Bursting fourth with pride

Today was the second annual Boston Crossword Puzzle Tournament, once again wonderfully arranged by Eric Helmuth and Joon Pahk. You may recall that last year I came in eighth, with two puzzles that I "should" have done one clock-minute better on. (For example, in one case, I had 30 seconds left in the minute to check my results, and accidentally took 32.)

My goals for this year were (1) to have fun, (2) to manage my time better, and (3) to find out whether or not last year was a fluke.

I'm pleased that I succeeded at all three goals.

( Details behind the cut to spare your friends list )

Bursting fourth with pride

Today was the second annual Boston Crossword Puzzle Tournament, once again wonderfully arranged by Eric Helmuth and Joon Pahk. You may recall that last year I came in eighth, with two puzzles that I "should" have done one clock-minute better on. (For example, in one case, I had 30 seconds left in the minute to check my results, and accidentally took 32.)

My goals for this year were (1) to have fun, (2) to manage my time better, and (3) to find out whether or not last year was a fluke.

I'm pleased that I succeeded at all three goals.

( Details behind the cut to spare your friends list )

My grandparents' escape from Germany

Three years ago, on Yom ha-Shoah, the memorial day for victims of the Holocaust, I posted the following. Since many of you weren't reading my blog then, I thought it would be appropriate to re-post it again this year. I have added some hyperlinks this time.

With my mother's permission, I would like to share with you her father's story of how my grandparents left Germany at the last moment, in his own words, from a book he wrote for my mother.( Cut for length )

My grandparents' escape from Germany

Three years ago, on Yom ha-Shoah, the memorial day for victims of the Holocaust, I posted the following. Since many of you weren't reading my blog then, I thought it would be appropriate to re-post it again this year. I have added some hyperlinks this time.

With my mother's permission, I would like to share with you her father's story of how my grandparents left Germany at the last moment, in his own words, from a book he wrote for my mother.( Cut for length )