Ryan solves the NYT, Wed 10-8-8
There was a time, a very brief time, when I thought I had the potential to be a good poker player. I got a couple of books, watched the TV tournaments and rode the bus to Atlantic City to play cards. This dream lasted, oh, maybe 3 months. It became very clear, very quickly that a) I couldn’t do all the necessary math in my head, b) I didn’t have the killer instinct needed to win hands consistently and c) anytime I had good cards my hands started shaking. So I decided to forget it and stick with the much more reliable pursuit of professional actor. I still enjoy playing but have no aspirations of being anything but mediocre. Plus, I’d much prefer avoiding situations like this:
Which brings me to the theme of this Peter A. Collins puzzle.
40A. With 42-Across, prepare to play cards (and a hint to this puzzle’s circled letters) (SHUFFLE)
42A. See 40-Across (THEDECK)
The theme answers had anagrams of DECK hidden within.
17A. Library copy of a book, commonly (HARDBACKEDITION). This one took me a while as I parsed it as HARD BACKED something.
24A. Prepared some desserts (BAKEDCAKES)
52A. Hunting aids (DUCKDECOYS)
64A. Place to get an Electra, once (BUICKDEALERSHIP)
Here’s why I’m a square:
50A. High, in a way (ONPOT). I put ON TOP and really thought it was right.
Here’s why I should never eat oysters:
72A. Like non-oyster months (RLESS). I put N LESS. By that logic you should be able to eat oysters in all months except January and June. Enjoy!
Here’s why I’m excited:
5D. Umpire’s shout (PLAYBALL). It’s October 8th and the Dodgers still have games to play. The first game of the NL Championship Series is on Thursday at 8:22 ET against the Phillies.
Here’s why I’m confused:
67D. Rock’s Tommy, ex-husband of Pamela Anderson (LEE). I know a number of people who really hate Pamela Anderson. I’m not 100% sure why. I know she’s somewhat ridiculous looking but I think she knows it. She knows exactly why she’s famous and rich and has never tried to be anything else. You don’t see her starring on Broadway or in a Scorcese film or running for office. She does silly movies and TV shows, raises money for PETA and the MAC AIDS fund, and walks around looking like Pamela Anderson. I don’t know, I find her to be a much more useful human being than people like Julia Roberts, Gwyneth Paltrow or Nicolas Cage. Am I alone with this?
Next stop, Thursday.
October 8th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Pamela Anderson is in thrall to the patriarchy, yes, and she seems to make terrible choices in her romantic life—but she does strike me as reasonably intelligent. She’s also been working with the Liver Foundation since she learned she has hepatitis C.
October 8th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Paw-mell-ah Lee is also is the personification of the courtly love ideal, according to Borat.
October 8th, 2008 at 9:59 am
How do you deal with hand-shaking as an actor? Just wonderin’. Also, your viewers need the lastest scoop on your upcoming Ibsen performance. Is it still on? If so, please describe.
October 8th, 2008 at 10:42 am
@Pat: I’ll actually be doing the Cherry Orchard by Chekhov. It’ll be in November and I’ll give out all the info as opening night gets closer. As for the hand shaking, I’m never nervous on stage. Off stage I’m usually a mess but as soon as I step out in front of an audience all the nervousness goes away.
October 8th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Ryan’s reverse stage fright is for real. Remember Lollapuzzoola? That was a Ryan I had never seen before. Calm, collected, ready for anything.
Ryan — why doesn’t the existence of a viewing audience make you less nervous on podcasts? Should we do the show live? (:
October 8th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Chekhov? Ibsen? The Cherry Duck? Yes, why gamble on cards when you can have a self-directed IRA? Gamble? Oh, and where is W on that great idea of letting everyone take their money out of Social Security and out in the stock market? What a smart man! I did like the shuffled decks, but paused at Tarot. What are the other cards if only the sun, moon and stars are the Tarot?