Swift and Sure

Please forgive me for not posting anything the last several days. I was on vacation and took a break from all work and blogging. I am back today with a puzzle by Charles Slack called "Not Too Swift." The theme answers--which all contain synonyms for "swift"--are below:


17A: Computer's password request (LOG-IN PROMPT). This is something that we should change every three months to avoid spammers and hackers.
54A: Unalterable, as rules (HARD AND FAST)
11D: Admiral's warships (NAVAL FLEET). I'm happy to say that after a year hiatus, Fleet Week returns to NYC.
26D: Very deeply, as a cut (TO THE QUICK). I didn't quite get this one.

I've added the Road Runner here for a little decoration.

Alphabet soup:

1A: Profs.' typical degrees (PHDs)
2D: Health care groups (HMOs)
50A: Website help section (FAQs)
57A: SNL network (NBC)

Huh?

5D: Mountaineer's descent (RAPPEL)

Thomas Jefferson is the author of today's cryptoquote:

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.

In other words, Jefferson is saying to keep things short but sweet. If you don't get to the point, you may say something you'll regret later.

Today's JUMBLE shows a wealthy man making a trade, and two landscapers talking. The caption reads ("He was able to afford his new landscaping after making so much money in his _____."

Word list:

ADDEF = FADED
NARGD = GRAND
SELUUF = USEFUL
MELTHE = HELMET

Scrambled solution: DDGNUFHEE
Solution: HEDGE FUND

That definitely seems the way to get wealthy these days. It seems to me that Wall Street has recovered quickly despite the government buy-outs of 2008. Main Street continues to struggle. :-(

We saw three great films at Tribeca Film Festival over the weekend: "DIOR and I," about the venerable fashion house; "The Search for General TSO," which explores the history of this Chinese-restaurant staple; and "Famous Nathan," about the man and the family behind the iconic hot dog stand. The latter film was directed by Nathan's grandson and is a touching tribute to his family. Notice the use of crosswordese in this paragraph.

I feel energized after taking a much needed break. Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick