Take Me Out to the Ball Game (Not!)

I'm enjoying a beautiful afternoon here in New York City.

Irvin S. Cobb is the author of today's cryptoquote: "As I understand it, sport is hard work for which you do not get paid." By today's standards, I beg to differ. There are so many overrated, overpaid sports people. If they break their finger, they go on the DL for three months! Sports Illustrated just came out with its list of most overrated baseball players, and #1 was Alex Rodriguez (A-Rod himself). He was followed by his teammates Jobo Chamberlain and Derek Jeter.

Kentucky-born Irvin S. Cobb (1876-1944) was an author, humorist, and columnist who spent much of his life in New York. Here is a cartoon portrait of Cobb from the May 1916 issue of The American Magazine. Several of his stories were made into silent films: Peck's Bad Boy (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0012563/), Judge Priest (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0025335/), and The Sun Shines Bright (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0046384/). He also was an actor and appeared in 10 films.

The crossword theme today is about bowling ("Up Your Alley" by David W. Cromer). Here are the theme answers:

17A: Mood (FRAME OF MIND)
30A: Tactical Team (STRIKE FORCE)
46A: Brief Moment (SPLIT SECOND)
64A: Unneeded coins (SPARE CHANGE)

When I was growing up, Bowling was such an inexpensive pastime. I remember paying just $1 per game and 50 cents for shoes. The average game now is about $11 per person, even more in the so-called "upscale" bowling alleys (e.g., Bowl-Mor).

The "stumper" was 32D: Bow and scrape. The answer was KOWTOW. This is a traditional Chinese act in which a inferior succumbs to his superior by kneeling and knocking his head to the floor.



Tonight is the finals of the National Spelling Bee on ESPN at 8:30. Forest Hills' own Arvind V. Mahankali will represent New York City. Last year, Arvind tied for 9th place and just missed making the finals. He graduates from the Forest Hills Montessori school this year; I wonder where he'll go for middle school.


The food pyramid is no more! The new nutritional guideline is called "MyPlate (www.choosemyplate.gov). The plate is divided into four sections: vegetable, protein, grains, and fruits. There is a cup for dairy.

Panera Bread has opened in my neighborhood. Better coffee than Starbucks (aka "Fourbucks").

Gym tonight . . . work from home tomorrow.

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick