Odds & Sods

Ron Klain just became the 17th most powerful man in Washington, while the Jets think they're the team to beat in the AFC East. An Englishwoman claims to have unearthed the real-life Eleanor Rigby, as Mitch Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix's drummer—and, for my money, one of the three greatest rock drummers of his era—shuffled off this mortal coil. Probably on the downbeat. Oden's finally good to go, but Lego's suddenly all bent out of shape. Thomas Friedman® apparently doesn't know what he's talking about. What's worse, neither does Henry Paulson. 

Housing Crunch

We’re still some time away from Obama’s big day, but places to stay in D.C. are already at a premium. (To say nothing of tickets to any of the Inaugural events). Most of the district’s 95,000 rooms have been booked, and hotels in Maryland, Virginia, Baltimore and Delaware are currently fielding calls about vacancies. At the same time, Craigslist is aflutter with offers of pet-friendly housing swaps and pull-out couches. 

I heard one story this morning about a D.C. resident who is entertaining an $8,000-offer to vacate his place for the weekend. He said he's probably going to hold out for more money. He thinks he can get $15k.  

Damn! 

Obama, as promised, is doing his part to spread the wealth around.