Theme: Again and Again
18A: Start of many a corny joke: KNOCK, KNOCK
27A: Start of a trucker's communication: BREAKER, BREAKER
49A: Start of a sound man's mike check: TESTING, TESTING
65A: Start of a newsboy's cry: EXTRA, EXTRA
Easy guess on BREAKER BREAKER. I did not know how a trucker started his communication.
Is there a special term for this kind of doubled-up phrases?
Smooth sailing today. I had only one error. I penned in THE SHARK rather than THE SHACK for 42D: 2007 William P. Young Christian-themed best-seller. Wikipedia say the book title is a metaphor for "the house you build out of your own pain".
I like how RAP (30D: Music genre in the 'hood) and BLING (31D: Jewelry in the 'hood) parallel each other in the grid.
Another 40 black square grid. It seems to be the most common in LAT. We used to get lots of 38.
Across:
5A: Play-of-color gem: OPAL. Because it changes color when tilted?
9A: To the left, at sea: APORT. What is "To the right, at sea"? A-starboard? Another nautical term I am not clear about is abeam. Dictionary says it's "the right ankle to the keel". Is it like those masts? They seem to be perpendicular to the keel.
16A: Medium for FDR's fireside chats: RADIO. For Obama, it's YouTube. Ashton Kutcher just beat CNN the other day and became the first Twitter to have 1 million followers.
20A: O'Hara's estate: TARA. "I'll always have TARA" & "Tomorrow is another day".
38A: "Metamorphoses" poet: OVID (43BC-AD 17 or 18). A contemporary of Virgil (Aeneid). Learned from doing Xword. "Metamorphoses" is a "narrative poem (often called mock epic) in 15 books that describes the creation and history of the world", according to Wikipedia. And the recurring theme is about love. Amor vincit omnia!
40A: Like milk on the floor: SPILT
53A: Cancún cash: PESO. Another alliteration.
55A: Manuscript encl.: SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope)
58A: Remove by percolation: LEACH
67A: City near Sacramento: LODI. This city keeps popping up in LAT puzzle. Wikipedia says it's the birthplace of A&W Root Beer and A&W Restaurants.
69A: High-performance Camaro: IROC. I forgot all about this car. IROC is named after the popular competition International Race of Champions. IROC, IROC, I rock. Maybe I will remember it next time.
Down:
6D: __ colada: PINA. Interesting, Wikipedia says it's the official beverage of Puerto Rico. Where is pineapple originally from? I know China is the leading producer of pineapple in the world now.
8D: Hannibal the Cannibal: LECTER. Rhyming clue. He eats liver and fava beans. Maybe something else. I can't remember. Scary movie, "The Silence of the Lambs".
13D: Casino gratuity: TOKE. New slang to me. It's not related to token, is it?
19D: NASCAR's Petty or Busch: KYLE. Easy guess. I know nothing about NASCAR.
28D: Fastener for Rosie: RIVET. Rosie the RIVETER.
33D: King's tenure: REIGN. Ah, just a normal king. I thought of Larry King first.
39D: Scatter: DISPERSE
51D: "You can't get out of this way" sign: NO EXIT
52D: One whose job is fitting?: TAILOR. Why question mark here? Part of TAILOR's job is fitting.
57D: Ollie's sidekick: STAN. Laurel and Hardy. Learned from doing Xword also. I bet we will see another STAN this week.
59D: Gillette razor: ATRA. Introduced in 1977. P&G acquired Gillette in 2005.
62D: Sheltered inlet: COVE. Like this.
Answer grid.
C.C.
18A: Start of many a corny joke: KNOCK, KNOCK
27A: Start of a trucker's communication: BREAKER, BREAKER
49A: Start of a sound man's mike check: TESTING, TESTING
65A: Start of a newsboy's cry: EXTRA, EXTRA
Easy guess on BREAKER BREAKER. I did not know how a trucker started his communication.
Is there a special term for this kind of doubled-up phrases?
Smooth sailing today. I had only one error. I penned in THE SHARK rather than THE SHACK for 42D: 2007 William P. Young Christian-themed best-seller. Wikipedia say the book title is a metaphor for "the house you build out of your own pain".
I like how RAP (30D: Music genre in the 'hood) and BLING (31D: Jewelry in the 'hood) parallel each other in the grid.
Another 40 black square grid. It seems to be the most common in LAT. We used to get lots of 38.
Across:
5A: Play-of-color gem: OPAL. Because it changes color when tilted?
9A: To the left, at sea: APORT. What is "To the right, at sea"? A-starboard? Another nautical term I am not clear about is abeam. Dictionary says it's "the right ankle to the keel". Is it like those masts? They seem to be perpendicular to the keel.
16A: Medium for FDR's fireside chats: RADIO. For Obama, it's YouTube. Ashton Kutcher just beat CNN the other day and became the first Twitter to have 1 million followers.
20A: O'Hara's estate: TARA. "I'll always have TARA" & "Tomorrow is another day".
38A: "Metamorphoses" poet: OVID (43BC-AD 17 or 18). A contemporary of Virgil (Aeneid). Learned from doing Xword. "Metamorphoses" is a "narrative poem (often called mock epic) in 15 books that describes the creation and history of the world", according to Wikipedia. And the recurring theme is about love. Amor vincit omnia!
40A: Like milk on the floor: SPILT
53A: Cancún cash: PESO. Another alliteration.
55A: Manuscript encl.: SASE (Self-Addressed Stamped Envelope)
58A: Remove by percolation: LEACH
67A: City near Sacramento: LODI. This city keeps popping up in LAT puzzle. Wikipedia says it's the birthplace of A&W Root Beer and A&W Restaurants.
69A: High-performance Camaro: IROC. I forgot all about this car. IROC is named after the popular competition International Race of Champions. IROC, IROC, I rock. Maybe I will remember it next time.
Down:
6D: __ colada: PINA. Interesting, Wikipedia says it's the official beverage of Puerto Rico. Where is pineapple originally from? I know China is the leading producer of pineapple in the world now.
8D: Hannibal the Cannibal: LECTER. Rhyming clue. He eats liver and fava beans. Maybe something else. I can't remember. Scary movie, "The Silence of the Lambs".
13D: Casino gratuity: TOKE. New slang to me. It's not related to token, is it?
19D: NASCAR's Petty or Busch: KYLE. Easy guess. I know nothing about NASCAR.
28D: Fastener for Rosie: RIVET. Rosie the RIVETER.
33D: King's tenure: REIGN. Ah, just a normal king. I thought of Larry King first.
39D: Scatter: DISPERSE
51D: "You can't get out of this way" sign: NO EXIT
52D: One whose job is fitting?: TAILOR. Why question mark here? Part of TAILOR's job is fitting.
57D: Ollie's sidekick: STAN. Laurel and Hardy. Learned from doing Xword also. I bet we will see another STAN this week.
59D: Gillette razor: ATRA. Introduced in 1977. P&G acquired Gillette in 2005.
62D: Sheltered inlet: COVE. Like this.
Answer grid.
C.C.
Good morning, C.C. and gang - got under 4 minutes again today with perp help on just one, 'The Shack'.
ReplyDeleteNot a lot to talk about today; pretty straightforward cluing. I vaguely remember paperboys yelling 'Extra! Extra!' many, many years ago. And I don't think truckers really use 'Breaker, Breaker' too much anymore, as CB etiquette has pretty much deteriorated. Years ago, I used to make the 11-hour drive to Atlanta with a couple friends for the sole purpose of getting these great chili dogs from the world's largest drive-in restaurant, The Varsity. CBs were de rigeur back then - a great early warning system for avoiding cops/speed traps. I've always had either sports or muscle cars (cop magnets), and the safest place on the road was in the middle of a 'convoy' of fast-movers; we'd all take turns running in front for a stretch. Fun times back then.
I hope everyone had as great a weekend as we did here in the Philly area; spring fever is in full bloom, even though we're back to 40s with heavy rain today.
Today is Volunteer Recognition Day and Patriot's Day.
Today's Words of Wisdom: "When I was young, I was amazed at Plutarch's statement that the elder Cato began at the age of eighty to learn Greek. I am amazed no longer. Old age is ready to undertake tasks that youth shirked because they would take too long." -- Writer W. Somerset Maugham
And some Fun Facts for a Monday:
- The first in-flight movie was shown on April 6, 1925; it was a silent film on a Deutsche Lufthansa flight.
- The longest recorded sneezing fit lasted 978 days.
3 and a wakeup
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteI had no idea Cato started to learn Greek at the age of 80. Inspiring. Do you think Susan Boyle already got her first kiss?
Anon HP,
Thanks for lipogram. Yes, our paper does have 2 puzzles on Sundays.
Luxor,
Star Tribune has already filed for bankruptcy.
Embien,
Thanks for IN LOW. Dan Ryan is a CIA agent.
C.C., no, I have a feeling she's still waiting.
ReplyDeleteSmooth sailing today. I had only one error. I penned in THE SHARK rather than THE SHACK for 42D: 2007 William P. Young Christian-themed best-seller.In all fairness, IROC looked wrong. I second guessed my ATRA answer and wrote ICON (giving me ATCA and THE SHANK). Now that is a good name for a car. Oh well. :)
ReplyDeleteMartin
Al,
ReplyDeleteI was unaware that Merl has a puzzle in LAT magazine. Thanks for the link. Fred is right, The Sylvia Burstzyn puzzle only appears on LA Times newspaper on Sundays.
Valerie,
Your paper made a mistake. The TOP puzzle is by Dan Naddor.
Anonymous @4:10pm,
Good catch on DESI yesterday.
Kazie,
So many things make sense after your explanation. Thanks. Your language skill is truly unparalled.
Martin,
ReplyDeleteYou think the author is a golfer? What a SHANK!
Dennis,
She already signed a contract. Maybe love will come to her quickly.
Warren,
Now I see. Salmonella comes from contaminated chicken & egg, E Coli comes from beef/produce. Thanks.
Thomas
Friday night was incredible! I was tired of Torri Hunter the last two years he was with the Twins.
Good morning CC and all, ...a walk in the park today. No misfires and no outside help. Wish I could say the same for the Penguins in Philadelphia last night. Wow, what a thrashing they took.
ReplyDeleteGood to be back from the mountains for a few days and, hopefully, a round of golf.
Hope you all have a great Monday.
13D: Casino gratuity: TOKEOh, wow, man! I wanna know where that casino is.
ReplyDeleteGood Morning,
ReplyDeleteAnother Monday morning writing exercise. Its nice that LAT builds my ego early in the week to slap it down later.
Our local paper (The Bangor Daily News) announced in the Saturday edition that they will no longer publish the LAT. I can't remember what puzzle they've replaced it with but its edited by Stanley Newman. I'll try it later.
Happy Patriots Day! I'm working the holiday??
Good Morning All,
ReplyDeleteEasy today. Unlike Friday (IO never finished). And Sat. (I never started--No time)
I always thought a CASINO GRATUITY was a COMP. Have never heard TOKE. Well, that's wrong! I HAVE heard of a toke and maybe even been on the receiving end a few times, but never at a CASINO!!!
But, then, my casino experiences are limited to one all nighter in Reno, and a few hours at our local Turning Stone, so I'll admit to being unschooled in the terminology used. CY'All Later
CC,
ReplyDeleteThis is probably the most memorable line Sir Antony Hopkins ever spoke, "I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice Chianti."
Dennis for those of us keeping score at home what does 3 and a wake up mean?
ALL GRAVY NO GRIEF
Yeah-I'm awake Dennis.
ReplyDeleteThe first in-flight movie was in 1921 on Aeromarine Airways showing a film called 'Howdy Chicago' to its passengers as the amphibious airplane flew around Chicago.
from Wikipedia
Flew thru this one as fast as I could read the clues and write the answers. My book club (along with everyone else's in the world) recently read 'The Shack' so that was a gimme. Nice calm start to my Monday. Since it's Volunteer Recognition Day I hope my volunteer stint at the local Aquarium gets 'recognized'.
ReplyDeleteDennis - congrats on the Flyers win - nice day for Philly. My son has first row tix for tomorrow - looking for another thrashing job.
Dick - somewhat sorry (nah, not even close) for the Pens. GO FLYERS.
I also thought the clue for Toke was strange. I knew comp wouldn't fit but toke? I'd clue it another way for sure.
Dennis - loved your driving to Atlanta story - brought back fond memories of speeding up and down I95 with those truckers at nite! What's your favorite car been?
Ashton Kutcher just beat CNN the other day and became the first Twitter to have 1 million followers.
ReplyDeleteBeware of twitter, someone has signed up on Twitter as Keith Olbermann. Keith has denied he even has Twitter and had asked the company to delete the account. Twitter refused so just beware it might not even be the real Aston Kutcher.
THE MONKEYS DEAD THE SHOWS OVER SUE YA!
I'm going to Vegas in a couple of weeks for a long weekend. Wonder what the Bellagio would say if I asked for a 'Toke'? Hmmmmm......
ReplyDeleteCB Savage would like to know about any speeding going on out there.
ReplyDeleteEasy Cheesey lemon peasey! Sorry all, I just had to get that off my chest. After Friday's and Saturday's offerings, I felt ready to attempt the NYT puzzle on Sunday. I proudly filled in about 3/4 of it. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks. Today was just a fill in the blanks exercise. I don't know how Dennis writes so fast. Even with no unknowns, it took 10 minutes to complete.
ReplyDeleteBill and Argyle: Toke! This early. How the mind does wander.
Have a great Monday and see you mañana!
Good Morning!
ReplyDeleteNo challenge today - I thought this was an extremely easy puzzle.
A shout out to Dennis and other Phila. posters. Congrats Flyers as well as Phillies and 76ers. We had a three-some yesterday!
It was great to see Merl's puzzle yesterday. I've struggled with his Sun Inquirer puzzles for years. He has a very unusual style!
Dennis, loved your info on Cato. Maybe it's not to late to learn French after all.
Well, I'm off to the King of Prussia Mall to do my part in stimulating the economy.
Later!
Yep, today was a snap. I thought it was a little boring at that. I just went around and filled in answers. I started with the across clues, then went to the down clues. Only had to correct a few stray wrong answers.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I have never heard of TOKE in this manner, but I am not a gambler. SandbridgeKaren - definitely could have used a more entertaining clue and it would have been more fun too.
Dennis, I also remember riding in the middle of the truckers. We did the I94 from Mpls to Milwaukee trek frequently, as I grew up in Milwaukee and moved to Mpls when I was 15. They kept us moving fast, and made it evident as to when to slow down. That was in the days where the speed limit was moved down to 55mph due to gas conservation. Does anyone remember the movie Convoy? That was my first attempt at imbedding a link. Hope it worked right. The trucker talk and CB's were truly a fad in the late 70's.
It is the 10th anniversary of the Columbine shooting. I read an editorial about it this am. One of those indelible moments where you remember exactly where you were when it happened. I was at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica at the time watching the events unfold from my hotel room.
Anon@7:28 I am not suggesting that it is incorrect, but Wikipedia has a spotty reputation for accuracy. I would be interested in knowing where Dennis got his info, and which is correct.
Hope everyone has a nice day today. I am working on my daughter's college graduation party and mother's day gifts. A nice but busy day.
Toke: Common name for tips or gratuities given to dealers and other casino support staff. Quite often, tokes represent the great majority of a dealer's income. Perhaps from Sp. toque from tocar in sense of "touch, tap, hit" or "get a shave or part." This derivation can apply to either meaning of "toke".
ReplyDeleteFor the most part, the casino meaning only shows up in glossaries of gambling words.
My favorite Lambs quote was at the end. Right after the tension in the scene was released, he makes a small joke:
ReplyDelete"I do wish we could chat longer, but... I'm having an old friend for dinner."
Yesterdays cryptic answer was indeed Da Vinci. Perhaps too easy, but I liked the cryptic/cryptex association. Maybe ICNIV is what opened the cryptex...
Since today was so easy, here's two clues:
1) Attend and cause embarrassment(4,2)
2) Hanky out when upset, but with a grateful expression(5,3).
Today's puzzle was a snap. I only wish Norris would find a happy medium between Saturday and Monday
ReplyDeleteMel
Sorry CC - I will shorten things up next time.
ReplyDeleteAs all have said already, this was very easy. I'd be interested to know where the Sunday ones are meant to fit in the progression of easiness, since I found yesterday's much easier than Friday and Saturday this week. Did someone say they're like Thursdays?
ReplyDeleteI also hesitated only once today, on SHACK/IROC, wondering if it should be IRON, or IROR. But I made the right guess, so no errors, no help and untimed over breakfast.
c.c.,
Thanks again--my language skills are limited to those I've studied, but lengthy acquaintance with those, and having taught them for so long means that at least I do know them well.
Al,
ReplyDelete2) Hanky out when upset, but with a grateful expression(5,3).
A bit misleading, since the answer isn't "upset," it's hidden.
Where do these cryp clues come from, please?
sorry, my mistake.
ReplyDeleteAnon5: The second clue really is "upset". The letters are actually rearranged somewhat, and are not in the correct order in the clue.
ReplyDeleteToday's clues came from the Guardian.
C.C.
ReplyDeleteEven by Monday standards, this was an easy puzzle. Jump starts the mind for the week.
Abeam: Straight line from either side of the vessel (perpendicular to the long axis of the vessel). Common Usage. The vessel is on a beam reach (meaning that the wind is coming from abeam, or 90 degrees off the vessels coarse).
Have a great day!
A.R.E.
Mel said:
ReplyDelete"Today's puzzle was a snap. I only wish Norris would find a happy medium between Saturday and Monday"
He has. It's called Wednesday. :)
Except for "THE SHACK," this one went down very, very easily.
rp
Good morning C.C. and all. The Naples News is trying out The Commuter xword for a while, having discontinued the NEA – at least for the time being. The LA Times is still in. At least The Commuter was a tad more challenging than today's LA Times.
ReplyDeleteI liked the new clue for iced (Kept from swelling) and leach (Remove by percolation). The cleverness is what is good. The difficulty of Thurs–Sun is what is bad. IMHO
Hi C.C. & gang,
ReplyDeletePedal to the metal today? We finished the puzzle in record time.
Only question was the word "toke" which can mean
"a tip or gratuity given by a gambler to a dealer or other employee at a casino."
or, what some of us might remember it for:
"a puff of a marijuana cigarette."
One Toke over the line was a 1971 hit song that got the group in trouble over the hidden reference to marijuana.
Easiest one yet for a novice like me. Just about five minutes and knew them all. First time i didn't have to use google or dictionary(pat-pat).Just stared at fridays for a few minutes and put it down. I Don't think I've informed you of newspaper-mine is in the Syracuse(N.Y.) Post Standard-well as dennis says-off to the gym.
ReplyDeleteHello, all,
ReplyDeleteI was busy yesterday with church duties and watching the Blue Angels perform from my back yard (very impressive!). I did find time to solve the puzzle using pen and paper and no help, tho it took me a while.
I woke up this morning to a frozen PC. After I booted up, the mouse would not move. I then found it would not respond to any keyboard commands. Then I found I could not even turn it off! My guru told me they sometimes jam for no reason, and helped me reboot by pressing the on/off key for about ten seconds. This turned it off, then when I turned it on again, it rebooted perfectly and now works fine. He said it was like three people trying to go through a revolving door at the same time. (I sometimes forget how much I depend on my PC, and having it quit without warning is a little scary.)
I then proceeded to solve today's edition online within about ten minutes. The only answer I did not know was "the shack", but got it through the perps.
I am pleased that most of you are getting some nice weather. May it continue.
Okay, I'm peeved again this morning. Without warning our paper switched yesterday's puzzle to a HARDER Sunday puzzle (I noticed it didn't match the blog. I was like, HUH???) and then today's is different too. I was getting used to the challenging ones. What is the link to get the L.A Times online? Man, my cheese has been moved this morning!
ReplyDeleteWhee. With the help of my smart husband (who uses a PC and therefore understands how computers work), I have changed my avatar to Sally Crab, which really does exist. Somewhere.
ReplyDeleteAt least that's what should appear when I publish.
@DJG: There's a link on the blog main page, but here it is again:
ReplyDeleteLA Daily Xword
Warren - Hidden reference?
ReplyDeleteT. Frank - I would definitely do some backing up of your hard drive data. Could be a sign of something starting to fail and you wouldn't want to be left high and dry. The Blue Angels are awesome aren't they. I saw the they and the Thunderbirds years ago. Loved them. It is incredible when they come up behind you, and you don't realize they were there until they pass you.
A postscript to my new avatar. Its full name is Sally Lightfoot Crab, and is found mostly in the Galapagos and some in Baja Sur and other places. If you look at my email, you see why I think it is a fitting avatar.
ReplyDeleteDick, I don't think you have anything to worry about; I think Pens win in 6. I'm really impressed with this kid Giroux - I was told by a friend some time ago that he's the real deal, and he looks like he's starting to 'get it'.
ReplyDeleteAll gravy, just my countdown to vacation. Can you tell I'm a little anxious to go?
KQ, anon@7:28, Wiki's wrong. The first in-flight movie was on an Imperial Airlines flight to the continent; it was First National's production of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World.
Al, that was my favorite quote as well.
Also, KQ, C.C.'s remark was not directed at you.
Crossedlover, great attitude - it's never too late to learn anything.
SandbridgeKaren, I agree, they were some great times. I'll still drive anywhere anytime. As far as favorite car, I have two: '65 Corvette, red, with a very healthy engine (had it for a year before it was stolen), and my current one, a silver '08 Mercedes 2-seater w/retractable hardtop. I'm sure I'll never own a car this good again, so I've been savoring every day in it.
TFrank, KQ, the demo flight teams are truly awesome to watch. People don't realize how incredibly difficult it is to maintain a 36" separation between wingtip and canopy in a buffeting wind. And KQ, you're right - the sneak pass scares the hell outta people every time, even if you know it's coming.
Hi KQ,
ReplyDeleteI you open that URL link it plays the song and describes how Lawrence Welk thought this was a spiritual song and played it on his TV show at the very same time that vice president Agnew had condemned this song. It was a "Hidden" meaning to Lawrence Welk and a joke to those who knew what "one toke over the line" really meant.
Sallie, would you like to turn your Sally Lightfoot Crab around and face the camera?
ReplyDeletehttp://farm3.static.flickr.com/
2091/2208937997_af7c3091fd.jpg
Thank you again Al. Thought I'd better show up here today to let you know I've been enjoying your puzzles, brown codes, and all.
ReplyDeleteBest,
anon-hp
Per anniversaries, today is Hitler's BD (he'd be 120) which is why Harris and Klebold (at Columbine HS) acted on this day.
ReplyDeleteYuck, I know. On a lighter note, I could find no reference to APORT as a boating term (I had tried ALEE, which doesn't fit obviously). That may have been a bit of artistic license. Any sailors in this crowd who can vouch for its accuracy?
Good Morning All, Not much to say about this morning's puzzle. It was a first for me, in that I went straight across and filled in every blank without having to go to the perps.
ReplyDeleteI then double checked all the Downs to make sure I had every thing filled correctly and was pleased to see I had no errors. It made an easy Monday puzzle more challenging.
Although it wasn't referenced in the same way, I thought it was interesting to see NO EXIT, the title of Jean Paul Sarte's existential play about Hell just a couple of rows over from THE SHACK a book about spiritual rebirth. Both take unconventional views of their subjects.
Morning C.C. and all...
ReplyDeleteWhipped through this puzzle handily with no stops or pauses. I even got the letters neatly in their boxes( a must for me). The only unknown for me was THE SHACK which I had already filled in from perps before I realized that I didn't know it.
Mr. Parker...great answer...Wednesday...LOL
So Dennis...I really like the fact that you would drive all that way for chili dogs...a secret foodie revealed... ;o)
C.C. I would venture a guess that for Susan Boyle the last thing on her mind is love...after all those years of caring for her mum, to be a world wide celebrity will be taking up a bit of her time...besides, I would be very skeptical of any proposals at this time. The good news...no makeover!
In the Bay Area we are under heat advisory AND "Spare the Air" day...nasty stuff. Staying inside and not going anywhere...not even allowed to grill outside...whole list of "dont's". *Sigh* :o(
And...Sallie...really like your new Avatar, same to you Argyle...and Danielle...great to "see" you.
ReplyDeleteI didn't get hung up on TOKE because I had just had it in another NYT puzzle and it was so weird that I actually remembered it ...originally wanted CHIP in the other puzzle. Not being a gambler, I thought that people sometimes "tipped" with chips.
Came across a whole bunch of Rich Norris and Wayne Robert Williams puzzles in the NYT book( even a few Norma Steinbergs)...interesting insight into their thought processes. I think that WRW is a way better puzzle designer than editor...Rich Norris puzzles are fun and quirky.
#2
Mainiac- Stanley Newman is the crossword editor for Newsday. On Saturday the puzzle is called the "Saturday Stumper". Good luck! I gaurantee you have not seen a puzzle tougher than this one. It even drives speed solvers crazy.
ReplyDeleteC.C.- The California town of Lodi had it's biggest claim to fame with this Creedence Clearwater Revival lament... "Oh, lord, stuck in Lodi again".
Warren - I stand corrected. Mr. Welk liked to view the world through rose colored glasses didn't he.
ReplyDeleteDennis - You are too kind, but she is right. Need to shorten it up sometimes. Being a marine, you probably had all kinds of flights, but we took a one hour trip on a Concorde in Oshkosh. They hit the speed of sound over Lake Michigan, then did a low level fly by with all the spectators lining the runway. For your average joe like me it was something else. And where are you off to? I cannot remember.
Sallie - love your new avatar.
Danielle - the Hitler thing is too scary. I don't understand.
This puzzle was ridiculously easy. Went as fast as I could type.
ReplyDeleteC.C. The mast would be perpendicular to the boom. The keel is underneath the boat and would be in line with the mast. My keel is a “fixed” keel. I really don’t know how else to explain abeam other than it’s definition. Aport is a valid term.
I always liked the movie Smokey and the Bandit. I always thought Burt Reynolds and Sally Field had great chemistry.
What would be your “handle”? Mine would be…Lo-li-ta.
Good Afternoon C.C. and Co.,
ReplyDeleteC.C.,
Yes play of color, or iridescence, is what causes the colors to shift when you either tilt an opal or simply view it from another angle.
LODI is also a place where they grow a lot of Zinfandel grapes.
Are you sure about China being the number one producer of pineapples? Where do they grow them? They are a tropical plant and are sensitive to freezes. I was growing one for a while here in SoFL, but a winter cold snap did it in.
"One whose job is fitting" can have an alternate meaning. It could mean 'one whose job suits him well'.
I had no problem with THE SHACK as I read the book reviews in the paper every Sunday and had noted yesterday that The Shack is number one on the NYT Trade Fiction list.
That's a colorful crab, Sallie. I have Blue Crabs in the river out back. They're very tasty.
Danielle,
Scroll down on this page to find APORT
The Shack was a nice surprise gimme for me. It was suggested reading at school, and William Young came to speak to our class. It was the first year the book was in publication, and there were only about 15 people in the room It was nice to see his genuine surprise at the success of the book, which started as a private story for a Christmas Gift to his kids. The book just seemed to take on a life of it’s own.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the book and bought a few extra copies to give away, as did everyone in class; the professor bought a couple of cases. I had the book placed in our library, and the demand was high enough that we’ve added two more copies.
No wonder he was surprised! It was also interesting to hear about the process of taking a story written for private use into a format suitable for the general public, and then getting it published. It was published privately at first, as the publishers who print mostly for a Christian audience refused to publish it because it was unorthodox, and the publishers who print books for ‘spiritual, but not Christian people’ said it was too Christian. I bet a lot of them are kicking themselves right now.
At a recent library conference we discussed who could actually decide on the value of a book. Most of us felt that no one is able to do that. It will tell it’s own tale
WM, not just any chili dogs - there's been shows about this place on the Food Channel. Was one of my haunts during my school years, so not only are they the best chili dogs ever, but there's a lot of memories associated with the Varsity. Well worth the 22-hour round trip. Anyway, better than walking a mile for a Camel.
ReplyDeleteJerome, those Saturday Newsday puzzles are insanely hard. Similar to self-flagellation.
KQ, taking the AutoTrain back to Florida for 9 days in Ft. Lauderdale, Boca and South Beach.
Sallie, great avatar.
Jeannie, my last handle was 'ghostrider'.
BarbB, interesting back story on The Shack; thanks.
Good afternoon CC et al., Like sliding on 'oil'! Gotta be a bad 'omen'...well, guess we expect anyway.
ReplyDeleteThe whole concept of Lecter (Al, my fav quote as well)being so close to 'banana' and 'pina(s)' crossing 'tasty' made me laugh and in the same puzzle as 'the (love) shack' no less. Loved how
'sect'(s) and 'dirt' are like bookends down south as are 'slot' and 'toke' up north. No accident I'm sure. I only saw people tipping w/chips in LV last month. Thanks for the explanation, Argyle. Will check it out again in Aug.
Dennis, I understand the draw of a good weiner, the drive for excellence, and the thrill of the ride.
DJgirl: loved the 'moved cheese' reference.
Rex Parker: 9:37 LOL cute come back.
Enjoy your evening.
Dennis...this is what I'm saying...THE definitive Chili Dog...like the best BBQ, seafood, po' boys, etc...A food writer, Calvin Trillon wrote a book about traveling all over the U.S. to eat food specialties at their peak of perfection...BBQ, Salmon in the Northwest, Dungeness Crabs on the West Coast...
ReplyDeleteNo matter how much you deny it...you are, in my book, a foodie...it doesn't have to be elegant...just realy good, and worth driving there for. ;o)
cc: And "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn."
ReplyDeleteI have been working the new puzzles daily, but my new contract with its pressures and mandatory overtime keeps me from posting. (Today I am waiting for someone and am sneaking this in!)
Impressive that Rex Parker posted. I read his NYTs post when I had opportunities to work that puzzle (2-mos out of date) when I was cheerfully unemployed.
TTFN
HI C.C
ReplyDeleteWow, easy one today, even easier than the one in our Province.
WM ,
I have to ask why would you be skeptical of Susan Boyle getting any proposals at this time?
JD.
Sorry the Sharks lost last night, I was pulling for them too.
They still have a chance!!
I'm also very happy to say the least, that the Canucks won.
Best to All,
Geri
WM, guilty as charged.
ReplyDeleteKQ @ 10:32
ReplyDeleteI subscribe to an online backup service that supposedly backs up my crucial data, but I have not tested it to see if it really does. Probably should. I will add that to my long list of wouldas and shouldas.
Dennis - Sounds special. Love to visit that Florida coast. I am headed to West Lafayette, IN Thursday to watch my daughter play her last :( college golf tournament at Purdue. Thankfully it is a lovely course and the temps will be in the high 70's to low 80's. One year the Big Ten tournament was almost canceled due to snowfall.
ReplyDeleteThis #4
ReplyDeleteC.C. She has, apparently, been besieged by proposals of marriage...all for the wrong reasons. She is most probably, like Paul Potts, the opera singer from 3 years ago, about to become a very wealthy woman. It would be very difficult IMHO to accept any of those offers. Someone will come along someday that will, hopefully, love her for the wonderful and kind person she was before the she hit it big.
Just my take on it.
Dennis...gotcha! ;o)
Saving my last post for much later.
4:16 today. I can't type any faster than that, so I imagine I'll never approach Dennis' sub-four minute mark, much less the champion speed solvers. (Again, I don't consciously try to "speed solve.")
ReplyDeleteI always thought a CASINO GRATUITY was a COMP. Have never heard TOKE. Well, that's wrong! I HAVE heard of a toke and maybe even been on the receiving end a few times, but never at a CASINO!!!Argyle is right. A TOKE is the tip you give to the blackjack dealer. A comp on the other hand, is when the casino gives a gambler a free room, meals, etc.
I would say that from the clue, CASINO GRATUITY, there is no way to fill the entry in without checking a perp. It could have been comp or toke, with 'comp' being the more well known one.
ReplyDeleteKazie,
ReplyDeleteYes, Rich Norris said the difficulty level of Sunday LAT is similar to that of Thursday's.
Al,
I got Thank You for the second one. And Attend = Show Up, but how Show Up can "cause embarrassment"?
Sallie,
Nice crab, so fitting to your name.
Danielle & Ink,
Good to see both of you again.
Jerome,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the LODI reference.
Barb B,
I enjoyed your "The Shack" story.
A.R.E, Jeannie & PromiseMe,
How many masts does your boat have? Does every sailboat have gaff/boom?
PromiseMe,
Pineapples are grown in southern China, the same longitude as Puerto Rico.
Jeannie,
ReplyDeleteIsn't keel always horizontally placed at the bottom of a boat? And masts are vertically positioned. I don't understand why they are not perpendicular to each other. What does "The keel would be in line with the mast" mean?
Dennis,
Remember I told you how I always peel "Fruit high in potassium"? I wonder how Lois peels hers.
On this day, April 20th...
ReplyDelete1836 The territory of Wisconsin was established by Congress.
I especially like visiting northern Wisconsin. In particular, Madeline Island.
1939 Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams made is major league debut with the
Boston Red Sox.
I have never heard of him. What position did he play?
1940 RCA publicly demonstrated it’s new electron microscope.
1972 The manned lunar module from Apollo 16 landed on the moon
2005 President George W. Bush signed a bill making it harder for debt-ridden people to
Wipe clean their financial slates by declaring bankruptcy.
C.C. my sailboat has just one mast, but it's my boat is only 22'. There are smaller sailboats out there like the "Sunfish" that has the sail already attached to the boom and mast; so it's really like one piece.
C.C.
ReplyDeleteYes, Thank You is correct for the second one.
The second sense of "show up" is, for example, when someone says something (or does something) wrong, and someone else corrects the error publicly (or bests their effort), usually nearby or even in a direct confrontation with the first person. Generally it is something done in a spiteful manner or for revenge.
5A, OPAL -- it shows flashes of color depending on position and lighting.
ReplyDelete9A, APORT -- had not heard this usage while in the U.S. Navy, 1954-57. We would say "to port", or "portside".
57D - I learned of STAN and Ollie at the movies, many years ago.
It was enjoyable (and for me, unusual) to complete a puzzle with no reference to my books nor to Mr.G. My favorite theme -- easy easy, fun fun. At my age I don't need tough tough. Just enough unknown or uncertain words to enjoy finding them from the perps.
I liked the clue for 61A "Kept from swelling": ICED. It took a perp or two.
23A "Neighbor of Swe." made no sense, but N was already there from 4D. I grew up in Wisconsin among many fine people from Nor., including a brother-in-law.
25A - I LAGged deciding ELLA / ETTA until 26D supplied an L. What is scat singing? One of my aunts would chase us away from the just-baked cookies with a firm SCAT! I've also heard the word applied to animal droppings, the opposite of Aunt Marie's cookies!
42D - I had not heard of The Shack, but got it from the perps.
46A, NEHI - Radar's preferred drink on M.A.S.H. was grape. Nehi made other flavors, too.
67A, LODI - there are similar size cities that are nearer to Sacramento. I see a turnoff to Lodi when driving up highway 88 to Sutter Creek. I took it once on a whim, when returning to San Jose.
It was curious to see it clued without reference to the state (California).
72A, TACK - I got stuck on this one, thinking of NOTE or POST.
73A, RENT - Since I've long paid off my house, I wanted BILL here, but EDEN supplied the needed starter letter. One would not pay rent in Eden.
Hello C.C. & all,
ReplyDeleteC.C.,
Inre sailboats.
A sloop has one mast with a mainsail and a foresail, like a jib.
A cutter has one mast with a mainsail and more than one foresail.
A ketch has two masts, a tall mainmast with the mainsail and foresail, and a smaller mizzen mast at the stern with a mizzen sail.
A schooner can have more than two masts, with the aft mizzen mast as high or higher than the mainmast.
I think jeannie was trying to say that the keel and the mast are both located along the centerline of the boat.
EZ puzzle.
TJ in Osseo
@Dennis
ReplyDeleteAeromarine showed the first in-flight movie during the Chicago Pageant of Progress exposition in August of 1921,
beating Imperial Airways that showed a movie in 1925.
from Aeromarine web site
Hi Jeannie;
ReplyDeleteTed Williams Museum is located in St. Petersburg Florida. There's a ton of information about his career in the link above.
There's also a Ted Williams Tunnel in the Boston area. I think I remember seeing that on a trip there.
Your web friend;
;-)
Well hell, anon@4:09, now I don't know what to believe.
ReplyDeleteEvery backup source I just checked, including google, ask.com, trivia-library.com, etc., all show 1925 as the first in-flight movie. I wonder if there's some subtle distinction - maybe one was an 'airliner'? At this point, your guess is as good as mine.
Schizo web site Dennis. Doesn't even agree with itself. In one place it notes:
ReplyDeleteAeromarine showed the first in-flight movie during the Chicago Pageant of Progress exposition in August, 1921, beating Imperial Airways that showed a movie in 1925.
In another it says:
The earliest known instance of in-flight entertainment occurred on an Imperial Airways flight between London and Paris in 1925. A twelve-passenger Handley Page was fitted with a movie screen and showed a black and white silent film, The Lost World, during the 30-
minute flight.
In flight entertainment, in flight movie-both sound like they were movies to me-go figure!
jeannie,
ReplyDeleteI know Warren sent you the link for Ted Williams, so now you know he was an outfielder for the Red Sox, and the last ballplayer to hit over .400 (.406 actually) in a season. Generally considered the "Greatest Hitter", I always smile at the story of when he was at bat, he took a pitch, and the Ump called "ball". The opposing catcher turned around to question the call, "How was that a ball!?!" And the Ump responded, "Because Mr. Williams didn't swing at it."
TJ
Terry said...
ReplyDeleteToday was easy for me for once. The perps helped a lot. I guess in another 20 years i'll be a speedster with them.
We have seemed to of maxed out aport. How about the other side? Starboard?? Come on you blow-boaters bring it on to a stink-pot.
Oh and my CB handle was Smokey, so i never toked.
Hi Bev
@warren, why would the museum be in Florida if he played for Boston? Did he retire there?
ReplyDeleteLemonade, I was remiss on my "golf lesson" yesterday. Let's see if I get this right. If your "partner" doesn't get the "rub of the green," and has a "provisional ball" (hate when that happens)he has a "substituted ball". So the "referee" can call a "penalty stroke" for the wrong "stance"?
Oh.... now I think I get it.
Hi Again Jeannie;
ReplyDeleteAll I know is what I can read on-line, I'm not a big baseball fan, just a web search expert (I wish I could get paid for that).
from this link:" Previously located in Hernando, Florida, in Citrus County, a few blocks from where Ted Williams himself lived during his later years, the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame is the first Museum ever dedicated, at the time, to a living athlete."
I guess he retired down in FL?
;-)
Good afternoon C.C. and all,
ReplyDeleteWOW, the easiest puzzle ever!Needed very few perps to finish. One glitch: I had Fran for Stan, as in "Kukla, Fran and Ollie".Silly me, I thought Mr. Cromer had made a mistake, because Fran and Extra Extra didn't dance.SASE and toke also gave me a few extra minutes, IF WE'RE COUNTING.
The Shack was recommended to me just last weekend.BarbB, thanks for information.I had also seen it listed on the list of best sellers.
Argyle, you are correct about comp/toke. Both would fit the clue.Slang dictionary also says toke is a drag on a marijuana cigarette, or a puff on a cigar. Also cab drivers are paid tokes.I've never won enough to give the dealer a toke. It's probably because I play with quarters :-)
Thanks Geri, I'm still hopeful. I'm happy for your Canucks
Love your comments, Rex!
WM,I vodka your thoughts on Susan Boyle.Catty coments she doesn't need, nor marriage proposals.
"Spare the air" day is right, with 97 degrees and no air conditioning! Was not the best day to sub; more of it tomorrow.
Al and c.c., speaking of profitable ciphers, I just read of a new one coming out this fall, which I'll clue for you and our fellow posters as misplaced college letter.
ReplyDeleteanon-hp
To P.D. James fans:
ReplyDeleteI just finished what may well be her last crime novel (she is 89)featuring her long-time hero, Adam Dalgleish of Scotland Yard. It was a great read, and I recommend it highly.
I seem to recall that at least one of you is a fan; I have been for many years. She has not lost her touch.
Enjoy.
Sorry,
ReplyDeleteThe novel is "The Private Patient"
Hi Dennis & Anon,
ReplyDeletethis link: says:
"Question: What was the first in-flight movie, and when was it shown? Answer: Howdy Chicago—shown aboard an amphibian airplane in 1921 as it flew around Chicago."
Just my 2 cents worth.
;-)
Jeannie,
ReplyDeletein the early days the Red Sox trained in Sarasota, so he may have had a winter home there or retired there.
CC @ 3:11,
ReplyDeleteI'M guessing that Lois "skins" her fruit rather than peeling it.
Still no LAT puzzle for me. I've got to figure out a way to get a hard copy. Daily Commuter is taking my brain cells for a ride from which they won't return.
Windhover
"Previously located in Hernando, Florida, in Citrus County, a few blocks from where Ted Williams himself lived during his later years, the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame is the first Museum ever dedicated, at the time, to a living athlete."
ReplyDelete#5
ReplyDeleteT.Frank...may have been me...I order her books and several other British authors directly from amazon.co.uk...that way I don't have to wait and you get them without the Amercanizations...been reading her forever. Don't count her out yet...I had a grandfather who lived to 96 and was pretty much with it until the end...I'm keeping my fingers crossed for at least one more.
Geri...sorry, earlier, I thought that C.C. had asked the Susan Boyle question...didn't want to use up my final post correcting myself. Dear Susan has had over 35 million hits so far(I peeked today). I think she'll be just a wee bit busy in the near future.
JD...ICK! So sorry, the heat is too nasty, but maybe the little buggers are too lethargic to give you any grief...get them whipped into shape before the weather cools down! You go girl ;o)
PMT and others (with no offense to to any valley people) we used to joke about Stockton, Lodi and Modesto...you drive an hour and a half and you're STILL nowhere. Although, nowadays they do make some fairly good wines in that area...which can pretty much be said for most of Calif. Find an open space...plant grapes! Calif Mantra.
Well gang...that's it for me tonight...ta until tomorrow.
DJ Girl,
ReplyDeleteHere is the link for the puzzle that CC blogs daily.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/chi-sa-crossword-htmlpage,0,1710056.htmlpage
"Find an open space...plant grapes! Calif Mantra. Yeah, WM, that's the ticket! Uphill from us, Calaveras Country is becoming very well known for their wines. We are seeing more and more small vineyards popping up around here. Now that property prices are lower than in a long time we may see some bigger chunks of land going to vineculture.
ReplyDeleteDennis and anon 4:09/4:56. Maybe the "Howdy Chicago" movie wasn't considered to be entertainment (that title doesn't make me gasp with anticipation :o), whereas "The Lost World" was probably a jaw dropper at the time.
Jeannie, G.A.H., who still considers Ted Williams to be the best that ever played the game, shook his head in disbelief that one of our bloggers had never heard of him. Don't take it to heart. I think it is a "guy thing".
I hope Susan Boyle has hired a good attorney and manager who will keep her (and her eyebrows) safe from the circling sharks.
Argyle: Thanks. That's a much better picture. I'll try to post it instead.
ReplyDeleteGood evening, C.C. and all.
ReplyDeleteThis was a "lead pipe cinch!" C.C., I'll have to research that term for you, but it means that it was very easy.
I made the same error as J.D., "Fran" for STAN, but that corrected itself.
Sallie, I love your new avatar.
Argyle, that's a great picture of Sallie's crab!
I think my stepson would have qualified as a foodie. He worked for the Fleming Steak and Wine chain, but when he flew home to Chicago from Florida, he'd meet up with friends to drive to a famous hot dog stand in the western suburbs.
I think that Portillo's Italian Beef may be the fast food I'd make a road trip for.
I'm late coming to the c/w today because I was planting spinach and dill earlier today.
C.C. and Clear Ayes, it's nice to be back. I hope things work out so that I continue to have the time to visit with you all.
Well hello everyone, finally back from Tallahassee, another 1000 miles on the car, but it was great to see Aaron get another award. It was an eventful weekend, as I stopped in Orlando to pick up Devin, and met his girlfriend’s parents, and the new puppy Devin and Shannon were given, but I digress.
ReplyDeleteWM, love the name, and your addiction to British mystery; based on your words I have read three Ian Rankin so far, and sadly forgot the other two authors you suggested. I also heard from Martha Grimes publicist who advised her next book will be out in a while. You have any more information? I look forward to the news PD James.
Nice RECOVERY Lo-li-ta, you must like it ROUGH, and against the GRAIN. Well I hope you enjoy my APPROACH, but I promise I will not become an ALBATROSS. You not knowing TED WILLIAMS is sad, as he was the best. He also was a fighter pilot who fought in both WWII, and the Korean War, missing five years in his prime; he batted .406 in 1941, just before the war. If he had those years back, he would have broken Ruth's home run record, as well as many others. Even in death, WILLIAMS continued to be interesting CRYOGENICS.
This was a good Monday puzzle, and I too enjoyed Mr. Parker's wit and would think most people would like to improve.
I do the Saturday stumpers and they are harder than the LAT, good luck.
Tired, but good to be back.
C.C.,
ReplyDeleteI figured that if pineapples are grown in China in might likely be in Yunnan.
Although I have been on a few of them, like this one last year, I don't own a sailboat (I do have a 23' powerboat).
All sailboats have a boom, but not all have a gaff. Only boats with square sails have gaffs.
The keel is not positioned horizontally. It lies along a vertical plane below the hull.
Bev,
I remembered earlier today that I had forgotten to answer when C.C. had asked about the opposite of APORT. I believe that it is simply 'To Starboard'. I certainly have never heard 'astarboard'.
Anon-HP, this isn't really fair. I get Barnes and Noble coupons all the time in my email, so I know The Lost Symbol is due out Sept 15th.
ReplyDeleteHey Okay...my little sailboat has a fixed keel, and I have never been aboard a sailboat PMT posted....sorry to say. Maybe not. I learned to sail on a little "sunfish". Sorry CA and everyone else that I didn't have a clue who Ted Williams is. Maybe I will have to change from golf termonoligy to baseball. What do you think Thomas? think I can learn the bases?
ReplyDeletejeannie,
ReplyDeleteI would love to start with "first base", but first you must be "patient" at the "plate" in the "batter's box" and not take any "bad swings" at the "balls"! Working the "pitch" count is a must. "Lay" off those "up" and "in" and wait for one in your "groove" or "down" the "middle". Make a good swing for solid "contact", and run "it out" to "first".
TJ
Good job, Al, that's correct. Not sure why you say not fair, unless you mean a B&N coupon prompted your answer. I commend you for having put two and two together regardless of the prompt. I saw the news today about the new book elsewhere myself. I think it's been circulating in some papers and magazines for at least a couple of days now. I see that Dan B. has posted the news and release date on his own site as well.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you meant the clues was not fair in the sense that getting the answer could require one to google Dan Brown for new books. In any event, I expected you and c.c. wouldn't have too tough a time with the clue in light of your puzzle from yesterday and the ivy cluing in the LAT xword last week. Glad to see I hadn't made it impossible to solve after all.
On another note, do you or c.c. have any thoughts to share on posting answers to these bonus puzzles? Answering them too soon seems to me like it denies others the joy of cracking them for themselves. I was more oblique in my post about the answers today (I figured I could do so at least one time and have them fly by some readers), but I'm thinking maybe there's a better way to convey knowledge of the answer(s) here without actually letting the cat out of the bag.
anon-hp