Platonic Love

Today's crytpoquote is from the philosopher Plato:

"The contemplation of beauty causes the soul to grow wings."

Plato was, of course, the best-known student of Socrates. His work The Republic is probably one of the most important works in Western philosophy. He divided human beings based on their intelligence, strength, and courage. His ideal state was called the aristocracy, meaning ruling by the brightest and the best. Nearly everything he wrote took the form of dialogue, which influenced today's drama.

When we talk about platonic love, we speak of a kind of passion that is non-sexual. According to Plato, a beautiful person inspires the mind and directs one another to spiritual things. 

Plato wrote about platonic solids in which he associated each of the four crucial elements (earth, air, wind and fire) with a regular solid. Here's are some examples of platonic solids:

For a list of Plato's works, click on this link: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/searchresults?q=Plato.

I'll never forget this scene from "Soap" in which Jodie Dallas (Billy Crystal) talks about Plato:

Jodie Dallas: Plato was gay.
Jessica Gatling Tate: Mickey Mouse's dog was gay?
Jodie Dallas: Goofy was his lover. 

The crossword puzzle was called "Golden Trio" (by Fred Piscop). The theme answers are below:

20A: Golden State Park locale: SAN FRANCISCO. A city I have never visited but have always wanted to. There are so many distinct neighborhoods. Union Square is the main shopping and hotel district. Nob Hill (affectionately called "Snob Hill"). and Pacific Heights are where the wealthy live. You have Haight-Ashbury, home to the 60s counter-culture. Then there is the Castro, the center of gay life. Their Chinatown is almost famous as ours here in NYC. The long-running series "Full House" took place there. And of course, you have cable cars and Rice-A-Roni. Rice-A-Roni was actually invented by a family (the DeDomenicos) that consisted of Armenians, Italians, and Canadians. You can read about the history of Rice-A-Roni here: http://www.ricearoni.com/About/Our_Founding_Family/.

Speaking of San Francisco, I just saw the "I Love Lucy" episode where Ricardos get a surprise visit from Mario, a gondolier on their European trip. He was looking for Sam Francesca, but the gang thought he meant San Francisco. Watching Lucy make pizza is a classic scene. Of course, Mario's brother had been ill and was actually visiting Sam Francesca.

Sir Francis Drake

40A: Golden Hind Captain: SIR FRANCIS DRAKE (1545-1596). This English sea captain led the second expedition around the world. He was a notorious pirate and involved in the slave trade. During a slave-trading trip to the West Indies, they were attacked by a fleet of Spanish ships. This lead to a series of battles between England and Spain called the Spanish Armada. In the end, the British soundly defeated the Spanish Armada; Drake was second in command.

60A: Golden Rule starter: DO UNTO OTHERS. Here's everything you wanted to know about the Golden Rule, which is embraced by all religions: http://www.jcu.edu/philosophy/gensler/goldrule.htm. Basically, it means to treat others as you would like to be treated in the same situation.

Surprise, surprise: Sarah ("You betcha") Palin quits her bus tour!

Three more days till our trip to the Windy City. I can't wait to get out of town!

Signing off for today,

The Puzzlechick