This piece from tomorrow’s Met Diary was shared by Katie Bucaccio.
Dear Diary:
It was summer 2014, and I was in my twenties. I was subletting a tiny, windowless bedroom in South Williamsburg.
One August morning, the heat was so oppressive in that little room that I left the shift dress I was wearing unzipped as I got ready for work, intending to zip up right before leaving.
The commute into Manhattan for what was my first real 9-to-5 job included a 20-minute walk to the Bedford Avenue L station. I was always drenched by the time I got there.
When the train finally pulled in that morning, riders were packed in like sardines. I squeezed my way into a car, and we rumbled off through the tunnel.
“Excuse me,” I heard a man behind me say.
The car was too crowded for me to turn around to face him, but I glanced over my shoulder to see that he was about my age.
“Your dress is unzipped,” he said.
My cheeks, already flushed from the heat, got redder as I blushed from embarrassment. I tried to reach behind me, but I couldn’t grasp the zipper.
“Do you want me to . . . ?” he asked tentatively.
“Oh, yes. If you don’t mind,” I said. “Thank you.”
He zipped me up, and we rode silently the rest of the way into Manhattan.
This is how a story in the NYT on the war in Ukraine opened today: “Sen. JD Vance outlined a peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. But objectively, it sounds a lot like Vladimir Putin’s.”
Hmmmm. Can’t quite put my finger on what’s troubling there. Will have to give it some thought.
Here’s a shot of Zelensky and the missus. Looking good kids!
In the wake of Tyreek Hill’s controversial stop by the police on his way to the Dolphin’s game last week, NY Jets coach Robert Saleh gave NJ State Troopers a list of 17 members of the Jets he’d like to have pulled over and held this Sunday until the game is over.
According to NBC news, a truck carrying over 500,000 shrimp valued at more than $300,000 was stolen in Middlesex NJ last week.
This little fella was left behind.
Authorities have placed all suppliers of cocktail sauce on high alert.
There was a neat juxtaposition in the puzzle today. At 16A the clue was “Many Renaissance thinkers,” for POLYMATHS, which means “a person of great and varied learning.” That was right next to “Baseball mascot with a fluffy green snout.” (Phillie PHANATIC) He’s a Phillymath!
At 27A the clue was “Job that anyone could see themselves doing?” And the answer was WINDOW WASHER.
Commenter Lewis reminded us of a clue this constructor came up with back in February: It was “Wind up alone?” Answer: FLUTE SOLO.
If you are a creative cluer, coming up with something for the answer “NYT” could be a challenge. Here’s what Christina Iverson came up with in today’s puzzle: “It once ran the headline ‘Santa Dies on Xmas Trip’: Abbr.” It wasn’t a joke story. Take a look. It’s from 1913.
Hold on a sec, readers. I have to check on that window washer of ours. “You missed a few spots, Francois.”
At 4D the clue was “Where the average American lives,” and the answer was ANYTOWN USA. It prompted egs to ask: Does anyone live in ANYTOWN anymore anyway?
On this date in 1741, Handel’s Messiah was completed. Charles Jennens finished the text in July and gave it to Handel, hoping for the best. It took Handel 24 days of furious writing to complete it. It debuted in Dublin at Easter. The event attracted 700 people; to accommodate such a crowd, gentlemen were asked to leave their swords at home, and ladies were requested to remove the hoops from their skirts.
Hey, little girl –lose that hoop if you want in.
Matthew Spriggs of the Dull Men’s Club (UK) sang the praises of his CPAP machine for his sleep apnea. Before he got it, he would have 86 episodes an hour while he slept, in which he stopped breathing for ten seconds or more.
Yikes! Here’s Matthew:
Also from the DMC (UK), Dawn Stewart posted: Went to make cheese on toast this evening… on going to the condiments cupboard I failed to locate any Worcestershire sauce… I know I bought a bottle in 1993! I wasn’t aware I would need to purchase a second bottle in this lifetime!
Mary Pickens replied: You do. Grow up.
And the response to that was: No! It’s a trap!
See you tomorrow!
The Wellington Files 