google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Monday, October 29, 2012 Don Gagliardo & C.C. Burnikel

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Oct 29, 2012

Monday, October 29, 2012 Don Gagliardo & C.C. Burnikel

Theme: Full Stop - Three synonyms for the punctuation known as full stop, appropriately placed at the end of the theme entries.

20A. Do-or-die moment : CRITICAL POINT

38A. When the Brontës wrote : VICTORIAN PERIOD

59A. Precisely : RIGHT ON THE DOT

Argyle here(stop) Dynamic duo(stop) Stop with the stops! No stopping the grid spanner while the other entries stop at thirteen. Eases us into the week while we have other things on our minds.

Across:

1. Golf pros regularly break it : PAR. While some of us struggle to break 100.

4. Gemologist's weight : CARAT

9. Force back : REPEL

14. "__ had it up to here!" : I'VE, said the woman in the milk bath. (pasteurized)

15. Single-celled critter : AMEBA

16. Bo's'n's "Hold it!" : "AVAST!"

17. Blink of an eye : SEC

18. Rocky, for one : BOXER. More of a brawler, some might say.

19. Midterms and finals : TESTS

23. "Para __, oprima numero dos": customer service option : ESPANOL. "For Spanish, press number two"

24. Woos : COURTS

27. Crystal ball consulter : SEER

28. Bringing up the rear : LAST

31. Cut back : PARE

32. Offbeat : ODD

35. Cowboy's footwear : BOOT

37. Pieces on a board : MEN

43. Cannes crony : AMI. Cannes is a city located in the French Riviera.

44. Arrow-shooting god : EROS

45. Prez before Jack : IKE. (JFK/DDE)

46. Prefix with second : NANO

48. Computer operator : USER

50. Bottom-line concern : LOSS

54. Hole for a shoelace : EYELET. Bonus point: name the end of the shoelace.

56. Heart, soul, or heart and soul : ESSENCE


62. Cheer for a diva : BRAVA

64. Fragrant compound : ESTER

65. Game based on crazy eights : UNO. There are no bonus points in crosswords, sorry.

66. Seethed : FUMED

67. Underground Railroad traveler : SLAVE

68. Fort Worth sch. : TCU. (Texas Christian University)

69. Stockpile : AMASS

70. Repaired, as a shoe : SOLED

71. "But then again ..." : YET

Down:

1. The Fishes of the zodiac : PISCES

2. Opposed (to) : AVERSE

3. Bon Appétit offering : RECIPE. "Bon Appétit" is a magazine and website.

4. Mountain retreat : CABIN

5. BP merger partner : AMOCO

6. Drugstore name derived from the prescription symbol : REXALL

7. Genesis sibling : ABEL

8. Infield protection : TARP

9. Betting odds, e.g. : RATIO

10. Bring into balance : EVEN UP. (50/50 odds)

11. Deli meat : PASTRAMI

12. Body shop quote: Abbr. : EST. (estimate)

13. Many USMA grads : LT's. (Lieutenant/United States Military Academy)

21. Card worth a fortune? : TAROT

22. Squid relatives : OCTOPI

25. Palm smartphone : TREO. Replaced in June 2009.

26. Mail out : SEND

29. Belittle : ABASE

30. Trinity member : SON. With the Father and the Holy Spirit.

33. Deer mom : DOE

34. "Sex for Dummies" author, familiarly : DR. RUTH. Listen up!


36. "__War": Shatner novel : TEK

38. Rooftop rotator : VANE

39. Uncertain response : "I MAY"

40. Wide-screen technique introduced in the '50s : CINERAMA

41. Island in the Aegean : IOS. Map.

42. CSA general : R.E. LEE

47. Antipasto tidbits : OLIVES

49. Beach house, maybe : RENTAL

51. At one's post : ON DUTY. Yes, I am.

52. Wall-mounted candleholder : SCONCE. Some may be using them by day's end.




53. Embark : SET OUT

55. "Holy moly!" : "EGADS!"

57. "Date Night" actor Carell : STEVE. (from "The Office") IMBd.

58. Destroy, as documents : SHRED

60. Miss Trueheart of "Dick Tracy" : TESS


61. Nobel Peace Prize city : OSLO

62. Painter's deg. : BFA. (Bachelor of Fine Arts)

63. Caribbean liquor : RUM. Cheers!



Argyle

Notes from C.C.:

1) The theme came to me while my pen ran out of ink. Click here to see the original grid Don and I submitted. Rich wisely pointed out that those long Across (18A & 51A) might "obscure the theme" since we don't have a reveal entry.

2) Happy 87th Birthday to dear Dodo, who's been having problem with her computer. Hopefully she'll return to us soon. Thanks again for checking on Dodo, Chickie.

(L-R back row: Chickie, Clear Ayes, Garlic Gal; Front: JD, Lucina, Dodo.  
Picture taken on June 23, 2011

106 comments:

  1. Good Morning, Argyle and friends. No Barry G? I hope he is safe and sound and hunkered down from Hurricane Sandy.

    Interesting Monday puzzle. I found it a tad harder than the usual Monday fare. It took me two passes instead of the usual one.

    I thought of my grandmother when i filled in REXALL. I can still see the Rexall on the main street of her town. Are these drugstores still around?

    My favorite clue was Card Worth a Fortune = TAROT.

    I only recently learned (from doing crosswords) that AVAST was "sailor talk" for Stop!

    I sort of saw Date Night on the plane home last week, so I knew it starred STEVE Carell and Tina Fey. It isn't a very good movie, so i can't recommend it.

    The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in OSLO, but the other prizes are given out in Stockholm.

    Stay safe and warm.

    Happy Birthday, DODO. I miss you, so I hope your computer woes are soon fixed.

    QOD: All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt. ~ Charles Schulz

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  2. Morning, all!

    Yep, I'm hunkered down, but so far there's nothing to hunker down from (down from which to hunker?) Schools are closed state-wide, non-essential workers have been asked to stay home, but so far we only have a light drizzle and no wind to speak of. Things should start to get "interesting" later this afternoon, though...

    Blew through the puzzle with little resistance. The clue for 56A had me looking for a musical genre for a bit and I was expecting 70A to start with "RE", but that was really it. Everything else was very smooth today.

    If you don't hear from me tomorrow morning, it'll probably be because I have no power...

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  3. Good morning folks,

    Nice puzzle to start the day, a day that will be much worse from this afternoon until tomorrow AM. I hope I get to post again this week.

    No problems to speak of, but a couple minor slow downs. My only complaint is 62A, BRAVA, which I got because I knew 55D was EGADS, not EGODS. I can't recall ever hearing brava used, only bravo. I imagine brava is the feminine usage in some language.

    HBD Dodo. Do something fun.

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  4. Argyle: it's Aglet. I almost tried to used this answer, then I read the clue more closely.

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  5. First I hope all of our Corner are safe from the storm, with loss of power the worst you face.

    As always a finely crafted Monday with an impressive grid with fewer 3 letter entries and with in the cluiing. I liked the way Espanol was modernized.

    Congrats to SF Giants.

    Have a great week

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  6. Cos before IOS.

    Loved Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster, before his American fame.

    @Hondo - Italian. Fem. - ends in A, plural E; masc. O, plural I. Clean and simple.

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  7. Good morning, everybody!

    This was a nice, easy romp for a Monday -- a straight top-to-bottom solve.

    Sfingi, thanks for explaining the brava/brave/bravo/bravi conundrum. I know nothing of Italian, so that was news to me.

    REXALL was a gimme. My first job was clerking in a REXALL drug store at the age of 13. My first task (alas) was to dismantle the soda fountain to make room for more floor displays. I haven't seen a REXALL drug store in years. They used to be famous for their one-cent sale every fall (buy one Rexall-branded product at regular price and get a second for a penny).

    Stay dry, you right coasters! I sure hope it isn't as bad as all the hypesters are trying to make it out to be.

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  8. Easy Monday puzzle.

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  9. Hahtoolah, I believe there are still some Rexall drugstores left in NYC.

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  10. Nice easy puzzle for a Monday. Some good words here: CINERAMA, EYELET, ESSENCE, PASTRAMI, and a shoutout to us March babies: PISCES.

    My boss lives in NJ. He was supposed to fly from TX to NJ on Saturday, and then fly out to Chicago this Morning. He decided to skip that and fly directly from TX to Chicago.

    Lower Manhattan is shut down and most of our branch offices in the NE are closed as well.

    It's amazing - they say Sandy will probably affect Lake Michigan. I hope everybody stays safe.

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  11. Thanks Don, CC and Argyle.

    "It's that bloody thing at the end of a sentence!"

    An aglet, on the other hand, is that thingy at the end a shoelace that breaks off, subsequently making it more difficult to get the shoelace fed into and through the eyelet.

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  12. Good morning. folks. Thank you, C.C. and Don G., for a great Monday puzzle. Thank you, Argyle, for the swell review.

    Zipped through this one. No problem. Liked it.
    Happy birthday, DoDo. Hope you are back on line soon. Not sure what city you are in, but try your local library. You can get in from there.

    Got started in the NW and just spread across and down simultaneously. Loved it.

    Had to pause at ESPANOL until I had a few perps. I am sure I have heard that phrase a million times on the phone. No comment other than that.

    Theme came easily after I got two of them. Therefore I entered DOT with confidence.

    Johnsonburg, PA is supposed to get rain for a week. Hope it is not too bad. I may have a wet basement. My wife's cousin is looking after it. Of course she cannot do much if it gets wet, but at least she will let me know. We'll see.

    Off to the doctor today to get an Iridotomy in my right eye. 66761 I feel better about it this year than I did last year.

    See you tomorrow.

    Abejo


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  13. The puzzle was just right for a Monday. Didn't get the theme until it was completed, but it was clever.

    Looks like Sandy has made the turn, just as predicted. I hope you all stay safe and aren't without power for too long a period. The radar I use doesn't go very far offshore, so it's not all that ominous yet, but if you want to keep track of the NE region on shore, here's the NOAA Weather Radar

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  14. Thank you Don. G. and CC for a nice puzzle - little testy for a Monday, but I finished it well in time. I liked it very much.

    Thank you Argyle for your most interesting commentary. I knew your answer, 'Aglet' from the game Balderdash - on of my favorite board games, though I don't play it very often ... now my house has only the wife, and I, and that's no fun, for playing board games.

    I read the 'Para --- ...' and I thought, Oh God,.... not another Latin motto again .... I got the answer though, through the perps. Isn't it amazing, you can hear the message a 100 times a day, and yet entirely blank out the words ? It must be the selective CD-ROM in our dendrites.

    Ohio is a crucial state ( so they say - ) .... Obama has been here 46 times, and counting, and Romney, not far behind. They're running neck and neck. Note to self; must vote and vote often. {;-)


    ALT QOD:- Happiness is when, what you think, what you say, and what you do, are in harmony. ~ M. K. Gandhi.

    Have a good week, you all ... and all you east coasters, hunker down and ride out the storm. This too, shall pass.

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  15. Another winner from the dynamic duo! Thanks to you both!

    I can never understand why they haven't progressively over the years buried the power lines in areas vulnerable to storms like this.

    Stay safe all who are in Sandy's path!

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  16. To paraphrase Yogi Bear, “Haaaarder than the average Monday” but still a nice walk in Jellystone Park. Enjoyed looking at the alternate grid C.C.

    Musings
    -Joann will pour over our checking account until she is RIGHT ON THE DOT. Getting within a penny doesn’t cut it with her.
    -Y/N, AMEBA/amoeba, REPEL/rebel, BOXER/movie, AVERSE/adverse,
    -Pols try to WOO voters with whatever they have to say (Hmm… which way the VANE is pointing?)
    - TAROT cards, crystal balls, palm readings, Ouija boards, séances, et al are fun, harmless nonsense
    -I associate IKE with ending the Korean War, enforcing Brown vs. Board of Education and the Interstate
    -Date Night was essentially a remake of this movie
    -Everyone FUMED at the sub refs but they did the best they could (Tell Green Bay that!)
    -Our small town REXALL drug store was run by a man who knew the village secrets
    -Did you see the 9th inning in the SF/StL game? It was 9 – 0 and raining as hard as it possibly could but they didn’t pull out the TARP so they could get the game over. Yikes.
    -Body shops used to issue a high enough EST. to cover the deductible for their friends
    -SCONCES were big decorating items when we were first married
    -What fabulous song has the lyric “And the three men I admire most- the Father, SON, and the Holy Ghost- They caught the last train for the coast.”

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  17. Good morning everyone. Still calm here - stormy later.

    Fermat and other 'late' posters. Let not your hearts be troubled. I always check the tail end of the previous day's comments before coming to the current day. Many times there is good stuff not to miss.

    I had never heard of the French CSA general Relee' and then went D'uh and saw R E LEE whom everyone knows. Great puzzle; quite easy; and interesting theme. BRAVA to C.C. and Don for another great offering. No nits, no cross outs, no lookups.

    What Barry said about power. Fortunately, we cook with gas and have municipal water. Hope everyone makes muster when this is over.

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  18. Good morning to all and stay safe if you are in the NE. Thanks to our dynamic duo for a fun Monday puzzle. Props to Argyle for your write up.
    Happy birthday to Dodo hope you get things working soon.
    HuskerG : the day the music died. Don McClean's American pie.
    Have a great day and take care if you are in sandys path.RJW

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  19. American Pie by Don McLean. I love this blog and have been a "lurker" for the past 1 1/2 years. The wit, the knowledge, and the fun...what a way to start a day. I'm a UConn husky ('76) so we're waiting out Sandy.

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  20. Hi Y'all, Great puzzle, C.C. & Don! Great commentary, Argyle! Didn't get the theme until the blog.

    Little harder than some Mondays. I got hung up in the NE section. Couldn't come up with RATIO or PASTRAMI (never have eaten it) or courts.

    For 40d I wanted Cinematography and FUMED over that a bit. When I came up with BRAVA, FUMED and AMASS, I felt better about the right answer.

    I blame my fogginess this morning on watching the Weather Channel while doing the puzzle. Warnings in the east are pretty scary. Hope it isn't as bad as expected, east coast blog friends. We will keep our fingers crossed and watch for word you are okay.

    I've ridden out some scary storms with tornados but they are of much shorter duration than hurricanes. Stay safe! Election day will be interesting there.

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  21. Fermatprime 10/28 11:09pm
    Just read yr late post yesterday. I can't speak for the others, but this East Coaster always starts the day by reading last nights posts!

    Have not done the puzzle yet, (saving it for when i get sick of watching the news) But somehow, in making the print on the Blog comments larger to read, i somehow got it to open at the bottom instead of the top. Now i can post without accidentally reading the
    comments & spoiling the puzzle. But i only do it in emergencies (like yr post last nite Fermatprime!)

    Just went out to clear leaves from the storm drain between the houses. (our entire block drains thru my backyard) I forgot Moms Mums on the porch steps!!! (Oh well, they were getting ratty anyway...)

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  22. PK, if you've never eaten Pastrami, get thee to a deli. Even the grocery store delis should have it. And if you have a Jason's, that would probably be better still. I've never been to Lawrence, but the Jason's in Wichita is wonderful.

    Sandy was just upgraded to 90 mph, so it looks like it will hit as Cat2. Batten your hatches.

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  23. Good morning:

    Thanks, CC and Don, for a nice, easy start to what may be a not-so-nice week. And thanks, Argyle, for your usual witty repartee. Only write-over was exams before tests. Tried getting the puzzle from Cruciverb last night but it wasn't available and still isn't this morning. So, pen and paper to the rescue.

    I, like so many others, always read the previous day's late comments before I start reading the new blog.

    All is calm right now but that's going to change later in the day. No matter what happens here won't compare with what is predicted for New York City and the coastal areas. Thoughts and prayers for everyone's safety.

    Happy Monday.

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  24. Hi all,

    Hahtoolah, I also remember the Rexall drug stores. In Portland (Or) we still have a few of the old fashioned ones, they still have the 'soda fountains' that serve shakes, malts, etc.

    I also thought this was a little bit more difficult than usual for Monday, but enjoyable. I had no idea what a Palm smartphone was (25D). I have a PLAIN cell phone (it will take pictures but I have no clue how to use it for that and don't care). I just need the phone part.

    Had to laugh at 34D....wonder what Lois will say. Obviously she doesn't need a book like that! I actually had never heard of it but knew of Dr.Ruth (I didn't know she was still with us). As far as I'm concerned, the 'dummies' are causing all the sex problems.

    I hope all of you in the path of Sandy are prepared and stay safe.

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  25. Filled in the top half quickly, but was royally annoyed that they spelled the word AMEBA. It is an AMOEBA!! Much better spelling for a crossword anyway, the latter, if you ask me. The bottom left stayed a bit blank until I struck upon BRAVA then it all snapped into place.

    "Ameba"? Seriously? /sigh/

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  26. Hi Everyone ~~

    A good Monday puzzle ~ thanks Don & C.C. I liked that I didn't pick up on the theme right away but had to work at it a bit first. My only write-over was 'SMU' before TCU.

    I really enjoyed your write-up, Argyle ~ lots of interesting info, fun comments, pics and links. Love Hugh Laurie!

    So far so good ~ some rain and the wind is picking up, but it's fairly calm at this point. Our governor says, "Everyone is in danger." We'll hope for the best. I hope our bloggers in the states south of CT get through this safely - your area looks worrisome.

    We're disappointed with the Tigers' season ending but the Giants were just unstoppable! Congrats to them.

    Fermat ~ I, too, read late night posts. I think of you often.

    Happy Birthday, Dodo ~~ hope you have a great day and can post again soon!

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  27. Hello Puzzlers -

    Cruciverb is coming up short again. I still can't access this puzzle. GRRRR

    Wind is sure picking up out there!

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  28. We've been through two hurricanes: Alicia and Ike. In both cases we survived the storm just fine; the greatest damage was a downed tree. But in both cases we were out of power for almost two weeks. Now we're equipped with a whole-house natural gas generator. Expensive, but the peace of mind -- priceless!

    In Wisconsin there were two tiers of Rexall Drug Stores for sales competition: Rennebohm's in Madison was tier one, and the rest of the state tier two. In Madison there seemed to be a Rennebohm's on every corner.

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  29. I forgot to wish Dodo a very, very happy Birthday. I sure hope your computer issues are solved soon...I also miss your e-mails :)

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  30. Greetings!

    Happy birthday, Dodo! I hope you pop in today.

    Lovely puzzle from the dynamic duo and I sashayed right along with only one write over, EXAMS before TESTS.

    EYELET / AGLET both learned from doing crosswords.

    TREO is new to me but it just emerged.

    Have a wonderful Monday, even you easterners. Please stay safe, everyone!

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  31. No better way to start the week than with a Dynamic Duo puzzle! Many thanks! I pretty much breezed through this one--a great relief after that tough Saturday experience. It helped that we used to go to the opera and hear people shout "BRAVA!" at the soprano. Great to have an explanation for the difference between AGLET AND EYELET. And although I got RELEE, I didn't "get" that it was Robert E LEE until Spitzboov explained it.

    Loved the photo of the ladies!

    Have a great day, everybody, and stay safe if you live in the Northeast. We're thinking of you and praying for you.

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  32. Anyone familiar with Bob Ross? He is the feature on Google today. I had never heard if him, but apparently today would have been his 70th birthday.

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  33. Good morning Argyle, CC, et al., Loved this puzzle! Such a relief after Sat’s fiasco. I even got the theme right away, which is rare. Thank you, CC and Don. A real fun run. I liked the original one too…glad to see Yosemite Sam any time.
    Great job, Argyle. Absolutely loved the Heart and Soul clip. Will listen to that a few more times today…as long as power holds out.

    Carol: LOL you do make me laugh!….yeah, seeing Dr. Ruth here almost made me ROFL. And her message is very true! It should be taught to all people: women just take a little time. I explain it like this: normally women are like ovens. Some may use gas (not recommended) and others may be crock pots or even crack pots depending on your point of view, but none of us are microwaves. So ssssslower your expectations! It’s all good!

    Sandy is a beast! Geeze! The endless rain! I am seriously and positively praying for you folks up north. There were some gusts last night that I thought would blow us into tomorrow. Dennis would’ve loved being outside naked at those times. I keep expecting some of my 40’ trees to come crashing down. So far so good. Schools are closed today and I’ll bet on tomorrow as well. We’ll practice our backstrokes if school is not cancelled. I have anal glaucoma anyway…can’t see my hindparts going to work at any rate. This is utterly amazing and New England is getting the brunt of it. Y’all take special care up there.

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  34. Happy birthday Dodo, hope your computer problems are resolved soon - we've all put up with those problems, some time or later. I enjoy reading your posts, so hoping you post soon.

    A friend once told me, that when you hear, 'Para Espanol, oprima numero dos' ... press '2', and then start speaking French, German or Portugese ... they immediately hand you over to the English speaking customer Rep. - that is the fastest way to reach a human voice, without going through all those hoops.

    Argyle, whats with the Minnie Duck in S-M costume ? Is that the TCU mascot ? Or is it a cheerleader in a jousting uniform - and why all those sharp spikes ? What a strange message for a "Christian" University to project ....

    My daughter, in NY City, called to say that the main subways are all closed, and the taxi drivers ( all from the third world - ) are asking for $ 20 in cash, before they accept you as a 'fare' ... I guess, they're making hay while the sun shines - or doesn't.

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  35. Forgot: Happy Birthday, DoDo. Hope you have many many more.

    Santa Baby: I have a new request:
    AN ARK... and if possible can I have overnight delivery, please? I promise I've been ever so good. I can provide references, if you want. Thank you.

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  36. Good morning Argyle, C.C. et al.

    What a fun Monday! We get to have a hurricane and a Dynamic Duo puzzle. Whoot-whoot! I really enjoyed this one, and loved the grid-spanning themers. Wonderful links, Argyle. Dr. Ruth sure tells it like it is, doesn't she?

    And happy birthday to Dodo! Hope you can rejoin us real soon. Loved seeing the picture of you all with a smiling Clear Ayes.

    Anony-Mouse, that mascot is the TCU "Horned Frog", also known as the Texas horned lizard. It does look very strange, though, doesn't it?

    Stay safe, especially those of you who live along the coast or in flood zones.

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  37. Hahtoolah, - Bob Ross was the guy on a regular PBS program - "The joy of Painting"' who tried to show the viewer - that 'anybody' could paint landscapes etc., and how easy it was to paint. He popularized the 'wet-on-wet' ( no, Lois, not that one - ) painting process, which made it easy to complete and finish oil painting without waiting for it to dry.

    My cousin spent $ 300 on paint supplies from Bob Ross's company - well worth it - before he, my cousin, realized his kids just wouldn't try out the painting process - they just weren't interested.

    Bob's programs, by the way, were absolutely fascinating and very charming - like watching a gourmet doing his /her cooking - and the painting process seemed so simple and he de-mystified the entire concept of oil painting - and made it appear like a ride in the park. He had a very mellow voice, and a very happy, cheerful and pleasant personality - and his gentle and kind demeanor clearly showed through in his commentary.

    I nearly took it up myself.

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  38. Argyle: Nice write-up & links.

    C.C. and Don G. Thank you for a FUN Monday offering (that felt like a Tuesday).

    My fave today, of course was 63-D, Caribbean liquor, RUM.

    Živjeli to all at Sunset.

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  39. Good morning Argyle, C.C. et al,

    Loved having an xwd from our D.D. to start off the week.I had to use my second thought in many cases today:
    par instead of tee, ameba instead of amoeba,slave not Harriet Tubman, eyelet, not aglet.Ester is new , and avast was an a-ha.

    Argyle, thx for the theme; so enjoyed Heart and Soul

    My mom worked in Rexall's "lending library" for a time. It was a very small room in the back of the store.Always thought it was an odd place for a library.

    Ladies, remember those parties long ago that we could buy sconces?

    Dodo, hope you have a fabulous b'day and are back with us soon.

    Worrying about all of you in Sandy's path.

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  40. Hi Everyone,
    C.C. and Don, I did not have an easy time with this, like most.
    Couldn't see CRITICAL POINT 'til the last letter "O"
    Never saw the theme, until Argyle's write-up.
    Thought RIGHT ON "target" was a sure bet. Never heard of TREO or TEK.
    Concerned that I might not finish a Monday puzzle.
    AMEBA is legit. Certainly not as confusing as TSAR CZAR and is there one more?
    C.C. I al ways enjoy seeing the other grids you have done before the published version. One of the others from before had "JIVE TALKING" Hope you use that someday.
    Hope to hear from you who are in Sandy's path. Please check in if you are able. Bless you all.

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  41. I enjoyed the puzzle and the writeup. Thanks C.C. and Argyle.

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY DODO!

    Have you noticed almost nobody says "affect" or "affected" anymore? It's almost "impact" or "impacted" now. I guess "affect" is less impactful.

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  42. Lois, yes that weather would be perfect for Dennis (our resident wind preDICKtor)... and he wouldn't have a case of the shrivels because it's nice and warm.

    Bill G: Impacted sounds like a painful medical problem. I'd rather be "affected"...'course that doesn't sound to great either. sigh

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  43. I never did get the theme, & i forgot to go back & change bravo to brava, (p.s. spellchecker doesn't like "brava" either.) But have to declare a DNF due to having no idea what a 25D "treo" is,,, (Trashed Oreo?) & 31A cut back. I knew it had to be either an "R" or a "C". Being a 50/50 butter side down kinda guy i went with "C". (Hey! when i cut back, i pace myself,,,, with me it's all about food!)

    Imagine my surprise at getting extra points for knowing 54A's AGET! & my dismay at Argyle teasing me at 65A!!! (well the jokes on you Santa, because i spelt Aglet wrong anyway!)

    Heart & Soul... My favorite version has to be the ending of the movie "Big." So many wonderful variations on a theme! I always watch the movie every time it comes on just to listen to that ending, & then get really pissed off when the newscaster dubs over it for upcoming news, or worse, some stupid commercial!

    Happy Birthday Dodo!

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  44. desper-otto @10:38

    time for me to stop procrastinating and get us a Generator. Would you be so kind as to Email me at firstbase5@comcast.net with the brand you purchased. along weith any other info you would like to share.It sounds like exactly what I'm looking for.

    Carol @1:41 PM

    When one reaches a certain age, SHRIVELING becomes a fact of life in any temperature.

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  45. We had a Rexall Drug Store in our little town when I was growing up. I dated the owner's son awhile. His name was Doug. He had a younger brother named Richard aka Dickie. Their mother called them "Douglas and Dickless". How does a shy, goofy little kid grow up with that?

    Doug & I were driving Dick & his three friends to a party after their 8th grade graduation. In our state you could get a learners permit to drive at 14 and a regular license at 16. One of the girls was worrying about whether the town cop was going to stop Doug. Dickie piped up, "Don't worry he has an adultery license." 50 years later those involved still laugh about that one.

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  46. Well, i am down the basement on my PC, & i can tell from the sound of that Shotgun Blast, that another pole mounted power transformer has exploded!

    Well, the lights are dimming, i better sign off this PC if i ever want to use it again....

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  47. Happy Birthday, Dodo.
    Dynamic Duo, you sure make Monday puzzles fun. Argyle, your blog makes them even "funner."

    Carol for years I felt as you do about impacted. Now it rolls right by me because it is so common.

    We have had mild bursts of wind and rain all day, not nearly as bad as a summer thunderstorm. Now the wind has picked up considerably and will grow worse very quickly. Our power just went off for 2 minutes. I thought I had better post while I can. The worst is yet to come. They tell you to turn off your electronics to avoid a power surge when electricity is restored. But I don’t want to turn everything off for every little flicker.

    I am sure I will be fine, except perhaps for a many days’ long power outage. It will be kind of like camping, but drier than in a tent. I am very, very concerned about many local people I know who had a terrible time during Irene. Some have not yet recovered completely. My thoughts are with all the East Coasters in harm’s way.

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  48. AvgJoe: Never heard of Jason's. Dillon's doesn't have PASTRAMI. As to getting myself to a deli, I haven't been going anywhere. I finally got to the grocery store today to restock. I was about 4 meals from going hungry and they weren't very appetising. I hadn't been out since Oct. 10 when I did a small grocery run. Today I went when they weren't busy and lucked into having the bag boy empty my cart and load my car. After several rests I managed to get every thing in the house, perishables first. Pneumonia can sure wipe out a person's get-up-and-go. Gotta go take my vitamins.

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  49. Hello everybody. Fun, clever puzzle today. Don and C.C., your minds are vast in breadth and depth. I have to stretch mine mightily to keep up with yours. Thank you.

    You all on the east coast, may your foresight to stock up on flashlights, batteries, generators, etc. pay off for you and enable you ride out the storm. May no trees fall on you or floods besoak you.

    DoDo, very happy birthday greetings to you. In a way, the puzzle theme could be sort of a shout-out to you, dear DOT.

    Gonna go pick up my new glasses now. See y'all later and better.

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  50. "Impacted," "skyrocketing," just two examples of terminology employed by brain-dead news anchors who wouldn't recognize a real newsworthy story if it impacted their heads. Prices are always "skyrocketing," bosoms are always "ample," and erections are always "raging."

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  51. Jayce: what channel (station) are you watching (listening to) ? I agree with you about the brain-dead news people but I missed the story about raging erections. Wow, maybe their sponsor is Cealis (sp) (SEE-ALICE). Or maybe it was "elections", this being a political year. I still am laughing :) thanks for the cheer-up.

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  52. Anon @ 3:23
    How timely answering HG's question that he posed at 8:49am.

    Of course it was ALREADY ANSWERED by Ron Worden @ 9:33am, and another Anon @ 9:34am (probably both typing at the same time).

    Then, almost 6 hours later you jump in with your answer.

    How lame can you get ????

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  53. Anony-mouse: haha wet on wet. we all have our own style...of uh...painting.

    JD: I do remember those Home Decor parties. I always thought they were fun. And I bought sconces!

    Carol: bwuahahahah! I just wish it was warm. It's so unusually cold here that should Dennis go outside he'd have to take a half dozen blue pills just to pee on his shoes and another 1/2 dozen to determine wind direction. In spite of what Hondo said, I'm sure age is not a factor for Big D.

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  54. On Don McClean, I was listening to that album the other day. I can't think of another singer/songwriter that disappeared after such a solid debut album. The whole thing was great, not just the hits. Sure, we all hear American Pie frequently these days, and even Vincent once in a while. But the rest of the album got zero air play and he never had a follow up that I'm aware of. Just one example: Empty Chairs

    Jayce and Carol: ROFL about "What are you watching?" The thought about raging elections did occur to me, though:-)

    Sandy is nearly on shore. Hope all are safe. Any reports out there from those that still have power?

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  55. Woo hoo, I'm back with my new glasses on, and man oh man can I see ever so much better! No longer need to squint at the computer screen or keep trying to consciously override my eye's focus in order to see clearly. I think I'll do this every coupla years or so :)

    Raging elections, raging winds, raging bull, it's all good. Well not so much the bull part. And speaking of Cialis, what a marketing line to warn "See a doctor if your erection lasts longer than four hours." Genius!

    DW and I already voted, by mail, so we can not be affected by the pro-this and con-that ads. Not that they had any impact on us in the first place...

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  56. Let's try this again...

    High winds hitting us now. Big branches falling off trees in backyard, but so far no damage to house or fence. Lost power briefly, but it came back up. News report says 175K here in Massachusetts without power, so we are lucky...

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  57. Barry G, that's good news. May the big heavy stuff continue to miss you and your property.

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  58. Very Happy birthday Dodo, it looks like this may be my granddaughter's birthday as well, as her water broke and they are at the hospital 4cm dilated.

    They are having 60 mph winds, and heavy rain but they are safe in the hospital.

    I am more nervous then I was 26 years ago when he was born.

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  59. Lemonade, will the baby's name be Sandy ?

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  60. I'm glad to hear you're faring relatively well, Barry. Hang in there!

    But the lack of other responses is troubling:-(

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  61. Avg Joe @ 5:46 - We had rain and winds earlier but it is calm now. We will probably get heavier rain and high winds later on and throughout the night. So far, no loss of power; I am keeping my fingers crossed.

    The real problem areas are New York City and the coastal cities and towns. High tide is at 8:00 pm and the surge is the major concern. NBC News is still on, giving updates and reports from various locations. The flooding is going to be horrendous along the coast.

    Stay safe everyone. Thoughts and prayers to all, especially those in harm's way.

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  62. Happy Birthday Dodo. Good luck with those computer problems too.

    C.C. and Don, this was a very enjoyable Monday run for me. I love all the "sea" words.

    Thanks Argyle for the write up.

    Has anyone heard from Blue Iris?

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  63. I forgot to add that I and wishing and praying for a safe time for those in the path of Sandy. My home was heavily damaged by Ike in 2008 and wouldn't wish that on anyone.

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  64. Avg Joe:
    thanks for posting that Don McClean song. It is my favorite one by him.

    Barry: glad you are safe and have power.

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  65. Lemonade: Congratulations, Grandpa! I hope you now have a lovely new addition to your family.

    I just spoke with my mom who lives in southern NH. They have lost power, but have a generator, so can keep warm.

    A friend who lives in hartford, CT just let us know that he lost the roof of his house earlier this afternoon.

    Please stay safe everyone.

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  66. Ameba? Brava? What happened to amoeba and bravo??

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  67. Michele, I rode out Cat 3 hurricane Alica in 83 on the NW side of Houston at 43rd and 290. She hit Galveston and drove right up Interstate 45. I remember the billboard erected later on I-45 just south of Dallas saying something to the effect of "See beautiful Houston two miles ahead on the right." She spawned over 20 tornadoes reaching all the way to Tyler.

    Long time friends are just south of you in Bayou Vista. They evac'ed before Ike hit. They, their house, and their boat came through relatively unscathed. I still give him crap for living just off the intercoastal waterway.

    As with Alicia, Katrina, and so many others, the name Sandy will be retired after this storm.

    Hope all the east siders fare well.

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  68. Hey Jay,
    Come a Little Bit Closer and tell me - what ever happened to the Americans?

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  69. Windhover,

    He can't tell you. Jose is on his way.

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  70. I haven't been paying attention; is Sandy a man's name or a woman's?

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  71. Should have updated you on my daughter sooner. She has a small incision. Had to take her own packing out at home and said that was very painful. A very pleasant doc called me after surgery and said there was some necrosis of the kidney but would regenerate. They were very aware of her bleeding disorder and infused her with appropriate med before surgery. Found out that she had not felt well for prior 2 weeks and was in pain 6 hours before going to ER.
    She tried to go into work/school(toxicology lab) today... DUH!... Couldn't do it and came home. Since allergic to codiene, the alternative pain med is keeping her up (and kitty is clinging to her.) She has several other doctoral students looking in on her and getting meds and food. Her twin brother was here this weekend and scolded me for feeling guilty that I'm not there.

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  72. Just heard on the news that Manhattan is in Black-out. Hope everyone here is safe and dry.

    Belated Happy Birthday to Boomer.

    Looks like it's going to be an epic birthday for your grand-daughter, Lemonade!

    I may not be commenting much in the immediate future because we will be seeing daughter in Florida.

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  73. Blue Iris: Thanks for the update on your daughter. Glad to hear she is on the mend. I hope she lays low for a while so she can make a full recovery.

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  74. Argyle - Sandy is a woman's name in the 2012 list of Names for Named Storms.

    Status - Guess we're in the dry sector for now; hardly any rain. Winds are 21 mph gusting to 40 mph. So far staying below forecasts.

    Guess the storm surge is creating havoc in NYC. Highest WL at Battery Park since 1817.

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  75. In the dark in W. Mass since 5:00 PM. Feels a lot like last year...

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  76. Hi all,

    Well,my blog and my password just went elsewhere so I will try again.

    I liked this puzzle The top third went fast, the middle was harder and the bottom was fairly easy.

    When I realized what 23A was I said aha! I used to live in Espanola, NM.

    My brother had a Rexall Drug in Baraboo for 30 years. He sold it about 10 years ago. D-Otto: he did his pharmacy internship at Rennebohms.

    Thanks CC and Don for a fun puzzle!

    Happy birthday, Dodo.
    Marge

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  77. PK, I figure that you live here in the Midwest and you are safe from "Sandy." Wanted to tell you that I buy PASTRAMI in grocery deli. We like pastrami reuben sandwiches better than corn beef reubens.

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  78. A musical interlude. First, for Larry and TTP: Jay


    Second (and with no disrespect intended to those in harms way): From Asbury Park, NJ, "Sandy".

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  79. Thanks to all of you that are in the storm for checking in. I hope you remain safe. Keep us posted.

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  80. A Reuben made with pastrami is called a Rachel. Some places substitue cole slaw for the sauerkraut.

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  81. Hey Blue Iris and others, I'm a BIG fan of pastrami sandwiches. There's a local eats emporium that has really good pastrami though I'm probably not qualified to judge. I've got to disagree about Reubens though. I like the traditional grilled corned beef sandwich on Jewish rye bread with Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, 1000 Island or Russian dressing with cole slaw on the side. In fact, I'm sure getting hungry right now.

    I've been watch coverage of Sandy on ABC news. The flooding looks worse than the winds. More than three million without power seems really hard to imagine. Good luck and best wishes for all involved.

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  82. I so enjoying readiing everyone on this blog. I to rode out hurricane Alicia in Houston. It was scary at night without power and all the wind. I almost was there for sandy as well. I was in Princeton for a wedding this weekend. My flight left philadelphia at 7 last night. So happy not to spend days at the airport. Hope all make it through the storm. I need to catch up on puzzles of last week.

    Easy Monday puzzle for me.
    Husked Gary.. I saw the ninth inning of that game.. It was crazy..

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  83. I just came across this video. I have no idea how it was created but I've never seen anything quite like it. CREATION.

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  84. Power came back on, what a relief.

    However: still no Monday or Tuesday puzzle on Cruciverb. Anybody else?

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  85. How 'bout this. Letterman is doing his show without an audience. There is no one in the seats. Strange.

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  86. Dudley @ 10:27 - My Cruciverb is not working either. Frustrating.

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  87. Irish - glad I'm not the only one! Cruciverb does seem to have a lot of troubles, but they appear to be the only game in town for early retrieval of the LAT.

    Anybody know of alternates?

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  88. Charlotte Perle was born at 9:12 PM during the storm. More later, now I will never forget dodo's birthday

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  89. BillG: Unbelievable videos, thanks for sharing.

    Congratulations on becoming a grandpa, Lemon! You're in for a treat. I've heard atmospheric pressure of storms bring on labor.

    Pastrami is some kind of spiced meat, right? I've heard of hot pastrami so gather it must be served hot? I like Reubens.

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  90. Blue Iris: best wishes for healing for your daughter. Thanks for the update. I think probably we live fairly close to each other.

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  91. PK, if you like Reubens, I feel sure you would like a good hot pastrami sandwich. (I can't imagine a cold one.) You can get one at Subway if you don't have any good delis in your area. It's served with mustard and pickle slices.

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  92. Congratulations, Lemonade. Hope all is well with mother and child.

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  93. Greetings!

    Thanks for puzzle and expo, DD and Argyle!

    Blue Iris: glad to hear daughter on the mend!

    Congrats to Lemonade!

    Happy birthday Dodo!

    Thanks for awesome videos, Bill!

    Am so sorry to hear about damage due to Sandy. Be safe, everyone!

    Cheers!

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  94. Lemonade:
    Congratulations! Grandparenthood is wonderful! I hope baby and parents are all well.

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  95. 23A: So, I guess we will have to learn Spanish to work the morning crosswords now.

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