Post column on panhandling

In today's Metro section—Panhandlers and guilt: Dealing with uncomfortable truths and lies.

Jose Guillen in the news

Hey, did you hear the story about former National Jose Guillen being left off of the Giants' post-season roster because of a drug investigation?

The last Cristian Guzman post?

The Washington Post reports that the Nationals have traded Cristian Guzman to the Rangers.

Miguel Batista in a swimsuit?

Two words: No thanks. But it's a funny exchange he has been having with Miss Iowa. (Look for the second brief.) I do think we should go support Batista if he gets the start on Sunday, though.

Former National League Comeback Player of the Year . . .

Dmitri Young was arrested for marijuana.

It's where they make lawnmowers. Right.

Nice headline on Nationals.com today:

Hot-hitting Nationals take a spin in Mowtown

Lost in Stephen Strasburg's start Sunday was a Nats offense that scored nine runs on 16 hits. Washington will try to keep swinging hot bats today at 7:05 p.m. ET in Detroit. Preview >

Cristian Guzman's triple play

If this blog has any life left at all, we must note that Cristian Guzman hit into a triple play last night (see it here). Of course, the blame lies mostly with the overeager baserunners, and perhaps a little with the umpires (who initially did not clearly rule that the ball was caught), but still.

ESPN's news crawl noted that he hit into an "inning-ending triple play." You heard it here first: If there's ever a triple play that does not end an inning, I'll open an empanada restaurant. (I'll keep some recipes handy, because any Missouri football fan knows that the rules don't always work.)

Wesley Willis Goes to School

So a few weeks ago my class was doing some arts and crafts work (yeah, I know, I teach English but sometimes you need to mix it up with the activities.) Anyhow, I thought it would be fun to listen to music at the same time. So for a while I played some of my own music but then I thought it would be interesting to see what my students are always listening to on their ipods. After telling them it must be school-appropriate, one boy plugged in his Ipod and proceeded to play Wesley Willis' "Rock and Roll McDonalds" I was shocked! I let it run, and surprisingly the students liked it. I must say that was one of the weirdest moments of the school year. I thought you guys would like to know that the younger generation also digs Wesley.

Fifth Annual PH4H NCAA Tournament Pick-'em

The PH4H Tournament pool is back for the fifth straight year! As in the past, it utilizes a scoring system that uses a point multiplier based on seeding, to encourage picking upsets.

As usual, the winners are the people with the highest and lowest scores (i.e., even if your picks stink, the only way you're not in the running is if you don't play).

So all you need to do is log in with the username and password you used before, and you should automatically be back in the user group. Then just make your picks before the tournament begins on Thursday.

If you want to invite others, go ahead. Just have them go to this website (http://ph4h.mayhem.sportsline.com), and enter the password "reverse."

Good luck!

(Oh, and as a side note, I can't run the NIT Challenge this year, seeing as I will be unable to keep score manually while on the road. Anyone want to take over?)

Help Wanted: Wienermobile Driver

Anyone looking for a career change? Oscar Meyer is looking for people to drive the Wienermobile.



Puns are apparently an extra added bonus.

In case of winter storm warning

Snow in the forecast! Preparedness is the best defense ... YOU need http://snowpocalypsedc.com/.

Empanada sighting

Empanadas de leche and empanadas de piña at Castro's Bakery, which has locations in Arlington (on Wilson Blvd.) and Falls Church (Wilson Blvd. at Seven Corners, even though the address suggests Rt. 50). The empanada de leche was mostly hollow but very good.

The president vs. the Super Bowl

This is awesome. As reported in the New Yorker.

Jiffy Lube Live

Doesn't that sound exciting? Well, it's the venue formerly known as Nissan Pavilion. I think they should offer free oil changes while you're waiting to get out of the parking lot. I also think they should serve oil change stout from the Flat Branch brewery in Columbia, Mo. (the first drink I had upon turning 21).