Ryan solves the NYT, Sat 5-23-9
I had a very interesting solving experience with this Dave Tuller puzzle. The left half, thanks to answers like SPONGEBOB and ABE VIGODA, took me about 10 minutes. The right half, thanks to my complete lack of understanding what the hell Dave was talking about, took me about 3 hours. But, I did get it done.
Here’s the main thing I don’t understand:
12D. First Italian course? (ANTIPASTO). What is with the question mark? How is that a pun or wordplay or anything but a straightforward answer? I actually thought of ANTIPASTO early on but figured it couldn’t be correct. So I came up with what I think is a brilliant answer. Ready for it? APPIAN WAY. Brilliant, right? Of course it is and it fits the question mark-style clue. Seriously, why the question mark. Someone has to explain this to me.
The rest of the puzzle I enjoyed. Well, except for RACIALISM (31D. Bunker mentality). Grrr. Yes, it’s a word. Is it a word anybody uses? No.
36A. Recurring metrical beat (ICTUS). One of you musicians out there, explain this please.
37A. Dinosaur with large thumb spikes (IGUANODON). What a great name for a dinosaur. Scientists are still debating what the function of the thumb spikes was. My guess is they used it to stab the crap out of things.
46A. Wife of Pylades (ELECTRA). Apparently, Pylades is Greek for Ben Affleck.
52A. What you might do after failing (START ANEW). Oof. I had START OVER here for quite a while.
58A. Things that turn people off? (EXIT LANES). Oof again. I went with EXIT RAMPS here first.
3D. Old company telephone line (ONE MOMENT PLEASE). Ok, I’m confused again. Don’t people still say this?
7D. Starting word (BOO). Found a picture of an old Wacky Packages sticker online. Man, I thought these were hilarious when I was a kid. Now, they seem a little lame. But they do take me back.
13D. An elephant has a long one (GESTATION). Well, it clearly wasn’t TRUNK or NOSE or MEMORY. I needed a ton of crosses to get this one.
26D. Macgyver’s first name on “Macgyver” (ANGUS). No question, Macgyver is awesome. Instead of posting the opening credits to Macgyver like you all thought I was going to I’m reposting the opening credits to T.J. Hooker. I did this for the first time over a year ago and not one person commented on how awesome Shatner and Zmed and Locklear were. Especially Shatner’s awesome run through the park to nowhere in particular. Here is a chance for all of you to correct that oversight.
And now, Part 5 of the Superman adventure “Crossword Puzzle Mystery”.
[audio:http://crosswords.ryanfacestheworld.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/superman-part-5.mp3]
And, finally, I was watching a Today show video earlier where food critic Alan Richman revealed his favorite pizzas in America. And Santarpio’s in Boston came in at number 23. This is the place Joe Cabrera, Boston Ma For Now suggested. Now we have to go.
Next stop, Sunday.
