Photo by Chris Rief aka Spodie Odie

Good morning, D.C., and welcome back to your regularly scheduled, uninterrupted by obscure holidays, no longer irritated by three-day-long Metro closures life. That all sounds pleasant enough, though it also means you’re definitely back at work now, which is decidedly less nice. So, let’s see, what could cheer us all up … any funny headlines? Ehh, no, not really. But here’s something good, from the Capital Weather Gang: “Forecast: Today Brings Best Weather of Week”! So today is awesome. Heck yeah! For the time being, though, we will completely ignore the flipside of this forecast, which is that it really means the rest of the week is going to be cold and damp. Live in the moment, Washington.

Deeds, McDonnell Face Off on Live TV: Virginia’s two candidates for governor, Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds, met in Richmond last night for a live, televised debate. The Examiner writes that Deeds “tried to defuse criticisms over his inelegant, stammering speech patterns, which were on display throughout the debate.” The Washington Times, meanwhile, emphasizes how Deeds called McDonnell a liar, which the Republican found “to be below the dignity of a gubernatorial campaign.”

Marion Barry Leaves Hospital: Former mayor and Ward 8 D.C. Council member Marion Barry left Howard University Hospital on Monday, presumably now fully hydrated. Here’s the statement he released via a spokesperson: “I would like to first thank God for giving me the strength to rise above. By his grace, and the wonderful work of my doctors and the staff at Howard University Hospital, I am able to address my health issues more effectively. Nearly 8 months after receiving a new kidney, I am feeling very well and I am ready to get back to work. I thank the residents of the District for their love, concern, and many prayers.”

Chief Rubin Takes Responsibility for Sprinkler Demo Disaster: WUSA9 stays on the D.C. Fire/EMS sprinkler demo foul up that left one firefighter burned last week. Reporter Dave Statter notes that Rubin hasn’t been made available to speak with him, but did do a podcast with Ed Comeau of Campus-Firewatch.com. ‘Chief Rubin told Comeau it “looked like a comedy act.” The chief said he took for granted that the requirements outlined in National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for such burns had been followed. Instead the chief discovered there was no safety officer for the event and that a briefing with the firefighters had not been conducted prior to the burn.’

Briefly Noted: D.C. Police Chief freezes hires in the Gay and Lesbian Liaison Unit … D.C. gas customers facing a monthly surcharge … D.C. store clerk shot while trying to assist customer who was being robbed … Md. boy struck, killed by Amtrak train … Man attacks George Washington University grad student with a hammer.

This Day in DCist: In 2008, Mt. Pleasant was thinking about a new approach to residential parking, and in 2006, we wondered who was crazier more eccentric, Gilbert Arenas or Clinton Portis?