tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post3452590119833140517..comments2024-03-29T06:22:32.405-05:00Comments on L.A.Times Crossword Corner: Monday, Jul 22, 2019 Mark McClain Zhouqin (C.C.) Burnikelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12750267554729853785noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-43670457476841166532019-07-23T01:52:39.893-05:002019-07-23T01:52:39.893-05:00Anon-T: Don’t go bragging about mixing me up; it’s...<b>Anon-T:</b> Don’t go bragging about mixing me up; it’s gotten so easy that <i>anybody</i> can do it. Why, I have even heard that ”Confusing WikWak” is being removed from the next Olympics—I don’t think they have enough $€£¥ to be able to afford all the medals they would have to buy. ;-)WikWakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14873144164842777944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-80148606245464830832019-07-23T00:04:08.535-05:002019-07-23T00:04:08.535-05:00Thanks y'all who celebrated my harvest with me...Thanks y'all who celebrated my harvest with me. Much appreciated. Such a relief to have it done even tho it was poorer than usual because of all the bad weather.<br /><br />SwampCat: Was that Uber driver wearing a watch or some other kind of jewelry that caused your bloody injury? Sorry, girl! I can commiserate with you about the difficulty in getting in some of these big SUV's and pickups. My son very kindly has been paying extra for SUV's with running boards & strategically placed gripping handles so I can get in them -- still difficult but doable after I figure out which foot I have to start on. With my brother's vehicle, I have to take a little footstool to get in and out. PKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14570575955563406341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-52210291130949425372019-07-22T22:26:38.828-05:002019-07-22T22:26:38.828-05:00*er, WikWak not Jinx (I mean, you, Jinx, can read ...*er, WikWak not Jinx (I mean, you, Jinx, can read it too but I was responding to Wik) I'm getting into Arduinos... Sorry I mixed y'all up. -TAnonymous Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00459563526290288425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-20142245146746572292019-07-22T21:58:41.213-05:002019-07-22T21:58:41.213-05:00Jinx - I'm getting into Arduinos next. I got ...Jinx - I'm getting into Arduinos next. I got a <b><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/KEWQ6RPYvXPnLM7v7" rel="nofollow">CornBadge*</a></b> [<b><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/ohxCMw6M6pySutWP8" rel="nofollow">back-side with the tiny Arduino chip near the posts</a></b>] that got me really interested in playing. They do seem easier to work with for control circuits.<br /><br />Cheers, -T<br />*DC402 (DefCon chapter #402 is from Omaha; hence #Corn!)Anonymous Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00459563526290288425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-80598368814941555332019-07-22T21:16:13.812-05:002019-07-22T21:16:13.812-05:00John E, the WWII museum is a fantastic place. Ma...John E, the WWII museum is a fantastic place. Many immersive displays and lots of learning. I’m blessed to be a volunteer, a docent and a tour guide with special projects. So much to learn! Hope you can come back! (Just try not to take Uber!)SwampCathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06893584705424353444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-37160986533580887852019-07-22T20:56:38.412-05:002019-07-22T20:56:38.412-05:00Well, here I am, late to the party as usual. I act...Well, here I am, late to the party as usual. I actually solved this one at around noon or noon-thirty but then ran out of time. Thanx to Mark & Boomer for their help in making Monday so much less dreary!<br /><br />I solved this in about average time for a Monday. As someone up above in the comments said, I mostly did the acrosses and let the downs take care of themselves. <br /><br />Thanks, TTP, for the S-O at HAM. I started at the tender age of thirteen, passing the exams just at the end of 8th grade. As did Jinx, I went “on hiatus” during college and the first year or so I was working. Finally couldn’t stand not being on the air so I retested. My younger son also earned his Technician license in high school. [My license class is Amateur Extra.]<br /><br />PK, glad to see that you got your crops in, and SwampCat, very sorry about your Uber experience. <br /><br />Jinx, I have made several ham-related projects with the original Raspberry Pi. Boy, when I think of of what could have been made with one of these in the “good ol’ days” it makes my head spin. Next up on my workbench is some flavor of Arduino. It appears to be a bit more flexible and a bit easier to use. <br /><br />Hand up for wanting MERENGU ... oops, not enough room. <br /><br />OMK, I have used the Calm app and it is indeed very helpful, but to go beyond the introductory stage requires a fairly hefty yearly subscription. Kinda defeats its purpose of calming you down. <br /><br />I have always known the term as SHOO-IN. Makes sense to me because you can SHOO a person or an animal into an enclosure/room. So a person who’s certain to win an election (for instance) is a SHOO-IN for the job. <br /><br />I recently read a lengthy article about Aldi and was surprised to find that it is the third largest grocery chain in the world (behind Kroger and another that I didn’t recognize). It’s expanding its footprint to include lots of new territories. I was also surprised to learn that it’s huge in Europe and in fact was started in Germany. In the US there are more than 1,900 stores in 36 states. Worldwide they have 10,000 stores in 20 countries and do an estimated >50 billion Euros worth of sales. And here I thought it was a Chicago chain! (Its world headquarters are in the western suburb of Batavia). <br /><br />At least it’s not so infernally hot now! Have a cool night, all.WikWakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14873144164842777944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-11876029705548408442019-07-22T16:06:20.023-05:002019-07-22T16:06:20.023-05:00I agree with your approach and consider myself a b...I agree with your approach and consider myself a buyer and not a shopper.Terryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01482173909843743240noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-22861911758071793072019-07-22T16:04:05.717-05:002019-07-22T16:04:05.717-05:00Bill G. That's the special kinda BRO love our...Bill G. That's the special kinda BRO love our better halves will never understand. My Brothers (and Sisters) slam each other with hurtful-but-true (and funny in context) barbs. It's all in fun and you better have thick skin. BIL was discussing becoming a HAM last night and SIL said, "You got 1/2 that right" :-)<br /><br />Jacyce, I was going for Jars at first. MASON JAR, Lemon jar(?) COMMON..., um, No.<br /><br />D-O: I'm still giggling about Church zoning...<br />"So the Bishop wants to build a Church on Widow Kravit's land."<br />"Aye, the Bishop" [hushed nods]<br />"What say we do with the adjoining lot?"<br />"A Pub(?)" ONE pipes in.<br />"Brilliant! City planning adjourned."<br /><br />Cheers, -TAnonymous Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00459563526290288425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-52535786494330116862019-07-22T15:49:19.540-05:002019-07-22T15:49:19.540-05:00T- I hadn't heard of a Raspberry Pi until toda...T- I hadn't heard of a Raspberry Pi until today. Looks like a Kim from the 70's.Jinx in Norfolkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05891694970152198474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-49018523375188629932019-07-22T15:42:34.115-05:002019-07-22T15:42:34.115-05:00I have a suggestion for dealing with unreliable in...I have a suggestion for dealing with unreliable internet provider. I have a wireless router from Cradle Point. It can be set up for your cable or dsl modem to be the primary internet connection (called a WAN or Wide Area Network), but will automatically switch (the eggheads call it "failover") to a pre-selected backup provider (Verizon Wireless' Mobile Hotspot on my 'droid).<br /><br />I have it set up in my motor home so I can easily change my connections for my TV, DVR and laptop from the campground WiFi if it is unavailable or slow, but it would be great for home use as well. Other companies probably have something similar, but I haven't kept up with the market.Jinx in Norfolkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05891694970152198474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-39267995628561050242019-07-22T15:36:31.151-05:002019-07-22T15:36:31.151-05:00Boomer ~
I don't know about ALDI for watermelo...<b>Boomer</b> ~<br />I don't know about ALDI for watermelons, but that reminds me of one of my favorite under-sung movie stars, <b>Aldo Ray</b>. If he were twins or triplets, would they be ALDI? <br />I always enjoyed his tough good looks and raspy voice. I see from his bio that he was a frogman during the war, a pretty tough job that! <br />I wonder if his distinctive voice had anything to do with his death of throat cancer. <br /><br /><b>Misty</b> ~<br />I hope your shoulder is better. <br />If you're still experiencing insomnia, there may be help in a new service I was reading about in yesterday's NY Times. It's an application called "Calm," that you can download to a smartphone for $70 a year. It is created by a "mindfulness" female narrator, a Canadian named Tamara Levitt, who apparently has the most soothing voice. She talks millions of customers to sleep every night with music, nature sounds, and meditative exercises. <br />Sounds quite hyp - no - t i c ... Z zz z<br />~ <b>OMK</b>Ol' Man Keith https://www.blogger.com/profile/02073553138045178596noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-81199060652134737522019-07-22T14:48:31.412-05:002019-07-22T14:48:31.412-05:00As a young teenager, one of my good friends was a ...As a young teenager, one of my good friends was a novice ham operator. He had a beginning outfit that could send and receive, mostly Morse code. I spent the night from time to time. We woke up one wintry morning with snow beginning to fall. He left the room for a few minutes. I turned on his receiver and hid his code practice key under the covers. I could see a paper with the alphabet and the corresponding code dots and dashes. When he came back in the room, I had had receiver turned on to receive some background static noise. I began using the practice key hidden under the covers so it seemed as if it was coming from his receiver. I could see snow flakes beginning to fall outside the window. I began send Morse code with the hidden practice key about the new snowfall and anything else I could think of. He got a pencil and began writing down my decoded messages. He was very excited to be eavesdropping on some local person's ham transmissions. I enjoyed fooling him very much since he often got the better of me.Bill Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04495413609545426668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-51124244976207954042019-07-22T14:42:45.385-05:002019-07-22T14:42:45.385-05:00Quicky today though "a bit tricky in spots.&q...Quicky today though "a bit tricky in spots."<br /><br />Nothing to add. Except... What happened to J.B. Holmes?<br /><br />WC<br />ReplyWilbur Charleshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08905123297841127198noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-9307299273401655912019-07-22T14:29:19.697-05:002019-07-22T14:29:19.697-05:00Swampcat,
Sorry about your injury. But you sure ar...Swampcat,<br />Sorry about your injury. But you sure are lucky to be able to go to the WW II Museum whenever you want. And an annual membership is only $50. What an amazing space. I wish I had been in New Orleans for a month and been able to go to that museum every day. It sure brings home both the human bravery and devastation of that war.John Ehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11749033788619334396noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-9144495169797581452019-07-22T14:28:26.079-05:002019-07-22T14:28:26.079-05:00Mark - first, thanks for stopping into The Corner ...Mark - first, thanks for stopping into The Corner today - nice to see you. Second, I'll second Rich, it is elegant in the simplicity and executed well; nice balance of slang, trivia, misdirection(ish) [I'm looking at those nuts, er TREES], and normal words. The only "pop-culture" (other than Potter) was MELROSE Place that even I, living under a rock, have heard of; no perps required.<br /><br />D-O: LOL re: city planning. When I was in Aberdeen, some old Churches had been converted to bars/clubs - It was odd swigging a pint while looking out stained glass but TWO birds, one stone! It was a very SPIRITual :-)<br /><br />Cheers, -TAnonymous Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00459563526290288425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-87917749683581254182019-07-22T14:26:18.658-05:002019-07-22T14:26:18.658-05:00I liked this puzzle but overthought the theme. Upo...I liked this puzzle but overthought the theme. Upon solving MASON-DIXON I thought we were going for pairs of names, such as SMOOT-HAWLEY, SARBANES-OXLEY, MCCAIN-FIENGOLD, etc. I'm very happy with the ON END construction, though. Thank you, Mark, for a fun puzzle.<br /><br />Thank you, Boomer, for the delightful write-up.<br /><br />Thank you, Gary and TTP, for helping out.<br /><br />LW and I have been considering the Subaru Outback, which is actually officially categorized as a STATION WAGON. As such, the insurance is less than if it were deemed to be an SUV. It gets very good ratings, like its little brother the Forester.<br /><br />We don't have an ATTIC as such either. Just a trap door in the hallway ceiling leading to nothing but lots of wood with nails sticking out and lots of insulation that you want to avoid touching because if you do touch it you'll be itching for a week.<br /><br />When I was in 8th grade my dad wanted me to become a HAM. I tried, but my heart simply wasn't in it. I lost interest quickly, but learned a lot about radio and electronics that stuck with me for the rest of my life.<br /><br />Our friend's Weimaraner dog, like all of that breed, has a very loud and sonorous bark. To our ears he says "Woof woof!" rather than "Arf arf." He acts all aloof 'n' stuff but he really loves the company of people he knows and trusts and never turns down a nice tummy rub.<br /><br />Good wishes to you all.Jaycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15906163232315177399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-61129810884204022262019-07-22T14:08:14.459-05:002019-07-22T14:08:14.459-05:00Anon-T, last time I visited Germany DW had a numbe...Anon-T, last time I visited Germany DW had a number of churches on her "bucket list." I learned that there's almost always a tavern next door to a large church -- excellent city planning, IMO. I'd park myself in the tavern while she visited the church, and we'd both have a good time. While she was saying whatever it is you say in church I was saying, "Ein helles, bitte."desper-ottohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242581085713882677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-85360112090207164362019-07-22T14:05:48.048-05:002019-07-22T14:05:48.048-05:00Thanks, all, for the kind words and other comments...Thanks, all, for the kind words and other comments. Editor Rich made an interesting comment in his acceptance email of this one: " "... it seemed almost too simple at first, but it's an elegant theme, nicely executed". I'm not sure I agree with the "elegant" description, but it was definitely simple, and as noted several times above a bit tricky in spots. Tune in next Monday!Mark McClainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13106712629076081204noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-89921971877048951642019-07-22T13:58:36.148-05:002019-07-22T13:58:36.148-05:00Lucina, I also initially tried LEMON MERINGU (oops...Lucina, I also initially tried LEMON MERINGU (oops!). Wite-Out, please.<br /><br />PK, glad it finally dried out enough to get your wheat crop harvested. Funny, my mom always hoped my crops would fail.<br />desper-ottohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17242581085713882677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-71690295024231968542019-07-22T13:49:19.430-05:002019-07-22T13:49:19.430-05:00Hi All!
Started the puzzle before going to breakf...Hi All!<br /><br />Started the puzzle before going to breakfast with Eldest and finished it in the Dentist's waiting room. Apparently, whatever the dentist had to do, only 1/2 my mouth was up for it today; gotta go back <i>again</i>! I invited our Dental friend over for Pizza tonight.<br /><br />Thanks Mark for easing us into the week and thanks Boomer for kickin' off the After Party with your wry commentary.<br /><br />WOs: I had OPT crossing itself for a moment; I forgot the second T in STATION WAGON so made up for it with another G; ALTo; SHOeIN; CHaFFON.<br />ESPs: NELLIE, DRACO took 4 perps.<br /><b>Fav</b>: NEATO just 'cuz Boomer gave us Maynard G.<br /><br />Swamp - That's awful! I hope they comp'd the ride to atone for your dignity.<br /><br />Boomer - I was going to say the same OC4 did re: hot-spot on iThing for internet in a pinch.<br /><br />PK - Good news on the harvest and taxes :-)<br />TTP - LOL Unscathed...<br />C, Eh! - Ha! good or poor. MAYbe it was my impending appt. but ORAL was top of mind for me.<br /><br />HG - I too thought of Hitchcock at CAMEO. Great minds, eh? <br />BTW, thanks to you & TTP as I was mostly un-plugged for a few days working on a project with a special bit of evil. //It will snarf all Bluetooth in range and display it on a 7" monitor. Sure, it's been done b/f, but I'm doing it with a <b><a href="https://www.raspberrypi.org/products/raspberry-pi-zero-w/" rel="nofollow">Pi-0w.</a></b> [insert maniacal laughter here] <br /><br />ATTIC - we have a split level. One level is accessed through the pull-down steps; the other though a crawl-hole in the guestroom closet. All the mechanicals are up there so little room for storage.<br /><br />YR - I loved Risk. Alas, it was the gate-way drug to <b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LQVE7ynwKlE" rel="nofollow">Axis & Allies</a></b> [10:28]. In HS, my buddies and I would play Friday / Saturday nights and the melee would go on for 6-8 hours. It's a wonder any of us even met a girl much less ENDed up married.<br /><br />Um, YR - $275 for "protecting your network" sounds like a scam. IIRC, you have a regular tech that comes out on occasion. Get him/her out pronto! This "Trojan finder" may be installing more Trojans. //ironically, my Splunk tee-shirt today says "Find your Achilles Heal before a Trojan does" :-)<br /><br />I'll go to Aldi's iff I want European foods that I can't get at H.E.B. Hence, not often. Oh, and you have to pay $0.25 for a cart?!?. //you get it back when you return the cart but who walks around with a quarter in their pocket? I had to go back to the car and rob the ashtray. <br /><br />EINE - so that's what I was saying when I ordered a beer during my one week in Germany [NATO exercises]. I also learned you count beginning with your thumb - hold up two fingers and you get three beers - which wasn't altogether a Bad Thing(TM).<br /><br />Cheers, -TAnonymous Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00459563526290288425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-7298074974797573342019-07-22T13:01:05.910-05:002019-07-22T13:01:05.910-05:00
This Monday puzzle went quickly despite carelessn...<br />This Monday puzzle went quickly despite carelessness.<br /><br />Markover....ROMA/ROMO....d’oh.<br /><br />Now I want a Lemon pie.<br /><br />See you tomorrow. AnonymousPVXhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10078186298428497941noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-71810576829987206982019-07-22T12:54:04.424-05:002019-07-22T12:54:04.424-05:00Hi everybody.
Thanks Mark and Boomer for the enjo...Hi everybody.<br /><br />Thanks Mark and Boomer for the enjoyable Monday outing. Also, thanks Boomer for identifying yourself at the top of your write-up. <br /><br />TTP, speaking of too much perfume, a lady who often came to a tennis workout I attended would douse herself with an expensive and strong-smelling vanilla-flavored perfume. As she would work up a little bit of a sweat, the smell would become overwhelming for me. I had a hard time even being on the same side of the net with her. <br /><br />Many years ago, I came across a perfume mentioned in passing in one of the original James Bond novels. I took a chance and got it as a present for Barbara. It was called Vent Vert and became a favorite of both of ours.Bill Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04495413609545426668noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-18911585392202505382019-07-22T12:49:40.484-05:002019-07-22T12:49:40.484-05:00Hola!
Thank you, Mark McClain and Boomer! Your hu...Hola!<br /><br />Thank you, Mark McClain and Boomer! Your humor is hilarious, Boomer.<br /><br />It was fun filling this grid, quickly and easily. Hand up for trying meringue and then running out of spaces. Oh, CHIFFON.<br /><br />I did not know the state bird of Minnesota nor DRACO as clued, but both perped easily and with just a few letters I guessed.<br /><br />NOODGE and ALTI's grocery are unfamiliar to me. They must be regional.<br /><br />Yesterday, I worked on the puzzle all day off and on because I had company. My sister had spent the night with me, then she and my niece came over for brunch. Busy time. The devilish puzzle beat me to a pulp since I do not know the various moons for each planet which I deduced was the theme. Finally I looked them all up.<br /><br />In this grid, EEOC beat me as I had NSA not NSC.<br /><br />PK:<br />I add my relief to yours that your crop was harvested. Yea!<br /><br />Boomer and C.C.:<br />I'm sorry to hear of your internet problems and glad that Gary and TTP stepped up to help. Yea team! <br /><br />I hope all are enjoying this glorious day!Lucinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16278649651081244724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-17339128431708105182019-07-22T12:26:30.197-05:002019-07-22T12:26:30.197-05:00Really nice puzzle today from Mark. Boomer, as usu...<br />Really nice puzzle today from Mark. Boomer, as usual, did a great job in explaining the grid and adding a lot of fun facts.<br /><br />I got the theme early with MASON DIXON, so it was easy to verify the other long ON and ON phrases today.<br /><br />I've heard the term NOODGE, but don't use it to describe what I would call a PITA, more commonly known as a Pain In The Ass.<br /><br />Back in the 70's I had a big Chevy Station Wagon that was a tank with a Big Block 454 engine that got a whopping 11 mpg. I bought it before the gas crisis hit so I wasn't worried about the mileage then. I was able to do a number of mods on the engine that ultimately upped my mileage by about 30% to 14 - 15 mpg. It was a great car which I finally replaced with a conversion van in the mid 80's to haul my kids and their soccer teams around the countryside.<br /><br />Boomer: If an IBar is made out of iron or steel, does that mean that it is a GrayBar? <br /><br />Boomer: Also, do you have a cell phone that you can use for internet access with a hot spot capability. I periodically have internet outages with my DSL, but I can turn the hot spot on on my IPhone and then I have internet access for my computer and IPad. I cancelled my Comcast internet at the beach house and just use my hot spot while I'm there.<br /><br />Re: Languages and animals. In this area the local police departments use the Belgian Malinois dog breed as bomb sniffing dogs that were bred and initially trained in Belgium using the Dutch language. Therefore, all of the commands that they respond to are Dutch words which the police handlers have to learn. These dogs cost about $10,000 to buy and another $10,000 to $25,000 for handler and dog training. <br /><br />Rain and mid 70's here today. The heat wave has been broken at last. Have a great day everybody and stay cool.<br />oc4beachhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06568497002517859531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5995532066584316410.post-2301566381357230592019-07-22T12:25:53.211-05:002019-07-22T12:25:53.211-05:00My keyboard on my Kindle stopped working last nigh...My keyboard on my Kindle stopped working last night. I called tech support who found a Trojan in my network. No data had been stolen so far. Whew! He is now installing network security for all my linked devises at a cost of $275. Plus $480 car repair Saturday plus quarterly taxes on the first. I thought I was doing so well.Yellowrockshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09590216912123103432noreply@blogger.com