I'm Puzzled

An earlier editor of the NY Times crossword puzzle was Eugene T.  Maleska who practiced his craft from 1977/1993. He prided himself, where possible, of solving clues with single words. But on 11/26/86 he "puzzled" me. He asked for the given name of a L.A. Rams football star whose nickname was "Crazylegs" Hirsch. As a keen follower of the game I knew his name to be "Elroy". - but Maleska said it was "Leroy" which worked for his puzzle frame but confounded me. I never forgave him for his fallibility but I continue to accept the challenge daily - even using a pen.
tjs

A Bridge too Far

The British tax authority has ruled that Duplicate Bridge cannot be considered a sport for tax exemption as it did not "qualify because it did not involve much physical exertion" and because it was "characterized by a physical element that appears to be negligible." Perhaps he has never been kicked under the card table by a frustrated partner - where I trumped (small t) her ace. The plaintiff also appealed that the "sport" was an excellent way of improving mental acuity and delaying the onset of dementia. Remembering 52 cards would challenge even a Vegas veteran. I pass. Hail Brittania!
tjs

Amazon Key

As online shopping explodes there is concern that packages linger for long hours outside the home where they are subject to theft or rain.  Now, if customers give permission, Amazon's couriers will unlock the front doors and drop packages inside when no one is home. For $250. they will supply a kit with a smart lock and an indoor security camera. Trust them, like you do the Uber driver. But what happened to their drone idea? Of course, you may have to restrain the dog and hope the cat doesn't flee. Aint Amazon amazin'.
tjs

Primarily Political XXXIII

Trump vs Corker - where does one start? I agree with Katy Tur that Potus is using recycled insults.
When he says that the Senator could not be elected dog catcher he is reaching back to the school yard.
Next he will be tweeting "Ya mother wears Army shoes!" Of course, since Corker has his goat he might have been elected goat herder. We yearn for the clever insult. When Churchill was young he sported a tiny mustache. At a town meeting he was confronted by an irate woman who told him "I don't agree with your policy and I don't like your silly mustache." Churchill replied "Madam, it is unlikely that you should ever become familiar with either.
tjs

Screwed in Paris

An acquaintance booked an AirBnB weekend in Paris and proceeded to purchase the wine & cheese but with the owners absent, could not locate a corkscrew on the premises. Mon dieu! This reminded me of the time some years ago when I vacationed in the Poconos of Eastern Penna. The housing was rustic with cabins in dorm style for eight occupants. This area attracted many New Yorkers who were unfamiliar with the strict Penna. laws on wines and spirits. One new found friend drove 12 miles into town to purchase a case of beer in cans. This was before the advent
of the flip top can and he failed to realize he needed a punch type can opener. Panic ensued. The tool selected was the number two iron from his golf bag. He was about to peel Piels. The resultant explosion coated the bedroom walls with foam. As my old sales manager used to say "Ya gotta know the territory" - and never go out without your trusty Boy Scout penknife.
tjs

"The Sound of Silence"

In the title song Simon & Garfunkel proclaimed that "The words of the prophets are written on the subway walls." During and after our last election a local writer taped a hand written sign on the white tiles in the Union Square subway station "Express yourself!" This urging to practice "free speech" resulted in thousands of sticky notes being posted on the walls and many are being preserved by the New York Historical Society. Some samples:
-Doubt is a sign of your intelligence.
-A candle loses nothing by lighting another.
-Maybe it's time to get to know the other half of the country.
tjs
Ref. - Signs of hope:Messages from Subway therapy (Bloomsbury) Matthew Chavez.

Sexual Harassment

This subject is in the forefront today and has been a long time coming. When I first worked in New York circa 1975 my employer had a two man personnel department. Human Resources was still a dream. However, twenty years later my next employer had a full blown Human Resources department with employee manuals covering every contingency. They also held sessions on Sexual Harassment in the workplace - attendance was mandatory - which included role playing. For some reason I was always assigned the role of the harasser. Perhaps it was my gray hair and maturity that gave me away but I really think it was my Lt. Colombo raincoat that sealed the deal. After a few sessions I went out and bought a new raincoat.
tjs

Primarily Political XXXII

Quotes of the day:

President Trump speaks in hyperbole. - Sen Cassidy (R) La.

Re: M.A.G.A. - You can't have greatness without goodness. - Rich Lowry - Politico.
tjs

A Melting Pot

A recent visit to New York City gave evidence of the diversity of nationalities and religions sharing the same sidewalks and bike lanes. The hospital we visited had five elevators - one designated as a

Sabbath elevator and as we were leaving on a Saturday we were told that that car was programmed to stop at every floor so that people practicing religious beliefs would not have to touch the "buttons". I had not heard of the practice and at first thought a child might be playing the "button" trick. In a related vein, the NY Times ran a recent article on a course sponsored by a Jewish non-profit that teaches dogs commands in Yiddish.
As Jack Paar used to say "I kid you not!"
tjs

72 hours in Manhattan

I last worked in Manhattan in 1979 and we returned there last week to witness and celebrate the birth of our first grandchild. We noticed that while the crowds have grown the sidewalks have not kept pace. During our stay we managed to visit the Plaza Hotel for old time's sake. The Palm Court still serves tea but the violins are gone. And they have moved the restrooms to a lower level to discourage walk-ins. A small oval bar sits in the center offering recharge outlets under the bar presumably to keep you from leaving. On the beverage menu liquid Manhattans are priced at $24. and if you have to ask you don't belong there.
On the hotel scene I was prepared for State Tax, City Tax, Room occupancy tax but a buck fifty for bed tax was a surprise. And our Uber driver played classical music for us. It is truly the City that never sleeps.
tjs

Longevity

Dateline - Liechtenstein - Baron von Falz-Fein, the prominent sponsor of that country's Olympic Team, just celebrated his 105th birthday. He attributes his longevity to "the succor of honey and Ovaltine." Ovaltine! Who knew - they were the sponsor for the radio broadcasts of "Little Orphan Annie" in the 1930s - and it having its own longevity. Those Russians in the Steppes rave about their yogurt and the Japanese pride their fish diet, but there is something in that Alpine air to combine with Ovaltine that creates that magic that the Baron touts.
tjs

The 21 Club

Recently, Donald Trump was heard criticizing his team for a delay in performing a task saying that the 21 Club restoration was done faster. The famous eatery and former speakeasy located at 21  W. 52nd Street in Manhattan was refurbished in 2015 but not done so quickly. The midtown location was notable for the metal jockeys standing sentry on its steps each bearing the racing colors of various stables of the period i.e. The Vanderbilts, Phipps family, etc. During the restoration these statues were removed for repainting and patching and were absent for three months July/October 2015. Perhaps POTUS never ventured near a race track and never experienced the thrill of booting home a winner. Sad!
tjs
P.S. - The writer had the pleasure of having lunch
at this emporium once - recommend their hamburger.

America's Pastime

The NY Yankee manager yanked his starting pitcher in the sixth inning after only 77 pitches to disastrous results. C'mon man, this is a nine inning game - and it's the Playoffs. Back in the 1950s the Brooklyn Dodgers came into Philly for a Sunday double-header. Big Don Newcombe pitched and won the first game for Brooklyn. After a half-hour and a change of shirt he started the second game and as I recall pitched into the middle innings before being relieved. He and his rotund battery mate, Roy Campanella, didn't have a weight room, or a jacuzzi, or a dietician - they just played the game in their hot flannel uniforms. How the game has changed!
tjs

A Play on Words

Quotes of the week:

Bob Schieffer, the CBS emeritus, in describing Donald Trump's 2016 campaign: "from the inane to the profane."

Jennifer Finney Boylan in describing the next presidential election: "In the year 2020 - the year of perfect hindsight."

The Manhattan District Attorney reminds us that not every lie is a crime.

Just a few nuggets among the maze!
tjs