tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21628928398464255722024-03-13T04:18:03.055-07:00tax dayhildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.comBlogger500125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-45253912234347000822011-10-11T05:15:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:53.943-07:00Good-bye<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">T H E L A S T D A Y<br />October 11, 2011<br />Good-Bye</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbrMLUDUv1GhsP-G_XI2wp14gCoOW15CYR7hyftoqa5jYbVUC02ChSVsUa1F_ibN-Kd1JgSPP37xXq541UWmYF_jEvXBV9f3aGzyyCLVjm4qoemPTnlh8rSawFAKy4or4gQg3LHwPeWw9/s1600/bai-kitty.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJbrMLUDUv1GhsP-G_XI2wp14gCoOW15CYR7hyftoqa5jYbVUC02ChSVsUa1F_ibN-Kd1JgSPP37xXq541UWmYF_jEvXBV9f3aGzyyCLVjm4qoemPTnlh8rSawFAKy4or4gQg3LHwPeWw9/s200/bai-kitty.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662203934412257410" /></a>Folks, there really isn't an easy way to do this so I'm just going to come right out and say it. I have decided to give up this blog. It's something I've been thinking about for quite a while now. When I decided to go ahead and make the announcement, I considered waiting until the end of the month, or the end of the year, or the next ACPT … but you know what? It's not going to get any easier the longer I put it off.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwoJ4RA0sGB20od3T7n0fMplIUAQsKMmAFx-kvfQqKHauuTYbIrtUduJGdtIp1e1s0pU4H1bwNZNUlAqqv7KrW4DPqttb-JOlliDJHxG8PuH60p3Hz_mGO8So-FG5zpl-x0FQsjxtQF3h/s1600/thank-you2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuwoJ4RA0sGB20od3T7n0fMplIUAQsKMmAFx-kvfQqKHauuTYbIrtUduJGdtIp1e1s0pU4H1bwNZNUlAqqv7KrW4DPqttb-JOlliDJHxG8PuH60p3Hz_mGO8So-FG5zpl-x0FQsjxtQF3h/s200/thank-you2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662205040445350770" /></a>I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed sharing the puzzle with you and how much I appreciate all of you who have made this blog a community. We've had some fun, haven't we? But I'm ready to do some other things with my blog time, like constructing puzzles, solving puzzles, and non-puzzle-related things like working out, reading books and, oh yeah, paying attention to my children. It's not even really that doing the blog takes up all that much time, it's just that having the obligation every day has started to wear on me. Also, since I started back to work full-time, I definitely haven't spent as much time on the blog as I used to and I think that shows. Part of my reason for giving it up is that I just don't have the time to do it <i>right.</i> And there's something completely unsatisfying about posting a half-assed attempt at a crossword blog every day knowing that people are, ya know, reading it and everything.<div><br /></div><div>There are other crossword blogs out there (links are in the sidebar). I hope you find one that works for you. If anyone starts up a new LAT blog, please let me know and I'll do what I can to get the word out.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXdj_0wmaRRv29j6Zquc9XWQy7qDjghqQph81pxEJL3uAaPUQY6rztiC7dM8sOOaswcUQJCwfa7dOadSbgqG5rIr96JkXHXO1qAWqi7jJ0lxgJeOMzvBr9jg2ruv0lCZOLYCZZZxCfrAS/s1600/beq-der-acpt.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTXdj_0wmaRRv29j6Zquc9XWQy7qDjghqQph81pxEJL3uAaPUQY6rztiC7dM8sOOaswcUQJCwfa7dOadSbgqG5rIr96JkXHXO1qAWqi7jJ0lxgJeOMzvBr9jg2ruv0lCZOLYCZZZxCfrAS/s200/beq-der-acpt.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662205649573542466" /></a>So now I'm feeling a little nostalgic and thinking about all that we've been through here at LACC. It was great fun blogging with Rex and Amy for a while and when I took it over myself you all stayed, which was awesome. I hope the Crosswordese 101 lessons have been useful and that other aspects of the blog have increased your enjoyment of puzzles. That really was the whole point of the blog when we started it. I think my favorite post over the life of this blog has to be the <a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2011/03/0324-acpt.html">wrap-up of last year's ACPT.</a> It was really fun to try to express how special the ACPT is. I hope to see some of your there next year.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUIDVOhKiHmXMlec8hSuuAMt_he6h9naLhDCd1Fjc4U2nuqlhMcaLcl3widkEgei-3r0xF8EEHySwbhobZt_9LSqFpxtM-tAZdE6vLF2Px9WChbyriFpCcIw11hv5Prr12p8RN4VQ9Qxx/s1600/oprah-pic.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHUIDVOhKiHmXMlec8hSuuAMt_he6h9naLhDCd1Fjc4U2nuqlhMcaLcl3widkEgei-3r0xF8EEHySwbhobZt_9LSqFpxtM-tAZdE6vLF2Px9WChbyriFpCcIw11hv5Prr12p8RN4VQ9Qxx/s200/oprah-pic.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662206123608364658" /></a>Couple quick things before I ride off into the sunset. First, next time you're in the grocery store, check out the November issue of Oprah Magazine. I'm on page 167. It's a story about people who have found hobbies they're passionate about. I'm absolutely thrilled that they included me (thanks, Amy, for sending them my way!). And finally, if you haven't been watching Jeopardy the past several days, you really must start. Joon Pahk is A-Maz-Ing and it's so much fun to watch one of CrossWorld's denizens making a big splash.<br /><br />So. There you have it. I don't really know what else to say. How about one more big THANK YOU for everything and we'll call it good.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZjJ5qXCUoeB8Of6Lemb5vg49BI6tOxsIcnoeMq2Ab0n5FX3LEQS491DJtfJAFBURakefpZXRHPoY1tr76LUiysSZErGVWPZXj9c5l5sYcceOwTaFwI6Am0Iuuoro1S6ujhy805iWP3yR/s1600/the-end.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ZjJ5qXCUoeB8Of6Lemb5vg49BI6tOxsIcnoeMq2Ab0n5FX3LEQS491DJtfJAFBURakefpZXRHPoY1tr76LUiysSZErGVWPZXj9c5l5sYcceOwTaFwI6Am0Iuuoro1S6ujhy805iWP3yR/s320/the-end.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662206694750202338" /></a></div>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-78876499427167316002011-10-10T05:56:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:53.958-07:0010.10 Mon<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">M O N D A Y<br />October 10, 2011<br />Jeff Chen</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2nDadiRZOWzxlcaAdmxCbs8jCcJmk8_7WOV4jltF5624WFqegHtqIkThtElLhLNowe5tg3QNN3OEcwE1L5bYI30Dv8UogvHn98E8E7GC_NlJbMSvYxNbnNPeK81FFLQ1cFaVTKVBCKBi/s1600/grid+lat+11+10+10.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL2nDadiRZOWzxlcaAdmxCbs8jCcJmk8_7WOV4jltF5624WFqegHtqIkThtElLhLNowe5tg3QNN3OEcwE1L5bYI30Dv8UogvHn98E8E7GC_NlJbMSvYxNbnNPeK81FFLQ1cFaVTKVBCKBi/s320/grid+lat+11+10+10.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661846734897406370" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Emotional Athletes — Familiar phrases that start with a color are defined in relation to sports teams.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>17A: Terrified Detroit baseball player? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">WHITE TIGER</span>).</li><li>33A: Embarrassed Carolina football player? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PINK PANTHER</span>).</li><li>39A: Depressed Miami football player? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BLUE DOLPHIN</span>).</li><li>58A: Jealous San Francisco baseball player? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GREEN GIANT</span>).</li></ul>This here is a pretty fancy Monday, wouldn't you say? Simple, clever theme, straightforward cluing, some crosswordese to help you get a foothold, a little sparkle here and there and then, bam! Two 15s in the downs! Wow! We don't see that very often. Why? Because it means each down entry has to run through two theme answers and that's a substantial constraint. But Jeff made it work, so hats off to him.<br /><br />Long, sparkly entries:<br /><ul><li>3D: Fast food pickup site (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DRIVE-THRU WINDOW</span>).</li><li>11D: Reprimands (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">READS THE RIOT ACT</span>).</li><li>12D: Looks that lovers make (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GOO-GOO EYES</span>).</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>1A: Cheryl of "Charlie's Angels" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LADD</span>). Of course, a late 70s pop culture reference is always a good start for me.</li><li>32A: "Don't make me laugh!" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"HAH!"</span>). Love this colloquial exclamation. </li><li>38A: Strolls down to the saloon (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MOSEYS</span>). The word "strolls" can lead to a lot of synonyms, but it's Monday, so the clue takes us straight to the one we need.</li><li>48A: Went off course, nautically (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">YAWED</span>). I think I finally have this one down.</li><li>53A: "Community" network (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">NBC</span>). This was a mystery to me. I guess "Community" is a TV show. I don't watch much TV these days.</li><li>64A: Online status update limited to 140 characters (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TWEET</span>). Here's the problem with Twitter. Yes, the status updates are, at most, 140 characters long, so it seems like you could just check in real quick and then go on with whatever you're doing, right? Where that strategy breaks down is when you follow a gazillion people, which is what I do. And then when they link to interesting articles that I have to go read. I could literally spend all day on Twitter.</li><li>40D: Unsophisticated (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LOWBROW</span>). Adding a little more sparkle to this grid.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>47A: __ Lanka (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/09/tuesday-september-22-2009-dan-naddor.html">SRI</a></b>).</li><li>57A: <b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/thursday-april-23-2009-dan-naddor.html">Arp</a></b>'s art movement (DADA).</li><li>65A: 'Vette roof option (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/09/saturday-september-26-2009barry-silk.html">T-TOP</a></b>).</li><li>9D: Cliffside nest (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/05/tuesday-may-19-2009-david-w-cromer.html">AERIE</a></b>).</li><li>18D: Bird by the beach (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/10/thursday-october-1-2009-jonathan-seff.html">ERN</a></b>).</li><li>34D: French friends (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/11/saturday-november-7-2009bob-peoples.html">AMIS</a></b>).</li><li>59D: Fair-hiring inits. (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/03/saturday-march-27-2010brad-wilber.html">EOE</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Cheryl of "Charlie's Angels" (LADD); 5A: Screwdriver liquor (VODKA); 10A: "Logically, then ..." (ERGO); 14A: The "height" part of a height phobia (ACRO); 15A: Have __ to pick (A BONE); 16A: Red Army leader Trotsky (LEON); 17A: Terrified Detroit baseball player? (WHITE TIGER); 19A: Vietnam neighbor (LAOS); 20A: Cuts off (SEVERS); 21A: Architect I.M. (PEI); 22A: Advantage (EDGE); 23A: Very long time (EON); 24A: Indy 500 entrant (RACER); 26A: Tippler (SOT); 27A: Memo-directing abbr. (ATTN.); 29A: Actress Sorvino (MIRA); 30A: Voice below soprano (ALTO); 32A: "Don't make me laugh!" ("HAH!"); 33A: Embarrassed Carolina football player? (PINK PANTHER); 36A: Boeing competitor (AIRBUS); 38A: Strolls down to the saloon (MOSEYS); 39A: Depressed Miami football player? (BLUE DOLPHIN); 43A: Gun, as a V6 (REV); 44A: Ran a tab (OWED); 45A: Mine products (ORES); 46A: Talk like Daffy (LISP); 47A: __ Lanka (SRI); 48A: Went off course, nautically (YAWED); 50A: "Little Red Book" writer (MAO); 51A: Prefix with directional (OMNI-); 53A: "Community" network (NBC); 54A: Sealy alternatives (SERTAS); 57A: Arp's art movement (DADA); 58A: Jealous San Francisco baseball player? (GREEN GIANT); 60A: Take too much of, briefly (O.D. ON); 61A: Me-tooer's phrase (SO DO I); 62A: Teen outbreak (ACNE); 63A: Noises from itty-bitty kitties (MEWS); 64A: Online status update limited to 140 characters (TWEET); 65A: 'Vette roof option (T-TOP); 1D: Cops enforce them (LAWS); 2D: Yen (ACHE); 3D: Fast food pickup site (DRIVE-THRU WINDOW); 4D: Pamper (DOTE ON); 5D: Chocolate factory vessels (VATS); 6D: __-Wan Kenobi (OBI); 7D: Where boxers and pugs play (DOG PARK); 8D: Leg joint protector (KNEECAP); 9D: Cliffside nest (AERIE); 10D: Cosmo rival (ELLE); 11D: Reprimands (READS THE RIOT ACT); 12D: Looks that lovers make (GOO-GOO EYES); 13D: Beginning (ONSET); 18D: Bird by the beach (ERN); 24D: __ Tin Tin (RIN); 25D: Yakked and yakked (RAN ON); 27D: Starbuck's captain (AHAB); 28D: Like a custom suit (TAILOR MADE); 29D: Soup with sushi (MISO); 31D: Capt.'s subordinates (LTS.); 33D: "I tawt I taw a __ tat!" (PUDDY); 34D: French friends (AMIS); 35D: Letters on reply cards (RSVP); 37D: Drone or worker (BEE); 40D: Unsophisticated (LOWBROW); 41D: Come before (PRECEDE); 42D: "If __ only listened!" (HE'D); 46D: Rope at a rodeo (LARIAT); 47D: City destroyed by fire and brimstone (SODOM); 49D: Common teen emotion (ANGST); 50D: Ryan of "When Harry Met Sally..." (MEG); 52D: Actors McKellen and Holm (IANS); 54D: Agitated state (SNIT); 55D: A.D. part (ANNO); 56D: Armstrong's "small" stride (STEP); 59D: Fair-hiring inits. (EOE).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-28598087928086611692011-10-09T06:34:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:53.978-07:0010.09 Sun (calendar)<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">S U N D A Y<br />October 9, 2011<br />Merl Reagle</span><br /><br /><i>[Note: This is the puzzle that appears in the Sunday L.A. Times newspaper. If you don't get the paper, you can find the puzzle <a target="new" href="http://www.cruciverb.com/">here.</a> Scroll down to see today's syndicated puzzle.]</i><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ydydg_UAlHOSWtyCp3th57HCJaQl4b9RXsObNAokKDRb1wkicrW-ealWhhfAcbyX-bWkqDMtU_PNIZfO9VmHLu6AMe0Qy4tfXjetiun8e450V67EhOHPSjR8s9P3lOZHR2_2441Htm2E/s1600/grid+lat2+11+10+09.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9ydydg_UAlHOSWtyCp3th57HCJaQl4b9RXsObNAokKDRb1wkicrW-ealWhhfAcbyX-bWkqDMtU_PNIZfO9VmHLu6AMe0Qy4tfXjetiun8e450V67EhOHPSjR8s9P3lOZHR2_2441Htm2E/s320/grid+lat2+11+10+09.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661485645213297330" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>"Surprise Endings" — Each theme answer is a movie title with it's last letter changed to a different letter.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>17A: Song about Astaire's arrival? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BORN FRED</span>). [free]</li><li>22A: Steve Martin in his early days? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">THE SINGING NUT</span>). [nun]</li><li>28A: What forensic shows take a close look at? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">THE INSIDES</span>). [insider]</li><li>40A: New reality show about celebs on a pig farm? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">THE STINK</span>). [sting]</li><li>45A: How you know that it's St. Patrick's Day in kindergarten? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">THE GREEN MILK</span>). [mile]</li><li>60A: Bite-size fast food? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LITTLE BIG MAC</span>). [man]</li><li>63A: Knight with bad table manners? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">IVANHOG</span>). [hoe]</li><li>69A: Mechanical bull for the kids? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ROBO-COW</span>). [cop]</li><li>76A: The Big Bang Theory, in German? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DAS BOOM</span>). [boot]</li><li>80A: The Easy-Bake, for one? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">STARTING OVEN</span>). [over]</li><li>92A: Elvis's least favorite nickname? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MEMPHIS BELLY</span>). [belle]</li><li>96A: Item in a maternity ward gift shop? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TOY STORK</span>). [story]</li><li>109A: Mad magazine version of a De Niro movie? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TAXI DRIVEL</span>). [driver]</li><li>120A: What Beano is? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FOR ME AND MY GAS</span>). [gal]</li><li>126A: What stockings are called in Indiana? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HOOSIERY</span>). [hoosiers]</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Detroit's contribution to mag. revenues (CAR ADS); 7A: Like The Who's Tommy (DEAF); 11A: Herpetology subject (ASP); 14A: Epiphany moment (AHA); 17A: Song about Astaire's arrival? (BORN FRED); 19A: Big marine mammal (ORCA); 20A: Nav. rank (CPO); 21A: Oomph (VIM); 22A: Steve Martin in his early days? (THE SINGING NUT); 24A: "Rashomon" star's first name (TOSHIRO); 26A: With 27 Across, excelled in (WAS); 27A: See 26 Across (GOOD AT); 28A: What forensic shows take a close look at? (THE INSIDES); 30A: "Hang ___ your hats" (ONTO); 32A: Put down (DEMEAN); 34A: Foam alternative (GEL); 35A: John Elroy Sanford, casually (REDD); 39A: "Of this ___ certain" (I AM); 40A: New reality show about celebs on a pig farm? (THE STINK); 45A: How you know that it's St. Patrick's Day in kindergarten? (THE GREEN MILK); 50A: Dict. abbr. (OBS.); 51A: Finish (a parking lot) (TAR); 52A: "___ you ready?" (ARE); 53A: "Teacher's Pet" star (GABLE); 54A: Michael Moore documentary (SICKO); 56A: "This ___ sudden!" (IS SO); 57A: Unrevealing skirt (MAXI); 59A: Wrigley's field? (GUM); 60A: Bite-size fast food? (LITTLE BIG MAC); 63A: Knight with bad table manners? (IVANHOG); 65A: Store-hours word (TIL); 66A: Actress Wray (FAY); 67A: Film unit (REEL); 68A: Painter Vermeer (JAN); 69A: Mechanical bull for the kids? (ROBO-COW); 71A: Hood's lead-spitter (GAT); 72A: Pony provoker (SPUR); 74A: Bonehead (OAF); 75A: Horn with keys (SAX); 76A: The Big Bang Theory, in German? (DAS BOOM); 80A: The Easy-Bake, for one? (STARTING OVEN); 83A: Nobelist Octavio (PAZ); 84A: With 70 Down, a Rat Packer's story (YES I); 85A: Delilah opposite Victor's Samson (HEDY); 86A: Tiny Pacific nation (NAURU); 87A: "Stop!" follower (THIEF); 89A: Auric and M's creator (IAN); 90A: Cologne conjunction (UND); 91A: Faraday's forte: abbr. (SCI.); 92A: Elvis's least favorite nickname? (MEMPHIS BELLY); 96A: Item in a maternity ward gift shop? (TOY STORK); 99A: Iowa college (COE); 100A: "There is no try" utterer (YODA); 101A: "Gang" preceder (OUR); 102A: Go by, as time (ELAPSE); 105A: Auto or info follower (BAHN); 109A: Mad magazine version of a De Niro movie? (TAXI DRIVEL); 113A: The second kind of, formally (TYPE II); 118A: Try to win over (WOO); 119A: Admission of a sort (SO I LIED); 120A: What Beano is? (FOR ME AND MY GAS); 123A: 66 Across in "King Kong" (ANN); 124A: Friendly intro? (ECO-); 125A: Hefty instrument (TUBA); 126A: What stockings are called in Indiana? (HOOSIERY); 127A: Rule, for short (REG.); 128A: B'way crossers (STS.); 129A: Tennis term, briefly (AD IN); 130A: Not on the level (SLOPED); 1D: Winning Cagney role (COHAN); 2D: "Give it ___!" (A REST); 3D: Hospital VIPs (RN'S); 4D: Doesn't care ___ (A FIG); 5D: Bond foe (DR. NO); 6D: Utah's lily (SEGO); 7D: Iditarod crew (DOG TEAM); 8D: East extension? (-ERN); 9D: Sharp (ACUTE); 10D: Jazzman Earl "___" Hines (FATHA); 11D: When Romeo meets Juliet (ACT I); 12D: Cartoon sea dweller (SPONGE BOB); 13D: Take hold of (POSSESS); 14D: Enthusiastic (AVID); 15D: Choose for a chore (HIRE); 16D: Singer Tori (AMOS); 17D: Stealth bomber (B-TWO); 18D: Sufficed (DID); 23D: Chuck Berry tune (NADINE); 25D: Sword part (HILT); 29D: Respond add-on (-ENT); 31D: Pyromorphite, e.g. (ORE); 33D: New century's start (MMI); 36D: Dinosaur-to-be (EGG); 37D: Last interminably (DRAGON); 38D: Clean (computers) (DEBUG); 41D: Cornball (HOKEY); 42D: Phone ID of a sort (IT'S ME); 43D: Stuffy-sounding (NASAL); 44D: Burger king? (KROC); 45D: Tritt, for short (TRAV); 46D: Gon or gram lead-in (HEXA-); 47D: Popular street tree (ELM); 48D: D-Day landing vessel, commonly (LST); 49D: Small vulpine varmint (KIT FOX); 52D: "What ___, Fort Knox?" (AM I); 55D: Talon (CLAW); 56D: "___ with a little help from my friends" (I GET BY); 58D: Player's sideliner (INJURY); 60D: Bk. depository (LIB.); 61D: "How can ___?" (gambler's query) (I LOSE); 62D: Gershwin and others (IRAS); 64D: Lyricist Lorenz (HART); 65D: True ___ (as expected) (TO FORM); 69D: Prego rival (RAGU); 70D: See 84 Across (CAN); 71D: Town-square structure (GAZEBO); 72D: Pad user (STENO); 73D: Marty's creator (PADDY); 74D: Broadcasting (ON AIR); 76D: Dagwood's dog (DAISY); 77D: Trompe l'___ (OEIL); 78D: Anthem start (O SAY); 79D: Sec's partner? (MIN); 80D: Word in a Kubrick title (SHUT); 81D: Wrong (INCORRECT); 82D: French sight, or a Saturn model (VUE); 83D: Upsilon follower (PHI); 87D: "Look me in ___ ..." (THE EYE); 88D: Bernanke's purview, with "the" (FED); 91D: Hits the books (STUDIES); 93D: Feminist's target: abbr. (MCP); 94D: U.S. male? (POSTMAN); 95D: Testing setting (LAB); 97D: Potting need (SOIL); 98D: Former "Tonight Show" guitarist Eubanks, familiarly (KEV); 103D: ___ message (LEFT A); 104D: For all to hear (ALOUD); 106D: "___, do I have to?" (AW GEE); 107D: Store selfishly (HOARD); 108D: Meddlesome (NOSY); 109D: Pre-1917 bigwig (TSAR); 110D: Tip-top (A-ONE); 111D: Ped ___ (X'ING); 112D: Some promises (I DO'S); 114D: Oom-___ band (PAH); 115D: Slugger Slaughter (ENOS); 116D: Fan club focus (IDOL); 117D: "___ out of it today" (I'M SO); 121D: Diamond stat (RBI); 122D: Yorkie's bark (YIP).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-33548242487731520872011-10-09T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:53.998-07:0010.09 Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">S U N D A Y</span><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">October 9, 2011<br />John Lampkin</span><br /><br /><i>[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at <a href="http://cruciverb.com/">cruciverb.com</a>.]</i><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvduIw0h8fUZYnkm7TXObIWQG-CkmctNOzvHDrj9knvtByqUScPvJBoRHt69cjfK0i2KxCNiVdBpKoHg_QanS1eV6BO3B-Tjv7jrv1kwThvKq1sxvCXh-SuSdy3PMs-JyckFQPuWphbLoG/s1600/la111009grid.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvduIw0h8fUZYnkm7TXObIWQG-CkmctNOzvHDrj9knvtByqUScPvJBoRHt69cjfK0i2KxCNiVdBpKoHg_QanS1eV6BO3B-Tjv7jrv1kwThvKq1sxvCXh-SuSdy3PMs-JyckFQPuWphbLoG/s320/la111009grid.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #663366; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Theme:</b></span></span><b style="color: black;"> </b><span style="color: black;">"Seas the Day"</span><b style="color: black;"> </b><span style="color: black;">— Nautical wordplay.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Theme Entries:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><ul><li>24A: Course for sailors? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>ANCHOR MANAGEMENT</b></span>).</li><li>40A: Measures to ensure restful sleep on-board? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>BERTH CONTROL</b></span>).</li><li>64A: The Red Baron, belowdecks? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>ACE IN THE HULL</b></span>).</li><li>72A: Results of eating French fries at the ship's wheel? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>SLIPPERY HELM</b></span>).</li><li>97A: Irrational weeping over a broken spar? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>MAST HYSTERIA</b></span>).</li><li>116A: Philosophical shrug about channel markers? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>BUOYS WILL BE BUOYS</b></span>).</li><li>3D: Positive report from a deck hand? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>THE JIB IS UP</b></span>). </li><li>77D: Bit of gear for a nuclear-powered dinghy? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>URANIUM OAR</b></span>).</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hey, crossword fans. Doug here on Sunday. Hope you're all enjoying your weekend.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWucpy-GtfvPim-fuHtvxjNCWW_hoG6scnHn1rJz1R2y56K8wyVG_0EyPBHqD3z9spyWxakLDPebEgi2kd1Z_9uNCVbkEt7K8OvuMZr7xTErD-5Xr6l0D_hbkkCuiJ8Ge6u51gpj3tJT0/s1600/PirateLass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcWucpy-GtfvPim-fuHtvxjNCWW_hoG6scnHn1rJz1R2y56K8wyVG_0EyPBHqD3z9spyWxakLDPebEgi2kd1Z_9uNCVbkEt7K8OvuMZr7xTErD-5Xr6l0D_hbkkCuiJ8Ge6u51gpj3tJT0/s200/PirateLass.jpg" width="132" /></a></div>A shipshape collection of seaworthy puns from John Lampkin today! I like this group better than last week's wine puns. And now I want to rewatch <i>Master and Commander. </i>Love that movie.<br /><br />I'd single out <span style="color: #993300;"><b>ANCHOR MANAGEMENT</b></span> and <span style="color: #993300;"><b>BUOYS WILL BE BUOYS</b></span> as my favorite theme entries, but none of them made me wince. If I have one complaint, it's that <span style="color: #993300;"><b>ACE IN THE HOLD </b></span>sounds better to me than <span style="color: #993300;"><b>ACE IN THE HULL</b></span>, and the clue makes sense either way. In fact, I liked <span style="color: #993300;"><b>HOLD</b></span> so much, that I had a bit of trouble finishing up that section of the puzzle.<br /><br /><span style="color: #993300;"><b> </b></span><br /><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bullets:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>1A: Sax object? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>ALTO</b></span>). I don't really understand this clue. An "alto" isn't an object. Maybe the <i>object</i> of an alto sax is to make an alto sound. Any theories?</li><li>22A: South, in a north wind (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>ALEE</b></span>). Another nautical reference. I wonder if John tried to come up an <span style="color: #993300;"><b>ALEE</b></span> theme entry. "Poet Frost on the safe side?"</li><li>29A: "When I Take My Sugar to ___": 1931 hit (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>TEA</b></span>). I was curious about this song, and I found an original 1931 recording on YouTube. Interesting and kinda catchy, but I thought it would sound more like Def Leppard's "Pour Some Sugar on Me."</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="228" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/4RGZ-F2IXlk" width="390"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>45A: "I'd like to buy ___" (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>AN I</b></span>). I wonder how Joon would do on <i>Wheel of Fortune</i>. He wouldn't make much money, because he'd solve every puzzle before any letters were guessed.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjn6cA_-lotAYgs436nDJMXLwTfuSkJKc0_erALPk1ZRR-_QH9jAyfwAWQtCWhxfSs2U0bdrAPINkm5FyfcHsoXRnEJQ3ewEi9M-yWds1zrw3Hiinlda1VizKqVRG9BgJCHR23YzhunwS/s1600/dano_or_danno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjn6cA_-lotAYgs436nDJMXLwTfuSkJKc0_erALPk1ZRR-_QH9jAyfwAWQtCWhxfSs2U0bdrAPINkm5FyfcHsoXRnEJQ3ewEi9M-yWds1zrw3Hiinlda1VizKqVRG9BgJCHR23YzhunwS/s200/dano_or_danno.jpg" width="200" /></a><li>54A: Five-O booking agent (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>DANO</b></span>). "Book 'em, Dano!" There was some discussion among crossword constructors a while back about whether the name is spelled "Dano" or "Danno." Apparently the <i>Hawaii Five-O</i> writers weren't consistent with the spelling. So you'll see "Danno" in a puzzle every now and then.</li><li>115A: How many nightclubs are lit (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>DIMLY</b></span>). My first thought: "All of them."</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLYzQAJnORmVG666dVLjqBosCEYvT7RRolSmRsjDU31Lew4CGWs75H7hWG_f3uwn07UQwwE50M_R6gU_f4GnakMd8xjKRu_XSvpcs1IL-_tuxgefCtD91fuW-95VYIGyi_HUc2z4xorG7/s1600/JimmyOlsen98.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 2em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLYzQAJnORmVG666dVLjqBosCEYvT7RRolSmRsjDU31Lew4CGWs75H7hWG_f3uwn07UQwwE50M_R6gU_f4GnakMd8xjKRu_XSvpcs1IL-_tuxgefCtD91fuW-95VYIGyi_HUc2z4xorG7/s200/JimmyOlsen98.jpg" width="135" /></a><li>127A: Lane associate (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>OLSEN</b></span>). Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. Remember that time Superman made him marry an ape? </li><li>25D: Classical guitar family name (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>ROMERO</b></span>). New to me. From Wikipedia: "Los Romeros is a guitar quartet, sometimes known as 'The Royal Family of the Guitar.' Their personnel consists entirely of members of the Romero family."</li><li>41D: Home, metonymically (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>HEARTH</b></span>). Metonymy is a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is not called by its own name, but by the name of something intimately associated with it. For example, "Hollywood" is used as a metonym for the movie industry, and "The White House" is a metonym for the Presidency.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYQPw2Rt9k4uJP_kss-5Py2qtnbnDt1O1Etg_gcV4hyRM5DetMNSJZK1Tga4hiCsjnPH0059Zh9D3FCFlL3XP83EscP4KDvRiTF_F71nkoBHJ1nj4Pd30eaMGF86L2ldCOHgl8Q47tMvb/s1600/He-Man_and_She-Ra.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIYQPw2Rt9k4uJP_kss-5Py2qtnbnDt1O1Etg_gcV4hyRM5DetMNSJZK1Tga4hiCsjnPH0059Zh9D3FCFlL3XP83EscP4KDvRiTF_F71nkoBHJ1nj4Pd30eaMGF86L2ldCOHgl8Q47tMvb/s200/He-Man_and_She-Ra.gif" width="128" /></a><li>72D: Toondom's Princess of Power (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>SHE-RA</b></span>). He-Man's twin sister. Shouldn't she be called She-Woman? And which one do you think has the prettier hairstyle?</li><li>118D: Intoxicating letters? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>BYO</b></span>). As in BYOB, Bring Your Own Booze/Bottle. When I throw a party, I tell people to "BYO" food, booze, chairs, and entertainment. Why should I do all the work?</li></ul>I'm sure that some of you don't have to work on Columbus Day, so enjoy the three-day weekend. But don't forgot to watch Joon on <i>Jeopardy!</i> on Monday. He's a juggernaut.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Sax object? (ALTO); 5A: Passing fancies (WHIMS); 10A: Hospital delivery (BIRTH); 15A: Dandelion's home, often (LAWN); 19A: Wonka's creator (DAHL); 20A: Like much floor tile (VINYL); 21A: In __: awaiting delivery (UTERO); 22A: South, in a north wind (ALEE); 23A: Suit to __ (A TEE); 24A: Course for sailors? (ANCHOR MANAGEMENT); 27A: Taking drive-thru orders, e.g. (MCJOB); 29A: "When I Take My Sugar to __": 1931 hit (TEA); 30A: Leaves out (OMITS); 31A: Outdoes (BESTS); 32A: Ones in concert with con artists (SHILLS); 34A: Pollen-bearing organ (STAMEN); 36A: Insurance gps. (HMO'S); 38A: Moistens overnight, perhaps (BEDEWS); 40A: Measures to ensure restful sleep on-board? (BERTH CONTROL); 45A: "I'd like to buy __" (AN I); 47A: Corny jokes (GROANERS); 49A: Corny picks (EARS); 50A: Audit trailer? (-ORY); 51A: Plane front (NOSE); 53A: 19th-century Mexican president Juárez (BENITO); 54A: Five-O booking agent (DANO); 55A: Sleeper's choice (TWIN); 56A: Suit that beats the other three (TRUMP); 58A: Addams family cousin (ITT); 59A: Dastard (CUR); 60A: Bug barrier (SCREEN); 62A: Bug killers (ZAPPERS); 64A: The Red Baron, belowdecks? (ACE IN THE HULL); 68A: Beat badly (TROMP); 70A: English sÌ, at sea (AYE); 71A: Noodle rings? (HALOS); 72A: Result of eating French fries at the ship's wheel? (SLIPPERY HELM); 76A: Sweats (GYM SUIT); 80A: Word spoken before a shot (CHEESE); 81A: Suffix with Caesar (-EAN); 82A: H.S. math course (ALG.); 84A: Political housecleaning (PURGE); 85A: Flag throwers (REFS); 86A: "Ring around the collar" detergent (WISK); 88A: Pesto herbs (BASILS); 91A: Try to find on the road, say (PAGE); 92A: Some busts (ART); 93A: Stable upstairs? (SANE); 94A: Stout, for one (DARK BEER); 96A: Citi Field team, on scoreboards (NYM); 97A: Irrational weeping over a broken spar? (MAST HYSTERIA); 100A: St. Clare's town (ASSISI); 102A: Drain stain (RUST); 103A: Barbizon School artist (MILLET); 105A: "Uncle!" ("ENOUGH!"); 108A: Sock synthetic (ORLON); 111A: Yeshiva leader (REBBE); 113A: Four times daily, in an Rx (QID); 115A: How many nightclubs are lit (DIMLY); 116A: Philosophical shrug about channel markers? (BUOYS WILL BE BUOYS); 120A: Gad about (ROAM); 121A: French fashion mag (ELLE); 122A: Quintessential flop (EDSEL); 123A: "__ in Words": New Ager's memoir (YANNI); 124A: Deservedly get (EARN); 125A: Copyright datum (YEAR); 126A: 1970s Big Apple mayor (BEAME); 127A: Lane associate (OLSEN); 128A: "__ Tu": 1974 hit (ERES); 1D: John in the White House (ADAMS); 2D: Closing mechanism (LATCH); 3D: Positive report from a deck hand? (THE JIB IS UP); 4D: Fútbol cheer (OLÉ OLÉ); 5D: Wheeling's st. (W. VA.); 6D: Clue or cue (HINT); 7D: Like the ocean's roar (INCESSANT); 8D: What I might eat in defeat? (MY HAT); 9D: __-mo (SLO); 10D: Downers (BUMMERS); 11D: "If __ broke ..." (IT AIN'T); 12D: Musical based on Puccini's "La Bohème" (RENT); 13D: Raccoon attractor (TRASHCAN); 14D: Refuse to share (HOG); 15D: Least believable (LAMEST); 16D: Stout alternatives (ALES); 17D: Headed out (WENT); 18D: Butterfly catchers (NETS); 25D: Classical guitar family name (ROMERO); 26D: Poetic blacks (EBONS); 28D: Campus unit: Abbr. (BLDG.); 33D: Balkan native (SERB); 35D: Be an accessory to (ABET); 37D: In a moody way (MOROSELY); 39D: "Alas!" ("WOE IS ME""); 41D: Home, metonymically (HEARTH); 42D: Wheel on a spur (ROWEL); 43D: Bay window (ORIEL); 44D: Singer Loretta (LYNN); 45D: Bug film in which Gene Hackman voices General Mandible (ANTZ); 46D: Ibsen's "doll" (NORA); 48D: Silents star Naldi (NITA); 52D: Frat bash refuse (EMPTIES); 54D: Bug for payment (DUN); 55D: Bind tightly (TRUSS UP); 57D: Heist participants, to cops (PERPS); 59D: Sky over Paris (CIEL); 61D: Bite (CHOMP); 63D: Ravine-crossing hauling systems (ROPEWAYS); 65D: "All the Way" lyricist (CAHN); 66D: See (EYE); 67D: Dickers (HAGGLES); 69D: Out-of-the-box feature (PRESET); 72D: Toondom's Princess of Power (SHE-RA); 73D: Johansson's jabs (LEFTS); 74D: Chew the fat (YAK); 75D: False front (MASK); 77D: Bit of gear for a nuclear-powered dinghy? (URANIUM OAR); 78D: Punk star __ Pop (IGGY); 79D: Be crawling (with) (TEEM); 80D: Jam-pack (CRAM); 83D: Celebratory drinks (LIBATIONS); 87D: Good way to take things (IN STRIDE); 88D: Security holder, in law (BAILEE); 89D: Asian sea (ARAL); 90D: Zairian dictator Mobutu __ Seko (SESE); 93D: Eschews (SHUNS); 94D: Court action (DRIBBLE); 95D: Coat to peel off (RIND); 98D: Verne __, Mini-Me portrayer in Austin Powers films (TROYER); 99D: Symbol (EMBLEM); 101D: Evening musicale (SOIREE); 104D: Tantamount (EQUAL); 106D: A polarizing filter reduces it (GLARE); 107D: Choral offerings (HYMNS); 108D: Follow (OBEY); 109D: Thing to follow (RULE); 110D: She gets what she wants (LOLA); 112D: "Lohengrin" heroine (ELSA); 114D: Force unit (DYNE); 117D: Bug catcher (WEB); 118D: Intoxicating letters? (BYO); 119D: Biblical no-no (SIN).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-22665597369237731682011-10-08T06:48:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.041-07:0010.08 Sat<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">S A T U R D A Y<br />October 8, 2011<br />Brad Wilber</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjY1edFu95sl0BOv3Wag_uFjaj0T1bu9fGKpt3DGIyxv1RPtqletIz1XY2sRA_iA-HDPrICo4ZnkRgGmrGo9D8QuDMq9CCvNM9IxYHOuXyT34UZTNu150R40G0vlGVsWuL6Ws1QiKlwug/s1600/grid+lat+11+10+08.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXjY1edFu95sl0BOv3Wag_uFjaj0T1bu9fGKpt3DGIyxv1RPtqletIz1XY2sRA_iA-HDPrICo4ZnkRgGmrGo9D8QuDMq9CCvNM9IxYHOuXyT34UZTNu150R40G0vlGVsWuL6Ws1QiKlwug/s320/grid+lat+11+10+08.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661118148739484642" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>None<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCgDxMBkF_T7AA_Aive4xR__SHOUDhAzpMUfoN5EAxDHH5KEq3vWBxK2-Bm399825HNIKGDKioFoAzAQvjqy13rwmN-6WXvYXp-KUBEVki4l3XZ9ZZBKKMUOebeNzrabJbp10vRL_alaO/s1600/eye-chart.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqCgDxMBkF_T7AA_Aive4xR__SHOUDhAzpMUfoN5EAxDHH5KEq3vWBxK2-Bm399825HNIKGDKioFoAzAQvjqy13rwmN-6WXvYXp-KUBEVki4l3XZ9ZZBKKMUOebeNzrabJbp10vRL_alaO/s200/eye-chart.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661118795578769794" /></a>Sorry I'm late. Also sorry this will be short. I've got something weird going on with my eye and need to go to the doctor. I'm sure it's not life-threatening (otherwise I wouldn't be here), but it just looks like something I need to get checked out. And it's not really my <i>eye</i> so much as it's some swelling <i>under</i> my eye, which probably isn't related to my actual eyeball at all, so really, not a huge deal. But I'm gonna stop talking about it now so I can say a few things about this puzzle.<br /><br />It's always a treat to see Brad's name in the byline and this puzzle turned out to be pretty much exactly what I expected. A tough workout with lots of sparkle. There were only a couple things I just flat-out didn't know:<br /></p><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOYMSQdLT21VUEb64iOtKCFddLTCpeV6xfTpWSomo9VdWYrIQfwXt8XRhU4ZcmpElFcEWf1Cai1Eo_ZkAE4Tu26DvIHcmLvp9GCOFRRrNQhIJQ19i188A8SKFJlifU3DnPl606pXtfaMT/s1600/eva-marton.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJOYMSQdLT21VUEb64iOtKCFddLTCpeV6xfTpWSomo9VdWYrIQfwXt8XRhU4ZcmpElFcEWf1Cai1Eo_ZkAE4Tu26DvIHcmLvp9GCOFRRrNQhIJQ19i188A8SKFJlifU3DnPl606pXtfaMT/s200/eva-marton.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661119132473047058" /></a><li>17A: 1870s period costume named for a Dickens lass (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DOLLY VARDEN</span>). It's possible I'm the least-well-read English major you'll ever meet.</li><li>53A: Soprano Marton (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">EVA</span>). Brad is a huge opera buff so in one of his late-week puzzles, you can pretty much count on a clue like this for a common crossword entry.</li><li>24D: "Everybody Loves __": Johnny Cash album (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">A NUT</span>). I had only the U in place for quite a while and I can't be the only one who thought the answer was going to be A GUN.</li><li>37D: "The Horse Fair" artist Bonheur (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ROSA</span>).</li></ul>Lots of sparkle in the triple stacks:<br /><ul><li>15A: Stage manager's exhortation (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">IT'S SHOWTIME</span>).</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMwO6WVsfaAAAlENRIpcG5-sJcPlVKPCDUNz7SVDi8O9LjGYPMTVkaHXdbMNfQ1O41n6h9rkY8zGcU1gbxFvcTQIEoG5tWjSfAxaQ7B4g39vtM33Jn80a43PuFHucc7lhyphenhyphenN6SmpHwJoqL/s1600/mona-lisa-vito.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSMwO6WVsfaAAAlENRIpcG5-sJcPlVKPCDUNz7SVDi8O9LjGYPMTVkaHXdbMNfQ1O41n6h9rkY8zGcU1gbxFvcTQIEoG5tWjSfAxaQ7B4g39vtM33Jn80a43PuFHucc7lhyphenhyphenN6SmpHwJoqL/s200/mona-lisa-vito.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661119710011745874" /></a><li>59A: Life-support system? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CEREAL AISLE</span>). The clue is a little cutesy for my taste, but the answer is awesome.</li><li>61A: Mona Lisa Vito in "My Cousin Vinny," for one (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">STAR WITNESS</span>). Ha!</li><li>12D: Two-wheeled carriage with a folding hood (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CABRIOLET</span>).</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyWJHLynnYsqApQCpyr1IckS9eJKr8BIoRf5srL2fuZ5ydL79rIp6pQxvrid7QnC8MT1LHi9ZAjxlAhRTjishC9-pG4o1J9d2889mK6SahmEydbVstQ_zBEkOQzXlgzVq1O9Pkobt8ZHu/s1600/i-dream-of-jeannie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 159px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilyWJHLynnYsqApQCpyr1IckS9eJKr8BIoRf5srL2fuZ5ydL79rIp6pQxvrid7QnC8MT1LHi9ZAjxlAhRTjishC9-pG4o1J9d2889mK6SahmEydbVstQ_zBEkOQzXlgzVq1O9Pkobt8ZHu/s200/i-dream-of-jeannie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661120840849566722" /></a><li>31D: Duffer's dream (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HOLE IN ONE</span>). "Duffer" is a word used to describe someone who is not very good at golf.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>26A: Ones waiting for bottle openers? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GENIES</span>). I tried BABIES first.</li><li>1D: Improved, perhaps, as a road (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">WIDER</span>). "Improved" in this clue is an adjective, not a verb. Tricky.</li><li>40D: Subterranean rodent (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MOLE RAT</span>). I only know what a MOLE RAT is from the kids' show "Kim Possible." Don't judge.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LhgasHwktwdo9kmq0Ex8xKl_2S2ADbruKApx113dE3IM7h8AfaknAbV4wmsanMvrV3Cw1ceY189qvIAnC1A_PgG7YwKI9YDWKgYBKL16ll_XJ4FF0W05ZfNsf0LR8XT_WDjrqYAgLxng/s1600/kevin-der.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 159px; height: 190px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LhgasHwktwdo9kmq0Ex8xKl_2S2ADbruKApx113dE3IM7h8AfaknAbV4wmsanMvrV3Cw1ceY189qvIAnC1A_PgG7YwKI9YDWKgYBKL16ll_XJ4FF0W05ZfNsf0LR8XT_WDjrqYAgLxng/s200/kevin-der.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661121170244647330" /></a><li>56D: __ Bund: Swiss newspaper (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DER</span>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Esther Williams number (WATER BALLET); 12A: One who "must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES": Eliot (CAT); 15A: Stage manager's exhortation (IT'S SHOWTIME); 16A: Opposite of hence (AGO); 17A: 1870s period costume named for a Dickens lass (DOLLY VARDEN); 18A: Grille cover (BRA); 19A: Composer of "The Lovely Bones" music (ENO); 20A: 1986-to-2001 orbiter (MIR); 21A: In sequence (ORDERED); 23A: Mason's fee (RETAINER); 26A: Ones waiting for bottle openers? (GENIES); 27A: Storm's dir. (NNE); 28A: Ulster, for one (OVERCOAT); 30A: Indicate indifference (SHRUG); 33A: Printers' primary colors (CYANS); 34A: Debt-laden fin. deal (LBO); 35A: Derisive call (HOOT); 36A: Pep rally climax, perhaps (CHANT); 37A: Transfer consequence, familiarly (RELO); 38A: Wood used in bows (ELM); 39A: Grinds (TOILS); 40A: Auto club recommendation (MOTEL); 41A: It's for the dogs (LEASH LAW); 43A: Trig. function (COS); 44A: Like some prescription lenses (TINTED); 45A: Took after (EMULATED); 50A: Establish firmly (ENGRAFT); 52A: __ Zion Church (A.M.E.); 53A: Soprano Marton (EVA); 54A: Milne tyke (ROO); 55A: Hippie era swinger? (BEAD CURTAIN); 58A: Heel in a bakery (END); 59A: Life-support system? (CEREAL AISLE); 60A: Paris's Pont __ Arts (DES); 61A: Mona Lisa Vito in "My Cousin Vinny," for one (STAR WITNESS); 1D: Improved, perhaps, as a road (WIDER); 2D: Mark Yom Kippur (ATONE); 3D: Letter-shaped workbench groove (T-SLOT); 4D: School subj. for an au pair (ESL); 5D: Seuss hallmark (RHYMING); 6D: Big ox, say (BOVINE); 7D: Au courant (AWARE); 8D: Copier tray size: Abbr. (LTR.); 9D: Adriatic vacation destination (LIDO); 10D: Coming into view (EMERGENT); 11D: Chicken option (TENDERS); 12D: Two-wheeled carriage with a folding hood (CABRIOLET); 13D: Easy (AGREEABLE); 14D: Forest dweller with a cap (TOADSTOOL); 22D: Ref. work (ENC.); 24D: "Everybody Loves __": Johnny Cash album (A NUT); 25D: Sovereign euphemism (ROYAL WE); 29D: 37-Across rentals (VANS); 30D: Like a prime candidate for disillusionment (SHELTERED); 31D: Duffer's dream (HOLE IN ONE); 32D: Mars and Mercury (ROMAN GODS); 33D: Mint family plant (CHIA); 36D: Eleventh-hour panic (COLD FEET); 37D: "The Horse Fair" artist Bonheur (ROSA); 39D: String in a preschool class? (THE ABC'S); 40D: Subterranean rodent (MOLE RAT); 42D: Narrow waterway: Abbr. (STR.); 43D: Fluffy clouds (CUMULI); 46D: Colorful talker (MACAW); 47D: Style, as hair into a bouffant (TEASE); 48D: Crusader's targets (EVILS); 49D: Kierkegaard et al. (DANES); 51D: Butler's estate, for a time (TARA); 56D: __ Bund: Swiss newspaper (DER); 57D: Pewter component (TIN).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-23748394939541980282011-10-07T04:52:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.102-07:0010.07 Fri<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;" >F R I D A Y<br />October 7, 2011<br />Pete Muller</span><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeluKytgmsPwnx8L0ooYstGf7r9Q3NzYr5KiJq00t8zoqC15e3Dn1CsO6DP0tZ9it9fLuF04iJpTyRsII9ekQ_PaJFZq2sAAgG4iA-3uwp5QI25UbctW6QegxmiAKVYbF4kt4bs5yxbFj/s1600/grid+lat+11+10+07.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeluKytgmsPwnx8L0ooYstGf7r9Q3NzYr5KiJq00t8zoqC15e3Dn1CsO6DP0tZ9it9fLuF04iJpTyRsII9ekQ_PaJFZq2sAAgG4iA-3uwp5QI25UbctW6QegxmiAKVYbF4kt4bs5yxbFj/s320/grid+lat+11+10+07.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660717074639648098" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Theme: </span>G FORCE — The letters CE are replaced by the letter G in familiar phrases (i.e., you need to substitute "G" FOR "CE")<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>20A: Boast à la Donald Trump? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BRAG FOR IMPACT</span>).</li><li>26A: "Our overly fussy friend has a point"? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">THE PRIG IS RIGHT</span>).</li><li>43A: Joplin piece about modern weaponry? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">NUCLEAR ARMS RAG</span>).</li><li>50A: Delay from an 18th-century English ruler? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">QUEEN ANNE'S LAG</span>).</li><li>64A: It's zero in free-fall—and, put another way, a hint to how the four longest puzzle answers were formed (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">G FORCE</span>).</li></ul><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">[Quick Jeopardy note: Joon won again last night (yee-haw!), so he'll be on again tonight. Jeopardy doesn't air on the west coast until 10:00pm Eastern. Please don't post any spoilers in the comments before that time. Thanks!]</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrkxu8N8ichpjo5v7cmlOMBK_36ubqK34Gvfj9bePEtSOUv1KJ4pNEz2cSuPKmyX6wzy6RQiS8PJouCg5VtrOnOa7ce56l6rc3sfgF14QIIUslQu894kBJbz0QA4NbpyDuMRoCyX-hP9O/s1600/free-fall.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrkxu8N8ichpjo5v7cmlOMBK_36ubqK34Gvfj9bePEtSOUv1KJ4pNEz2cSuPKmyX6wzy6RQiS8PJouCg5VtrOnOa7ce56l6rc3sfgF14QIIUslQu894kBJbz0QA4NbpyDuMRoCyX-hP9O/s200/free-fall.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660717847854382882" border="0" /></a>I had a hard time figuring out this theme from the first two theme answers. I had the end of each phrase, but didn't know what the beginning could possibly be. It finally clicked at NUCLEAR ARMS RAG, awesomely clued as [43A: Joplin piece about modern weaponry?] and then I could go back and piece together the others. Well, that's not entirely true. I couldn't come up with the original phrase "brace for impact," so I still had trouble with that one.<br /><br />Lots of missteps today:<br /><ul><li>7A: Does away with (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">OFFS</span>). I tried ENDS first.</li><li>24A: Malt finish? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">-OSE</span>). Wanted -ESE here.</li><li>34A: Fiber source (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">OAT BRAN</span>). Stupidly entered OATMEAL.</li><li>5D: Sicilian resort (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ENNA</span>). Tried ETNA. At least I was in the right country.</li><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pLKdVsCVrhgFJX0PjnQCkTG-JY2DgA2-dII28Y21P6wRRclxWctdzrPhz6Rod6Fku0cC9a09MIJeyKhjmbGmDojkpY9vcuT4NVXfzRntks3231rlDjZqOxr7rqk1iphT-G2goCmepL7c/s1600/he-man.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pLKdVsCVrhgFJX0PjnQCkTG-JY2DgA2-dII28Y21P6wRRclxWctdzrPhz6Rod6Fku0cC9a09MIJeyKhjmbGmDojkpY9vcuT4NVXfzRntks3231rlDjZqOxr7rqk1iphT-G2goCmepL7c/s200/he-man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660718540172745634" border="0" /></a><li>6D: Unaccompanied (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">STAG</span>). Wasn't sure if this would be SOLO or SOLE. Could have saved myself some time on that argument.</li><li>10D: Dam up (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">STEM</span>). Tried STOP.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;" >Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>1A: Puts a little too close to the flame (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SINGES</span>). Anyone else here ever singe their eyelashes. Yeah, that's embarrassing.</li><li>18A: August (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MAJESTIC</span>). Both clue and answer are great words.</li><li>40A: "Have some" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"EAT"</span>). This clue could work both with and without the quotation marks, I think. The quotation marks indicate that this something a person would say (duh), so the answer needs to be something <i>else</i> a person would say that means the same thing. But even without the saying part, have some = eat.</li><li>48A: Emulate Eminem (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RAP</span>). I went looking for an Eminem clip to include and came across this ad, which actually gives me goose-bumps at the end.</li><br /><center><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/SKL254Y_jtc" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="305" width="380"></iframe></center><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXe2D7jeaEMii82H77Mmh3lfObebLFJ-FfOEP4OP4AyPxh6v0pWl45fUYoUmFCn451y4IdhtZpTGnsDnEk_JYyjCYMg_FGA7rPaXVC2YZXSTJ5KW5yDZxQ_MPNnkRFIYNJuBoauxVOjOx/s1600/atom.png"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 166px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXe2D7jeaEMii82H77Mmh3lfObebLFJ-FfOEP4OP4AyPxh6v0pWl45fUYoUmFCn451y4IdhtZpTGnsDnEk_JYyjCYMg_FGA7rPaXVC2YZXSTJ5KW5yDZxQ_MPNnkRFIYNJuBoauxVOjOx/s200/atom.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660719129093594562" border="0" /></a><li>59A: NRC predecessor (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">AEC</span>). The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is the successor to the Atomec Energy Commission, which, in 1975, changed its name to the Energy Research and Development Administration and, basically, broke apart into several separate agencies including the NRC, the National Nuclear Security Adminsitration, and the Office of Nuclear Energy, Science & Technology. At least that's what Wikipedia says happened.</li><li>63A: "Right away, Mammy" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"YES'M"</span>). I really don't want to get into a whole thing about this, but I just want to mention that I cringed a little when I read this clue.</li><li>19D: Water source (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SPIGOT</span>). I wanted this to be SPRING, but I already had the I in the "wrong" place. Then I couldn't shift my thinking away from a <i>natural</i> source for water. I needed all the crosses for this one is what I'm saying.</li><li>21D: Surround with dense mist (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FOG IN</span>). With an E where the O was supposed to go, this took a while to fall into place. I thought it might be something like BEFOG, only not BEFOG because I already had the IN.</li><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Mx1OAyLMMsQkpsIk8A5L0hRt5MK5jnl2d3VZMjJuOTh7n54Lnf5PNYJWHLDQQp9j12_rs4nhoRuWyn4yubC7mx33PzPlrlKkvnE3OLnYqpaD1OlWfc7TVRdIeKMEAq8hKJFE2Nnb9fcO/s1600/chia-pet.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Mx1OAyLMMsQkpsIk8A5L0hRt5MK5jnl2d3VZMjJuOTh7n54Lnf5PNYJWHLDQQp9j12_rs4nhoRuWyn4yubC7mx33PzPlrlKkvnE3OLnYqpaD1OlWfc7TVRdIeKMEAq8hKJFE2Nnb9fcO/s200/chia-pet.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660719409593313570" border="0" /></a><li>23D: Hirsute pet (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CHIA</span>). This doesn't work for me. A CHIA pet isn't really "hirsute," right?</li><li>28D: Sizzling (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">IRATE</span>). Lots of "hot" words that work as synonymns for IRATE: hot, steamed, boiling, etc. But "sizzling" to me means sexy, not angry.</li><li>30D: Under the weather, e.g. (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">IDIOM</span>). Brilliant. I get tricked by this type of clue pretty much every time. In this case, we're not looking for an example of someone being "under the weather" or "ill" but, instead, need to think about the fact that the phrase "under the weather" is an example of an IDIOM.</li><li>36D: It's not always easy to get into (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SHAPE</span>). I guess that depends on what shape you're going for.</li><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0_S8HvVOptUKABeKvAGw5M4-pvMMzBwY-LeRr6ztrkIUSLJ8qeBQQUtSfcoubh36dri-L_bb7XxbEcOwf-1AwN5e2c9NiXtoyQlDiQCVCcg1JnLXRMiMYokXoQQSIr-SFJormiakKRsk/s1600/teri-garr.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0_S8HvVOptUKABeKvAGw5M4-pvMMzBwY-LeRr6ztrkIUSLJ8qeBQQUtSfcoubh36dri-L_bb7XxbEcOwf-1AwN5e2c9NiXtoyQlDiQCVCcg1JnLXRMiMYokXoQQSIr-SFJormiakKRsk/s200/teri-garr.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5660720012361395618" border="0" /></a><li>37D: "Tootsie" Oscar nominee (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TERI GARR</span>). For some reason, I thought it was Jessica Lange who got the nomination for this movie. Oh wait. Both Lange and GARR were nominated, but Lange won. I feel better about myself now. I'm going to include a picture of TERI GARR here, just incase Rex stops by. He has a little thing for her.</li><li>43D: Sartre work (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">NAUSEA</span>). This is the first I've heard of it. A novel called NAUSEA? Wow. Can't wait to read it.</li></ul><br /><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Puts a little too close to the flame (SINGES); 7A: Does away with (OFFS); 11A: Spirit (PEP); 14A: Set straight (ORIENT); 15A: Narrow space (SLIT); 16A: Pay add-on (-OLA); 17A: Where many changes occur (CABANA); 18A: August (MAJESTIC); 20A: Boast à la Donald Trump? (BRAG FOR IMPACT); 22A: Patriot Act protesters: Abbr. (ACLU); 24A: Malt finish? (-OSE); 25A: Goddess of motherhood (ISIS); 26A: "Our overly fussy friend has a point"? (THE PRIG IS RIGHT); 31A: Wasikowska of "The Kids Are All Right" (MIA); 32A: "Trinity" novelist (URIS); 33A: Union agreement (I DO); 34A: Fiber source (OAT BRAN); 36A: Illegal pitch (SPITTER); 40A: "Have some" ("EAT"); 41A: Kid on "The Cosby Show" (THEO); 42A: Big name in '40s-'50s Argentina (EVA); 43A: Joplin piece about modern weaponry? (NUCLEAR ARMS RAG); 47A: Went under (SANK); 48A: Emulate Eminem (RAP); 49A: Irascibility (BILE); 50A: Delay from an 18th-century English ruler? (QUEEN ANNE'S LAG); 55A: LA and MI, but not DO or RE (U.S. STATES); 56A: Gas up? (AERATE); 59A: NRC predecessor (AEC); 60A: It can get you credit in a store (VISA); 61A: Shrink, in a way (NARROW); 62A: "The __ of Pooh": '80s best-seller (TAO); 63A: "Right away, Mammy" ("YES'M"); 64A: It's zero in free-fall—and, put another way, a hint to how the four longest puzzle answers were formed (G-FORCE); 1D: Religious org., perhaps (SOC.); 2D: George's lyricist (IRA); 3D: Show little interest in, as food (NIBBLE AT); 4D: Get ready for action (GEAR UP); 5D: Sicilian resort (ENNA); 6D: Unaccompanied (STAG); 7D: Biology text topic (OSMOSIS); 8D: Roadside attention getters (FLARES); 9D: Water brand named for its source (FIJI); 10D: Dam up (STEM); 11D: Fertilizer substance (POTASH); 12D: Draw forth (ELICIT); 13D: Treaties (PACTS); 19D: Water source (SPIGOT); 21D: Surround with dense mist (FOG IN); 22D: Spherical opening? (ATMO-); 23D: Hirsute pet (CHIA); 27D: Like the sticks (RURAL); 28D: Sizzling (IRATE); 29D: More fleshy, perhaps (RIPER); 30D: Under the weather, e.g. (IDIOM); 35D: Anouilh play made into a Burton/O'Toole film (BECKET); 36D: It's not always easy to get into (SHAPE); 37D: "Tootsie" Oscar nominee (TERI GARR); 38D: Assessment, for short (EVAL); 39D: Popular trend (RAGE); 41D: Pontiac muscle car (TRANS AM); 43D: Sartre work (NAUSEA); 44D: Paris-based cultural org. (UNESCO); 45D: "Gunsmoke" star (ARNESS); 46D: Popular purveyor of stromboli (SBARRO); 47D: Zippo (SQUAT); 51D: Deep blue (NAVY); 52D: Play to __ (A TIE); 53D: Named names (SANG); 54D: Two pages (LEAF); 57D: Front-of-bk. list (TOC); 58D: Cote girl (EWE).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-2833432760857783242011-10-06T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.138-07:0010.06 Thu<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">T H U R S D A Y</span><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">October 6, 2011<br />Peter A. Collins</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yocTfBK1Vi5Pp0umbX2jDabzAcsBBhimeRw87k3pFLormW7mfCNyhCMF8o02T8GXIqejoiczd5dQqNN6WbXWczGwOrIB82ITl4D3PYkl999qWcgjmBZYpPNy-Tqzd1A7L5jA1dq2TZPs/s1600/la111006GRID.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-yocTfBK1Vi5Pp0umbX2jDabzAcsBBhimeRw87k3pFLormW7mfCNyhCMF8o02T8GXIqejoiczd5dQqNN6WbXWczGwOrIB82ITl4D3PYkl999qWcgjmBZYpPNy-Tqzd1A7L5jA1dq2TZPs/s320/la111006GRID.gif" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><span style="color: #663366; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Theme:</b></span></span><b style="color: black;"> </b><span style="color: black;">Surprise Elements — Elements hidden inside of theme answers.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Theme Entries:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><ul><li>18A: Health enhancer, so it's said (<b><span style="color: #993300;">APP<span style="color: blue;">LE A D</span>AY</span></b>).</li><li>20A: It "is no problem. You just have to live long enough": Groucho Marx (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>GETTIN<span style="color: blue;">G OLD</span>ER</b></span>).</li><li>51A: "A Moon for the Misbegotten" playwright (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>EUGE<span style="color: blue;">NE O'N</span>EILL</b></span>).</li><li>56A: Longshoremen's aids (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>C<span style="color: blue;">ARGO N</span>ETS</b></span>).</li><li>37A: Unexpected twist (and a hint to what's hidden inside 18-, 20-, 51-, and 56-Across) (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>SURPRISE ELEMENT</b></span>). </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hey, puzzle fans. Doug here, filling in on a Thursday. PuzzleGirl is taking a well-deserved day off. Well, a day off from the blog. She's still got to be at work for eight hours. And then she'll come home and handle a myriad of household and PuzzleKid-related chores. What a slacker.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-fOsoQBChQTg3DHNj-S3atlgqlTn0AvAGcxo2SW-gILLQEhUpBr-7q0tiSCbyTo286O41Fuij5wb5yXQitpfh-bheDrTs1fFd0DCulehUHYH86nO7cKDPrZWLBIFflxgLesy93UcTvTU/s1600/MetalMen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge-fOsoQBChQTg3DHNj-S3atlgqlTn0AvAGcxo2SW-gILLQEhUpBr-7q0tiSCbyTo286O41Fuij5wb5yXQitpfh-bheDrTs1fFd0DCulehUHYH86nO7cKDPrZWLBIFflxgLesy93UcTvTU/s200/MetalMen.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Peter A. Collins brings us a scientific theme today. I hope you were able to uncover all the elements. Two metals (lead & gold) on top and two nobles gases (neon & argon) on the bottom. I don't think there's any significance to those pairings, but I could be missing something. Mr. Collins is fond of putting easter eggs into his puzzles. Maybe he's got the chemical formula for Clamato running diagonally through the grid.<br /><br />I appreciate the fact that every word in each theme entry is part of a hidden element. Hiding <span style="color: #993300;"><b><span style="color: blue;">TIN</span></b></span> in <span style="color: #993300;"><b>SE<span style="color: blue;">T IN </span>STONE</b></span> wouldn't be as cool, because <span style="color: #993300;"><b>STONE</b></span> doesn't contribute to the hidden word.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86xcdR0IJUv2LenRpecRvSoKmH8pts5MFAYL2D3ExEb65gXJUVBfZRz8y20Btv-whsEHyuNHclnmuoYSwkKeDVXsW62Ypy7nlOTa882zSvI3ytpDJwrA2SVrR-5uBEEcJpMMroXDWOn5w/s1600/joon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="78" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86xcdR0IJUv2LenRpecRvSoKmH8pts5MFAYL2D3ExEb65gXJUVBfZRz8y20Btv-whsEHyuNHclnmuoYSwkKeDVXsW62Ypy7nlOTa882zSvI3ytpDJwrA2SVrR-5uBEEcJpMMroXDWOn5w/s200/joon.jpg" width="100" /></a></div>Before we get to the bullets, I want to give a huge shout-out to fellow cruciverbalist Joon Pahk. Joon won his third <i>Jeopardy!</i> match on Wednesday, and it was a nail-biter. Be sure to tune in Thursday. Joon rocks!<br /><br /><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bullets:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm0l89astqz3t7VTn-DZ7C70ganAQilXFoXMJRvysv_Mqtl9xQPW0y5UTYeLPyoO7ZMQg2RztFjAoq_sNrDTv4XErF80Xg_fRNRNyj1DwBOFAOxrw2QhM-v2MZgiaNkjwYSehyphenhyphenDyEzXeQ/s1600/MickeyMantle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtm0l89astqz3t7VTn-DZ7C70ganAQilXFoXMJRvysv_Mqtl9xQPW0y5UTYeLPyoO7ZMQg2RztFjAoq_sNrDTv4XErF80Xg_fRNRNyj1DwBOFAOxrw2QhM-v2MZgiaNkjwYSehyphenhyphenDyEzXeQ/s200/MickeyMantle.jpg" width="200" /></a><li>6A: Slip a Mickey (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>DRUG</b></span>). A Mickey Finn is an alcoholic drink laced with a drug that'll knock you unconscious. Wikipedia tells me that it's likely named for a notorious Chicago bartender, Michael "Mickey" Finn, who was accused of using knockout drops to incapacitate and rob some of his customers.</li><li>22A: Pickup facilitator (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>LINE</b></span>). At a singles bar. For the record, "Wanna see this crossword I made?" has proven to be a horrible pickup line.</li><li>60A: Net reading (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>BLOG</b></span>). I typed <span style="color: #993300;"><b>EMAG</b></span> here first, and I was happy it was wrong, because <span style="color: #993300;"><b>BLOG</b></span> is a much better answer. Mere seconds later...<span style="color: #993300;"><b>EMAG</b></span> appeared at 1-Down. With the same clue! The life of a crossword blogger is never boring.<span style="color: #993300;"><b></b></span> </li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQWl1gWRMWO1VtEzgVRboCnW6MdHn4fHkhkRJ3FEJftUUSBBRE8CO_ojmVzZI1Crew2f6a_l7eiqZ67t4f3gJ53QQK6Q2xW3Cq22wU569eLdXZBL1hDjMVCinycARMNu2pQCeQrjzhY01/s1600/writingonwall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyQWl1gWRMWO1VtEzgVRboCnW6MdHn4fHkhkRJ3FEJftUUSBBRE8CO_ojmVzZI1Crew2f6a_l7eiqZ67t4f3gJ53QQK6Q2xW3Cq22wU569eLdXZBL1hDjMVCinycARMNu2pQCeQrjzhY01/s200/writingonwall.jpg" width="200" /></a><li>2A: "Writing on the wall" word (<b><span style="color: #993300;"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="color: #993300;">MENE</span></span></span></b>). The phrase "the writing on the wall" originates in the book of Daniel. A disembodied hand appeared and wrote on the palace wall: "Mene, Mene, Tekel u-Pharsin," foretelling the demise of the Babylonian Empire. Hmmm, I always thought it was ""Klaatu, barada, nikto."</li><li>3D: Michigan's Cereal City (<b><span style="color: #993300;">BATTLE CREEK</span></b>). Cool entry. That's where Kellogg's is headquartered. Do you think the whole city smells like Pop-Tarts?</li><li>44D: French onion soup topping (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>CHEESE</b></span>). Remember when they changed the name to "Freedom onion soup"? And forced chefs to make it with All-American American cheese slices.</li><li>52D: Gov't. train wreck investigators (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>NTSB</b></span>). National Transportation Safety Board. Yep, nothing funny to say about that.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkCvdSm51DJRKma3h2Kl9SDnaYGZDs7lnJSN6RE7l_zy2K19IfrTf9VLtj41tjGuWNlDSPhIjLMsHOkI6eOdbZ_Evs7BRXvEHGM-Trzm8MzKPqXWbYbuvkFdrvtW7ZRmIvQT1pFjByavx/s1600/bewitched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkCvdSm51DJRKma3h2Kl9SDnaYGZDs7lnJSN6RE7l_zy2K19IfrTf9VLtj41tjGuWNlDSPhIjLMsHOkI6eOdbZ_Evs7BRXvEHGM-Trzm8MzKPqXWbYbuvkFdrvtW7ZRmIvQT1pFjByavx/s200/bewitched.jpg" width="150" /></a><li>56D: "CSI: NY" airer (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>CBS</b></span>). You know, I've never seen a single episode of any of the various CSI incarnations. But I have seen a lot of episodes of "Bewitched." (I had to figure out some way to use this Elizabeth Montgomery picture again.)</li></ul><ul></ul>I'm sure you'll all be happy to know that PuzzleGirl will be back tomorrow. Have a good one.<br /><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-size: 130%; font-weight: bold;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>34A: 1965 NCAA tennis champ (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/03/thursday-march-4-2010dan-naddor.html">ASHE</a></b>).</li><li>47A: Bit of code (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/06/thursday-june-17-2010-robert-w-harris.html">DAH</a></b>).</li><li>61A: "Tiger in your tank" company (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/09/tuesday-september-29-2009-dan-naddor.html">ESSO</a></b>).</li><li>10D: Pre-Communism leader (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/08/tuesday-august-18-2009-gail-gabrowski.html">CZAR</a></b>).</li><li>19D: Slippery swimmer (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/03/wednesday-march-25-2009-jack-mcinturff.html">EEL</a></b>).</li><li>39D: Dawn goddess (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/06/thursday-june-4-2009-naddor.html">EOS</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size: 85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #990000;">Everything </span></span>- 1A: Smoldering bit (EMBER); 6A: Slip a Mickey (DRUG); 10A: It may have all the answers (CRIB); 14A: Stiller's partner (MEARA); 15A: High rollers' destination (RENO); 16A: Half of 10? (ZERO); 17A: Speed skater Apolo __ Ohno (ANTON); 18A: Health enhancer, so it's said (APPLE A DAY); 20A: It "is no problem. You just have to live long enough": Groucho Marx (GETTING OLDER); 22A: Pickup facilitator (LINE); 23A: "Friendly skies" co. (UAL); 24A: __ center (REC); 27A: PC time meas. (MSEC); 29A: Performed, in a way (SANG); 32A: Band that performed "Whip It" (DEVO); 33A: Bars in stores (UPC); 34A: 1965 NCAA tennis champ (ASHE); 35A: Aaron's team for 21 seasons (BRAVES); 37A: Unexpected twist (and a hint to what's hidden inside 18-, 20-, 51- and 56-Across) (SURPRISE ELEMENT); 40A: Make (CREATE); 41A: Gloom mate (DOOM); 42A: Rural stretch (LEA); 43A: "... two fives for __?" (A TEN); 44A: Skin malady, perhaps (CYST); 45A: What crews use (OARS); 46A: Expression of disappointment (TSK); 47A: Bit of code (DAH); 49A: Hair care purchase (TINT); 51A: "A Moon for the Misbegotten" playwright (EUGENE O'NEILL); 56A: Longshoremen's aids (CARGO NETS); 59A: Baggy (LOOSE); 60A: Net reading (BLOG); 61A: "Tiger in your tank" company (ESSO); 62A: Ban's predecessor at the U.N. (ANNAN); 63A: Bastes, e.g. (SEWS); 64A: Attic constructions (WEBS); 65A: Bridge seats (WESTS); 1D: Net reading (E-MAG); 2D: "Writing on the wall" word (MENE); 3D: Michigan's Cereal City (BATTLE CREEK); 4D: Steamy (EROTIC); 5D: Arrested (RAN IN); 6D: Bore (DRAG); 7D: Bank takeback, briefly (REPO); 8D: Deprive of juice? (UNPLUG); 9D: Israel's Meir (GOLDA); 10D: Pre-Communism leader (CZAR); 11D: Thing to stop on (RED); 12D: Savings for later yrs. (IRA); 13D: When repeated with "oh" in between, "Wow!" (BOY); 19D: Slippery swimmer (EEL); 21D: Mythical beast, to locals (NESSIE); 24D: Epiphanies (REVELATIONS); 25D: Score-tying shot (EVENER); 26D: Olympics broadcaster Bob (COSTAS); 27D: Mideast capital (MUSCAT); 28D: Last lap efforts (SPURTS); 30D: Spa sounds (AHS); 31D: Indigent (NEEDY); 32D: Lake creator (DAM); 34D: Interior decorator's concern (ART); 35D: Juiced (BLOTTO); 36D: Sleep acronym (REM); 38D: Cooking utensil (PAN); 39D: Dawn goddess (EOS); 44D: French onion soup topping (CHEESE); 45D: Numbers after nine, often (ONE ONE); 47D: Sam & Dave, e.g. (DUO); 48D: Nixon's first veep (AGNEW); 50D: Union acquisition? (INLAW); 51D: Vandalizes, in a way (EGGS); 52D: Gov't. train wreck investigators (NTSB); 53D: Those, to Pedro (ESOS); 54D: Future atty.'s hurdle (LSAT); 55D: Eye part (LENS); 56D: "CSI: NY" airer (CBS); 57D: Microbrewery buy (ALE); 58D: Altercation (ROW).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-33714885649044609132011-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.160-07:0010.05 Wed<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">W E D N E S D A Y<br />October 5, 2011<br />Clive Probert</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNmjQafhWZoHV_3tA3MVjLO2Dh0hOAWtMNHrqA3Si18Kc4vmpmfaROWxzrV_BTAiyeeBZC00EWy-UkSCkSTp9kZ7ZkXjdETmGGvg5PV6Zd3XvHWYf6nko4MOfST407BVDoQds4F36VUty/s1600/grid+lat+11+10+05.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsNmjQafhWZoHV_3tA3MVjLO2Dh0hOAWtMNHrqA3Si18Kc4vmpmfaROWxzrV_BTAiyeeBZC00EWy-UkSCkSTp9kZ7ZkXjdETmGGvg5PV6Zd3XvHWYf6nko4MOfST407BVDoQds4F36VUty/s320/grid+lat+11+10+05.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659977313776244738" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>I'm tryin' to sleep here! — Theme answers are noises that might make it difficult to sleep.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>17A: Honk ... honk ... honk ... (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">AUTOMOBILE ALARM</span>).</li><li>27A: Woof ... woof ... woof ... (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BARKING DOGS</span>).</li><li>42A: Drip ... drip ... drip ... (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LEAKY FAUCET</span>).</li><li>54A: What you'll get as a result of 17-, 27- or 42-Across? Not! (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE4Fz4yHql4eY4guEp47JULC-IVU1iOCBkKFwycOuIgCviSvjWt3JvUyeG3k_kKH7d8PyQ0v2o00I7bQt0SYM_1238xkenbYjzRjWPv8L5GsQk0vw63EcYEtfOcHkMxFgJiVoA0qXMHP6/s1600/yawn.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 134px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGE4Fz4yHql4eY4guEp47JULC-IVU1iOCBkKFwycOuIgCviSvjWt3JvUyeG3k_kKH7d8PyQ0v2o00I7bQt0SYM_1238xkenbYjzRjWPv8L5GsQk0vw63EcYEtfOcHkMxFgJiVoA0qXMHP6/s200/yawn.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659978067230389922" /></a>Cute theme idea. I have definitely been deprived of a GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP by all of these things at one time or another. I'm not crazy about the execution for two main reasons. First, it's a CAR ALARM. Nobody calls it an AUTOMOBILE ALARM, so that seems like cheating. Also, why is BARKING DOGS plural when the other theme answers aren't? It really only takes one dog barking to keep a person awake. Again, sort of cheap using that S to make the phrase long enough to work with the theme. I would rather have seen this theme worked on a little longer to see if it could be accomplished with a better set of theme answers. And if, in the end, it was determined that these were the best options, well, I probably would have kept the idea in my notes and not acted on it unless a really good set of theme answers presented themselves. Also, what's with the reveal clue? Why get all cutesy all of a sudden? I'm sorry to be so negative today, but these are the kinds of things I notice and the whole premise of this blog is for me to write about my solving experience. So there you go.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgeKhDzjX7cvrMKz-XIkDutBjYNevRjQDKIT-icKhZnIzV6ojryXdYa9t_hiPnTOmyzHX42UMl3ElEdh84jPv2teDAgrqF5kJ-bbAYJmy8JL7DLAG2RhwBZXuYgowBQgH1hqp6gguUTLR/s1600/jane-austen.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 155px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmgeKhDzjX7cvrMKz-XIkDutBjYNevRjQDKIT-icKhZnIzV6ojryXdYa9t_hiPnTOmyzHX42UMl3ElEdh84jPv2teDAgrqF5kJ-bbAYJmy8JL7DLAG2RhwBZXuYgowBQgH1hqp6gguUTLR/s200/jane-austen.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659978403527010962" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>10A: 1996 title role for Gwyneth (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">EMMA</span>). I didn't see this movie, but I'm guessing it's a modern take on Jane Austen's classic. For more Austen-y goodness, jump down to <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LYDIA</span> (30A: Youngest "Pride and Prejudice" Bennet sister).</li><li>21A: Help in a bad way (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ABET</span>). I've seen this clue before, but it still managed to fool me today. Love it.</li><li>25A: Cheeky pet? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HAMSTER</span>). I do not know what this means.</li><li>36A: Bonehead (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DOLT</span>). It seems like there are a lot of choices for clues like this: DODO, DOPE, BOZO … I'm sure there are others.</li><li>37A: Pong maker (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ATARI</span>). Thinking about Pong kind of freaks me out. I mean, look at today's video games and then remember how excited we were about Pong.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i-TurWLae0_0QwBcUOPo5UBnqJAfIO9nYL7kBgIKGiXYG-ZzXDbxVF4U8iB8UU7E_dPo7IOyREzdXSKvqZt-XQvo7E2TKmxICyA-Nvzxw6Q3dnSjDIGPjDoVkfSCIJZdZHbTUzer47-o/s1600/blue-bayou.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2i-TurWLae0_0QwBcUOPo5UBnqJAfIO9nYL7kBgIKGiXYG-ZzXDbxVF4U8iB8UU7E_dPo7IOyREzdXSKvqZt-XQvo7E2TKmxICyA-Nvzxw6Q3dnSjDIGPjDoVkfSCIJZdZHbTUzer47-o/s200/blue-bayou.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659979175262492434" /></a><li>2D: Roy Orbison song that was a top ten hit for Linda Ronstadt (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BLUE BAYOU</span>). Sparkly entry of the day.</li><li>5D: "To Where You Are" singer Josh (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GROBAN</span>). I don't know this guy. If you had told me the name, I would have guessed he was an actor on a show like "How I Met Your Mother" or something.</li><li>50D: Red-bearded god (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">THOR</span>). This little tidbit must have been in the back of my mind somewhere because I wrote it in without even thinking about it. But even while I was entering it, I was thinking "THOR has a red beard? Huh."</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufgq_Vq-bx76wPWTCSKyCHdUJuUAIYY7Q9TulnUniKXzn2LyAMtZS36-kfi6xtIQRrDwrryUct4PZUGymdj0bu3z_KbxpZ9q8V2HZ0ANLjzY3vPmc9utye1K2hgfho0f_S3R0gtDUHu20/s1600/daily-double.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 147px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgufgq_Vq-bx76wPWTCSKyCHdUJuUAIYY7Q9TulnUniKXzn2LyAMtZS36-kfi6xtIQRrDwrryUct4PZUGymdj0bu3z_KbxpZ9q8V2HZ0ANLjzY3vPmc9utye1K2hgfho0f_S3R0gtDUHu20/s200/daily-double.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659980668815971794" /></a><li>55D: Creator of Watson, a memorable 2011 "Jeopardy!" winner (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">IBM</span>). Speaking of memorable "Jeopardy!" winners … Did you all see Joon last night? He is a freaking ROCK STAR. He made the decision to bet it all on that mental math Daily Double so quickly that I didn't even hear him say it because the audience was still applauding about the fact that he had found the Daily Double. BOLD is what I'm saying. So proud…. ::sniff::</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>1A: The duck in "Peter and the Wolf" (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/06/monday-june-22-2009-donna-s-levin.html">OBOE</a></b>).</li><li>37A: Pong maker (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/05/monday-may-18-2009-dan-naddor.html">ATARI</a></b>).</li><li>48A: Fragrant compound (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/09/m-o-n-d-y-6-2010-lila-cherry.html">ESTER</a></b>).</li><li>58A: Normandy river (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/01/friday-jan-15-2010-jack-mcinturff.html">ORNE</a></b>).</li><li>4D: Expressive rock genre (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/07/tuesday-july-28-2009-scott-atkinson.html">EMO</a></b>).</li><li>8D: Sargasso Sea denizen (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/03/wednesday-march-25-2009-jack-mcinturff.html">EEL</a></b>).</li><li>51D: __ Reader (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/10/s-t-u-r-d-y-9-2010-james-sajdak.html">UTNE</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: The duck in "Peter and the Wolf" (OBOE); 5A: Hail (GREET); 10A: 1996 title role for Gwyneth (EMMA); 14A: "Project Runway" host Heidi (KLUM); 15A: Ardent lover (ROMEO); 16A: Business jet company founder (LEAR); 17A: Honk ... honk ... honk ... (AUTOMOBILE ALARM); 20A: Conifer with springy wood (YEW); 21A: Help in a bad way (ABET); 22A: Jargon (LINGO); 23A: City on the Shatt al-Arab waterway (BASRA); 25A: Cheeky pet? (HAMSTER); 27A: Woof ... woof ... woof ... (BARKING DOGS); 30A: Youngest "Pride and Prejudice" Bennet sister (LYDIA); 31A: Love, in Málaga (AMOR); 32A: In the center of (AMID); 36A: Bonehead (DOLT); 37A: Pong maker (ATARI); 38A: Brit's floor covering (LINO); 39A: Men (GUYS); 40A: "Will be," in a Day song (SERA); 41A: Prefix meaning "hundred" (CENTI-); 42A: Drip ... drip ... drip ... (LEAKY FAUCET); 44A: Mime who created Bip the Clown (MARCEAU); 48A: Fragrant compound (ESTER); 49A: Gesundheit evoker (ACHOO); 50A: Walrus's weapon (TUSK); 52A: Filmmaker's deg. (MFA); 54A: What you'll get as a result of 17-, 27- or 42-Across? Not! (GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP); 58A: Normandy river (ORNE); 59A: Kentucky pioneer (BOONE); 60A: Like lawn spots in need of reseeding (BARE); 61A: Some wallet bills (ONES); 62A: Social customs (MORES); 63A: Jeanne and Geneviève: Abbr. (STES.); 1D: "Sure" (OKAY); 2D: Roy Orbison song that was a top ten hit for Linda Ronstadt (BLUE BAYOU); 3D: On the surface (OUTWARDLY); 4D: Expressive rock genre (EMO); 5D: "To Where You Are" singer Josh (GROBAN); 6D: Spa convenience (ROBE); 7D: Send out (EMIT); 8D: Sargasso Sea denizen (EEL); 9D: It may be tapped at a concert (TOE); 10D: Brat Pack novelist Bret Easton __ (ELLIS); 11D: Intended (MEANT); 12D: Bart's mom (MARGE); 13D: Mail at the castle (ARMOR); 18D: "Ave __" (MARIA); 19D: Poor request? (ALMS); 24D: "Saturday Night Live" fare (SKITS); 25D: "Yippee!" ("HOORAY!"); 26D: Business opening? (AGRI-); 27D: Skyscraper, e.g.: Abbr. (BLDG.); 28D: Cake, in Calais (GATEAU); 29D: Former Berlin currency, briefly (D-MARK); 32D: Kayak maker (ALEUT); 33D: Pie filling that may include beef (MINCE MEAT); 34D: Meddle (INTERFERE); 35D: "Just __!" (DO IT); 37D: Where landlubbers prefer not to be (ASEA); 41D: Winery containers (CASKS); 42D: Boxer Spinks (LEON); 43D: Admits, with "up" (FESSES); 44D: Cartoon Mr. (MAGOO); 45D: Squirrel's find (ACORN); 46D: Avignon's river (RHONE); 47D: Works on a program (CODES); 50D: Red-bearded god (THOR); 51D: __ Reader (UTNE); 53D: Rock of Gibraltar mammals (APES); 55D: Creator of Watson, a memorable 2011 "Jeopardy!" winner (IBM); 56D: Gunk (GOO); 57D: Ft-__: energy units (LBS.).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-38172874698282074872011-10-04T05:06:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.264-07:0010.04 Tue<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">T U E S D A Y<br />October 4, 2011<br />Ed Sessa</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIo76Vl3yIK970KTn9l443wsGOJP6VAt2BbjMVUjTbXLgB0hBOlXzgPDquZDPu9e7_gTuE-9K97Tpu9DYYUuCa-_4JBFx6nHdwXHt4z7bDKNd49QQSoFxvWbhSHqwwQlW9mbM8GwF6ew0_/s1600/grid+lat+11+10+04.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIo76Vl3yIK970KTn9l443wsGOJP6VAt2BbjMVUjTbXLgB0hBOlXzgPDquZDPu9e7_gTuE-9K97Tpu9DYYUuCa-_4JBFx6nHdwXHt4z7bDKNd49QQSoFxvWbhSHqwwQlW9mbM8GwF6ew0_/s320/grid+lat+11+10+04.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659607313808212194" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Kinky sex … oh wait, no …. — The last word of each theme answer is a type of prop used by Harry Houdini.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>20A: Understand how things are done (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">KNOW THE ROPES</span>).</li><li>36A: Places to see links (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FRENCH CUFFS</span>).</li><li>42A: Simple floral garlands (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DAISY CHAINS</span>).</li><li>58A: Stage name of Ehrich Weiss, for whom the ends of 20-, 36- and 42-Across were props (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HARRY HOUDINI</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vsXZWqYAEex0HxfGdnCsGKazfqSX3DKciieX3mQ2AushaB0ul5GdoYFUG5JU36pXdMBVblAar3Hk_jzMb-924mY362ADLgZvq1FNT8-aoRbwR6K4JO6YHo78S40V1FcihUEy8BHp4Fsy/s1600/joon.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 181px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vsXZWqYAEex0HxfGdnCsGKazfqSX3DKciieX3mQ2AushaB0ul5GdoYFUG5JU36pXdMBVblAar3Hk_jzMb-924mY362ADLgZvq1FNT8-aoRbwR6K4JO6YHo78S40V1FcihUEy8BHp4Fsy/s200/joon.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659608701975960674" /></a>Did you all see Joon on Jeopardy last night? Pretty exciting! The good news for anyone who missed it is that he'll be back on tonight. (I guess that's pretty good news for Joon himself too.) Those of you who did see the show last night might have chuckled, like I did, at 1-Across. Joon missed the first of his three Daily Doubles the correct answer to which was <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LAMB</span> (1A: Its "fleece was white as snow"). In his defense, the reference on the show wasn't quite as simple as a nursery rhyme. But it <i>was</i> about someone named Mary. Weird how stuff like that happens.<br /><br />But now let's turn our attention to Dr. Sessa. Nice solid Tuesday puzzle with a interesting theme and a wholly inappropriate sub-theme. I'm sorry. I don't usually highlight all the double entendre–type entries in a grid, because I don't like to get all nasty, but I really can't help it today. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WnLCwq7YVLhgBEb8Kw8aW4Zft0uR_EDsOaLl2ad_w4fVayKS-SCOCyyD_3Hm3awk_Am26Jvq1YSXkoHYmQC6sS_imjxhhv71cFLiujTrhwaeqU67eStK5_2eugjy9LsBhSL4OgS4KoG_/s1600/houdini.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 128px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4WnLCwq7YVLhgBEb8Kw8aW4Zft0uR_EDsOaLl2ad_w4fVayKS-SCOCyyD_3Hm3awk_Am26Jvq1YSXkoHYmQC6sS_imjxhhv71cFLiujTrhwaeqU67eStK5_2eugjy9LsBhSL4OgS4KoG_/s200/houdini.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659609034197533090" /></a>I mean, come on … we've got ROPES, CUFFS, and CHAINS in the theme. There's no way I'm not going to raise an eyebrow at <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">KAMA</span> (Sutra), <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SLID</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SLIT</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">T-BONED</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LICKS</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BLEW IT</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PUSH</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">NOT ONCE</span>. No way around it, guys; sorry for the stumble into the gutter.<br /><br />I had the most trouble over on the eastern seaboard where I entered SIMPLE where <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SIMILE</span> was supposed to go (31A: As plain as day, e.g.). I can't be the only one who did that. That P caused all kinds of problems, but it eventually worked itself out.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>18A: Got one's uniform dirty, maybe (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SLID</span>). For some reason I was picturing a nurse's uniform here and couldn't make sense of this. Duh. It's baseball. By the way, PuzzleSon played his first baseball game in several years last weekend and hit a stand-up, RBI double. He felt pretty good about himself.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8sAZEe1MmGGKB3K1EakPvRDkvgyg2Lkh0sdqnjnri6alZSeAe-ieqePJ93DsrpfoEh7G9mf76UGyJCUu1zEnSreZHQKVvW2-Z35VcxkDjjP4Q40WfPO7Yc2ZEfyEh80NVAFr3l1_xuuq/s1600/T-Bone.Burnett.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr8sAZEe1MmGGKB3K1EakPvRDkvgyg2Lkh0sdqnjnri6alZSeAe-ieqePJ93DsrpfoEh7G9mf76UGyJCUu1zEnSreZHQKVvW2-Z35VcxkDjjP4Q40WfPO7Yc2ZEfyEh80NVAFr3l1_xuuq/s200/T-Bone.Burnett.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659609392822850866" /></a><li>54A: Broadsided (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">T-BONED</span>). I had actually never heard this term used in this way until PuzzleHusband was involved in a car accident earlier this year in which his car was T-BONED. (Lots of damage to the car; no damage to the husband.)</li><li>65A: "__ Three Lives": TV oldie (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">I LED</span>). Since I had no idea, I wanted this answer to end in an S, like "[Somebody's] Three Lives." </li><li>1D: The home team gets the last ones (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LICKS</span>). I do not know what this means.</li><li>2D: Hersey's "A Bell For __" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ADANO</span>). A little high-end crosswordese to add to your repertoire. We've <a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/04/thursday-april-15-2010-nancy-salomon.html">talked about it here on the blog</a> before. I Ne-Ever remember this one until I have a couple crosses in place.</li><li>5D: Former Asian state known for goat wool (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">KASHMIR</span>). Oh yeah. You know what's coming.</li><br /><center><iframe width="380" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ffo4tzU0rUc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center><br /><li>27D: Pasta topper (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PESTO</span>). Mmm, pesto ….</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp5xBsm9LVGe6iiWLKv0ZOypVQxwiEtdLrGokv-8Vs5tQY1v73hY6wQkXV99snTKlaXj6e1BzgINGSHzLbboPnabvWzm6qZLjREfWTQRL116jW_pWt8i9L26iU6AhgEc4AsekMEYMrqDp/s1600/yamaha_logo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 197px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmp5xBsm9LVGe6iiWLKv0ZOypVQxwiEtdLrGokv-8Vs5tQY1v73hY6wQkXV99snTKlaXj6e1BzgINGSHzLbboPnabvWzm6qZLjREfWTQRL116jW_pWt8i9L26iU6AhgEc4AsekMEYMrqDp/s200/yamaha_logo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659609694980925698" /></a><li>43D: Steinway alternatives (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">YAMAHAS</span>). Okay, I have wondered this for probably 40 years now. Is the YAMAHA that makes pianos the same YAMAHA that makes motorcycles? I literally think of that question every time I see a reference to either the pianos or the motorcycles and I've <i>never</i> bothered to look it up. Well, that ends today. Let's see … <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yamaha">what does Wikipedia have to say?</a> …. Okay, interesting. Yes, it's the same company. Kind of. Yamaha Corporation is the parent company and Yamaha Motor Company is part of that conglomerate. Yamaha Corporation began as a manufacturer of pianos and organs and — get this! — their logo is made up of three tuning forks. That's awesome. Who knew?</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>47A: Fair-hiring initials (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/03/saturday-march-27-2010brad-wilber.html">EEO</a></b>).</li><li>64A: Long, long time (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/06/monday-june-28-2010-scott-atkinson.html">AEON</a></b>).</li><li>67A: Pear variety (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/monday-apr-6-2009-elizabeth-long.html">BOSC</a></b>).</li><li>2D: Hersey's "A Bell For __" (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/04/thursday-april-15-2010-nancy-salomon.html">ADANO</a></b>).</li><li>6D: Wheel holder (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/monday-apr-20-2009-david-w-cromer.html">AXLE</a></b>).</li><li>30D: Pioneering computer (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/01/wednesday-january-20-2010barry-c-silk.html">ENIAC</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Its "fleece was white as snow" (LAMB); 5A: __ Sutra (KAMA); 9A: Go with the flow (ADAPT); 14A: Pastoral verse (IDYL); 15A: Pink-slipped (AXED); 16A: Ladies' man (ROMEO); 17A: Nicolas of "Adaptation" (CAGE); 18A: Got one's uniform dirty, maybe (SLID); 19A: Mississippi, e.g. (STATE); 20A: Understand how things are done (KNOW THE ROPES); 23A: Many frozen dinners are high in it (SODIUM); 24A: Taker of vows (NUN); 25A: Def Jam genre (RAP); 28A: Native American group (TRIBE); 31A: As plain as day, e.g. (SIMILE); 33A: Tax pro (CPA); 36A: Places to see links (FRENCH CUFFS); 38A: Friend (ALLY); 40A: Cancún uncle (TIO); 41A: 36-Across opening (SLIT); 42A: Simple floral garlands (DAISY CHAINS); 47A: Fair-hiring initials (EEO); 48A: Forensic facility (DNA LAB); 49A: Spy wear (CLOAK); 51A: Sí or oui (YES); 52A: Do-favor link (ME A); 54A: Broadsided (T-BONED); 58A: Stage name of Ehrich Weiss, for whom the ends of 20-, 36- and 42-Across were props (HARRY HOUDINI); 61A: Wife of Abraham (SARAH); 64A: Long, long time (AEON); 65A: "__ Three Lives": TV oldie (I LED); 66A: Michelangelo work (PIETÀ); 67A: Pear variety (BOSC); 68A: Charity (ALMS); 69A: Suisse peaks (ALPES); 70A: Like an animated Pea? (SWEE'); 71A: Cold-cock (KAYO); 1D: The home team gets the last ones (LICKS); 2D: Hersey's "A Bell For __" (ADANO); 3D: "Nearer, __, to Thee" (MY GOD); 4D: Messed up (BLEW IT); 5D: Former Asian state known for goat wool (KASHMIR); 6D: Wheel holder (AXLE); 7D: Golda of Israel (MEIR); 8D: Supplement (ADD ON); 9D: Poison in some whodunits (ARSENIC); 10D: Kids' book connectables (DOTS); 11D: GP's gp. (AMA); 12D: Gently stroke (PET); 13D: Place for a ring (TOE); 21D: Racetrack surface (TURF); 22D: Door sign (PUSH); 25D: Go through energetically, as drawers (RIFLE); 26D: 1966 Michael Caine title role (ALFIE); 27D: Pasta topper (PESTO); 29D: "Little Women" woman (BETH); 30D: Pioneering computer (ENIAC); 32D: Letters before nus (MUS); 33D: Tea leaves holder (CADDY); 34D: Wood shaver (PLANE); 35D: Fake name (ALIAS); 37D: Slinky's shape (COIL); 39D: Fashion monogram (YSL); 43D: Steinway alternatives (YAMAHAS); 44D: Trucker with a handle (CB'ER); 45D: Never (NOT ONCE); 46D: "Elephant Boy" actor (SABU); 50D: Alaskan brown bear (KODIAK); 53D: Iraqis, usually (ARABS); 55D: Nabisco brand named for its flavor (NILLA); 56D: The Penguin, to Batman (ENEMY); 57D: Playground retort (DID SO); 58D: Can't stand (HATE); 59D: "Ouch!" ("YEOW!"); 60D: Fire truck item (HOSE); 61D: Mineral spring (SPA); 62D: Feel sick (AIL); 63D: Workout unit (REP).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-64999638974966232872011-10-03T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.288-07:0010.03 Mon<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">M O N D A Y<br />October 3, 2011<br />Janie Smulyan</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6KSkBLOoBIO_RFT4nBNuMtrke2NHbBHz5oXaI2QkfIpmTzwD9t8uDqLeNZl0eYfVjbUbSPkhS3c0vA794pDzQ4TxCyXsgIhhWnGpXIGI5DSpYUyNhRZdVcJLKkmUZl1Ignix_Qx1DkoA/s1600/grid+lat+11+10+03.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia6KSkBLOoBIO_RFT4nBNuMtrke2NHbBHz5oXaI2QkfIpmTzwD9t8uDqLeNZl0eYfVjbUbSPkhS3c0vA794pDzQ4TxCyXsgIhhWnGpXIGI5DSpYUyNhRZdVcJLKkmUZl1Ignix_Qx1DkoA/s320/grid+lat+11+10+03.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659231921649953746" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme:</span> Most important meal of the day — First words of the theme answers create a well-known phrase related to a popular cereal.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>17A: "Get a grip!" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"SNAP OUT OF IT!"</span>).</li><li>37A: Crafts technique for an old-fashioned look (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CRACKLE FINISH</span>).</li><li>60A: Connector that completes a phrase made from the starts of the three longest across answers (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">AND</span>).</li><li>61A: Get the front of one's bike off the ground (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">POP A WHEELIE</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtGqtX5ZfFHVPA1wGIih2ScD-FiCQyHyCLnodcugLuHr68S8Y0JiWwyUw_zgx-J-g5dJ2uThartp6rSxWGrTus8lqsNYAOwZA7o34kzzMzLdAv-LA_aVq0zH3CkBIYZwQUY9Xp_8-Xmfv/s1600/scp.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZtGqtX5ZfFHVPA1wGIih2ScD-FiCQyHyCLnodcugLuHr68S8Y0JiWwyUw_zgx-J-g5dJ2uThartp6rSxWGrTus8lqsNYAOwZA7o34kzzMzLdAv-LA_aVq0zH3CkBIYZwQUY9Xp_8-Xmfv/s200/scp.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659232413758725794" /></a>My girl Janie is back today with a solid Monday for what I believe is her second published crossword puzzle. Congratulations, Janie! I actually had a little trouble here and there with this one, which is odd for a Monday. I know I can't be the only one who tried TACOS where <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TAPAS</span> was supposed to go (4D: Noshes in Nuevo Laredo) and then found <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TACOS</span> in the grid later (35A: Folded Mexican snacks). I guessed the wrong last letter on <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DECA-</span> (30D: Ten: Pref.) — I tried DECI-, which really caused problems for the crossing <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RAGED</span> (42A: More than fumed). I misread the clue for <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SCRAPS</span> as "college materials," not [45D: Collage materials] and assumed there must be a comedian named Badger that I wasn't familiar with (11D: Badger at the comedy club (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HECKLE</span>)). Overall, the puzzle put up more of a struggle than the typical Monday, but it didn't take long to figure out all those missteps.<br /><br />Sparklers for me today include:<br /><ul><li>3D: When presidential elections occur (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LEAP YEAR</span>). Great piece of trivia. I'm all "November? … Tuesday? … Huh?"</li><li>40D: Like some gestures or logic (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SYMBOLIC</span>).</li><li>49D: "I'm so not impressed" event (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BIG WOW</span>).</li></ul>And, finally, I just want to remind everyone that there is no "dot" in the spelling of <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DOT-COM</span> (30A: Internet company). You're welcome.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>15A: Play-of-color gems (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/12/tuesday-december-8-2009-timothy-l.html">OPALS</a></b>).</li><li>16A: Bambi's aunt (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/sunday-april-5-2009-calendar-puzzle.html">ENA</a></b>).</li><li>67A: Muse for Browning (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/sunday-april-4-2009-syndicated.html">ERATO</a></b>).</li><li>2D: West ender? (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/10/thursday-october-1-2009-jonathan-seff.html">-ERN</a></b>).</li><li>10D: Colorado's __ Park (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/10/monday-oct-12-2009-david-w-cromer.html">ESTES</a></b>).</li><li>50D: Exotic sushi fish (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/10/m-o-n-d-y-11-2010-kristian-house.html">OPAH</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: What ice cream does in the sun (MELTS); 6A: Mythical weeper (NIOBE); 11A: With it (HEP); 14A: "Terrific!" ("GREAT!"); 15A: Play-of-color gems (OPALS); 16A: Bambi's aunt (ENA); 17A: "Get a grip!" ("SNAP OUT OF IT!"); 19A: Albums kept in jewel boxes, briefly (CD'S); 20A: Dogpatch dad (PAPPY); 21A: Eat like a bird (PECK AT); 23A: Anti-alcohol types (DRYS); 25A: Greenish-blue hue (TEAL); 28A: Room for Renée (SALLE); 29A: Stubbed extremity (TOE); 30A: Internet company (DOT-COM); 32A: Bear's advice (SELL); 33A: Screen partner (STAGE); 35A: Folded Mexican snacks (TACOS); 37A: Crafts technique for an old-fashioned look (CRACKLE FINISH); 42A: More than fumed (RAGED); 43A: Trifled (with) (TOYED); 45A: Green eggs and ham lover __-am (SAM-I); 48A: Scrape, to a tot (BOO-BOO); 51A: __ culpa (MEA); 52A: Pizza's outer edge (CRUST); 54A: Scissors sound (SNIP); 55A: With competence (ABLY); 56A: Cardinal's headgear (RED HAT); 58A: Film idol Greta (GARBO); 60A: Connector that completes a phrase made from the starts of the three longest across answers (AND); 61A: Get the front of one's bike off the ground (POP A WHEELIE); 66A: Bro (PAL); 67A: Muse for Browning (ERATO); 68A: Super Bowl hoverer (BLIMP); 69A: Opposite of NNW (SSE); 70A: Spread widely (STREW); 71A: Big name in foil (ALCOA); 1D: Brit. sports cars (MG'S); 2D: West ender? (-ERN); 3D: When presidential elections occur (LEAP YEAR); 4D: Noshes in Nuevo Laredo (TAPAS); 5D: Passenger pickup point (STOP); 6D: Reply to "Is it soup?" (NOT YET); 7D: Wall St. headline (IPO); 8D: Clumsy sort (OAF); 9D: Radar screen spot (BLIP); 10D: Colorado's __ Park (ESTES); 11D: Badger at the comedy club (HECKLE); 12D: Ultimate goal (END-ALL); 13D: Muted, as colors (PASTEL); 18D: With 62-Down, at a satisfactory level (UP TO); 22D: Othello's lieutenant (CASSIO); 23D: Sot's woe, briefly (DT'S); 24D: Military prep org. (ROTC); 26D: Did something about, as an informant's tip (ACTED ON); 27D: Bread unit (LOAF); 30D: Ten: Pref. (DECA-); 31D: Former telecom firm (MCI); 34D: Overly ornate (GARISH); 36D: Aware of (ONTO); 38D: CIA Cold War counterpart (KGB); 39D: Some summer births, astrologically (LEOS); 40D: Like some gestures or logic (SYMBOLIC); 41D: Cad (HEEL); 44D: Week segment (DAY); 45D: Collage materials (SCRAPS); 46D: Convention sites (ARENAS); 47D: Work clumsily (through) (MUDDLE); 49D: "I'm so not impressed" event (BIG WOW); 50D: Exotic sushi fish (OPAH); 53D: Carton sealers (TAPES); 55D: "Does this ring __?" (A BELL); 57D: Legal wrong (TORT); 59D: McEntire of country (REBA); 62D: See 18-Down (PAR); 63D: Put away at dinnertime (ATE); 64D: Texter's "Here's what I think" (IMO); 65D: Clean air org. (EPA).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-30276458503111953262011-10-02T12:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.535-07:0010.02 Sun (calendar)<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">S U N D A Y<br />October 2, 2011<br />Merl Reagle</span><br /><i>[Note: This is the puzzle that appears in the Sunday L.A. Times newspaper. If you don't get the paper, you can find the puzzle <a target="new" href="http://www.cruciverb.com/">here.</a> Scroll down to see today's syndicated puzzle.]</i><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHq6YDpJvjLBZrOPHrxY-MRPyUby351hCzDdDNxNXeZpnfd6zxgnPXCDsje1wHKzu1FgjWDhtuQBTt6duvosrpZfFEcFzSx0LUEnp96gNMq1DMTIf_aJOTUYEFK4gVPdIRV21YZNpMcpf/s1600/grid+lat2+11+10+02.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSHq6YDpJvjLBZrOPHrxY-MRPyUby351hCzDdDNxNXeZpnfd6zxgnPXCDsje1wHKzu1FgjWDhtuQBTt6duvosrpZfFEcFzSx0LUEnp96gNMq1DMTIf_aJOTUYEFK4gVPdIRV21YZNpMcpf/s320/grid+lat2+11+10+02.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661130870544431682" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>"Sugar and Spies" — A spy story with cooking puns.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>22A: A2: "... <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">WHAT'S COOKING</span>, Chief? Or Chef? Or Boss?".</li><li>24A: A1: "One of our guys is in <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HOT WATER</span> ..."</li><li>28A: A1: "... for <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">POACHING</span> a sensitive document from the Something-or-other Embassy in Copenhagen."</li><li>35A: A2: "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DANISH</span>?" A1: "No thanks, just coffee."</li><li>37A: A1: "This may sound like <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SMALL POTATOES</span> ..."</li><li>49A: A1: "... but it's no <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PIECE OF CAKE</span>."</li><li>57A: A1: "Our guy is being held by a couple of tough <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MEATBALLS</span> ..."</li><li>65A: A2: "You mean, they're not exactly <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CREAM PUFFS</span>."</li><li>69A: A1: "Right. They're a couple of <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HARDBOILED</span> types."</li><li>80A: A2: "I hope the plan isn't <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HALF BAKED</span>."</li><li>91A: A1: "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PUT A LID ON IT</span> already! Sheesh."</li><li>98A: A1: "Now listen. Just <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TURN UP THE HEAT</span> on these ..."</li><li>101A: "... <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CRUMBS</span> and bring our guy in."</li><li>110A: A1: "They're probably <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GRILLING</span> him as we speak."</li><li>117A: A1: "So, here's hoping for a job <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">WELL DONE</span>."</li><li>118A: A2: "Say, what's the 'sensitive document' our guy grabbed?" A1: "A <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SECRET RECIPE</span>, of course." A2: "Ah! Figures."</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Some hounds (BASSETS); 8A: Asleep, as a foot (NUMB); 12A: Texas hold 'em org. (WPT); 15A: Improve, perhaps (AGE); 18A: Footstool (OTTOMAN); 19A: Sky bear (URSA); 20A: Elyria's state (OHIO); 21A: La-la lead-in (TRA); 22A: A2: "... ___, Chief? Or Chef? Or Boss?" ("WHAT'S COOKING"); 24A: A1: "One of our guys is in ___ ..." (HOT WATER); 26A: Permits (LETS); 27A: Mine extracts (ORES); 28A: A1: "... for ___ a sensitive document from the Something-or-other Embassy in Copenhagen." (POACHING); 29A: Chemical ending (-ENE); 30A: Spill remark (OOPS); 32A: Bird word (COO); 34A: Female bird (HEN); 35A: A2: "___?" A1: "No thanks, just coffee." (DANISH); 37A: A1: "This may sound like ___ ..." (SMALL POTATOES); 44A: Boy of La Mancha (NIÑO); 46A: Hospital section (WARD); 47A: Cross (ROOD); 48A: Se Ri of golf (PAK); 49A: A1: "... but it's no ___." (PIECE OF CAKE); 53A: Female force (YIN); 54A: Indian outfit (SARI); 55A: Intro to "Is Born" (A STAR); 56A: Eastwood in "Rawhide" (YATES); 57A: A1: "Our guy is being held by a couple of tough ___ ..." (MEATBALLS); 60A: With 86 Down, a gun sound (RAT); 61A: Sonora's sun (SOL); 62A: Regional judicial body that hears appeals: abbr. (USCC); 64A: Fine (AOK); 65A: A2: "You mean, they're not exactly ___." (CREAM PUFFS); 69A: A1: "Right. They're a couple of ___ types." (HARDBOILED); 75A: Fabled flyer (ROC); 76A: Flying start? (AERO-); 78A: Ger. neighbor (AUS.); 79A: Simile center (AS A); 80A: A2: "I hope the plan isn't ___." (HALF BAKED); 85A: Veni (I CAME); 87A: Hosni's predecessor (ANWAR); 89A: High cards (ACES); 90A: Enterprise lead-in (USS); 91A: A1: "___ already! Sheesh." (PUT A LID ON IT); 93A: "Scarface" setting: abbr. (FLA.); 94A: He played Elmer (BURT); 96A: With "breve," 2/2 time (ALLA); 97A: Jazzy Getz (STAN); 98A: A1: "Now listen. Just ___ on these ..." (TURN UP THE HEAT); 101A: "... ___ and bring our guy in." (CRUMBS); 105A: Chicago sights (ELS); 106A: Author Talese (GAY); 107A: Hurt (ACHE); 109A: Still (YET); 110A: A1: "They're probably ___ him as we speak." (GRILLING); 114A: Intro to "girl!" (ATTA); 116A: Nautical term (ALEE); 117A: A1: "So, here's hoping for a job ___." (WELL DONE); 118A: A2: "Say, what's the 'sensitive document' our guy grabbed?" A1: "A ___, of course." A2: "Ah! Figures." (SECRET RECIPE); 122A: United (ONE); 123A: Role for Ronny (OPIE); 124A: Fill with cargo (LADE); 125A: Spruce, e.g. (CONIFER); 126A: Elfin (WEE); 127A: Become (GET); 128A: "Disgusting!" ("YUCK!"); 129A: Cups, e.g. (HOLDERS); 1D: Heard pins drop? (BOWLED); 2D: Greek Minerva (ATHENA); 3D: ___ Island (STATEN); 4D: Overindulgers of a sort (SOTS); 5D: Dash lengths (EMS); 6D: Tic follower (TAC); 7D: Nosy Nellie (SNOOP); 8D: Microwave: sl. (NUKE); 9D: "Topaz" author (URIS); 10D: AOL rival (MSN); 11D: Carry-on item (BAG); 12D: Cowboy's command (WHOA); 13D: Face (a batter) (PITCH TO); 14D: Fair-haired kid (TOWHEAD); 15D: Memo abbr. (ATTN.); 16D: Actor Kinnear (GREG); 17D: Ring location? (EAR); 20D: "I see!" ("OHO!"); 23D: Hosp. areas (OR'S); 25D: "___ She Sweet" (AIN'T); 28D: D.C. denizen (POL); 30D: Willow type (OSIER); 31D: "Horrors!" ("OH NO!"); 32D: Loving touch (CARESS); 33D: Like tall redwoods (OLD); 36D: Cuzco dweller (INCA); 37D: Hit hard (SWAT); 38D: ___ of (utilize) (MAKE USE); 39D: ___-dieu (prayer bench) (PRIE); 40D: Ms. O'Neill (OONA); 41D: Aussie gem (OPAL); 42D: First name in tea (EARL); 43D: Vail needs (SKIS); 45D: "Thinking ___" (OF YOU); 49D: Paris picnic site (PARC); 50D: Munich's river (ISAR); 51D: Kitchen ending (-ETTE); 52D: Junior cow (CALF); 53D: Exercise place (YMCA); 54D: H.H. Munro (SAKI); 58D: Bar amounts (TABS); 59D: Scary word (BOO); 61D: Humane org. (SPCA); 63D: Cereal count (CHOCULA); 66D: Pound sounds (ARFS); 67D: Throng (MOB); 68D: They come and go (FADS); 70D: Hindu hero (RAMA); 71D: Sword fights (DUELS); 72D: Yard grass (LAWN); 73D: Actor Morales (ESAI); 74D: Pub missile (DART); 77D: "Believe It Or Not" name (RIPLEY); 80D: Ax handle (HAFT); 81D: Rights grp. (ACLU); 82D: Literary king (LEAR); 83D: Actor Russell (KURT); 84D: Bk. before Job (ESTH.); 86D: See 60 Across (-A-TAT); 87D: "Not on ___!" (A DARE); 88D: Low-class, in London (NONU); 92D: Hankering (ITCH); 94D: Square-jawed pooch (BULLDOG); 95D: Rising ground (UPSLOPE); 96D: "I see!" ("AHA!"); 99D: Singer Young (NEIL); 100D: Quiche need (EGG); 102D: "For Once in ___" (MY LIFE); 103D: Belt clip-on (BEEPER); 104D: Pilots (STEERS); 107D: Had a bite (ATE); 108D: Emulate Berra (CATCH); 110D: Writer Weingarten (GENE); 111D: Progesterone expert and author, Dr. John ___ (R. LEE); 112D: ___ for the long haul (IN IT); 113D: Born (NÉE); 114D: Current choices (AC/DC); 115D: Hard journey (TREK); 116D: Litmus test result (ACID); 117D: "Amazing!" ("WOW!"); 118D: Like some dogs (SLY); 119D: ___ de cologne (EAU); 120D: Aussie leaper (ROO); 121D: Made bigger: abbr. (ENL.).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-45098785421657078372011-10-02T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.640-07:0010.02 Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">S U N D A Y</span> <br /><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">October 2, 2011 <br />Jim Leeds</span> <br /><br /><i>[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at <a href="http://cruciverb.com/">cruciverb.com</a>.]</i> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig131Zv-BOGQdDqPen24eixQXRHiwU5EJwmBZqb4PZ4ivzGcX1Uf_AdrGa9WAV4Tg24ZfAW1xSOOa6I8wi-bxM2N7AB8s00F32V-8jKfXBM7d0Osy9HK2z0Yv5fLan5lQRGKjMS3nXzgSp/s1600/la111002grid.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig131Zv-BOGQdDqPen24eixQXRHiwU5EJwmBZqb4PZ4ivzGcX1Uf_AdrGa9WAV4Tg24ZfAW1xSOOa6I8wi-bxM2N7AB8s00F32V-8jKfXBM7d0Osy9HK2z0Yv5fLan5lQRGKjMS3nXzgSp/s320/la111002grid.bmp" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #663366; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Theme:</b></span></span><b style="color: black;"> </b><span style="color: black;">"Vintage Humor"</span><b style="color: black;"> </b><span style="color: black;">— Wine-inspired puns. <i>*hic*</i></span> <br /><br /><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Theme Entries:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><ul><li>24A: Wearing a suit made of white-wine labels? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>CHABLIS DRESSED</b></span>).</li><li>39A: Traditional time to bottle wine? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>WHEN THE VAT LADY SINGS</b></span>).</li><li>66A: Present from a winery? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>THE GIFT OF CAB</b></span>).</li><li>72A: Listing on a winery inventory? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>SIXTEEN TUNS</b></span>).</li><li>75A: French wineries' regulations to assure quality? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>CRUS' CONTROLS</b></span>).</li><li>100A: Reds handed down from winery founder? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>THE ZINS OF OUR FATHERS</b></span>).</li><li>118A: Winery owner's autobiography? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>ME AND MY CHATEAU</b></span>).</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Hey, crossword fans. Doug here. I had a long day today, so this might be an abbreviated post. We'll see how long I can stay awake. And no, I'm not drinking any wine.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfa2B2sLPeStI_fENLIJD-MfCeRt1tvCmAKHIs_RU2AzlLSo1vhwxjGmS-t-lmAPKQQI4ZmOhnhlPa91E3kTYRzT0fs2v6_qg1mtiqXwN72vReGi1mBIGWMFJ51irRG9ClXN97TYllQyy/s1600/wines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfa2B2sLPeStI_fENLIJD-MfCeRt1tvCmAKHIs_RU2AzlLSo1vhwxjGmS-t-lmAPKQQI4ZmOhnhlPa91E3kTYRzT0fs2v6_qg1mtiqXwN72vReGi1mBIGWMFJ51irRG9ClXN97TYllQyy/s200/wines.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>OK, with a punny theme, there are going to be some entries that you love, and some that you don't love. I didn't love <span style="color: #993300;"><b>WHEN THE VAT LADY SINGS</b></span>. It sounds funny, but I'm not sure it makes any sense. And <span style="color: #993300;"><b>CRUS' CONTROLS </b></span>feels off, because I never see the base phrase, CRUISE CONTROL, as a plural. (A "cru" is a French vineyard, by the way.)<br /><br />On the plus side, I thought <span style="color: #993300;"><b>THE GIFT OF CAB</b></span> & <span style="color: #993300;"><b>ME AND MY CHATEAU</b></span> were clever, even though it took me a while to figure out that the last one is a pun on ME AND MY SHADOW. And <span style="color: #993300;"><b>CHABLIS DRESSED</b></span> is a fun take-off on SHABBILY DRESSED. I hope a couple of these struck your fancy.<br /><span style="color: #993300;"><b> </b></span><br /><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bullets:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>60A: Prefix with culture (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>API</b></span>). Apiculture, which is the raising and care of bees. To paraphrase a line from <i>Raiders of the Lost Ark</i>: "Bees! Why'd it have to be bees?" My usual reaction when a bee flies too close to me. </li><li>63A: Post-Thanksgiving Muzak fare (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>CAROL</b></span>). I love this clue. They start the Christmas push earlier and earlier every year. Halloween too. I saw costumes and candy at Target in mid-August.</li><li>64A: Neo- ending (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>PHYTE</b></span>). The first rule of Phyte Club is don't put "phyte" in your crossword grid.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL1JA8tdYz6J2kYWMMfUdeB0TdYrV_R27RyWQimpMmdta2THhpnsnmee5tCl-shOwEeeUBRjfGj-KGwQgvsMABFsDuPQn0Et1m1-myTrc0bhGMJ3Audbp8m3dTGhofadmO-Ul1t0-jhmw/s1600/MervGriffin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpL1JA8tdYz6J2kYWMMfUdeB0TdYrV_R27RyWQimpMmdta2THhpnsnmee5tCl-shOwEeeUBRjfGj-KGwQgvsMABFsDuPQn0Et1m1-myTrc0bhGMJ3Audbp8m3dTGhofadmO-Ul1t0-jhmw/s200/MervGriffin.jpg" width="200" /></a><li>91A: "Griffin & __": 1991 best-seller (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>SABINE</b></span>). Tough one for me. Never heard of it, so let's check Wikipedia: "<i>Griffin and Sabine</i> is an epistolary novel by Nick Bantock. It is the first novel in <i>The Griffin and Sabine Trilogy</i> and was a bestseller in 1991. The story is told through a series of removable letters and postcards between the two main characters and is intended for an adult audience, as some sources describe the artwork as disturbing." So you can actually remove the letters and postcards from the book? I find this confusing, so let's move on...</li><li>3D: Relaxed, upscale restaurant (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>BRASSERIE</b></span>). If you move the "I" backwards two places, it spells BRASSIERE. Interesting.</li><li>18D: Where the Styx flows (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>HADES</b></span>). The Styx flows on this blog too.</li></ul><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="294" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/e5MAg_yWsq8" width="390"></iframe></div><ul></ul>Sorry for the short post. I'll be back with the usual amount of nonsense next Sunday. <br /><ul></ul><ul></ul>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-49542969811955442302011-10-01T06:04:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.735-07:0010.01 Sat<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">S A T U R D A Y<br />October 1, 2011<br />Barry C. Silk</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7UC4cXM4CcAZTnPCPDIsiQ4rtEa6DM8ztFqABXAldae9NJ5BTUGJuqTcRR5yhqKHpQUMOB1eXr8kEYNhKRKFzV9xTxeTfrh_Vc9Fa2GDk4zNoy9IMm09Moo9Xpo6DZMR9HJ9J4bpK2QP/s1600/grid+lat+11+10+01.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7UC4cXM4CcAZTnPCPDIsiQ4rtEa6DM8ztFqABXAldae9NJ5BTUGJuqTcRR5yhqKHpQUMOB1eXr8kEYNhKRKFzV9xTxeTfrh_Vc9Fa2GDk4zNoy9IMm09Moo9Xpo6DZMR9HJ9J4bpK2QP/s320/grid+lat+11+10+01.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658508974386287010" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>None<br /><br />This puzzle put up a pretty good fight, but in the end I was victorious. A couple things I didn't know, a couple bad guesses, some misdirection here and there … good stuff for a Saturday.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /></p><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrOnSGo7olbhxJPL5oj1ApPAvrsVNkR1cUqCNEjEwFm_XOXfjmlQx-Q7TwLY7y_M2_CXhpAxZW4IrFJ3x9qF_wZ7ofLD0gDBt89li8W3czrPzRcqzhUHcdf0wbm4uLlLXTaU1kIbwGKXL/s1600/lenny-kravitz.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 177px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGrOnSGo7olbhxJPL5oj1ApPAvrsVNkR1cUqCNEjEwFm_XOXfjmlQx-Q7TwLY7y_M2_CXhpAxZW4IrFJ3x9qF_wZ7ofLD0gDBt89li8W3czrPzRcqzhUHcdf0wbm4uLlLXTaU1kIbwGKXL/s200/lenny-kravitz.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658510274964930498" /></a><li>5A: ___ Sea, off Siberia (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">KARA</span>). Never heard of it.</li><li>22A: "1-2-3" singer Barry (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LEN</span>). Wow. I haven't heard this guy's name since … Barry Silk's last puzzle. :-)</li><li>23A: Tracker or Canyon (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GMC</span>). I tried SUV first, then thought it might be UTE, but GMC eventually appeared.</li><li>27A: Brand for which Garfield was once spokescat (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ALPO</span>). Okay, I laughed at myself here. I actually thought it might be RAGU.</li><li>30A: They fall in war films (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PARATROOPS</span>). Anyone else try PARACHUTES first?</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ln2fjB5EB0LQGJZSy1qrgHlKa4sda7LcvYUXIvGemeLInmIONjMQzmJJ9bDtjDarOhaXXLxVgHySe8GyNV0z8YdeG-zInCQkBwNTF411X8k7n7Ix9hwYKWH8CyA77SEmJwZvGIAcTSuZ/s1600/steven_wright.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 138px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3ln2fjB5EB0LQGJZSy1qrgHlKa4sda7LcvYUXIvGemeLInmIONjMQzmJJ9bDtjDarOhaXXLxVgHySe8GyNV0z8YdeG-zInCQkBwNTF411X8k7n7Ix9hwYKWH8CyA77SEmJwZvGIAcTSuZ/s200/steven_wright.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658510750461718690" /></a><li>55A: Deadpan features (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MONOTONES</span>).</li><li>2D: London's setting (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ONTARIO</span>). Ha! You can't fool me! I've seen this trick too many times!</li><li>20D: Hockey game clincher (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">EMPTY NET GOAL</span>). I've never heard this phrase, but I'm not much of a hockey fan. Luckily, it was easy enough to piece together through crosses.</li><li>23D: Driving problem (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GLARE</span>). I thought this was going to be golf-related.</li><li>41D: Many Suffragette opponents (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SEXISTS</span>). At one point, I had penciled in a D at the end of 44A and already had the I and the ending TS in place and, even though it's obviously not the right number of letters, the first word that popped into my head was IDIOTS.</li><li>45D: Half a legendary bluegrass duo (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FLATT</span>).</li><br /><center><iframe width="480" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zmxtetzBmaM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center></ul><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Party leader (HOST); 5A: ___ Sea, off Siberia (KARA); 9A: Short-necked European fruit (ANJOU); 14A: Neutralizer of a sort (ANTI-TOXIN); 16A: Theater name (LOEWS); 17A: Ben Franklin, e.g. (STATESMAN); 18A: City on the Aar (BERNE); 19A: Solutions for unfair situations? (GALOSHES); 20A: Not so tough (EASIER); 21A: Modern address (URL); 22A: "1-2-3" singer Barry (LEN); 23A: Tracker or Canyon (GMC); 24A: Fifth-century date (CDI); 25A: Haberdashery item (TIE BAR); 27A: Brand for which Garfield was once spokescat (ALPO); 28A: Patricia Neal's Oscar film (HUD); 29A: Fountain output (SODA); 30A: They fall in war films (PARATROOPS); 33A: One may go over your head (HAIR DRYER); 35A: Space-saving display (FLAT SCREEN); 38A: Brothers (FRAS.); 42A: Lucy of "Kill Bill" (LIU); 43A: Body protector (SKIN); 44A: Worn out (EFFETE); 46A: Gives a thumbs-up (OK'S); 47A: Antiquity, quaintly (ELD); 48A: Old televangelism letters (PTL); 49A: Burden (TAX); 50A: Adjust at the garage, perhaps (RETUNE); 52A: Composer for whom an annual violin competition is named (PAGANINI); 54A: Nonreactive (INERT); 55A: Deadpan features (MONOTONES); 56A: Suit material (SERGE); 57A: Woman in a tree? (GREAT AUNT); 58A: Suit material (TWEED); 59A: Give away (TELL); 60A: Tablets from docs (MEDS); 1D: Shows nerve (HAS GUTS); 2D: London's setting (ONTARIO); 3D: Conked out (STALLED); 4D: One of the Jacksons (TITO); 5D: Carnegie Deli offering (KOSHER PICKLE); 6D: Dismissive sorts? (AXMEN); 7D: Narrow inlets (RIAS); 8D: "Barbara __": Beach Boys hit (ANN); 9D: White meat source (ALBACORE); 10D: Rejections (NOES); 11D: Bible's City of Palm Trees (JERICHO); 12D: Confessed (OWNED UP); 13D: They get you in (USER ID'S); 15D: Magnetic induction unit (TESLA); 20D: Hockey game clincher (EMPTY NET GOAL); 23D: Driving problem (GLARE); 26D: Currency with King Mongkut on the fifty (BAHT); 27D: "As You Like It" forest (ARDEN); 31D: Secret rival (ARRID); 32D: "O Fortuna" composer (ORFF); 34D: Agreed (ASSENTED); 35D: Wedding arranger? (FLORIST); 36D: Perfectly restored (LIKE NEW); 37D: Stark (AUSTERE); 39D: Attendants (RETINUE); 40D: Done (AT AN END); 41D: Many Suffragette opponents (SEXISTS); 45D: Half a legendary bluegrass duo (FLATT); 48D: Advisory group (PANEL); 51D: Press (URGE); 52D: Minute opening (PORE); 53D: First name in linguistics (NOAM); 55D: Co. heads (MGT.).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-48070585879128238942011-09-30T04:49:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.831-07:0009.30 Fri<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">F R I D A Y<br />September 30, 2011<br />David Poole</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyqqmaw15trKcG8FZfnRVTZ_TqbOIjN_3dwOIZjU9kt7S-nPDqa0V68NdP_iEMT45ErhoSgyY5gXHYQLvEk9DZu4JRFngfQvxF2NptqUIYdpGQY3iVElizwnu9DjUzQvW2Ws-Y8m3ZTMZ/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+30.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyqqmaw15trKcG8FZfnRVTZ_TqbOIjN_3dwOIZjU9kt7S-nPDqa0V68NdP_iEMT45ErhoSgyY5gXHYQLvEk9DZu4JRFngfQvxF2NptqUIYdpGQY3iVElizwnu9DjUzQvW2Ws-Y8m3ZTMZ/s320/grid+lat+11+09+30.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658119000722335986" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Left to Right — Familiar phrases change an L to an R.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>17A: Halloween tricksters' route? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FRIGHT PATH</span>).</li><li>23A: Best place to watch "Animal House"? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FRAT SCREEN TV</span>).</li><li>45A: Feathers? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FROCK OF BIRDS</span>).</li><li>56A: Work the late shift at the diner? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FRY BY NIGHT</span>).</li><li>35A: How most reading is done, and this puzzle's title (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FROM LEFT TO RIGHT</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pDGaEjFS0PmN8uPp6BJ4Q3k8S8fgARVan0RtcTSqRsWjkFWgAQOR7dOqIL09EMUODWsySgBKrWmNTCK-tT1qgN4eTMgyId_ShGKr86BblLcxHZBDM-sU2cS6wyW11CCs8X4ft_7yNstJ/s1600/diner.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0pDGaEjFS0PmN8uPp6BJ4Q3k8S8fgARVan0RtcTSqRsWjkFWgAQOR7dOqIL09EMUODWsySgBKrWmNTCK-tT1qgN4eTMgyId_ShGKr86BblLcxHZBDM-sU2cS6wyW11CCs8X4ft_7yNstJ/s200/diner.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658120567611216434" /></a>Excuse me, but how the hell did it get to be September 30 already? Man! Time really does fly. Even when you're <i>not</i> having fun.<br /><br />Closing out the month with a tough one. I had trouble here and there throughout the grid, but it ultimately felt more like a romp than a struggle. The theme is pretty cool. I wondered if the initial F on each theme answer was significant somehow, but didn't come up with a good answer. FRY BY NIGHT is clearly the marquee entry. Can't you just picture it?<br /><br />I had the most trouble in Northern California where I plopped in AC/DC where <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">AM/FM</span> was supposed to go (25D: Like some switches). Many other factors contributed to the confusion there. First, I've never heard of this Kate person (29A: Kate of "Ironclad" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MARA</span>)). Never heard of the movie either. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsEFDsmeyJZ4oc22SNBqbg9ITmgvDG_0CKA5yJoKIHstpYPcCRfKBTBqH-Ilqx5amQBrhYDLMTpXAV2SlHCtTYXUU8DpHCzrGNa0Iot3a15bom8qANivh6Lv3IxYMhF8BAbWtBRhyphenhyphenQQA5/s1600/glenn-close.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAsEFDsmeyJZ4oc22SNBqbg9ITmgvDG_0CKA5yJoKIHstpYPcCRfKBTBqH-Ilqx5amQBrhYDLMTpXAV2SlHCtTYXUU8DpHCzrGNa0Iot3a15bom8qANivh6Lv3IxYMhF8BAbWtBRhyphenhyphenQQA5/s200/glenn-close.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658121458455260402" /></a>Second, the clue for <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ACTRESS</span> (25A: Close, for instance) was so deliciously deceptive that I had No Idea what was going on there. Even with the A in place, I was at a loss. I also thought <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MADEIRAS</span> (39A: Sherry alternatives) might be CASSIRES (sp?) … something like that? … anyone? It was a big mess is what I'm saying.<br /><br />Only one other place that really made me tear my hair out and that was at the cross of <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MACERATE</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MTS.</span> (30A: Soften by soaking /<br />30D: Summer escapes: Abbr.). I must have run the alphabet three times. I guess using an L in that square would have been too obvious.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2fHgHqR3JfcHPv3WsPPe1vgzO9HnmbsrWTD4yFBiZuzmQdM652Aru9sIV72ooMN8o5RQCOFG6iSiITbguZv1dZSvCHKkxU3CHLv64CwiCutobDMHqjF-nrp5tWdtgiZp5MwilxAhkXgI/s1600/doc-holliday.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 156px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF2fHgHqR3JfcHPv3WsPPe1vgzO9HnmbsrWTD4yFBiZuzmQdM652Aru9sIV72ooMN8o5RQCOFG6iSiITbguZv1dZSvCHKkxU3CHLv64CwiCutobDMHqjF-nrp5tWdtgiZp5MwilxAhkXgI/s200/doc-holliday.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658122305471010178" /></a><li>14A: "The Wolf and the Crane" author (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">AESOP</span>). With the SO in place, I thought the name would be something-SON, but then it just clicked somehow that the title sounded like a fable.</li><li>20A: Roy Halladay stat (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ERA</span>). Halladay is a pitcher for … the Phillies? … Yes, the Phillies.</li><li>40A: Albany's father-in-law (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LEAR</span>). This is another one that just clicked in from nowhere. As you continue to solve puzzles, that will start happening more and more.</li><li>58A: "__ no kick from Champagne": song lyric (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">I GET</span>). Sure, we could listen to Frank Sinatra right here, but this lyric reminded me of a Keb' Mo' song, so let's listen to that instead. It'll be funkier, I promise.</li><br /><center><iframe width="380" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/XWLFj0S6b9M" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center><br /><li>4D: Dress finely, with "out" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TOG</span>). This word comes up occasionally in puzzles and I'm just about to the point where I can just accept it without wincing first.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthGxfW7MY2SBfOSuhYAv6oSdT2_koM6O_JTUrNlbkjzD2UuuqqrC-TFV3XXvyl8O0qDl2jNI8jwE76a36s9fKGZlbJMBjjtsbTvC8ckjFYE5s4ZAVX2u6-Rk9SbWvNsfHBqW_-atQRWf0/s1600/Irene+Cara.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthGxfW7MY2SBfOSuhYAv6oSdT2_koM6O_JTUrNlbkjzD2UuuqqrC-TFV3XXvyl8O0qDl2jNI8jwE76a36s9fKGZlbJMBjjtsbTvC8ckjFYE5s4ZAVX2u6-Rk9SbWvNsfHBqW_-atQRWf0/s200/Irene+Cara.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5658122905353744770" /></a><li>26D: Word spoken with amore (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CARA</span>).</li><li>27D: Put one's foot down (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TROD</span>). In this clue, the word "put" is in the past tense. You always have to be looking out for that.</li><li>49D: Two-time loser to McKinley (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BRYAN</span>). Could have been just about anybody here as far as I knew.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101:</span> There are a couple of <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ERNO</span>s worth knowing for crossword purposes. There's a pianist/composer named Dohnanyi, a cosmetics maker named Laszlo and an architect named Goldfinger. By far the most popular ERNO in CrossWorld, though, is [37D: Cube creator Rubik]. And the clue for this particular ERNO is likely to include the words "Rubik" <i>and</i> "cube," so he should be pretty easy to spot.<br /><br />Other crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered:<br /><ul><li>6A: 1940s-'50s Israeli UN ambassador (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/11/w-e-d-n-e-s-d-y-10-2010-pamela-amick.html">EBAN</a></b>).</li><li>21A: Sister of Calliope (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/sunday-april-4-2009-syndicated.html">ERATO</a></b>).</li><li>51A: Noted Beethoven interpreter (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2011/04/0428-thu.html">ARRAU</a></b>).</li><li>32D: "The African Queen" co-screenwriter (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/07/saturday-july-25-2009brad-wilber.html">AGEE</a></b>).</li><li>34D: Raison d'__ (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/11/wednesday-november-25-2009gareth-bain.html">ÊTRE</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Shoots the breeze (CHATS); 6A: 1940s-'50s Israeli UN ambassador (EBAN); 10A: Game __ (PLAN); 14A: "The Wolf and the Crane" author (AESOP); 15A: Cross off (X OUT); 16A: Piece of one's mind? (LOBE); 17A: Halloween tricksters' route? (FRIGHT PATH); 19A: Awestruck (AGOG); 20A: Roy Halladay stat (ERA); 21A: Sister of Calliope (ERATO); 22A: It may be icy (STARE); 23A: Best place to watch "Animal House"? (FRAT SCREEN TV); 25A: Close, for instance (ACTRESS); 28A: Unburden (RID); 29A: Kate of "Ironclad" (MARA); 30A: Soften by soaking (MACERATE); 35A: How most reading is done, and this puzzle's title (FROM LEFT TO RIGHT); 39A: Sherry alternatives (MADEIRAS); 40A: Albany's father-in-law (LEAR); 41A: "Piers Morgan Tonight" channel (CNN); 42A: Eisenhower library site (ABILENE); 45A: Feathers? (FROCK OF BIRDS); 50A: Nigerian seaport (LAGOS); 51A: Noted Beethoven interpreter (ARRAU); 52A: CIA's ancestor (OSS); 55A: Cancel (UNDO); 56A: Work the late shift at the diner? (FRY BY NIGHT); 58A: "__ no kick from Champagne": song lyric (I GET); 59A: Steady (BEAU); 60A: Response to a skeptic (NO LIE); 61A: Gets into (DONS); 62A: Employee IDs (SSN'S); 63A: Third shift hr. (ONE A.M.); 1D: Champs …lysées feature (CAFE); 2D: Bach title? (HERR); 3D: Land east of the Urals (ASIA); 4D: Dress finely, with "out" (TOG); 5D: Field of influence (SPHERE); 6D: Americans in Paris, maybe (EXPATS); 7D: Tug and junk (BOATS); 8D: Overlord (AUTOCRAT); 9D: Ultimate (NTH); 10D: Home at the park? (PLATE); 11D: Airport whose code is BOS (LOGAN); 12D: Decide not to finish (ABORT); 13D: Desert bordering the Sinai Peninsula (NEGEV); 18D: Choral syllables (TRAS); 22D: Feast in the month of Nisan (SEDER); 23D: Position in a viewfinder (FRAME); 24D: Moneyed, in Monterrey (RICO); 25D: Like some switches (AM/FM); 26D: Word spoken with amore (CARA); 27D: Put one's foot down (TROD); 30D: Summer escapes: Abbr. (MTS.); 31D: Little streams (RILLS); 32D: "The African Queen" co-screenwriter (AGEE); 33D: Instead of (THAN); 34D: Raison d'__ (ÊTRE); 36D: Trounces (LICKS); 37D: Cube creator Rubik (ERNO); 38D: Royal introductions (FANFARES); 42D: France-based jet maker (AIRBUS); 43D: Sound from Eeyore (BRAY); 44D: "Beats me!" ("I DUNNO!"); 45D: Not fixed (FLUID); 46D: Title chameleon voiced by Johnny Depp in a 2011 animated film (RANGO); 47D: Osmonds' hometown (OGDEN); 48D: Codgers (COOTS); 49D: Two-time loser to McKinley (BRYAN); 52D: Look like a creep? (OGLE); 53D: Branch of Islam (SHIA); 54D: Check (STEM); 56D: NFL ball carriers (FB'S); 57D: Fluoride, for one (ION).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-72563022838776499772011-09-29T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:54.934-07:0009.29 Thu<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">T H U R S D A Y<br />September 29, 2011<br />Don Gagliardo & C. C. Burnikel</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4jXNYpy4kn-xhJeNqWgWcAttJPjkAe-9QFp44hCD6wxXDraeXwXSajaVcyKBTHyRR3TNWkD-t-Ryx9LCckoaSal9HNjL_mp0lMceZCOu1Xt7LLOBZlDtILvHwa53iIXC4yztY4-iAkq0/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+29.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl4jXNYpy4kn-xhJeNqWgWcAttJPjkAe-9QFp44hCD6wxXDraeXwXSajaVcyKBTHyRR3TNWkD-t-Ryx9LCckoaSal9HNjL_mp0lMceZCOu1Xt7LLOBZlDtILvHwa53iIXC4yztY4-iAkq0/s320/grid+lat+11+09+29.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657745913473265522" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Made in China — Theme answers (and there are a lot of them!!) are all items that were invented in China.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>1A: *Rock conqueror? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PAPER</span>).</li><li>10A: *Soy milk brand (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SILK</span>).</li><li>17A: *Dental checkup freebie (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TOOTHBRUSH</span>).</li><li>28A: *Wile E. Coyote buy (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GUN POWDER</span>).</li><li>35A: *Gets creative (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">NOODLES</span>).</li><li>39A: *Extent (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">COMPASS</span>).</li><li>45A: *Flashy display (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FIREWORKS</span>).</li><li>59A: *Beginner's piano piece (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CHOPSTICKS</span>).</li><li>64A: *Forged check (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">KITE</span>).</li><li>66A: It celebrates National Day on October 1 (and it's where the answers to starred clues were invented) (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CHINA</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnWNsM-wr0qLpE640AdzK2x5DgRIvWa92gMnBZVzkuVi172c1pupGjj5ASmO6fSErrBKL43JcdaR8YoXx9xf8hM31d8noA4JpqCQ2zH6KCGuEdvsUNawU4fuA2azKKdWYUKwPhaZedAn9/s1600/speed+racer.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSnWNsM-wr0qLpE640AdzK2x5DgRIvWa92gMnBZVzkuVi172c1pupGjj5ASmO6fSErrBKL43JcdaR8YoXx9xf8hM31d8noA4JpqCQ2zH6KCGuEdvsUNawU4fuA2azKKdWYUKwPhaZedAn9/s200/speed+racer.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657746625053765266" /></a>This is one of those puzzles that's not going to be a hit with speed solvers. It has asterisks in some of the clues which makes you think maybe there's something tricky going on, but the chances are slim to none that the unifying concept will become clear before you reach the reveal answer. Now, I am generally a speed solver (at least I attempt to be; I may not be the speediest of speed solvers!), so I was sort of grudgingly making my way through this grid without really getting a foothold anywhere and actually starting to feel mildly annoyed. The only theme answers I had come up with after my first run through were SILK and KITE and I definitely couldn't see what those two had to do with each other. But then I got to CHINA. The clouds parted and the choir sang and I was back at it with a new determination. There's a rumor that I even had a small smile on my face, but I don't know if that's true.<br /><br />I had two major trouble spots. The first was down in the Oklahoma/Texas area. I tried STEP OUT and SLIP OUT before the correct <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SKIP OUT</span> (43D: Abandon, with "on"). <i>And</i> I had SNIPPY before <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SNAPPY</span> (47D: Irritable). So there was a lot of erasing going on down there. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KqmZ8oSjy10uNZ6YEqe0gRwe_fHexPJ4MNJurSzWeqnsHpgAit-JpI6B3wyDBnEOnrM_3HAnkZ33PAUdFfE-kNhWvB4cOzqpdnErPEO_FJEpJIEBrisx3UQnEPmlpYJ49sHALqRxqqWF/s1600/elvis-aron-presley.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 158px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1KqmZ8oSjy10uNZ6YEqe0gRwe_fHexPJ4MNJurSzWeqnsHpgAit-JpI6B3wyDBnEOnrM_3HAnkZ33PAUdFfE-kNhWvB4cOzqpdnErPEO_FJEpJIEBrisx3UQnEPmlpYJ49sHALqRxqqWF/s200/elvis-aron-presley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657746938167742738" /></a>Then there was the northwest. Even with TOOTHBRUSH and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SNL</span> in place, I struggled. I had DST for <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">EDT</span> (4D: Atlanta summer hrs.), which is really a rookie mistake and it messed me up good. Also, I've never heard of <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ARON</span> Ralston (though I'm thankful for another way to clue ARON) (2D: Mountain climber Ralston, subject of "127 Hours"). And I couldn't get Barney the Freaking Dinosaur out of my head long enough to figure what the heck he had in common with Bo. (I knew Bo was the Obamas <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PET</span>. I'm still not sure who Barney's owners were. … Oh, he was the Bushes' dog. That wasn't that long ago. You'd think I might have remembered it. But no.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQCgcR7man-nlfvaMFpdAMcblkhQnE9i4zldC_UGjvr99q47WXjeY5gVW2gIsOyzYCWfv9JdfpCBSRpm86-VWFLv7hVKJtr2OoIPSFgy6SUrCLvidWyMTIPtpvoLjpkFDjyEn26hKtrwh/s1600/Oliver-North.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 174px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFQCgcR7man-nlfvaMFpdAMcblkhQnE9i4zldC_UGjvr99q47WXjeY5gVW2gIsOyzYCWfv9JdfpCBSRpm86-VWFLv7hVKJtr2OoIPSFgy6SUrCLvidWyMTIPtpvoLjpkFDjyEn26hKtrwh/s200/Oliver-North.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657747199479980242" /></a>Other than that, I just had spelling errors at <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CODY</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ASTIN</span> (COTY and ASTON) (65A: Maker of Kate Moss fragrances / 63A: John who played Gomez Addams) and bad guesses at <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PESO</span> (I tried EURO) (33A: Its symbol is "$") and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">USNA</span> (I thought he might have been a marine; really who can remember back that far?) (57D: Oliver North's alma mater: Abbr.).<div><br /></div><div>The only other things I want to mention are that I love how all the theme answers are not clued as the literal China-invented items that they represent in the theme. (Except for TOOTHBRUSH, so that's a little bit of a bummer. And, I guess GUN POWDER too. Darn.) I particularly like the clues for FIREWORKS and CHOPSTICKS. And some of the fill in this one is really sparkly, which you might not expect in a grid this theme-heavy. I especially liked the aforementioned SKIP OUT along with <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">YOU'RE UP</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FLOOR LIMIT</span>. And did you notice a lot of Ks in the grid? That's always good.<br /><br />One final thought, because I'm sure this will be confusing to somebody. The clue for <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ABLE</span> (32A: Napoleon, before seeing Elba?) refers to the well-known palindrome ABLE WAS I ERE I SAW ELBA. Clever clue.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>16A: Singer with the platinum 1992 album "The Celts" (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/07/thursday-july-30-2009-fred-jackson-iii.html">ENYA</a></b>).</li><li>19A: Hungarian spa city (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/03/saturday-march-28-2009-robert-h-wolfe.html">EGER</a></b>).</li><li>44A: Pennsylvania port (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/monday-april-13-2009-fred-jackson-iii.html">ERIE</a></b>).</li><li>29D: Japanese chip maker (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/04/tuesday-april-20-2010-kevin-christian.html">NEC</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: *Rock conqueror? (PAPER); 6A: Ilk (TYPE); 10A: *Soy milk brand (SILK); 14A: Diminish, as trust (ERODE); 15A: Court target (HOOP); 16A: Singer with the platinum 1992 album "The Celts" (ENYA); 17A: *Dental checkup freebie (TOOTHBRUSH); 19A: Hungarian spa city (EGER); 20A: "30 Rock" is loosely based on it, briefly (SNL); 21A: Georgia campus (EMORY); 22A: Transparent personality? (GHOST); 23A: Webber's partner (PAINE); 24A: Stink ending (-AROO); 25A: Are proper for (BEFIT); 28A: *Wile E. Coyote buy (GUN POWDER); 32A: Napoleon, before seeing Elba? (ABLE); 33A: Its symbol is "$" (PESO); 34A: West Bank initials (PLO); 35A: *Gets creative (NOODLES); 39A: *Extent (COMPASS); 41A: "Alice" spinoff (FLO); 42A: Gives goose bumps, maybe (AWES); 44A: Pennsylvania port (ERIE); 45A: *Flashy display (FIREWORKS); 48A: Umbrella brand (TOTES); 49A: Idiot (LUNK); 50A: Finalize, as a comic strip (INK IN); 52A: Pub drinks (SWIGS); 54A: Sudden outpouring (SPATE); 55A: Sch. with a Phoenix campus (ASU); 58A: Comic book buyer of old? (DIME); 59A: *Beginner's piano piece (CHOPSTICKS); 61A: Analogous (AKIN); 62A: Forceful takeover (COUP); 63A: John who played Gomez Addams (ASTIN); 64A: *Forged check (KITE); 65A: Maker of Kate Moss fragrances (COTY); 66A: It celebrates National Day on October 1 (and it's where the answers to starred clues were invented) (CHINA); 1D: Bo and Barney, e.g. (PETS); 2D: Mountain climber Ralston, subject of "127 Hours" (ARON); 3D: Hustler's game (POOL); 4D: Atlanta summer hrs. (EDT); 5D: Warm up (REHEAT); 6D: Crowd (THRONG); 7D: Words to one on deck (YOU'RE UP); 8D: Nosegay (POSY); 9D: Bk. before Philippians (EPH.); 10D: Envision a way (SEE HOW); 11D: To a great extent (IN GOOD PART); 12D: Caustic fluids (LYES); 13D: Go-__ (KART); 18D: ASCAP rival (BMI); 22D: Union member? (GROOM); 23D: Like pintos (PIED); 24D: Lhasa __ (APSO); 25D: Alberta national park (BANFF); 26D: "Christ Stopped at __" (EBOLI); 27D: Amount requiring a credit card authorization (FLOOR LIMIT); 29D: Japanese chip maker (NEC); 30D: Borden mascot (ELSIE); 31D: Derby prize (ROSES); 36D: Some green acres (LAWNS); 37D: "Star Wars" tree-dweller (EWOK); 38D: Sun. talk (SER.); 40D: Drudge (PEON); 43D: Abandon, with "on" (SKIP OUT); 46D: Oregon Ducks' home (EUGENE); 47D: Irritable (SNAPPY); 48D: Pin in a shirt (TIE TAC); 51D: Gold units: Abbr. (KTS.); 52D: Mt. Rushmore's state (S. DAK.); 53D: Joint Web project (WIKI); 54D: "Buzz off!" ("SHOO!"); 55D: When Emile sings "Some Enchanted Evening" (ACT I); 56D: Word with care or cream (SKIN); 57D: Oliver North's alma mater: Abbr. (USNA); 59D: V x LX (CCC); 60D: -like relative (-ISH).</span></div>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-39685487319773274392011-09-28T04:58:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.033-07:0009.28 Wed<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">W E D N E S D A Y<br />September 28, 2011<br />Bruce Venzke & Gail Grabowski</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo3J6KjcTU8ybw8HUzTPv-PwksRqs6sewRO5eHi3KzQJfWxAo9eUGFNKlZy4gwmFDBUW0MuuitYFnypAPVadLqN79XujriCffi0SlEMRlAE7_r_pU_NcTrbqa3AVbHd0VJ2Ph70rTaFK3/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+28.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAo3J6KjcTU8ybw8HUzTPv-PwksRqs6sewRO5eHi3KzQJfWxAo9eUGFNKlZy4gwmFDBUW0MuuitYFnypAPVadLqN79XujriCffi0SlEMRlAE7_r_pU_NcTrbqa3AVbHd0VJ2Ph70rTaFK3/s320/grid+lat+11+09+28.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657379227167279090" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Sue the Bastards — The first words of the theme answers form a familiar phrase related to the legal profession.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>20A: *Test that sounds easier than it often is (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">OPEN</span>-BOOK EXAM</span>).</li><li>26A: *"End of discussion" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">AND</span> THAT'S THAT"</span>).</li><li>36A: *Z's (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">SHUT</span>-EYE</span>).</li><li>43A: *Thing to do before a heist (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); font-weight: bold;">CASE</span> THE JOINT</span>).</li><li>51A: What the first words of the answers to starred clues describe (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LAWYER'S DREAM</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSwN7Hq6VM8dHvifyrj4sy-F8Mum3Znt-TnJ2-GfG1siKa5bW-CzOURY3Ps7iuLhpdI6gFprIzv55IT3cC424C2HdA4-gxajtzePZn_8Q17t0U_r9iWrGIesS9WyVxoInzIOQHKiBouXV/s1600/Perry+Mason.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSwN7Hq6VM8dHvifyrj4sy-F8Mum3Znt-TnJ2-GfG1siKa5bW-CzOURY3Ps7iuLhpdI6gFprIzv55IT3cC424C2HdA4-gxajtzePZn_8Q17t0U_r9iWrGIesS9WyVxoInzIOQHKiBouXV/s200/Perry+Mason.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657380897200402226" /></a>A few quick links to share with you before we get started. First, <a target="new" href="http://bradwilber.com/2011/09/free-themeless-puzzle-5/">Brad Wilber has a new free themeless puzzle</a> up at his website. I haven't solved it yet, but Brad's puzzles are always first-rate and you can choose from two sets of clues depending on how smart you feel. Second, the lovely and talented <a target="new" href="http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/09/working-in-black-and-white-literally-with-penguins-pianos-and-crosswords/245449/">Andrea Carla Michaels is featured in a short video</a> over at the Atlantic's website. Go watch it and fall in love all over again. And finally, you don't want to miss <a target="new" href="http://abc.go.com/watch/jimmy-kimmel-live/SH559060/VD55145006/jimmy-kimmel-live-926">Dana Delany and Jimmy Kimmel chatting about crossword puzzles.</a> They even mention a well-known crossword blogger (not me!). (Fast forward to about 16:30 if you're not interested in the whole show.)<br /><br />Today's theme made me chuckle because it reminded me of a story PuzzleDad once told me:<br /><blockquote>After a 107-77 win over Kentucky Wesleyan, the preseason No. 1, in the semifinals of the D-II tournament, a television reporter asked University of Northern Alabama Coach Bill Jones if in his wildest dreams he’d thought he’d score the win in that fashion.<br /><br />Jones replied: “My wildest dreams don’t include basketball.”</blockquote><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>6A: State secrets? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BLAB</span>). We see a couple grammatical tricks in today's clues. In this clue "state" is a verb. And over at 60-Down, "retiring" is an adjective (meaning <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SHY</span>).</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzODVMvaPOZy3XvEwQBUe0A5niimre-cggF6VxPysnRdmePQDdfGgll6nkJKJTsCeHZoK7XIWRHqwcDSvzUu1O4dVsVAi_vmaE_4WUAbjVJCAbIf7OTB2a3d6CEQHgg9Zm6Qfa4rEJtLo/s1600/logrolling.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZzODVMvaPOZy3XvEwQBUe0A5niimre-cggF6VxPysnRdmePQDdfGgll6nkJKJTsCeHZoK7XIWRHqwcDSvzUu1O4dVsVAi_vmaE_4WUAbjVJCAbIf7OTB2a3d6CEQHgg9Zm6Qfa4rEJtLo/s200/logrolling.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657381776653490082" /></a><li>14A: Logger's competition (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ROLEO</span>). Learned this one from crosswords. Can't imagine I'll ever have occasion to use it in real life.</li><li>17A: Bottomless pit (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ABYSM</span>). I had ABYSS here at first which caused me some trouble.</li><li>31A: Symbol of strict control (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">IRON HAND</span>). For some reason I wanted this to be IRON FIST. Is that a phrase too? I don't have time to look it up.</li><li>63A: Corkers? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">IRISH</span>). Cute! County Cork is in Ireland.</li><li>7D: Trunk attachment (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LIMB</span>). Anyone else get stuck picturing an elephant's trunk? What the heck would "attach" to that??</li><li>8D: Chow chow (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ALPO</span>). The first "chow" is a type of dog. The second "chow" is a synonym for food.</li><li>9D: Affectionate gesture con los labios (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BESO</span>). No idea what "labios" means. Affectionate gesture with one's labels?</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23H17isASKXpRozy4kujGFWXVA2TZ0P_cWA5LWwrcPVECB1810ufL9Pn0mC_m_f5UOlOgl2LHvHat3FVy4rJv_Vsysb46eiVzCb6i08RfgC3CJ0ft9L_ufN5Zccfyb0osKykDkMg5X925/s1600/jeannie.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 165px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg23H17isASKXpRozy4kujGFWXVA2TZ0P_cWA5LWwrcPVECB1810ufL9Pn0mC_m_f5UOlOgl2LHvHat3FVy4rJv_Vsysb46eiVzCb6i08RfgC3CJ0ft9L_ufN5Zccfyb0osKykDkMg5X925/s200/jeannie.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657382057500479618" /></a><li>23D: "Bullying is __!": school rule (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">A NO-NO</span>). I'm guessing the kids who are prone to bullying will also be prone to mocking this phrase.</li><li>44D: Cape May County weekly (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HERALD</span>). Random!</li><li>46D: Foster's dream girl (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">JEANIE</span>). Awesome.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>1A: Olds compact (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/07/wednesday-july-29-2009jerome-gunderson.html">ALERO</a></b>).</li><li>10A: "Casablanca" character (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/03/monday-mar-23-2009-pancho-harrison.html">ILSA</a></b>).</li><li>61A: Hindu royal (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/friday-apr-9-2009-jack-mcinturff.html">RANI</a></b>).</li><li>1D: Notre Dame's Parseghian (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/03/tuesday-march-24-2009-dan-naddor.html">ARA</a></b>).</li><li>3D: Bridge guru Culbertson (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/sunday-april-12-2009-jack-mcinturff.html">ELY</a></b>).</li><li>21D: Greek vowel (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/09/sunday-september-20-2009-bonnie-l.html">ETA</a></b>).</li><li>53D: __-Ball (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/04/tuesday-april-6-2010-kenneth-berniker.html">SKEE</a></b>).</li><li>54D: Manuscript marking (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/06/wednesday-june-10-2009donna-s-levin.html">DELE</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Olds compact (ALERO); 6A: State secrets? (BLAB); 10A: "Casablanca" character (ILSA); 14A: Logger's competition (ROLEO); 15A: Get to (RILE); 16A: Like Switz. in WWII (NEUT.); 17A: Bottomless pit (ABYSM); 18A: Strike callers (UMPS); 19A: Major-__ (DOMO); 20A: *Test that sounds easier than it often is (OPEN-BOOK EXAM); 23A: Fill with bubbles (AERATE); 25A: Major stories (EPICS); 26A: *"End of discussion" ("AND THAT'S THAT"); 30A: Weather map figures (LOWS); 31A: Symbol of strict control (IRON HAND); 35A: Cycle opener (UNI-); 36A: *Z's (SHUT-EYE); 39A: Compete (VIE); 40A: She has a memorable smile (MONA LISA); 42A: Hamlet, for one (DANE); 43A: *Thing to do before a heist (CASE THE JOINT); 47A: Scrub, at NASA (ABORT); 50A: Either "Cathy's Clown" singer (EVERLY); 51A: What the first words of the answers to starred clues describe (LAWYER'S DREAM); 55A: Genesis victim (ABEL); 56A: Swedish furniture giant (IKEA); 57A: Egg holders (NESTS); 61A: Hindu royal (RANI); 62A: Tumbled (FELL); 63A: Corkers? (IRISH); 64A: Howard's wife, to the Fonz (MRS. C); 65A: Offended, with "off" (TEED); 66A: Homework assignment (ESSAY); 1D: Notre Dame's Parseghian (ARA); 2D: Tennis tactic (LOB); 3D: Bridge guru Culbertson (ELY); 4D: Vacation destinations (RESORTS); 5D: Brass band sound (OOM-PAH); 6D: Brown-haired boy (BRUNET); 7D: Trunk attachment (LIMB); 8D: Chow chow (ALPO); 9D: Affectionate gesture con los labios (BESO); 10D: Thorough (INDEPTH); 11D: April 1605 pope (LEO XI); 12D: "Poison" shrub (SUMAC); 13D: Elemental bits (ATOMS); 21D: Greek vowel (ETA); 22D: "The Family Circus" cartoonist (KEANE); 23D: "Bullying is __!": school rule (A NO-NO); 24D: Dickens's Drood (EDWIN); 26D: Homecoming guest (ALUM); 27D: Occupy, in a way (SIT AT); 28D: Roman numeral (TRE); 29D: Today, in Toledo (HOY); 32D: Help (AVAIL); 33D: Dolt (NINNY); 34D: Bug bugger (DEET); 36D: November ticket (SLATE); 37D: Embroidered word (HIS); 38D: Put to the test (USE); 41D: Painter's medium (ACRYLIC); 42D: Half-story windows (DORMERS); 44D: Cape May County weekly (HERALD); 45D: Time for celebration (EVE); 46D: Foster's dream girl (JEANIE); 47D: Security device (ALARM); 48D: Kid-lit elephant (BABAR); 49D: "Hee Haw" host (OWENS); 52D: Break (RIFT); 53D: __-Ball (SKEE); 54D: Manuscript marking (DELE); 58D: Family nickname (SIS); 59D: Org. with body scanners (TSA); 60D: Retiring (SHY).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-67655091165388499972011-09-27T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.134-07:0009.27 Tue<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">T U E S D A Y<br />September 27, 2011<br />Steven J. St. John</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh1zIaGUoE_vvMmzJ-U_0w585Hx3jL5ws2pRmlK3Dryd_tIBR3pNryeYsPr8yUtklz3Z8nEDvZZZlEmLhTb2c2M25d0MOo2asF8LiSQ3bbE6nPgQtRYfLWTswlplYI5JMnxx7HIUEmx_W/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+27.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNh1zIaGUoE_vvMmzJ-U_0w585Hx3jL5ws2pRmlK3Dryd_tIBR3pNryeYsPr8yUtklz3Z8nEDvZZZlEmLhTb2c2M25d0MOo2asF8LiSQ3bbE6nPgQtRYfLWTswlplYI5JMnxx7HIUEmx_W/s320/grid+lat+11+09+27.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657001912252115602" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Flight From Hell — Each theme answer is a not-uncommon inconvenience related to air travel.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>17A: Invasive airline inconvenience (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BODY SCANNER</span>).</li><li>29A: Uncomfortable airline inconvenience (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CRAMPED SEAT</span>).</li><li>46A: Wearying airline inconvenience (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LONG LAY-OVER</span>).</li><li>64A: Excruciating airline inconvenience (the last straw!) (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LOST LUGGAGE</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c7ZgzE4qq5YVPQ-uTs3iQSeEF8pge1PR-N7KUeefy2_Us5_g8tkHjPop1hB4PBsgxmrNoqIpBglZ6Xejc0zaoHBs7OPthqsfR-eQ2LrwMSzZuh_Khf2mByTBe2WdcysZvrFNpnQAoUXT/s1600/Flight-canceled.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 125px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7c7ZgzE4qq5YVPQ-uTs3iQSeEF8pge1PR-N7KUeefy2_Us5_g8tkHjPop1hB4PBsgxmrNoqIpBglZ6Xejc0zaoHBs7OPthqsfR-eQ2LrwMSzZuh_Khf2mByTBe2WdcysZvrFNpnQAoUXT/s200/Flight-canceled.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657003157235524482" /></a>I have mixed feelings about this puzzle. The theme isn't very exciting, but it's cool how the theme answers are in order (from top to bottom) of how a person would experience these things on an actual trip. Also, the fill is quite good (and Scrabbly!). So overall, I found it an enjoyable puzzle with a "meh" theme.<br /><br />Standout entries for me today include:<br /><ul><li>5A: Talisman (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">AMULET</span>). Makes me feel all mystical just reading the word.</li><li>3D: Awe (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BEDAZZLE</span>).</li><li>6D: Spaghetti go-with (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">MEATBALL</span>). Mmm … meatballs.</li><li>39D: Military day starter (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">REVEILLE</span>). I tell you what. No one can be more surprised than me that I plopped this baby in with the correct spelling the very first time I tried.</li><li>40D: Shame (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DISGRACE</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgHjqkX86HkMvJ9kyfqELz821_7Ia6kKhc3augMEZSxyAkJFpIBXdcfnDotXapBVBhy1D-dNQ13yaNe1ts5WwsKuHGUs-ZR8Z9ENpZjZs5rtoQLLDec9P_JXO3HTAGY5O_5lqfhUVC7Dr/s1600/knave-of-hearts.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgHjqkX86HkMvJ9kyfqELz821_7Ia6kKhc3augMEZSxyAkJFpIBXdcfnDotXapBVBhy1D-dNQ13yaNe1ts5WwsKuHGUs-ZR8Z9ENpZjZs5rtoQLLDec9P_JXO3HTAGY5O_5lqfhUVC7Dr/s200/knave-of-hearts.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657003784426069650" /></a>The most troublesome spot for me was in the northeast where <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">KNAVISH</span> (21A: Untrustworthy) crosses <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LINK-UP</span> (8D: Connection). As I've mentioned before, sometimes I have a hard time "seeing" the vertical words in the grid. With LIN*UP in place, I just couldn't figure out what was going on. I could see that an E would make sense there, but I just couldn't get that to fit the clue or the cross. I finally wrote the vertical word out horizontally so I could actually "read" it, and, well, not exactly voilà. I still couldn't make sense out of the grammar. I was thinking of LINK UP as a verb, but I finally decided that, with a hyphen, LINK-UP can also be a noun. Mystery solved. Whew!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>1A: Dinner wear for the highchair set (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BIBS</span>). The phrase "highchair set" tickled me.</li><li>39A: Flippable card file (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ROLODEX</span>). I think you can still buy ROLODEXes at the Flintstone Office Supply store. They're old-fashioned is what I'm saying.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mIotagGwPs11WMYY2reNWzLREpqUeGZ0o_wN4sTpTC3qC06nJyehJ7Hy0PPK3lKTFP_trO0Gf8x2TnBsu8is32zrlcVR2dF5w6SGMt5liQ4NqGF6mqYwGBjeTHxyGXnLqJzAbtNT6z5F/s1600/Barbara-Eden.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mIotagGwPs11WMYY2reNWzLREpqUeGZ0o_wN4sTpTC3qC06nJyehJ7Hy0PPK3lKTFP_trO0Gf8x2TnBsu8is32zrlcVR2dF5w6SGMt5liQ4NqGF6mqYwGBjeTHxyGXnLqJzAbtNT6z5F/s200/Barbara-Eden.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657004512935961122" /></a><li>67A: One way to share (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">EVENLY</span>). Huh. Not feeling this one.</li><li>9D: Barbara who played a genie (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">EDEN</span>). I don't have anything to say about this clue/answer, but I know Doug wouldn't forgive me if I didn't post a picture of Barbara EDEN with the opportunity just handed to me like this.</li><li>13D: Papa Smurf's headgear (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RED HAT</span>). I guess I've never really looked at Papa Smurf long enough to register that his HAT is RED. I see RED HAT listed nine times in the Cruciverb.com data base, and it's never been clued in relation to the RED HAT Society, which I guess might be a little obscure for a Tuesday, but I'm surprised it hasn't been used <i>at all.</i></li><li>58D: Bright star (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">NOVA</span>).</li><br /><center><iframe width="380" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tM60GAPIXTY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>36A: Island ring (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/tuesday-april-14-2009-billie-truitt_14.html">LEI</a></b>).</li><li>52A: Moonfish (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/10/m-o-n-d-y-11-2010-kristian-house.html">OPAH</a></b>).</li><li>66A: Due-in hr. (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/09/sunday-september-20-2009-bonnie-l.html">ETA</a></b>).</li><li>57D: Baldwin of "30 Rock" (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/01/thursday-january-14-2010-ed-sessa.html">ALEC</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Dinner wear for the highchair set (BIBS); 5A: Talisman (AMULET); 11A: Spoil (MAR); 14A: Working without __ (A NET); 15A: Next to (BESIDE); 16A: Sam Adams product (ALE); 17A: Invasive airline inconvenience (BODY SCANNER); 19A: Groovy relative? (RAD); 20A: One with an office couch, maybe (ANALYST); 21A: Untrustworthy (KNAVISH); 23A: __ garden (ZEN); 24A: A/C measure (BTU); 26A: Durante's "__ Dinka Doo" (INKA); 27A: Wood-dressing tool (ADZ); 29A: Uncomfortable airline inconvenience (CRAMPED SEAT); 33A: President when Texas was annexed (POLK); 35A: With 1-Down, discoverer of cave treasure (ALI); 36A: Island ring (LEI); 37A: Salon polish target (TOE NAIL); 39A: Flippable card file (ROLODEX); 43A: Mag. edition (ISS.); 44A: Father's Day mo. in Australia (SEP.); 45A: Congenial (NICE); 46A: Wearying airline inconvenience (LONG LAY-OVER); 51A: Lawn strip (SOD); 52A: Moonfish (OPAH); 53A: Lumberjack's tool (AXE); 54A: Subj. with x's (ALG.); 56A: Faraway (DISTANT); 59A: Paid no attention to (IGNORED); 63A: Roam (about) (GAD); 64A: Excruciating airline inconvenience (the last straw!) (LOST LUGGAGE); 66A: Due-in hr. (ETA); 67A: One way to share (EVENLY); 68A: Clickable image (ICON); 69A: Not optional: Abbr. (REQ.); 70A: French film festival site (CANNES); 71A: "__ la vie" (C'EST); 1D: See 35-Across (BABA); 2D: Part of, as a plot (IN ON); 3D: Awe (BEDAZZLE); 4D: Panache (STYLE); 5D: Basics (ABC'S); 6D: Spaghetti go-with (MEATBALL); 7D: Mil. branch (USN); 8D: Connection (LINK UP); 9D: Barbara who played a genie (EDEN); 10D: Giga- x 1,000 (TERA-); 11D: Oceanic (MARINE); 12D: State with the Big Dipper on its flag (ALASKA); 13D: Papa Smurf's headgear (RED HAT); 18D: Pop music's 'N__ (SYNC); 22D: Sight (VISION); 25D: "More than I need to know!" ("TMI!"); 27D: Suited (APT); 28D: Scooby-__ (DOO); 30D: Mrs. Gorbachev (RAISA); 31D: Skip church, in a way? (ELOPE); 32D: Sci-fi's Lester __ Rey (DEL); 34D: Jumping chess piece (KNIGHT); 38D: Comm. for the hearing-impaired (ASL); 39D: Military day starter (REVEILLE); 40D: Shame (DISGRACE); 41D: Green prefix (ECO-); 42D: Struck (out) of the text (X'ED); 44D: Red or White team (SOX); 46D: Inn resident (LODGER); 47D: Morphine, e.g. (OPIATE); 48D: Where YHOO stock is traded (NASDAQ); 49D: China's Sun (YAT-SEN); 50D: Pealed (RANG); 55D: Spock's forte (LOGIC); 57D: Baldwin of "30 Rock" (ALEC); 58D: Bright star (NOVA); 60D: Dolls' dates (GUYS); 61D: They may not be quiet on the set (EGOS); 62D: Small body-shop job (DENT); 65D: Former Opry network (TNN).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-73827594841788963032011-09-26T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.248-07:0009.26 Mon<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">M O N D A Y<br />September 26, 2011<br />Robert Fisher</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCogVpSiUkefH3M29arwwKqpDrJayehVnPins-t7HORT9-pdKZuES5ynpdkWYBS9cuznoaEVimD1vQR4XSS6rv9Nj2j12arYym7gENfy5Rw30Qls18ZDEX3NJMbl8wGcI3lyKRpyCf8MVI/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+26.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCogVpSiUkefH3M29arwwKqpDrJayehVnPins-t7HORT9-pdKZuES5ynpdkWYBS9cuznoaEVimD1vQR4XSS6rv9Nj2j12arYym7gENfy5Rw30Qls18ZDEX3NJMbl8wGcI3lyKRpyCf8MVI/s320/grid+lat+11+09+26.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656630810827774786" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Runnin' On Fumes — The first word of each theme answer is a commonly used measure of fuel in a vehicle's gas tank.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>18A: Ceremonial uniform (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FULL DRESS</span>).</li><li>23A: Necktie knot (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HALF WINDSOR</span>).</li><li>38A: NCAA Elite Eight team (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">QUARTER FINALIST</span>).</li><li>50A: Parent whose kids have moved out (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">EMPTY NESTER</span>).</li><li>59A: Dashboard device, and a hint to the starts of 18-, 23-, 38- and 50-Across (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FUEL GAUGE</span>).</li><li>66A: What to add when the 59-Across gets low (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GAS</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIrZB8kscykG0fnTD-AkRT4atsMiTrv_fSVpxiLQKsMxy6BBhMUPz36jG85W6Iwrmykz88v67gxHWTS3Z96Vd1QCNv7r3u-Gs6Wo024U78nB0urDkXgZwTPHZdDzbpURBlphQdwT9RMVN/s1600/shhh2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCIrZB8kscykG0fnTD-AkRT4atsMiTrv_fSVpxiLQKsMxy6BBhMUPz36jG85W6Iwrmykz88v67gxHWTS3Z96Vd1QCNv7r3u-Gs6Wo024U78nB0urDkXgZwTPHZdDzbpURBlphQdwT9RMVN/s200/shhh2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656631710662996850" /></a>First things first: <i>Please</i> don't talk about today's New York Times puzzle in the comments. I will say (as unspoilerishly as I can) that the two puzzles don't have the same theme, but the similarities are remarkable enough that I'm pretty sure people will want to remark on them. By all means, go solve the NYT, but please — no spoilers!<br /><br />Cute theme today. Pretty sure I've seen it before. In fact, I'm pretty sure I blogged it, but I'm too lazy to go look it up. The theme answers are all interesting and non-awkward. Just solid all the way around. Two grammatically tricky clues worth noting:<br /><ul><li>34A: Way up (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">STAIR</span>). I read this as in "Man oh man, that hot-air balloon is WAY UP there." But, in this clue, "way" is a noun.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw0wETzNpKCk1DsIY6Q9YsP0wvVXPURgYGH5QHPBDV8hVSITlCdE16oABxTYTrve9LGfXTyWpGd_79saYkzuCtok10r43Z0M28CFAQ8ZgGp2qlwnu8vu0YYVs8ZWUKf4HGcwhpUaHt92Y/s1600/aqueduct.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlw0wETzNpKCk1DsIY6Q9YsP0wvVXPURgYGH5QHPBDV8hVSITlCdE16oABxTYTrve9LGfXTyWpGd_79saYkzuCtok10r43Z0M28CFAQ8ZgGp2qlwnu8vu0YYVs8ZWUKf4HGcwhpUaHt92Y/s200/aqueduct.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656632843066886146" /></a><li>68A: Back at the track (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BET ON</span>). In this one, my brain came up with "I heard Angel Cordero had to go take care of some personal business, but now he's BACK AT THE TRACK." But here, "back" is a verb.</li></ul>Other than that, it's pretty much Monday, which means a couple sparkles (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">EAST-WEST</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CATTY</span>) and the rest straightforward and solid.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>6A: Inst. that turns out lieutenants (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">OC'S</span>). Officers' … something?</li><li>15A: Rock music's __ Fighters (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FOO</span>). I believe David Letterman is a big fan of Foo Fighters, which for some reason I find hilarious.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHeG2b-BOxsc1w9RGhBY8mWA6kxRoc5xVgdxzGnCWcIAIuAkFW0C0tPDLooCpsiE9E6EyRSoGoIn50G9P3MvZak_WYgy78qT3bMSv5t2yXiBDolKYapts2Fk-t56FZOph6bwKCOjpdA_q/s1600/ZOT.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 166px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuHeG2b-BOxsc1w9RGhBY8mWA6kxRoc5xVgdxzGnCWcIAIuAkFW0C0tPDLooCpsiE9E6EyRSoGoIn50G9P3MvZak_WYgy78qT3bMSv5t2yXiBDolKYapts2Fk-t56FZOph6bwKCOjpdA_q/s200/ZOT.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656633193591183618" /></a><li>48A: 41-Down sound in the comic "B.C." (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ZOT</span>); 41D: Threat to tiny workers (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ANTEATER</span>).</li><li>9D: Rookie's mentor (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">OLD PRO</span>). For some reason I entered OLD PAL first, which would be a terrible answer to this clue.</li><li>12D: Bucks and rams (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HES</span>). Bucks are male deer. Rams are male sheep. Each individually animal might be referred to as "he." Collectively, they are HES. (I know, right?)</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5Z_8_rhV9Dhvh-Rmkna8U5GYzV_0CTpcwNSAhVz-Juz_G9EJm609kUfs5AVVNKNY6Q5GmF-GBlC7-AyEZXGZFBkcdzczbWPw1xudKJz01HtVGK5MMMdwahW9P7HF_0RYyfVcZa3MI1mX/s1600/village-people.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix5Z_8_rhV9Dhvh-Rmkna8U5GYzV_0CTpcwNSAhVz-Juz_G9EJm609kUfs5AVVNKNY6Q5GmF-GBlC7-AyEZXGZFBkcdzczbWPw1xudKJz01HtVGK5MMMdwahW9P7HF_0RYyfVcZa3MI1mX/s200/village-people.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5656633529296105714" /></a><li>47D: Song spelled with arm motions (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">YMCA</span>). I don't really have anything to say about this. I just wanted to include a picture of the Village People.</li><li>53D: Rosetta __ (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">STONE</span>). It's a little strange that the word STONE appears in the clue for <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">COULD</span> (7D: "This __ be the last time": Stones lyric).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Minister's home (MANSE); 6A: Inst. that turns out lieutenants (OC'S); 9A: Poker game similar to Texas Hold 'em (OMAHA); 14A: Polynesian greeting (ALOHA); 15A: Rock music's __ Fighters (FOO); 16A: Tied, as shoes (LACED); 17A: Crest dispensers (TUBES); 18A: Ceremonial uniform (FULL DRESS); 20A: Turf grabbers (CLEATS); 22A: Yo-yo string feature (LOOP); 23A: Necktie knot (HALF WINDSOR); 25A: Tidal return (EBB); 28A: Ample shoe width (EEE); 29A: Temple with a minaret (MOSQUE); 31A: PC key for getting out of trouble (ESC); 34A: Way up (STAIR); 37A: Emanation detected by psychics, so they say (AURA); 38A: NCAA Elite Eight team (QUARTER FINALIST); 42A: __ no good (UP TO); 43A: Kept secret (SAT ON); 44A: Faux __: blunder (PAS); 45A: Main thoroughfare (ARTERY); 48A: 41-Down sound in the comic "B.C." (ZOT); 49A: __ of the land (LAY); 50A: Parent whose kids have moved out (EMPTY NESTER); 57A: Civil rights org. (ACLU); 58A: Work that ridicules folly (SATIRE); 59A: Dashboard device, and a hint to the starts of 18-, 23-, 38- and 50-Across (FUEL GAUGE); 64A: Carryalls (TOTES); 65A: Out of port (AT SEA); 66A: What to add when the 59-Across gets low (GAS); 67A: Create, as a statute (ENACT); 68A: Back at the track (BET ON); 69A: The USA's 50 (STS.); 70A: Takes in tenants (RENTS); 1D: Fire lighter (MATCH); 2D: Gene Vincent's "Be-Bop-__" (ALULA); 3D: __ Prize (NOBEL); 4D: Grain bundle (SHEAF); 5D: How latitude lines run (EAST-WEST); 6D: On vacation (OFF); 7D: "This __ be the last time": Stones lyric (COULD); 8D: Goes it alone (SOLOS); 9D: Rookie's mentor (OLD PRO); 10D: Make a dent in (MAR); 11D: Poker "bullet" (ACE); 12D: Bucks and rams (HES); 13D: Commercials (ADS); 19D: Weaver's machine (LOOM); 21D: Seven, in Sinaloa (SIETE); 24D: Approaches (NEARS); 25D: Supply with gear (EQUIP); 26D: Sac between a bone and tendon (BURSA); 27D: Cop's rounds (BEATS); 30D: Gal of song (SAL); 31D: The same (EQUAL); 32D: Old sporty Toyota (SUPRA); 33D: Spiteful, as gossip (CATTY); 35D: "__ tree falls ..." (IF A); 36D: Swanky (RITZY); 39D: Fish eggs (ROE); 40D: High hours? (NOONS); 41D: Threat to tiny workers (ANTEATER); 46D: '80s Cold War leader (REAGAN); 47D: Song spelled with arm motions (YMCA); 51D: Spark providers (PLUGS); 52D: Pull on (TUG AT); 53D: Rosetta __ (STONE); 54D: Giant (TITAN); 55D: Standing upright (ERECT); 56D: Concludes one's court case (RESTS); 59D: Detergent brand (FAB); 60D: Jeep or Land Rover, briefly (UTE); 61D: Superlative suffix (-EST); 62D: Lion sign (LEO); 63D: Dollar sign shape (ESS).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-24182093708050275672011-09-25T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.353-07:0009.25 Sun<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">S U N D A Y</span> <br /><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">September 25, 2011 <br />Jeffrey Lease</span> <br /><br /><i>[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at <a href="http://cruciverb.com/">cruciverb.com</a>.]</i> <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkXJp4O3tMGnJqC1IUQTe4bh-e4BQBmBNr4TPDqwypkvrUU1ytljl6OTtoY28xQWaXvuXKGj6Vi-WSzbP6upaeqqqsOEumbx1ooTNfcFe-o5TKqftXDOjkNbpMo-GKiAbTUTVar5HZUKk/s1600/la110925grid.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLkXJp4O3tMGnJqC1IUQTe4bh-e4BQBmBNr4TPDqwypkvrUU1ytljl6OTtoY28xQWaXvuXKGj6Vi-WSzbP6upaeqqqsOEumbx1ooTNfcFe-o5TKqftXDOjkNbpMo-GKiAbTUTVar5HZUKk/s320/la110925grid.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="color: #663366; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Theme:</b></span></span><b style="color: black;"> </b><span style="color: black;">"It's a Surprise"</span><b style="color: black;"> </b><span style="color: black;">— IT is added to familiar phrases, yielding punny results.</span> <br /><br /><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Theme Entries:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><ul><li>23A: Stakeout? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>S<span style="color: blue;">IT</span>TING OPERATION</b></span>).</li><li>28A: "May I cut in?" speaker? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>POL<span style="color: blue;">IT</span>E DANCER</b></span>).</li><li>47A: Part of an excavated skeleton? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG<span style="color: blue;">IT</span></b></span>).</li><li>62A: Voracious vampire's mantra? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>B<span style="color: blue;">IT</span>E ALL THAT YOU CAN B<span style="color: blue;">IT</span>E</b></span>).</li><li>77A: Pot with limited seafood portions? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>A FIN<span style="color: blue;">IT</span>E KETTLE OF FISH</b></span>).</li><li>100A: Unaffected horse movements? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>NATURAL GA<span style="color: blue;">IT</span>S</b></span>).</li><li>106A: One pirating Springsteen CDs? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>THE E STREET BAND<span style="color: blue;">IT</span></b></span>).</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXWIO_7LRGzT18lgyFdo0xYN8X-ViiR4eoZEJ-pYGL15lIJwUcqJOC4c4nSwFC4sMT0Dp-6LIy-1amB3xD5JFHO1Ld7MhfsuH1BkatwN9C8J83gyWlO4PvGYKQ0n2yh-X61HmfWZdyZBl/s1600/itsit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyXWIO_7LRGzT18lgyFdo0xYN8X-ViiR4eoZEJ-pYGL15lIJwUcqJOC4c4nSwFC4sMT0Dp-6LIy-1amB3xD5JFHO1Ld7MhfsuH1BkatwN9C8J83gyWlO4PvGYKQ0n2yh-X61HmfWZdyZBl/s200/itsit.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Hey, crossword fans. Doug here on Sunday. Straightforward theme concept today with a nice marquee entry smack-dab in the middle of the grid. Solid.<br /><br />I'm a little surprised that POLE DANCER was (sort of) in the puzzle as the base phrase for <span style="color: #993300;"><b>POLITE DANCER</b></span>. Are pole dancers usually polite? I don't know. The polite ones might get bigger tips. If you're one of our many pole-dancing LACC readers, feel free to chime in with a comment. (Or better yet, send me a private email.) I also got a chuckle out of <span style="color: #993300;"><b>A FINITE KETTLE OF FISH</b></span>. An infinite kettle of fish would be frightening & very smelly.<span style="color: #993300;"><b> </b></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Bullets:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>21A: Morlock prey (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>ELOI</b></span>). From H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine." I think the Morlocks ate the Eloi, and I think it's time to for crossword constructors to retire ELOI.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LCPUxl-N32e7o4xYTCCwfpPPx_l9ShZKm9LNl7VOgSQKglXiIXr8WnU5kZbNscfK-v4suXJNH35WsQSswjs6lYs4_GuU6iXCFvbCas9e5rPuVf3bdSyaQR33J9eOsIaVf-oxuGL565zH/s1600/MarianoRivera2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1LCPUxl-N32e7o4xYTCCwfpPPx_l9ShZKm9LNl7VOgSQKglXiIXr8WnU5kZbNscfK-v4suXJNH35WsQSswjs6lYs4_GuU6iXCFvbCas9e5rPuVf3bdSyaQR33J9eOsIaVf-oxuGL565zH/s200/MarianoRivera2.jpg" width="200" /></a><li>35A: NY subway line past Yankee Stadium (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>IRT</b></span>). Interborough Rapid Transit.</li><li>38A: Letters on some tubes (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>A.D.A.</b></span>). Toothpaste tubes.</li><li>47A: Part of an excavated skeleton? (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIGIT</b></span>). If you have a tough time spelling "archaeological," you can cheat by looking at the clue for 49-Down: Fictional archaeologist Croft (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>LARA</b></span>). Who says answer words repeated in clues are a bad thing?</li><li>53A: Brand promoted by Michael Jordan (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>HANES</b></span>).Charlie Sheen used to be a Hanes pitchman too. I have no idea why they dropped him.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vN2IV4ATNOoyBDsfn8jwiPWIiTvsJ03bmy8E3chkcqkLayd3ngMPOEpLE52X7Ysda7JOVTWQnEg6pczZWNv4zJ7wbPZQMeo1o2edNIBmL_3BbTQ2j5dSZH8Tp2HOUYaN0_7vwlyOJr-e/s1600/barbarabain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2vN2IV4ATNOoyBDsfn8jwiPWIiTvsJ03bmy8E3chkcqkLayd3ngMPOEpLE52X7Ysda7JOVTWQnEg6pczZWNv4zJ7wbPZQMeo1o2edNIBmL_3BbTQ2j5dSZH8Tp2HOUYaN0_7vwlyOJr-e/s200/barbarabain.jpg" width="200" /></a><li>54A: "Mission: Impossible" actress (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>BAIN</b></span>). I loved this show when I was a little kid, even though I could never exactly figure out what they were doing. But I knew it was cool and dangerous. Good preparation for my life as a part-time crossword constructor and blogger.<br /></li><li>7D: Cal Poly's city, initially (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>SLO</b></span>). San Luis Obispo. Tough for non-Californians, but fair for the L.A. Times puzzle.</li><li>11D: Singer with the Blackhearts (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>JETT</b></span>).</li></ul><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="228" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/HPkTGm4RtVM" width="390"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><ul><li>15D: Doll or vase material (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>PORCELAIN</b></span>). I can't remember seeing this word in a crossword puzzle before. I like it! As an added bonus, we didn't get a "toilet" clue.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4xQpmTsKsJ8zXKOidR85Jx3BX7Rwmbutb6WhCajqvqNsMwei3dILhplahyG6KvG6M7Mrv_DnZbGu-UphLmBgD5eclsqZZySAxEmOGuK3qRb-e6NWQU8E_bMDfujzbevs41Rn1HqEndcp/s1600/bewitched.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG4xQpmTsKsJ8zXKOidR85Jx3BX7Rwmbutb6WhCajqvqNsMwei3dILhplahyG6KvG6M7Mrv_DnZbGu-UphLmBgD5eclsqZZySAxEmOGuK3qRb-e6NWQU8E_bMDfujzbevs41Rn1HqEndcp/s200/bewitched.jpg" width="150" /></a><li>79D: Unhelpful response to "How did you do that?" (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>IT'S MAGIC</b></span>). Unless you're a witch.</li><li>90D: Previously missing letter, e.g. (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>INSERT</b></span>). I enjoyed this clue. I had no idea where it was going until I got the answer through crossings. </li><li>102D: Champagne Tony of '60s golf (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>LEMA</b></span>). I always want this to be LAMA instead of LEMA. "Lema" doesn't look like a sensible name. And then there's the Tony Lama brand of cowboy boots. My new mnemonic for this golfer: LEMA is an anagram of LAME.</li></ul>Hope you're all enjoying autumn so far. See you next Sunday.<br /><ul></ul>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-30820349883246227842011-09-24T06:42:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.450-07:0009.24 Sat<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">S A T U R D A Y<br />September 24, 2011<br />Gareth Bain</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWzxPmwTCWcgICzUyIFETSLFGApa_1PY0ERFdgu-g6mLm226_8cUZhn6jZdM8zS7jq2yF1zMUIx4kbC6S4EbfejvHAXuQokjADfjWAzVC_WCJBO5Twdp5fQuSHMkZgKIbg_i6fIzM0UMT/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+24.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 319px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtWzxPmwTCWcgICzUyIFETSLFGApa_1PY0ERFdgu-g6mLm226_8cUZhn6jZdM8zS7jq2yF1zMUIx4kbC6S4EbfejvHAXuQokjADfjWAzVC_WCJBO5Twdp5fQuSHMkZgKIbg_i6fIzM0UMT/s320/grid+lat+11+09+24.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655921268859440434" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>None, it's Sa…. wait, what? Hey! There's a theme on Saturday! — And it has to do with cookies!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>16A: Common closer (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TWIST TIE</span>).</li><li>36A: Superficial, uncaring effort (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LICK AND A PROMISE</span>).</li><li>56A: Carnival game in which a suit is worn (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DUNK TANK</span>).</li><li>50D: Food associated with the starts of 16-, 36- and 56-Across (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">OREO</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNT1zn9Hv74tE9NOz3XEdPh6A6jdEXnBVKZvNlPe7_2IF88aW_OTna-XVPrHmkNqr3isT7yYHba9Rtk8hOk-ClQ6DFo07h9xc-RxRjOb0UvpRQAMda-2FX5xJG6FIRpjD3YX1a36ZYxk7/s1600/oreo.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNNT1zn9Hv74tE9NOz3XEdPh6A6jdEXnBVKZvNlPe7_2IF88aW_OTna-XVPrHmkNqr3isT7yYHba9Rtk8hOk-ClQ6DFo07h9xc-RxRjOb0UvpRQAMda-2FX5xJG6FIRpjD3YX1a36ZYxk7/s200/oreo.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655921986036047458" /></a>Anybody else freaked out by seeing a theme on a Saturday? I sure wasn't looking for one. Nice surprise when I got down to the reveal answer. The theme answers didn't give it away at all — they're all interesting phrases we might see in a themeless. Lots of good fill in this one as well. We've got some old-timey language with <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"IT IS SO"</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CANST</span> (17A: "Yea, verily" / 26A: Art able to) along with television references for both the old people among us — <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RAT PATROL</span> (8D: With "The," 1960s series set in the North African desert during WWII) — and the youngsters — <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GOSSIP GIRL</span> (10D: TV drama narrated by a teen blogger).<br /><br />Couple things I didn't know. I've probably seen Pulitzer-winning poet Conrad <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">AIKEN</span>'s name before, but it sure didn't come to me. And <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CAUSERIE</span> totally doesn't look like it should mean [60A: Informal essay], does it? Overall, an enjoyable solve. Let's just get into a few details and then call it a day.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>8A: "Superbad" co-screenwriter Seth (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ROGEN</span>). I'm including a video here of the song that immediatley came into my head upon reading this clue. I apologize in advance.</li><br /><center><iframe width="380" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/bsfh7wu3QtY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center><br /><li>39A: "Go ahead" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">"FEEL FREE"</span>). Nice colloquial phrase. You know I love those.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ai9siZCUrV9UkXK7IJNuclz_xlHvD0Lc5X_og4g_89lGeVRoYWn5cC-izpENgMl7xDzUaXXuUpTUqhrVmtsxSAHNRugSUEnwisxcJMayTedD5dekOxsBkhBQDIewRZh8-QttkDFnwYNJ/s1600/isabel-allende.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 146px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ai9siZCUrV9UkXK7IJNuclz_xlHvD0Lc5X_og4g_89lGeVRoYWn5cC-izpENgMl7xDzUaXXuUpTUqhrVmtsxSAHNRugSUEnwisxcJMayTedD5dekOxsBkhBQDIewRZh8-QttkDFnwYNJ/s200/isabel-allende.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655922497058047218" /></a><li>46A: Name meaning "gift of Isis" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ISADOR</span>). I tried ISABEL first.</li><li>61A: Gifted one? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DONEE</span>). I think people were talking about this yesterday. No, it's not a word people use every day, but I've seen it quite a bit in legal documents.</li><li>62A: Spot checker? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">VET</span>). As in VETerinarian. As in, what Gareth Bain is studying to be.</li><li>3D: "See you next fall!" elicitor (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TRIP</span>). HAha! I'm going to explain this one, because I'm sure it confused some people. I have no idea how this started, but I've seen it in practice: a person is walking along and trips over something, the person's "friends" then exclaim, "Have a nice trip! See you next fall!"</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIINZ2zeEfuD8hmSSQtr55ZeEjKAYPfy0YjL-3LEU3KqDmCznqZ68uZZHqIIhR-rPPq4mwAnDOL_ZR7NISZdlHGjuQQKs4wuLW8Z8piuJhvRlp5J5p7Yq2ZuPkEUBHR549gTrLR97fkN-B/s1600/the-rembrandts.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIINZ2zeEfuD8hmSSQtr55ZeEjKAYPfy0YjL-3LEU3KqDmCznqZ68uZZHqIIhR-rPPq4mwAnDOL_ZR7NISZdlHGjuQQKs4wuLW8Z8piuJhvRlp5J5p7Yq2ZuPkEUBHR549gTrLR97fkN-B/s200/the-rembrandts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655923317160815858" /></a><li>19D: Rembrandt van __ (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RYN</span>). There's always a debate about how Rembrandt's name is spelled, but I think we all just need to accept the fact that it varies.</li><li>31D: Smackeroo (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CLAM</span>). Both are slang terms for a dollar.</li><li>32D: Hall & Oates's first Top 10 hit (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SARA SMILE</span>). And now I'll make up for the video I posted earlier. Pretty sure I've used this one in the past, but it's definitely worth repeating.</li><center><br /></center><center><iframe width="380" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/6FnZ6ZIj4vo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>1A: Aleutian island (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/03/wednesday-march-24-2010peter-abide.html">ATTU</a></b>).</li><li>23A: Folkie DiFranco (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/12/w-e-d-n-e-s-d-y-15-2010-julian-lim.html">ANI</a></b>).</li><li>52A: Brewery equipment (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/04/thursday-april-8-2010-jascha-smilack.html">OASTS</a></b>).</li><li>14D: Words indicating betrayal (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/07/wednesday-july-15-2009george-fitzgerald.html">ET TU</a></b>).</li><li>30D: "The Mikado" weapon, briefly (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/10/wednesday-october-21-2009donna-s-levin.html">SNEE</a></b>).</li><li>53D: South Seas staple (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/01/monday-jan-18-2010-james-sajdak.html">TARO</a></b>).</li><li>57D: Country that incl. Sharjah (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/01/tuesday-january-26-2010-dan-naddor.html">UAE</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Aleutian island (ATTU); 5A: Upheaval (ADO); 8A: "Superbad" co-screenwriter Seth (ROGEN); 13A: In a bind? (CORSETED); 15A: Prison break? (PAROLE); 16A: Common closer (TWIST TIE); 17A: "Yea, verily" ("IT IS SO"); 18A: Rash (SPATE); 19A: Calms (REPOSES); 20A: Nuttiness (LUNACY); 23A: Folkie DiFranco (ANI); 24A: Training gear? (BRA); 26A: Art able to (CANST); 28A: Troopers' gps. (PD'S); 31A: Goalpost component (CROSSBAR); 34A: Its state fish is the chinook salmon (OREGON); 36A: Superficial, uncaring effort (LICK AND A PROMISE); 38A: City known for wool (ANKARA); 39A: "Go ahead" ("FEEL FREE"); 40A: Tiny part of a hard drive (MEG); 41A: Pulitzer-winning poet Conrad __ (AIKEN); 43A: Aged (OLD); 44A: Wee hrs. (AM'S); 46A: Name meaning "gift of Isis" (ISADOR); 49A: Verdict readers (FOREMEN); 52A: Brewery equipment (OASTS); 55A: Give holy orders to (ORDAIN); 56A: Carnival game in which a suit is worn (DUNK TANK); 59A: Tease (NEEDLE); 60A: Informal essay (CAUSERIE); 61A: Gifted one? (DONEE); 62A: Spot checker? (VET); 63A: Forming strands (ROPY); 1D: Spiel, e.g. (ACT); 2D: Helps to water-ski (TOWS); 3D: "See you next fall!" elicitor (TRIP); 4D: WWII battlecruiser in the Pacific (USS ALASKA); 5D: Where unison countdowns usually begin (AT TEN); 6D: Agnus __ (DEI); 7D: Lofty lines (ODE); 8D: With "The," 1960s series set in the North African desert during WWII (RAT PATROL); 9D: Hunter killed by Artemis, in some accounts (ORION); 10D: TV drama narrated by a teen blogger (GOSSIP GIRL); 11D: If not (ELSE); 12D: Revivalists (NEOS); 14D: Words indicating betrayal (ET TU); 15D: Trivial Pursuit symbol (PIE); 19D: Rembrandt van __ (RYN); 21D: Phillips, e.g.: Abbr. (ACAD.); 22D: Wine orders (CARAFES); 24D: Tuna preserver (BRINE); 25D: Common Zen temple feature (ROCK GARDEN); 27D: Nursing a grudge (SORE); 29D: Gave two tablets to, say (DOSED); 30D: "The Mikado" weapon, briefly (SNEE); 31D: Smackeroo (CLAM); 32D: Hall & Oates's first Top 10 hit (SARA SMILE); 33D: __ B'rith (B'NAI); 35D: "Howards End" author (E.M. FORSTER); 37D: Transportation secretary under Clinton (PEÑA); 42D: Cousin, for one (KIN); 45D: Gettysburg general (MEADE); 47D: Sweet ring (DONUT); 48D: Cork sources (OAKS); 49D: Attracted to, with "of" (FOND); 50D: Food associated with the starts of 16-, 36- and 56-Across (OREO); 51D: Hydrocarbon suffix (-ENE); 53D: South Seas staple (TARO); 54D: Tonsorial sound (SNIP); 56D: V x XI x XI (DCV); 57D: Country that incl. Sharjah (UAE); 58D: Map feature (KEY).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-9635610763084553002011-09-23T05:06:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.549-07:0009.23 Fri<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">F R I D A Y<br />September 23, 2011<br />Daniel Finan</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOcnNTKdvVr9VE9NQrPGvBW9TmxbzC1HF1bj43_Q5aX5CBCNSchXzGK3eU8zoN6NDmjsGVbbfl6_Zg6EaA7PDEXYNmDVsnLb0o2D32a1ZzuWt_-ZPTSD0Qa6KEeD_GI-XkQ7NmK1gc4y_/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+23.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvOcnNTKdvVr9VE9NQrPGvBW9TmxbzC1HF1bj43_Q5aX5CBCNSchXzGK3eU8zoN6NDmjsGVbbfl6_Zg6EaA7PDEXYNmDVsnLb0o2D32a1ZzuWt_-ZPTSD0Qa6KEeD_GI-XkQ7NmK1gc4y_/s320/grid+lat+11+09+23.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655525480481294082" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Numb3rs — For the theme answers, clue numbers are part of the clue.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>20: questions (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FUN GUESSING GAME</span>).</li><li>36: hours (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ONE AND A HALF DAYS</span>).</li><li>49: ers (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FOOTBALL PLAYERS</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BdRw5aEiAu62gy4BU-XTQlPPahAlWrBoLFtEre6FVquY1qFanv74aLXI18sMOYvalZTGNBm0DItSKqdeG9ZM4k6Mgk9vgObBKzCwWkddChDDHinsT7K8QMiZ1xhb3kB8VRLgBUOC6N4q/s1600/48-hrs.jpeg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7BdRw5aEiAu62gy4BU-XTQlPPahAlWrBoLFtEre6FVquY1qFanv74aLXI18sMOYvalZTGNBm0DItSKqdeG9ZM4k6Mgk9vgObBKzCwWkddChDDHinsT7K8QMiZ1xhb3kB8VRLgBUOC6N4q/s200/48-hrs.jpeg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655526503196326914" /></a>Super clever theme today. Really enjoyed it. If you're still confused by it, look at the way I posted the theme answers at the top of this write-up. (Usually I include an A (across) or a D (down) after the clue number, but I took the As out today so there would be a better visual presentation of the trick clues.) The answers themselves aren't really stand-alone phrases that are "in the language" (as they say). They are, instead, definitions, not unlike the type of theme we see from time to time where the theme answers all have the same one-word clue and each answer is a different definition of that word. Some people love those themes, some people get really bent out of shape that the theme answers aren't "really" theme answers. I like to see it every once in a while for a change of pace. And in this case, as I said, the theme is really clever so it's okay with me.<br /><br />I definitely had several WTF moments throughout the solve, though.<br /><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSIp0wxVrtc90ZQIc3vLV_7wmBUmZpxZPBDTXgDmTZuIkrkS_tnw9Bz5Zw9Y2bb8GU_7a1uVxpTcCZFA6qPa5NZKQ8khzEq9dU841mP4aK8QO2f3OhS0xlkEuR45FrwqVUPkAVAmxnGO0/s1600/donknotts.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 162px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzSIp0wxVrtc90ZQIc3vLV_7wmBUmZpxZPBDTXgDmTZuIkrkS_tnw9Bz5Zw9Y2bb8GU_7a1uVxpTcCZFA6qPa5NZKQ8khzEq9dU841mP4aK8QO2f3OhS0xlkEuR45FrwqVUPkAVAmxnGO0/s200/donknotts.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655526749995780754" /></a><li>18A: Blanche __, pseudonymous author of the 1983 best-seller "Truly Tasteless Jokes" (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">KNOTT</span>). Wait, really?</li> <li>22D: Swindler, in slang (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GANEF</span>). Ne-Ever heard this term. Oh, I see it's <i>Yiddish</i> slang. That pretty much explains it.</li><li>44D: Walk bouncily (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LOLLOP</span>). Again with the ????</li></ul>Clues that were definitely amped up for Friday include:<br /><ul><li>14A: San __ (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">REMO</span>). Geez Louise! Could be anything!</li><li>45A: Seat of Colorado's Pitkin County (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ASPEN</span>). Very familiar Colorado place name, but difficult to see with that clue.</li><li>7D: Where kip are spent (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LAOS</span>). Same here.</li><li>53D: Hunted (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PREY</span>). The clue here is not a verb. That's what makes it tricky.</li></ul>My write-overs:<br /><ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6lg9Pg5AOK0tTpy7jf8ThzydV6V0fCSqnZLFh1r0f_1t2Ig8Ket3z35tw5GdcT1X4zNg-jgI_soexKBOAwSD9UHQ-9IKpKy1V0XUB6d9-ZX8Ex34OAIrhyphenhyphenlb1g4o3mVjEkJB838ujnfl/s1600/dog-digging-hole.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF6lg9Pg5AOK0tTpy7jf8ThzydV6V0fCSqnZLFh1r0f_1t2Ig8Ket3z35tw5GdcT1X4zNg-jgI_soexKBOAwSD9UHQ-9IKpKy1V0XUB6d9-ZX8Ex34OAIrhyphenhyphenlb1g4o3mVjEkJB838ujnfl/s200/dog-digging-hole.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655527281427758114" /></a><li>5D: Dug, so to speak (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LIKED</span>). Tried LOVED first.</li><li>9D: Party pooper (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">WET NOODLE</span>). Totally wanted this to be WET BLANKET. I was actually writing it in, and then … ran out of boxes.</li><li>56D: Urban miasma (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SMOG</span>). Apparently, I don't know what "miasma" means because my first guess was SLUM.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>5A: Dey job? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">L.A. LAW</span>). The clue refers to Susan Dey who starred on the TV show "L.A. LAW." I don't know about you, but I have a hard time thinking of Susan Dey as anybody other than Laurie Partridge. ("Hello world, there's a song that we're singin' ….")</li><li>24A: Annual sign of bad behavior? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">COAL</span>). It took me <i>way</i> too long to get that this clue refers to the "lump of coal" some people get in their stockings at Christmastime.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0N4rPO9wFA37JD6U1Y1o7ZTxBuzLtA7H2tz7S-li_cp5YlMA_zL0aZYIMBkxp9nr0EeQQUvHb4ydTZmJOcpNfjsV0cdMwpWLGT_EBG6TkQOhYwklAanRbL47JBRpos3PzOYJn0cemDab7/s1600/denali.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 140px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0N4rPO9wFA37JD6U1Y1o7ZTxBuzLtA7H2tz7S-li_cp5YlMA_zL0aZYIMBkxp9nr0EeQQUvHb4ydTZmJOcpNfjsV0cdMwpWLGT_EBG6TkQOhYwklAanRbL47JBRpos3PzOYJn0cemDab7/s200/denali.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655527754010054242" /></a><li>35A: High point of an Alaskan trip? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DENALI</span>). I used to call DENALI its other name until I met my husband, who climbs mountains for fun. Now I can't even remember its other name. Is it Mt. McKinley? Wikipedia says … yes.</li><li>62A: Its state bird is the cardinal (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">OHIO</span>). I had to think for a minute about Iowa's state bird here. I was pretty sure it wasn't the cardinal (it's the golfinch), but Iowa is always a possibility when you're looking for a four-letter state.</li><li>6D: Heart lead singer Wilson et al. (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ANNS</span>). The PuzzleKids were watching "X Factor" last night and it appears that several people who have no business whatsoever singing "Barracuda" were attempting to sing "Barracuda."</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>16A: Adidas alternative (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/11/monday-nov-16-2009-nancy-salomon.html">AVIA</a></b>).</li><li>57A: Frankfurt's river (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/03/saturday-march-28-2009-robert-h-wolfe.html">ODER</a></b>).</li><li>58A: Phils, e.g. (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/07/friday-july-20-2010-jack-mcinturff.html">NL'ERS</a></b>).</li><li>60A: '70s pinup name (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/11/saturday-november-21-2009barry-silk.html">LONI</a></b>).</li><li>11D: Where the iris is (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/08/monday-august-2-2010-allan-e-parrish.html">UVEA</a></b>).</li><li>51D: Sommelier's prefix (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/07/saturday-july-11-2009john-farmer.html">OENO-</a></b>).</li><li>54D: Pre-coll. catchall (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/09/m-o-n-d-y-27-2010-betty-keller.html">EL-HI</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Dollar bill weight, roughly (GRAM); 5A: Dey job? (L.A. LAW); 10A: __ Stream (GULF); 14A: San __ (REMO); 15A: Silly (INANE); 16A: Adidas alternative (AVIA); 17A: From the top (ANEW); 18A: Blanche __, pseudonymous author of the 1983 best-seller "Truly Tasteless Jokes" (KNOTT); 19A: "No ice, please" (NEAT); 20A: questions (FUN GUESSING GAME); 23A: Terhune collie (LAD); 24A: Annual sign of bad behavior? (COAL); 25A: "Alice" singer Lavigne (AVRIL); 28A: Orator's vocal quality (RESONANCE); 33A: Sacramento daily (BEE); 34A: Sched. B item on a 1040 (INT.); 35A: High point of an Alaskan trip? (DENALI); 36A: hours (ONE AND A HALF DAYS); 40A: Seven-time N.L. batting champ (MUSIAL); 41A: Storm dir. (ENE); 42A: They lead to an F (C-D-E); 43A: Six-pack abs? (BEER BELLY); 45A: Seat of Colorado's Pitkin County (ASPEN); 47A: TriBeCa neighbor (SOHO); 48A: Blueprint subject, perhaps (ELL); 49A: ers (FOOTBALL PLAYERS); 57A: Frankfurt's river (ODER); 58A: Phils, e.g. (NL'ERS); 59A: Deception (FLAM); 60A: '70s pinup name (LONI); 61A: Beneficiary (DONEE); 62A: Its state bird is the cardinal (OHIO); 63A: 2-Down unit (DROP); 64A: Fixes (SPAYS); 65A: Place to cross, on signs (X-ING); 1D: Seles rival (GRAF); 2D: Eye care brand (RENU); 3D: Flock response (AMEN); 4D: "The Jungle Book" boy (MOWGLI); 5D: Dug, so to speak (LIKED); 6D: Heart lead singer Wilson et al. (ANNS); 7D: Where kip are spent (LAOS); 8D: Silliness (ANTICS); 9D: Party pooper (WET NOODLE); 10D: Underworld (GANGLAND); 11D: Where the iris is (UVEA); 12D: Neeson who voiced Aslan in the "Narnia" movies (LIAM); 13D: You may have a brush with it (FATE); 21D: It merged with Continental in 2010: Abbr. (UAL); 22D: Swindler, in slang (GANEF); 25D: Trinity test subject (A-BOMB); 26D: Locale (VENUE); 27D: Maker of pieces? (REESE); 28D: Genetic letters (RNA); 29D: One of the convicted Rosenberg spies (ETHEL); 30D: Image Awards org. (NAACP); 31D: 1930s public enemy (CLYDE); 32D: NFL Network sportscaster Rich (EISEN); 34D: Devil's tools, metaphorically (IDLE HANDS); 37D: Touchdown site (AIRSTRIP); 38D: Big shot (NABOB); 39D: More than zero (ANY); 44D: Walk bouncily (LOLLOP); 45D: Modeled after (À LA); 46D: Sneaky devil (SLY FOX); 48D: "It's nobody __ business" (ELSE'S); 49D: Go out (FOLD); 50D: Nose wrinkler (ODOR); 51D: Sommelier's prefix (OENO-); 52D: Singer Horne (LENA); 53D: Hunted (PREY); 54D: Pre-coll. catchall (EL-HI); 55D: Shower in public? (RAIN); 56D: Urban miasma (SMOG).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-71031111397808156942011-09-22T05:01:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.666-07:0009.22 Thu<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">T H U R S D A Y<br />September 22, 2011<br />Betty Keller</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGuawrrDr-ZxLRf8CKCE3mD_908mIidlnJsnNJ1s1w4GhlFNkbwHrI-eF6eEMzsKUoNpmwcHpmnZSDdutwEZf2gd8GXuS2IypWntIAtC8R5G6Bl_vGXs2uZ_EFObx9OhTcA8UsE4OtFkG/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+22.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxGuawrrDr-ZxLRf8CKCE3mD_908mIidlnJsnNJ1s1w4GhlFNkbwHrI-eF6eEMzsKUoNpmwcHpmnZSDdutwEZf2gd8GXuS2IypWntIAtC8R5G6Bl_vGXs2uZ_EFObx9OhTcA8UsE4OtFkG/s320/grid+lat+11+09+22.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655153083449852066" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>For the Birds — Each theme answer consists of a familiar two-word phrase that starts with a type of duck, then the second word of that phrase is used as the first word of <i>another</i> familiar two-word phrase. Put them all together, clue wackily, and voilà!<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>17A: Daffy trying to hit the piñata? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DUCK BLIND FOLDE</span>).</li><li>25A: Survey response at the farm? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CHICKEN FEED BACK</span>).</li><li>43A: Tom fooler? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TURKEY LEG PULLER</span>).</li><li>57A: Loosey's cake-making aid? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GOOSE EGG BEATERS</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFzIH5jJUTsRCYpkAnCjUtt_Mk-pmAVvQSRZRwJxjMuKWysYrIfqCzP7j5CXKorGSRLgTcf3jvey8oeBbay3SBqerZtNfA5adMbHaXvFd_B7Xi2P8SC9FfHqf9eXTcSCwhLcXqpTVpcXo/s1600/the-birds2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 193px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiFzIH5jJUTsRCYpkAnCjUtt_Mk-pmAVvQSRZRwJxjMuKWysYrIfqCzP7j5CXKorGSRLgTcf3jvey8oeBbay3SBqerZtNfA5adMbHaXvFd_B7Xi2P8SC9FfHqf9eXTcSCwhLcXqpTVpcXo/s200/the-birds2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655153900751430498" /></a>Fun solve today. The theme really helped me on this one (which doesn't always happen). The cluing was definitely amped up a little to make this a late-week puzzle. Let's get right to the details.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>1A: Clips for trailers (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SCENES</span>). When I saw the word "trailers," the first thing I thought of was movies, but then I second-guessed myself and tried to think of the equipment people use to hitch trailers to their cars/trucks/RVs. Have y'all seen the trailer for "Moneyball"? I can't wait for that movie. Loved loved loved the book. Seriously, one of the most entertaining books I've ever read. And I'm not <i>crazy</i> into baseball. I mean, I like it, and I follow it a little, but I'm not sitting at home crunching numbers this time of year. Anyway, looks like it will be good.<br /><center><br /></center><center><iframe width="380" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/AiAHlZVgXjk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center><center><br /></center></li><li>11A: Triangular sail (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">JIB</span>). This one was a gimme, and only from solving crossword puzzles regularly. In real life, I don't know my JIB from my SPAR.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcsy6GAEvmMemBmPWPPc3P1plITkCG9-lLywnjugX4IuiEany6IvxOit7zjFdomDS6T6m-STRq3r233TrlN99QQn9zgScLiLZbx3SbdXjmyClpQvUT3mzOo8dOZr-ToAnPBMqNFNr5tk_/s1600/elmo.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 127px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcsy6GAEvmMemBmPWPPc3P1plITkCG9-lLywnjugX4IuiEany6IvxOit7zjFdomDS6T6m-STRq3r233TrlN99QQn9zgScLiLZbx3SbdXjmyClpQvUT3mzOo8dOZr-ToAnPBMqNFNr5tk_/s200/elmo.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655154218135835218" /></a><li>15A: Dagwood's pesky kid neighbor (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ELMO</span>). See what I mean about the clues being toughened up? Today must be Tertiary Comic Strip Characters Day. See also <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">IRMA</span> (23A: "Garfield" waitress).</li><li>22A: Pops (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DADDY</span>). Sometimes the one-word clues are really frustrating. When the answer provokes a chuckle, though, then I think the frustration is worth it. That's what happend for me today on this one.</li><li>37A: Sends regrets, perhaps (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RSVP'S</span>). That's right, folks: RSVP'ing isn't just about saying "yes"! It's also about saying "no"! The point is to let the host know how many people to expect. If you don't respond with regrets then the host really doesn't know if you'll show up or not. Manners, people! Manners!</li><li>54A: Likely result of failing a Breathalyzer test, briefly (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DUI</span>). When I was growing up, it was always a DWI. Then somehow it became DUI. Then when I moved to Iowa they called it OWI, which sounds all kindsa wrong, but whatever.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGTgWFL03kDAMnINtfBbq-GJjUq_NPDAKpEu9e9yzVFQNQ04AAnGRYY5g_XGKvEY81LOKpjedN0dPl91JCi5N4H8tX2nT6PWL-IqXBh2_r6kvzGGOsPBr-ymVThLNvNgX2Yp0ZQQMaU9U/s1600/stellamccartney.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijGTgWFL03kDAMnINtfBbq-GJjUq_NPDAKpEu9e9yzVFQNQ04AAnGRYY5g_XGKvEY81LOKpjedN0dPl91JCi5N4H8tX2nT6PWL-IqXBh2_r6kvzGGOsPBr-ymVThLNvNgX2Yp0ZQQMaU9U/s200/stellamccartney.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655154757676245522" /></a><li>62A: Blanche Dubois's sister (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">STELLA</span>). [Insert obligatory yell here.]</li><li>6D: Strauss opera based on a Wilde play (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SALOME</span>). No idea. Totally crosses.</li><li>7D: Flat bread? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RENT</span>). My first thought, of course, was NAAN, but if NAAN were the answer, the clue wouldn't need a question mark. "Bread" in this clue means "money" and "flat" means "apartment."</li><li>23D: Brain freeze cause (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ICES</span>). I entered ICEE without thinking about it too much. Had to go back and fix that S.</li><li>55D: Bing info (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">URL'S</span>). Do people actually use Bing?</li><li>58D: Bulldog booster (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">ELI</span>). An ELI is a student at Yale University, where the mascot is a bulldog.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101:</span> Apparently, William Shatner wrote some sci-fi novels. The series is called "<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TEK</span> War," TEK being a drug of some sort. And that's all you need to know about TEK to recognize it in a crossword clue.<br /><br />Other crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered:<br /><ul><li>52A: Mountaintop home (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/05/tuesday-may-19-2009-david-w-cromer.html">AERIE</a></b>).</li><li>60A: Dedicatee of Lennon's "Woman" (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/05/tuesday-may-19-2009-david-w-cromer.html">ONO</a></b>).</li><li>58D: Bulldog booster (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/sunday-april-12-2009-jack-mcinturff.html">ELI</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Clips for trailers (SCENES); 7A: Fridge incursion (RAID); 11A: Triangular sail (JIB); 14A: Kia model (OPTIMA); 15A: Dagwood's pesky kid neighbor (ELMO); 16A: Japanese salad ingredient (UDO); 17A: Daffy trying to hit the piñata? (DUCK BLIND FOLDED); 20A: Campfire remains (ASH); 21A: It originates from the left ventricle (AORTA); 22A: Pops (DADDY); 23A: "Garfield" waitress (IRMA); 24A: Detective Spade (SAM); 25A: Survey response at the farm? (CHICKEN FEED BACK); 33A: Stows in a hold (LADES); 34A: x, y or z (AXIS); 35A: Many a Louis (ROI); 36A: Supplies for Seurat (OILS); 37A: Sends regrets, perhaps (RSVP'S); 39A: Entry in a PDA (APPT.); 40A: Maui strings (UKE); 41A: Waterfall sound (ROAR); 42A: Not at all good at losing? (OBESE); 43A: Tom fooler? (TURKEY LEG PULLER); 47A: Only reason to watch the Super Bowl, some say (ADS); 48A: Like a pretentious museumgoer (ARTY); 49A: Plane parking place (APRON); 52A: Mountaintop home (AERIE); 54A: Likely result of failing a Breathalyzer test, briefly (DUI); 57A: Loosey's cake-making aid? (GOOSE EGG BEATERS); 60A: Dedicatee of Lennon's "Woman" (ONO); 61A: Jazz singer Laine (CLEO); 62A: Blanche Dubois's sister (STELLA); 63A: Place with presses (GYM); 64A: It may be a peck (KISS); 65A: "Mustn't do that!" ("TSK! TSK!"); 1D: Fizz in a gin fizz (SODA); 2D: PC "brains" (CPU'S); 3D: Make quite an impression (ETCH); 4D: Beat back? (-NIK); 5D: Boards at the dock (EMBARKS); 6D: Strauss opera based on a Wilde play (SALOME); 7D: Flat bread? (RENT); 8D: "M*A*S*H" actor (ALDA); 9D: Currency-stabilizing org. (IMF); 10D: Thingamabobs (DOODADS); 11D: Hirsch of "Numb3rs" (JUDD); 12D: Picked from a lineup (ID'ED); 13D: Shampoo ad buzzword (BODY); 18D: Shah's land, once (IRAN); 19D: New ewe (LAMB); 23D: Brain freeze cause (ICES); 24D: Juanita's half-dozen (SEIS); 25D: Leverage (CLOUT); 26D: 17-syllable verse (HAIKU); 27D: Slugabed (IDLER); 28D: Green Bay legend (FAVRE); 29D: Abbr. on food labels (EXP.); 30D: Adrien of cosmetics (ARPEL); 31D: Small woods (COPSE); 32D: Bad-check passer (KITER); 37D: Acuff and Clark (ROYS); 38D: Actor Mineo (SAL); 39D: With skill (ABLY); 41D: Scapegoat in some down-home humor (REDNECK); 42D: Downs more dogs than, in an annual contest (OUTEATS); 44D: "Get Smart" evil org. (KAOS); 45D: Shirts and skirts (GARB); 46D: Mass leader (PRIEST); 49D: Visibly wowed (AGOG); 50D: Chincoteague horse (PONY); 51D: Sufficient space (ROOM); 52D: Sits in a wine cellar (AGES); 53D: Inflatable items (EGOS); 54D: Shoulder muscle, for short (DELT); 55D: Bing info (URL'S); 56D: Writer Dinesen (ISAK); 58D: Bulldog booster (ELI); 59D: Shatner's "__War" (TEK).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-60465489476107261932011-09-21T04:42:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.774-07:0009.21 Tue<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">W E D N E S D A Y<br />September 21, 2011<br />Julian Lim</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XUgEsMU1ACAEu_mWoKPGsw-tHKu3BWWEGvTDm8j9QGeoncunyvMN8Te75JCMFAEpDtyVSvkS_uUt985xPYnOqC3_HBSHU7WM88HinC8aAgnDaC0njJy2Q7EnDhSjD1vyvSFnr1K7yAa2/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+21.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8XUgEsMU1ACAEu_mWoKPGsw-tHKu3BWWEGvTDm8j9QGeoncunyvMN8Te75JCMFAEpDtyVSvkS_uUt985xPYnOqC3_HBSHU7WM88HinC8aAgnDaC0njJy2Q7EnDhSjD1vyvSFnr1K7yAa2/s320/grid+lat+11+09+21.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654777332556721010" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Clubbin' — The first word of each theme answer can be a type of "club."<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>17A: *Title role in the 2009 Tony winner for Best Musical (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BILLY ELLIOT</span>).</li><li>24A: *Advantage of some military goggles (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">NIGHT VISION</span>).</li><li>45A: *Freetown is its capital (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SIERRA LEONE</span>).</li><li>11D: *Unauthorized stories written by devotees (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FAN FICTION</span>).</li><li>28D: *Pro shop freebie (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">GOLF PENCIL</span>).</li><li>55A: "That's exactly how I feel" ... or what each starred clue's first word can do? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">JOIN THE CLUB</span>).</li></ul><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LCJYHRpeE8rZI2rmEpdyJdbEYeyz8PRsRZ4UhZy2i9UOvSKV44czJyzN8cHnmfzAn0OdPKCdkczJza8FenjSVrJ3mc0LHDWrQjQCrXw2ePxcDN9SfDd7I3NTFpDzcWg2S-ZBQrSp6ab_/s1600/fight-club.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_LCJYHRpeE8rZI2rmEpdyJdbEYeyz8PRsRZ4UhZy2i9UOvSKV44czJyzN8cHnmfzAn0OdPKCdkczJza8FenjSVrJ3mc0LHDWrQjQCrXw2ePxcDN9SfDd7I3NTFpDzcWg2S-ZBQrSp6ab_/s200/fight-club.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654777950085274162" /></a>Nice theme today. All of the theme answers are interesting (except for GOLF PENCIL) and they're unified by an interesting reveal phrase that also has a pretty good clue. One thing I've noticed lately is that some of the reveal clues are super awkward. You know what I mean? They're super long and kind of hard to follow and once you know what they mean, sure, they make sense, but …. Well, this isn't one of those. This one just offers the straight clue and then gives a concise explanation of how it works with the theme answers. Very nice.<br /><br />And would you look at all this awesome fill? Hard to pick a favorite, but I'm gonna go with <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK8uyodk1B27Q3o_CRsHvBpzi7CW9VKTmyj-VoCF_fpi9z72tRhFR1muHVkc7AI6t-KEGqma2IhNVbMFtHfh20qToq4lg9ttsO_UyqWJZe1xcb9ousfzHKX2HgZTWK7a_paEVOlN5KNv5/s1600/chris-ferguson.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 163px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHK8uyodk1B27Q3o_CRsHvBpzi7CW9VKTmyj-VoCF_fpi9z72tRhFR1muHVkc7AI6t-KEGqma2IhNVbMFtHfh20qToq4lg9ttsO_UyqWJZe1xcb9ousfzHKX2HgZTWK7a_paEVOlN5KNv5/s200/chris-ferguson.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654778490754920370" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FULL TILT</span>, especially clued to the online poker site. The only problem, of course, is that the FBI has shut the site down. I even had a few dollars in an account with them. It looks like I should be able to get it back, but I don't know. When the FBI shuts down an illegal gambling operation, I'm not sure it's a good idea to just stroll back in and ask for your money back.<br /><br />Other fun fill includes <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">TETRIS</span> (love me some TETRIS!), <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FILCH</span>, and the Scrabblicious <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">I.Q. TEST</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">LOGJAMS</span>, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">JITTERS</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">IDIOT BOX</span>.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>30A: Not hard to grasp (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BASIC</span>). Love this clue.</li><li>36A: SkyMiles airline (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DELTA</span>). I spent some time in airports last weekend, so this came easily.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl0nEU3Mnig0YW0c62dfkJLHmShIyC4M8LwTIyh35IJ28-S3CcFUmh-pxM2KOdm36ts6v8grsKaqqqluMiF6LMCin03noAxSROV5lZmUxakcp7CB3ZG-IM4M-_C2KCy-TEysQp8MuuLzt/s1600/halle-berry2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsl0nEU3Mnig0YW0c62dfkJLHmShIyC4M8LwTIyh35IJ28-S3CcFUmh-pxM2KOdm36ts6v8grsKaqqqluMiF6LMCin03noAxSROV5lZmUxakcp7CB3ZG-IM4M-_C2KCy-TEysQp8MuuLzt/s200/halle-berry2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654783400949471730" /></a><li>38A: Ethiopia's Selassie (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HAILE</span>). This is some pretty high-end crosswordese. If you've never heard of him, you might want to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haile_Selassie_I">peruse his Wikipedia page</a> just to help solidify his name in your brain.</li><li>40A: Creepy-crawly (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">BUG</span>). Another great clue.</li><li>58A: Stat for Ryan Howard (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RBI</span>). For some reason, I had an inkling that Howard was a pitcher, but I didn't write in ERA right away because I just wasn't sure. Crosses showed me RBI, so it was a good move to wait.</li><li>13D: Confine again, as swine (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RE-PEN</span>). <i>Clunk!</i></li><li>41D: Stormy weather gear (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PONCHOS</span>).</li><br /><center><iframe width="380" height="305" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/QCG3kJtQBKo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></center><br /><li>45D: Give the creeps (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SCARE</span>). This clue doesn't exactly work for me. Someone can "give me the creeps" without "scaring" me. But it's a fine distinction and likely just personal.</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>31A: Plaza Hotel imp (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/11/t-u-e-s-d-y-23-2010-dan-naddor.html">ELOISE</a></b>).</li><li>50A: Actor Morales (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/05/saturday-may-16-2009-michael-wiesenberg.html">ESAI</a></b>).</li><li>4D: Gardner of mysteries (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/07/sunday-july-19-2009-alan-arbesfeld.html">ERLE</a></b>).</li><li>27D: Bar from a dairy case (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/02/tuesday-february-9-2010-julian-lim.html">OLEO</a></b>).</li><li>46D: Sonnet line fivesome (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/07/monday-jul-20-2009-robert-w-harris.html">IAMBS</a></b>).</li><li>47D: Maritime birds (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/10/thursday-october-1-2009-jonathan-seff.html">ERNES</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Its median score is 100 (I.Q. TEST); 7A: Weapon for Tyson (FIST); 11A: Christmas choice (FIR); 14A: Former drug giant (SEARLE); 15A: Sans employment (IDLE); 16A: Enjoyed hors d'oeuvres, say (ATE); 17A: *Title role in the 2009 Tony winner for Best Musical (BILLY ELLIOT); 19A: Drop off briefly (NAP); 20A: Shoe with a swoosh logo (NIKE); 21A: Tex-Mex snack (TACO); 22A: M-16, e.g. (RIFLE); 24A: *Advantage of some military goggles (NIGHT VISION); 26A: Bottlenecks (LOGJAMS); 30A: Not hard to grasp (BASIC); 31A: Plaza Hotel imp (ELOISE); 32A: Write quickly (JOT); 33A: Sports car roof option (T-TOP); 36A: SkyMiles airline (DELTA); 37A: Make, as a sandwich (FIX); 38A: Ethiopia's Selassie (HAILE); 39A: Like flannel and fleece (SOFT); 40A: Creepy-crawly (BUG); 41A: Tiered Asian temple (PAGODA); 42A: Butterfly's perch (PETAL); 44A: Noble headpiece (CORONET); 45A: *Freetown is its capital (SIERRA LEONE); 48A: Response to a dare (CAN SO); 49A: __ II razor (TRAC); 50A: Actor Morales (ESAI); 54A: Film buff's channel (AMC); 55A: "That's exactly how I feel" ... or what each starred clue's first word can do? (JOIN THE CLUB); 58A: Stat for Ryan Howard (RBI); 59A: Having the knack (ABLE); 60A: Tough leather (OXHIDE); 61A: Subj. that helps people assimilate (ESL); 62A: Niggling things (NITS); 63A: "Enough already!" ("STOP IT!"); 1D: Publisher's ID (ISBN); 2D: Royally named liner, briefly (Q.E. II); 3D: Heart-to-heart (TALK); 4D: Gardner of mysteries (ERLE); 5D: Shrewd (SLY); 6D: When strokes begin to count (TEE TIME); 7D: Rip off (FILCH); 8D: Couch potato's fixation (IDIOT BOX); 9D: Pavement warning (SLO); 10D: Game with tumbling blocks (TETRIS); 11D: *Unauthorized stories written by devotees (FAN FICTION); 12D: Author Calvino (ITALO); 13D: Confine again, as swine (RE-PEN); 18D: Trails (LAGS); 23D: "Did we get the bid?" ("IS IT A GO?"); 24D: Orion Mars mission gp. (NASA); 25D: Acid container (VAT); 26D: Some arena displays, briefly (LED'S); 27D: Bar from a dairy case (OLEO); 28D: *Pro shop freebie (GOLF PENCIL); 29D: Pre-speech obstacle (JITTERS); 32D: St. Patrick's Day dance (JIG); 34D: Ye __ Shoppe (OLDE); 35D: Bog fuel (PEAT); 37D: Big name in online poker (FULL TILT); 38D: March __: Carroll character (HARE); 40D: Sound at a shearing (BAA); 41D: Stormy weather gear (PONCHOS); 43D: USC athlete (TROJAN); 44D: Cold weather wear (COAT); 45D: Give the creeps (SCARE); 46D: Sonnet line fivesome (IAMBS); 47D: Maritime birds (ERNES); 50D: Footsteps-in-an-empty-hallway sound (ECHO); 51D: Blunder (SLIP); 52D: BMW rival (AUDI); 53D: "Yeah, sure!" ("I BET!"); 56D: Shizuoka sash (OBI); 57D: Phone no. addition (EXT.).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-44278705943881727182011-09-20T05:00:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.891-07:0009.20 Tue<span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); size: 3px; font-weight: bold;font-family:courier;font-size:180%;">T U E S D A Y<br />September 20, 2011<br />John Lampkin</span><br /><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfds16PCJToKmQKGCYLrIS00FwPXnIqCw8CW2cW6WFZW5lgEbBdPj6lqc2yYOBozCcQNSs_worgcdDTaMg0BbDi0Ah2Ht2nSUjL0rU2SyC_6CnCooHxJIJ0YQdeN7turL90ZmdqVVoAor6/s1600/grid+lat+11+09+20.png" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfds16PCJToKmQKGCYLrIS00FwPXnIqCw8CW2cW6WFZW5lgEbBdPj6lqc2yYOBozCcQNSs_worgcdDTaMg0BbDi0Ah2Ht2nSUjL0rU2SyC_6CnCooHxJIJ0YQdeN7turL90ZmdqVVoAor6/s320/grid+lat+11+09+20.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654407543767660674" /></a><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme: </span>Gimme an I! Gimme an O! Gimme … an A? Wait, what about the W?? — Each theme answer is a three-word phrase where each word has three of the same letters and the fourth letter alternates I to O to A. If that makes any sense.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Theme answers:</span><br /></p><ul><li>20A: Hullabaloo over a sudden policy reversal? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">FLIP FLOP FLAP</span>).</li><li>33A: Sign of table tennis tendonitis? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PING PONG PANG</span>).</li><li>42A: Bit of applause for an equestrian event? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CLIP CLOP CLAP</span>).</li><li>58A: Cry of frustration about a Hostess cake? (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">DING DONG DANG</span>).</li></ul>Super cute theme today. I like it when the theme answers are fun to say. Modifying the word <i>dang</i> seems like a stretch, but whatever! DING DONG DANG. It's fun to say so who cares?<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Bullets:</span><br /><ul><li>14A: Coif makeup (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">HAIR</span>). A coif is made up of HAIR.</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa3rYuBL0f_wb3yV85ur-25mLMNoVecDSWuBHdHvnUWoAyeDb0NuFAayqlBN7jGtUlp88DQha9qyAgtZCWiRAWPAcPn_WOoVG3zY-YekmSzRIQJyECicptPEvYX_E9UYo-Ph6R9AFvKit/s1600/MrsOLearysCow.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:right; margin:10px 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 154px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDa3rYuBL0f_wb3yV85ur-25mLMNoVecDSWuBHdHvnUWoAyeDb0NuFAayqlBN7jGtUlp88DQha9qyAgtZCWiRAWPAcPn_WOoVG3zY-YekmSzRIQJyECicptPEvYX_E9UYo-Ph6R9AFvKit/s200/MrsOLearysCow.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654409072589914786" /></a><li>25A: Legendary Chicago cow owner (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">O'LEARY</span>). I seem to recall some question about this entry last time we saw it. Mrs. O'LEARY is supposedly the owner of the cow that started the Great Chicago Fire of whatever year that was. I believe there is at least one song about it.</li><li>29A: Attack from above (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">STRAFE</span>). I tried STRIKE first, thinking of the phrase "air strike."</li><li>32A: Co. bigwig (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">CEO</span>). The abbreviation in the clue indicates that the answer will also be an abbreviation.</li><li>40A: Half of a double play (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">OUT</span>). Did y'all see the baseball news yesterday? Mariano Rivera broke the career saves record with his 602nd save. He's so awesome. The New York Times had a picture of him smiling, which isn't really typical. </li><li>64A: Snug ... bug in ___ (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">A RUG</span>). Now this right here? This is an ugh-ly clue. The clue couldn't use all the words in the first part of the phrase because they include the word "a," which is also in the answer. To get around that, someone thought it was a good idea to use an ellipses. Ouch!</li><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GJ4xVsAGFKn1RKsfHUF56LW42JH0tKsWLXRDegsu-Tumzf53tRKoZf69sZuLeIXhue0oF-PRHNdcW2dpH7iyl6E4e9a68Sy6LoTEbw3G63rz1s8PgGD-y6qBo6czCvoSBs0nO2Z84yDE/s1600/tower-prep.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:10px 20px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6GJ4xVsAGFKn1RKsfHUF56LW42JH0tKsWLXRDegsu-Tumzf53tRKoZf69sZuLeIXhue0oF-PRHNdcW2dpH7iyl6E4e9a68Sy6LoTEbw3G63rz1s8PgGD-y6qBo6czCvoSBs0nO2Z84yDE/s200/tower-prep.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5654409481701496914" /></a><li>70A: Iowa State's city (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">AMES</span>). Sigh.</li><li>4D: Make ready, briefly (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">PREP</span>). The clue doesn't mean that you would briefly make something ready, it means that the answer is going to be a brief (i.e., shortened) form of the word.</li><li>7D: Velcro alternatives (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">SNAPS</span>). I tried LACES first. I guess when I think "velcro," I think "shoes."</li><li>39D: Yummy but fattening (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);">RICH</span>). I actually read this clue as "Yummy butt fattening." HAha!</li></ul><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-size:130%;">Crosswordese 101 Round-up:</span><br /><ul><li>57A: Inventor Whitney (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/04/sunday-april-12-2009-jack-mcinturff.html">ELI</a></b>).</li><li>65A: "Exodus" author (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/11/tuesday-november-24-2009-gary-j.html">URIS</a></b>).</li><li>13D: Composer <b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/05/thursday-may-13-2010-gareth-bain.html">Rorem</a></b> (<span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(153, 51, 0);" span="">NED</span>).</li><li>27D: Actress Russo (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2010/12/t-h-u-r-s-d-y-12-2010-pancho-harrison.html">RENE</a></b>).</li><li>30D: For each one (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/06/tuesday-june-2-2009-c-frank.html">A POP</a></b>).</li><li>37D: High point (<b><a href="http://latcrossword.blogspot.com/2009/08/tuesday-august-4-2009-kristian-house.html%3Cb%3E%3Ca%20href=" com="" 2009="" 06="">ACME</a></b>).</li></ul><a href="http://www.twitter.com/PuzzleGirl65"><img src="http://twitter-badges.s3.amazonaws.com/follow_me-c.png" alt="Follow PuzzleGirl65 on Twitter" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Everything</span> —</span> 1A: Word on a red octagon (STOP); 5A: Tree trunk greenery (MOSS); 9A: Channel covering Capitol Hill (C-SPAN); 14A: Coif makeup (HAIR); 15A: Queen Boleyn (ANNE); 16A: Partner of well (ALIVE); 17A: Partner of willing (ABLE); 18A: Like tilted ltrs. (ITAL.); 19A: Moderated, with "down" (TONED); 20A: Hullabaloo over a sudden policy reversal? (FLIP FLOP FLAP); 23A: Ball supporter (TEE); 24A: Little mischief-makers (IMPS); 25A: Legendary Chicago cow owner (O'LEARY); 29A: Attack from above (STRAFE); 31A: __ Grande (RIO); 32A: Co. bigwig (CEO); 33A: Sign of table tennis tendonitis? (PING PONG PANG); 37A: Bushy coif (AFRO); 40A: Half of a double play (OUT); 41A: Inventor's germ (IDEA); 42A: Bit of applause for an equestrian event? (CLIP CLOP CLAP); 47A: Big thing at McDonalds? (MAC); 48A: Samaritan's offer (AID); 49A: Game one (OPENER); 53A: Meditation instruction (EXHALE); 55A: Crossword hint (CLUE); 57A: Inventor Whitney (ELI); 58A: Cry of frustration about a Hostess cake? (DING DONG DANG); 61A: Montezuma, e.g. (AZTEC); 64A: Snug ... bug in ___ (A RUG); 65A: "Exodus" author (URIS); 66A: Musical pace (TEMPO); 67A: Easy pace (LOPE); 68A: Waiter's handout (MENU); 69A: Cuts and pastes, say (EDITS); 70A: Iowa State's city (AMES); 71A: Stage accessory (PROP); 1D: Great Pyramid passages (SHAFTS); 2D: One of two Commandments holders (TABLET); 3D: More greasy (OILIER); 4D: Make ready, briefly (PREP); 5D: Letter carriers (MAILMEN); 6D: Winning (ON TOP); 7D: Velcro alternatives (SNAPS); 8D: Note to __ (SELF); 9D: Book of available products (CATALOG); 10D: Hillside (SLOPE); 11D: Exemplar of neatness (PIN); 12D: Hail, to Maria (AVE); 13D: Composer Rorem (NED); 21D: Fido's poodle amie (FIFI); 22D: Pork cut (LOIN); 26D: Military sch. (ACAD.); 27D: Actress Russo (RENE); 28D: Class using mats (YOGA); 30D: For each one (A POP); 31D: Campus military gp. (ROTC); 34D: __ Samaritan (GOOD); 35D: Little Lab (PUP); 36D: Organ whistle (PIPE); 37D: High point (ACME); 38D: Source of linen (FLAX); 39D: Yummy but fattening (RICH); 43D: Parti-colored cats (CALICOS); 44D: Bank's claim (LIEN); 45D: Sprawls, as by the pool (LOUNGES); 46D: Take down __: humble (A PEG); 50D: Less remote (NEARER); 51D: Cause of odd weather (EL NIÑO); 52D: Equips for use (RIGS UP); 54D: Highly capable (ADEPT); 55D: PC data disk (CD-ROM); 56D: Gem grader's aid (LOUPE); 59D: Festive event (GALA); 60D: Trash destination (DUMP); 61D: Ended a fast (ATE); 62D: Alphabet ender in England (ZED); 63D: 1979 Pa. meltdown site (TMI).</span>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2162892839846425572.post-65633884348000983002011-09-19T07:59:00.000-07:002012-04-15T20:02:55.990-07:0009.19 MonAvast me hearties! Hey, sorry I don't have today's grid up. The puzzle wasn't available last night when it usually is and I just didn't have time this morning to figure out what to do about it. I was going to send you over to <a href="http://www.crosswordfiend.com/blog/" target="new">Amy's blog</a>, but it looks like she doesn't have it posted yet either. I'll do what I can when I can!<br /><br /><div><i>Update from Amy: I did the puzzle in the <a href="http://games.latimes.com/index_crossword.html?uc_feature_code=tmcal">L.A. Times' applet</a> since it's still not available in Across Lite. Answer grid and brief write-up posted. </i></div><br />Another update, from Doug this time. I've posted the grid & theme answers. Mmmmm...cake.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">M O N D A Y</span></div><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">September 19, 2011</span><br /><span style="color: #990000; font-family: courier; font-size: 180%; font-weight: bold; size: 3px;">Jeff Chen</span><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5EsgTGz3Lysxfc_4Xfw4la59w5vt6OHv_bM0bFU0Fp-JBA7fINshcyLANL3fVCAWxSMp4xNtIRx7ntU5Nn94dNpfD0ehB4KDO8xMUpohVBT7w5wTrzJvgFkYBkRiqSFbs8GgSDW0eLd1/s1600/Grid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ5EsgTGz3Lysxfc_4Xfw4la59w5vt6OHv_bM0bFU0Fp-JBA7fINshcyLANL3fVCAWxSMp4xNtIRx7ntU5Nn94dNpfD0ehB4KDO8xMUpohVBT7w5wTrzJvgFkYBkRiqSFbs8GgSDW0eLd1/s320/Grid.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #663366; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #990000;"><b>Theme:</b></span></span><b style="color: black;"></b><b style="color: black;"> </b><span style="color: black;">Off With Her Head! — First parts of theme entries form a quote from Marie Antoinette.</span><br /><br /><div style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Theme Entries:</b></span><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></div><ul><li>17A: "No holds barred!" (<b><span style="color: #993300;"><span style="color: blue;">LET</span> IT ALL HANG OUT</span></b>).</li><li>22A: Where there's gold, in prospector-speak (<span style="color: #993300;"><b><span style="color: blue;">THEM</span> THAR HILLS</b></span>).</li><li>38A: Swallow one's pride (<span style="color: #993300;"><b><span style="color: blue;">EAT</span> CROW</b></span>).</li><li>53A: Worker with icing and sprinkles (<span style="color: #993300;"><b><span style="color: blue;">CAKE</span> DECORATOR</b></span>).</li><li>62A: Ruler to whom the quote formed by the starts of 17-, 22-, 38-, and 53-Across is often attributed (<span style="color: #993300;"><b>MARIE ANTOINETTE</b></span>). </li></ul>hildanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13981675775024305226noreply@blogger.com0