This End Up

I missed yesterday . . . was extremely tired and had to wake up by going to the gym. Now, I'm not sure if I'll be posting entries tomorrow and Friday because of the holiday.

Today's puzzle, by Norma Steinberg, is called "Making Ends Meet," and contained some nice theme answers:

Sean Connery as
James Bond

20A: Film line first said by Connery (BOND, JAMES BOND). Funny, I never got into 007, but my nephew Jesse is a huge fan. In fact, it was his bar mitzvah theme. It's hard to believe the original novels were written by the same person who wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Ian Fleming (1908-1964) was from a wealthy and connected family and was a star student at Eton. He was also the architect of two successful World War II missions, Operation Mincement  and Operation Goldeneye. Of all the actors who played James Bond, Sean Connery remains the most popular. The site of the James Bond International Fan Club has tons of information about the actors, films, and the Bond Girls.

36A: Options-open adage (NEVER SAY NEVER). This was the title of an '80s song by the band Romeo Void.

When this song first came out, everyone expected the lead singer (Debora Iyall) to be a blonde, sex-kitten type (a la Debbie Harry). People were shocked at her overweight and disheveled appearance. Gotta love the lyrics, however!

52A: Words on a sample (HOME SWEET HOME). I don't do samplers and my home isn't sweet. . . .

Today's cryptoquote, by Joseph Campbell, defines the midlife crisis perfectly:

"Midlife is when you reach the top of the ladder only to discover it's leaning against the wrong wall."

Joseph Campbell (1904-1987) was best known for his work in comparative mythology and comparative religion. He also was a professor at Sarah Lawrence College, where he wound up marrying one of his students. Campbell was fascinated with Native American culture, as well as the works of James Joyce. Check out The Joseph Campbell Foundation for more information about his life and works.

Are Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore splitting up? Rumor has it . . . I hope not.

L'Shana Tova to all those who are celebrating! May the New Year bring you good health, peace, and happiness!

Signing off,

The Puzzlechick

Boys and Their Toys

I thought today's cryptoquote was a bit sexist:

Tris Speaker
(courtesy of Wikipedia)

"If you put a baseball and other toys in front of a baby, he'll pick up a baseball in preference to the others."--Tris Speaker

What about the girls? Do they not like sports too? 

And who was Tris Speaker? He lived from 1888 until 1958 and played for the Red Sox, Indians, Senators, and the A's. He was considered one of the best center fielders in major league history and batted .345. Speaker led the Red Sox to two world champions and carried the Indians to their first World Series title. After that, he became a minor league team manager and then owned a team called the Kansas City Blues. The Blues were affiliated with the A's but are no longer a team.

Today's puzzle by Gail Grabowski was called "Closing Words." None of the theme answers really motivated me to entail further comment:

20A: Desperate Strategy (LAST RESORT)

40A: "Case Closed!" (END OF DISCUSSION)

56A: Negotiation Step (FINAL OFFER)

Yesterday, we saw an excellent movie  at the Museum of the Moving Image called "Becoming Elmo." It's a biopic about Kevin Clash from his childhood in Baltimore to the creation of his most famous Muppet. It was very heartwarming and Kevin is a really nice guy. Also, we saw a Jim Henson retrospective, which featured puppets, drawings, storyboards, and live performances. On Saturday, we explored the Rubin Museum of Art. I have to admit Himalayan art and religion don't always excite me, but Alex has been studying it in school.

Elmo

Last night, I watched the pilot for "Pan Am." Although it dragged in some spots, it had very pretty cinematography and doesn't try to pretend to be something it's not. It was meant to be a fantasy puff piece and not a clone of "Mad Men." The latter is supposed to be dark and take on controversial themes.

Tonight the boys are seeing the Foo Fighters while I go back to the eye doctor.

Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,

The Puzzlechick

Double-Quote Friday

After a couple of days of gorgeous weather, it's pouring today. :-(

In addition to the daily cryptoquote, today's crossword (by Stan "The Man" Newman), features a famous quote by Mark Twain:

20A: Start of a Mark Twain Quote (HISTORY DOES NOT).
38A: Part 2 of quote (REPEAT)
40A: Part 3 of quote (ITSELF)
58A: End of quote (BUT IT DOES RHYME).

I've always been a history buff, and lately, I've become interested in the history of my own city. Social media has made it easy to access old photos and other ephemera. I find it sad that only 20% of U.S. middle-school students (source: National Assessment of Educational Progress) are proficient in their knowledge of their own history. For example, most students knew who Abraham Lincoln was, but they didn't know why he was an important president. Many students do not know the three branches of our government and what their functions are. And these are our future voters? A knowledge of history is a must for our young people because they need to learn from lessons of the past.

And on that note, I leave you with the classic video of "History Never Repeats" by Split Enz.

Today's cryptoquote by Thomas Szasz is very simple and straightfoward:

"The stupid neither forgive nor forget; the naive forgive and forget; the wise forgive but do not forget."

Well, I was so tired that I turned in at 9:00 and missed "Project Runway." I heard that Oliver was "auf'd" Good! I'm glad he's gone . . . he did not like dressing people who didn't have perfect figures. Hello!?! About 60% of women in this country are size 12 and over!!

It's an all-museum weekend for us. Details to come!

Signing off,

The Puzzlechick

The Third Rail

I missed yesterday's post . . . was extremely tired after a long day at work and a great workout at the gym.

David W. Cromer is today's puzzle constructor. Called "All Aboard," this puzzle is all about trains. I've become a train travel expert over the last couple of years, from going out to the Island to visit my friends to traveling for 19 hours to Chicago.

Remember when train travel used to mean luxurious, streamlined cars with white-glove service? The names of the classic trains, such as the Lake Shore Limited and Super Chief, are still around today, but they are owned by the greedy, corporate soulless people at Amtrak.

When Alex was little, his favorite show was "Shining Time Station." The best part was Mr. Conductor, first narrated by Ringo Starr (who got fired because he was drinking too much), then by George Carlin (of all people!). Alex loved Thomas the Tank Engine and collected the entire set.

Anyway, here are the theme answers:

17A: Finalizes a deal (TIES UP LOOSE ENDS).

39A: Miracles tune of '65 (TRACKS OF MY TEARS). Here's Smokey and the gang singing this classic hit:

62A: What speakers may lose (TRAINS OF THOUGHT).

And now for today's cryptoquote, which was by Thomas Fuller. I guess it's not worth it losing your temper over nothing.

"Act nothing in a furious passion, it's putting to sea in a storm."

Going to watch the season premier of the NBC comedies, since I can't watch "Project Runway." I'll have to wait until tomorrow for that one.

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

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

Look Book

Lexi Thompson

Gail Grabowski offers a puzzle today called "Look Into It." The theme answers:

20A: Golfer's dream shot (HOLE IN ONE). On Saturday, 16-year-old Lexi Thompson became the youngest winner of an LPGA tournament. She won the Navistar LPGA Classic and shot a 5-under-67 (whatever that means--I know absolutely nothing about golf). BTW, Lexi is the same age as my darling son.

51A: Stern enforcement (CRACKDOWN). Also the name of a popular game for XBox. Of course, it deals with the underworld and organized crime.

10D: Baseball season beginner (OPENING DAY). In the spring, I become a baseball widow. Matthew is a die-hard Yankee fan, while I remain faithful to the hapless Mets.

28D: Launching-pad vehicle (SPACECRAFT). For a description of space missions past and present, check out the Web site Planetary Science Spacecraft.

Kin Hubbard

Today's cryptoquote is by Kin Hubbard (1868-1930):

"A bee is never as busy as it seems. It's just that it can't buzz any slower."

Kin Hubbard was a humorist and the creator of the cartoon "Abe Martin of Brown County", which ran in newspapers from 1904 until his death in 1930. Hubbard also originated many political quotes that are still used today.

Yesterday we attended the Brooklyn Book Festival. We had the pleasure of listening to Stephen Baker, the author of Final Jeopardy: Man vs. Machine. This is a book about the controversial journey of the computer Watson from IBM lab to game-show podium. The computer actually sounded like Hal from 2001: A Space Odyseey, and it actually had a finger to buzz in the answer.

We also watched the Emmys last night. The show was boring and predictable, but I was glad that "Modern Family" beat the s----- out of "Glee." I was sad that Jon Hamm didn't win the best actor in a drama award, but at least "Mad Men" won again!

It's Monday and I'm tired. Season finale of "Hell's Kitchen" and season premiere of "Two and a Half Men," the first episode with Ashton Kutcher. Hmmmmm.

Till tomorrow. . . .

Signing off,
The Puzzlechick

The Art of the Deal

Good afternoon! I'm still recovering from last night's amazing performance by Andrea Bocelli and the NY Philharmonic. All the special guests (Bryn Terfel, Celine Dion, Tony Bennett and Ana María Martínez) were wonderful. It was a rainy, chilly night, but it didn't matter to the crowd of nearly 60,000. We heard all the opera standards, along with some Italian pop songs, and even a sentimental rendition of "Home on the Range!." The only thing that put a damper on our evening (besides the rain) were a couple of tourists who were hovering over our food. Also, we had to walk a looooong way (from 63rd St!) to get to the Great Lawn. 


Today's crossword (by Bruce Venzke) is called "Sales Rep's Steps." The theme consisted of three steps of completing a successful deal:


17A: Sales rep step #1 (HAS ONE'S WORD ON IT)
28A: Sales rep step #2 (SHAKES ON THE DEAL)
60A: Sales rep step #3 (GETS IT IN WRITING)


I hate selling. I can't sell my way out of a paper bag. I remember the annual Girl Scout cookie sale, where my mom forced my sister and I to go door to door and try to solicit sales. I managed to sell only about 15-20 boxes of cookies. That would be major chump change these days, with Girl Scouts having "pop-up" sites. Times have changed, and mommies don't want to send their kids out in the big, cruel world. Even I'm guilty of doing it. I used to bring in the sales brochure for Alex's school candy sale to work, and I would rack up about $200 in sales. I did the same for his Passover candy sale for Hebrew school.


The following video is called "The Art of the Deal" and it features a conversation between Donald Chump (oops, I meant Trump!) and Robert Kiyosaki. I'm amazed to hear how his kids actually like working for him. At lease Ivanka has a good head on her shoulders. I think Don Jr. (aka "Doofus") is used on "The Apprentice" as comic relief. Eric seems to take after Ivana in the looks department (Thank G-d). And I hear Tiffany (his child with Marla Maples) has been left out in the cold. I see 5-year-old Barron on "The Apprentice" next year.

And now on to the cryptoquote:


"Learn to dance otherwise the angels in heaven won't know what to do with you."--St. Augustine


St. Augustine (354-430) was the bishop of what is now Annaba, Algeria. There is so much information on him that I don't have room on this blog to record it all. Go to this link to read about his life and works.


TGIF!! It should be a fun-filled Saturday at the eye doctor tomorrow. On Sunday, Matthew and I are going to the Brooklyn Book Festival. Last year, it was very cold and rainy, so we vowed we wouldn't go this year if it was like that. They're predicting a beautiful day.


I hope to be back tomorrow with the Saturday Stumper.


Signing off,
The Puzzlechick