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: 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. …

The Vine: February 18, 2003
February 18, 2003 · No Comment

Hey Sars, I got a quick cat question for ya, if you’ve
got the time.
About 45 minutes ago…damn, it was the funniest
thing. Bob (youngest cat) was sniffin’ around in a
plastic bag, and I leaned over to …

So You’re Going To A Rock Show
February 17, 2003 · No Comment

In my nearly thirty years on earth, I’ve gone to just about every possible kind of show, in just about every possible category of venue. I’ve seen Madonna at Madison Square Garden, I’ve seen honky-tonk …

The Vine: February 14, 2003
February 14, 2003 · No Comment

Sars,
Had to respond to “Once Thin, Twice Shy” and other folks looking to stop someone from being hurtful to others/sharing TMI.
A friend of mine used to think it was hilarious to ask strangers stupid questions …

The Vine: February 13, 2003
February 13, 2003 · No Comment

Dear Sars,
Yes, on a day when you’ve got drunk driving, class conflict, and urinating
dads in The Vine, it’s the grammar question that compels me to fire up the
email program. Grumpy Second-Year Teacher asked for some …

The Vine: February 12, 2003
February 12, 2003 · No Comment

Hi Sars,
I have a very trivial problem. My husband uses the expression “in terms
of” far too often and, more importantly, incorrectly. Having made an issue
of this, it occurred to me that I wasn’t entirely confident …

The Vine: February 11, 2003
February 11, 2003 · No Comment

Dear Sars:
Normally, I would be cheering you all the way and I love your advice, but right now, I’m so mad I can hardly breathe. I’m furious that you were so flip and rude to …