Ryan is still in the process of solving the NYT, Sat 11-7-9
Hey, we’ve gone a whole day without some random internet person shutting down our website and deleting all our posts. I’d call that a victory. We still haven’t figured out who did it or why on Earth they would do it but, unsurprisingly, we still haven’t seen number one suspect Philadelphia Phillie Centerfielder Shane Victorino since the last out of the World Series. Show yourself Shane. Don’t make me get out my Jump to Conclusions mat.
Today’s puzzle was constructed by Bob Klahn and solved by people other than me. As soon as I saw Klahn’s byline I knew I was in for a rough time and he certainly didn’t disappoint. I started solving approximately 9 hours ago and I currently have maybe 20% of the puzzle complete. Frankly, I’m surprised I’ve figured out that much.
What I know (haven’t checked answers so all of this could be wrong):
30A. Well-armed predators (OCTOPI). What else could this be? Easiest clue in the puzzle by far.
27A. Local operation? (UNION SHOP). This one didn’t give me too much trouble. I figured “local” was referring to unions.
22A. West Coast N.F.L.’er (NINER). I don’t think I like NFLer anymore than ALer or NLer but I know nothing about football so I won’t rant about it. What football teams play on the West Coast? According to my brain the answers are: Chargers, Raiders, Forty-niners and Seahawks. Are there more? Maybe. But NINER fits.
19A. Like some friends (FAST). Had __S_ and somehow thought of it.
10D. Selfish (ME FIRST). This one needed a lot of crosses.
11D. Not likely to go with the flow (AT ANCHOR). Leave it to Klahn to sneak in a literal clue when you least expect it.
12D. Despair (LOSE HOPE). I’m about to lose hope I’ll ever finish a puzzle again.
13D. Doughty (INTREPID). Doughty is not a word I know. Got this with crosses and have no idea if it’s right.
22D. “The Bungalow Mystery” solver (NANCY DREW). So far, this was the big guess of the day. I had N__C_____ and came up with it. I’d like to see Ms. Drew try to solve this puzzle.
39A. The Who’s “Live at ___,” 1970 double-platinum album (LEEDS). This is a guess but I think it’s right.
And I have the bottom right corner. STORMY for Not at all fair was tricky as heck. As was SALABLE for Ready to move.
Over on the left side I don’t have much. I think the author of “Underboss” is Peter MAAS. I’ve seen that in other puzzles.
Let’s see, what else:
37A. As different as night and day, e.g. Could this be SIMILE? That seems too easy.
And the last answer I came up with was 29D. Partygoer (GUEST). That was about 2 hours ago.
Good lord. Here’s a picture of my unfinished grid. I started solving on paper last night which is the elapsed time on the applet is less than 5 hours.
And how come I can’t figure out 31D. Hard-hit line drive? Before I had SIMILE in there I thought it might be SCREAMER.
Well, I’m going to keep working on it. Did anybody else have as much trouble as I’m having?
Next stop, Sunday.
