Tuesday, July 16, 2019 Jennifer Lee & Victor Galson

I Feel Good.    Ah, the dreaded Circle puzzle.   The letters in the circles are anagrams of feelings.  Sadly, most of the anagrammed feelings shown today are not pleasant ones.

17-Across. "La La Land" Oscar nominee: RYAN GOSLING.  As in ANGRY.

But how can you be angry with Ryan Gosling?

25-Across. Obsolescent coin-op communication device: PAY PHONE.  As in HAPPY.

47-Across. Secondhand rides: USED CARS.  As in SCARED.

55-Across. Eerie stillness: DEAD SILENCE.  As in SAD.

And the unifier:
34-Across. What a bittersweet moment may evoke ... and a hint to each set of circled letters: MIXED FEELINGS.

The above graphic shows regions of the body whose activation is either increased or decreased when feeling the emotion.  The graphic is from a journal article by Lauri Nummenmaa, and can be found in the January 14, 2014 issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.  I'd link the article, but the blog isn't cooperating with links and videos today.

Across:

1. Singer LuPone: PATTI.  Patti LuPone (née Patti Ann LuPone; b. Apr. 21, 1949) played the role of Eva Perón in the Broadway production of Evita.  She later played the mother on the television drama Life Goes On.

6. Certain Jamaican, religiously: RASTA.

11. Dol. parts: CTS.  100 Cents makes up 1 Dollar.

14. Get-go: ONSET.

15. Predictable: USUAL.

16. Poke bowl fish: AHI.  Poke bowls are becoming very trendy.  Poke (pronounced "po-kay") means "to cut" or "to slice crosswise" in Hawaiian and is a raw sliced fish dish.  I first had poke when visiting in Hawaii and it was delicious.

19. Gym exercise unit: REP.  As in a Repetition.

20. Beat in a hot dog contest: OUT EAT.  The Annual Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest was held earlier this month ~ on July 4th.  The winner downed 74 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes.  Wouldn't you rather slow down and enjoy your food?

21. Farm yield: CROP.

Crop Circles

22. Singer Styles and illusionist Houdini: HARRYs.  I am not familiar with Harry Styles (b. Feb. 1, 1994).

Harry Styles

Harry Houdini

Harry Houdini (né Erik Weisz; Mar. 24, 1874 ~ Oct. 31, 1926) was a well known illusionist.  I learned recently that he had a younger brother who was also a magician and illusionist.  His brother went by the name Theodore Hardeen (né Ferenc Dezső; Mar. 4, 1876 ~ June 12, 1945).

Harry and Theodore

28. Fateful March day: IDES.  Beware the Ides of March.  Actually, each month has an ides, which is the middle of the month.  March is particularly fateful because it is the traditional date that Julius Caesar was killed.

29. Not timely, as a birthday wish: BELATED.

30. African adventure: SAFARI.

Not to be confused with the Web browser.

33. Jazz great Fitzgerald: ELLA.  Elle Jane Fitzgerald (Apr. 25, 1917 ~ June 15, 1996) and I have become good friends.  This is the third time she has made a guest appearance on a day I prepare the blog commentary.

39. "I don't believe you!": LIAR.  See, even feelings can arise when thinking about a liar.

40. Rudely sarcastic: SNARKY.

42. "Dirty" drink: MARTINI.

46. Two of a kind: PAIR.

49. Bites (on): CHOMPS.

51. Eye covers: LIDS.

52. Dr. Seuss' real last name: GEISEL.  We remember Dr. Seuss (né Theodor Seuss Giesel; Mar. 2, 1904 ~ Sept. 24, 1991), as a children's author.  Before he began writing children's literature, however, his early work was much darker, discriminatory and was often censored.

54. Chocolate dog: LAB.

60. Swelled head: EGO.

61. NOW co-founders: WOMEN.  NOW stands for the National Organization for Women.  It was founded in 1966 by 28 women, including Representative Shirley Chisholm (1924 ~ 2005), Betty Friedan (1921 ~ 2006), and Pauli Murray (1910 ~ 1985).

62. Ski run bump: MOGUL.

63. __ screen: medical test for poisons, etc.: TOX.

64. Nonreactive, as gases: INERT.  The inert gasses are on the far right of the Periodic Table.  They include Helium, Neon, Argon, Krypton, Xenon, and Radon.

65. Uppity types: SNOBS.  They probably have swelled heads.

Down:

1. Spanish "for": POR.  Today's Spanish lesson.

2. "Pick a card, __ card": ANY.

3. Homeland Security screening org.: TSA.  As in the Transportation Security Administration, which is housed in the United States Department of Homeland Security.

4. Jazz ensemble instrument: TENOR SAX.

5. PC troubleshooter: IT GUY.  As in the Information Technology Guy, more commonly known as the Techie.

6. Trick: RUSE.

7. __ on the wrist: A SLAP.

8. Befitting: SUITABLE.

9. Sun-lover's hue: TAN.

10. "Solve for x" subj.: ALG.  As in Algebra.

11. Snack for Bugs: CARROT.

12. Dream partner: THE ONE.  Cute clue.

13. Drank daintily: SIPPED.

18. Tie-breaking NHL periods: OTs.  As in Over Time periods in the National Hockey League.

21. When doubled, a Latin dance: CHA.  The dance is the Cha-Cha.

22. That dude's: HIS.

23. 2018 Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee Driver: ADAM.  Adam Driver (b. Nov. 19, 1983) received the Best Supporting Oscar for his role in BlacKKKlansman, in which he played a white undercover police officer who infiltrated the Klan on behalf of his black partner.

24. Int.-lowering mortgage deal: RE-FI.  As in ReFinancing the mortgage.

26. Hollers: YELLS.

27. Like the nose on your face?: PLAIN.

31. Ancient artifact: RELIC.  Ancient Relics may appear where you least expect them.

32. Menzel who voices Elsa in "Frozen": IDINA.  Idina Menzel (b. May 30, 1971) had been in many Broadway musicals.

33. Racket end?: EER.  As in Racketeer.

35. Legitimate target: FAIR GAME.

36. Custard-filled pastry: NAPOLEON.  Yummers!

37. Mass unit: GRAM.

38. Uno card: SKIP.  I can't remember the last time I played Uno, so didn't remember this card.

41. Nos. on wine labels: YRS.  As in the Year of the vintage.

42. Short-in-front, long-in-back men's hairstyle: MULLET.  Definitely NOT the Dream Partner.

43. Crumbly Italian cheese: ASIAGO.

44. Netflix competitor: REDBOX.  Redbox began as a DVD rental service found in malls and grocery stores.  They now offer a streaming service.

45. QB stats: TDs.  A football reference to the Quarter Backs and Touch Downs.

48. Ritual Jewish meal: SEDER.  Here is a brief explanation of the items found on the SEDER plate.  There are at least 5 items on the Seder plate: (1) a Shank Bone; (2) an Egg; (3) Bitter Herbs, also known as mayor; (4) vegetable; and (5) Charoset, a sweet mixture generally made of fruits and nuts.  Many seder plates all include an additional bitter herb.

49. Long-running forensic series: CSI.  Stands for Crime Scene Investigation.  I watched the original show for a few years when it first came on in the early 2000s, but lost interest after a few years.  The show ran for 15 years.

50. Command posts: HELMS.  Hi, Spitzboov!

53. Stevie Wonder's "__ She Lovely": ISN'T.  I'l play the clip for you but the I can't get the video portion to play for me today.

55. Sobriety checkpoint initials: DWI.  As in Driving While Intoxicated.

56. Loooong time: EON.

57. Nonprofit aid gp.: NGO.  As in a Non-Governmental Organization.  A brief history of the NGO.

58. Baby bear: CUB.

59. Raised railroads: ELs.

The El in Chicago.

I hope this puzzle left you feeling Happy.  I known I am happy.

And here's the grid:

I'll leave you with a QOD:  Every once in a while, someone will mail me a single popcorn kernel that didn’t pop.  I’ll get out a fresh kernel, tape it to a piece of paper and mail it back to them. ~  Orville Redenbacher (né Orville Clarence Redenbacher; July 16, 1907 ~ Sept. 19, 1995)

Tuesday, July 9, 2019, Gail Grabowski and Bruce Venzke

Man's Best Friend.  The last word of each theme answer can precede the word Dog to give us a new and common phrase.

I'll start with the unifier today.

54-Across. Pretend to be wealthy, in old slang ... and a hint to words that end answers to starred clues: PUT ON THE DOG.

According to a number of sources, the idiom Putting On the Dog is uniquely an American expression.  It was first recorded in print in the early 1870s in a book entitled Four Years at Yale, and it means "to make a flashy display."  It may derive from the popularity of lap dogs during the 1860s and 1870s.  Because a lap dog was considered to be pampered, "putting on the dog" was a way of showing off.

20-Across. *  Hit the roof: BLOW ONES TOP.  As in the Top Dog - Number 1 Best!

38-Across. *  Goes on a winning streak: GETS HOT.  Could also be parsed as Get Shot, but that doesn't fit the theme.  Hot Dog.  Hi, Misty!

11-Down. *  Old Spice rival: RIGHT GUARD.  Both Right Guard and Old Spice are deodorants.    Guard Dog.

29-Down. *  Photogenic evening event: SETTING SUN.  Sun Dog.  Everything you always wanted to known about a Sun Dog, but were afraid to ask.

Across:
1. Tampa NFLers: BUCS.  As in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.  Their logo is fierce.  Hi, Tin!

5. Copier powder: TONER.

10. Like much testimony: ORAL.

14. Sundance Film Festival state: UTAH.  This is an annual event that takes place in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah.  Next year the film festival will run from Thursday, January 23, 2020 through Sunday February 2, 2020.  It is a showcase festival for American and foreign independent filmmakers.  Get your tickets now!

15. Virtuosic piece: ÉTUDE.

16. Document with an executor: WILL.  As in your Last Will and Testament.

17. Celeb's wheels: LIMO.  As in a Limousine.

How classy!

18. Angry diner patron's decision: NO TIP.

19. French Toaster Sticks brand: EGGO.  Leggo my Eggo!

23. Barn bale: HAY.  Round or Square?

24. Spring flower: IRIS.  Things you didn't know about Van Gogh's Iris paintings.

25. Turned to compost: ROTTED.

27. Pretend to be: POSE AS.  Can you spot the differences in these pictures?

30. Word with call or ritual: MATING.  As in a Mating Call or a Mating Ritual.

32. Rudder's region: STERN.  Hi, Spitzboov!

33. Religious faction: SECT.

34. Ballet skirt: TUTU.  //  Not to be confused with 42-Across.  Fictional terrier from Kansas: TOTO.

37. Museum display: ART.

41. Satisfied exhalations: AHs!

44. Picture of health?: X-RAY.

45. Kiddie-lit brutes: OGRES.

47. "Famous potatoes" referred to in a license plate slogan: IDAHOS.  My Own Private Idaho.

49. Rubble-lifting machine: LOADER.

50. Movie theater: CINEMA.  Where you go to see a film at the Sundance Film Festival.

52. __ bath: therapeutic soak: SITZ.  Believe me, you don't want to see a picture.

53. Energy unit: ERG.  An Erg is the amount of work done by a force of one dyne exerted for a distance of 1 centimeter.  The word erg comes from the Greek word for work.

60. Arnaz of early TV: DESI.  Desi Arnaz (Mar. 2, 1917 ~ Dec. 2, 1986) was the husband of Lucille Ball and played her husband, Ricky Ricardo, on I Love Lucy.  Sadly, their marriage in real life was not a happy one.

62. Anwar of Egypt: SADAT.  Muhammad Anwar el-Sadat (Dec. 25, 1918 ~ Oct. 6, 1981) was the 3rd President of Egypt.  He worked to make peace with Israel, and in 1978, he shared the Nobel Peace Prize with Israeli Prime Minister, Menacham Began.  Three years later, Sadat was assassinated  by one of his countrymen while celebrating the annual event marking Egypt's crossing of the Suez Canal during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.

63. U2 lead singer: BONO.  His given name is Paul David Hewson (b. May 10, 1960).

64. Sufficient, briefly: ENUF.  Enuf said!

65. Bike for a tyke: TRIKE.

66. Shamu was one: ORCA.

67. Rooms with recliners: DENS.

68. Take the wheel: STEER.  I initially tried Drive, but I guess we were looking for a more bovine answer.

69. RR depot posting: SKED.  As in the schedule.

Down:
1. Daffodil-to-be: BULB.

2. Electric co., e.g.: UTIL.  As in a Utility.

3. Covert ops garb: CAMO.  I was thinking a little more Cloak and Dagger, so initially tried Cape.  (Look closely.)

4. More flamboyant: SHOWIER.

5. Nadal's sport: TENNIS.  Rafael Nadal (b. June 3, 1986) is a professional tennis player.  He has won 18 Grand Slam singles titles.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Roger Federer

6. Great Plains natives: OTOES.

7. Tree-borne allergen sources: NUTS.

8. Tweak, as text: EDIT.

9. Work under, as a manager: REPORT TO.

10. Have bills to pay: OWE.  I owe, I owe, so off to work I go!

12. Pool owner's concern: ALGAE.  It's hard work to keep a pool algae-free.

13. "Airplane!" actor Bridges: LLOYD.  Lloyd Vernet Bridges, Jr. (Jan. 15, 1913 ~ Mar. 10, 1998) was the father of actors Beau and Jeff Bridges.  Airplane! is a very funny movie.

21. Indonesian ape: ORANG.

22. Luau finger food: POI.  When I tried poi, it was more like the consistency of humas, not something that one would eat with one's fingers.

26. Blowup letters: TNT.  As in TriNitoToluene.

27. Natl. Merit Scholarship qualifying exam: PSAT.  The Preliminary SAT is a standardized test administered by the College Board and is co-sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.

28. Other, in Oaxaca: OTRO.  Today's Spanish lesson.  Oaxaca is is a city in central Mexico known for its colorful buildings made from greenish volcanic stone.

30. Western plateaus: MESAS.

31. Like overworked muscles: ACHY.

33. Houston MLBer: 'STRO.  As in the Houston Astros Major League Baseball team.  Note, however, that the official logo doesn't abbreviate the name.

35. You, quaintly: THEE.  I initially tried Thou.

36. Cold War country: Abbr.: USSR.  As in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or in the alphabet used in Russia, the country would have been known as Союз Советских Социалистических Республик.

39. Drains of energy: EXHAUSTS.

40. One in a comb row: TOOTH.

43. Glorifying verse: ODE.  A crossword staple.

46. Open-sided structures also called summerhouses: GAZEBOS.  Do you know the difference between a Gazebo and a Pergola?

48. Sound system part: AMP.

49. Leave a paper trail?: LITTER.  My favorite clue of the puzzle.

50. Formally gave up: CEDED.

51. Goddess of peace: IRENE.  Good night!

52. Slithering reptile: SNAKE.

55. Fruit pastry: TART.  Yummers!

56. Drooling toon canine: ODIE.  Garfield's chum.

57. Nerdy sort: DORK.

58. Back in the day: ONCE.  Once upon a time there was, "a king!", my little readers will instantly exclaim.  No, children, you are mistaken.  Once upon a time there was a piece of wood.  **  To which  children's story are these the opening lines?

59. Egg on: GOAD.

61. "No __, ands or buts": IFs.


And here's the Grid:

I'll leave you with a QOD:  If you haven’t found something strange during the day, it hasn’t been much of a day.  ~  John A. Wheeler (né John Archibald Wheeler; July 9, 1911 ~ Apr. 13, 2008), American theoretical physicist

**  Pinocchio.

Note from C.C.:

Happy Birthday to dear Tony (Anonymous-T), our generous and caring geek friend. Tony wrote a program that eased up our blogging considerably.

At Wit's End near Carmel on Father's Day 2017