Act Like a Tree and Leave

Is that how the old childhood retort went?

Act like a tree and leave
Act like a banana and split
Act like a bee and buzz off!

Trees are the theme of today's puzzle--Forestry 101--by Bruce Sutphin. Today's theme answers weren't too exciting; I couldn't provide much in the way of images.


18A: Doesn't bother (LEAVES ALONE)

26A: Extend one's influence (BRANCHES OUT)

57A: Math calculations (SQUARE ROOTS).

However, here are lovely images of trees that reflect each of the four seasons. I loved climbing trees as a child. When I got older, it meant raking leaves (ugh!) as the leaves fell to the ground after changing color. This would've been a perfect puzzle for Arbor Day. which is April 25 this year. There are several excellent books about trees; just consult Amazon for a list.

We've got quite a few names in the today's puzzle:

10A: Marlon in The Godfather (VITO)
17A: Preparatory NIGHT (EVE)
36A: TV toon troublemaker (BART (as in Simpson))

Alphabet soup:

20A: Wall St. regulator (SEC)
43A: Double-curve shape (ESS)
65A: Quarterback's successes (TDS)

The cryptoquote for today is an old Chinese proverb:

Not the cry, but the flight of the wild duck, leads the flock to fly and follow.

This is one of the most famous quotes about leadership. I think the quote is another way of saying "actions speak louder than words." I love Chinese food and collecting the bits of fortune cookie wisdom. Many of the messages are so true. Maybe I should play the numbers that appear on the back of the fortunes. That's how a Bronx woman won $2 million recently. However, I don't play the Lottery unless there's a big prize involved.

I got the correct answer for Puzzle #3 in Muller Monthly Music Meta. The clue for the Meta was "a band that formed in the '90s." The puzzle consisted of a picture of a "fountain" with famous Waynes (Bruce Wayne, Jan Wayne, Lil' Wayne, etc.). At first, I thought they were members' names for a certain band. Then I remembered the song "Stacy's Mom" was by a group beginning with "Fountains" and figured out that it was FOUNTAINS OF WAYNE on a fluke. I think it was a one-hit wonder for this group.Another great puzzle by Pete Muller.

Today's JUMBLE contained a picture of a car accident (uh-oh)! The saying is "After getting into a traffic accident with his wife's care, he was a ______

Word list:

RIHEK = HIKER
KLECR = CLERK
TYPSOT = SPOTTY
EYELAW = LEEWAY

Scrambled answer: KECROTTLWAY
The answer: TOTAL WRECK (that's how I would feel, too!)

We now have the solution  for last week's New York magazine's Vulture puzzle contest. Although I guessed the correct theme answer (PRETTY LITTLE LIARS), but I did not win a year's subscription. I'm now working on this week's puzzle.

Lunchtime is over and it's time to get back to work.

Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

Strong-Arm Tactics

I'd like to start off today's post with an interview that took place between Amy Reynaldo and a few female crossword constructors regarding their underrepresentation in the puzzle business. It's interesting that there were many more female crossword constructors during the '60s and '70s, and I think these constructors have made some very valid points.

Today's puzzle by David W. Cromer is called "Going Strong," and here are the theme answers:

17A: Physics or geology: HARD SCIENCE. This is a rather colloquial term for the natural sciences. All I know is that they involve a lot of math and complex formulas (yuck!). The "soft sciences" are of a social nature (psychology, sociology, anthropology, etc.). Many people think that the "soft sciences" are not real.

62A: Be helpful, in current slang: DO ONE A SOLID. I've actually never heard this term, which means that I'm living in the Dark Ages, lol.

11D: Wall Street company: MEMBER FIRM. I have yet to see "Wolf of Wall Street" on the big screen, but I read Jason Belfort's memoir. Although he is a total d-bag, I though the book was well-written and humorous. I do remember the Steve Madden stock manipulation scandal, but that didn't stop me from buying his shoes. Portions of the film were filmed at a local diner called The Shalimar, which needs to enter the 21st Century and create a Web site. It's a shame that Leo didn't win AGAIN.

29D: Bit of bad luck: TOUGH BREAK. I was trying to think of famous TV and book characters who are constantly down on their luck. The first one that came to my mind was Schleprock (pictured left) from the "Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm Show" of the early '70s. I felt so bad for him because he was such a nice person.

Alphabet soup: OAS, MCC, PGA. I also had a tough time with 26 Down: Proverbs (OLD SAWS?).

Contest Fever: Here are a couple of ongoing crossword contests to pick your brain:

The first is the Muller Monthly Music Meta, which are cleverly-themed pop-music crosswords. The contest is now in its third year. Contestants have to guess the meta puzzle each month, and there is a mega-meta at the end of the year. The winner gets a free entry to the ACPT. The first year, I got every puzzle right but totally missed the mega-meta. Last year, I wound up dropping out after the seventh puzzle. This year, I'm good so far.

The newest  is Matt Gaffney's Vulture Crossword Contest, where solvers have to guess the puzzle theme. I believe the puzzle will appear every other week.

Today‘s cryptoquote was by the singer Stevie Wonder: "If love is sweet as a flower, then my mother is that sweet flower of love." What a nice tribute to mom. Lula Mae Hardaway helped her family out of poverty and wrote many songs with her son.

That's all for now. Two more days until the ACPT!

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

Hook, Line, and Sinker/Brief Oscar Recap

Uggie

Happy Monday! The Oscars are over and I am so glad "The Artist" won the award for Best Picture. It really was a well-done, beautiful film. And you gotta give credit to Uggie, one of the best film dogs ever! He was there in an adorable back bow tie. IMO, the best dressed were Emma Stone, Cameron Diaz, Penelope Cruz, Octavia Spencer, Meryl Streep, Viola Davis, and Michelle Williams. Everyone fawned over JLo's gown, but I though it was tacky and too tight for her. It made her look a porker. Angelina Jolie showed too much leg, and Sandra Bullock looked just plain dull. Thankfully, Billy Crystal was back as host after last year's James Franco/Anne Hathaway fiasco. Personally, I would like to see Will Ferrell and Tina Fey host the show.


Just like we had the Oscars last night, Amy Reynaldo, author of the "Crossword Fiend" blog presented the "Orcas". These are her picks for crosswords of the year in many categories. Matt Gaffney won "Puzzle of the Year" with his creation called "Moving Day."


http://www.crosswordfiend.com/blog/2012/02/26/the-2011-orca-awards/#more-27189


Now onto today's crossword by Billie Truitt. It's called "Go Fish" and here are the theme answers:


20A: Native American carving (TOTEM POLE). The nicest totem poles I saw were at Stanley Park in Vancouver. This is the same Lord Stanley who the Hockey trophy is named after. Totem poles can celebrate cultural beliefs, or they can recount family lineages, notable events, or folk legends. 


57A: Joke's ending (PUNCHLINE). I didn't realize there was a magazine by the same name. Alex could have used this during his brief career as a child stand-up comic with Kids 'n' Comedy. All was going well until he had a teacher who tried to change his jokes completely. Lately, he has shown an interest in returning. Maybe next year when he turns 18, he can take an adult class.


29D: Browse online (SURF THE WEB). One of my favorite activities. Need I say more? 

10D: Be forced off stage (GET THE HOOK). Remember "The Gong Show"? It was a very bad amateur talent contest that ran on NBC. It was hosted by Chuck Barris. A panel of judges gave the act the gong if they thought it was really bad. We met The Unknown Comic, Gene, Gene the Dancing Machine, "Larry and His Magic ____", among other assorted characters. A very early incarnation of Oingo Boingo appeared. They won that night. 





Oingo Boingo recorded many great albums. Their lead singer, Danny Elfman, went on to a prolific composing career and wrote "The Simpsons" theme song.


That's all for today! I need to catch up on "The Celebrity Apprentice" and "Jerseylicious" (two guilty pleasures).


Signing off,
The Puzzlechick