Cop an Attitude

Good afternoon! It's raining again (for a change).

Billie Pruitt's Tuesday puzzle is called "Cop Stuff":

20A: Boy Scout's Award (MERIT BADGE). This was probably my favorite part about being a Girl Scout. It gave me an opportunity to explore music, nature, crafts, and even camping, which I hated. I had earned 12 badges but I only received six of them. I had quit the Scouts before the other badges arrived. I had to make my mom write a note to my troop leader saying that I was going to school at the Workman's Circle on Tuesdays. But they are probably more associated with Boy Scouts; there are literally hundreds. Modern categories also include the sciences, law, cultural diversity, disability awareness, and small business. And look, there's even one for dog care (awwww!). Each boy has to have a merit badge counselor and meet all requirements (no more, no less).

56A: Fitness Center (HEALTH CLUB). I belong to a national woman's fitness chain, which shall go nameless but I'm sure you can guess which one it is. I love, love, love most of the instructors, and there are two Zumba instructors whose classes I can't live without. I don't like the other members so much. For most of the members, English is not the first language. Second, many are pushy and rude. I had one member shut off my elliptical because I was two minutes over the time limit (the gym had opened late that day). But I need my four-time-a-week workout fix. If I miss a day, I definitely feel it.

10D: Conclusive Evidence (SMOKING GUN). I love this Web site! All public documents and mug shots, no matter how embarrassing, can be found here!

29D: Pet-store purchase (DOG WHISTLE). For those sounds only a dog can hear (like the "high H" note, as Barney Rubble would say).

Franz Kafka is the source for today's cryptoquote. It sparked some discussion of Facebook when I posted it this morning:

"A book must be the axe for the frozen sea within us."

Franz Kafka

Kafka was saying that books are written for a reason--to tell a story, to express a meaning, and to make a difference. My friend summed it up best: "Reading is like applying an axe to the 'frozen tundra' so we can better understand our world."

Franz Kafka was one of the most influential German-language novelists of the early 20th century. He was educated as a lawyer but was always interested in writing. Many sources claimed that Kafka suffered from schizoid personality disorder. Symptoms included lack of interest in social relationships, tendency toward a solitary lifestyle, emotional coldness and an elaborate fantasy world). He is most noted for his novels The Trial and The Metamorphosis; a complete list of works can be found here.

Last night was the season premiere of the new "Two and a Half Men." Charlie Harper (Charlie Sheen) was killed off and his funeral was hilarious. All his exes were there and they rude, sarcastic comments. However, I'm not sure if I liked the way Ashton Kutcher's character was introduced. The show that followed, "2 Broke Girls" was pretty funny. And on "Hell's Kitchen", I'm so glad that Elise didn't make the finals! Yay for Paul, the new champion!

It's almost the end of another work day, and I'm looking forward to Zumba tonight!

Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick