I spent much of this day on my newest project that I’ll document in my weekly woodworking blog that drops every Tuesday at 10am PT. When the time changes after Halloween, it still will be at 10am PT, but t will be PST rather than PDT. I don’t know why we don’t have PDT for forever like we’d told the California legislature that we approve them to do.
I pulled out 76D Abacus piece: BEAD because I thoroughly enjoy the Arrested Development gag.
The title of this puzzle is Common Core. Because teaching to a test is always the way to make sure students learn, but if there are no standards, how do we make sure things don’t go off the rails? I’m just glad that I don’t have to make education policy. I’m sure that Joy Resmovits has more to say on this topic.
23A Meaningful work?: ROGETSTHESAURUS. Until I was in my early 20s, I thought that Roget was pronounced as written. Like Rodget’s. During a discussion with my dad, I said something about Roget’s (pronounced Rodget’s) Thesaurus, and he started to ridicule me. As this is an infrequent activity of his, I was confused as to why. “I’ts pronounced ro-ZHAY.” I didn’t believe him because why would that be? These are English words. But it was ro-ZHAY all along.
36A Ballet supporter, e.g.: PATRONOFTHEARTS. I know ballet is hard to do, but I know that I want to go to the ballet. I’d rather support the magical arts.
63A Present without being present: THEREINSPIRIT. Good name for a Halloween-themed band.
87A Ritzy transports: CHARTEREDPLANES. I want to take a private jet one day. I don’t want to pay for it, but maybe I’ll get to go on a trip with someone?
106A You wouldn’t want them to have a crush on you: BOACONSTRICTORS. This reminds me of a thing that was brought to my attention by William Goldman’s book Which Lie Did I Tell? More Adventures in the Screen Trade:
Okay. This is from a supposed U.S. Government Peace Corps manual. It is given to volunteers who work in the Amazon jungle. It tells what to do if an anaconda attacks you. In case you don’t know much about them, maybe this will help: they are the largest snakes in the world, they can grow to thirty-five feet, can weigh four hundred pounds.
Email hoax reprinted in William Goldman’s book Which Lie Did I tell? More Adventures in the Screen Trade
This is what the manual said:
1. If you are attacked by an anaconda, do not run. The snake is faster than you are.
2. Lie flat on the ground. Put your arms tight against your sides, your legs tight against one another.
3. Tuck your chin in.
4. The snake will come and begin to nudge and climb over your body.
5. Do not panic.
6. After the snake has examined you, it will begin to swallow you from the feet. Permit the snake to swallow your feet and ankles. Do not panic!
7. The snake will now begin to suck your legs into its body. You must lie perfectly still. This will take a long time.
8. When the snake has reached your knees, slowly and with as little movement as possible, reach down, take your knife and very gently slide it into the snake’s mouth between the edge of its mouth and your leg. Then suddenly rip upwards, severing the snake’s head.
9. Be sure you have your knife.
10. Be sure your knife is sharp.
There was a metapuzzle in there with four clues.
This puzzle has five Diagonal clues, in addition to Across and Down.
Diagonals (in mixed order):
1) Breakfast side dish: BACONSTRIPS.
2) Compassionate: SOFTHEARTED.
3) Nickname for Mars: THEREDPLANET.
4) Starts drinking: HITSTHESAUCE.
5) Truly magnificent: AWEINSPIRING.
Finished this one in 26:11.
| Day | This Wk | Best | Average | 4-Wk Avg | Streak |
| Monday | 4:41 | 3:49 | 9:23 | 5:15 | 78 |
| Tuesday | 9:11 | 5:22 | 13:13 | 9:53 | 2 |
| Wednesday | 15:34 | 7:38 | 17:03 | 15:57 | 19 |
| Thursday | 12:21 | 12:12 | 28:20 | 26:54 | 5 |
| Friday | 17:33 | 10:29 | 30:58 | 17:30 | 19 |
| Saturday | 20:11 | 20:11 | 32:48 | 31:59 | 19 |
| Sunday | 26:11 | 15:11 | 52:41 | 40:33 | 6 |