John Kelly's Washington Live

Free-for-all Discussion

Post columnist John Kelly (The Washington Post)

John Kelly writes five times a week about the joys and annoyances of living in Washington. He aims to show readers the Washington (and Silver Spring, Alexandria, Manassas, Bowie ...) that they know and take them places they don't know. He wants to make them see familiar things in unfamiliar ways and unfamiliar things in familiar ways. ("We may occasionally end up seeing unfamiliar things in unfamiliar ways," John says, "but such are the risks of the job.") His columns take a cockeyed view of the place the rest of the planet knows as the Capital of the Free World but that we all call home. John rides the Metro for fun and once kidnapped an Irishman to see what made him tick.

Fridays at 1 p.m. ET John's online to chat about his columns and mull over anything that's on your mind. This week's columns:
Thar's Gold in Them Thar Tunnels, (Post, Oct. 8)
Looking for the Stories of a Century , (Post, Oct. 7)
The Door to Customer Dissatisfaction , (Post, Oct. 6 )
Root, Root for the Whatchamacallits , (Post, Oct. 5)
Answer Man: Beholding Helen Holden , (Post, Oct. 4)

Editor's Note: Washingtonpost.com moderators retain editorial control over Live Online discussions and choose the most relevant questions for guests and hosts; guests and hosts can decline to answer questions.

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John Kelly: Another Friday, another Friday chat. It seems like only last week I was seated at my computer in my windowless office, wondering if I should be worried about that humming sound coming from the wall. (Our building seems to run on impulse power.)

In this week's columns we found 1940s radio star Nancy Ordway, pondered possible names for DC's baseball team, revisited the locked-door mystery, asked on old lady what it's like to be old, and raised some Metro revenue-raising ideas. And now, here we are, perched on the precipice of the weekend.

What are YOU doing this weekend? Me, I'm introducing some of the authors at the National Book Festival on the Mall tomorrow. And since our house is still a disaster, I have to hang blinds, install coat hooks and possibly even mow the lawn.

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Gaitersburg, Md.: John: You do a nice a nice job of walking in the neighborhood since Levey left.

Considering that the area has a large number of radio stations with local personalities as well as the syndicated shows, is there any reason that the Washington Post doesn't do a Sunday weekly page listing all the radio stations, shows, and perhaps a one-line description in a grid-format similar to the TV schedule format? How many people know that WMAU broadcasts four hours of old radio programs, or which stations play bluegrass, have a show on gardening or cover local high school sports? Stations should be able to provide an update as formats and schedules change, and it would seem that stations would be in favor such a page (and perhaps buy Washington Post advertising) for the chance promote their shows and the potential for new listeners.

Jeff

John Kelly: That's an interesting question. I don't know that I have an answer. I do know that The Post probably wouldn't get any advertising revenue from such a page. Many's the time I've been involved in projects that were "certain" to bring in ads, only to watch them wither. A radio page would be the same. When I was editor of Weekend we had something called "Airwaves." It was a list of interesting radio programs that week. It was the first thing cut when we ran out of room, which we often did. Eventually we stopped even preparing it. I think there's been a mini renaissance in radio since then, with things like This American Life on NPR. Whether readers really want to know what's on when, I'm not sure. You could argue that fans already know when to tune in, but that doesn't help people who, as you say, may not be aware of offerings.

It was interesting to look at the detail in the radio listings in The Post in the 1940s, but that was a different time. And today much of radio is just syndicated stuff without much personality.

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Arlington, Va.: Not a question, in reaction to your column on 'locked doors,' just wanted to share an amusing door sign. There's a door on a business in Clarendon with the sign "Emergency Entrance Only." Yes, I re-read it to make sure; it does say Entrance.

washingtonpost.com: The Door to Customer Dissatisfaction (Post, Oct. 6 )

John Kelly: I like that. Another reader e-mailed to say that a Wendy's on K Street had the word "PUSH" on both sides of the same door. I'm sorry to say that when I visited that wasn't the case. However I have to razz a nearby CVS a little bit. They have both doors unlocked, it's true. But the one on the right can only be pushed and the one on the left pulled--at least if you're trying to enter. It took people a while to get it right the morning I was watching. Why not let them both go both ways, so to speak?

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Rosslyn, Va.: Metro, metro, metro, how do I loathe thee!
Any idea when these 8-car trains will arrive and be put in the system? Why does Metro not run trains more frequently after 7pm? The platforms are CROWDED and so are the trains pretty much all night during the week. They could charge rush hour fares until 10pm and make more money and also run more trains! Wait, wait, this is metro- actually solving a problem is so unrealistic, they'd rather paint a rosy picture instead of dealing with what is really happening...hmmm...sounds like someone else in Washington!

John Kelly: The first trains will come in 2006. By 2008 the plan is to have one-third of the trains in service be eight-car trains. Can you wait four years?

The problem is that there isn't enough power in the rails to run a bunch of eight-car trains, so they have to do all these upgrades. I guess it's like having a "heavy up" when you put a new bathroom in your house.

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washingtonpost.com: Metro Decides to Power Up for Eight-Car Trains (Post, Oct. 8 )

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Washington, D.C.: Hey JK,

All of a sudden homes for the homeless and public education are more important than a stadium.

Where were these people 6 months ago protesting in front of the wilson bldg?

Politics!

Thanks

John Kelly: There probably wasn't a lot to protest against then. Though it was apparant the District was going to have to pony up for a stadium, I don't think there were that many specifics out in the open until after the deal was announced. One thing: Why does the notion of homelessness and poverty bother us more when we're about to build a stadium? Shouldn't it bother us all the time? What about all the time we spend NOT building stadiums? It's not like we cure the social ills then.

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Heartbreak City: The love of my life is reporting to prison today to serve a relatively short sentence (for a non-violent offense.) Although we've prepared for it, my fears now turn to the little things - keeping the house neat, making meals, keeping up appearances. Do you know of resources I can turn to in order to cope with the loss? Maybe I just need a little TLC?

John Kelly: If the love of your life is who I think she is, I'm betting she's prepared you for this. I bet she's left five months' worth of meals in Tupperware or wrapped inside foil that has been molded into the shape of swans. I'm sure she has arranged for a cleaning service to keep the house neat, and probably contractors who will decorate it for Columbus Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanzaa and Belgian Independence Day. So, you have nothing to worry about. However, you could go the other direction: Just let the house fester. Order carry out and leave the trash everywhere. Dress in burlap and sit with the shades drawn. This will all give her something to do when she gets back in March. I'm sure she'll say "Oh joy, a project!" Then she'll thank you.

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washingtonpost.com: Stewart Enters Prison (Post, Oct. 8) John Kelly: If this is not what you're alluding to, my sincere apologies. I did not mean to make light of your pain.

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Herndon, Va.: Mr. K: As the one who (I think) first asked the "why is one door closed?" question, I think there is only one thing left to do - tell every merchant who insists on leaving only one-half of the entry door open that he/she is going to lose your business unless both doors are unlocked. I'm tired of running into/almost running into doors that are shut - not to mention the times I almost sprain my wrist as I try to open a locked door. EVERYONE UNITE, WE HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE AND EVERYTHING TO GAIN!!

John Kelly: Another reader said something similar. She recommended we take matters into our own hand and just unlock them ourselves. Reach over, flip that lever and let the door just swing free baby! Does this count as civil disobedience? Go ahead and do it. I'll visit you in jail.

Another reader had an interesting explanation. She just started a job at a mall clothing boutique. They keep one door of their vestibule locked so that people can't loiter there. You're either in or you're out. Why would that matter? Because they have an infrared eye that counts people as they enter, and that number is used for all sorts of data. They want to know how much merchandise is sold per person and bad numbers screw up their count. Who knew?

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Anonymous: John, is it really true that "the Washington Gippers" is the frontrunning name for the new baseball team?

John Kelly: Not the front-running name, but the front-running nickname, as an abbreviation of the "Washington Reagan Nationals."

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John Kelly: No one's spilling the beans on what they're doing this weekend. Come on people. I want to know. I might need an alibi, I mean, an inspiration.

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Silver Spring, Md.: Just want to say: Kelly, Kelly, Bo-Belly, Banana Fanna Fo Felly, Fee-Fi Mo Melly, Kelly!

Thanks.

John Kelly: The World Wide Web was invented so that we could securely communicate with one another in the event of a catastrophic world event. And now people use it to play "The Name Game." I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

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McLean, Va.: How about the Washington Posts?
Baseball team name, I mean.

John Kelly: Ohhh, Johnny likes. It could suffer from the same drawback as my favorite, though. Someone called to complain that "Monuments" makes it sound as if the players just stand there, like stone pillars. That could be a problem in the outfield. So could "Posts." Of course the key to good outfield defense is knowing where the batter's gonna hit it in the first place.

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Washington, D.C.: This is in reference to a specific incident, and I am still wondering how I should have handled it. At rush hour several days ago, I got on the Orange line at Foggy Bottom to go home. When I got into the car there were two young men, about 15, sitting on the floor of the car. There were people standing, but it wasn't too crowded, so I didn't let it bother me. At Rosslyn, many more people crowded onto the car, to the point where we were barely able to move. The boys remained seated on the floor, obviously taking up more space than neccessary. In a very polite voice, I pointed out that if they were to stand, there would be more room for everyone. One of them responded, "Okay", but they failed to move. At this point everyone around was staring at them. Several stops later, they got up to get off the train, and as they were making their way through the crowd to get to the door, one of them shouted, "Excuse me you f---ing swine!" very loudly! I have NEVER been so astonished in my life! Keep in mind that I am in my early twenties, so I'm fairly comfortable around such language... usually. There were no Metro police/security on the car or immediately in the station, but these boys were obviously out of line! What would have been the proper course of action? (I'm still fuming sitting here thinking about it!)

John Kelly: I posed your question to Metro's Steven Taubenkibel. The kids you mentioned got off the train and presumably left the station, so there may not have been much anyone could have done. But Steven said if you encounter really serious rude behavior or foul language you certainly go to one end of the car and report it to the driver on the intercom. If you feel threatened you can get off and go into next car. The driver can summon transit police. If you run into this sort of thing on a regular basis--same line, same time of day, same cussing kids--contact the transit police at 202-962-2121. They can be on the lookout. What would others have done?

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Woodley Park, Washington, D.C.: I'm going camping this weekend, John, in the park near the Devil's Marbleyard, which, if you think about it, is a pretty kick-butt name for a natural phenomenon. I mean, it beats "Old Rag." Anyway, I encourage all of your chat readers to get outside -- the Shenandoah is only a 90-minute drive away, and the weather should be spectacular.

John Kelly: The Devil's Marbleyard. That is good. Better than Devil's Laundryroom. You heard Woodley Park, get outside!

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Washington, D.C.: I will be attending the Tour of Hope rally on the Mall and stalking...errr.....looking for members of the USPS (soon to be Discovery) Procycling Team. Call me nutty, but there is something about men in lycra who can ride a bike for over 3000 km in one month appealing....

John Kelly: Do you have to show your yellow bracelet to get in? Those things have gotten hot all of a sudden, haven't they?

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Vienna, Va.: This weekend I'm continuing to incrementally adjust the clock in my four-year-old's room in anticipation of that annoying return to "standard time." What are your thoughts about how (in an election year) We the People might go about retaining "Daylight time" year-round?

John Kelly: I don't think that's going to come up in the debate tonight. But you never know. Maybe some citizen will ask it. You could start a special interest group, get big donations and then see if Tom DeLay needs any money.

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What I am NOT doing this weekend: I had hoped to attend the annual Taste of Washington on Penn. Avenue until I wondered why I had seen no publicity and did a google search, only to find it's been postponed until Memorial Day of 2005.

Bummer!;

John Kelly: Can't you taste some other things? I think there are Taste's going on this weekend. Taste of Largo, perhaps? Actually, there is Taste of Georgetown (two dozen restaurants on Saturday) and Taste of Great Falls(15 restaurants on Sunday). Check the Weekend section.

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Silver Spring, Md.: John,

I am a government employee that happens to have Monday off for Columbus Day. Not that I'm complaining mind you, but in my opinion, I think Columbus day should be done away with as a national holiday and we be given the day after Thanksgiving off. No one gets anything done anyway.
Would you mind spearheading this grass roots effort for all?
Thanks in advance for your positive reponse.

John Kelly: I don't think you could get it past the Italians. If you could get the support of the Native American lobby, maybe, but they probably don't want Thanksgiving aggrandized any more than it already is. Any one else agree with Silver Spring?

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Annapolis, Md.: Hey Johnny,

Is that Lisa de Moraes person as fabulously dry witted and sarcastic in person as she is in her columns and chats? She makes me laugh out loud.

John Kelly: Isn't she great? She has a knack for choosing just the right word, and for allowing puffed-up idiotic TV people (or is that redundant) to hang themselves with their own words. I confess I don't know her that well, so can't comment on her real-life demeanor. I will say that I'm in awe of anyone with a "de" in her name. It's like having a "Von." John de Kelly? John Von Kelly? Nah.

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Washington, D.C.: RE metro rider. Clearly they knew they were in the way and they continued to sit on the floor anyway, possibly even to provoke a reaction or more. You are not the metro enforcer (although I appreciate the fact that you tried to help). Next time, don't engage -- call ahead to the driver or signal metro police.

John Kelly: In a way it depends on what you're hoping to get out of intervening. They got up when the person asked them, which is good. But they wanted to mouth off on the way out. Sometimes I'll honk at a driver not because I think that honking will accomplish anything--he may already be stuck in the intersection with nowhere to go--but because it makes ME feel better, lets off some of my impotent rage. I'm not saying our chatter confronted them just to get a rise--it sounds like he/she really wanted them to move to make more room--just that if we're hoping for action, as opposed to trying to get some sense in a rude person's head--it might be better to do as this poster suggests and call the cops.

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Orange Line Debacle: I don't believe the story. No way two young boys use the word "swine".

John Kelly: Well there's that. Maybe they're in an AP English class.

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Washington, D.C. - What to do this weekend: Given a three-day weekend with no kids soccer games, it seems like the perfect time for a get-away. But my husband and I talked ourselves in and out of going out of town. Check out the new Dan Flavin exhibit at the East Wing/National Gallery. His art medium is flourescent lights. We went last weekend when it opened and we felt like we were in a NY art gallery. Cool stuff/warm glow!

John Kelly: It does sound neat, but I sit under fluorescent lights all day long. Do I want to do that in my free time?

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Owings Mills, Md.: We recently bought a house and hate it! So instead of fixing anything or doing anything with it over the long weekend - we are going to NYC!

John Kelly: Road trip! I totally understand. You know, however, that you will have to confront your demons eventually.

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Weekend Plans: I'll be at the Book Festival, of course!;!; It's like Christmas and Disneyland together!; Plus I bought my books-to-be signed at Olsson's to support independent booksellers. Vive les bibliophiles!;

John Kelly: I've got a bunch of books to be signed too. You don't think the library will mind, do you?

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Crystal City, Va.: Here, here. I agree with Silver Spring.. I've been working for the feds for 28+ years.. I'm all for getting the friday off after Turkey Day!

John Kelly: The groundswell is...swelling?

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Annapolis, Md.: I think we should get off Columbus day and the day after Thanksgiving.

John Kelly: Soon you'll be asking for the day after Columbus Day, too. How many people here just end up taking the Friday after T'giving of anyway?

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Taste of Baltimore: Taste of Baltimore on Sat.

John Kelly: There you go. If you don't like the Taste of Georgetown you can try the earthier flavors of our Neighbor to the North.

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Arlington, VA: How about calling the team the Washington Metros?

John Kelly: Several readers have suggested that. Though it risks confusion with the NY Mets, maybe Metro could take some of the $1.5 billion they're getting and buy naming rights to the new stadium.

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Alexandria, VA: In regard to the floor-sitting kids on the crowded Metro. If I didn't feeling like ignoring the situation, I would have smiled at them and said, "How's the weather down there?"

John Kelly: I would've said, "Ohh, gross. Just before you got on some guy threw up where you're sitting." I mean who sits on the floor of a subway car? It's like licking the floor of a taxi.

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Arlington, Va.: On Columbus Day, I would move it to August 2 when Chris left Cadiz in Spain. It would have the benefit of giving us another summer three-day weekend. It annoys me that we bunch up our holidays in November and December. I wish we could do what the BRits do and have Bank Holidays to give them three-day weekends.

John Kelly: A true politician. The Italians would still get their Columbus connection and the rest of us could go to the beach.

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Rosslyn, Va.: I'm taking a vacation and going back home to Michigan this weekend. Unfortunately I'll have to actually see those dreadful political ads! Nooooo Not a 'Swing' State! Did anyone forget to mention to Bush that he didn't even win the 2000 primary in Michigan? Stay out of my great state!

John Kelly: The rest of us feel left out that we don't get to see the ads. We just get to read about them. Drive safely.

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Washington, D.C.: You know, I'm not crazy about the name Senators-to me it brings to mind a lot of puffed up suits that have little to do with the vibrant city that DC is today. I know it's a historic name and all, but I think we can do better. Maybe something that brings to mind our recent great cuisine? The DC Foodies or the like. Or maybe our breathtaking springtime-DC Tidal Basins? The Cherry Blossoms? Well, maybe having pink flowers on the uniforms is not a way to strike terror in the hearts of our enemies. Or maybe the Rock Creekers.

John Kelly: Senators is dropping fast on my list, too. Some variation of the Grays is growing on me. Maybe Gray Sox.

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Owings Mills, Md.: I think instead of confronting the demons we'll just resale the house. I can't even muster the energy to repaint the awful peach walls (and ceiling).

Also, we contractors get to float our holidays - so I'm not taking Veteran's day so that I can take the Friday after Thanksgiving off. But we ought to have them all off.

John Kelly: Oh painting's not too hard. Add a few throw pillows and you'll be fine. It's not built on an Indian burial ground, is it?

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Lawn Guyland: re: the two kids sitting on the subway floor. Give them each a chocolate bar

John Kelly: Isn't that entrapment?

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Pandora Land...: J:

Prior to the latest metro fare increases, I went to one of the community meetings where I offered the following suggestion: Add a tax contribution check-off box to our federal tax forms. Methinks it wiser to go towards metro than to finance elections. Plus is would be a way for those who come to DC to party/protest to help pay for the garbage they that always remains after parties/protests.

What say you?

P.S. Thanks for printing my haiku!;

John Kelly: That's a great idea. Of course, everyone would want to start doing it, so that eventually our tax forms would look like a United Way pledge form. And I don't know how people would choose between, say, "Fund Metro" and "Cure Cancer."

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Angry Hockey Fan: Hey give us hockey fans some credit, at least thanks to the rich vs. the rich fight that means no hockey this season you metro riders won't have to deal with the few of us that are fans, and all thoes annoying flyers and ranger fans for at least a year.

John Kelly: That's why I love riding the Red Line: trying to guess where the passengers are going. The hockey guys, angry or otherwise, are easy. They always have hockey jerseys on. The concerts at MCI are tougher. Is it Alan Jackson? Cher?

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Washington, DC: So, if it'll take 4 years for metro to upgrade, what happens if the system falls completely apart within that time because it can't wait 4 years for an upgrade? hmmm?

John Kelly: I hope they're doing it in a gradual way, that is that they're not overtaxing the system until the system has been built up sufficiently. Metro did tell me that they may start testing the eight-car trains before 2006, so it's possible you may find yourself on a long one before then. That'd be kind of cool. If it wasn't filled with teenagers staging a sit-in.

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Team Name: Washington Stars would work, since that is currently not being used by a newspaper...

John Kelly: That sounds like a soccer team to me for some reason. I guess we can't go with "Diplomats."

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re: Columbus Day holiday off: I'll chime in with agreement w/ Silver Spring. If you know the true history of Columbus' discovering of the America's, you'll know that he brought death and disease, looted the natives, and was generally a big #-$%. Why celebrate that at all? Also, as I beleive I heard some comedian or other describe it once, "It's not like we wouldn't have discovered America eventually anyway!;"

John Kelly: Did you ever see that Martin Mull bit where he imitated Columbus making first land fall in the New World? He falls to his knees on the beach, grabs a handful of sand and then shouts, "Spices!" I can't remember if he then shoves it into his mouth, expecting it to be salt and pepper.

Anyhoo, that's another vote for dispatching Columbus Day to the dustbin of history.

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Sure hope everyone has Monday off: Metro is shutting down service on part of the Red Line through Tuesday morning, for repairs. Of course, some riders that day may not notice any difference.

John Kelly: Thanks for the reminder. I don't want to be late for the Book Festival. The authors would have to introduce themselves.

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Springfield, Va.: Just for a change, I'd like to offer a good word about Metro Bus service. I just started a new job and am using the express bus service from Fairfax to the Pentagon. The bus is on time, the smart card readers work, and it's not too crowded.

John Kelly: Bravo, Metro. A nice, uncrowded bus--swiftly moving toward its appointed destination--is a joy to behold.

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Re: Stadium Funding: Just one quick thing about the stadium funding. The District spends more money ($16,000+) per pupil than any other system in the country. We do not need to throw any more money at the school system, we need to re-evaluate how we're spending what it already gets.

John Kelly: And let's hope that's what the new superintendant is going to do.

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Washington, DC: Doesn't Metro -cause- cancer? No, wait -- that was "Agent Orange," not "Orange Line." Never mind.

John Kelly: Thank you Emily Latella.

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Fairfax County: I like the "Washington Politicos" myself....

Who actually gets to decide?

John Kelly: The new owners will get to decide. As for the who the new owners will be, Major League Baseball will get to decide. They own the Expos now.

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Anonymous: Red Line sufferer: Today's "Metro" section about the Metro customer arrested for eating inside a station and resisting the transit officer, was nearly entirely a retreading of the original, highly sympathetic (to the customer) story. She gets her picture in the paper again. Quite proud of herself, it seems. The "Metro" reporters seem eager to lend a very sympathetic eat, and print, to anyone feeling wronged by Metro police. Meanwhile, the cars of Metro trains get dirtier and dirtier. More and more people eat and drink on the trains. Metro employees may overreact to the bad press, but the stories have been so one-sided, whether the customer is eating or talking loudly into a cell phone, and outweigh the occasional remarks in columns about eating in the trains, that it's clear that enforcement has been nil, while the impression one gets from the articles is of generally over-zealous enforcement. The problem seems more of generally overly law enforcment, with some isolated instances of police going overboard in reaction to hostile customers (this should be reported but it's not the whole story).

washingtonpost.com: Bitter Taste of Metro Arrest Lingers (Post, Oct. 8)

John Kelly: In these cases it comes down to people "disrespecting" the Metro Transit Police. I happen to be one of those people who thinks you should treat all people pretty nicely, but cops especially nicely. Some people think you should treat cops worse than other people. In a sense these riders were asking for it, in that they could have diffused the situation by either doing what the cop asked or not getting in the cop's face about it. Makes you wonder if people are looking for publicity as the next Metro freedom fighter.

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Alexandria, Va.: I missed last week's chat so here are some responses:
Re: pregnant women. Yes, they deserve some extra special treatment, like being able park in the handicapped spaces at stores and given seats on the Metro. However, based on my friends' behavior, you do NOT want to mess with them. Both the nuturing instinct and the mother bear instinct are heightened. So I can see where a belligerant pregnant woman should be handcuffed. Nobody deserves any breaks when it comes to the law and civil behavior.
I do think that Metro preys on the week. Really, who do you want to mess with? A thirteen-year-old girl or a 250 lb man? But both should be arrested for eating on Metro!

John Kelly: No one should be arrested for eating on the Metro. (No one should be eating on the Metro.) People should be FINED for eating on the Metro, which is what would happen if these riders didn't get all snippy.

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Re: Riding the Red Line: Believe me, you can tell the difference between people going to an Alan Jackson concert vs. people going to a Cher concert. If you can't, methinks you don't get out too much John Kelly.

John Kelly: Excuse me. I meant Toby Keith.

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More metro floor-sitter comments: Yours was best, but I thought of a couple:

"Would you like my seat?"

"I'm sorry you're ill, would you like some Tylenol?"

John Kelly: Someone should compile a list of surefire zingers that get your message across without getting you beat to a pulp.

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Falls Church, VA: In the discussion of names for the team, I haven't seen anyone comment on the reports that apparently Washington will inherit the Expos' mascot, "Youppi," although supposedly we might change his name. I thought that if there was one name that DOESN'T need to be changed, it's that one, except for the potential for confusion with the fans.

John Kelly: Oh man, we've GOT to have a new mascot. A snakehead wearing sunglasses? A panda with an overbite? I sense a contest coming on...

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Metrobus: I ride the 96 from Adams Morgan to the Hill every day and I looooove the bus. Sure, like everything it's got it's problems, but at the end of the day the people are 100% more friendly (or at least less rude) than they ever are on the Metro....and you get to say hi and bye to the driver!;

John Kelly: And I'll bet no one sits on the floor of a Metrobus.

Thanks everyone for joining us today. Get outside and have some fun this weekend. I'll see you back in the paper on Monday (and Tuesday and Wednesday and Thursday and, oh, Friday). As always, I'm at kellyj@washpost.com.

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