I think Brooke was invited because the kerfuffel gave both of them a publicity bounce... and why have one bounce when you can have two?

I have cheated. I found a completed puzzle. But, I'm using it sparingly, only when I'm at my most frustrated.

I'll send it to anyone who asks.

t /enabler

I like watching all the puzzle enthusiasm.

I have thought the same thing about Katie and PPD. I seriously doubt Katie got any meds, though, but maybe it gave Cruise a little understanding of why a person would take them, if that person were not morally opposed.

You really cannot overstate Scientology's or Cruise's opposition to psychiatry, particularly medication. It's like unto a (conservative to moderate) Christian's belief in the resurrection. To give Cruise his due though, I seem to recall he went to Brooke and apologized for his tirade, soon after he let it loose. I expect he invited her to help repair his broken image, and Brooke, as someone who spent way too much time in the spotlight, is just cool beans.

As with any other short term obsession--as soon as people finish the puzzle and/or get burned out on it, it will vanish completely. I know I can't keep up this kind of intensity on any one thing too long.

From fractal pie:

The thing they don't tell you about fractals is just how sharp and dangerous they are. I mean, you think you have a pretty good grasp of the mathematical analysis but until a piece of metal with a very high perimeter to surface area ratio tears into your flesh, you're really missing intuitive appreciation for objects that lack continuous derivatives almost everywhere.

(Caveat - I corrected a misspelled word and capitalized some things because they drove me crazy. Otherwise, a direct quote.)

Now I want pecan pie. But not sweet pecan pie. I want the unattainable perfect-for-me pecan pie.

I keep getting outraged that clues I think are perfect are not there. Like time on the on the clock page.

That is annoying msbelle. Some of the other connections are so far over my head - I feel kinda stupid. Still. Fun.

Need any other hints?

I heard somewhere (I think on Countdown) that Katie Holmes became friends with Brooke Shields either at the hospital or soon after in post-birth bonding, so Tom probably had to suck it up and apologize.

until a piece of metal with a very high perimeter to surface area ratio tears into your flesh, you're really missing intuitive appreciation for objects that lack continuous derivatives almost everywhere.

Heh.