Across
1. Long-necked instrument SITAR
The sitar has been around since the Middle Ages. The sitar is a stringed instrument that is played by plucking, and is used most often in Hindustani classical music. In the West we have been exposed to the instrument largely through the performances of Ravi Shankar and some music by George Harrison of the Beatles, a onetime student of Shankar.
6. Spiced beverage CHAI
Chai is a drink made from spiced black tea, honey and milk, with "chai" being the Hindi word for "tea". We often called tea "a cup of char" growing up in Ireland, with "char" being our slang word for tea, derived from "chai".
17. Archers' protection THUMB RINGS
An archer uses a ring made perhaps of leather, wood or metal on the end of the thumb on the hand that pulls back the bowstring. The ring protects the skin of the thumb when using the technique known as a “thumb draw”, using the thumb as the predominant digit when pulling back the bowstring.
24. L.A.-based comedy troupe THE GROUNDLINGS
The Groundlings is an improv comedy troupe based in Los Angeles that was formed in 1974. The troupe’s name comes from a line from the famous “Speak the speech” speech Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”. The particular line is:
Oh, it offends me to the soul to hear a robustiousThe term “groundling” as come to refer to any member of a theater audience who sits in the cheap seats.
periwig-pated fellow tear a passion to tatters, to very rags, to split
the ears of the groundlings, who for the most part are capable of
nothing but inexplicable dumb-shows and noise.
36. Fla. airport MIA
Miami International (MIA) is the largest gateway airport between Latin America and the US, and as such has a higher percentage of international flights than any other airport in the country. Only New York’s JFK handles more international passengers than Miami Airport.
37. Sign of summer LEO
Leo is the fifth astrological sign of the Zodiac. People born from July 13 to August 23 are Leos.
38. Classic 1958 Chinua Achebe novel ... and a hint what literally happens in 17-, 24-, 50- and 61-Across THINGS FALL APART
Nigerian novelist Chinua Achebe was born in the Igbo region in the south of the country. His first novel was “Things Fall Apart” (1958), a book that has the distinction of being the most widely read in the whole of African literature.
43. MLB team whose home scoreboard is updated by hand BOS
The scoreboard at Boston’s Fenway Park is hand-operated, and was installed in 1934. Back then, the lights used to indicate balls and strikes were considered pretty leading-edge technology.
44. Prom rental TUX
The style of men's evening dress called a "tuxedo" was apparently first worn to a country club event in 1886 in New York. The use of a dark dinner jacket without tails became fashionable at the club with the members, and the tradition spread from there. The country club was located in Tuxedo Park, New York, giving the style of dress its name.
46. "Wheel of Fortune" buy AN I
Contestants have been spinning the “Wheel of Fortune” since it first aired in 1975.
55. Vermeer's "__ With a Pearl Earring" GIRL
Johannes Vermeer was born in the city of Delft in 1632, and died there some 43 years later. I just love Vermeer's paintings, and his wonderful use of light. A great example of such a work is his "Girl with a Pearl Earring". If you haven't seen it, I thoroughly recommend the 2003 movie "Girl with a Pearl Earring" starring Scarlett Johansson as the girl in the painting, and Colin Firth as Vermeer. The movie is based on a novel of the same name by Tracy Chevalier, so it's all just a great story as opposed to a documentary. The way the movie is shot really reflects the qualities of a Vermeer work of art. And, my wife and i are planning on taking a peek at the original painting “Girl with a Pearl Earring” in a couple of weeks as it is visiting one of our galleries here in San Francisco.
56. GI entertainer USO
The United Service Organization (USO) was founded in 1941 at the request of FDR "to handle the on-leave recreation of the men in the armed forces". A USO tour is undertaken by a troupe of entertainers, many of whom are big-name celebrities. A USO tour usually includes troop locations in combat zones.
57. Sénat vote OUI
The French Senate (Sénat) sometimes votes “yes” (oui) and sometimes “no” (non).
59. Bear up there URSA
The constellation called Ursa Major (Latin for "Larger Bear") is often just called the Big Dipper because of its resemblance to a ladle or dipper. Ursa Major also resembles a plow, and that's what we usually call the same constellation back in Ireland, the "plough".
Ursa Minor (Latin for “Smaller Bear”) sits right beside the constellation Draco (Latin for "dragon"). Ursa Minor used to be considered the wing of Draco, and so was once called "Dragon's Wing". The tail of the “Smaller Bear” might also be considered as the handle of a ladle, and so the constellation is often referred to as the Little Dipper.
61. Magi THREE KINGS
"Magi" is the plural of the Latin word "magus", a term applied to someone who was able to read the stars. Hence, magi is commonly used with reference to the "wise men from the East" who followed the star and visited Jesus soon after he was born.
65. Verb, for one NOUN
The word “verb” is a noun.
66. One-named supermodel IMAN
Iman Mohamed Abdulmajid is a supermodel from Somalia who goes simply by the name "Iman" these days. Iman is smart cookie. Imam has a degree in Political Science and is fluent in five languages: Somali, Arabic, Italian, French and English. Since 1992 Iman has been married to British rock star David Bowie.
68. Canadian coin that's no longer produced CENT
The Canadian government removed the one-cent coin from circulation in 2012. It was probably a good idea, given that each “penny” cost 1.6 cents to produce.
69. Blog entry POST
Many folks who visit this website regard it as just that, a website. That is true, but more correctly it is referred to as a blog, as I make regular posts (actually daily posts) which then occupy the "front page" of the site. The blog entries are in reverse chronological order, and one can just look back day-by-day, reading older and older posts. “Blog” is a contraction of the phrase "web log".
70. Yankee manager before Girardi TORRE
As a manager, Joe Torre was part of four World Series wins, all of them with the New York Yankees baseball team. Torre is an Italian American who was born in Brooklyn, New York. During the run up (pun intended!) to the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Torre carried the Olympic flame part of the way through Florence in Italy, handing it over to the next runner at the famous Ponte Vecchio. I'd guess that was quite a thrill for him ...
Joe Girardi is the manager of the New York Yankees baseball team, having taken over from Joe Torre in 2007. Girardi opted to wear the number 27 on his uniform, a visible reminder of his plan to lead the Yankees to their 27th World Series win, a feat that was achieved in 2009.
Down
1. Rogen of "Pineapple Express" SETH
“Pineapple Express” is a 2008 action comedy film starring Seth Rogen and James Franco. It’s also described as a “stoner” movie, meaning that the plot somewhat revolves around the use of cannabis. Not my kind of film …
5. Bull Run soldier REB
Manassas, Virginia was the site of two major battles during the Civil War, the First and Second Battles of Bull Run (also known as the Battles of Manassas). In the first battle, one of the southern brigades was led by Brigadier General Thomas Jackson. His brigade was well-trained and disciplined, so much so that as the Union troops made advances, a fellow-general encouraged his retreating men to hold their positions yelling "There is Jackson standing like a stone wall. Let us determine to die here, and we will conquer". There are reports that the actual quote was less complimentary, but regardless, from that day on Jackson was known as "Stonewall".
6. Casual pants CHINOS
Chino is a twill cloth most often used to make hard-wearing pants. The pants have come to be referred to as “chinos”. Chino cloth was originally developed for use by the military, but quickly became popular with civilians.
7. Believer in karma HINDU
Karma is religious concept with its basis in Indian faiths. Karma embraces the notion of cause and effect. Good deeds have good consequences at some later point in one's life, future life, or afterlife and vice versa.
8. "Life of Pi" director Lee ANG
Taiwanese director Ang Lee sure has directed a mixed bag of films, mixed in terms of genre but not in terms of quality. He was at the helm for such classics as "Sense & Sensibility" (my personal favorite), "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", "Hulk", "Brokeback Mountain" and "Life of Pi".
The 2012 movie “Life of Pi” is based on a 2001 novel of the same name by Yann Martel. The “Pi” in the title is an Indian boy called Pi Patel who finds himself adrift for 227 days in small boat with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
10. Early game console ATARI
I remember being really addicted to the Atari video arcade game called “Asteroids” back in the early eighties. Apparently I wasn’t the only one, as “Asteroids” turned out to be Atari’s best selling game of all time.
11. One of Hogwarts' four houses RAVENCLAW
In the “Harry Potter” series of books, the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is divided into four houses:
- GryffindorEach student is assigned to a house by the Sorting Hat. The Sorting Hat initially placed young Harry into Gryffindor House.
- Hufflepuff
- Ravenclaw
- Slytherin
12. Nov. 2013 Twitter milestone IPO
An Initial Public Offering (IPO) is the very first offer of stock for sale by a company on the open market. In other words, an IPO marks the first time that a company is traded on a public exchange. Companies have an IPO to raise capital to expand (usually).
Twitter made its debut on the New York Stock Exchange in November, 2013. Twitter shares opened at a price of $26 and closed that day at $44.90 giving the company a market capitalization of $24.46 million. The company posted a loss of $511 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Some things I just don’t understand …
18. Outback order RARE
Outback Steakhouse is a chain of restaurants that was established in 1987, with the first Outback opening in Tampa, Florida. Outback serves largely American food in an Australian-themed dining locale.
25. Prince Harry's alma mater ETON
The world-famous Eton College is just a brisk walk from Windsor Castle, which itself is just outside London. Eton is noted for producing many British leaders including David Cameron who took power in the last UK general election. The list of Old Etonians also includes Princes William and Harry, the Duke of Wellington, George Orwell, and the creator of James Bond, Ian Fleming (as well as 007 himself as described in the Fleming novels).
Prince William is second in line to the British throne, after his father Prince Charles, with Prince Harry holding the third spot. Prince Harry moved down the list when William and Kate had their first child George. The law was changed in 2011 so that the oldest child of Prince William and Kate Middleton would be next in line, regardless of sex. Up until 2011, sons took precedence, even over older daughters.
26. Pagoda instrument GONG
Pagodas are tiered (“storied”) towers found in various parts of Asia, usually built for religious purposes.
27. Singer Young NEIL
Neil Young is a singer and songwriter from Toronto, Ontario. Young is known for his solo work, as well as his earlier recordings with Buffalo Springfield and as the fourth member of Crosby, Stills & Nash. Young is also a successful movie director, although he uses the pseudonym “Bernard Shakey” for his movie work. Included in his filmography are “Human Highway” and “Greendale”.
34. Platter player PHONO
“Phonograph” was an early name for what became known as a gramophone and later a record player. Famously, the phonograph was invented in 1877 by Thomas Edison.
35. 1992 Crichton novel involving a fictional Japanese company RISING SUN
“Rising Sun” is a 1992 novel by Michael Crichton about the investigation of a murder that takes place at the Los Angeles headquarters of a Japanese company. The book was adapted into a 1993 film of the same name starring Sean Connery and Wesley Snipes. Not a bad film, I thought, but a better novel …
42. Drudge PEON
A peon is a lowly worker with no real control over his/her working conditions. The word comes into English from Spanish where it has the same meaning.
47. Sable or mink FUR
Sables are small mammals about two feet long, found right across northern Europe and northern Asia. The sable’s pelt is highly prized in the fur trade. Sable is unique among furs in that it feels smooth no matter which direction it is stroked.
There are two species of mink extant, the European Mink and the American Mink. There used to be a Sea Mink which was much larger than its two cousins, but it was hunted to extinction (for its fur) in the late 1800s. American Minks are farmed over in Europe for fur, and animal rights activists have released many of these animals into the wild when raiding mink farms. As a result the European Mink population has declined due to the presence of its larger and more adaptable American cousin.
51. 2014 World Series winning team member GIANT
The 2014 World Series was contested by the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals. The Giants emerged victorious, clinching the series in the final game.
54. Cotton candy, mostly SUGAR
What we call “cotton candy” here in the US has some interesting names in the rest of the world. Back in Ireland it's candyfloss, and in France it "barbe à papa" (Dad's beard). In Australia it is called fairy floss, which is actually the original name for cotton candy, first used when it was introduced at the St. Louis World's Fair in 1904.
59. Chapel Hill sch. UNC
The University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill started enrolling students way back in 1795, making it the oldest public university in the country (the first to enrol students).
60. School of tomorrow? ROE
Fish roe might turn into a school of adult fish.
62. Med. care provider HMO
Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
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