google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Tuesday, October 11, 2011 Don Gagliardo and C.C. Burnikel

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Oct 11, 2011

Tuesday, October 11, 2011 Don Gagliardo and C.C. Burnikel

Theme: The X Factor - Four grid spanners! The three Across ones start with the admonition for RR safety and the Down is when you should use it.



17A. Visit the local watering hole : STOP IN FOR A DRINK

38A. "Let's try a different approach" : LOOK AT IT THIS WAY

59A. "Pay attention" : "LISTEN CAREFULLY"

7D. What one does after observing reminders that start 17-, 38- and 59-Across : CROSSES THE TRACK

Good Moron here. ;~) Two grid spanning entries yesterday and four today. What will tomorrow bring? Fewer proper names than yesterday, too. Any nit about TRACK being singular, see the constructor's note at the bottom.

Across:

1. Windy City paper, familiarly : TRIB

5. Baroque musical family : BACHs. These guys.

10. "__, can you see ..." : O SAY

14. Like molasses : OOZY

15. "Snowy" bird : EGRET. The cattle egret didn't make the discussion the other day.

16. Nevada gambling city : RENO

20. Honda Accord, e.g. : SEDAN

21. In concert : AS ONE

22. San Diego attraction : ZOO. Isn't that the one whose animals would visit Johnny on the Tonight Show?

23. "I can't remember it, Miss Ilsa. I'm a little rusty on it" speaker : SAM. Clip.(1:23)

25. Give a barbiturate to : SEDATE

27. Breaks, as in a wall : GAPS

30. Lambs' moms : EWEs. "Ewe must remember this...."

32. Arctic dwellers of Scandinavia : LAPPS. Mostly of Finland. Map.

35. Shortened, as a dict. : ABR. Abbreviation of abbreviation. 9:07 I got too cute for my own good; ABR is "abridged".

36. Yaks : JAWS

37. Lovers' lane pace : STROLL

41. Ship with rich cargo : ARGOSY. It seems the name came from Ragusa, an ancient city on the island of Sicily.

42. Feature of many Viking helmets : HORN. Just a myth, I understand.

43. Immigrant's subj. : ESL. English as a Second Language.

44. Longtime senator Thurmond : STROM. He set record for oldest serving member at 94 years (1997), then set the then-record for longest cumulative tenure in the Senate at 43 years (1997), increasing to 47 years, 6 months at his retirement in January 2003, surpassed by Robert Byrd in July 2006. He was the only senator ever to serve at the age of 100. He represented South Carolina.

45. "What __ got here is a failure to communicate": "Cool Hand Luke" : WE'VE. Clip.(0:10)

46. Private's group : ARMY

47. Draw out : ELICIT

49. Smidgen : DAB

51. Hef's party garb : PJs

53. Mother-of-pearl : NACRE. Haven't had this word in awhile. Image.

55. Smidgen : TRACE

62. From the U.S. : AMER.

63. Implied : TACIT

64. Rain hard : POUR

65. Neat as a pin : TIDY

66. Signed : INKED

67. It may follow You online : TUBE. Certainly see a lot of it here.

Down:

1. Distribute the dressing on : TOSS

2. Mechanical learning : ROTE

3. Polo rival : IZOD. Shirts.

4. Detour : BYPASS

5. Affleck of "The Town" : BEN

6. Belgium-based imaging company : AGFA. AGFA was the abbreviation for Aktien-Gesellschaft für Anilin-Fabrikation, given in 1873 to a company that had been founded in Berlin in 1867.

8. Parade honorees : HEROES

9. Witness's place : STAND

10. Bruin great Bobby : ORR

11. Successfully stage a coup : SEIZE POWER

12. __ Domini : ANNO

13. Beatle bride : YOKO

18. Words with pickle or jam : IN A

19. Traded, as goods : DEALT IN

24. Substantial : MEATY

26. Hold hands? : TARS. Tricky; hold aboard ship, ergo, the hands are sailors, i.e. TARS

27. Dance balls, e.g. : GALAs

28. Call off the launch : ABORT

29. Got somewhere : PROGRESSED

31. Teens conflict: Abbr. : WW I. The Great War (1914 - 1918, hence the teen conflict) was just World War from its occurrence until 1939, when it no longer was the "war to end war" and became WW I.

33. Proto- finish : PLASM. Protoplasm is the living contents of a cell that is surrounded by a plasma membrane.

34. With cunning : SLYLY

36. Tea-flavoring flower : JASMINE

37. Rip to pieces : SHRED

39. Smoke with menthol : KOOL

40. "Mazel __!" : TOV. "Good Luck!"

45. Certain goddess worshiper : WICCAN

46. Sudden : ABRUPT

48. "Pleeease?" : "CAN'T I?". "All the other kids are doing it!" or going or wearing, etc., ad infinitum.

50. Justice Dept. raiders : ATF. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is commonly referred to as "the ATF".

51. Land map : PLAT

52. Guitarist Hendrix : JIMI. He was left-handed. Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower (3:50) I'm not to sure of the lyrics that accompany the video.

54. Spooky-sounding lake : ERIE

56. Baseball family name : ALOU

57. Night spot : CLUB

58. Brontë's Jane : EYRE. If you got the time, check out all the different book covers.

60. Take a stab at : TRY

61. JFK update : ETD. "What time does your flight leave New York?"


Argyle

Constructors' note:

Don came up with this theme idea. We originally have STOP*, LOOK* & LISTEN* intersecting CROSSING THE ROAD. Rich proposed CROSS(ES) THE TRACK as a unifier. He mentioned "Stop, look and listen" is the mantra for crossing railroad tracks, not just any road. This grid taught me it's not easy to make a Monday/Tuesday puzzle. We had to let go nice entries like DEAD AIR (for 19D) to remove a few answers which did not fit Rich's early week bill.

84 comments:

  1. Morning, all!

    Fun puzzle overall. I literally said "ugh" out loud when I figured out that 14A was OOZY and not SLOW. I'm not sure why, but I really don't like that word. On the other hand, I absolutely loved the clue for TARS ("Hold hands?) I had a feeling the clue had something to do with hands in a hold, and I wasn't disappointed.

    37A caused me some grief, but only because I misread the clue as "Lovers' lane place." Oops.

    And here we have ARGOSY again. Last time, it flummoxed me. This time, I was prepared...

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  2. Good Morning, Argyle and Friends. I just LOVED this puzzle. The STOP, LOOK and LISTEN brought me back to my first grade years when we had to learn all these little safety slogans. I really wanted CROSSES THE Street, but obviously I needed a shorter word to cross.

    Like Barry G, I really like Holding Hands = TARS.

    I was also amused by the TUBE which follows You online.

    ARGOSY is the name of a riverboat casino in Louisiana.

    I laughed when I TOSSed the dressing on the salad.

    Argyle, don't forget PDQ BACH, the long lost black sheep of the family. The concerts are well worth attending if you like comical music.

    QOD: When you're bored with yourself, marry and be bored with someone else. ~ King Edward VIII

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  3. Clarification: I only spent one year in first grade, but the slogans continued in the classroom through third grade.

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  4. Good MORNING, Argyle, C.C., Don G. et al

    (Phew! I really had to type slowly to get it right this time, Argyle!)

    Thanks for all the neat info this morning . I looked up more information on the BACHS – my learning moment today!

    35A I think is the abbr. for “abridged”?

    This was a super fun puzzle that had me chuckling all the way. Don and CC, you nailed the Tuesday level with this one! Hands up for loving “Hold hands?” for TARS !

    Hahtool, I remember “stop, drop and roll” if you are ever set on fire, and the terrifying “duck and cover” if you are the victim of a nuclear bomb attack. Whatever were they thinking with those scary expressions? And did they really think you could “duck” a nuclear blast and come out unscathed???

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  5. Thank you Don G and C.C. for a very nice puzzle . Enjoyed it immensely. It was punny enough so my little brain cells could follow through - hence very elucidating.

    Thank you Argyle for a sparkling commentary. Lets get the MORE On the blog. ( Hint, Hint Marti ).

    I was looking for the explanation on why 'track', rather than plural, but none was forthcoming. I have always wondered why glasses, pants etc. are in the plural, tho' they refer to a single object. I may be wrong, but I dont think most other languages follow that.

    ALT QOD:- An elevator never breaks. It can only become stairs. The sign should say, "Sorry for the convenience" . ~ Mitch Hedberg.

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  6. Confidential blog is no more?

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  7. Confidential Blog is no more :( so expect new visitors...like me!

    Loved the clue for 31D: "Teens Conflict": WWI.

    Regarding 23A: I think I'm the only person left on the earth who hasn't seen Casablanca. Must put that on my bucket list.

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  8. Anony-mouse,
    You are right --at least in French and German, those words are singular, and it always gave my students problems to remember not to make them plural.

    This was a sparkling offering from our Dynamic Duo, C.C. & D.G.Just right for a Tuesday. My only real pause was caused by misreading pRoto- as pHoto- finish, but I was redirected by the perps. TARS mystified me until I came here--another duh moment.

    Heart,
    I too was hung up a minute on the ABBR versus ABR, but I think you have it sorted out: abbr. would be for abbreviated, and abr. works for abridged.

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  9. Argyle: Wonderful write-up.
    Thank you for the "Cool Hand Luke" link that proves my one "Nit" in this great Don G.& C.C. puzzle.

    The quote is "What WE'VE got here, IS failure to communicate."

    There is no "A" in the quote.

    "Play it again, SAM." If you don't believe me.

    Hmmm, STOP-IN-FOR-A-DRINK ... now that sounds like a good idea. I should TRY that sometime.

    Had "ooze" before BYPASS got me OOZY.
    (Was looking at "BEPA--" thinking, WTF????)

    Great, clever clue for WWI, "Teens conflict, Abbr." (We had their ANGST, yesterday. And I admit, I know nothing about today's teens).

    On 'Lovers' lane pace' I prefer yesterdays Mosey's ... but a STROLL is nice too.

    Cheers to all at Sunset.

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  10. On WWI, it occurred to me that I thought it was called "the Great War" before becoming WWI.

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  11. Good morning Argyle and all. Thanks to Don and C.C. for a nice early in the week challenge.

    Did the puzzle on line. Then had breakfast of OOZY molasses over oatmeal before coming here. I liked the solve, but had trouble staying on the right wavelength. My initial sense was it was close to mid week difficulty. After reading C.C.'s comment about bringing it in at an early week level, it agreed with my sense of it. I liked the allusion to the homonyms ERIE - 'eerie'. I liked the long downs, too. Must not have been easy to construct. Can't recall seeing any foreign words today. I got TARS from the perps but the clue went right over my head. D'uh.

    Have a great day.

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  12. Good Morning, folks. Thank you, Don and C.C., for a sell Tuesday puzzle. For a while I thought it was a Wednesday level, but it became simpler. Thank you, Argyle, for the write-up and links.

    First answer was easy, TRIB, since that is what I am using this morning.

    The whole NW corner filled right in.

    The theme came easily with the three answer words. That helped a lot.

    I did not know WICCAN, but it fell with perps.

    WWI and JAWS were my last answers. I tried to think of some teenager thing. But, I got it. Very clever clue/answer.

    See you tomorrow.

    Abejo

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  13. Good moroning, all. Thanks for the write up, Argyle, and thanks to our Prolific Puzzling Pair for a fun Tuesday.

    Agree with Marti, etal, re: ABR. Dictionarys are abridged or unabridged. Abbreviations may be found within the dictionary, though.

    Lover's Lane Pace? Depended on how close to her "be home by" time it was...

    I liked the layout. The horizontal spanners look like the road and two sidewalks crossing the vertical single spanner rialroad TRACK. Nice job, CC and Don.

    So many of us were misled by Trib instead of crib last week, but I got it right this time.

    Off to do the conumdrum puzzle.

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  14. To repeat what others have said - Puzzle Girl has decided to end her blog - L. A. Crossword Confidential, as of today, Tuesday, October 11, 2011.. No puzzle solution today.

    So, if any of you want to leave some kind last words and odes, encomiums, epitaphs, eulogies, whatever - today's your day. There is no tomorrow.

    This is the handwriting on the wall - Mene, Mene whatever..... we have to think out a viable formula to prevent such a recourse happening right here. Maybe you all, could post your possible comments and suggestions, here .... all the possible solutions I can think off are possibly illegal, immoral, fattening and/or carcinogenic.

    Let there be no doubt, puzzle blogging is a time consuming, tiresome, toe-numbing, and at times, thankless business. What can we do to thank and motivate our dedicated blog-meisters ?

    A federal grant in the round six figures, would have been a god-send - but where is our Great Leader's fiscal stimulus when we desperately need it.

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  15. Hahtool:

    Our book club all enjoyed "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." As you said, it portrayed a good picture of the evolution of some of today's medicine and how it got there, with questions on both sides of the issue, patients' rights versus scientific progress. The Lacks family situation, with all the bumps they endured, was quite a story in itself.

    Abejo

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  16. Mari:
    Casablanca should be put on your "Must see ASAP" list.

    Over the years, I've probably seen it a least
    "once-a-year" and there are subtlieties I notice each viewing.

    One is the famous (actually never said, in the movie) quote I alluded to above.

    Bogie never said "Play it again Sam."

    oops, forgot to mention:
    Hold hands? TARS was brilliant

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  17. Anony-mous:
    This blog seems to me to be quite healthy and destined for longevity, due to the wisdom of the founder in delegating both labor and relative autonomy to the daily volunteer bloggers and to the dedication of the followers.

    In rural areas, away from population centers, there is commonly only one set of rails (one track), so unless one considers the two rails to constitute "tracks", the clue is correct.

    Suggested clue for Barry's (mis)read of 37A:
    "Where the rubber (often) meets the road."

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  18. Tinbin: I think "Teens war" refers to the time frame of the war...not the teenage years.

    WH: EEEEWWWWW! (although I`ve picked up such and used needles along my frontage road.)

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  19. Hi everybody!

    Fun puzzle and write up. Just right for a Tuesday. There's nothing wrong with OOZY but it's not what I think of regarding molasses. When I wasn't moving fast enough, my mother would say that I was as slow as molasses in January. BTW, I really like dark molasses on corn bread.

    I've probably read all the John Grisham novels including a cute little diversion about football in Italy called "Playing for Pizza." He spins a great yarn. I think his major failing is not being able to bring many of his stories to a satisfying ending. I recently bought a paperback of his called "The Confession." I was about 25 percent through it when I began to get a nagging feeling about the ending. I went on line about found some reviews and discussion. Sure enough, I discovered the ending was going to be hateful for me. So I stopped right there. With no other new books at hand, I am now rereading a Robert B. Parker novel.

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  20. Hi everybody. Was devastated to find that LA Crossword Confidential is ending, but very relieved to find this site.

    So here's my first question. I didn't get 'tars' for 'hold hands.' Poker hands or what? Would appreciate any explanation.

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  21. From my comments: 26. Hold hands? : TARS. Tricky; hold aboard ship, ergo, the hands are sailors, i.e. TARS

    Welcome, Misty.

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  22. Morning All - Great Xword - Thanks Don & C.C. Argyle on target as usual.

    Theme reminded me of this ditty my Granddad said every time we went over a RR grade crossing...

    Railroad crossing watch out for the cars, can you spell that without any R's?

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  23. Antiques Roadshow would love the patina on this sign.

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  24. Lots of themeage for a Tuesday. Nice. I enjoyed a lot of the short fill... some stuff we don't see much. ZOO, JAW, JIMI, DIB, TUBE, KOOL. Also liked KOOL crossing LOOK, and STOP IN crossing BYPASS. SLYLY. Odd looking, isn't it. But fun.

    Not so fun-

    CROSSES THE TRACK- TOSS THE CRACKERS. If I lived in the South that would be my voting mantra. Speaking of crackers... STROM crossing PROGRESSED. Hah!

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  25. @Misty - it's a nautical reference - workers on a ship (aka hands) in the cargo area (aka hold) - so "hold hands" are "tars" (from Jack Tar, a sailor).

    Phew!

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  26. Bill G.

    As you can see by this LINK . the Robert Parker Spenser and Jesse Stone novels are continuing with new authors.

    I have just read the first Jesse Killing the Blues written by he gentleman who wrote the scripts for the Tom Selleck TV movies, and it was entertaining. It also worked to bring the tv shows and novels back to the same plane of reality.

    For our many mystery readers, tell me what you think.

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  27. @Anony Mouse - I think you mean "escalator" not "elevator"

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  28. Greetings, Argyle, C.C., Don and all.

    Very fun and TIDY puzzle produced by our dynamic duo and you have all stated the fine points.

    Upon seeing STOP, LOOK I slid down and filled LISTEN because like Hahtool I recall those primary lessons.

    ESL, can't have enough of it!

    Well done, C.C. and Don. I look forward to your next one.

    Have a fantastic Tuesday, everyone!

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  29. Hola Everyone, Another fun offering from our dynamic duo. There were some unique clues today for some answers we see frequently, Spooky-sounding lake/Erie, Hold Hands?/Tars, and Teens conflict/WWI.

    Stop, Look, and Listen are ingrained into Kinder and First Grade brains. Not for crossing a track, but crossing the street. Good for any dangerous crossing. I absolutely loved the old RR sign, Argyle. I don't think I've ever seen one before. The "American Pickers" would have loved to have found one like it tucked into someone's barn or shed.

    Have a great day everyone.

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  30. Anony-Mouse and Kazie:
    Spanish also uses pants and glasses as plural, also scissors.

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  31. I always had a hard time getting my class back in order after the local fire department came out and taught the Stop, Drop and Roll lesson. For some reason they thought it was cool to have EVERYONE in the class demonstarte at once. Picture a class of 25, 6 year olds all rolling around on the floor at once!

    Misty and Mari, Welcome to our Blog. I'm sure you'll enjoy the banter.

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  32. Thanks, @Argyle and @Steve,

    Sorry I missed that the answer was already there--I'll have to learn to read the new format. So glad to have found this site, though!

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  33. to Anon @ 10:51

    The syntax in your last sentence might be a bit off. I hope.

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  34. Definitely!! I always use clean needles.

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  35. Stop. Look. Listen.
    (When using needles along the side of the road.)

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  36. I guess in my Monday/Tuesday state of mind, I forgot to send my earlier post saying how much fun this puzzle was and what an amazing string we have going this week. I wonder what joy Wednesday will bring? Anyway, C.C and Hard G. and Argyle, thanks much

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  37. Hi gang -

    So much brilliance in this puzzle! And a fine write up, Argyle.

    Hold hands? Wow! Love that kind of word play cum misdirection.

    Nothing against Mud Hens like Don Kelly and Ryan Raburn, but if the Tigers are counting on them to carry the team, The Rangers will sweep them away. Alas, poor Mags. Delmon is in, but he's walking wounded. Alex, Miguel, Victor - please come home quickly. We need you. Bring bats!

    In closing, I'll just add that if you parse the answer to 38A (of all things) a bit differently, it could be clued: "Observe a half-bosom thusly."

    Cheers!
    JzB occasional keen observer

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  38. Jazz:
    If we are going to be DF, we should
    "do it with panache."

    Like my Pinch, your 38-A observation
    (AT-IT becomes A-TIT) was Smooooooth ... lol


    Keep the faith.
    The Tigers will be just fine tonight.

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  39. Great puzzle and write up! The puzzles and blogs the brightest spots in the last two days.

    Oh well, the good news was the rain was brief, the roofer finally came with a contract only twice what was expected and gave me a work date only a month away!!! The plumber got here only an hour after the laundry water backed up in the bathtub (no solids) and removed roots from the sewer line. My brother-in-law survived a serious heart procedure while HIS brother died.

    An easy puzzle is good therapy! - PK

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  40. Bill G.-Enjoyed Grisham's "Playing For Pizza". My niece's husband was playing pro-basketball in Norway when this came out. So I alerted the whole family who enjoyed the book.

    One of the perks in Oslo was a compact car with a defective driver's side door. My niece tells a hilarious story about a 6'7" ballplayer crawling in through the rear hatchback.

    - PK

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  41. Anon:
    Sin is the only thing you can tax and not get less of as a result, in violation of all economic laws. Think alcohol, tobacco, and gambling, all three of which are heavily taxed but still quite popular.

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  42. Lemonade - I'm a fan of Robert G. Parker and the Jesse Stone books/movies. Liked the movie stories better than the books because of Tom Selleck. But the new book isn't as crisp in narrative as Parker did. Who else could convey as much with as few words as he did. Mourned his death.

    Strangely, I can't like the Selleck "Blue Bloods" TV series which I expected to love.

    -PK

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  43. Grisham's Playing For Pizza is the only one of his books which I enjoyed reading.

    On a different note, a warm welcome to any Confidential Commenters who are trying us on for size. We are a diverse group and the more the merrier. I was sorry to see PG leave, but it is a daily grind for which C.C. and Argyle commit so much time.

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  44. Anon @3:12,
    I too was disenchanted with Blue Bloods. I think it's seeing Selleck as an authority figure without any of the mischief and fun in his other characters.

    It's difficult keeping all the new anons distinguishable from one another now. I hope most of you will assume a blue I.D. soon and assimilate with the rest of us. Welcome to all!

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  45. PK, like many before him [including Mr. Parker himself who attempted to mimic the great Raymond Chandler, completing the latter’s unfinished novel, Poodle Springs (1989), and then writing Perchance to Dream, a sequel to Chandler’s The Big Sleep (1991] Mr. Brandman will find the task of continuing a series with the special rythym and word usage almost impossible.

    When Rex Stout died the estate hired Robert Goldsborough to continue Nero Wolfe, and he produced 7 okay books, but finally gave up, with a clever final book in which the murder victim was a book continuator.

    Is half a loaf better than none? The plot was solid, the action fine; it was not Parker, but how could it be?

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  46. WH:
    If alcohol, tobacco and gambling are sins...who can be saved?!

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  47. Anon:
    The proper question is: who really wants to be?
    Not I.

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  48. Tacit, plasm, rote, argossy, lapps, plat and wiccan a tuesday puzzle?????

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  49. Lemonade: With Jesse Stone, any loaf is better than none. I'll keep buying him. I never read Chandler, but did enjoy the two books RBP did that you mentioned.

    Kazie: I think you are right about Selleck not being as believable as an authority figure. However, I really liked the movie "Quigley Down Under" though I usually can't watch gory stuff at all.

    -PK

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  50. WH: Your(eternal) choice...and this anon is through.

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  51. On the road all day- I'm beat. But
    couldn't quit til I could say how much I enjoyed the wonderful puzzle this AM {5AM); CC and DonG are the best! Hold Hands! indeed.

    Also Marti's Valentine seemed to be such a waste. I loved that we got to work it. Such a good idea.

    Argyle, thanks for the neat write-up; super pic.

    Welcome to all the new folks. Gonna catch the posts that I missed.

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  52. Re: yesterday's funny typo. The best way to find a typo is to print it in large bold headlines on the front page of a newspaper. I once extended WWII by 50 years when I typed 1995 rather than 1945. Boy, did I get phone calls. This had gone past six readers before press time.

    Fortunately, the worst typo was found before press time: leaving the "O" out of counties on the lead header.

    -PK

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  53. PK,
    I also love "Quigley Down Under". I liked that the abo's reclaimed their independence at the end and caused the British thugs to retreat. It was so meaningful when the old servant stripped his English clothes off and returned to his tribe. Unfortunately they didn't manage to do that in most places until much later.

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  54. .... if alchohol, tobacco and gambling are sins ... who can be saved ?

    Well, there are always prostitutes and fornicators. Germany, Belgium, France and especially Italy tax prostitutes ( on a sliding scale - ). However the taxes are euphemistically referred to as 'fees'. ( Daily fees - ).

    Just like most Islamic countries in the middle East do not allow the imposition of 'interest' in banking transactions - forbidden by Muslim ( Sharia ) Law. The banks are however allowed to charge 'fees' - of an equivalent amount.

    Used needles, on the side of the road, or otherwise, are however not taxed.

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  55. .... if alchohol, tobacco and gambling are sins ... who can be saved ?

    Well, there are always prostitutes and fornicators. Germany, Belgium, France and especially Italy tax prostitutes ( on a sliding scale - ). However the taxes are euphemistically referred to as 'fees'. ( Daily fees - ).

    Just like most Islamic countries in the middle East do not allow the imposition of 'interest' in banking transactions - forbidden by Muslim ( Sharia ) Law. The banks are however allowed to charge 'fees' - of an equivalent amount.

    Used needles, on the side of the road, or otherwise, are however not taxed.

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  56. So I'm over at PG's, and someone here posts something so juicy it had to be removed,(sigh)I missed it,I may have to go blue just so I can say I just blue myself.

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  57. Good one for a Tuesday! My brain is still a bit foggy, but I am slogging through the week.
    Great job, CC .

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  58. Tobias, one was rude and your's is crude. I dislike personal attacks worse than bad taste, so you stay.

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  59. We often talk about food and cooking so... maybe we should plan a get together for a meal at this pretty nice restaurant. I'll start saving up.

    Pretty nice restaurant

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  60. "Quigley Down Under" was the first movie (in VHS form)I ever bought. Cried through much of it, cheered through much of it and understood well how loosing a child (and blaming yourself, rightly or not) could drive you mad. Watching Tom Selleck play such a hero was a treat, too. Thanks, Kazie, for the verification of some of the history shown. I always look up the "back story" of supposedly history-based movies.
    Enjoyed your puzzle today, CC. You must be a gazillionaire by now! :)

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  61. Hey, gang,

    I'm still around but keep getting here later and later. Just wanted to say I loved today's puzzle. Good fill, good theme, good everything!

    Today I'm later than ever and have to go now since it's Rachel Maddow time. I'll be back to read the blog and the comments, and if you're still around, I'll maybe have something constuctive (or not) to say!

    Bye for now, dodo

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  62. One suggestion: Delete racist comments such as the 11:39a entry. Or, at least, distance yourself from it.

    I really appreciate the "no religion, no politics" request.

    Great blog.

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  63. Jerome's 11:39 am may have been questionable but not a personal attack on a blog member. I see a line drawn between the two. Do you?

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  64. Windhover -

    Last time I looked, income was quite popular.

    Henry Ford didn't get it quite right. It's economics that's bunk.

    Tigers have pulled ahead, but are not hitting well when it counts. If I just heard the announcer correctly, they've left 28 stranded in 2 1/2 games!

    Delmon is out again. Martinez hurt himself hitting a HR. Beltre fouled two off his left leg in different at-bats, and was moving stiffy. Hamilton just launched a bat into the stands and hurt a spectator in the first row.

    Dangerous game.

    JzB

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  65. Anon @8;15 -

    When did "Cracker" become racist?

    Anyway, a brilliant anagram deserves a little leeway. Or maybe a lot. At least it's better than tossing cookies.

    Peralta just put one in the seats. 3-1 Tigers in the 6th.

    JzB

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  66. @Argyle: Yes I do. You are absolutely correct.

    @Jazzbumpa: Have a nice day. Don't ever call me a cracker. I will be offended.

    ReplyDelete
  67. "Jerome"'s comment had "racial" and "political" overtones to it. Why?

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  68. Have I missed any comments about Joon Pahk amassing a fortune on Jeopardy the past week and this?

    ReplyDelete
  69. Hi Everyone ~~

    I really enjoyed today's puzzle. It was fun to solve and didn't fill in too quickly as sometimes happens on Mondays and Tuesdays. The few slow-downs I had were my own fault ... like Kazie, I misread proto- as photo- in 33D. I then assumed an apostrophe after TEENS in 31D which had me thinking of the 'teenage years.' Oh well ... it all came together in the end.

    A really nice write-up, Argyle ... I learned a lot! I also liked 'Ewe must remember this...' :-)

    Tigers are up 5-1 after 7 innings!

    Another good day for Joon on Jeopardy!

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  70. "I wouldn't throw her out of bed for eating crackers."
    (looks between his legs)
    "Would I, crackers."

    ReplyDelete
  71. Anon @9:18 -

    You may rest assured I will never do that.

    And I had a very nice day, thank you.

    Tigers snagged a victory. Big bats showed up.

    Cheers!
    JzB

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  72. @JazzBumpa I'm glad your team won. That is a great feeling. Looking forward to convincing you to not say cr*$*er in the future.

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  73. I believe the word Pejorative applys here.

    The word; crackers, as used by Jerome, is pejorative.

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  74. What? you haven't seen the "Honkies for Herman" and "Crackers for Cain" bumper stickers?

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  75. Just as rappers use the n*word?

    Dumbasses don't make it right!

    ReplyDelete
  76. The quantity of anons is going up and the quality is going down.

    ReplyDelete
  77. Honkies headed south and I am headed to bed. Play nice.

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  78. I'm a "first timer" and am exhausted with all the unnecessary "jabbering". I came hoping for "enlightment" and answers. Perhaps today is unusual?
    from Sherman Oaks CA

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  79. Shreman, if you see this, you posted to the wrong day. If you read these comments, I don't blame you for being confused. BRB

    ReplyDelete
  80. OK, Sherman Oaks, are you really a day behind (Tuesday) because if you are, you are lucky anybody saw your post. So was your comment about Tuesday or Wednesday?

    We try to clear up any questions in our write-up and someone is always willing to answer your questions.

    So, sorry; this is the usual.

    ReplyDelete

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