01.06 Thu

T H U R S D A Y

January 6, 2011
Gary J. Whitehead


Theme: Of all the …. — Theme answers end with a word that can be a synonym for "nerve."

Theme answers:

• 17A: Marinara, for one (TOMATO SAUCE).
• 28A: Pentagon bigwigs (MILITARY BRASS).
• 46A: Not serious (TONGUE-IN-CHEEK).
• 60A: Part of an axon (and what 17-, 28- and 46-Across each has?) (NERVE ENDING).

I hate to say it, but I just can't love this puzzle. Mostly because the theme really doesn't do it for me and because of the huge amount of crosswordese. As for the theme, I get how SAUCE, BRASS and CHEEK can mean NERVE, but in two of the three cases I'm distracted by how they're so often used as adjectives (saucy and cheeky) and not as nouns. Also, and this might just be me, I'm not sure I've ever seen the word BRASS used in this way — not even as an adjective. Add the science-y reveal and what you've got is a theme that leaves me cold. I will say this, though — I can see where the theme phrases could have been way more boring than they are, so that's a plus. I don't think I can say anything nice about the crosswordese, though. There's just too much of it. On a Thursday! The pay-off for all that crosswordese is a few pretty cool entries (I'm looking at you, GO AWOL and SIXTH SENSE) and a definite Scrabbly lean, but it's just not enough to tip the scale for me. I'll be interested to hear your take on it.

Bullets:

• 7A: They have guards on both sides of them: Abbr. (CTRS.). Football!

• 25A: Moor (HEATH). This clue/answer pair gave me a double whammy of literature associations: "Moor" makes me think of Othello, and HEATH makes me think of "Wuthering Heights."
• 41A: Reliant Stadium NFL team (TEXANS). I can't keep track of the stadium names. Part of it is that I really just don't want to. The corporate stadium names are just terrible and are far too silly to actually say. Ugh.
• 53A: Eldest Younger gang member (COLE). I do not know what this means.
• 7D: Winter Palace figure (CZAR). Remember when I said "Sometimes it's spelled CZARS, but in crossword puzzles it's almost five times likelier to be spelled TSARS, so that's my default"? Yeah, that didn't help me today.

• 11D: Intuition (SIXTH SENSE). I'd like to see this movie again. It's been a long time. Speaking of old movies, has anybody seen the new "Wall Street" movie? (I realize it's not that new any more.) It looks like it should be pretty good.
• 18D: Exotic honeymoon, perhaps (SAFARI). Can't say I've ever heard of anyone going on a SAFARI for their honeymoon. Sounds kinda cool though.
• 30D: "Monster" (2003) co-star (RICCI). I struggled and struggled to remember Charlize Theron and then found she wasn't the right answer. Hate when that happens.
• 37D: What the mouse did clockwise? (RAN UP). This is the awesomest thing in the puzzle. Great, great clue.

• 44D: Collision preceder (SCREECH).

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 16A: Worldwide workers' gp. (ILO).
• 22A: The gamut (A TO Z).
• 23A: __ II, king who founded Borg (now Sarpsborg) (OLAF).
• 36A: Cheri who played Gail Hailstorm in "Scary Movie" (OTERI).
• 45A: French possessive (SES).
• 66A: One of a jazz duo? (ZEE).
• 7D: Winter Palace figure (CZAR).
• 9D: "One Thousand and One Nights" bird (ROC).
• 12D: Spread on the table (OLEO).
• 22D: Asteroids maker (ATARI).
• 58D: Curved molding (OGEE).
• 61D: "Strange Magic" band (ELO).

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Everything Else — 1A: Techie talk, e.g. (JARGON); 11A: Roman sun god (SOL); 14A: Nine follower? (ONE ONE); 15A: Menageries (ZOOS); 19A: Marked, in a way (X'ED); 20A: Winter coat (SNOW); 21A: Pusher pursuer (NARC); 32A: Swindle (CON); 33A: Philip __: 16th-century Italian saint (NERI); 34A: Only just (BARELY); 38A: First person in Berlin? (ICH); 40A: Yearned (PINED); 43A: Latin quarters? (CASA); 49A: Artful dodges (RUSES); 50A: Mention with an ulterior motive (DROP); 51A: Finish shooting (WRAP); 55A: Louisville's river (OHIO); 59A: Air base? (HUB); 63A: Feverish, say (ILL); 64A: Natural balm (ALOE); 65A: Browbeat (COERCE); 67A: It's often seen under a cap (GOWN); 68A: Swindle (HUSTLE); 1D: Scribbles (JOTS); 2D: Soon, poetically (ANON); 3D: San __ (REMO); 4D: Commit a service infraction (GO AWOL); 5D: Toronto's prov. (ONT.); 6D: Nursery arrival (NEONATE); 7D: Winter Palace figure (CZAR); 8D: Sensitive (TOUCHY); 10D: GPS heading (SSE); 13D: One of Poland's three most populous cities (LODZ); 24D: Winter coat features (LININGS); 26D: Withdraw (EBB); 27D: Wyoming tribe (ARAPAHO); 28D: Choral piece (MOTET); 29D: Unyielding (INEXORABLE); 31D: Streamlined (SLEEK); 32D: No-frills bed (COT); 35D: NFL gains (YDS.); 39D: Radio moniker (HANDLE); 42D: Take to court (SUE); 47D: Money set aside (ESCROW); 48D: Lyric poems (EPODES); 51D: Crackerjack (WHIZ); 52D: Run the show (RULE); 54D: Bakery appliance (OVEN); 56D: "Cotton Candy" trumpeter (HIRT); 57D: Not left out: Abbr. (INCL.); 60D: Henpeck (NAG); 61D: "Strange Magic" band (ELO); 62D: __-turn (NO U).

01.05 Wed

W E D N E S D A Y

January 5, 2011
Donna S. Levin


Theme: Horse Sense — It's a quote by the talking horse, Mr. Ed!

Theme answers:

• 18A: Start of a quote (TIME TO).
• 27A: More of the quote (HIT THE HAY).
• 46A: More of the quote (OH I FORGOT).
• 61A: End of the quote (I ATE IT).
• 63A: Speaker of the quote, whose show premiered in syndication 1/5/1961 (MISTER ED).
• 7A: 63-Across, for one (PALOMINO).

Good morning, everybody, and happy anniversary to Mr. Ed! I'm not going to be able to talk about this puzzle without also talking about today's New York Times puzzle, so if you plan to solve the NY Times and haven't done so yet, you should think about doing that now. In fact, let me see if I can find Rex's spoiler kitty just to give us some extra room before the spoiling begins.

Whoa. Did that freak you out? No, not the spoiler kitty — the puzzles! I solved the LAT puzzle first and started putting this write-up together, then decided I needed to get to bed and would finish in the morning. So I printed out the NYT and took it to bed with me. When I looked at the NYT constructor's name, it said "Mr. Ed Sessa." I thought, "Well, that's odd. They don't usually use courtesy titles in the… heeeeey, wait a minute!" And sure enough. Same theme. I find that bizarre. I wonder if it's happened before. I haven't been doing both puzzles long enough to know. I mean, I'm sure they've both run Valentine's Day puzzles or Thanksgiving puzzles or whatever, but Mr. Ed?!? That's pretty random. And then to use the exact same quote. I tell you one thing, it made solving the NYT quite a bit easier.

But I don't want to take anything away from Donna's puzzle. Both Donna and Ed treated the theme differently and I think they both did a very good job with it. For more details about Ed's version of the theme, you should check out Rex's blog. Over here, we're gonna get right to the bullets.

Bullets:

• 8A: "Casablanca" star (BOGART). The typical "Casablanca" answer is ILSA, so it was kinda fun to see Bogey here today.
• 16A: 2009 sci-fi movie that is the highest-grossing film in history (AVATAR). I find this sad.

• 19A: Biblical queen's land (SHEBA). I can't see the word SHEBA without thinking about the Bonnie Raitt song where she rhymes SHEBA with AMOEBA. That's some great songwriting there, is what that is.
• 23A: __Kosh B'Gosh (OSH). Also a clue/answer in the NYT puzzle today. It just keeps getting weirder.
• 25A: Swipe (STEAL). Familiar to Dora the Explorer fans.
• 38A: Make damp (MOISTEN). I can't remember who it is, but one of my friends really hates this word. Say it out loud. It's kind of icky, right?
• 57A: Dispatch boat (AVISO). And this is one of those words that seems like it should mean something altogether different than what it actually means. Shouldn't this mean, like, "written warning"?
• 66A: Intimate confidante (ALTER EGO). Can't say I've ever thought of an ALTER EGO as an "intimate confidante," but okay.
• 67A: Three sheets to the wind (STINKO). Out in the real world, drunks are trashed, loaded, and shit-faced. In CrossWorld, SOTS are STINKO and SOZZLED.

• 33D: Hawaiian crooner (DON HO). Love it that we get two people entries where both names are used. See also ….
• 39D: 2008 Harvey Milk portrayer (SEAN PENN).
• 46D: Buckeyes' sch. (OSU). I guess they won last night. Ugh. I tell you one thing, Coach Brands would never put up with that mess from his wrestlers. (I actually asked PuzzleHusband last night, "What do you think Coach Brands would do if his wrestlers did that stuff?" and he said, "Probably make them run the stairs at Carver-Hawkeye Arena a couple times. I think a lot of time wrestlers get punished with extra workouts." But my point is, they wouldn't be playing in a Bowl game that's for sure. If wrestling had Bowl games. You know what I mean!)
• 50D: Dustin's "Midnight Cowboy" role (RATSO). RATSO Rizzo. One of the greatest character names of all time.
• 59D: Super Monkey Ball publisher (SEGA). Crosswordese 101 to the rescue!

Crosswordese 101: I ROBOT is the name of a 1950 classic collection of short stories in the science-fiction genre written by Isaac Asimov. One of the stories is titled "Robbie." (I haven't read the book, but I think I get it — Robbie? Get it?) The book was made into a movie starring Will Smith in 2004.

Other crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered:

• 69A: Villagers' tormentor in "Fiddler on the Roof" (TSAR).
• 36D: Hugely successful, in Variety (BOFFO).
• 41D: NY campus that's home to the Engineers (RPI).
• 54D: Yours, in Tours (À TOI).
• 59D: Super Monkey Ball publisher (SEGA).
• 64D: RR depot (STA.).

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Everything Else — 1A: "Truth in Engineering" automaker (AUDI); 5A: Low-risk fin. investments (CD'S); 14A: Kirk's Enterprise, for one (STARSHIP); 20A: Enthuse (GUSH); 22A: Red root veggie (BEET); 31A: More than salty (LEWD); 34A: Game with Skip cards (UNO); 35A: Actor Gibson (MEL); 36A: Workman's wheeled cart (BARROW); 41A: "William Tell" composer (ROSSINI); 42A: Load up with, as work (PILE ON); 43A: Coppertone letters (SPF); 44A: Org. with Ducks and Penguins (NHL); 45A: Bit of foliage (LEAF); 49A: Sip slowly (NURSE); 51A: Vein find (ORE); 52A: Trade (SWAP); 55A: Luminous glow (AURA); 65A: Bucking beasts (BRONCS); 68A: Super-secret intelligence gp. (NSA); 1D: Nile slitherers (ASPS); 2D: Six-sided state (UTAH); 3D: Chip's buddy (DALE); 5D: Scoreboard letters for "Da Bears" (CHI); 6D: Parking lot mishap (DING); 7D: __ support: alimony (SPOUSAL); 8D: Enjoy a soak (BATHE); 9D: Prefix with duct (OVI-); 10D: Risk takers (GAMBLERS); 11D: Fits to __ (A TEE); 12D: Distance ÷ time (RATE); 13D: Harness race pace (TROT); 15D: Shatter (SMASH); 21D: Place to wallow (STY); 24D: Macho guys (HE-MEN); 26D: "Sorry to say ..." ("ALAS …"); 27D: A dromedary has one (HUMP); 28D: Packed like sardines (IN OIL); 29D: Patterned fabric (TOILE); 30D: Cooped-up layer (HEN); 32D: Clasp tightly in distress, as one's hands (WRING); 37D: Droop (WILT); 40D: Bean curd (TOFU); 43D: Civil War general who captured Atlanta (SHERMAN); 47D: Emulate Cicero (ORATE); 48D: Go back (REVERT); 52D: A boy and his sis (SIBS); 53D: Witch blemish (WART); 56D: Troubles (AILS); 58D: Infuriates (IRES); 60D: Olfactory stimulus (ODOR); 62D: "Ugh" relative (ICK).

01.04 Tue

T U E S D A Y

January 4, 2011
David W. Cromer


Theme: Shoes, Glorious Shoes — Familiar phrases end with words that can describe types of shoes.

Theme answers:

• 20A: How many fall in love (HEAD OVER HEELS).
• 34A: Temperature control devices (HEAT PUMPS).
• 40A: Bonneville Speedway terrain (SALT FLATS).
• 53A: Abridged maxim about accepting an apt description, and a hint to this puzzle's theme found in 20-, 34- and 40-Across (IF THE SHOE FITS).

This puzzle reminded that I really, truly and desperately need at least two new pairs of shoes. I have some black slip-ons that I wear pretty much all the time that are falling apart. I think I'll buy another pair just like them. Then I need a pair of brown shoes suitable for the office. When I started working again, I went out and bought two pairs of pants — one pair I thought was black, but is really grey, and the other is brown. I can get away with black shoes with the grey pants, but not with the brown. Well, PuzzleHusband, who's the fashion expert around here, told me that it was probably okay to wear black shoes with these particular brown pants, but it makes me self-conscious, so I really need to get some brown shoes. The good news is I got a paycheck today, so the shoes might actually be in my future! Yee-haw!

I could probably talk about shoes all day, but let's talk about the puzzle instead. Um, let's see. The puzzle is fine. Pretty easy, serviceable theme, the sparkliest answers to me are RED SALMON, FLASHERS and GO PRO (11D: Fish also called a sockeye / 38D: Hazard lights, e.g. / 26D: Give up amateur status). The clue for FENCE (38A: Stolen goods dealer) makes that ordinary word kind of cool, which is always a good thing. And other than that … man, sometimes it's just really hard to keep coming up with stuff to talk about — especially on the early-week puzzles. Maybe we should talk about shoes some more.

Oh no, I remember what I was going to tell you. I was thinking that with the new year, maybe we could use a new look here at LACC. I thought I might have it ready yesterday — first workday of the new year and all — but turns out it's more work than I anticipated. Or maybe I'm just lazy. One of those two things, anyway. But you can just consider this a heads up: Don't freak out if you click over here one day and things look a little different! Everything's going to be okay! Change is good!

Bullets:

• 42A: Less, in La Paz (MENOS). Spanish!
• 46A: Duds in a lot (LEMONS). Cute clue. You might find some LEMONS (i.e., duds) in a used car lot. I suppose you could find one in a new car lot too, but that's not as likely. I don't think. (Look at me, acting all like I know something about buying cars.)
• 48A: Tiny power source (ATOM). Last week Rachel Maddow interviewed the head of the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (part of the Department of Energy), who is in charge of the massive task of securing loose nuclear material around the world. It's like actual super-secret spy stuff — really interesting! Rachel said this guy's title should be "Undersecretary for Saving the World."
• 59A: Mound stats (ERA'S). Mound as in pitching mound. E.R.A. = Earned Run Average, a statistic kept on pitchers.

• 60A: Golf rarities (ACES). The tennis references were getting kind of old for ACES, so the golf clue is welcome. (For the sports-challenged, an ACE is the same thing as a hole-in-one.)
• 36D: Lone Star State sch. (UTEP). University of Texas at El Paso. But you knew that.
• 41D: Type specification (FONT). Mmmmm, fonts ….

Crosswordese 101: SEGA is a video game company famous for games such as "Sonic the Hedgehog," "Super Monkey Ball" and "Mortal Kombat," and two game consoles called Genesis and Dreamcast. The company is often described as a Nintendo competitor/rival in crossword clues.

Other crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered:

• 19A: Arabian Peninsula port (ADEN).
• 30A: Mauna __ (LOA).
• 21D: Patron saint of Norway (OLAV).
• 35D: Tolkien tree creature (ENT).
• 54D: K-12 catchall (ELHI).

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Everything Else — 1A: Like serious collectors (AVID); 5A: Ristorante staple (PASTA); 10A: Bristol baby carriage (PRAM); 14A: Fishing need (LINE); 15A: Turn red, as tomatoes (RIPEN); 16A: Genesis creator (SEGA); 17A: It may be enough (ONCE); 18A: Keats, e.g. (ODIST); 23A: Mule's parent (ASS); 24A: __ majesty (LESE); 25A: Adjustor's assessment (DAMAGE); 28A: Sought office (RAN); 29A: Dent or scratch (MAR); 31A: Israeli desert (NEGEV); 37A: Door-to-door company (AVON); 39A: Went like the wind (TORE); 43A: Do the math, in a way (ADD); 44A: Rowing implement (OAR); 45A: With it (HIP); 50A: Drama featuring a DNA lab (CSI); 56A: Course list (MENU); 58A: Spanish folk hero (EL CID); 61A: River through France (RHONE); 62A: Earth tone (ECRU); 63A: Sit for a shooting (POSE); 64A: Located (SITED); 65A: Fashionable way to arrive? (LATE); 1D: Hilo hello (ALOHA); 2D: Jungle growth (VINES); 3D: Pizarro victims (INCAS); 4D: Certain title (DEED); 5D: No longer in doubt (PROVEN); 6D: Helpers (AIDES); 7D: Kremlin feature (SPIRE); 8D: New Age musician John (TESH); 9D: Precede (ANTEDATE); 10D: Biblical hymn (PSALM); 12D: Candle count, on many cakes (AGE); 13D: Isle of __ (MAN); 22D: Wild West lawman (EARP); 27D: Lets up (EASES); 28D: Tenants' strike leverage (RENT); 29D: PC alternatives (MACS); 31D: Twangy (NASAL); 32D: Get around (EVADE); 33D: Places with valuable veins (GOLD MINES); 34D: Catch wind of (HEAR); 42D: Actor with nothing to say (MIME); 45D: Like some sweatshirts (HOODED); 47D: Helpful (OF USE); 48D: Fancy tie (ASCOT); 49D: Biblical possessive (THINE); 50D: Approximately, in dates (CIRCA); 51D: Onset (START); 52D: Debate subject (ISSUE); 55D: Sense (FEEL); 56D: It may be topographical (MAP); 57D: "The Name of the Rose" author Umberto (ECO).

01.03 Mon

M O N D A Y

January 3, 2011
Victor Barocas


Theme: It's a Doggy Dog World — Theme answers begin with colors that can describe Labrador retrievers.

Theme answers:

• 17A/25A: WWI U.S. Army command nickname (BLACK JACK / PERSHING).
• 32A: Custard-filled pastry (CHOCOLATE ECLAIR).
• 41A: Flip side of "Eleanor Rigby" (YELLOW SUBMARINE).
• 50A/64A: Breed whose common colors begin 17-, 32- and 41-Across (LABRADOR / RETRIEVER).

Good morning, everyone, and happy Monday to you. Unless we get some kind of snowstorm in the next few days, this will be my first full week of work at my new job. I started on a Thursday and then the next two weeks were Christmas and New Year's — so I've really been able to ease into it. Tomorrow it's back to the Rat Race! (I'm totally loving my job, though, so it's all good.)

This week we're starting off with an easy breezy puzzle. I'm not super excited about the theme, but that's probably just because I'm not a dog person. Also it's Monday and sometimes it's hard to get excited about Mondays. But there's clearly nothing wrong with it, and there's some awfully good stuff in the fill like ASCETIC and RED EYE, along with ARBITER and REPLETE, which really sound like high-falutin' words, don't they? The grid's got pretty much exactly the amount of crosswordese that's acceptable on a Monday and the cluing is straightforward. Overall, a solid Monday outing that I'm pretty sure I won't rant about.

Have you all heard about the controversy about elementary school textbooks going on here in Virginia? It's pretty interesting. (Yes, this is a tangent. It was General PERSHING that brought me here.) Apparently, a professor at William & Mary took the time to actually read a series of textbooks used in Virginia elementary schools and found several glaring errors along with some what you might politely call forgiving views of the Civil War, vis-à-vis slavery. The error that first stood out to the professor was a sentence explaining that "thousands of Southern blacks fought in the Confederate ranks, including two black battalions under the command of Stonewall Jackson." Asked for the source of that information, the author said she found it on the Internet. Well then! Anyway, it's pretty interesting and it is, in fact, the textbook that PuzzleDaughter is studying right now, which I find a little disturbing.

Bullets:

• 9A: Game with checks (CHESS). I kept thinking tic-tac-toe, but knew that wasn't right.
• 40A: Sch. WNW of Topeka (KSU). Beak 'em, Hawks! (Or is that the other Kansas school? Can't say I pay much attention to Kansas.)

• 5D: Decorate with gems (BEJEWEL). I was finally able to kick my Bejeweled Blitz habit, but in order to do it I had to pick up a new game called Marple, which is totally awesome. And addictive.
• 26D: "2001" computer (HAL). Would you like to play a game? Oh crap. I think that's the other evil movie computer. I'm totally off today.
• 30D: Joplin works (RAGS). Okay, this one I know for sure is Scott and not Janis.
• 36D: "Winning __ everything" (ISN'T). It's the only thing! Second place is first loser! There's no I in "team," but there are three U's in "shut the f*** up!" Not sure exactly what came over me there. I apologize.
• 61D: Pâté de foie __ (GRAS). I don't really know what this is. I mean, I'm pretty sure I've been told what it is but I haven't been able to retain that knowledge. I'm pretty sure it's something that I have absolutely no interest in eating.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 1A: Nick and Nora Charles's dog (ASTA).
• 19A: Greek market (AGORA).
• 67A: First African-American selected for a U.S. Davis Cup team (ASHE).
• 6D: Eggs, biologically (OVA).
• 28D: Syngman of Korea (RHEE).
• 33D: Sigma follower (TAU).

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Everything Else — 5A: When repeated, island near Tahiti (BORA); 14A: Disapproving fans' chorus (BOOS); 15A: Tied, as a game (EVEN); 16A: Line with many stops (LOCAL); 20A: Overnight flight (RED EYE); 21A: Sad interjection (ALAS); 23A: PC linking system (LAN); 24A: Haul to the shop (TOW); 31A: Argentina aunt (TIA); 38A: Chop (HEW); 39A: Gift of the garrulous (GAB); 48A: Three, in Asti (TRE); 49A: Most Chaplin films (SILENTS); 55A: Chill in the air (NIP); 56A: Stat for Koufax (ERA); 57A: Opposite of "yup" ("NOPE"); 58A: Rectangular (OBLONG); 62A: Solzhenitsyn subject (GULAG); 66A: Extremely overweight (OBESE); 68A: Trillion: Pref. (TERA-); 69A: Indian wraps (SARIS); 70A: Attention to "pay" (HEED); 71A: Brings to a close (ENDS); 1D: This ans. is one (ABBR.); 2D: Foot bottom (SOLE); 3D: Tadpole, grown up (TOAD); 4D: One leading a spartan lifestyle (ASCETIC); 7D: Summary (RECAP); 8D: A bobby sock is often folded down to it (ANKLE); 9D: Like the most elegant old autos (CLASSIC); 10D: Monopolize (HOG); 11D: Dangerous bacteria (ECOLI); 12D: Plastic wrap brand (SARAN); 13D: Street language, often (SLANG); 18D: Environmental protocol city (KYOTO); 22D: Commedia dell'__ (ARTE); 27D: In need of a massage (ACHY); 29D: Knock down some pins (BOWL); 34D: Recedes to the sea (EBBS); 35D: Related (AKIN); 37D: Regrets (RUES); 42D: P.O. box item (LTR.); 43D: Florida crops (ORANGES); 44D: Shared wedding vow response (WE DO); 45D: Studied secondarily, with "in" (MINORED); 46D: Perp-to-cop story (ALIBI); 47D: Abundantly filled (with) (REPLETE); 50D: Kids' blocks (LEGOS); 51D: Curaçao neighbor (ARUBA); 52D: Hay bundler (BALER); 53D: Daytime TV mogul (OPRAH); 54D: Pee Wee of the Dodgers (REESE); 59D: Pizzeria fixture (OVEN); 60D: Teen comedy stereotype (NERD); 63D: "Just __ thought!" (AS I); 65D: Common article (THE).

01.02 Sun

S U N D A Y (calendar)

January 2, 2011
Merl Reagle

[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 here. Scroll down to see today's syndicated puzzle.]


Theme: "A Separate Piece" — Familiar phrases that start with A-words have the A-word separated, creating new punny phrases.

Theme answers:

• 22A: Steeple before it's built? (A SPIRE-TO-BE).
• 27A: Henry Luce, once? (A HEAD OF TIME).
• 30A: "Farewell, flabs—hello, abs," for example? (A VERSE TO EXERCISE).
• 43A: José Canseco fashion accessory? (A STEROID BELT).
• 50A: Where Bacardi is bottled? (A RUM PLANT).
• 68A: What the boxer had? (A BOUT LAST NIGHT).
• 91A: Upshot of Hanks or Hulce appearing in a turkey? (A TOM BOMBS).
• 93A: Barricade just big enough to keep out certain birds? (A SWAN-HIGH DAM).
• 107A: What you get when you cross a calf with a dachshund? (A LONG LITTLE DOGIE).
• 113A: Source of cruise music? (A BAND ON SHIP).
• 118A: What Bob is wearing that smells so good? (A DOLE SCENT).

Everything Else — 1A: Staff symbol (G CLEF); 6A: With 6 Down, isn't up to the task (CAN'T); 10A: Max's co-star in "The Emigrants" (LIV); 13A: Winter warmers (MUFFS); 18A: Kin of "me, too" ("SO AM I"); 19A: D-Day beach (UTAH); 20A: Merry Men's quaff (ALE); 21A: Like some gases (INERT); 24A: Yes follower, often (SIR); 25A: Asian instrument (SITAR); 26A: Driver's order (GET IN); 34A: Morning wetness (DEW); 35A: Author of "The Devil and Daniel Webster" (BENET); 36A: Cold, to Conchita (FRIA); 37A: Captain's place (SEA); 39A: Put out the first card (LED); 40A: Paddle (OAR); 53A: Big container (VAT); 54A: Certain NBA player (SIXER); 55A: "Beetle Bailey" boob (ZERO); 56A: It's obtained by leaching (LYE); 57A: First game (OPENER); 60A: Antler feature (TINE); 61A: Swellings (EDEMAS); 63A: Celebrity city of the Rockies (ASPEN); 65A: Squealer (RAT); 67A: State add-on (TAX); 72A: Recede (EBB); 75A: It may be slippery (ELM); 76A: Having irregular edges (EROSE); 77A: Recordings (TRACKS); 81A: Short on jalapeños (MILD); 83A: Credit counterparts (DEBITS); 85A: Three years after Caesar's slaying (XLI); 87A: Licentious type (ROUE); 88A: Language that gave us "kiwi" (MAORI); 90A: 100 pounds of nails (KEG); 97A: Foam alternative (GEL); 98A: Pier grp.? (ILA); 99A: Loc. of Harpers Ferry (W. VA.); 100A: Biblical twin (ESAU); 102A: Its capital is Hue (or backward, something from heaven) (ANNAM); 104A: See 41 Down (OUT); 115A: Boggy places (MIRES); 116A: For all ___ (TO SEE); 117A: Look over (EYE); 123A: Misanthrope, for one (HATER); 124A: Former "Grand Ole Opry" channel (TNN); 125A: Pt. of CBS (SYST.); 126A: Actor Warren (OATES); 127A: Undoes (an edit) (STETS); 128A: Costume time: abbr. (OCT.); 129A: Hardens (SETS); 130A: Stood stock-still (FROZE); 1D: Agcy. created by Truman (GSA); 2D: Bill's nickname (COS); 3D: Once around (LAP); 4D: Asylum seeker, maybe (EMIGRE); 5D: Flame-blocking structure in walls (FIRESTOP); 6D: See 6 Across (CUT IT); 7D: Like ___ bricks (A TON OF); 8D: Pinch (a perp) (NAB); 9D: Anti-Allies alliance (THE AXIS); 10D: Ink-jet alternative (LASER); 11D: Sacro extension (-ILIAC); 12D: "Otello" fellow (VERDI); 13D: Inserts wrong, as fax paper (MISFEEDS); 14D: Complete thing (UNIT); 15D: Like a dump's aroma (FETID); 16D: Round of bowling (FRAME); 17D: Scatter (STREW); 23D: Certain saison (ÉTÉ); 28D: Qualifying race (HEAT); 29D: Bone prefix (OSSI-); 30D: Fully engulfed, perhaps (ABLAZE); 31D: Swerved (VEERED); 32D: Live through (ENDURE); 33D: Part of Q.E.D. (ERAT); 38D: Somewhat (A BIT); 41D: With 104 Across, gone from the shelves (ALL SOLD); 42D: Jamie's Oscar role (RAY); 44D: Olympic contests (EVENTS); 45D: Sprinted (RAN); 46D: Ferrell's cheerleading mate on "SNL" (OTERI); 47D: Go backstage? (EXIT); 48D: 2,700-mile river (LENA); 49D: Fearsome dino (TREX); 51D: N.Y.C. gallery (MOMA); 52D: "Keen!" ("NEAT!"); 57D: Eye-fooling works (OP ART); 58D: Monterrey money (PESOS); 59D: Bestseller that became a musical (RAGTIME); 62D: 6-foot-4 pres. (ABE); 64D: Vehicle with bells, often (SLEIGH); 66D: Mon. ___ Fri. (THR.); 69D: "Sayonara" Oscar-winner Miyoshi (UMEKI); 70D: Call in a bakery (NEXT); 71D: Tropical tuber (TARO); 72D: Actress Stone of "Easy A" (EMMA); 73D: Partiality (BIAS); 74D: Play sax, e.g. (BLOW); 78D: On the way (COMING); 79D: Grandson of Genghis (KUBLAI); 80D: Bagel flavoring (SESAME); 82D: Make a face? (DRAW); 84D: "Sit up" follow-up ("BEG"); 86D: Record book (LOG); 89D: Mongols, often (INVADERS); 91D: He loves, in Latin (AMAT); 92D: 2007 ice-skating comedy, "___ Glory" (BLADES OF); 94D: It may be over your head (HALO); 95D: Estab. with cuts (DELI); 96D: "___ through my incarnations ..." (Kipling) (AS I PASS); 101D: Greatest (UTMOST); 103D: "Close, but ___" (surgeon's gag) (NO SCAR); 104D: Formal promises (OATHS); 105D: Wolfpack member (U-BOAT); 106D: It involves the tongue (TASTE); 108D: "I'm not ___ judge ..." (ONE TO); 109D: Timberlake's old group ('N SYNC); 110D: 1814 treaty site (GHENT); 111D: Sings cheerily (LILTS); 112D: Before, of yore (ERE); 114D: Depilatory brand (NEET); 119D: "Job" requirement? (DYE); 120D: WWII arena (ETO); 121D: Pince-___ (NEZ); 122D: Literary monogram (TSE).

01.02 Sun

S U N D A Y (syndicated)
January 2, 2011
John Lampkin

[Note: This is the syndicated L.A. Times puzzle. It does not appear in the actual newspaper, but is available for free at cruciverb.com.]

Theme: "E-Literature" — A long E sound is added to the ends of titles, and the resulting phrases are given punny clues.

Theme Answers:

• 23A: Specific item in a sleepwear collection? (TWELFTH NIGHTIE).
• 47A: How a rock band's equipment damage was blamed? (ON THE ROADIE).
• 68A: Amazonian oddsmaker? (THE JUNGLE BOOKIE).
• 95A: Dressing room sprite? (VANITY FAIRY).
• 120A: Fabric softener delivered overseas? (WATERSHIP DOWNY).
• 17D: Goat's friend? (BILLY BUDDY).
• 74D: Aboriginal Walkman? (NATIVE SONY).

Hey, folks. This is Doug, back with you for another Sunday. John Lampkin, an L.A. Times regular, brings us a literary lollapalooza today.

I couldn't make sense out of the title at first, because the first three theme entries all had an "IE" tacked on. I didn't see the relation between "E-Literature" and "IE," but I eventually figured out we were dealing with an "E" sound. My favorite theme entry was TWELFTH NIGHTIE. "Nightie" is a funny word on its own, so it works well in the altered phrase. (I've always thought "panties" is a funny & ridiculous-sounding word too. Doesn't sound like something an adult would wear, does it?) The only theme answer I'll quibble with is NATIVE SONY, because "son" is pronounced differently than the "Son-" part of "Sony," so that's not consistent with the others. I liked a lot of the longer non-theme words in this one too: STEAL A KISS, SINK OR SWIM, TO THE MAX, TIPPY TOE, RED SPOT, NOT THAT. Good stuff.

Bullets:

• 8A: Orderly type? (SISTER). Nuns (sisters) are members of orders. And they're also probably neat and orderly. I can't imagine a nun with a messy room.

• 27A: Robert who played Roderigo in Welles's "Othello" (COOTE). The longer the clue for an actor's name, the less chance you're going to have any idea who he or she is. For example, everyone would get PITT for "Actor Brad." But you could add another 4 or 5 facts to this COOTE clue, and I'd still be baffled.
• 33A: City west of Mesa (TEMPE). Mesa is an anagram of Ames, the lamest city in Iowa according to PuzzleGirl. Go Hawkeyes!
• 53A: Mil. base stores (PXES). PX is short for Post Exchange. I've seen it pluralized as PXS in other puzzles. Both versions are ugly.
• 72A: Niblick, nowadays (NINE IRON). Golf clubs used to have awesome names like niblick, mashie, brassie, cleek, and baffing spoon.
• 76A: Writes John a letter? (ENDS IT). A "Dear John" letter. I'm pretty sure I learned about "Dear John" letters from an episode of M*A*S*H.
• 87A: Kathy of country (MATTEA). I don't know much about country music, so I asked PuzzleGirl to suggest a Kathy Mattea song. This one's about rockets or something.

• 94A: Certain hip-hop dancer (B-GIRL). The B is from the "break" in breakdancing. Watch the movie Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo for more information on breaking and popping.

• 101A: The "0" in a "4 5 0," on a scoreboard (ERRORS). The last three numbers of a baseball line score are Runs (R), Hits (H), and Errors (E).
• 107A: Intro for John? (DEAR). More "Dear John" action.
• 115A: Advanced teaching deg. (M.S. ED). Master of Science in Education. I thought it was Ms. Ed, Mr. Ed's wife.
• 7D: Narcissus snubbed her (ECHO). Echo was a nymph and a big-time chatterbox, so Hera cursed her by only allowing her to say words that were spoken to her. After Narcissus kicked her to curb, she spent the rest of her life pining away for him, until only her voice remained.
• 84D: It's heard a lot in Los Angeles (SPANISH). Sí, es verdad. My first thought was HONKING.
• 97D: "Great" feature of Jupiter (RED SPOT). From Wikipedia, "The Great Red Spot is a persistent anticyclonic storm, 22° south of Jupiter's equator, which has lasted for at least 180 years and possibly as long as 345 years or more. The storm is large enough to be visible through Earth-based telescopes."

• 111D: Christmas classic opening (TWAS). Only 357 shopping days left.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 99A: ___ Trophy: biennal European golf event (SEVE).
• 103A: Ruhr valley city (ESSEN).
• 113A: Hops-drying kilns (OASTS).
• 1D: Hammett canine (ASTA).
• 12D: "Grace Before Meat" essayist (ELIA).
• 29D: Barrie baddie (SMEE).
• 38D: Richard's counterpart in the 1956 election (ESTES).
• 39D: Girl leader? (ATTA).
• 41D: German border river (ODER).

Everything Else — 1A: Risked (AT STAKE); 14A: Take a __: attempt (STAB AT); 20A: Like the movie "Airplane!" (SATIRIC); 21A: Hardly religious (UNHOLY); 22A: Vacation choice (CRUISE); 25A: Bridal trails (AISLES); 26A: Rat tail? (-A-TAT); 28A: Royal pain (HASSLE); 30A: Back muscle, for short (LAT); 31A: Jacob's first wife (LEAH); 35A: Complicated (MESSY); 37A: Indy car's lack (REAR SEAT); 40A: Plated, in a way (ARMORED); 43A: Kyoto ties (OBIS); 46A: Question (ASK); 49A: Logging channel (FLUME); 50A: Retriever's retrieval (STICK); 52A: Store charge, often (TAX); 54A: More than just nodded (SAID HI); 55A: Pianist John (TESH); 56A: Jazz trumpeter's nickname (SATCH); 58A: Fixed up (REDID); 60A: Jazz trumpeter's nickname (DIZ); 61A: Per se (AS SUCH); 63A: Bite response (OUCH); 66A: Fax forerunner (TELETYPE); 75A: Stuttgart title (HERR); 80A: Thurman of film (UMA); 81A: Ejects, as lava (SPEWS); 83A: Hairy herd (BISON); 86A: Feast (DINE); 89A: Pro __ (RATA); 92A: N.T. book attributed to Paul (EPH.); 93A: Second lady after Tipper (LYNNE); 98A: Author Kesey (KEN); 100A: From head to foot (CAP-A-PIE); 105A: See 69-Down (PESCI); 108A: Malaprop or Miniver (MRS.); 110A: Turnover, e.g. (PASTRY); 118A: Part of ASAP (SOON AS); 123A: Adopt the naturist philosophy (GO NUDE); 124A: Consecrate, in a way (ANOINT); 125A: Architectural molding (CORNICE); 126A: Fashioned (STYLED); 127A: Dictators' underlings (STENOS); 128A: Paddle-wheel craft (STEAMER); 2D: Believed, to Tweety (TAWT); 3D: Smooch in the shadows (STEAL A KISS); 4D: Aggressive pinballer (TILTER); 5D: It might mean "I'm hungry!" (ARF); 6D: Hero's birthplace? (KITCHEN); 8D: "The Nutcracker __" (SUITE); 9D: 1959-'60 heavyweight champ Johansson (INGEMAR); 10D: Recital rebuke (SHH); 11D: Totally (TO THE MAX); 13D: Some bar shots (RYES); 14D: Climbed (SCALED); 15D: Shots (TRIES); 16D: Mozart's birthplace, now: Abbr. (AUS.); 18D: Boating on the briny (ASEA); 19D: Set of questions (TEST); 24D: "It couldn't be worse!" ("NOT THAT!"); 32D: "Dilbert" intern (ASOK); 34D: Phone on stage, e.g. (PROP); 36D: Recital highlights (SOLI); 37D: Dreads sporter (RASTA); 39D: Girl leader? (ATTA); 42D: Meet, as a challenge (RISE TO); 44D: Beatnik's "Got it" ("I'M HIP"); 45D: Wrest (SEIZE); 48D: Record holder? (EXCON); 49D: Slide show effect (FADE IN); 51D: Coal channel (CHUTE); 54D: Smooth and soft (SILKEN); 56D: Hillary helper (SHERPA); 57D: Actor Grant (HUGH); 59D: __ volente: God willing (DEO); 62D: Sculptor's tool (CHISEL); 64D: Indians, on scoreboards (CLE); 65D: Ginseng, for one (HERB); 67D: Sexy sleepwear (TEDDY); 69D: With 105-Across, "GoodFellas" Oscar winner (JOE); 70D: Open for Christmas (UNWRAP); 71D: Short (BRIEF); 72D: Ices, maybe (NUMBS); 73D: A scandal often ruins one (IMAGE); 77D: Success/failure metaphor (SINK OR SWIM); 78D: Central (INNER); 79D: Jeremy and friends, in "Zits" comics (TEENS); 82D: Yemen's capital (SANA); 85D: Buckeye State (OHIO); 88D: Three, in 84-Down (TRES); 90D: How a youngster might watch a parade, with "on" (TIPPY-TOE); 91D: End in __ (A TIE); 93D: Apollo's instrument (LYRE); 95D: Movers with motors (VANS); 96D: Uncomplicated type of question (YES-OR-NO); 100D: Quit (CEASED); 102D: Quimby in Beverly Cleary books (RAMONA); 104D: Hammett hero (SPADE); 106D: Play groups (CASTS); 108D: Texter's output: Abbr. (MSGS.); 109D: Ginseng, for one (ROOT); 112D: Wild harangue (RANT); 114D: Muscle twitches (TICS); 116D: Suffix with confer (-ENCE); 117D: Colorful worker? (DYER); 119D: Of no value, in Normandy (NUL); 121D: Hamburg article (EIN); 122D: Dr. of hip-hop (DRE).

01.01 Sat

S A T U R D A Y

January 1, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None

Howdy, puzzle fans. PuzzleGirl has been called away to babysit Rex Parker's blog, so you're stuck with me (Doug) today. Yep, we do all the hard work while Rex gets drunk on appletinis on some beach in Florida. That's because he's the King of Crossworld and the rest of us are mere peons.

Happy New Year! Welcome to the first puzzle of Oh-Eleven. I know, I know. I've already been told I shouldn't call it "Oh-Eleven," but I like how it sounds, so I'm going to go with it for a while.

Nice to kick off the year with a Barry Silk puzzle. I met Barry at the 2008 American Crossword Puzzle Tournament, and we've been friends ever since. There are a few things I expect to see in a Silk puzzle: '50s & '60s music, computer & technical terms, Philadelphia Phillies, and scrabbly letters. The only thing missing today is the Phillies entry. That's OK. I can do without thinking about the Phillies and their scary pitching staff right now. For the music, we have ELENORE; for the technical entries, we have ENIAC, MSEC and QUANTUM COMPUTER; and as for scrabbly letters, I see three Q's, two Z's, one J, and one K. Barry also included shout-outs to two crossword luminaries: MERL (55D: Reagle of "Wordplay") and ANGELA (1D: PuzzleGirl's alter ego).

Bullets:

• 8A: Game with beehive-shaped pieces (PACHISI). I know what the beehive pieces look like, but I couldn't find a picture of them anywhere. This section of the puzzle was the hardest for me to finish. I wasn't thinking about MAGGOTS at 18A (thank goodness) and PACHISI wasn't coming to mind either. Eventually I'M OVER IT (12D: "It's okay now") broke it open for me.
• 36A: Experimental processor (QUANTUM COMPUTER). I assume this was the seed entry that Barry built the puzzle around. My favorite model is the "Rare-earth-metal-ion-doped inorganic crystal based quantum computer." Maybe Barry can drop by and explain that one to us.
• 62A: "You're my pride and joy, et cetera" girl in a Turtles hit (ELENORE). Wow, that has got to be one of weirdest love song lyrics I've ever heard. So what's the story? The Turtles' record company had been hounding them for another "Happy Together," their biggest hit. So they quickly wrote this uninspired song ("Gee I think you're swell") and it went on to become a big hit despite their best efforts at sabotage. Howard Kaylan of The Turtles explained: "It was my feeling that they would listen to how strange and stupid the song was and leave us alone. But they didn't get the joke. They thought it sounded good. Truthfully, though, the production on 'Elenore' was so damn good. Lyrically or not, the sound of the thing was so positive that it worked. It certainly surprised me." (Thanks to songfacts.com).

• 4D: Pou __: vantage point (STO). Too French for me. This was the only entry I found to be a complete mystery.
• 24D: Actor __ Ivory Wayans (KEENEN). I couldn't remember whether this was spelled KEENAN or KEENEN. Keenan Wynn has an "a" and Keenen Ivory Wayans has an "e." Who names their kid Keenan/Keenan anyway?
• 35D: "War and Peace," e.g. (EPIC). I plan to read War and Peace someday, just so I can say I've read it. Or I could just say I've read it. That would easier.

• 36D: Fictional harpooner (QUEEQUEG). From Moby-Dick. His harpoon never leaves his side. He even shaves with it. I did read Moby-Dick once. (Really!) The unabridged version with long chapters on whale physiology, blubber harvesting, etc. It was worth reading, but I wouldn't do it again.
• 39D: Tamarin relative (MARMOSET). Cool word. Tamarins and marmosets are both types of little monkeys. They look kinda cute, but you wouldn't want one in your house.
• 44D: One often has a colon in its title (SEQUEL). Excellent clue. A classic example is Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.

Thanks for the fun puzzle today, Barry. See you all tomorrow.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 19A: Julliet is part of it (ETE).
• 43A: Signs of success (SROS).

Everything Else — 1A: Builds up considerably (AMASSES); 15A: Avian activity (NESTING); 16A: Cruel (INHUMAN); 17A: Start working (GETONIT); 18A: Common bait (MAGGOTS); 20A: Chess stratagem (GAMBIT); 22A: Pop singer/songwriter Sands (EVIE); 23A: Steal (LURK); 25A: Yarborough of NASCAR (CALE); 26A: Fumble (ERR); 27A: It takes your breath away (APNEA); 29A: Normandy beach (JUNO); 31A: One with a spare in his boot (BRIT); 32A: F1 neighbor (ESC); 34A: Put out (ETHERIZE); 40A: Like eagles (UNDERPAR); 41A: Do a typical teenager's job (SIT); 42A: Nobel Prize subj. (ECON); 45A: Some Wi-Fi offerers (CAFES); 49A: Great time (EON); 50A: Processing time meas. (MSEC); 52A: Word with punch or party (LINE); 53A: Bit of wit (QUIP); 55A: Muezzin's temple (MOSQUE); 57A: Keep out (BAR); 58A: Increases (UPSIZES); 60A: Title lost love in a Poe poem (ULALUME); 63A: Fifth Greek letter (EPSILON); 64A: Unified whole (GESTALT); 65A: Expose (LAYBARE); 1D: German chancellor Merkel (ANGELA); 2D: Rendezvous (MEETUP); 3D: Opposite of ahead (ASTERN); 5D: Do a number (SING); 6D: Room-sized computer (ENIAC); 7D: U.S. Army E-9 (SGTMAJ); 8D: Antipasto veggie (PIMIENTO); 9D: It may be gross: Abbr. (ANAT); 10D: Small fee? (CHG); 11D: Quite significant (HUGE); 13D: Mock (SATIRIZE); 14D: Editor, at times (INSERTER); 21D: Early hospital services insurer (BLUECROSS); 28D: Celestial sci. (ASTR); 30D: Units measured by a multimeter (OHMS); 31D: Painful, as honesty (BRUTAL); 33D: Afternoon service items (CUPS); 37D: Separate (UNCOUPLE); 38D: Hunks (ADONISES); 46D: Leg bone (FIBULA); 47D: Bewitch (ENAMOR); 48D: Tranquil (SERENE); 51D: Apology ending (CULPA); 54D: Ice cream purchase (PINT); 56D: Relaxed (EASY); 59D: Suffix with Meso- (ZOA); 61D: Stack site: Abbr. (LIB).