Good news, MST3K fans: Michael J. Nelson is back, with RiffTrax:

Do you feel that some of the movies coming out of Hollywood are just, well, missing something? At RiffTrax, you can download Mike’s running commentaries and listen to them along with your favorite, and not so favorite DVDs. It’s like watching a movie with your funniest friend.

The concept is simple; download an MP3 of Mike’s commentary and play it synchronized with the DVD. The first classic film to be “Riffed” is Roadhouse, and The Matrix is currently leading the poll to be next in line.

Ever wonder from whence came “Elephant ear” or “Grab some pine”? The Merc’s Daniel Brown talked to Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow and yielded gems such as LES JOHNSON n.

The moniker Krukow uses for spring-training-roster no-names who take the field during the late innings of a Cactus League broadcast. Origin: Krukow credits former Giants catcher Mike Sadek, who used the name as a punch line to a joke. “During some of those spring-training broadcasts, we’ve actually had Les Johnson in left, center and right. `Fly ball to Les Johnson . . . he makes the catch and throws it back to Les Johnson.’ ”

Looks like we’re going to the Giants-Brewers game tonight.

EDIT: We did, and the Giants won, 4-3. Great game, and great (free!) seats courtesy a co-worker of Jennifer’s.

Dinner at Napa Rose

One of Manetta Gould’s many many rosebushes, with fish.
El Segundo, California

Place: CPK ‘ASAP’ at Mineta San Jose airport
What: Stupid “No Refills” sign on self-serv drink dispenser.