Fans of the NY (Football) Giants feel about yesterday’s season’s opener the same way the Dems felt about Biden’s debate performance. A disaster of epic proportions. Get the pads on, Kamala!
Is the puzzle trying to THROW SHADE at us here at Owl Chatter? Yesterday we had DOOFUS (“Ding-dong”), and today we have CHUCKLEHEAD (“Numbskull”).
To “throw shade” means to disrespect or insult someone in a subtle way. It was the theme of the puzzle today because “shaded” squares contained different ways of “throwing.” Chucklehead contained CHUCK. Lobster roll contained LOB. Sandcastle contained CAST; and hog heaven contained HEAVE.
The puzzle was Monday-level easy, it seemed to me. I was able to complete it using only down clues, which is rare — I usually need at least a little help from the crosses. But one clue/answer seemed beyond Monday level. The clue was “{ }, in math.” And the answer was NULL SET. Maybe I was just absent that day? (Judy — any thoughts? Should I know that?)
In the short time I’ve been a member of the Dull Men’s Club (UK), I’ve noticed that every post containing a question receives an answer from Chris Bater simply saying “I don’t know.” It’s kind of funny. It’s kind of his way of saying hi, I guess. It’s certainly harmless. It’s comforting in a way — he’s a consistent friendly presence. Anyway, it must have rubbed someone the wrong way because a complaint was lodged against him with the Club’s administration. In response, he received a beautiful (IMO) outpouring of support, including from moi. Here are some of the comments:
David Fullard wrote: At almost 77 I still enjoy the freedom of expression we have. Within the parameters of legality and non offensiveness of course. Personally I welcome folk with ‘different strokes’ please let’s be open minded about harmless slightly esoteric responses.
Scott Nathan said: I’m in the middle of writing a coffee table book filled with his plethora of knowledge and wisdom. He’s becoming somewhat of a legend in my life. [When asked what the title will be, Scott said, “At the moment, I don’t know.]
Kriss MacHenry: It’s his catchphrase. He’s a legend in my house.
Treasaigh Dubhthaigh: It makes me laugh, — well, it’s more of a dull chortle, but still…
Angela Barrow: Always a pleasure to hear from Chris Bater, never a chore. Long may he not know 
Listen to this! — Andrew Rainford wrote: I once challenged the Great Man to ‘go on Chris, have a guess’ when he pronounced uncertainty on a particular topic. His reply excoriated me by its succinctness and wisdom. What I took from it is that Chris Bater doesn’t go in for frivolous guessing.
And Chris himself replied to that with “correct.”
This is what I posted: Sometimes “I don’t know” is the best answer. I had a law partner who would make things up to tell clients to avoid admitting he didn’t know something. He was — what’s the word? — an idiot. And eventually got into trouble. People should respect an admission that you don’t know something. Nobody has perfect knowledge. Plus, it’s funny in this context, here in our beloved club. We need more humor in this world.
Chris himself posted a lovely note: Thank you All for your kind words and support.
Anybody hear of Kacey Musgraves? No? She’s a singer/songwriter who won a Grammy for Best Country Album about ten years ago, and six more since then. She just released her sixth studio album. She’s 36, from Texas, and divorced.
Needless to say, living under my rock, the name meant nothing to me. But that’s all ending tonight at 7:30, assuming I can haul my tuchas over to the Prudential Center in Newark. Some nice folks from Hunter can’t make it, so they made their tix available, and I grabbed them. Full report to follow. (No matter how horrible she may be, it can’t be worse than watching the Jets game.) Here she is from a big feature on her in Elle three years ago. Jeez Louise — another knockout.
See you tomorrow!
The Wellington Files 