Ryan remembers about the NYT, Sun 8-25-8 and almost breaks the 5 minute mark with the NYT, Mon 8-25-8
With all of our Lollapuzzoola hoopla plus a podcast today I had forgotten to blog about Kevin G. Der’s Sunday puzzle. This certainly was Kevin’s weekend. First, he broke the black square record on Friday and on Sunday he created a very enjoyable puzzle that involved post-solving arts and crafts.
The theme of Come Fly With Me had instructions embedded in the grid:
30A. Start of instructions for what to do when this puzzle is done (CUTALONGTHEDOTTEDLINE)
48A. With 67- and 97-Across, second part of the instructions (FOLDTHROUGHEACH)
67A. See 48-Across (PAIROFNUMBERS)
97A. See 48-Across (INTHEGRIDSEQUENTIALLY)
138A. Final part of instructions (GOTHROWTHEPAPERAIRPLANE)
And somehow Kevin had placed pairs of numbers throughout the grid in such a way that when you follow the instructions you’re left with a paper airplane. To me this is almost as mind-boggling as the 18 black square feat. And much like Friday’s puzzle there was some questionable fill like AT1 for In accord (with) but for the most part is was all very nice.
A few of my favorites:
28A. Leaves in the kitchen (CILANTRO). I love cilantro. I know a lot of people who think it tastes like soap but I’ll put it in just about anything.
43A. Something to go in … or on (AUTO). Very clever cluing.
13D. Structure of Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” (4ACTS). Hey, I’m going to be in a production of The Cherry Orchard in November. I’ll post all the details as opening night approaches.
Sorry to give Sunday’s such short shrift but it’s late and I’ve got to move on to Monday’s offering by Andrea Carla Michaels and Michael Blake. I almost broke 5 minutes on this one but had one error at 44D. Ripening agent (AGER). I put in AGAR which is a thickener not a ripener and it was 20 seconds past the 5 minute mark before I spotted it.
The puzzle had a great theme which wasn’t clear to me until I checked JimH’s blog. There are 5 theme answers each beginning with P_CK and each answer substitutes a different vowel. Reading from top to bottom the vowels are in alphabetical order. Have I explained that well? Probably not. So here are the theme entries:
16A. Be very potent (PACKAPUNCH)
22A. Social hierarchy (PECKINGORDER)
35A. Very best puppy or kitten (PICKOFTHELITTER)
45A. Miscellaneous coins (POCKETCHANGE)
57A. Got ready to kiss (PUCKEREDUP)
This is proof that a complicated, clever theme can fit nicely in a Monday-level puzzle.
64A. Ed with the 1967 hit “My Cup Runneth Over” (AMES). The problem with this answer is I only know Ed Ames from the tomahawk incident on the Carson show. This makes me go to youtube to find the video which in turn makes me spend 45 minutes looking at old Carson clips. Which I love. But now it’s late. Anyway, I couldn’t find a good clip of the tomahawk incident. But, if you haven’t seen it, trust me, it’s hilarious.
17D. Baldwin of “30 Rock” (ALEC). Ok, now I’ve spent 20 minutes looking at 30 Rock clips. And it’s even later. This show is great and Baldwin is out of control funny. Highly recommended.
It’s been a fun, crossword-filled weekend but now it’s time to go to sleep. Thanks again to all who attended and/or helped out with Lollapuzzoola. Brian and I will be back tomorrow with regular-sized posts.
Next stop, Tuesday.
