I'm in Stamford. As I was approaching the hotel entry a woman asked me if I was here for the competition. She was delighted I was here as a cheerleader. Told me how excited she was for her first time. Quite a few people look like that is why they are here. Nice bar downstairs at The Stamford. I was amused that she picked me out as a possible competitor.

ETA: I told Brendon he has to take pictures since I always forget.

Go crosswordistas and supporters! I hope you all have a great weekend!

I thought for a second you were talking about what it would take for B to retire...

-t continues to be my brain-sibling. No smacking Brendon with a 2x4!

From Rae's bio:

"Bad puns and dad jokes"

One of us, one of us!

You left out this part: "One session is all it takes to see why her clients gave her the nickname 'The Pilates Domme' ”. She is totally going to snap you like a twig. Or bend you in half. (Or both; I don't know a lot about pilates.)

Both. It's both.

Signed, my sister-in-law has been teaching Pilates since before it was cool. Many a laugh has been had at the Cadillac. It really, really, really looks straight out of the dungeon.

Aww, wish I could be two places at once and be at the crosswords this weekend in addition to my friend’s birthday cabin.

I am in the hopping burg of Stamford -- it actually is pretty hopping. So many people at the hotel for this thing! Elevator doors decorated with big crossword grids. Cute!

We had a delicious and delightful dinner with Vortex, Laura & DH, Brenda, Jesse, Javachik, and me at an Albanian restaurant right near the hotel (thanks for finding that, Javachik!), and now it's bedtime. A good night's sleep before the big competition, dontchaknow.

I'll post pictures in the FB group.

I am in the hopping burg of Stamford -- it actually is pretty hopping. So many people at the hotel for this thing! Elevator doors decorated with big crossword grids. Cute!

Fun!

I'll post pictures in the FB group.

Thank you!

There is a certain comfort level and warmth when gathering with Buffistas. Lazily drinking coffee this morning and sending ~ma to the competitors. Thank you Jen for making it happen!

There is a Hands Off protest march here today from Mill River Park to the WWE Headquarters. My legs won't take me that distance so I am considering my options. The number one reason for my commitment to diet this time is my inability to walk any distance. I used to be able to walk 26.2 miles! Now I can do about a quarter mile. When I drop the weight my joints will be forever grateful. I'll be sure to go to the gym here and do my PT.

I keep saying I want to go to the crossword competition, but I never get organized enough to actually do it.

There's a protest downtown today, but there's also a ton of rain, and the river is predicted to flood, and I think I'm going to have to sit this one out.

In awful news, my brother's eldest son was just arrested after a big drug bust. Several agencies, couple hundred thousand in drugs, 886K cash found in his home and storage. WTF, man! That is a new level of stupid. I expect his 25 year old son was clueless. At least I hope so. I can't imagine his wife didn't know what was up. He was the only one listed as arrested. Just happened so I don't know anything except what the police department posted on their FB page, which my sister and brother follow.