On this date in 1952 Anne Frank’s diary was published in English. It was published in Dutch in 1947. Sixteen different American publishers rejected the English translation before Doubleday picked it up; one reader at Alfred A. Knopf dismissed the book as “very dull.” In the Dull Men’s Club (UK), of course, that’s considered high praise.
“As long as this exists,” I thought, “and I may live to see it, this sunshine, the cloudless skies, while this lasts, I cannot be unhappy.” The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quite alone with the heavens, nature, and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature. As long as this exists, and it certainly always will, I know that then there will always be comfort for every sorrow, whatever the circumstances may be. And I firmly believe that nature brings solace in all troubles.
Daniel Leaney of the Dull Men’s Club (UK) has asked for advice.
After 40 years with my wife, I have come to the conclusion that’s she’s “gone bad.” I have just noticed that ,,, She chews ice cream ,,, that’s not normal.
Here are some of the dullest comments:
Eric Armitage: Is that a euphemism?
Anne Warner: Open the door, walk out, don’t look back. This is just the start of madness.
John Hodgson: Sort all those commas out then get back to us.
Kieran Madden: The triple commas are far far far stranger and more baffling than chewing ice cream. SERIOUSLY WHAT IS IT WITH THE TRIPLE COMMAS WHY DO PEOPLE DO THAT? Sorry. I’ve been bottling up the bafflement for too many years.
Avi Liveson: Must be commatose, no?
Ashley Gray: If that’s all you’ve noticed after 40 years then you’re very fortunate… After 40 years I’ve noticed everything.. every tiny little annoying thing… even things she doesn’t do annoy me.
Philip Gleeson: I did my dessert-tation on this. I’ll give you the scoop. There is no rum or raisin to this behaviour! I know it’s cold but, she’s gone bad.
Anne Warner: I was watching Bargain Hunt today, one team had bought Ice Cream Forks – Forks! What’s that all about?
Christine Everest: Jason Momoa bites ice cream.
Jason Andreoli: Mine once took a bite out of a complete KitKat, right across all four fingers. It’s sensible to ignore these things as pointing them out never ends well.
Lainey Sobe: The horror!
Avi Liveson: I didn’t know they are called “fingers.”
Do you know the expression “to clean his clock” in the sense of beating him pretty badly? “I thought Johnny could hold his own against Max, but Max really cleaned his clock.” It may come from boxing with the reference to a (clock’s) face getting beaten up.” Anyway, it was the puzzle theme today. CLEAN ONE’S CLOCK ran down the center of the grid, clued with “Beat an opponent soundly.” Then two theme answers were HAND SOAP and FACE WASH. Get it? A clock’s “hands” and “face” are getting cleaned. Commenter Lewis said the soap should be “Dial.”
Walking thru Macy’s in the mall today, a young woman sprayed some perfume on Linda’s wrist. It was nice. I asked her how much it cost and she said a half-ounce cost $85. I said “$85!! What the hell’s in it — eggs??”
Headlines from The Onion:
Handwriting Expert Confirms Killer Used Cursive
Study: People Far Away From You Not Actually Smaller
We took advantage of being retired and went to see a movie in the middle of the goddamn day. Sinners. You hear about it? Yikes. Very high Rotten Tomatoes scores both from critics and audiences. Very intense. An odd blend of old Black Blues musicians and vampires. (Not kidding.) Excellent performances by everyone — even the secondary roles, — and a brilliant production. Because of the importance of music to the film, we were glad we saw it in a theater, and one that had excellent sound. My only regret is that I’m not smarter — I got the feeling I missed a lot of its meaning. Should probably read a bunch of reviews now. Here’s Hailee Steinfeld, below. When she’s not smooching up Michael B. Jordan, she hangs out with Bills QB Josh Allen, proving, for the 8 billionth time, that the quarterbacks get all the pretty girls. (Her dad’s Jewish, BTW, so I’m claiming her for us.)
In the puzzle today, at 43D the clue was “Lollygag,” and the answer was DAWDLE. Son Volt put his finger on the perfect song link. But this version is not by the Lovin’ Spoonful. It’s the Tedeschi Trucks Band. It’s a long version, and I love it and was very happy to see it through. Ten bonus points to any chatterhead who can figure out what rhymes with “dawdled” in the song. (Answer tomorrow.)
That’s enough nonsense for today. Thanks for coming by.
The Wellington Files 