Peeps have a winner

Happy Easter, folks!

The Washington Post’s Style section has announced the winner of the third annual Peeps diorama contest. And it’s a doozie. The woman who made the winning creation spent more than 40 hours on it.

Here’s the article.

And here’s a photo gallery of the winner and the top 40 entries of more than 1,000. You’ll find yourself recognizing the fun of various creations as you think back over news and pop culture from the past year.

This post is for my D.C. peeps

You’ve picked them apart, spreading colored sugar everywhere. You’ve stuck them in the microwave to watch them expaaAAaand. Now, you can relive grade school with a Peeps diorama.

A few years back The Washington Post had a marshmallow Peep diorama contest. Perhaps my Beltway tendencies are at play here, but I think these things are awesome, and that making one would be a fun way to spend time with family and friends.

This year’s topic is a famous occurrence or scene of concept. (How many inaugural Barack Peepbamas do you think they will get?) Here’s the entry info for my DC pals. (If you lose the link, www.washingtonpost.com/peeps will get you there.)

Here’s a link to the first year’s entries. My favorite is Peeping Peeps (the fourth one in the gallery).

Lists – first sign of insanity?

The Washington Post’s style department has released its annual list of In/Out for 2009.

I have to say that I agree with a few of the IN items (Honeycrisp apples, chefs who farm, steampunk — though I’d like to keep steampunk to myself), but I’d prefer that ALLCAPS not make a return, and that LOLcats retain their prominence.

Also, be sure to scroll down for the bonus recession-style list at the bottom of the page. Worth it.

What’s on your IN list for 2009? (For my closest friends, the top two are weddings, and employment — as in having it.)

Something old: Googling our past

Did Google know you in 2001?

Just for kicks, Google has put up its 2001 index (the oldest available) for searching. Try it. Look up yourself, your family, famous people who weren’t famous then. Whatever floats your boat.

I’m in there, multiple times.

*Props to the Washington Post for keying me to this.

*Also, try Googlism for your name, if you haven’t before.

UPDATE: The 2001 index is only available until the end of the month, according to the Post.