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!

The Vine: March 4, 2003
March 4, 2003 · No Comment

Hey Sars,
I hope you can address a grammatical issue for me and my advisor. It’s about the article before an abbreviation. One abbreviation that we commonly use in our business is MIC (mean inhibitory concentration). …

Enfants Terribles
March 3, 2003 · 20 Comments
Enfants Terribles

In honor of International 9.02.10 Day, a trip into the archives with Dylan and his fugly duster. I also recapped the pilot for TWoP, if you think you can take it (or read Wing’s version …

The Vine: February 28, 2003
February 28, 2003 · No Comment

Dear Sars,
I have noticed how much you despise the word “irregardless,” and I also
have a word pet peeve. I have a severe dislike — no, hate for the words
“flammable” and “inflammable.” I mean, what’s the …

The Vine: February 27, 2003
February 27, 2003 · No Comment

At least a dozen people have written to me since yesterday’s batch of letters went up, asking about “the Garner.” I thought I’d linked to the book on Amazon enough times that y’all knew what …

To Bee Or Not To Bee
February 27, 2003 · No Comment

I come from a caring, loving family whose company I enjoy. I do not, however, come from a mellow, noncompetitive, “it’s not whether you win or lose” family, because in the Bunting family, winning is …

The Vine: February 26, 2003
February 26, 2003 · One Comment

Hi, Sars —
Just a quick note to Ex-Rapunzel: She may want to consider donating all
that hair to a charity like Locks of Love. It’s a non-profit organization that makes
hairpieces for underprivileged children who are suffering …

The Vine: February 25, 2003
February 25, 2003 · No Comment

Sars,
I’m not sure really how to begin my letter, but I wondered if you (or any of
The Vine’s other helpful readers) might be able to offer some advice. I’ll
get to the point.
I have a friend …

The Vine: February 21, 2003
February 21, 2003 · No Comment

Hi Sars,
I’m almost
three years out of college, and have been working
full-time, in an office, in a cubicle since then. Now,
I work in the music industry, so my job tends to be
pretty fun and fairly stimulating …

The Vine: February 20, 2003
February 20, 2003 · No Comment

Dear Sars,
I have to write in regard to the chick who is pissed at her friend for cramming religion down her throat via email. What struck me about her letter was the fact that this …

The Vine: February 19, 2003
February 19, 2003 · No Comment

Sars,
Just read Lazy Bum’s letter to you, attesting to his inability to
concentrate, listlessness, lack of motivation, and other general concerns.
If I had written you a letter two years ago, I’d have sounded exactly as he
did. …