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Winnipeg Free Press
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Winnipeg Free Press
Getting your letter to the editor published
Opinion Hello, dear correspondent. We are so delighted to hear from you. Truly, we are. Within reason. File This is our semi-regular missive about the land of letters to the editor, and also about opinion pieces that appear on the Free Press Think Tank page. Feel free to cut this out and put it on your fridge, secured there safely for all eternity with a jaunty fridge magnet. Equally, feel free to recycle it without qualm or even bothering to read to the end. First, word length. The hardest part of writing a letter to the editor or a Think Tank piece is knowing how many words to use. For a letter to the editor, somewhere around 150 words is the true sweet spot. Get in, make your point, and get swiftly out. Your friends will be amazed — your enemies, both chastened and humbled. In a crass bastardization of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky, the vorpal blade will go snicker-snack, and with its head, you'll go galumphing back. For the Think Tank page, we can handle two pieces every day around 825 words, and one between 750 and 770, with ease. Go longer, especially really longer, and things get difficult. Reach 1,100 words of truly stellar prose, and we may eventually find a home for your work — but not until we find a piece that matches both your length and quality, so that we can reduce the page from three pieces to two. It might be a while. By the way, that includes the line at the end of your piece which we include to explain your experience, expertise, and why readers should respect your authority and accept your opinion. It might be something like this: 'Russell Wangersky is the comment editor of the Free Press and an insufferable prig.' Bear that line in mind as well when thinking about your word count. Some other basic rules apply to both letters and Think Tank pieces, however. If you give someone the literal equivalent of the side-eye — if you imply they are responsible for some ill, without either outright saying that they are and also providing the necessary proof — you are likely to be cast into the hideous pit of opinion darkness, never to emerge again, at least not right away on our pages. Reputation is important, both yours and whoever you're choosing to smite. This is not the Roman forum of the internet, where all weapons are fair game and you can both cast a net over your unwitting prey and then stab your tangled opponent repeatedly with your wordy trident, without facing so much as a raised shield. Accusing someone of something criminal or otherwise libel them? Not going to happen, at least, not if we spot it. Then, there's basic propriety. 'Cuck,' 'moron,' 'idiot' and 'slobbering fool' are not acceptable debate in print or on our website. You get the point. Threatening things like hanging for politicians — heck, threatening politicians, neighbours or random strangers — will find you so far down the naughty list that you'll be begging for coal in your stocking, just to prove you still exist to the rest of the world. Some last thoughts. No one is as funny as they think they are — even us. Humour is actually very hard. That is why true comedians are incredibly smart. You can swing for the humour fences if you choose to, but you may strike out. Pretend your mother is reading everything you send — and don't write anything that will make her give you that disappointed face. Weekday Evenings Today's must-read stories and a roundup of the day's headlines, delivered every evening. You know the one. And short and to the point will always be better. Did we mention how delighted we are to hear from you? We are. Truth is, slaving down here in the opinion mines, we couldn't do it without you.
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Navigating the chessboard of courtesy
Our last article on the current state of courtesy and etiquette among the current generation elicited quite a few enthusiastic responses. These were divided into two clear camps. Camp 1 was those who say please and thank you even to AI in the hope of mercy from the overlords when the world turns over to technology in the hopefully very distant future. Camp 2 was people who spoke about how it is not a lack of courtesy, but that the current generation has overthrown the shackles of fear and restriction. The current generation is not afraid to speak their mind and therefore, comes across as discourteous. While we agree that today's children and young adults have the freedom to speak their minds and do put it to use, that is communication, not courtesy. Courtesy is not about age, and neither is etiquette. Courtesy and etiquette do not demand that you keep your thoughts to yourself or abide by someone else's rules. It is about holding your own space while also respecting that the other person or persons have a personal space of their own and honouring the basic rules of humanity. I resonate with Dorothy Parker's words, 'The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for discourtesy.' According to the now infrequently used Oxford Dictionary, the meaning of courtesy is polite and pleasant behaviour that shows respect for other people or a polite thing that you say or do when you meet people in formal situations. There is nothing here that indicates that freedom of speech is not allowed or that a younger person must blindly listen to elders. However, it does require that you treat the person in front of you as a member of the human race. This is not restricted to people who are older than you or above you in terms of designation. You can show courtesy even to those younger than you. It is a matter of respecting the value of the other person's time and effort. Sometimes, it may mean acknowledging the existence of a person. As Lewis Carroll himself said, 'Take more care of the sense, and the sounds will take care of themselves.' The sense here is the respect for another person who is setting aside time for you or taking the effort to do something for you. It does not take too much effort to say a simple word like 'thank you,' 'sorry' or 'please.' But the benefits that it brings to you are multiple. However, like a lot of other things, this takes practice. If you do not practice courtesy on a regular basis, then it will not be what you do when you are in a situation of stress. That means it will not serve you when you need it the most. It is funny that in today's times pets are treated with more care and respect than people. People get offended when their pets are referred to in the neutral gender or as that dog/cat/animal they are bringing up. However, the same courtesy is not afforded to people. The descent of language into pure madness has also contributed to this situation. All right became fine, which became fn, which eventually descended into a single emoji. People now do not have time to type out complete words on their smartphones. These are the phones that can use smart AI to predict your words and your sentences on the basis of your usage. The phones can even translate your speech directly into text, and yet we would rather rely on single-letter abbreviations which can be so confusing to people from a different generation. Gifs and memes have become a part of formal conversations now. Communication is evolving, but sometimes the evolution feels like a curse rather than progress. And if you think courtesy is a restriction on expressing yourself freely, may we recommend that you watch how the Countess Violet Crawley from Downtown Abbey speaks? She is a masterclass in speaking your heart and yet confining to the, admittedly, very stringent restrictions of the Victorian period. Even the best of us could learn a lesson or two from her. If you have now understood the difference between courtesy and communication and would like to learn the basics or wish someone had a few tips for you, you know what to do! That is right – stay tuned for the next edition of this article. We hope to be back with some tips and tricks for you. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Hey, Mister!
There are spoilers ahead. You might want to solve today's puzzle before reading further! Hey, Mister! Constructor: Emma Oxford Editor: Amanda Rafkin HABITS (5A: "Bad ___" (2021 Ed Sheeran hit)) "Bad HABITS" is a 2021 song by Ed Sheeran. It's the lead single from his fifth studio album, = ("Equals"). In the music video for "Bad HABITS," Ed Sheeran portrays a vampire wearing a hot pink suit. ARETHA (15A: "Queen of Soul" Franklin) ARETHA Franklin (1942-2018) is considered the "Queen of Soul." During her seven-decade music career, 112 of her singles charted on the U.S. Billboard charts, and she won 18 Grammy Awards. Fun fact: ARETHA Franklin was the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; that happened in 1987. ALICE (23A: Girl who travels to Wonderland) The world first met ALICE in Lewis Carroll's 1865 book, ALICE's Adventures in Wonderland. Here's an amazing fact: Since its release 160 years ago, this book has never been out of print. The story has also been adapted numerous times, and ALICE has been the inspiration for many characters. DOE (32A: Fawn's mother) and EWE (3D: Lamb's mother) The parallel clue structure is a nice way to tie these two clues together. ING (34A: Gerund suffix) For those of us who haven't studied grammar for some time, a gerund is the -ING form of a word. In English, a gerund is derived from a verb, but functions as a noun, and can be a subject or object of a sentence. ANN (41A: ___ Arbor, Michigan) ANN Arbor, Michigan, which is located west of Detroit, is home to the University of Michigan. The city was founded in 1824 by John Allen and Elisha Walker Rumsey. Both men were married to women named ANN, so they decided to name the city after their wives. The "Arbor" part of the name is a reference to the stands of bur oak trees in the area. ANEMIA (45A: Blood condition) ANEMIA is a condition in which the blood has a decreased ability to carry oxygen. There are a number of things that can cause ANEMIA, including blood loss or a deficiency of important nutrients such as iron or vitamin B₁₂. VODKA (54A: Unofficial national drink of Poland) VODKA has been important in Poland since Medieval times, when it was not only a popular drink, but also used in medicinal remedies and religious practices. Poland is known for its unique and high quality VODKA brands. These include Żubrówka, which contains a blade of bison grass in each bottle, and Chopin (named after the composer), which is produced in small batches and distilled four times. MEG (57A: Eldest March sister in "Little Women") MEG, Jo, Beth, and Amy are the sisters in Louisa May Alcott's 1860's novel, Little Women. Like Lewis Carroll's tale about ALICE, Louisa May Alcott's story about the March sisters has been adapted multiple times. I'M NOT A ROBOT (59A: Words next to a checkbox in some CAPTCHA challenges) This answer makes me laugh. Every time I encounter an "I'M NOT A ROBOT" message, I can't help but wonder, "Am I A ROBOT?" I also wonder if a ROBOT can be trained to identify that CAPTCHA message and check the box. NATHAN (65A: "Mid-Century Modern" actor Lane) Mid-Century Modern is a TV series that premiered on Hulu in March of this year. NATHAN Lane, Matt Bomer, and NATHAN Lee Graham star as three best friends – "gay gentlemen of a certain age" – who become roommates. Linda Lavin also stars on the show, as the mother of NATHAN Lane's character. Mid-Century Modern is Linda Lavin's last TV role, as she died after the taping of the show's first seven episodes. Her character was written out of the show in the first season episode, "Here's To You Mrs. Schneiderman." RAE (2D: "Insecure" actress Issa) In addition to starring in the TV series Insecure, as the character Issa Dee, Issa RAE is also the creator and co-writer of the show. The show takes a look at the experiences of contemporary Black women, and is partially based on Issa RAE's web series, The Mis-Adventures of Awkward Black Girl. HATS (5D: Roles, metaphorically) I am a fan of the HATS as roles metaphor. I'll often say (to myself or others) when I'm switching roles, "Now I'm putting on my mom hat," "Now I'm putting on my crossword constructor hat," etc. THAI (9D: Pad see ew cuisine) Pad see ew is a THAI stir-fried noodle dish. SANTA ANA (10D: Namesake of some infamous California winds) SANTA ANA is a city in southern California. SANTA ANA is part of the greater Los Angeles region, and is the county seat of Orange County. The SANTA ANA winds, which share the city's name, are strong, dry, dust-bearing winds that originate in the area over the Great Basin region and the upper Mojave Desert and blow across Southern California toward the Pacific coast. About 10 to 25 SANTA ANA wind events occur every year, each lasting from one to seven days. The SANTA ANA winds are the force that drive many wildfires in Southern California. IOWA (25D: State in the Corn Belt) Hello, from IOWA! It's true, a lot of corn is grown in this state. The term "Corn Belt" is used to refer to the Midwest U.S. states that produce the majority of the nation's corn. Four states - IOWA, Illinois, Nebraska, and Minnesota - produce over 50% of the corn grown in the U.S. Of those four, IOWA leads the U.S. states in corn production. More broadly, Corn Belt is used to refer to the area of the country where much of the land is used for farming and agriculture. By either definition, IOWA is a Corn Belt state. IDINA (29D: "Redwood" star Menzel) I have previously discussed the Broadway musical Redwood, in which IDINA Menzel is currently performing. EGG (33D: Chipsi mayai ingredient) Chipsi mayai is an omelet made of french fries and EGGs. The dish originated in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and it is the unofficial national dish of that country. "Chipsi mayai" is Swahili for "chips and eggs." POET (38D: Limon or Keats, e.g.) Ada Limón is the current POET Laureate of the United States. John Keats (1795-1821) was an English Romantic POET. You can read the work of Ada Limón, John Keats, and other POETs on the Poetry Foundation website. ALBANY (45D: Capital of New York) ALBANY, the capital of New York, is located on the Hudson River in upstate New York. MONTE (52D: ___ Carlo (gambling destination on the Mediterranean)) MONTE Carlo is an administrative state of Monaco, a city-state on the French Riviera. MONTE Carlo is home to the MONTE Carlo Casino. Interestingly, citizens of Monaco are not allowed to enter the casino unless they work there. Only about 20% of Monaco's population are citizens, so this interesting law only affects approximately 6,000 people. OMAR (56D: Actor Epps) OMAR Epps played the role of Dr. Dennis Gant on the TV series, ER (1996-1997) and the role of neurologist and Dean of Medicine, Dr. Eric Foreman, on the TV series, House (2004-2012). More recently, OMAR Epps portrayed Detective Malcolm Howard on the TV series Power Book III: Raising Kanan (2021-2025). ONE (62D: ___ Direction ("What Makes You Beautiful" band)) "What Makes You Beautiful" was ONE Direction's 2011 debut single. "Everyone else in the room can see it / Everyone else but you..." A few other clues I especially enjoyed: GREASY (68A: Like the bread in a buttery grilled cheese sandwich) KNITTING (37D: Making a scarf, perhaps) U MAD (39D: Texter's "Did I do something?") KEEP IT CLEAN (17A: "Remember, this is a family show") PACKING PEANUT (35A: Styrofoam bit used in shipping) I'M NOT A ROBOT (59A: Words next to a checkbox in some CAPTCHA challenges) HEY, MISTER!: The last word in each theme answer is the name of a famous MISTER: MR. CLEAN, MR. PEANUT, and MR. ROBOT. HEY, we have a trio of MISTERs today! MR. CLEAN, who made his TV debut in 1958, is the mascot of the Proctor & Gamble all-purpose cleaning product of the same name. MR. PEANUT is the top hat-wearing, monocled mascot of Planters who made his first appearance in 1916. MR. ROBOT is a TV series that aired from 2015-2019. It stars Rami Malek as Elliot Anderson, a cybersecurity engineer and vigilante hacker. Christian Slater portrays the title role. The theme answer KEEP IT CLEAN tipped me off to the theme, and I enjoyed discovering each subsequent MISTER. Congratulations to Emma Oxford making a USA Today crossword debut! Thank you, Emma, for this excellent puzzle. USA TODAY's Daily Crossword Puzzles Sudoku & Crossword Puzzle Answers This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Crossword Blog & Answers for June 3, 2025 by Sally Hoelscher
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Alice's Day to transform Oxford into Wonderland this summer
There will be street theatre, talks, storytelling, and guided walks as Oxford celebrates Alice's Adventures in Wonderland this summer. The Story Museum has announced the return of Alice's Day, an annual event that transforms Oxford into a wonderland. Taking place on Saturday, July 5, this year's festival will follow the theme of 'Quests and Adventures'. Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum) Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum) In July 1862, Charles Dodgson took Alice Liddell and her sisters on a boating picnic up the River Thames from Folly Bridge in Oxford. To amuse the children, he told them a story about a little girl, sitting bored by a riverbank, who finds herself tumbling down a rabbit hole into a topsy-turvy world called Wonderland. Ten-year-old Alice asked Mr Dodgson to write the story down, and the result was Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, published in 1865 under the pen name Lewis Carroll. Visitors to Oxford will have the chance to see the Red Queen procession, a life-size pack of cards, and Alice herself chasing the White Rabbit, all performed by Curious Company. Other venues taking part include the Bodleian Libraries, Museum of Oxford, History of Science Museum, The Lewis Carroll Society, Oxford Water Walks, The Oxford Children's Book Group, and Alice's Shop. Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum) Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum) Christ Church, once home to Alice Liddell, will host croquet in the masters' garden in partnership with the Eynsham Croquet Club. It will also have a talk by Phillip Roberts about the Magic Lantern, a 19th-century storytelling device used by travelling entertainers. This event will include a performance of Lewis Carroll slides, recently acquired by Christ Church Library. The Story Museum will offer half-price entry to its interactive galleries, and visitors will have the chance to play Snarks and Riddles, a board game designed by the museum's young Story Curators. This life-size game is inspired by the story worlds of Lewis Carroll. Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum) Alice's Day will return to Oxford this July (Image: The Story Museum) The museum's magic common room will host the giant Wonderland afternoon tea, featuring cakes, sandwiches, and savouries made by the café team. Ameneh Enayat, The Story Museum's head of creative programme, said: "We are incredibly excited to reveal another unforgettable Alice's Day. "We are especially pleased to reveal the new interactive board game, made by our young Story Curators; a team of budding designers aged 11 to 16 working with The Story Museum to develop skills in immersive exhibitions in weekly after-school sessions during term time. "We are incredibly grateful to our partners who work so hard to make this day so special. "I can't think of many children's stories that have influenced art, fashion, food, and film the way that Alice has, and it's wonderful to think that it all originated here in Oxford."
The National
23-05-2025
- The National
Delano Dubai review: Miami export is a modern wonderland
When Lewis Carroll wrote Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in 1865, he could not have predicted how influential it would become. Stepping into Delano Dubai is just like falling down the rabbit hole featured in that famous novel. 'We just want guests to come and relax, you know? Forget about the outside world and be in this world,' a member of the guest relations team tells me. It's an ethos taken from the brand's flagship Miami hotel, which opened in 1995, and its Maison Delano in Paris, which opened in 2023. The National checks in to find out what's beyond the looking glass at the Bluewaters Island hotel. Having visited The Banyan Tree on Bluewaters Island just a few days before, I think I've made a mistake on the taxi booking app when my driver begins following a familiar path, pulling off the main road at the same turn. But as he reaches the security gates, he takes a left turn to the aforementioned hotel, which also has residential buildings, and a right turn to enter Delano Dubai. Together, the two hotels took over the space that was once Caesar's Palace, another US export. Behind the thin, translucent curtains – a signature design feature of the hotel – is a bright and airy lobby. Cream rugs top light pine floors, and more fabric drapes from tall ceilings against white walls and glass panels overlooking the sea. Minimal furniture includes oyster-hued curved sofas, tall potted plants and monochrome coffee tables topped with travel books. After a smooth check-in, the mood shifts as my guest and I leave the lobby. While the same curtains grace the corridors, the lights have faded, dimly shining over the dark marble floors as we enter the tunnel into 'Wonderland'. As we check into the fourth-floor room, the fun begins. It's one of the best hotel rooms I've stayed in. I notice the stunning terrace view: palm trees, hotel pool, blue seas. Cliched perhaps, but I do feel miles away from home, despite being a short drive away. Besides the bed, there is a sofa underneath one small window, indoor-opening wooden shutters adding extra charm. A sizeable study desk as well as a padded foot bench and a big light-up wardrobe complete the amenities. The refreshing spritz and range of desserts is a nice touch. The bath, shower and wash basin are in a separate room from the toilet. It's nice to see a sensible design decision here, meaning guests can soak in the supersized bath for lengthy periods without disruption. I also love the Byredo products the bathroom is stocked with. With dark hues and low lights, sultry vibes are consistent throughout the hotel. Things lighten up by the pool, though. Delano strikes a delicate balance with its poolside ambience. There's music and a buzz of chatter, but it's also possible to peacefully tuck into a novel. There are plenty of spots to throw down a towel for the day, from poolside loungers to cabanas and hammocks. Staying true to its Miami roots, two bistro chairs and a table stand firm in the pool's shallow end. Supposedly, they're an ode to Roman baths; a place to come together, unwind, discuss ideas. The gym is an unexpected highlight. It's spacious, with great sea and pool views and screens with workout programmes to select. During my visit, the on-site personal trainer gives me a challenging yet rewarding session. There are several restaurants in Delano Dubai, from Tutto Passa to Blue Door and The Delano Pool & Bar and the Rose Bar. Breakfast is a beautiful spread of classic morning foods, with a pastry offering to marvel over. The friendly staff remember from the previous evening that I'm vegan and bring me fresh avocado toast, a bowl of mixed berries, a chia yoghurt pudding and an oat latte before I even have the chance to scan the buffet. The night before, it was a specially-made vegan pizza for me (Dh95) and fresh spinach and ricotta ravioli (Dh105) for my guest. We also enjoyed colourful panzanella salad (Dh75), made with cherry tomatoes, red onion, crispy croutons, basil and cucumber and a bread basket to share. We also dine at Gohan in neighbouring Banyan Tree, tucking into edamame (Dh27); sweet soy cauliflower (Dh40); shiitake mushroom skewers (Dh35); baby spinach salad (Dh54); and the a vegan maki selection (Dh44). Each bite demonstrates vegan dishes done well, simple vegetables dressed and seasoned to make a lasting impression. Our final visit is to the speakeasy-style Rose Bar. The drinks are spectacular, but it's the disco room with light-up floors that stands out. The seating is reminiscent of disco balls and there are mirrors for walls. There may not be any Mad Hatter tea parties, but you won't get bored between the hotel amenities and the surrounding venues on Bluewaters Island. There is Madame Tussauds Dubai, Swingers Crazy Golf, an interactive City of Illusions museum, an arcade gaming zone at Brass Monkey, igloo-style dining at The Pods restaurant overlooking the water, and many more restaurants and bars to visit. Ain Dubai is also back in motion. Small details add up to a positive big picture at Delano Dubai. Despite a hiccup here or there, the overall experience is positive, making the hotel one I'd confidently recommend. Pricing is dependent on the dates and the season, with deluxe rooms starting at approximately Dh2,000 per night. Check-in is from 3pm and checkout is at noon. This review was conducted at the invitation of the resort and reflects standards during this time. Services may change in the future
