Ryan solves the NYT, Mon 9-22-8
First off, the update you’ve all been waiting for: I did no-google Sunday’s puzzle. Which means I had a no-google week. Before you go thinking I’m a genius or child prodigy I should say that Sunday’s puzzle took me 4 sessions and about 3 hours of solving time. But I got it done.
Ok, much like Mark McGwire I’m not here to talk about the past. On to today’s Peter A. Collins offering. I have to say, this was a little on the tough side for a Monday. Here are a few of the clues that, in my opinion, are too difficult/obscure for a Monday:
17A. Sacred song (MOTET)
19A. ___ pro nobis (pray for us: Lat.) (ORA). On Monday this should really be “man ___ mouse?” I’ve forgotten all the Latin I didn’t learn from the class I never took.
47A. Russia/China border river (AMUR). Four-lettered rivers are my least favorite bodies of water. I guess I could make “flash cards” so I could “learn” these “rivers”. But that would leave me very little time to be lazy and complain about them.
10D. Michael ___, Cochise player in 1950s TV (ANSARA). I don’t know who this actor is nor do I know what show featured Cochise. Was it Maude?
51D. Texas city just north of Dallas (PLANO). Plano just doesn’t come to mind and I can name lots of Texas cities besides Dallas. And by “lots” I mean three. And by “three” I mean Houston.
So, yeah, I just thought those were a little difficult for a Monday. Anybody else?
The theme was fine if uninspired. Circled letters spelling out animals you can find in the zoo:
21A. Proceed effortlessly (CRUISEALONG). SEAL.
38A. Tire irons loosen them (LUGNUTS). GNU.
54A. 1972 hit for the Spinners (ILLBEAROUND). BEAR.
3D. Less competent (NOTASABLE). SABLE.
34D. Ensued (CAMELATER). CAMEL.
As Julius Caesar said in History of the World, Part I, “A bathtub. Nice. Nice. Not thrilling, but nice.”
Other highlights:
20A. “Cat ___ Hot Tin Roof” (ONA). I was in a production of this show a few years back. I played the very difficult role of Dr. Baugh. Difficult in that there’s not much to do besides sitting on stage watching your fellow cast members EMOTE.
26A. Respect that one deserves, in slang (PROPS). Favorite clue/answer in the puzzle. I love to see slang that I actually use end up in the grid.
28D. Film unit (REEL). This is not necessarily a highlight of the puzzle but it does remind me I saw Burn After Reading today. It was a good move on the Coen Brothers’ part to follow up the near-perfection of No Country For Old Men with a goofy bit of nonsense. And the movie works well. Great performances, lots of fun, highly recommended.
Next stop, Tuesday.
