Theme: VOLLEYBALL GAME (54A: Activity that involves the first words of 20-, 29- and 47-Across)
20A. How some scary things go: BUMP IN THE NIGHT. A volleyball player's most important skill is bumping - passing a volleyball by bouncing it off his or her extended forearms.
29A. Not subject to change: SET IN STONE. Setting is snapping the ball upward with two hands to set up a spike.
47A. Some stilettos: SPIKE HEELS. Spiking is sending the ball forward and downward over the net by striking it overhead with an open hand.
melissa bee blogging.
According to Wikipedia, 'Volleyball has been contested as an indoor sport at the Summer Olympic Games since 1964. Beach volleyball was introduced at the 1992 Games, and has been an official Olympic sport since 1996.'
In his interview with Concord Monitor, today's constructor Pete Mitchell mentioned that one of his hobbies is playing volleyball. He used to blog the Sun Crosswords (edited by Peter Gordon). Pete's mom Sheida stopped in our blog once last March (9:34am, the 7th from bottom up). Quite a few of our regulars started on March 2, 2009. KQ, tFrank, Andrea, etc.
Across:
1. Whack, biblically: SMITE
6. Condescending sort: SNOB
10. Kodak rival: FUJI
14. Brightly colored tropical fish: TETRA
15. Chaplin's last wife: OONA. Oona O'Neill, daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill, and Charlie Chaplin's fourth wife. Unusual inconsistency, last name clue/first name answer.
16. Road for Pilate: ITER. Literally "road" in Latin.
17. "That's __ trick!": A NEAT
18. Cutting-edge Motorola phone? RAZR. Like this.
19. Statistician's input: DATA
23. Nous minus moi? TOI. (French) Us - me = you.
24. "The loneliest number," in a 1969 hit: ONE. Three Dog Night.
25. Wasted, as a chance: LOST. Sing it, Jeff.
35. "I wish!": IF ONLY
37. On the calmer side: ALEE. Away from the wind.
38. Floors, briefly: KOS. My favorite clue. Boxing term, Knock Outs (or Knocks Out). Can cause temporary unconsciousness. So can this.
39. Wolfgang Puck's restaurant: SPAGO. Beverly Hills, Maui, Las Vegas, and Beaver Creek.
40. Third qtr. start: JUL. The third quarter of a calendar year is made up of July, August, and September.
41. Talons: CLAWS. Golden Eagle.
43. Male in an alley: TOM. Tomcat.
44. Cognac initials: VSOP. Very Superior Old Pale. Cognac is a type of brandy that is produced only in the Cognac region of western France. Time for a new avatar, santa?
46. More work: UTOPIA. Very tricky, got me. Saint Thomas More's classic masterpiece.
50. Not easy to see: TINY
51. Crimson opponent: ELI. A nickname for a Yale University student, after Yale benefactor Elihu Yale. Crimson refers to Harvard.
52. Not quite oneself: OFF
62. Perfume holder: VIAL
63. Tobacco unit: LEAF. Quite large.
64. Like chalet roofs: EAVED. Lovely.
65. Be sore: ACHE. Time for your massage.
66. Take a shot: DARE
67. Word after sing or string: ALONG. For dennis, because i know you like it when pink appears.
68. Nerve opening? NEUR. Used in the formation of compound words, e.g., neural, neurology, neuritis.
69. Lose fur: SHED
70. Common asset? SENSE. Common sense.
Down:
1. Rough guess: STAB
2. See 3-Down: MENU
3. Unit on a 2-Down: ITEM
4. Ambush: TRAP
5. Weird Al Yankovic spoof of a Michael Jackson hit: EAT IT
and 26. King ___ (Michael Jackson): OF POP
6. Airman's assignment: SORTIE
7. Early boat builder: NOAH
8. Quatre + sept: ONZE. French numbers: Four + Seven = Eleven.
9. With no exceptions: BAR NONE
10. Act nervously: FIDGET
11. Home to Zion National Park: UTAH. Stunning.
12. Rocker Joan: JETT. I Love Rock and Roll.
13. Brokerage statement subj., perhaps: IRA. Individual Retirement Account.
21. Overly curious: NOSY. Also nosey.
22. Bat's prey: INSECT. The best natural insect control.
25. Leans, as a ship: LISTS
27. "Ditto": SO AM I
28. "Star Trek" sequel, for short: TNG. The Next Generation.
and 45. "Star Trek" defenses: SHIELDS
30. Brownish gray: TAUPE
32. Giraffe cousin: OKAPI
33. Hopeless: NO WIN. A hopeless/no-win situation.
34. Exam type you can't guess on: ESSAY
36. Apollo 13 commander Jim: LOVELL. Played by Tom Hanks in the 1995 movie.
40. Average guy? JOE. Average Joe.
42. Auction unit: LOT
46. Defunct gridiron org.: USFL. United States Football League, 1983-1985.
48. Sullivan's charge in "The Miracle Worker": KELLER. Anne Sullivan was Helen Keller's teacher.
49. Emulated a couch potato: LOAFED
53. Canine woes: FLEAS. Inside, outside, you go where you please, I give you love, you just give me fleas.
54. Guilty pleasure: VICE. Do you have any?
55. Iolani Palace site: OAHU. The only official state residence of royalty in the United States, ʻIolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs--King Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili`uokalani.'
56. "Uh-huh": YEAH
57. In one's birthday suit: BARE
58. "The Wizard of Oz" family name: GALE. Dorothy Gale.
59. Bard's river: AVON. William Shakespeare is known as the "Bard of Avon".
60. Clothing store department: MEN'S
61. Fringe: EDGE
62. U-Haul rental: VAN. Four V* words in this puzzle.
Answer grid.
melissa
20A. How some scary things go: BUMP IN THE NIGHT. A volleyball player's most important skill is bumping - passing a volleyball by bouncing it off his or her extended forearms.
29A. Not subject to change: SET IN STONE. Setting is snapping the ball upward with two hands to set up a spike.
47A. Some stilettos: SPIKE HEELS. Spiking is sending the ball forward and downward over the net by striking it overhead with an open hand.
melissa bee blogging.
According to Wikipedia, 'Volleyball has been contested as an indoor sport at the Summer Olympic Games since 1964. Beach volleyball was introduced at the 1992 Games, and has been an official Olympic sport since 1996.'
In his interview with Concord Monitor, today's constructor Pete Mitchell mentioned that one of his hobbies is playing volleyball. He used to blog the Sun Crosswords (edited by Peter Gordon). Pete's mom Sheida stopped in our blog once last March (9:34am, the 7th from bottom up). Quite a few of our regulars started on March 2, 2009. KQ, tFrank, Andrea, etc.
Across:
1. Whack, biblically: SMITE
6. Condescending sort: SNOB
10. Kodak rival: FUJI
14. Brightly colored tropical fish: TETRA
15. Chaplin's last wife: OONA. Oona O'Neill, daughter of playwright Eugene O'Neill, and Charlie Chaplin's fourth wife. Unusual inconsistency, last name clue/first name answer.
16. Road for Pilate: ITER. Literally "road" in Latin.
17. "That's __ trick!": A NEAT
18. Cutting-edge Motorola phone? RAZR. Like this.
19. Statistician's input: DATA
23. Nous minus moi? TOI. (French) Us - me = you.
24. "The loneliest number," in a 1969 hit: ONE. Three Dog Night.
25. Wasted, as a chance: LOST. Sing it, Jeff.
35. "I wish!": IF ONLY
37. On the calmer side: ALEE. Away from the wind.
38. Floors, briefly: KOS. My favorite clue. Boxing term, Knock Outs (or Knocks Out). Can cause temporary unconsciousness. So can this.
39. Wolfgang Puck's restaurant: SPAGO. Beverly Hills, Maui, Las Vegas, and Beaver Creek.
40. Third qtr. start: JUL. The third quarter of a calendar year is made up of July, August, and September.
41. Talons: CLAWS. Golden Eagle.
43. Male in an alley: TOM. Tomcat.
44. Cognac initials: VSOP. Very Superior Old Pale. Cognac is a type of brandy that is produced only in the Cognac region of western France. Time for a new avatar, santa?
46. More work: UTOPIA. Very tricky, got me. Saint Thomas More's classic masterpiece.
50. Not easy to see: TINY
51. Crimson opponent: ELI. A nickname for a Yale University student, after Yale benefactor Elihu Yale. Crimson refers to Harvard.
52. Not quite oneself: OFF
62. Perfume holder: VIAL
63. Tobacco unit: LEAF. Quite large.
64. Like chalet roofs: EAVED. Lovely.
65. Be sore: ACHE. Time for your massage.
66. Take a shot: DARE
67. Word after sing or string: ALONG. For dennis, because i know you like it when pink appears.
68. Nerve opening? NEUR. Used in the formation of compound words, e.g., neural, neurology, neuritis.
69. Lose fur: SHED
70. Common asset? SENSE. Common sense.
Down:
1. Rough guess: STAB
2. See 3-Down: MENU
3. Unit on a 2-Down: ITEM
4. Ambush: TRAP
5. Weird Al Yankovic spoof of a Michael Jackson hit: EAT IT
and 26. King ___ (Michael Jackson): OF POP
6. Airman's assignment: SORTIE
7. Early boat builder: NOAH
8. Quatre + sept: ONZE. French numbers: Four + Seven = Eleven.
9. With no exceptions: BAR NONE
10. Act nervously: FIDGET
11. Home to Zion National Park: UTAH. Stunning.
12. Rocker Joan: JETT. I Love Rock and Roll.
13. Brokerage statement subj., perhaps: IRA. Individual Retirement Account.
21. Overly curious: NOSY. Also nosey.
22. Bat's prey: INSECT. The best natural insect control.
25. Leans, as a ship: LISTS
27. "Ditto": SO AM I
28. "Star Trek" sequel, for short: TNG. The Next Generation.
and 45. "Star Trek" defenses: SHIELDS
30. Brownish gray: TAUPE
32. Giraffe cousin: OKAPI
33. Hopeless: NO WIN. A hopeless/no-win situation.
34. Exam type you can't guess on: ESSAY
36. Apollo 13 commander Jim: LOVELL. Played by Tom Hanks in the 1995 movie.
40. Average guy? JOE. Average Joe.
42. Auction unit: LOT
46. Defunct gridiron org.: USFL. United States Football League, 1983-1985.
48. Sullivan's charge in "The Miracle Worker": KELLER. Anne Sullivan was Helen Keller's teacher.
49. Emulated a couch potato: LOAFED
53. Canine woes: FLEAS. Inside, outside, you go where you please, I give you love, you just give me fleas.
54. Guilty pleasure: VICE. Do you have any?
55. Iolani Palace site: OAHU. The only official state residence of royalty in the United States, ʻIolani Palace was the official residence of the Hawaiian Kingdom's last two monarchs--King Kalakaua, who built the Palace in 1882, and his sister and successor, Queen Lili`uokalani.'
56. "Uh-huh": YEAH
57. In one's birthday suit: BARE
58. "The Wizard of Oz" family name: GALE. Dorothy Gale.
59. Bard's river: AVON. William Shakespeare is known as the "Bard of Avon".
60. Clothing store department: MEN'S
61. Fringe: EDGE
62. U-Haul rental: VAN. Four V* words in this puzzle.
Answer grid.
melissa
73 comments:
Good morning, Mustang Mel, C.C. and gang - this one seemed just right for a Wednesday; fresh clues that were gettable, good theme that I didn't see until the end. I actually faked myself out, because when I saw the name 'Pete Mitchell', I thought of the lead (played by Tom Cruise) in one of my favorite movies, Top Gun. Thought maybe the cluing would go along those lines, especially when I saw 6D; so much for that.
Besides that bit of self-deception, no big hangups. Favorite clue was 'More work'; really got me.
Melissa Bee, outstanding job with the blog. Re 67A, yes, you know me too well. And thanks for the 'knockout'.
Today is Random Acts of Kindness Day. I have suggestions.
Today's Words of Wisdom: "Anything worth doing is worth doing slowly." -- Mae West
And a couple definitions:
- Cynicism: the intellectual cripple's substitute for intelligence. -- Russell Lynes
- Cocktail Party: a gathering held to enable forty people to talk about themselves at the same time. -- Fred Allen
Good morning all:
Not an easy puzzle, and no real sense of the flow of words for me. It seemed easy in places and then some tricky crosses like UTOPIA ( a very deceptive clue about its author MORE ) and USFL, hardly a household name, even if it was brought down by the arrogance of the Donald .
I also am not sure if a word like ITER is appropriate for a Wednesday, but with all the Latin flowing, it may be a gimme. I do like the sight I linked for new words. Of course a reference to Very Special Old Pale brings back a difficult memory of me and 11 glasses of Courvoisier…but the crowd loved it.
We also continued our homage to all of our solvers with Hawaiian ties, with OAHU today’s link.
Welcome back Dennis, and I promise after the coldest winter I have lived through in 30 years in South Florida, it will be nice when you get here. Frenchie, if you are coming soon, we are still underperforming.
Melissa Bee,
Wonderful blogging as always, knowing you are a left coaster, do you get up to post your blog or does C.C. do it for you?
Also, for educational and respect purposes, I do want to mention today is ASH WEDNESDAY and the beginning of the 46 day lenten fast. I was intrigued by the suggestion people give up cell phones or IPODs for lent. I am without my phone for a few days, and I cannot imagine going six weeks like this.
Good Morning, CC. This was a great Wednesday puzzle. A challenge, but one I could finish without any outside help. Even though I don't play VOLLEY BALL, I still knew some of the terms.
Back in the days I was in art school (part of my checkered past), I always used FUJI film and paper for my photography work. Much better than Kodak. Now it's all digital.
Thanks for the explanation of (Thomas) More Work, Melissa. I got UTOPIA through the perps, and couldn't figure out how more work made a utopian world!
Helen KELLER was my fourth grade's heroine. I think we must have read a biography about her.
Anyone with an indoor pet knows about Lose Fur. I can make another cat with all the fur I sweep up every day.
Canine Woes ~ Teeth or dogs. Oh YEAH, I hope my teeth don't have fleas.
QOD: Ultimately, the bond of all companionship is conversation. ~ Oscar Wilde.
Good morning, everyone. Today's puzzle was just about right for a Wednesday. I had zero idea about the USFL. Not understanding the game, I don't follow the teams or leagues.
Hatool made me LOL with the description of her reaction to Utopia: More work. I, too, couldn't see how more work made a utopia! I got the word from the perps. That's a good strain-the-brain clue.
I could go 6 weeks without my cell phone. I don't like phones at all, cell or landline. Yesterday I hurried back into the house to answer a call that came in just as I was walking out the door. Guess who - the fraternal order of police wanting a contribution !?! It was hard to be polite. (What happened to the do not call list?)
Dennis, thanks for the reminder that it's Random Acts of Kindness Day. And for the Mae West quote ;-)
Gracie
Good Morning Melissa Bee, CC and All,
I pecked away at this one until I got stuck on the West side at the cross of Soami, Spago and not being much of a Treky couldn't get TNG. I needed red letter help for those. Utopia among others came with perp help. I had to erase Hedges in the NE to fill in Fidget, which made a lot more sense than Huji (uh oh, its Lois' Birthday week)!
Melissa Bee, Wicked great blog today. I'd take that KO any day. My favorite clue also.
CC (from yesterday), Yes, some roses and a bunch of other fauna in a vase. The cats are now chewing on the leaves. The damn florist forgot the balloons though so I called them up and gave them enough crap that they nearly filled her office with a bunch of them. I'm still not off the hook. It's either dinner or she mentioned a ski weekend sometime soon. I'm liking the latter idea!
Hope everyone has a great day!
Nothing beats a great pair of legs especially when the are in spiked heeled shoes.
Spiked Heel Shoes
I'm Bad I'm Nationwide ZZ TOP
has a line "Their wearing short dresses and spiked heeled shoes smoking lucky strikes and wearin' nylons too."
ZZ TOP
Gracie,
Charities are exepmt from the do not call list and if you have given money to them in the past then that also gives them your permission to call you.
Then again maybe you should check to see if you are still on the list if not you will need to submit your number to the list once again.
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG
Good work MB!
Today easier than yesterday. Wow. Favorite clue: More work. Like Cook book (Coma). Was a real puzzler to me several years ago. Now look for such things!
Did anyone read "The Lost Symbol" by Dan Brown?
Wish I could get the time back. Now reading Joan Hess's latest: "The Merry Wives of Maggody." Hilarious
Happy Wednesday all.
CC: How do I post an avatar using Mac? Please, more detailed instructions!
Hi gang -
Well played, Melissa!
I haven't had a cold in years, but woke up in the CLAWS of one this morning. Guess I have a bug but not an INSECT. Does not feel like UTOPIA. Slight head ACHE Everything is a little OFF.
I guess nous - moi leaves a lonely number, but I still didn't care for the French, except for the Cognac, which is always a good idea.
When you see "_____ opening," it's ALWAYS a prefix attached to the word in the clue, not a prefix that is a synonym for the word in the clue. I cry Foul!
I've been watching the Women's Olympic Hockey. I'm impressed by the Chinese team. Great goal tending kept them in a game against Finland last night where they were severely overmatched, but never gave up.
China has 166 registered female hockey players in the entire country, and the best 21 made the team. In contrast, the U.S. has over 120 college programs. Women's hockey is in its infancy there. just wait!
Cheers!
JzB the sniffling trombonist
G'day all!
Not too bad for Wednesday. I flew through until the bottom third. Expecting something FB related, I didn't even think of the calendar for JUL, didn't "get" UTOPIA until here, guessed ELI because it comes up so often, of course didn't know who Crimson was/are. I guessed LOWELL for LOVELL--names are my bane, likewise GALE and JETT came from perps--don't know that I ever knew either name. Also had NUDE for BARE, until the penny dropped for the VOLLEYBALL unifier.
For those wanting to gripe about the French today, don't forget to mention SORTIE--literally an outing or exit in French. In war it could end up being both.
Where are Jimbo, Linda and Martie?
Greetings to one and all on this Ash Wednesday! I still have to go for mine and of course, no chocolates or any candy until Easter.
Good job, Melissa!
This was really easy for the first two thirds and then because I did it too fast, wrote Lovett instead of Lovell, spiked instead of spike, and never did get More until I read it here. For shame! I have read so much about Thomas. I was like Hahtool, wondering how more work fit into a Utopia.
And not being a sports fan, games do not come easily to me; it's always a learning experience. I did enjoy the volleyball in the summer Olympics, though; those women were amazing.
Would someone tell me about the costuming in skating. Some of the men have regular clothes; I believe the costume is part of the charm and grace in skating. Slacks and a shirt seem so casual. Or is it my prejudice?
Carlos Oeste (Chuck of the W):
Your photography is stunning! I've added your website to "my favs" so I can go back at leisure to look.
C.C.:
How are you doing with pronunciation? Have any of the suggestions helped? My class is now working on "th", a very difficult sound for some.
Hasta luego, mis amigos.
This is an experiment. I am hoping it will work.
Good morning, everyone! Melissa Bee! Nice blog.
15A I agree that it's unusual to have a last name clue/first name answer, but what's the alternative? There are too many Charlies out there to just clue first name, IMO.
Haven't been down that ITER trail in a while. A classic.
So glad we didn't have A MEAN trick.
Had to really dredge the memory banks for the answers to the French clues.
Those Golden Eagle talons are very impressive!!
Hand up for being taken in on More work. Your explanation finally opened my eyes.
"Time for your massage" Nice plug. Mine is is half an hour.
Thought you might have linked this PINK for us.
IMBO
Later
Good Morning All, Phew, after yesterday, it was a relief to get through this puzzle without too many glitches.
Good perps got me through a couple of places. Basically clueless, MENU and ITEM wouldn't have come without them. The only meaning of JUL I could think of was a Scandinavian Christmas..."D'oh!".
I wouldn't have filled in USFL, except that -TOPIA had to be UTOPIA. Of course, like everyone else, UTOPIA wasn't grokked until coming here. If you are interested in Thomas More, see 1966's "A Man For All Seasons". It is an excellent movie which won a Best Picture Academy Award.
Speaking of movies, how about that OONA Chaplin? (Some segue, huh?) GAH and I saw "The Wolfman" yesterday. Charlie and OONA's daughter Geraldine Chaplin had the role as Maleva, the gypsy. We had high hopes for a nice creepy gothic tale starring Anthony Hopkins, Benicio Del Toro and Emily Blunt. But no go...it was pretty bad. Why don't these dopey villagers ever stay home and off the moors on the night of a full moon?
Fine job, Melissa bee. No big vices here, just little bumps in the road.
Even though we don't follow religious restrictions, giving up a cell phone would be easy for us....nothing to relinquish. Where we live, reception is still very spotty and not worth the investment.
Good Morning All,
USFL, I fantasized this might be related to Florida in some way! I will be in FL around 10 pm tonight.I am not actually packed yet. I think I need a shot of VSOP. Does it have gluten in it?
I'm packing a pair of red, pointy red spike high heels and a vial of perfume, "Happy" by Clinique. (C.C.,one of my DOCs (drug of choice.) If only I find the right book to read on he plane, I will be in my own little utopia.
@Dennis, when are you getting there? I'm going to land in Ft. Laud.
fermatprime,The later book you mentioned sounds interesting.
Well, back to More work!
@ Annette, I will pass through Ocala, there is a mural in the main post office I want to see. Daytona, up to JAX, Down to G'ville, Orlando and back to FT L...will dive and maybe surf in Ft.L. and/ or Miami. I heard about a dive spot, Sting Ray City, hope I can find a boat that goes there.
I'll keep up on the puzzle as 3 weeks gives me a lot of leisure time...
Lemonade, from what you've been saying, the weather was cold and then supposed to be nice...I hope, the latter is the case!
Can someone tell me how to change my avatar, pic is in Picasa. I forgot how???
I am certain I am not performing! I get the point being made by a certain blogger (lol)...maybe we should take a vote on my performance. I've been on this blog for such a short time...How am I doing? Call 1-800-Frenchie blogs if this blogger is underperforming! I generally write around 11 pm, so I''m too late to be read. I wrote an amusing, witty informative post yesterday and something is wrong with the browser on my desk top...it trashed the post instead of printing it???? (I can play it up...Really spike it as it no longer exists!)
Procrastinating long enough, I'm out.
Good morning Melissa, CC, and all,
Great job Melissa! Enjoyed all the extras, esp Pink's sing-a-long. I was mesmerized by her last performance, singing while spinning
Loved the c/w today,and actually caught the theme early enough to help me.What a concept!Did "G" for James Lovell and okapi.
Did you know that the okapi's tongue is long enough to clean its eyelids and ears? It also has the ability to sleep for only 5 min out of 24 hrs and be rested???
That would be utopia, which, BTW, I filled with perps.But it left me VERY confused with dictionary in hand to be sure I knew what I thought I knew , but ALAS, I knew not Thomas More(in this present life).Thanks Lemonade.
Also, I thought vous was you in French.Memory has forgotten toi. I left out the r in iter. Via est longa.
When fog lifts, it will be a heavenly day.Am taking my daughter's m-i-l to Hakone Gardens, the oldest Japanese estate gardens(1915) in our area.She is visiting from Wales.
Hi everyone, Good job MB.
My wife and I finished today's puzzle without any outside assist. The theme was gettable and helped.
For Jeannie, thanks for the memory jog on your Mac n Cheese recipe. I only printed it out and saved it in a file -- I put the Mac n Cheese on top to try if I get the right stuff.
But I still think that your recipe for Meatloaf is still the best...
Today in history:
1817- 1st U.S. city was lit by gas ( Baltimore)
1867- 1st ship passed thru the Suez Canal. It must have closed for awhile, because it was reopened on this date in 1957.The builder was the same Frenchman who made the 1st attempt with the Panama Canal.
1913- 1st minimum wage law took effect in Oregon.
1958- "BC" comic strip began
1962- Beach Boys introduced their style of music with Surfin'
1993- Haitan ferry boat capsized in a storm killing about 2000
and, just in... a twin engine Cessna 310 jst crashed into a home in East Palo Alto after taking off in the fog
I thought today's xwd was easy in spots, and difficult in others. I knew utopia wanted to be the fill for 46A, but it didn't make sense, and I refused to fill it in!? I got carried away looking at pictures of Oona and Charlie and lost my rhythm.
Thanks tons Lucina. Glad you enjoyed them.
CdeO
I've enjoyed reading all your comments.
For the record, that particular clue for Utopia, which has been used many times in puzzles before, was added by Rich. I can't take credit for it.
Thanks for the kind words.
- Pete Mitchell
JD: The Suez Canal was closed in what is referred to as the Suez Canal Crisis, when in 1956, Egyptian president Nasser nationalized the canal. Prior to that, the French and British had controlling interests in the canal. At this time, israel had also seized the Sinai peninsula during the Arab-Israeli war.
Nasser declared martial law in the canal zone.
The Crisis was, in part, provoked by the decision by America and England not to fund the construction of the Aswan Dam due to egypt's ties with Russia and other communist countries. It during the cold war.
Hello everyone.I'm new at crosswords,since picking it up a couple months ago. At first i thought the L.A. Times would be too intimidating, so I started with the United features syndicated puzzles.Too many bogus abbreviations for me, but usually doable(with help). The L.A puzzles seem more straightforward, but solving the themes still eludes me.
I enjoy your brains and comments
Good Morning Melissa, CC and all. I have got to love a puzzle with 3 of my favorite things.......
SPIKE heels
(gem) SET in stone and
a BUMP in the night...I loved the WoW and wish I could "channel" Mae West. I love the more adventuresome Hawaiian references. Lent begins and of course I am at last min. trying to figure out what to sacrifice.
Frenchie, check out this little red delight.
JD how awful. Crashes are horrendous. We lost a medical chopper in Las Cruces during training recently. Not our crew, but sad the same. Hope none of our California people are near or involved.
Thank you Pete for dropping by, we love to have our constructors drop in, and welcome Doug.
fermatprime:
Yes, I read the LOst Symbol, enjoyed it, but thought it was not as good as the Da Vinci Code. Dan Brown so too caught up in symbolism, I thought. Nice read. He is a good story teller.
Spiked heels made me think of you, Robin, with your red ones!
good job lucina
has anyone heard from Aimeeaya?
I had a migraine this morning so I completed this puzzle in a drugged hangover. So that whole utopia thing just made me grouchy. I knew it had to be utopia and the clue made no sense.
And then I came here - HERE was my utopia! Thanks!
And I read y'all everyday whether or not I've been able to complete the puzzle in a timely enough manner to participate in the discussion. Y'all are as much fun as the puzzle solving!
Hi Melissa, C.C. and everyone -
Melissa, Great job as usual!!
Did not have to go to Mr.G again (Yea!) but forgot how to spell OKAPI and since I did not get UTOPIA right away, I was stuck in that area for a long time.
JD: (11:26) re OKAPI'S tongue - LOL, with the thoughts THAT dredged up, who would want to wast time sleeping???
Dennis - So good to see your comment back where is should be. Thanks for the laugh I had in reading Mae West's WOW.
Hello all.
HEAVY fog again this morning. I know there are houses across the street. But, couldn't see them. It might as well rained since every
thing was so wet outside.
On the 8th day we finally have a working furnace. The simple replace the old one with a new one
turned into a three day project.
Jill decided she wanted AC added.
You can imagine what happened to the cost.
Used Ilford film, paper and chemicals for my BW photos.
eddyB
the plane crashed into a day care center, a home, but no one was there. Three people were killed..have not heard the details.streets are blocked off
Thanks for information Hahtool. You are a book of knowledge!!!
Good afternoon bloggers.
A job well done by the cutie, Melissa Bee. The 'boxer girl' link was a delight in the puzzle. I wouldn't be unconscous with her by my side, 'KO' or not.
Shakespeare lived by the Avon I think. Was it Strafford by the Avon?
Never knew what an okapi was. I thought it was a native tribe in Africa. How about you Carol? Did you know?
We've had our share of fog during the past week or two. We try not to make early morning appointments, so we can avoid driving in the soup.
Scary about the plane crash, JD. About 40 years ago, my first husband's sister and her husband were killed in a small plane crash coming back from Vegas and were flying over the Sierras. A friend of theirs was the pilot. All four people in the plane were killed. Even more horrible, they just seemed to disappear in December's heavy snow and the plane wasn't found until spring. Every family has their tragedies, but that one is still very vivid in my mind.
I had about 10 years of a flying phobia after that, but gradually got over it. It doesn't bother me now at all...except for the check-in, the crowding, the delays, the crummy food, and oh yes, sneezles on board....other than that :o)
Mr. Ed, Shakespeare's birthplace was Stratford-upon-Avon. It is a lovely place and very interesting to visit.
Good afternoon, everyone.
Great post, Melissa B. I ditto the comments about utopia.
What truly pleased me was "Things that go bump in the night." It's been 20 years since I looked at "The Book of Common Prayer"– back when I was a Episcopalian. But I always thought it was such a wonderful prayer to ward off things that go bump in the night. That's the name of the prayer.
Cheers
Super job, Melissa Bee. Hi, all.
I thought this was pretty easy for a Wednesday. Lots of gimmes for me and the perps helped. I did it on the pc so I have a couple of typos I should have seen when I read it over. Also, I know that onze is eleven in French, but stupidly spelled it once, and of course I never heard of RAZR so it just slipped by. Fortunately it didn't mess up anything but that one square. I can't believe I actually remenbered okapi; interestingly I put it down as opaki, but that didn't look right so I finally decided to reverse the two consonants and that did it. Which makes me think that my memory must be a graphic one because the first spelling would make the vowels sound different. Kazie, have you something to tell me about that? And Kazie, I have another question re: French. I took lots of it and remember quite a bit of grammar and someone else brought it up just now: vous, tu, toi, moi. Most puzzles use moi and toi, but aren't they in the objective case? I think Miss Piggy has made moi the
accepted word for I, but it's really me, isn't it? Ot does it matter?
CA, when I realized the More clue was Sir Thomas, I, too, remembered A Man for All Seasons. We really do run on the same movie track, don't we? I loved that movie, also Becket. I think of the two together. Somehow, I don't think I'd give The Wolfman a try, even with A. Hopkins. He's really getting declasse considering some of the movies he's been making.
RE: cell phones, I could easily do without my Jitterbug (the seniors' cell). I only got it for emergencies, but I never seem to have any any more.
Now I have a bit more time to comment, I want to welcome Dennis back and also welcome the returned commenters who've been lurking while we wondered where they were. Also good to hear from Pete Mitchell.
Melissa,
Great job on the blogging today.
JD,
I just heard on MSNBC that the rumor about the plane crashing into a day care center was wrong--it was just a normal house, and the three killed were all on the plane. Small mercy of course for their families. Also, you're right about vous--only it's the formal and also plural form. Tu/toi is the singular familiar one.
Robin,
I saw a pair of your red shoes at a Marshalls store in Madison last week. I don't know how you walk in them!
Dixie Joy,
Are you finding that you get migraines less frequently than before menopause? Mine stopped altogether at some point shortly after that. So hopefully not too much longer for you.
I only have a cell phone for very occasional use also. It's a tracfone. When I buy a year's worth of service (about $100), minutes get added and rolled over. I've got about 1500 minutes now. Anybody want some?
My son and daughter only have a smart phone, a blackberry and an iPhone. They constantly have them out. Meanwhile, I've never sent a text message in my life. Does the word fogey come to mind?
Chuck of the West, you have a beautiful web site and your photography is wonderful. Do you still have Cocoa? Best wishes to you wife!
Dodo,
Yes, the moi and toi forms are disjunctive: i.e. they can be used alone, for stress or after prepositions, or even after verbs in imperatives (Donnez-le-moi!). Normal object pronouns come between subject and verb (me, te, se, le, la, lui, nous, vous, les, leur).
That's probably plenty to jog your memory and way more than others here want to know.
One error today. Didn't know 8D or 18A, so I missed the Z. Otherwise, not too difficult. 19 minutes.
Frenchie:
Never fear, I, and I'm sure several others read every comment. I'm often up late, and like the late evening exchanges, for the most part. As for losing posts, it seems like the dumb ones never get lost. But when I have something very profound or brilliant to say, it always gets lost. At least that's my excuse for not being either.
Dixie Joy,
You seem like a very fun girl, but how are we to know if you never come around? That good looking guy beside you looks just like Rhett, but I bet he does give a damn.
Stick around, hon.
Mr Ed (1:20) re Okapi...I knew it was a 'cousin' to the giraffe, just didn't know how to spell it, or about its talented tongue;)
CA (1:36) I agree about the flying virus incubators...LOL. I am not one for crowds, lost luggage or strip searches (ok, that may be a bit of fun).
I rarely use my cell phone, but it sure is nice to have when needed. Oregon has just implemented a law against using hand held cell phones in cars....sort of stupid as it makes no difference if you are hand held or hands free...the accident rate still goes up. Granted, it is not good to hold on to a phone and try to drive but holding on to a hamburger isn't much better. It is just that people don't usually talk to their hamburgers while driving.
Lucina, quite a sacrifice, giving up chocolates and candy. I have, after careful thought, decided to forego both zucchini and turnips once again this Lent. It'll be tough, but it's the right thing to do. Robin, maybe this helps your decision.
Frenchie, C.C. has instructions on the main page for changing one's avatar.
Warren, amen on the meatloaf.
Pete M., thanks so much for checking in. It really means a lot to all of us when the constructors stop and provide insight.
Doug, good of you to join us; it's a great, eclectic group. You do know the puzzle are easiest on Monday and increase in difficulty through the week?
Re cell phones, I just got the new Droid, and it's amazing. It does everything but....well, it does lots, and it'll be obsolete by the time I figure out half of it.
Dixie Joy, what WH said.
Carol, there's something wrong with talking to hamburgers??
Dennis:
You're a better man than I am. I'm giving up brussel sprouts and flagellation.
Dennis, not usually, if done in a semi-lit, quiet room and the french fries don't hear you.
Don't understand 8 DOWN clue. In my book Sept is the 9th month plus 4 is 13. Maryke
Maryke,
Sept is French for 7, plus 4 =11, which in French is onze.
I forgot to remind that our last four months got their names from a long gone calendar with only 10 months, so the names reflect that--sept =7, oct = 8, nov = 9, dec = 10. The prefixes are from the Latin numbers
Carol, I usually reserve the semi-lit, quiet room for the pie.
(Copied from Tuesday Blog)
Don't know how many people check back on day before comments. I do, so maybe everybody else does, as well.
Chickie: The ranch was named The Cross Ranch Livestock Co. when I worked there. It was/is owned by the widow of he fellow who co-invented the silicon chip (can't remember the name). She got tired of the bulls pooping on her road, and sold all the cattle off, thereby ending my cowboy career. She changed the name of the ranch to Pomponio Creek Ranch, I think. If you ever find yourself on Stage Rd. north of Pescadero, hang a right onto Pomponio Creek Rd. Drive to the gate. My wife and I lived in that little white house there by the gate. She commuted over the hill to Redwood Shores where she was the art director of Oracle Magazine.
Bob: I was just razzin' you a little. With your background and experience, it's no wonder you are such a whizz at xwds.
Windhover: When I was working on the ranch, I got every other Sunday off. I wold usually go into the little town of Half Moon Bay which felt like a big city since I had been out on the ranch for two weeks. There was a young (21 y/o) fellow working with me. I once said to him that if I had been doing this work since I was his age (I was 50), I'd be better at it. His response was if I had been doing it since I was his age, I wouldn't be alive! And aren't the terms farmer & philosopher interchangeable?
I will wade back into the Google mess soon.
Adios,
Carlos
Frenchie---enjoy our cold, winter coat, scarf and glove weather while you are in sunny Florida.....
Fermat Prine: Did you figure out to put a photo/avatar on your profile? I have a mac and this is how I do it. I drag the photo I want from iPhotos onto the desktop. Then, I go to my profile page and click on "edit profile." Scroll down to the section on photograph. Click the first circle. From there, you should see a menu that allows you to pick from whatever folder, etc., including the desktop. Select you photo and then hit save (which is at the very bottom of the page).
Lemonade: Are you still out there? You asked about my avatars yesterday. 2 days ago there was a clue about a PETREL. Since I had photographed some recently, I used that as my avatar. Since yesterday was Mardi Gras, I used a photo from one of the wilder parade scenes. Today, there was a clue about losing fur, so I put up my long-haired cat.
Windhover: Thank you for your kind words. I greatly appreciate your comments.
Hi again,I just just completed today's puzzle.I have noticed that I get dumber as the week progresses, so Monday is as good as it gets. I'm improving at this game.
So there is hope for old farts everywhere. This stuff really blows dust off the memory banks, and some days it seems one can't spell cat without being spotted the c & the t.
Dennis - LOL, I am sure you will see that the pie has the right filling ;)
lemonade: i blog the night before, c.c. posts it the following morning.
nice to see you lucina.
thx crockett. i think the model in your pink link needs a double cheeseburger or two.
jd, i agree about pink's performance at the grammys, amazing.
pete m, fun puzzle, great to see you here, hope you visit often.
thanks for the nice comments everyone, i think we'll all remember utopia now.
Doug: Welcome! But if you spot this crowd with “the c & the t”, you’ll get A LOT more than c-a-t!
Dennis: Well, there was the infamous volleyball scene in Top Gun that I think every woman enjoyed!
CdeO @ 11:55: Isn’t that the truth about losing your rhythm on a puzzle?! I stopped at one point, and don’t know if it happened to get harder, or I just lost the flow! It happened somewhere in the middle, around UTOPIA and OKAPI, I think! So I plodded thru it until the rhythm returned, and the bottom all clicked again.
Pete Mitchell: Thanks for checking in! It’s always an honor seeing the constructor interested enough to follow-up and see how their work was received. Very enjoyable – Thanks!
I thought I’d finished the puzzle on my own, but after coming here, I found 3 squares were wrong, such as ONCE (Spanish) instead of ONZE (French). I have a cousin of the RAZR phone, so I knew it existed, but since I thought ONCE was right, I assumed RACR was another cousin – it sounds plausible!
I also had LOWELL instead of LOVELL, not being a cognac connoisseur for the perp. And finally, I had NOS for ‘Floors, briefly’ – instead of KOS, sicne I couldn't spell OKAPI. All 3 would’ve been easily fixed, if I’d taken the time to google them, or had been doing it online with red letters.
SO AM I took me forever to get and parse! Raising my hand on UTOPIA too!
I forgot the eyelid was an erogenous zone… Gotta go find an OKAPI for refresher lessons!
KAZIE with that very sexy picture in the Fedora. I know you could handle those sexy stilletos, EASILY We girls know and it is our secret, THOSE shoes are for standing briefly, walking short distances, having a lovely picture taken while wearing them. They are like the prop of quiet elegance or an exciting message of promise and anticipation It may be OUR mans level of anticipation. Heels make our legs look longer and leaner, stronger and more supple. I do love the word SUPPLE.
My basic mistake today was mixing up my french and spanish.Once for onze. And having "no I" [English] for " minus moi ".
Windhover, your comments are always profound or brilliant and sometmes both!
Eyelids are an erogenous zone? Even if they sag?
I once worked with a woman whose tongue was unbelievably long and she was given to displaying it when she started a sentence! I used to wonder what became of it when she shut her mouth.
@hahtool Lovely avatar. So mysterious...
@gracie If you signed up for the original do-not-call list, you need to re-register since the first one expired. This registration should be a keeper. Haven't had a problem since re-upping!
@rsd Thanks for the visual.
@jzb Get better, buddy!
@jd Oh, to have a tongue like the okapi!! Mustache rides are always free. Just saying.
@petem Thaks for stopping by. Enjoyed your puzzle (Another volleyball fan).
@doug Welcome, paisano. Jump right in.
@dixiejoy Same to you, darlin' Just jump right on in here. We west coasters read EVERYTHING, even the 2:43 AM posts!
@eddyb So glad you can now stay warm. I think I'll pop for AC when I have to replace my old clunker.
@carol How do you know people don't talk to their hamburgers while driving. Where's the scientific study? Huh? Huh? (Vodka to you) (P.S. I just LOVE cream pie!!)
@annette You think? Cot, Cut, Cart, Cant, OH..... Yes, keeping up a nice steady rhythm is important. Puts a bounce in your step. (I won't comment on "after coming here," I just won't)
@robin Supple is right up there with suckle, don't you think?
Wow, I must be channeling my brother buckeye!
IMBO
would we like supple legs???? Or are my boundaries overstepped?
Crockett, jeezus, please tell me you've been drinking.
Robin, I don't think supple legs and figure skating would work.Supple waist or elbows perhaps....
@dennis Just letting my thoughts go out uncensored to the comment board. I get these moods at times.
Crockett, my svelte friend, those scientific studies are not what they are cracked up to be, so to speak ;) - careful with that cream pie, it can have body enlarging effects.
Lucina, the history of skating costumes is interesting. It has only been in the past dozen years, or thereabouts, that the men have stopped worrying so much about their masculine image and let their athleticism speak for itself. So, they are now trying to enhance their routine's story with more elaborate costuming. Last night Evan Lysacek wore feathered gloves and Evgeni Plushenko was pretty darn sparkly too. Now if I just knew what the point was with the young guy who wore the one-shoulder overalls and did a hoe-downy kind of routine...??
Crockett certainly is feeling frisky this evening. :o)
Clear Ayes, lol, when did they start worrying about their 'masculine image'?
Crockett: Just go with the flow... It's great seeing you in such a fun-loving mood, and so on your game tonight!
Weee...foodshow books went to print today so I am relieved. No time to do the puzzle, so forgive me Buckeye, as you pointed out to us that this is a x-word blog first and general BS later. Well, it's later.
Dennis and Warren, thank you for the comps on the meatloaf recipe. I must admit it is one of my favorites.
Robin, I am not a fan of uncomfortable shoes but will wear them once in a while for special occassions. If there is any dancing involved I lose them.
Melissabee, I always love your blogs. Just remember to give us "DF" gals some fodder too.
Carol, I concur with your 8:03pm
Lemonade, it sucks that you have no Ring a ding-ding.
Lo-li-ta, breathing a sigh of relief. For you guys, AAAHHHH,
I adore Crockett
Jeannie's Meatloaf...for the Newbies that might not have it.
Here is my take on it.
1 1/2 lb ground chuck
1/2 lb ground pork
4 strips of bacon
1 medium onion diced fine
1 cup shitake mushrooms diced fine (secret ingredient)
1 clove of garlic minced
1/2 cup of bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 medium eggs
1/4 cup of ketchup (I am guessing here as I just squirt some in)
A couple shakes of the bottle of Worcester sauce
A few drops of soy sauce
Black Pepper to your liking
3 sprigs of thyme (strip the leaves) or 'i4 tsp dried thyme
Saute the onions, mushrooms, and garlic in some butter until they are soft and the onions are translucent. Set aside to cool.
In a large bowl combine all the other ingredients except for the bacon strips. Work in the onion/mushroom mixture and form into a loaf. Place in a 9x13 glass baking dish and drape the bacon slices over the top. Bake for about 1 1/2 hours at 350. Enjoy!!
Dennis' best half made this and he hates mushrooms. I will convert him to try zucchini of course after Lent as I see he gave it up. He tends to give something good up.
Hello All--I didn't get to the puzzle this morning as I had to be up and out early. I finished this evening and got all of the theme answers with no problem, but Utopia was a puzzler for sure.
Thank you Melissa Bee for your enjoyable writeups today, and for explaining the more obscure answers. My poor tired brain after all day volunteering at our organization's thrift shop made my grey cells a bit murkey.
Dodo, such a funny picture of your co-worker and her tongue. It gave me a good chuckle.
Carlos de Oeste, thank you for telling me where the ranch is near Pescadero. I know the roads, but have never been down them to explore the area. Half Moon Bay is well known as my daughter's in-laws lived there for many years. We visited often.
Thank you Pete M. for stopping by. It is always nice to hear from the puzzle constructors.
Welcome Doug. Join the fun and enjoy the ride.
A sad note on the plane crash just a few miles from here. The three people in the plane were all Tesla Motors executives. Their company is not real large and it is a huge loss to them. The house the plane hit was a day care center and there were two children already in attendance. The teacher grabbed the children and ran from the building which burned to the ground. They were lucky to have escaped.
@annette, robin, et.al Thanks for your comments on my frisky post. Sometimes one just needs to go with the flow.
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