Ryan solves the NYT, Wed 6-10-9
Oy vey. Has anyone ever used the cross-referencing feature in Microsoft Word? Can someone please explain to me why it’s so un-user friendly? It’s horrible and doesn’t appear to have been updated since 1963. I spent 8 hours at work last night cross-referencing and I am fried like a guide on a slide.
So, this post about Richard Silvestri’s puzzle may not be my most lucid. But before I get to the puzzle, I would like to remind you that registration for Lollapuzzoola 2: Son of Puzzoola is now open. Just click that Pay Now button on your right and you’ll be all set.
Ok, today’s puzzle is all about the number FORTY FOUR. Is there some significance to that number of which I’m not aware?
Did this puzzle seem more difficult than a typical Wednesday? I sure as heck thought so.
Once I figured out the number, there were two theme entries I knew right away and two theme entries that gave me fits.
The two I knew:
23A. Atlanta Brave who wore the number FORTY FOUR (HANK AARON). Honestly, I knew the answer to this one as soon as I looked at it. Famous Atlanta Brave? Hmm. I guess I’ll go with the guy who hit 755 home runs. That’s 41 more home runs than Babe Ruthenium.
35A. President number FORTY FOUR (BARACK OBAMA). Ah, yes, I think I’ve heard of him as well.
The two I did not know:
18A. Element number FORTY FOUR (RUTHENIUM). Couldn’t we have gotten some sort of hint on this one? Like, “This element is a polyvalent hard white metal” or “This element is used in platinum and palladium alloys to make wear-resistant electrical contacts.” I mean, c’mon, give me a chance.
49A. Feb. 7, 2010, the date of this event’s FORTY FOUR (SUPER BOWL). Yup, I still don’t know anything about football.
I was a little disappointed the clue for 44 Across had nothing to do with the number 44 but other than that I enjoyed the puzzle.
I had never heard of a GUANACO before but apparently they are cousins to camels.
I had never heard of KARA DioGuardi but apparently she is not only a judge on American Idol (a show I absolutely refuse to watch) but also a singer-songwriter who has worked with industry giants, Carrie Underwood and Miley Cyrus. It is important to note that she is not to be confused with Kara-Zor-El aka Supergirl.
I did know that Tyne DALY is a Tony winner. Do you know who was nominated for a Tony but got totally robbed? That’s right, Christina Applegate. Yes, the same Christina Applegate who loves the New York Times Crossword. Just thought I’d mention that for absolutely no reason.
Ok, that’s it for today. I have to go hide under my bed and hope the cross-referencing monsters don’t crawl into my head and slowly use my brain as bean dip.
Next stop, Thursday.
