Baseball

“I wrote 63 songs this year. They’re all about Jeter.” Just kidding. The game we love, the players we hate, and more.

Culture and Criticism

From Norman Mailer to Wendy Pepper — everything on film, TV, books, music, and snacks (shut up, raisins), plus the Girls’ Bike Club.

Donors Choose and Contests

Helping public schools, winning prizes, sending a crazy lady in a tomato costume out in public.

Stories, True and Otherwise

Monologues, travelogues, fiction, and fart humor. And hens. Don’t forget the hens.

The Vine

The Tomato Nation advice column addresses your questions on etiquette, grammar, romance, and pet misbehavior. Ask The Readers about books or fashion today!

N Candy AA: Champion of Champions
November 30, 2010 · 12 Comments
N Candy AA: Champion of Champions

Starburst made a better showing than I’d anticipated, but the overall candy champ, my friends, is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Congratulations to the PB pucks; it’s a damn fine candy.

N Candy AA II: Your Champion
November 29, 2010 · 10 Comments
N Candy AA II: Your Champion

Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of the non-chocolate bracket is Starburst! Thanks for your votes and comments, and look out for a Starburst-versus-Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups champion face-off poll later in the week.

Fade To (22) Black
November 28, 2010 · 12 Comments
Fade To (22) Black

Is it just me, or do filmmakers have A Thing about 22 Black on the roulette wheel?
On one hand, the likelihood that it’s just me is pretty high; 22 is my lucky number, so it’s …

The Vine: November 24, 2010
November 24, 2010 · 10 Comments
The Vine: November 24, 2010

A very happy (American) Thanksgiving to the Nation, and the safest of travels. Got a gift- or holiday-related question you need help with? Ask The Readers is here for you, so send those emails to …

The Squared Up Podcast, Episode 1: Pith Fail
November 23, 2010 · 4 Comments
The Squared Up Podcast, Episode 1: Pith Fail

It didn’t feel like an hour, but that’s how long inaugural guest Couch Baron and I blathered on about baseball in the first episode of The Squared Up Podcast. I’ll have a better handle on …

N Candy AA II: Fruit to the Death
November 22, 2010 · 29 Comments
N Candy AA II: Fruit to the Death

Updated bracket is here. Confused? Click here. Polls close on Black Friday.
10 Nerds vs. 2 Starburst.
Keckler: In discussing my original prediction of a Peeps final with the Evil Dr. Mathra and how I continue to …

Adventures In Random DVR-Pausing: You Forgot A Few Letters
November 22, 2010 · One Comment
Adventures In Random DVR-Pausing: You Forgot A Few Letters

“Pardon me, Major, but this rating is bullshit.”

The Vine: November 19, 2010
November 19, 2010 · 56 Comments
The Vine: November 19, 2010

Dear Sars and The Nation,
I have baby-fine, stick-straight hair, and I’ve learned over the years that I want to work with it, not against it. A new stylist who cut my hair at the beginning …

N Candy AA II: The Final Four
November 18, 2010 · 28 Comments
N Candy AA II: The Final Four

Updated bracket is here. Confused? Click here. Polls close 11:59 AM ET on Monday.
Happy birthday, Keckler! I hope you get a whole pallet of Christmas Treeps on your natal day.
10 Nerds vs. 11 Smarties/SweeTarts. I …

The Vine: November 17, 2010
November 17, 2010 · 29 Comments
The Vine: November 17, 2010

Dear Sars,
My husband and I got married about a year ago, after almost five years together. While not always the happiest guy, his funks usually only lasted a day or two. I thought they were …