The Sap Doesn't Fall Far from the Tree!

When I read today's cryptoquote, I thought it was more appropriate for spring.

"I like to think of thoughts as living blossoms borne by the human tree"--James (Jim) Douglas

There are a million men with this name out there, but I found the correct one. This James Douglas is a four-time Vermont governor and is currently the executive in residence at Middlebury College. He was the first governor to meet President Obama, and the initially vetoed the same-sex marriage bill. The House and Senate of Vermont overrode him, and it became a law in 2009.

Today's crossword by Gail Grabowski is called "Watch List." Here are the theme answers:

21A: Romantic songs, informally (SLOW NUMBERS). I find most romantic songs sappy and I simply can't listen to them. When I was in 5th or 6th grade, there was a boy in our class (Joe, where are you?) who would sing along to "My Love" by Paul McCartney. . . .Give me some Barry White any time! His numbers could melt even the iciest person.

48A: Get a new owner (CHANGE HANDS). I can imagine in this economy how many companies have been reorganized.

3D: Formal event music group (DANCE BAND). When my brothers celebrated their bar mitzvahs, dance bands were the big thing. I think they're still popular at weddings, but DJs are in vogue for major celebrations these days. Watching "I Love Lucy" over the weekend brought back the days when dance bands and night clubs were big business. Those were the days when people got dressed up and went out in their finest clothes.

32D: Emotionless look (POKER FACE). I've been waiting for this answer for the longest time! It gives me the excuse to air Cartman's hilarious performance of the Lady Gaga hit:

A good friend of ours finally got a job after being out of work for over three months. He has been in and out of jobs for a long time; I hope this one lasts!

Sorry for another short entry, but it's a busy day at the salt mines. Till tomorrow.

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

Filling a Hole

It's still freakin' hot on the streets of New York City!

Today's crossword puzzle theme is called "The Hole Thing" (by David W. Cromer). The theme answers are below:

17A: Specialty retailers: NICHE MARKETS. I've always loved this term and it's everywhere. This is especially true with media. I've never seen so many publications focusing on smaller niche markets. Also, audiences have more control over what they watch on TV. The result is niches--such as food, DYI, youth, women's issues--that cater to smaller demographics and audiences. The same can be said with the Internet.

The Challenger crew
(courtesy of Wikipedia)

27A: Atlantis or Endeavor: SPACE SHUTTLE. The space shuttle will be retired next month and its parts will be donated to various museums. The program has had much controversy in its 30-year history. . . . I remember the Challenger disaster of January 28,1986 vividly. I was at work that day. Christa McAuliffe was the first member of the Teacher in Space Program; as a result many school children watched it live. The shuttle exploded 73 seconds into flight, as a result of failure in the O-Ring. I was shocked when my co-worker told us.

48A: Gridiron offense's first shot: OPENING DRIVE. I can't stand watching football, so I'm not even going to touch on this one!

64A: Casino Feature: SLOT MACHINE. Now that's more like it! Atlantic city has tons of penny and nickel slot machines, so we stick to those when we go down there. I feel slot machines are purely by luck. You have a better chance of winning at the poker machines if you know how to play.

The cryptoquote of the day is by Jim Rohn (1930-2009) and it's a simple but effective one: "Either you run the day or the day runs you." Rohn was born on a farm in Washington and became rich by selling nutritional supplements with a company called AbundaVita. He started give motivational talks all over the country about his rags-to-riches story. You can buy resources through his Web site: http://www.jimrohn.com/.

The pressure is um, mounting, for Weiner to resign. It's been revealed that his wife is pregnant. Also, another woman came forward, along with more racy photos. . . . Weiner's always had a reputation as a playboy. Why that is, I don't know. He's not all that good-looking, but women are attracted to power.

"South Park" was so sad last night. (Spoiler alert!). I don't know what was sadder, seeing Cartman and Kyle become friends or Stan's parents breaking up. I would say the latter. This definitely looks like a cliffhanger for a possible final season.

More torture at the gym tonight--kickboxing and Zumba. The kickboxing instructor was a former drill sergeant and she incorporates that mentality in her classes. Still, it's fun.

Coming Apart

Today's puzzle theme is called "Coming Apart" (David O. Cromer). This one had some decent theme answers:

19A: Devices for multi-room viewing: CABLE SPLITTERS . . . Remember the episode of "Seinfeld" when Kramer arranges an illegal cable hook-up for Jerry?

36A: Electric safety devices: CIRCUIT BREAKERS. Here's how they work: http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/circuit-breaker.htm'

52A: Marx Brothers Film: ANIMAL CRACKERS. I love the Marx Brothers' early films. The musical number "Hooray for Captain Spaulding" is from this classic movie. It was used as the theme song to "You Bet Your Life."

Courtesy of Wikipedia

The quote "One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got in my pajamas, I don't know." appears in the AFI's top 100 movies quotes at #53.


The cryptoquote is by the painter Edouard Manet (1832-1883): "There are no lines in nature, only areas of color, one against the other." Manet was a pivotal figure of Impressionist movement/ Many of his paintings of cafe scenes, social activities, battles and flowers.   

Happening in the world:

Dominique Strauss-Kahn is under house arrest in a swanky $14-million Tribeca townhouse. Most good citizens like you and I don't live this way. Life isn't fair!

Kim Kartrashian is engaged to Kris Humphries following a 6-month courtship. Whoop-de-doo! Her bling is 20.5 carats and is estimated at $2 million! The engagement will probably last a minute, just like all her others. She and her genius sisters are also writing a novel and we get to name it! The novel is a fictionalized account of their real lives. I hope they hire a good ghostwriter.

I heard that Oprah's finale and "American Idol" were both as exciting as "watching paint dry." I've also heard that Lauren and Scotty are now a couple.

Last night's "South Park" episode was a little more tasteless than usual. Cartman started a league called the Crack Baby Athletic Association. This was a spoof on those sad ASPCA commercials and the NCAA. At the end, the crack babies get their own orphanage, thanks to "Vünter Slauche (aka Slash)".

I am off from work tomorrow and we're going to see Midnight in Paris. Looking forward to seeing the latest by Woody Allen!


Till tomorrow . . . .


Signing off,
The Puzzlechick