The Vine: January 24, 2007
Hi Sars —
The game that “Extremely Frustrated” is looking for might be called “Midnight Rescue,”
You play the Super Solver, a kid who’s trying to save Shady Glen School
from Morty Maxwell, the Master of Mischief, who’s planning to make the
school disappear at midnight by using invisible paint. You have to collect
clue words around the school, all while trying not to be caught by Morty’s
four robot henchmen.
I don’t think the game was explicitly Mac-compatible,
so maybe I’m not thinking of the right one, but the brief description
sounded pretty similar to this.
Hope this helps!
Cheers,
J
Dear J,
Thanks! Most readers agreed with you that the game is “Midnight Rescue” — you can read more about it here, and it appears to be available as a free download if you Google it. There’s a whole series of Super Solver games; other readers mentioned “Out Numbered!”, which was set in a TV station, and “Spellbound,” but the overwhelming majority said that it’s “Midnight Rescue.” Unless, of course, it’s one of these…
“Math Blaster Mystery: The Great Brain Robbery”
“Snooper Troops”
Hi, Sars. My question is pretty simple: I just got engaged two
days ago to my amazing boyfriend of over six years.
We’re keeping it quiet(-ish) until we get the ring
sized and insured, but I had to tell someone, so three
friends know so far, and now I’m trying to figure out
the best way to tell my parents.
I’m in California and the ‘rents are in Florida, and
we don’t see each other much (last time was May ’05),
so under normal circumstances I would probably just
call ’em up and then email pictures of the ring later.
Happily, we’re actually going to see each other in two
weeks, so I’m thinking of waiting until then so I can
tell them in person, which would be a really fun
surprise. However, the reason we’re getting together
is to celebrate the wedding of my childhood best
friend’s little sister. Would it be rude of me to bust
out this surprise during a weekend that is (and
rightfully should be) all about someone else?
I should point out that I won’t actually spring this
on them at the wedding. I’m arriving the day before
the wedding (it’s in New Mexico), so I can see them at
their hotel, hang out, have dinner, blah blah
togetherness-cakes, and then we’ll all be at the
wedding the next day. Two more kids from high school
will also be attending, but it’s extremely likely I’ll
see them before the wedding as well, and while I’m
uber-excited about being engaged, I know enough to keep
it low-key and not try to draw attention to myself. (I
really do try to be polite all the time, which I’m
sure is why I’m even questioning myself in the first
place.)
So what do you think, Sars? Can I wear my ring to the
wedding, and can I surprise my parents with it the day
before? I’m leaning toward “yes” but I want another
opinion, and I don’t want to poll all my friends,
because it would be nice to let my poor parents know
before spreading this news far and wide. The fiance
(who isn’t attending the wedding due to financial
reasons) thinks it’d be okay, too, for what that’s
worth. I’ve known the bride since she was born, so I
could always just ask her, but she’s getting married
in two weeks so I’m sure she has enough to think
about, plus I’m not sure if she would even say, “Well,
I’d rather you didn’t,” since she’s polite, too.
Wow, that was long. Sorry. Thanks for your advice.
Wants To Do The Right Thing When It’s Time To Flash
The Bling
Dear Bling,
I think your current plan is fine. Yes, the wedding is “about” the betrothed couple and their families, but life doesn’t stop for all the guests in the meantime, so as long as nobody’s getting up at the rehearsal dinner and hogging the mic to talk about your engagement setting, I don’t think it’s a big deal. Just try to keep it low-key, and focus on telling your family and close friends (versus making a big announcement).
Dear Sars,
A sub shop in my small town has adopted this slogan: “Steph’s Subs…anything but original!” This drives me crazy every time I hear it on the radio. To me, it suggests that their subs are NOT original, but are instead boring, derivative, and bland.
Am I missing some point of grammar or English usage or advertising logic? Is that what the slogan means to you? Wouldn’t a better slogan be: “Nothing but original!”? Please advise!
Thanks,
Perturbed Librarian (Not A Grammarian) In Pennsylvania
Dear Lib,
This is one of those grammar questions where it’s so obviously wrong that, seconds later, I start second-guessing myself — like, I must be missing something, right? Because that makes…no…sense? Right?
But: yeah, it’s obviously wrong. I think “nothing but original” is what was intended, or “anything but unoriginal,” or something — but as it is, it’s like, “Don’t worry, we won’t scare you with any unique ingredients!”, which, no.
Tags: Ask The Readers etiquette grammar retail
