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!

“That’s Good Stuff! His Kung-Fu’s Good!”
October 10, 2005 · No Comment

What I know about kung-fu movies wouldn’t fill a thimble, including whether I should call them “kung-fu movies” in the first place. The correct term is probably “martial-arts feeeeelms,” and no doubt I will receive …

The Vine: October 7, 2005
October 7, 2005 · No Comment

Dear Sars:
I have a serious problem.I have the strong urge to throw the nearest heavy
object through my television when, trying to be an informed citizen, I turn
on CNN, MSNBC, or any other news channel with …

The Vine: October 6, 2005
October 6, 2005 · No Comment

Sars —
I’m writing with regard to the letter from the person who was worried that she was going to end up doing all the chores like her mother even though her boyfriend was willing to …

The Vine: October 5, 2005
October 5, 2005 · No Comment

Dear Sarah,
I am a college sophomore who may be flunking out of school within the next week or two.This has been building for a couple of years and involves a few different issues, so I’ll …

The Vine: October 4, 2005
October 4, 2005 · No Comment

Oh wise Sars, who is far more versed in the language than I —
I was composing an angry letter to a political wingnut (exposed as such over on TINO) and realized I had a usage …

Lapses In Taste
October 3, 2005 · No Comment

I have heard it said that the sweetest emotion is relief. In fact, I have said it myself, that there’s almost no feeling more delicious than coming out of a bad dream to find yourself …

The Vine: September 30, 2005
September 30, 2005 · No Comment

Hey Sars,
Well, I dated this guy about a year ago now, the first boyfriend. Right after
I graduated high school at 17 and suddenly there’s this 21-year-old guitar
player interested in me. (Never been on a date …

The Vine: September 29, 2005
September 29, 2005 · No Comment

Sars,
I really enjoy reading The Vine both for the great advice and your ability to cut a problem down to its root cause.That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to do with a certain issue in …

The Vine: September 28, 2005
September 28, 2005 · No Comment

Dear Sars —
Stumbled across your site last week, and I really like your humor and advice.I’m in a rather unique but frustrating situation and I don’t know what to do — I’d appreciate your opinion.
I’m …

The Vine: September 27, 2005
September 27, 2005 · No Comment

Hi, Sars. I’m a longtime reader of your site and love everything on it, especially the GBC. Hee.
Anyway, my friend has this cat. It’s not what you’re thinking. Both the friend and the cat are …