Owl Chatter is broadcasting tonight from the historic Middlebury Inn in Vermont. We attended the memorial service for Susan today, who passed away in January. It was a warm and loving tribute. The first thing Robert said was that Susan would not have wanted it. But he rigged the election.
Today’s puzzle just ran me ragged — couldn’t finish. “Capital on the Caspian.” BAKU — gimme a break. “HOYEON Jung, ‘Squid Game’ actress.” Right. And I just couldn’t get them from the crosses.
I liked 36A. The clue was “Don’t make me laugh,” and the answer was OH, PUHLEASE.
25A was good too — “What might turn pie into pieces?” — AUTO COMPLETE.
Yesterday, “Spending excessive time reading negative news online,” was DOOM SCROLLING. Had you heard of it? It led to some good comments:
First, Joaquin wrote:
“At my age, DOOMSCROLLING means spending a half hour scrolling down the list to finally arrive at your birth year.”
Then, I love this note by egsforbreakfast:
What Joaquin cleverly noted about DOOMSCROLLING brought to mind one of my pet peeves. Why do you have to go down to your state alphabetically on 90% of websites that ask for an address? If you live in Washington, as I do, it takes around 5 seconds extra vs an Alabamian. If you figure you’re doing this a couple of times a week for 60 years or so, you end up being penalized around one day of your life for living in Washington. So I’m hereby demanding that web developers incorporate a random order generator so that all states average the same (25th) place in the list. Maybe it’s 27th or 28th if you include Puerto Rico, DC and the territories. You get the idea. I have incorporated a 501(c)3 to pursue this goal. It is known by the backronym WAR BS, for Washingtonians Advocating Randomness Between the States.
Two great Yiddish words were in the puzzle Friday. “Faints from emotion” was PLOTZES, and “Bagel shop request” was SCHMEAR.
The 41st annual Mermaid Parade in Coney Island this weekend brought out hundreds of thousands of spectators. Word of it had not reached me under my rock before. It sounds wild. Owl Chatter sent our fearless photographer Phil this year. Nice shots, Philly!
Thanks for stopping by!
The Wellington Files 