SAMIR PATEL, I HOPE YOU BROUGHT YOUR SPELLING PANTS

Tomorrow is the first day of the two-day Scripps National Spelling Bee. Anyone who knows me even a little knows which speller I think is the bee’s knees: no. 247 representing the Star-Telegram Samir Patel. I have long used this space to celebrate Patel (sorry the 2005 archives aren’t still with us), and I hope he gives me even more reasons to do so tomorrow. Chances are he will: Patel has competed in five straight bees, tying for third and second. By the way, Samir, I’m not the only one expecting big things outta you.