"Hotlinks" - June 25, 2021

[Bob cruise director]

On shore. Fun one from Mr Berry.

Page one finish and not included in the "on shore" count. Maybe I need to use bigger font for my posts

Sorry - bigger font always helps my aging eyes

[SReh26]

There is nothing like a weekend morning with coffee , cheese breakfast pastries and a completed meta.

Plus today is yoga day- no more poems.

[rosiegirl]

Thanks to a nudge, I made it to shore last night just in time to enjoy the end of the bonfire on the beach.

[Joe Ross]

Major league baseball made a major league mistake when they limited each team to only four minor league teams. Minor league teams are not only feeders for players but also fans. We took the kids and the grandkids to the Lowell Spinners many times and they loved the Canagators and dogs catching frisbees - not to mention affordable food. (background - the city of Lowell on the Merrimack River had a lot of mills and a lot of canals, hence Mr. and Mrs Canagator and then a baby canagator)

I go to as many of our local minor league team's home games as I can, and always bring my scorer book. One time I was there with one of my exes and was keeping score... I had to go get a beer, so I taught her some of the basics -- HBP, 5-3, K-2, etc. -- and left. A couple minutes later I came back with my beer and checked the book when she handed it over. "Cool," I said, "You're at the right batter and the outs match the scoreboard... but wait... when I left, the runner was at first, and now he's at second. How'd he get there?" Looking at the book, I see she'd written "HJW." "HJW?" I ask. "What's that?" She says "He just went." A couple more notes. Our team -- the Utica Blue Sox -- was once co-owned by Bill Murray, who sang the National Anthem at a game once, and this summer, the Hall of Fame will be welcoming Larry Walker, who played his first pro baseball game for the Utica Blue Sox in 1985.

My mom almost always brought her scorer book to any games we went to as a kid. And they were never major league where I grew up, usually little league. She said it kept her from getting bored.

As extended 2021 Dad's Day continues (so far we've had dog-friendly Wednesday night down to West Side Brewery and nine holes at the beautiful Devou Park last Sunday + an upcoming July 4th weekend with my daughter in Greenville, SC, when we'll take-in a BoSox feeder Greenville Drive game), my twin twerp sons + a girlfriend will be taking me to Phillies v. Reds, tomorrow night. You've all inspired me to demand they spot me a scorecard, along with food & libations.

In honor of muggles, moms, dads, husbands, wives, and generous, loving twerps world-wide, I will toast you all with every sip and notation of every pitch, out, hit, score, play, & RBI. Hoping to score the best play in baseball - F8 8-2 DP ③ - to end the game in the top of the ninth.

[lbray53]

I am on shore at #178 but do not see myself on the "shore report". I MAY be listed as lbary? Small matter.

[Susan Goldberg]

🛥

Somewhat lost at sea.
Last week’s was easier for me.
Sunday night solves are the most thrilling!
So no nudge for me.

I’m with you - last week was fine; this week is a huge problem. Lost at sea, but not giving up yet!

[Ben B]

Alas we are lost at sea again this week. Maybe one last idea but unfortunately not much time today to explore it. But Isaac is good company. Looking forward to zooming with Mr Gaffney! Happy Sunday Muggles.

[Fishoutowater]

Onshore at last. Figured out the path but made a silly error and had to get unstuck from that to get to the beach. Will watch the NL today with a clean mind and a cocktail!!!

[mntlblok]

On shore. I was trying to make a MGWCC week five out of this. Four pages of notes. When I finally simplified my method I found the answer in five minutes.

Four pages??!!

[mntlblok]

I'd appreciate a nudge. I'm lost on this one.

So, does that sort of announcement get one nudged? Looks like it could yield near infinite nudges - or none. . .

[mntlblok]

Is it a faux pas to bring a crossword (or two) to a baseball game?

A faux pas? Most certainly not! Your friends and family will soon get used to seeing you working on a puzzle at ANY sporting or social event. You should develop an "elevator speech" explaining to them that even though it LOOKS like the puzzle is complete, this is not a normal crossword. At this point there's a really good chance their eyes will glaze over; if not, you may have identified a prospective Muggle.
As our Cruise Director pointed out, I have brought my puzzle clipboard along to Date Night, restaurants, volunteer board meetings, fundraising galas, my nephew's track meets, family get-togethers, road trips, airplanes, the gym ... the list goes on.

Looks like I woulda learnt of the existence of such a concept prior to now. Always happy to learn. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elevator_pitch

[mntlblok]

My wife loved that about your ex. She can relate. For 50 years she has asked why the second baseman does not stand on second base.

Could be accused of a shift?

[Al Sisti]

One more. In Thin Lizzy's song "Jailbreak," they sing "Tonight there's going to be a jailbreak/Somewhere in this town..." Uh, "somewhere in this town"? Could that place be, oh, I don't know; the jail? Okay, I feel better now.

Any dud lyrics by Thin Lizzy are completely nullified by this: Phil Lynott & Gary Moore doing "Parisienne Walkways"

... and the eerily similar post-TL Gary Moore song Still Got the Blues

[mntlblok]

...He always played "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree".

Okay, here's my gripe about that song/band. "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" is used as a way of telling me you still want me. The next "hit"? "Knock Three Times," as in "Knock Three Times on the ceiling if you want me; twice on the pipes if the answer is no." Apparently talking to each other is straight out. One more. In Thin Lizzy's song "Jailbreak," they sing "Tonight there's going to be a jailbreak/Somewhere in this town..." Uh, "somewhere in this town"? Could that place be, oh, I don't know; the jail? Okay, I feel better now.

The song that irritates me is Escape (the pina colada song). An unhappy couple, trying to cheat on each other, then they are happy to learn they didn’t know anything about each other but they like the same things. Quite improbable in my opinion!

Then I bet you don't care for Who's The Blonde Stranger?

[Joe Ross]

Ashore, battered & bent.

Knew what I had to do in a general way. Couldn't do it. Remembered a major rule of engagement.

Excellent puzzle.

[Bob cruise director]

I'd appreciate a nudge. I'm lost on this one.

So, does that sort of announcement get one nudged? Looks like it could yield near infinite nudges - or none. . .

And that is why we strongly urge someone who wants a nudge to PM someone who is on shore

[Bob cruise director]

I am on shore at #178 but do not see myself on the "shore report". I MAY be listed as lbary? Small matter.

That is you. My fingers flipped the letters but that is corrected now.

[Bob cruise director]

I go to as many of our local minor league team's home games as I can, and always bring my scorer book. One time I was there with one of my exes and was keeping score... I had to go get a beer, so I taught her some of the basics -- HBP, 5-3, K-2, etc. -- and left. A couple minutes later I came back with my beer and checked the book when she handed it over. "Cool," I said, "You're at the right batter and the outs match the scoreboard... but wait... when I left, the runner was at first, and now he's at second. How'd he get there?" Looking at the book, I see she'd written "HJW." "HJW?" I ask. "What's that?" She says "He just went." A couple more notes. Our team -- the Utica Blue Sox -- was once co-owned by Bill Murray, who sang the National Anthem at a game once, and this summer, the Hall of Fame will be welcoming Larry Walker, who played his first pro baseball game for the Utica Blue Sox in 1985.

My mom almost always brought her scorer book to any games we went to as a kid. And they were never major league where I grew up, usually little league. She said it kept her from getting bored.

As extended 2021 Dad's Day continues (so far we've had dog-friendly Wednesday night down to West Side Brewery and nine holes at the beautiful Devou Park last Sunday + an upcoming July 4th weekend with my daughter in Greenville, SC, when we'll take-in a BoSox feeder Greenville Drive game), my twin twerp sons + a girlfriend will be taking me to Phillies v. Reds, tomorrow night. You've all inspired me to demand they spot me a scorecard, along with food & libations.

In honor of muggles, moms, dads, husbands, wives, and generous, loving twerps world-wide, I will toast you all with every sip and notation of every pitch, out, hit, score, play, & RBI. Hoping to score the best play in baseball - F8 8-2 DP ③ - to end the game in the top of the ninth.

One of the best center field arms is Jackie Bradley who was with Boston but is now with Milwaukee. Too bad he can not hit consistently.

Have a great time. and thank for all you do for the muggles

[mntlblok]

In honor of muggles, moms, dads, husbands, wives, and generous, loving twerps world-wide, I will toast you all with every sip and notation of every pitch, out, hit, score, play, & RBI. Hoping to score the best play in baseball - F8 8-2 DP ③ - to end the game in the top of the ninth.

And *this* one belongs to the Reds. Lots of folks don't realize that Al Michaels spent some time there. Oh, and "the old left-hander, rounding third and heading for home". Oh, and once sat in the outfield behind Vada Pinson.

[Hamrock]

Still LAS. I have what everyone has but have no clear path. All my multiple manipulations have got me so tangled I cant see straight. Guess I'll just enjoy the cruise! Lol