sightseeing, a little thawing and another first — I went to a women’s restroom because the men’s was too busy (no kidding). Note to men: Women have floral arrangements in their restrooms…and they’re cleaner.

My only regrets: I wasn’t able to get an XL T-shirt (apparently, everyone who goes wants XL) and I wasn’t a University of Okoboji cheerleader. I think I’d make a great one — a foreign exchange cheerleader from Sioux City!

Heck,  if that happened, I might even consider the polar plunge!

The Oscar nominations were barely announced…but the campaigning is well underway. Ron Howard worked Conan O’Brien Thursday night. Frank Langella and Mickey Rourke were on the “Today” show Friday morning. In coming weeks look for:

1. Kate Winslet, expressing surprise that she was included in such great company. (Even though she thought she was going to get TWO nominations this year.)

2. Anne Hathaway admitting that it was her dream to be nominated alongside Meryl Streep. (Despite the shock that Meryl was nominated several years ago for “The Devil Wears Prada” and she wasn’t.)

3. Everyone in the supporting categories talking about how marvelous Heath Ledger was. (He’s dead, remember. Dead stars can’t do follow-up films.)

4.  Amy Adams and Viola Davis talking about how great the other one was (even though they’re in the same category).

5. Sob stories from folks like Rourke, who view the nomination as redemption and a win as a gift from God.

The mean stick came out Wednesday night. Simon — and Kara — got in some nasty remarks. Simon, in particular, couldn’t resist making horse jokes, since the judges were at Churchill Downs. And Kara opened asked a woman if she was trying to be humorous. (She wasn’t…and Kara regretted her remark. “Paula, hit me.”)

But several singers did win. Kara, in fact, knew Joanna, a 23-year-old who already had a record deal (is that legal?). She mde it through, as did a hunk named Brent Keith (two first names) who got the two female judges to hide under the table.

A nerd drank of out Paula’s glass and a guy named Mudd told the judges to “be careful,” which made Paula think he was threatening them. Oh, geez. What next?

There was talent in Kentucky (a guy named Matt sounded a bit bluesy, which would be good).

And, then, there was the obligatory sob story. It belonged to a woman named Laneshe who has tried to help her mom get out of a sea of poverty. (She made it to Hollywood.)

There were plenty of nuts, too. At one point, Simon said, “Is it me or is the show getting weirder this year?” No, it’s not you. It is weirder.

I’m thinkin’ the former recording artist has a good shot at the final 12. But that smacks of last season when another “signed” talent (remember the tattooed one?) turned up.

Are they just filling slots? If so, we’ve already found a rocker, a poser, a tattooed girl, a farm boy, a burnout and a belter. What’s left?

Thursday morning the Oscar nominations will be announced and you can bet Heath Ledger will be on the list. But then, who?
My guesses (and don’t flog me if they’re wrong)
Best Picture: “Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Dark Knight,” “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Frost/Nixon” and either “Doubt” or “Milk.” Dark horse: “The Wrestler.”
Best Actor: Mickey Rourke (”The Wrestler”); Frank Langella (”Frost/Nixon”); Sean Penn (”Milk”); Brad Pitt (”Benjamin Button”) and, possibly, Clint Eastwood (”Gran Torino”) or Leonardo Di Caprio (”Revolutionary Road”) Dark horse: Richard Jenkins (”The Visitor”)
Best Actress: Meryl Streep (”Doubt”); Angelina Jolie (”Changeling”); Anne Hathaway (”Rachel Getting Married”); Kate Winslet (”Revolutionary Road”); Sally Hawkins (”Happy-Go-Lucky”). Dark horse: Kristin Scott Thomas (”I’ve Loved You So Long”) or Melissa Leo (”Frozen River”)
Best Supporting Actor: Heath; Philip Seymour Hoffman (”Doubt”); Robert Downey Jr. (”Tropic Thunder”); Josh Brolin (”Milk”); and possibly Tom Cruise (”Tropic Thunder”) or James Franco (”Milk”). Dark horse: Javier Bardem (”Vicky Cristina Barcelona”)
Best Supporting Actress: Kate Winslet (”The Reader”); Marisa Tomei (”The Wrestler”); Penelope Cruz (”Vicky Cristina Barcelona”); Viola Davis (”Doubt”); and Amy Adams (”Doubt”) Dark horse: Rosemarie DeWitt (”Rachel Getting Married”)