Today's Newsday Cryptoquote: "An age is called dark not because the light fails to shine but because people refuse to see it."--James Michener

James Michener (1907-1997) was the Pulitzer-prize winning author of Tales of the South Pacific (which would be adapted as the musical "South Pacific" and historical sagas such as Hawaii, Sayonara, Alaska, The Drifters, and Centennial.


The Dark Ages refers to any period of cultural, intellectual, and economic decline. We associate this negative term with the fall of the Roman Empire. Despite all our advances in technology and improvement with communication (thanks to the Internet, cell phones, and social networking), many economists fear a return to the Dark Ages. Many companies are clueless on how to make the Internet their profit center. Without continued advancement in their technology, they will experience stagnant growth.

Now on to today's puzzle answers (author is Billie Truitt). The theme (along with all clues) was "Not Now."

2A: WAIT JUST A MINUTE
41A: I'LL BE RIGHT THERE
56A: PLEASE BE PATIENT

Patience. I lose patience with many things. Call centers. Crowds. Long lines. Stupid people. Foul-mouthed kids. I always feel guilty after I yell at someone.

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In the gossip world, Arnold Schwarzenegger admitted he fathered a love child just before he ran for governor. No wonder Maria walked out on him! Then again, is it a surprise to anyone?

Seth McFarlane doing a remake of "The Flintstones?" I have mixed feelings about this. Many people are afraid he will inject his brand of raunchy humor. However, he did several excellent shows for the Cartoon Network (e.g., "Johnny Bravo," "Dexter's Lab," and "Cow and Chicken"). Let's hope he takes the latter route when he creates this new version. I can see him voicing Fred Flintstone, but he needs to get a big name for Barney's voice.

My friend's 20-year-old daughter just got engaged to a marine! They have mixed feelings because they want her to finish college first. I don't blame them.

It is another dreary, rainy day here in NYC. A good night to do some cleaning.

Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,

The Puzzlechick