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!

MASTAS Episode 4: Ellie Goulding, “Codes”
April 1, 2016 · 2 Comments
MASTAS Episode 4: Ellie Goulding, “Codes”

In MASTAS Episode 4, we’re riding the sweet wave of Ellie Goulding’s “Codes,” while also pondering Swedish hitmakers, songs that help us get over terrible boyfriends, and that band from the Buffy soundtrack that Sarah …

MASTAS: Episode 3: Madonna, “Get Together”
March 25, 2016 · One Comment
MASTAS: Episode 3: Madonna, “Get Together”

In Episode 3, MASTAS FINALLY gets to Madonna. What took us so long?!

MASTAS Episode 2: Luscious Jackson, “Naked Eye”
March 22, 2016 · 3 Comments
MASTAS Episode 2: Luscious Jackson, “Naked Eye”

In Episode 2 of MASTAS, Sarah asks us to ponder “Naked Eye” by Luscious Jackson…

Introducing The Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs Podcast!
March 17, 2016 · 11 Comments
Introducing The Mark And Sarah Talk About Songs Podcast!

It’s about crop rotation! (Hee.)

The Big Short: The Moneyball of finance cinema
March 9, 2016 · 4 Comments
<em>The Big Short</em>: The <em>Moneyball</em> of finance cinema

And not just because it’s also based on a Michael Lewis joint.

The Vine: March 2, 2016
March 2, 2016 · 28 Comments
The Vine: March 2, 2016

My main squeeze and I got engaged last year — fun! I will be moving into his house — and selling mine — this spring, and we are getting married in the fall.

The Vine: February 24, 2016
February 24, 2016 · 61 Comments
The Vine: February 24, 2016

Would love suggestions on new reading material. I love British mysteries, especially if they are a series.

The Vine: February 17, 2016
February 17, 2016 · 18 Comments
The Vine: February 17, 2016

I have a 21-year-old daughter, who is in her fourth year of college. The problem is she has tanked her last two semesters.

Simon Says Stay Curious
February 10, 2016 · 2 Comments
<em>Simon Says</em> Stay Curious

A short film co-starring Dirk Birthworthy.

The Vine: February 3, 2016
February 3, 2016 · 27 Comments
The Vine: February 3, 2016

I’ve just watched The Revenant and there’s a scene where Leo climbs inside a dead animal for warmth.