Let's Get Real!

Today's cryptoquote was a tough one! It's by Gustave Courbet (1819-1877):

"Fine art without knowledge is visible."

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Courbet was a French painter and one of the principle players in the Realist movement. His made bold social commentary in his work and his subjects often included peasants and the working conditions of the poor. Courbet's paintings brought about much criticism and commentary because they sometimes were considered crude and vulgar. Here is a self-portrait of the artist

Also, today is the first day that I'll be posting the Newsday puzzle solution. Today's puzzle is called "Self-Improvement" (by Gail Grabowski):

Doogie Houser has really grown up!

These are the theme answers:

20A: Observance before Easter: GOOD FRIDAY. Of course, this day marks the occasion where Jesus was crucified. It is the most solemn day on the Christian calendar and is a day of fasting.

40A: Inventor's Goal: BETTER MOUSETRAP. This isn't one of my favorite answers, but I guess it fits the grid and the theme.

56A: Autographed photo sentiment: BEST WISHES

We had a wonderful weekend. On Friday afternoon, we saw The Book of Mormon (http://www.bookofmormonbroadway.com/). It was probably one of the best musicals I ever saw and definitely the funniest! Although it is a parody of the Mormon religion, it does have a moral to its story. It deservedly won best musical at last night's Tony Awards. Speaking of the Tonys, I was surprised to hear that Daniel Radcliffe could actually sing! Neil Patrick Harris was superb as host once again! For a complete list of winners, link to http://www.tonyawards.com/en_US/nominees/index.html

Saturday afternoon, the boys went to see How to Succeed in Business. They don't understand how young Mr. Radcliffe could have been snubbed for a Tony Nomination. Matthew and Alex had a bit of drama of their own following the show. Alex fainted from dehydration and the guards gave him some water. He bounced back immediately and felt much better by Sunday morning. Meanwhile, I was getting frantic because they were meeting me at the Highline Ballroom for "Brian Wilson Reimagines Gershwin." Finally, Matthew showed up at 6:15 and told me what happened. We enjoyed Brian's set, which included Beach Boys classics and about 14 Gershwin standards. I was sad to see how much he's aged. They had to help him on and off the stage.

Yesterday, we went to the Renegade Craft Fair (http://www.renegadecraft.com) in Greenpoint. There were over 250 vendors! Lots of monster dolls, letterpress cards, and mustaches all over the place! I saw some cool Scrabble-tile pillows, but they were $32 each. I did want some birch-bark jewelry. I may order some online. We then went to the Austin Street Festival of the Arts. There wasn't much art this year but five yoga places and the usual fried food. Blah!

Clarence Clemons (the Big Man) had a stroke and his seriously ill. Prayers for his recovery!

I keep forgetting to post on the weekends, but they are jam-packed. I promise to be better!

Signing off for now,
The Puzzlechick