google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Sunday May 31, 2009 Edward Sessa

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May 31, 2009

Sunday May 31, 2009 Edward Sessa

Theme: Double Plays

23A: Munchkin femmes fatales?: WICKED LITTLE WOMEN (Wicked; Little Women)

36A: Workplace braggart?: COMPANY SHOWBOAT (Company; Showboat)

55A: Inferior pomade?: HAIR GREASE (Hair; Grease)

76A: Like sturdy chairs?: FANNY PROOF (Fanny; Proof)

95A: Standing ovation: TITANIC APPLAUSE (Titanic; Applause)

111A: Queen Henrietta's personal account of Cromwell's treachery?: OLIVER THE KING AND I (Oliver; The King and I)

16D: Jazz lovers on the Mississippi?: BIG RIVER CATS (Big Rivers; Cats)

61D: Detective usin' taps?: DANCIN SLEUTH (Dancin'; Sleuth)

Each theme answer contains two Broadway play names, hence "Double Plays". The below fills are play-related bonus fills:

66A: At the theater, perhaps: ON A DATE

1D: Curtain call response: BOW

25D: Lerner's partner: LOEWE

40D: One -__: uninterrupted play: ACT-ER

115D: Gershwin of Broadway: IRA

Hope Clear Ayes gets her internet connection back today. This puzzle is tailor-made for her. Just saw Gwyneth Paltrow's "Proof" the other night. Not my cup of tea.

When I googled earlier, some of the above theme answers are plays, some are musicals. What are the main differences between the two?

Quite a few tricky & fresh clues in today's puzzles. I was misdirected many times.

Across:

1A: The Tide: BAMA. Thought their nickname is the Crimson Tide.

5A: Fundamental: BASAL. Wrote down BASIS first. So my crossing answer is SET rather than LOT for 9D: Film studio site.

10A: Fly to fear: TSETSE. Better than "Dangerous fly" clue. Reminded me of Eric Jong's "Fear of Flying".

16A: __-Rhin: Strasbourg's department: BAS. Unknown to me. BAS-Rhin is French for "Lower Rhine". Haut-Rhin (Upper Rhine) lies in its south. But I can't find either in this Strasbourg map.

19A: Algerian seaport: ORAN. Thought Camus was born here. Wrong. He was born in Mondovi, Algeria. Yves Saint Laurent was born in ORAN.

20A: "Ooh, send me!": I'LL GO. I had trouble with many of the multiple words today.

21A: Blowhard's output: HOT AIR

22A: Peak overlooking Knossos: IDA. Mount IDA is the Greek "Mountain of Goddess". I had no idea where Knossos is.

27A: Baker Street transports: HANSOMS. Stumped. Knew the Sherlock Holmes connection., but I could not come up with HANSOMS.

29A: Closed the gap on: NEARED

31A: HBO alternative: SHO

33A: Slip into: DON. D'oh, clothes. I was in the wrong direction.

34D: Off! ingredient: DEET

35A: Dish sometimes served with wasabi: SASHIMI. "Sometimes"? All times for me. I've never had SASHIMI without wasabi.

41A: Last Hebrew letter: TAV. The first is aleph.

42A: No longer an item: APART. Good clue too.

43A: Pulitzer poet Marianne: MOORE. Completely stranger to me.

44A: Crosby and Como: CROONERS. Nice C, C & C.

48A: Prong: TINE

49A: Rewards for playing well: ESPYS. The sports awards.

52A: Little bit: DROP

58A: __anglais: English horn: COR. It's neither English nor horn. COR is French for "horn".

59A: Cocktails with triple sec: SIDECARS. No idea. I don't know what a "triple sec" is either.

63A: Frequent morning surprise: ALARM. Not the surprise I have in mind.

64A: Slithering: SNAKY

69A: 20-20 observation: IT'S A TIE. Nice clue. My mind wandered off to 20/20 vision.

71A: Gold digger: MINER. I liked this clue too. Thought of Kanye West's "Gold Digger".

72A: Country singer Haggard: MERLE

74A: Busch partner: ANHEUSER

75A: "Yadda yadda yadda": Abbr.: ETC. "Seinfeld".

80A: Grasshopper's antithesis, in a fable: ANT. Aesop fable.

81A: Reformer Jacob: RIIS. Reformer of what?

83A: Drones, e.g.: MALES. Male bees. I was thinking of airplanes.

84A: Result of an egg-toss miss: SPLAT

86A: Dots on la carte: ILES. Carte is French for "map".

90A: Clementi work: SONATINA. A short sonata. I was stumped. Wikipedia says the Italian musician Muzio Clementi is famous for his piano sonatas and SONATINAS.

92A: "Nature's soft nurse" to Shakespeare: SLEEP. No idea.

93A: Conductor's aid: SCORE

99A: Little Dipper star: POLARIS. The North Star.

102A: Charles II's royal architect: WREN (Christopher). I forgot. Googled him before. Wikipedia says he designed 55 of 87 London churches after the Great fire of London in 1666, including St. Paul's Cathedral in 1710.

103A: Golden age, e.g.: ERA. Why "age" is not capitalized?

104A: H.S. dropout's goals: GED

105A: '40s-'50s Marshall Islands trials: A-TESTS. I thought they were conducted at Bikini Atoll.

107D: Domed hall: ROTUNDA

110A: VW predecessors?: STU. Alphabet STUVW.

116A: Peewee: TOT

117A: Hoity-toity: LA-DI-DA

118A: Milk a scene: EMOTE

119A: Row in a bowl: TIER. Bowl game.

120A: Lenten symbol: ASH

121A: Be a big brother to: ASSIST

122A: Rib shots: POKES. Had trouble understanding the clue.

123A: On the main: ASEA

Down:

2D: D-backs, on scoreboards: ARI. Arizona Diamondbacks. They won World Series the first year I came to the US (2001).

3D: 1978 Village People hit: MACHO MAN. Not a familiar song to me.

4D: "My Way" songwriter: ANKA (Paul)

5D: Competes to buy: BIDS ON. As on Ebay.

6D: Ghostwriters' noms de plume, say: ALLONYMS. New word to me. How is it different from pseudonym?

7D: Like a big loser?: SLIM. Lose weight. Nice clue.

8D: Ticket sellers: Abbr.: AGTS. Had trouble with this answer also.

10D: Home shopping network?: THE WEB

11D: Site of a 1976 anti-apartheid uprising: SOWETO. Have never heard of SOWETO Uprising. Thought it's in Johannesburg.

12D: School since 1440: ETON. This has become a gimme.

13D: Angus' topper: TAM. Angus county in Scotland. I was thinking of the beef.

14A: Tuscan hill town: SIENA. So close to the "Earthy color" SIENNA. One less letter N.

15D: Che, really: ERNESTO. Che Guervara.

17D: Relevant, in law: AD REM. Escaped my mind also.

18D: Tony-winning Manhattan restaurateur: SARDI. I don't get this clue. I know the award name Tony was coined in the Sardi's. Did Vincent SARDI win a Tony Award also?

24D: Finish by: END AT

31D: Satchmo's singing style: SCAT

32D: Southwestern pottery maker: HOPI. Beautiful olla.

34D: Back: Pref.: DORSI. Forgot. It appeared in our puzzle several months ago.

35D: Arrive en masse: STREAM IN

37D: Go ahead of: PRECEDE

38D: Former frosh: SOPHS. Why the clue is singular?

39D: Georgetown player: HOYA

45D: Switch positions: ONS. ON/Off.

46D: Raw recruit: ROOKIE

47D: Lighter on one's foot: SPRYER. I like this clue.

49D: "L'___, c'est moi": Louis XIV: ETAT. Oh boy, where did I get "Le roi, c'est moi" quote?

51D: Pledging site: FRAT

54D: Accessory for an old-time flying ace: SCARF. How come?

57D: City on the Ruhr: ESSEN

59D: Suzanne of "Step by Step": SOMERS. Know Suzanne SOMERS. Have never heard of the TV series "Step by Step".

60D: Ab __: from the beginning: INITIO. Hope I can remember it next time.

62D: Money-saving carpeting choices: REMNANTS. Ha ha, I did not know there is a special term for those carpets.

65D: Big name in beachwear: NAUTICA. Nope. Not a beach person. I like her shirt.

67D: Actress Soleil Moon __: FRYE. New name to me also. Great name, Soleil Moon.

68D: Yodeler's range: ALPS. Mountain range.

70D: At __: nevertheless: THAT. At THAT is a new idiom to me.

73D: Zhou of China: ENLAI. Our first premier.

74D: Wouldn't hurt __: A FLEA. I thought it's "Wouldn't hurt a fly".

77D: Bordeaux buddy: AMI. Alliteration again.

78D: "Hold Me" Grammy winner: OSLIN. Here is the song.

79D: Cartel acronym: OPEC

82D: Casa areas: SALAS

85D: Desire: APPETITE. Oh, desire for food.

87D: Four-time Olympic diving gold medalist: LOUGANIS. No idea. Wikipedia says Greg LOUGANIS won two gold in 1984 and two in 1988.

88D: Gaelic tongue: ERSE

89D: Tourney ranking: SEED

91D: Largest of the British Virgin Islands: TORTOLA. See this map. Completely foreign to me.

92D: Hägar's dog: SNERT. Learned from doing Xword. I don't read the comic strips.

93D: Subject for Eric Partridge: SLANG. I did not know who Eric Partridge is. Wikipedia says he was a noted New Zealand/British lexicographer of the English language, particularly of its SLANG.

96D: Suit fabrics: TWEEDS. SERGE is "Suit fabric" too.

97D: Landfall for Noah: ARARAT

98D: Lops and tops: PRUNES. Nice rhymes.

99D: Elbows, maybe: PASTA. Elbow pasta. I was fooled.

100D: Four Holy Roman emperors: OTTOS

101D: __ Malvinas: the Falklands: ISLAS. Got it from Across fills. I don't know where ISLAS Malvinas is. Oh, I see, different name origins, hence Spanish Malvinas and English Falklands.

106D: Half of MXIV: DVII. Half of 1,014=507.

107D: San __, Italy: REMO

108D: "All right, already!": OK OK

109D: Base material?: DATA. Why?

113D: In the know: HEP. Wrote down HIP first.

114D: Mark to improve: DEE. Was thinking of a verb.

Answer grid.

C.C.
at

69 comments:

  1. ThomasMay 31, 2009 at 5:51 AM

    I encourage everyone here to go back to last nights comments, and read my late night post. Opinions??

    TJ in Osseo

    ReplyDelete
  2. ThomasMay 31, 2009 at 7:51 AM

    Yes, C.C., I did the puzzle... bleh.

    And I miss Jeannie, her wit and humor, DF as it may be, but no more so than others on this blog. It was her lack of contribution, that is waning my desire to be a part of this community. Can't you bury the hatchet and welcome her back? How long has she been with you and an active contributor?? I know I haven't been all that long on the blog, actively, but lurking, her input caused me to contribute. Do you not appreciate that? Have you realized how infrequently I've contributed since you slammed her? Over and over? Or don't you care? I don't know what has gotten me up on my soap box, but these are just some things that have gotten under my skin, and American's have "face", too. And with the total lack of acknowledgment of sloops , cutters, ketches and yawls, I feel totally disrespected. Or don't you care? You can climb on your high horse and say "if you don't like it LEAVE", or realize where this guy is coming from, and maybe have an even better blog.

    As long as I'm burning my bridges...Dennis, I thought Marines don't leave their wounded behind, but the way you've hung Jeannie out to dry..... Semper Fi, let it haunt you.

    So, fully expecting this post to be deleted by the host, as other's should have been, I bid all of this family of puzzlers good bye, and happy solving.

    TJ in Osseo

    ReplyDelete
  3. windhoverMay 31, 2009 at 7:58 AM

    C.C., re: 63 A clue,
    The rest of us attempt the occasional DFness with a broadsword, you wield the dagger. You made me smile, I'm still smiling an hour later.

    Thomas/TJ:
    Of course I agree with your comments. I'm pretty sure that most people here, even the ones who don't indulge in the DF, get a little kick out of the wit and wordplay. And of course, those who are actually offended get to enjoy their offendedness and the little shiver that comes with selfrighteousness. Win/win for everyone the way I see it.

    Here's hoping everybody got the morning surprise they needed. If not, there's always tomorrow.

    Hiya, Buckeye.

    Jeannie: come out and play.

    ReplyDelete
  4. DennisMay 31, 2009 at 8:08 AM

    Good morning, C.C. and gang - this was a fun puzzle this morning, with some very clever cluing. I was well into the puzzle before I figured out the theme, and even then there were some I was unfamiliar with.

    C.C., my DF friend, just what were you thinking for 'slip into', 'frequent morning surprise', and 'desire'? Windhover, you're right, she's very subtle.

    I think I've only seen 'lah-di-dah' for 117D; don't remember ever seeing it without the 'h's. I thought 'elbows, maybe', 'like a big loser', 'VW predecessors' and '20-20 observation' were extremely clever.

    C.C., I believe frosh can be singular or plural. Scarves were a trademark of the early flyers, especially the aces. Regarding 'base material/data', I thought of data base. And I had 'Le roi, c'est moi' as well.

    I've never had sashimi without wasabi either. And I've never had wasabi...

    Thomas, it's always good to get stuff like that out of your system. Hope you feel better for it. Just an FYI, I never 'hung Jeannie out to dry', nor have I ever said a negative word regarding her. If you were to ask Jeannie, she'd tell you she considers me a friend.

    Hope it's an outstanding day for everyone; do something fun.

    ReplyDelete
  5. windhoverMay 31, 2009 at 8:11 AM

    TJ:
    Back to say: the comments I agreed with are the ones last night and early this morning, but not the most recent. The fault isn't with CC or Dennis. Jeannie can come back anytime she wants. She has been here recently, and I hope she'll continue. I wrote that before I saw your last comment.

    Let's leave the flaming to the ignorant trolls and recognize that we have, for the most part, something that is unique in Blogistan, a community of very diverse people who are able to respect each other even in disagreement. CC has fostered that environment and been a very tolerant host. She deserves respect. I hope you'll reconsider your last comments. In any case, I have enjoyed your contributions, with this one exception. Good luck to you.

    ReplyDelete
  6. kazieMay 31, 2009 at 8:17 AM

    wow!
    It took me well over an hour even with redletter help. I didn't realize the double aspect of the theme clues until coming here, and couldn't figure out what the connection was between the two parts of each, having never been to NY or Broadway and being too far from anywhere I could become familiar with some of these shows locally. In short, I was suffering from cultural challenges again. Had no idea what D-backs were--thought it might be another slang word for currency of some sort. And so went most of the rest of it too, though there were d'oh moments when things fell in.

    c.c.,
    Plays don't have music as a major component. Musicals are a bit like operettas, where songs tell part of the story.
    Strasbourg lies within the departement of Bas-Rhin, #67 on this map, so you don't see it marked on your map, but the area shown is all of it. Strasbourg is its capital.

    Thomas,
    As far as I can tell from c.c.'s comment recently she has never banished anyone from the blog. Jeannie must have decided to restrain herself. I agree with the latter comments above. I admire those smart enough to jump on the opportunities for word play, and agree that anyone not appreciating it can simply overlook it, as long as it doesn't take over.

    ReplyDelete
  7. DennisMay 31, 2009 at 8:20 AM

    Kazie, I've always been curious - is ''departement' in France the same as 'county' here?

    ReplyDelete
  8. DennisMay 31, 2009 at 8:28 AM

    Lol, make that 'state' here.

    ReplyDelete
  9. ThomasMay 31, 2009 at 8:41 AM

    Ok.. Dennis, when you did nothing to promote the deletion of a totally derogatory comment to Jeannie, I lost a lot of respect for you. Hence, the Semper Fi.

    Windhover, I spent a lot of time researching sailboats to back up my knowledge of them to make sure I was correct in my information, and received nothing in return but a question for further info with no thanks. Yes, I felt disrespected, and still do. And with that said, I want you to know that you are one of my favorite contributors to this family of bloggers, and that I find you an erudite, and cherished "Uncle".

    ReplyDelete
  10. abogato@aol.comMay 31, 2009 at 8:50 AM

    At last: my team has made the Sunday crossword. Bama is just a shorten form of Alabama. We humans always seem to shorten words on a regular basis. Bama is picked number one in the west of the SEC. And this year we will see if Saban is for real for that four million dollar salary. The SEC conference is a tough league with lots of good teams like LSU etc. On any given Saturday, an SEC team can beat another SEC team. There are very few undefeated teams. When I was in Law School at the University of Alabama, there was no such thing as "parity" Bear Bryant would dress out 100 players at home games. Many of those players were recuited just to keep Auburn or Tenn from getting them. Bear Bryant was mean as a snake, but he got results. Seveal times on Sunday morning, you would see the teams running wind sprints because of the way the game was player. As students, we could watch the practive. When Bear came off his tower, you could hear a pin drop. Not only was he tough, but he was actually very physical with the players (as a big man him self).

    just flat missed "elbows". But worth the morning effort

    go bama

    abogato From alabama

    ReplyDelete
  11. DennisMay 31, 2009 at 8:52 AM

    Thomas, you give me powers I don't have. Regardless, I hope you can move past this; I think we all understand your criticism. Have a great day.

    ReplyDelete
  12. JeanneMay 31, 2009 at 9:01 AM

    Morning all,
    I enjoyed today’s puzzle even though I had a difficult time with it. Got the theme after I filled in Wicked and Little Women; but still had trouble with some of the others. Fly to fear would not conjure up tsetse; since I have a fear of flying, it just had to relate to flying, oh well. Don’t know the meaning of sidecar as it relates to triple sec. All I could think of was margarita. Guess sidecar is a bartender’s term. Enjoyed, it’s a tie for 20-20 observation. Allonyms was a new word for me but since it means assumed name, I hope I will remember it. Seems easy enough. Since Thursday, Friday, and Sunday puzzles are all rated 3, I should do about the same for all three. I can usually do Thursday’s puzzle, but I usually find Friday’s puzzle more difficult and Sunday’s puzzle more difficult-maybe just due to the length. Keep on plugging.

    Just an observation, most of the DF women on the blog are single women. Have the long married women lost their Dfness or don’t they have a need to express it?

    Have a great day all; hopefully will get a lot of chores done outside. The weather is beautiful just not warm enough for the pool.

    ReplyDelete
  13. kazieMay 31, 2009 at 9:07 AM

    Dennis,
    It depends how you look at it. A département is basically an administrative district about the size of a county here. So since France is itself only the size of some of our states, they could be viewed as an equivalent of a county, albeit with huge populations compared with similar sized areas here. France has over 60 million people and 95 départements. However, France's government is much more centralized than ours, so things that are controlled here by the states are controlled from Paris there; education, for example, is nationally run. I think it's just different, and they probably aren't like either states or counties.

    ReplyDelete
  14. ThomasMay 31, 2009 at 9:07 AM

    Thank you, Dennis, but when someone is told to take it or LEAVE! How can you expect an American with "face" to kowtow and crawl back without an apology?

    Kazie, I suggest you go back into past blogs for reference's from C.C. to Jeannie.

    Enough said, I just hope a point has been made, and taken to heart, and that someone is big enough to render an apology, here in the USA.

    TJ in Osseo

    ReplyDelete
  15. ThomasMay 31, 2009 at 9:36 AM

    If not, I guess it's goodbye.

    Semper Fi, Dennis

    Best harvest, Windhover

    Sunny skies, SBKaren

    Happy trails. lemondccxiv

    WM, KQ, Lois, Kazie, Carole, Clear Ayes, and everybody else, I'll miss you all!

    Tj in Osseo

    ReplyDelete
  16. ThomasMay 31, 2009 at 10:08 AM

    That was supposed to be, happy trials. LemDCCXIV...

    TJ

    ReplyDelete
  17. JazzbumpaMay 31, 2009 at 10:13 AM

    Hey gang -
    Just checking in, since I didn't have a chance yesterday. Went to the kids' soccer game in the morning, then to T-town (Drove past FERMI 2 twice) for some heavy duty mom maintenance (lots of chores) then back to my daughter's house to watch the Wings game -- WooHoo! Close to midnight when we got home.

    Noticed that the Blade still carries the LAT puzzle. Didn't like yesterday's - too much of the stuff you're already tired of hearing me carp about. Must say, though, that SOIGNE is way out of bounds.

    Dennis @ Friday. Thanks. Careful, though, or I really will get conceited.

    looking forward to a low-key day. Might do the LAT and Boston Globe, if I have my wits about me.

    Cheers

    ReplyDelete
  18. windhoverMay 31, 2009 at 11:24 AM

    TJ:
    Thanks for the compliment. I might be pleased to be your uncle. Could you post a picture of your Aunt?
    Of course, as your Uncle, my responsibilities (other than the Aunt thing) would be to give you free advice, which is in my experience worth about what you paid for it. Here's some, on the house:
    #1
    CC, while born in China, is as American as you and me. That's one of the things the "Semper Fi" and its adherents has assured.
    #2
    Words, especially written words, have meaning, often loaded and multiple meanings. Things said to someone's face, with inflection, tone, and body language aiding the hearer in deciphering their meaning, often come across totally differently when lying on the printed page or screen. Veiled comments are seldom veiled enough, as our friend Luxor recently learned. I have often written something here that I found devastatingly funny, only to read it back after I hit "Publish" and found that the joke was a dud (or I was), and it came across as a serious statement.
    If an apology is called for, it should probably be mutual and private. It isn't our call. Jeannie obviously can come back if she wants to, so she will come back if she wants to.
    (Hopefully) my last word on this topic: If I didn't give a damn about you or what you thought, I wouldn't have bothered to write this. Stick around and share the fun, which in my warped world includes trashing trolls.
    BTW, I don't talk like I write. Almost no one does, if they understand the difference.
    Cordially,
    Uncle Wind

    ReplyDelete
  19. ThomasMay 31, 2009 at 11:57 AM

    Dear Uncle Wind, how can anyone come back after feeling totally trashed, and without a welcome back apology? Left out in the DMZ by the Marines? My disrespected feelings aside, I can totally relate to Jeannie, and the hurtful and thrown aside feelings that she must feel. Do you recall the comments that were made? Don't you feel an apology is in order for the harsh and cruel words? I feel in need of an apology without the invective statements, but if I DON'T LIKE IT, I'll just LEAVE, like she said to, and am prepared to.

    BTW, my only surviving Aunt is 86, a recent widow, and suffering from macular degeneration.

    ReplyDelete
  20. LuxorMay 31, 2009 at 11:59 AM

    I like roman numeral clues. The millenium was MM. Cool!
    Not like the candy...M & M.

    REMEMBER: What you say is in the air, what you write is always there.

    ReplyDelete
  21. LolaMay 31, 2009 at 12:55 PM

    Thomas: Yawnnn!!!

    That being said. My puzzle looked like Swiss cheese today. Names and plays are not my forte. I've only heard of about half of the plays in the theme answers. The multiple word answers were a bit of a stretch. ie: 20-20 observation/ it's a tie. Huh? Or,"Ooh, send me!"/I'll go.

    Oh well. Monday cometh like a soothing balm to heal these wounds, or wound these heels. Product of an overheated brain.

    Adios a todos.

    ReplyDelete
  22. WMMay 31, 2009 at 1:03 PM

    Morning all...slow slog but I finished it. This was much more like a NYT crossword today, which I now may do, since it might be easier.

    Dennis already answered most of the things I made notes on except DATA as in DATABASE...worked for me. The Shakespeare quote has the same meaning for sleep as to "knit the raveled sleeve of care"...in other words, a way to heal yourself or a troubled mind through sleep. Shakespeare definitely had a way with words...:o)

    Pulled quite a number of answers out of thin air today and have no idea how I knew them...TORTOLA, ISLAS, SOWETO, SONATINA, etc. The themes again came pretty easily and I have no idea why, except that it has to be from paying attention more, due to C.C.'s constant excellent tuteledge.

    I still can't ever remember any of the latin/legal stuff at all but knew who Christopher WREN was and managed to get RIIS(???? who knows).

    There seems to be a lot of free-range hormone issues raging around from which I will abstain as I keep my passion and appetite for my husband, my family and my painting and my cooking.

    Jeanne...I think a lot of us older ladies, though we may jump on an occasional DF comment that is too good to pass up, have mostly been there and done that. So we just snicker, guffaw and move on.

    A quick story on carpet remnants...when I was in college, my roomies and I got a whole bunch of carpet sample squares for free and some carpet tape and put them all together to make a "rug" for our apartment...we thought it was very cool, but remember, it was also the late 60's...;o)

    Good day to all. I have to paint and play with the kitties.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Clear AyesMay 31, 2009 at 1:09 PM

    Good Morning All, My stars!...as Grandma used to say. I think my ISP is back on board and after rereading back a few days, I find it certainly has been interesting around here recently.

    I can either ignore the elephant in the room, or make a comment. I agree with Windhover about the way written words come across very differently than when they are spoken. I think that is particularly true of DF-ness. There is a fine line between bawdy (appreciated) and prurient (uncomfortable). But everyone's line is different. When writing for as large and diverse a group as we have here, that is a caveat we should keep in mind.

    Thomas, about lack of acknowledgment. I don't think we should ever expect special thanks for a contribution. My forte is poetry. I have spent lots of time looking up what I considered to be special poems. Sometimes (often? :o) they are only special to me. That is OK. I wouldn't spend time researching anything that I didn't find interesting myself. If nobody seems to care, at least I enjoyed it.

    I also love movies. Some people here have said they find movies a waste of time...stupid...brain numbing and puerile. I could take that to mean they think I'm wasting my time, stupid, brain numbed and puerile. Hey...wait a minute??? I try not to find insult where none was meant, and if it were, that is beyond my control. I enjoy the people here, but I would never give them the power to affect my emotions, on or off-blog.

    Who owes who an apology? I can't offer an opinion on that one. Maybe it is a double whammy, or maybe it is water under the bridge and should be allowed to flow past.

    ReplyDelete
  24. ArgyleMay 31, 2009 at 1:17 PM

    22A: Peak overlooking Knossos: IDA. Mount IDA is the Greek "Mountain of Goddess". I had no idea where Knossos is.Map of Ancient Greece-Southern Part The inset map of Crete shows Mount Ida in the center of the island and Crossus(Knossos) just NE of it.

    Unfortunately, I had Mount Ida confused with Mount Airy, home of Mayberry, RFD.

    ReplyDelete
  25. JeromeMay 31, 2009 at 1:22 PM

    C.C.- An allonym is assuming the name of a real person. A pseudonym is a made up name.

    Here's Carl Sandburg's wonderful definition of slang- "Slang is a language that rolls up its sleeves,spits on its hands, and goes to work"

    ReplyDelete
  26. WMMay 31, 2009 at 1:45 PM

    CA/WH...I applaud you both...right on the money as usual...'nuff said

    ReplyDelete
  27. Clear AyesMay 31, 2009 at 1:49 PM

    Oh yes, today's puzzle. There's No Business Like Show Business. BTW, what's with the bodice on Ethel Merman's gown? it looks like it's about to fly away.

    Once I filled in WICKED LITTLE WOMEN, I got all the theme answers pretty quickly. I have only seen a couple of these shows on stage, but have seen movies of most and knew at least the titles of all.

    This has been a theater week for me. On Tuesday, I went to see "Menopause The Musical" with three girlfriends. It was a very funny show about four menopausal (ya think?) women who sing parodies of dozens of 1950's, 60's and 70's songs. This evening, GAH and I are headed to see "Stomp" in Modesto. That's the show in which VERY energetic dancers keep rhythm with brooms, trash can lids and all kinds of non-dance paraphernalia.

    I ran into a problem with the cross of MOORE and HOYA, but guessed correctly. The INITIO and RIIS cross was a stopper and I had to come here to finish up.

    I've never heard of "wouldn't hurt A FLEA". That is what DEET is for.

    C.C. What's with the multiple Chinese links to what looks like a hospital site and to condos for sale?

    ReplyDelete
  28. ArgyleMay 31, 2009 at 1:53 PM

    Cocktails with triple sec: SIDECARS. No idea. I don't know what a "triple sec" is either.Ingredients: 3/4 ounce Cointreau(triple sec); 3/4 ounce lemon juice: 1 1/2 ounces cognac
    Shake well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass that has had its outside rim rubbed with lemon juice and dipped in sugar. picThe term “triple sec” is used to describe any generic beverage made from Curaçao oranges. Classically, the orange peels are steeped for 24 hours in a plain alcohol before being distilled three times to make an extremely concentrated liqueur.

    Reformer Jacob Riis: The gist is that he used photography to show the plight of the poor people in the slums of New York City. The president of the Board of Commissioners of the NYC PD, at the time, was Theodore Roosevelt.

    ReplyDelete
  29. KQMay 31, 2009 at 2:02 PM

    Lots of interesting posts the last few days. I think we all try to come here in the spirit of fun and learning, so I hope we can all keep it that way.

    I started the puzzle but knew I wouldn't get a chance to finish today so came here instead. Despite knowing many plays, there are certainly some that I wouldn't have gotten here. Looks like a very good puzzle indeed though. Wish I could have kept going on it. But my son's baseball tournament calls this weekend. Luckily the weather is behaving.

    CC - Soweto is in Johannesburg. It is an urban area or township. In the 50's the government forced the black's to move to Soweto, but did not let them own businesses there. They had to leave the township daily to work and sustain themselves. We took a tour in 2003 and the history is fascinating. The uprising was in protest of apartheid.

    Hope to be back blogging tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  30. JDMay 31, 2009 at 2:11 PM

    Good afternoon CC and all,

    As CA just said, most of us just research things that we enjoy, and others might not even read them. Today I took a "tour" of Tuscany looking for just the right hill town. I never found it, but I could see the beautiful Tyrhennian Sea. Verrucola, Barga, and Anghiara were all magnificent towns to visit. Saw Etruscan walls in Volterra, and read about exchanging my home for a 15th cen. house somewhere in Tuscany.

    Each one of us is different and that is why this blog is a wonderful place to visit, even when the puzzle is overwhelming. Some days I learn from the puzzle, or from "G-ing", but I always learn new things from all of you.

    Kazie, I made those delicious pancakes this morning. The family loved them. Merci.

    CC, Knossos is on the island of Crete, which was the center of the Minoan civilization. It is where the Minotaur myths originated, and where Greek history began.

    Uncle Wind, you da best! Good advice. You too CA. Both deserve a special "flower", maybe a D.

    Because I am not quick with the right words, I have a fear of sinking if I step inside that DF pool, but I enjoy the clever wordplay.

    ReplyDelete
  31. windhoverMay 31, 2009 at 2:16 PM

    TJ:
    Auntie sounds perfect. Given the difference in our ages, and the definition determined here a few days ago, she could be a cougar. The macular degeneration is a big plus, too, as I am not very pretty in my dotage.

    Luxor:
    You are absolutely correct, and we all need to be cogniscent of that. It fits well with what I said earlier about words and their meanings. Peace?

    ReplyDelete
  32. Clear AyesMay 31, 2009 at 2:21 PM

    I said earlier that not everyone is going to like every, or maybe any, poem I post. So, here is one that caught my fancy quite a while ago. I couldn't see where I would fit it in. But for today, enjoy it if you can and ignore it if you can't.

    Miss Charlotte Brown, Librarian, Goes Mad

    Today, I have decided
    to read every poem ever written
    in the short history of our civilization.
    I know it is a selfish thing

    to read. Every poem ever written
    has its good intentions. I know,
    I know, it is a selfish thing.
    I want to believe that. Poetry

    has its good intentions. I know
    reading poems can't help much.
    I want to believe that poetry
    books have the answer. I'll start

    reading. Poems can't help much
    in the short history of our civilization.
    Books have the answer. I'll start
    today. I have decided.

    - Felix Jung

    ReplyDelete
  33. JDMay 31, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    CA, wonderful Ethel Merman clip.As soon as I got the theme, I thought about your expertise. I have not seen/heard of Company or Applause.

    My new favorite drink is a Lemon Drop made with either 1/2 oz triple sec or Cointreau
    1 1/2 oz vodka
    1 t. sugar
    3/4 oz lemon juice
    4-5 ice cubes YUM!

    ReplyDelete
  34. JeanneMay 31, 2009 at 2:40 PM

    @WM- I agree.
    @JD that drink sounds delicious. Could use one right now and as soon as my Motrin kicks in, I think I will. Do you use the juice of a fresh lemon?

    ReplyDelete
  35. AnonymousMay 31, 2009 at 2:47 PM

    Good day, all. Lola, the prize goes to you for your comment on TJ's rants last night and today. (Yawnnn!!!)

    Let's have fun, guys.

    I tried my power of positive thinking on today's puzzle, with not a great deal of success. Enjoyed the theme – at least the ones I got. I have no frame of reference for FannyProof. And
    I'm a tad tired of boxers.

    Now for a nice lie down and read one of my favorites, Linda Fairstein.

    Happy June, everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  36. embienMay 31, 2009 at 2:50 PM

    32:51 today. Did anyone say Broadway plays? Meh. I struggled, struggled, struggled with this one, and then came back and struggled again. Never. Saw. The. Theme.

    Never "getting" the theme made this one especially difficult for me. I'm amazed I actually finished, as the theme entries were complete mysteries. Might as well have been quotes from Jabberwocky as far as my feeble brain was concerned.

    Broadway plays? Not my forte (or my minor, either).

    I filled in TORTUGA off the TOR and that certainly messed me up in the Texas part of the puzzle. Nevermind that I had no clue as to who Queen Henrietta was. Yikes!

    And, ALLONYM? You are a complete stranger to me.

    I did have a nice crab and shrimp louis salad for breakfast, so the day hasn't been a complete loss.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Lemonade714May 31, 2009 at 2:59 PM

    Is there anyone who used words better than Shakespeare? This is from Henry IV: “O sleep, O gentle sleep, nature's soft nurse, how have I frightened thee, that thou no more wilt weigh my eye-lids down and steep my senses in forgetfulness?”

    TSE TSE and IT’S A TIE were really well clued, as was the theme, though I was unfamiliar with a play DANCIN.

    Being POKED IN THE RIBS is one of my buttons; my children learned that early.

    Do you like SOLEIL MOON better than MOON UNIT ? Poor little Punky Brewster suffered from Gigantomastia, which is not a joke.

    FLEA is one I grew up with, not hurt a flea : Fig. not to harm anything or anyone, even a tiny insect. (Also with other forms of negation.) Ted would not even hurt a flea. He could not have struck Bill. Ted would never hurt a flea, and he would not hit anyone as you claim.

    As far as the Jeannie support from TJ, hey we have all supported and welcomed her each in our own way; I personally welcome ever post, except the cowardly anonymous attacks.

    ReplyDelete
  38. LuxorMay 31, 2009 at 3:03 PM

    Clear Ayes,

    What does DF-ness mean(your post 1:09pm)?

    ReplyDelete
  39. JDMay 31, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    Jeanne, yes, I use a real lemon.

    Chill your glass in the freezer for 10 minutes.
    Shake all those ingredients in a cocktail shaker for about 30 seconds.
    Run a lemon twist around the edge of your glass and then dip in some sugar.
    Pour into a glass thru a strainer to catch the ice cubes.

    Enjoy your evening!

    Any ice cream addicts here? Safeway has Ben and Jerry's ice cream on sale this wk 10 for $10!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. tfrankMay 31, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    Greetings, all,

    As relative newcomer, I have a question: does DF stand for stupid intercourse? If not, please enlighten me.

    Good puzzle today. By my count, I got 230 out of 238 clues right. I will take that score, as I don't solve online.

    Reading comments today was a little like watching a soap opera. Titillating but ultimately boring.

    I spent my freshman year at Alabama, so I enjoyed that clue. Go, Tide!

    ReplyDelete
  41. AnonymousMay 31, 2009 at 3:09 PM

    Drink recipe: I found the right way to make a Margarita in 1975 in Juarez.
    Equal parts fresh lime juice, tequila, and triple sec. Mix with a few ice cubes.
    Prepare the small stemmed glass by swishing one of the limes around the top and then dipping the glass in salt. Remove the ice from the drink and pour into the glass.
    This is much better than the American version made with sugar water and put in large stemmed glasses.
    Enjoy.
    I did find my trashcan. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  42. WMMay 31, 2009 at 3:27 PM

    tfrank...DisFunctional

    Ladies( and Argyle)...thanks for the drink recipes...although I am a wine fan...I will write those down. Maybe in the heat of summer...although slightly chilled Provence Roses are tough to beat!

    Luxor re@ 11:59...excellent advice and most excellent blog ettiquette. Smileys also moderate comments...;o)

    CA...Loved the poem...when I was in High School I was concerned that I would never have enough time to read ALL the books...I keep plugging away at it but those danged authors just keep adding to the list...;o)

    Embien... I love the fact that you have these big luscious salads for breakfast...I may just have to trade in my goat yogurt and homemade granola for a shot at that!...now I'm hungry.

    #3

    ReplyDelete
  43. LuxorMay 31, 2009 at 3:49 PM

    C.C.,
    Ever see a pic of 'The Red Baron', WWI german flying ace. Scarf present.
    Can anyone explain the clue 40D, one__: uninterrupted , and the answer, acter.

    ReplyDelete
  44. JazzbumpaMay 31, 2009 at 3:57 PM

    Clear Ayes -

    Loved the pantoum.

    Tough puzzle today, but fun, and with a good clever theme, and lots of inventive clues. Got most of it, but not BIGRIVERCATS. Failed on the jazz clue. What a drag.

    Also had DANCER SLEUTH, which totally blew RIIS and SONATINA.

    I had A HINT for A HAND, and there was no recovery from that.

    Was anyone else surprised at the spelling of LOEWE? That's lion in German.

    Printed the puzzle from the LAT site and incomplete clue 78D was "Hold Me" Grammy. (Something I would say to the LW, but she hates being called "Grammy.") Clue for 79d was missing completely. Didn't know OLSIN, and got OPEC from the perps, eventually. For a while, I was thinking OPEN - probably because I am so open-minded. Though occasionally DF.

    Still, don't like to see arcane jargon in a X-word. AD REM? And yesterday's 50D, NISI?!? I got REDOX yesterday, since I am an erstwhile chemist. Any lawyers here get that one? I thought a better clue would have been "vermilion plow puller."

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  45. JazzbumpaMay 31, 2009 at 3:59 PM

    Luxor -

    A one act play (hence one-acter) would not have an intermission break.

    Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  46. JazzbumpaMay 31, 2009 at 4:03 PM

    The definitive SCARF view.

    ReplyDelete
  47. DennisMay 31, 2009 at 4:27 PM

    Hey gang -
    I seem to have had an epiphany. Maybe it's just a mini-stroke, or gas, but I'll go with epiphany.

    This blog is C.C.'s creation, a labor of love. It attracts milliions of hits. (One of the reasons I'm posting this now is because Sunday is a fairly light day, and I'd rather just address our extended 'family').

    It's been successful probably beyond her wildest dreams, no doubt. And each time we have one of these dust-ups, we bring a certain amount of ill feeling towards the blog by anyone looking in, including the constructors whom we all respect. By the way, it's absolutely wonderful that these constructors respect our opinion enough to visit here and see our feedback on their work.
    Anyway, this bickering, to me, and I'm certainly as guilty (if not more so) as anybody, shows disrespect to C.C. We are, after all, guests in her house. We need to do better, and it'll start with me. (All bets are off with anons who have an agenda, though.)

    These things are bound to happen, if for no other reason than familiarity breeds contempt, but there's a better way to deal with them. I grew up knowing that the final outcome of a 'disagreement' usually was gonna take place in a parking lot, and some of that mentality remains. I've never been very good at turning the other cheek, and out of respect for C.C., I'll do my best to do so, and I hope others will follow. And if there's something critical to be said to someone, well, it seems to me that emails would do the job without subjecting others to our juvenile games.

    I know, I know, where's Dennis and what have you done with him? But this shows how much respect I have for C.C., and I want her (our) blog to be even more successful.

    Please let me know your comments. I need to go have a drink and figure out what just happened to me...

    ReplyDelete
  48. LolaMay 31, 2009 at 4:27 PM

    Jazzbumpa: I didn't even notice that 78D was an incomplete clue or that 79D was missing. That makes me feel a wee bit better about this fiasco. LOL at the Red Ox. I probably would have had better luck on line with red letter help, but I like pencil and paper better. It somehow is a more intimate experience. More tactile, if you get my drift. TTFN

    ReplyDelete
  49. JeromeMay 31, 2009 at 4:49 PM

    C'mon, Luxor, you know the answer.

    "Uninterrupted play" = ONE-ACTER

    A play with one act. Since there are no other acts to follow the first act there's no interruption of the play's progress.

    ReplyDelete
  50. Crockett1947May 31, 2009 at 5:59 PM

    @dennis@4:27 HEAR HEAR! Well said and thought out, paisano.

    ReplyDelete
  51. kazieMay 31, 2009 at 6:07 PM

    I agree that personal disputes have no need to be aired for all of us. Of course, if those disputing used email to begin with, it wouldn't get to this point, would it? That said, I'm not sure I understand how Dennis was implicated in this one at the beginning.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Lemonade714May 31, 2009 at 6:39 PM

    If you click on the link titled: Star Tribune Crossword Corner: Guide to Blogging Comments, which is provided by C.C. in her OLIO list, there is a very concise approach to commenting. I think I speak for most when I say we do crossword puzzles for pleasure. I have learned that even the constructors cannot get rich in this field. Part of the pleasure comes from learning new things; part from exercising the brain; part from not being tricked by pretty flowers, like ARNO; and, part from sharing with others who enjoy the same things we enjoy. There is no place for personal attacks, for cowardly anonymous diatribes, for discrimination of any kind. We all have differing senses of humor and it is human nature to find double entendre funny. They are after all just adult puns. Let's stop over- reacting of judging each other. We have a new month starting (HURRICANE SEASON, wee) and let us have it be the next chapter. Peace out.

    ReplyDelete
  53. SandbridgeKarenMay 31, 2009 at 6:47 PM

    Kinder and gentler Dennis - I agree on the need to show our respect for CC and what she's done and continues to do daily, and your comparison to us all being guests in her house. We should do our best to always show her respect and consideration.
    I do not like bickering and try to be a peacemaker in my life's activities; getting thru each day can be difficult enough without adding aggravation so I try to avoid that whenever possible.
    I read and post here because I learn so much from you all and value everyone's input and comments. I'm sure there may be times people 'agree to disagree' but I hope it can be done with respect and kindness, especially to CC.
    I suggest that people read thru their posts a couple of times before sending since once it's gone, you can't take it back. I catch myself rereading what I've written and think 'that is not well phrased or could be subject to a negative interpretation' and often delete a lot.
    Too much celebrating this weekend so didn't do the xwords and this was the first opportunity I had to check in - I sure missed a lot. As Scarlett said 'tomorrow's another day'.

    ReplyDelete
  54. SandbridgeKarenMay 31, 2009 at 6:51 PM

    Lemonade714 - forgot all about H-season - it could be tame by comparison to some of the comments I've read lately. Thanks for your saneness and common sense (as my dad says 'common sense isn't very common) but sure do hope those 'canes pass us all by this summer. The last one I went thru was plenty.

    ReplyDelete
  55. windhoverMay 31, 2009 at 7:58 PM

    Dennis:
    It appears that you may have inadvertantly come in contact with the fabled "sensitive side". When this happens, I usually have a shot of Cabo Wabo, chased with a Murphy's Stout.

    In
    All seriousness, this is the only approach we can take if we want to maintain the integrity of this venue. It isn't
    ours to trash up; we're (all of us) guests. I sure am going to miss throwing acid on those trolls, but I hear there's not
    much traffic on the high road.

    I had a few of those parking lot mediation experiences when I was younger. I remember well one in particular when I bit off a little more than I could chew (what we used to call "alligator mouth, hummingbird ass". I learned a whole new meaning of the phrase "saving face".
    And about ten years ago, I learned which finger should never be displayed when you're on two wheels and the other guy has four.
    The Irish (my better half) just reminded me of the
    John Prine line, "It don't make no sense that common sense don't make no sense no more". Words to live by, or at least drink to. See you in the fast lane on the high road.

    Larry 5 and out

    ReplyDelete
  56. Clear AyesMay 31, 2009 at 8:16 PM

    Luxor, "DF-ness". DF is DysFunctional. Perhaps, I should have said DF-ity, so it would stand for dysfunctionality, rather than my non-word dysfunctionalness.

    Jazzbumpa, Thank you so much for the new word. Somewhere I had missed out on "pantoum".

    I'm with SandbridgeKaren about rereading posts before hitting the Publish bar. There have been many times when I have deleted or rewritten a sentence or paragraph after realizing that my first version could have easily been misunderstood.

    Dennis, Welcome to your gentler, feminine side. Hey....that is a compliment, isn't it ladies? I've heard lots of stories from GAH about "Adventures In Parking Lots". Testosterone can get you in trouble. I met him at the tail end of those days and I'm very glad I didn't see him in his chest thumping prime. I would have run rapidly in the other direction.

    ReplyDelete
  57. LindaMay 31, 2009 at 8:53 PM

    CC: Hello my very brilliant friend, former Pinkerton agent and baseball fanatic! Did you watch that 25 inning game???

    Got to the puzzle while still weary from the road...but the theme was very clever. Still took more than 90 minutes.

    May I "interview" You?

    CC: When and where did you do your first xw puzzle?
    How long after beginning to do puzzles did you decide to "blog' them?
    Did you read and speak English before moving to the US?
    Do they have xws in your native China?
    Did working with "codes" help you in doing xws?
    Have you ever considered being a constructor?
    Does your significant other share your interest in xws?
    If you had to choose, would you give up crosswords or baseball?
    Were you a baseball fan in China?
    Are you considering becoming a citizen (if you are not, already?)
    What are your favorite "American" foods?
    Who are your favorite constuctors?
    Do you do any other daily puzzle?

    Thank you for indulging me...

    ReplyDelete
  58. AnonymousMay 31, 2009 at 9:00 PM

    Dennis, well said. It was unbecoming of this blog lately to have so much bickering. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  59. luxorMay 31, 2009 at 9:05 PM

    Jazzbumpa,
    Thanks. Could only think of actor . No wonder it threw me.

    ReplyDelete
  60. JeannieMay 31, 2009 at 9:18 PM

    @Dennis...you and I have had this phenomenon before...cry, you'll feel much better. Flowers are on the way. Thomas, thanks for your valiant effort to defend me although it was well thought it wasn't neccessary. Thanks to all you other folks for your well wishes. I just want to make one thing clear here...I CHOSE not to post anymore...I was not banned. I find a lurker mode works best for me. I am not a gal that likes the limelight. You might not believe it but it's the truth.

    I read this blog every day and today's bugged me.

    ReplyDelete
  61. MartinMay 31, 2009 at 9:25 PM

    70D: At __: nevertheless: THAT. At THAT is a new idiom to me.

    You didn't ask for an explanation but "You may be right at that" means the same thing as "You may be right nevertheless". You wouldn't say "At that you may be right even" though you would normally say "Nevertheless you may be right".

    73D: Zhou of China: ENLAI. Our first premier.

    Good to see them calling him Zhou and not Chou (as the editor of the old puzzle did one time): "Chou of China" could mean so many different things, especially as they don't provide a tone. :)

    Martin

    ReplyDelete
  62. AnonymousMay 31, 2009 at 9:28 PM

    Dennis:
    Very proud of you!
    Best to all,
    Geri

    ReplyDelete
  63. melissa beeMay 31, 2009 at 9:28 PM

    good evening c.c. and all,

    did the puzzle late last night, didn't love it, didn't hate it. some of the plays i'd not heard of and it took me several theme answers to figure out each one was two plays. already discarded it, so i'll just second what everyone else said.

    @jeanne: another adorable picture.

    @lola: perfect.

    @sallie: yes, let's have fun!

    interesting dynamic, a blog. similar to what's happening with the puzzles, the most vocal are the ones who have an axe to grind.

    @dennis: WELL said. personal messages belong in email, and most of us make ours available for just that reason. i agree with kazie, and saw no unprovoked remarks on your part. i know i'm not the only one who is glad to know you're here.

    ReplyDelete
  64. AnonymousMay 31, 2009 at 9:33 PM

    Jazzbumpa: thanks for Snoopy; very sweet. Clear Ayes: thanks for the poems. I've been pasting my favorites into a file so please continue sharing them.
    Once I got the theme, I was fine. However, since I correctly had bow for 1D, I was convinced that 23A with that Munchkins clue should be Wizardy Ozzy something and stubbornly refused to consider anything else until I had to.
    "D'oh" moments included row in a bowl (a BIG huh?) and fly to fear. I was proud of solving clues that I might not have before the new puzzles appeared. I think we're getting smarter!
    As a daily lurker on this site and an occasional contributor, I am really intimidated by this unseemly fighting. It is not the purpose of this blog. Please cease and desist. Thank you.
    Liz

    ReplyDelete
  65. KQMay 31, 2009 at 9:34 PM

    Dennis, Well said. I agree with your logic, and can do without the bickering also. CC is quite remarkable running this show daily and we should show respect.

    As with the others, the nuances of what we say are not alway evident, therefore prudence should be exhibited prior to posting. However, I hope that does not make this become too bland. Some of the bantering can be downright fun, and a little twist of sarcasm is okay. Lets just not take it too far, whether it be the giver or receiver. I would hope that none of us wishes to harm or demean the others. What fun would that be.

    ReplyDelete
  66. AnonymousMay 31, 2009 at 9:36 PM

    Lots of words of wisdom spoken here tonite by: Kazie,Lemonade,Sandkaren,Sallie,Crockett, et al. I agree with all of you and have the utmost respect and admiration for our hostess with the mostest....C.C.

    Oh, and by the way, 'Semper FI'.

    And I say that with respect.

    ReplyDelete
  67. AnonymousMay 31, 2009 at 9:58 PM

    If you can do these LA puzzles without coming here you're a champ.

    ReplyDelete
  68. Crockett1947May 31, 2009 at 11:12 PM

    @luxor As has been said before, continue working and practice, practice, practice. Progress is slow, but it is probably working in your subconscious even when you're reading this. I was able to do a complete puzzle on Friday, and Saturday beat the crud out of me. Every day is different. On to Monday!!

    ReplyDelete
  69. AnonymousJune 1, 2009 at 2:29 AM

    Just say hello to you ! Take care!

    Andy.Wang

    ReplyDelete

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