10.01 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
October 1, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None

This puzzle put up a pretty good fight, but in the end I was victorious. A couple things I didn't know, a couple bad guesses, some misdirection here and there … good stuff for a Saturday.

Bullets:

• 5A: ___ Sea, off Siberia (KARA). Never heard of it.
• 22A: "1-2-3" singer Barry (LEN). Wow. I haven't heard this guy's name since … Barry Silk's last puzzle. :-)
• 23A: Tracker or Canyon (GMC). I tried SUV first, then thought it might be UTE, but GMC eventually appeared.
• 27A: Brand for which Garfield was once spokescat (ALPO). Okay, I laughed at myself here. I actually thought it might be RAGU.
• 30A: They fall in war films (PARATROOPS). Anyone else try PARACHUTES first?

• 55A: Deadpan features (MONOTONES).
• 2D: London's setting (ONTARIO). Ha! You can't fool me! I've seen this trick too many times!
• 20D: Hockey game clincher (EMPTY NET GOAL). I've never heard this phrase, but I'm not much of a hockey fan. Luckily, it was easy enough to piece together through crosses.
• 23D: Driving problem (GLARE). I thought this was going to be golf-related.
• 41D: Many Suffragette opponents (SEXISTS). At one point, I had penciled in a D at the end of 44A and already had the I and the ending TS in place and, even though it's obviously not the right number of letters, the first word that popped into my head was IDIOTS.
• 45D: Half a legendary bluegrass duo (FLATT).

Everything — 1A: Party leader (HOST); 5A: ___ Sea, off Siberia (KARA); 9A: Short-necked European fruit (ANJOU); 14A: Neutralizer of a sort (ANTI-TOXIN); 16A: Theater name (LOEWS); 17A: Ben Franklin, e.g. (STATESMAN); 18A: City on the Aar (BERNE); 19A: Solutions for unfair situations? (GALOSHES); 20A: Not so tough (EASIER); 21A: Modern address (URL); 22A: "1-2-3" singer Barry (LEN); 23A: Tracker or Canyon (GMC); 24A: Fifth-century date (CDI); 25A: Haberdashery item (TIE BAR); 27A: Brand for which Garfield was once spokescat (ALPO); 28A: Patricia Neal's Oscar film (HUD); 29A: Fountain output (SODA); 30A: They fall in war films (PARATROOPS); 33A: One may go over your head (HAIR DRYER); 35A: Space-saving display (FLAT SCREEN); 38A: Brothers (FRAS.); 42A: Lucy of "Kill Bill" (LIU); 43A: Body protector (SKIN); 44A: Worn out (EFFETE); 46A: Gives a thumbs-up (OK'S); 47A: Antiquity, quaintly (ELD); 48A: Old televangelism letters (PTL); 49A: Burden (TAX); 50A: Adjust at the garage, perhaps (RETUNE); 52A: Composer for whom an annual violin competition is named (PAGANINI); 54A: Nonreactive (INERT); 55A: Deadpan features (MONOTONES); 56A: Suit material (SERGE); 57A: Woman in a tree? (GREAT AUNT); 58A: Suit material (TWEED); 59A: Give away (TELL); 60A: Tablets from docs (MEDS); 1D: Shows nerve (HAS GUTS); 2D: London's setting (ONTARIO); 3D: Conked out (STALLED); 4D: One of the Jacksons (TITO); 5D: Carnegie Deli offering (KOSHER PICKLE); 6D: Dismissive sorts? (AXMEN); 7D: Narrow inlets (RIAS); 8D: "Barbara __": Beach Boys hit (ANN); 9D: White meat source (ALBACORE); 10D: Rejections (NOES); 11D: Bible's City of Palm Trees (JERICHO); 12D: Confessed (OWNED UP); 13D: They get you in (USER ID'S); 15D: Magnetic induction unit (TESLA); 20D: Hockey game clincher (EMPTY NET GOAL); 23D: Driving problem (GLARE); 26D: Currency with King Mongkut on the fifty (BAHT); 27D: "As You Like It" forest (ARDEN); 31D: Secret rival (ARRID); 32D: "O Fortuna" composer (ORFF); 34D: Agreed (ASSENTED); 35D: Wedding arranger? (FLORIST); 36D: Perfectly restored (LIKE NEW); 37D: Stark (AUSTERE); 39D: Attendants (RETINUE); 40D: Done (AT AN END); 41D: Many Suffragette opponents (SEXISTS); 45D: Half a legendary bluegrass duo (FLATT); 48D: Advisory group (PANEL); 51D: Press (URGE); 52D: Minute opening (PORE); 53D: First name in linguistics (NOAM); 55D: Co. heads (MGT.).

09.03 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
September 3, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None

Super quick write-up today. It's almost 10:00 (Eastern) and I just finished the puzzle. Took a stab at it last night after watching some of the tennis, but couldn't get far. Decided I must be too tired and figured I'd finish up in the morning. Well, I chipped away at it in fits and starts for quite a while this morning. Finally had everything except the dreaded northeast corner. I think that corner took me as long as the whole rest of the puzzle. Once I got it pieced together, the only thing that looks completely out of place is that SCARNE character (13D: "The Odds Against Me" autobiographer John). Apparently, he's a magician. Anybody heard of him? I sure haven't.

Other problems for me included the vague clue for DRS. (60D: J et al.) since it was crossing ELEAZAR (62A: Son of Aaron), a biblical reference (not exactly my strong suit). I had to run the alphabet there. BEATLES CONCERT took me a long time to see. With the O,N and T in place I faintly penciled in "ONE HIT," thinking that seemed like a reasonable ending for an answer having something to do with baseball. I had OHMS for RHOS (32D: Density symbols, in physics) for quite a while. Also HAIR for HEAT (5D: Wave makeup) and MADE IT for MADE DO (7D: Squeaked by). I'm gonna call this one tough but fair although I'm pretty sure there will be some disagreement about the fair part in the comments. Let's hear it!



Everything — 1A: Name thought to mean "father of many" (ABRAHAM); 8A: Like Rubens (FLEMISH); 15A: Song title words after "The future's not ours to see" (QUE SERA); 16A: Novel genre (ROMANCE); 17A: 20th-century Riyadh-born ruler (IBN SAUD); 18A: Axes to grind (AGENDAS); 19A: 1966 Candlestick Park highlight (BEATLES CONCERT); 21A: Pier gp. (ILWU); 22A: Correct (EDIT); 23A: "I give up!" ("DUNNO!"); 24A: Inclement weather sounds (PEALS); 26A: Early L.A. Times publisher Harrison Gray __ (OTIS); 28A: Acronymous gun (STEN); 29A: Old Turkish leader (SULTAN); 31A: "The Curse of Capistrano" hero (ZORRO); 33A: Small missions? (OPS); 34A: Baseball glove part (WEB); 36A: Theoretical extreme (NTH); 37A: Health facility (SPA); 40A: Not at all active (INERT); 42A: Mainline? (AORTAL); 44A: Ride (SPIN); 47A: Stiff (TAUT); 49A: Close call (SCARE); 50A: They're involved in joints (ULNAS); 52A: Old pol. divisions (SSR'S); 54A: Emmy-winning NFL analyst Collinsworth (CRIS); 55A: Subject of an annual contest held in Brooklyn (NATHAN'S HOT DOGS); 58A: Suppress (SQUELCH); 59A: Ambushed (WAYLAID); 61A: "1984" superstate (EURASIA); 62A: Son of Aaron (ELEAZAR); 63A: Arrival time for the fashionably late? (TEN PAST); 64A: Diminishes (LESSENS); 1D: EPA stat (AQI); 2D: Aptly named soda brand (BUBBLE UP); 3D: Circulation measure (RENEWALS); 4D: Charge (ASSAULT); 5D: Wave makeup (HEAT); 6D: "Any fool can make __": Thoreau (A RULE); 7D: Squeaked by (MADE DO); 8D: Small part (FRACTION); 9D: Wikipedia's globe, e.g. (LOGO); 10D: Correct (EMEND); 11D: Nick of "Heartbreakers" (MANCUSO); 12D: Move from the edge (INDENT); 13D: "The Odds Against Me" autobiographer John (SCARNE); 14D: 1956 Moses player (HESTON); 20D: __ bath (SITZ); 21D: __ facto (IPSO); 25D: Shortened, in a way (SAWN); 27D: Certain Eur. miss (SRTA.); 30D: Old Nair alternative (NEET); 32D: Density symbols, in physics (RHOS); 35D: Military bigwig (BRASS HAT); 37D: Daydream (STARGAZE); 38D: Sartre, for one (PARISIAN); 39D: They may be brown or pale (ALES); 40D: Not stacked (IN A HEAP); 41D: Rear (TUSH); 43D: Pops since 1905 (R.C. COLAS); 44D: Final stage, as of a career (SUNSET); 45D: Memorial tablet (PLAQUE); 46D: How batters must bat (IN TURN); 48D: Gardening gadget (TROWEL); 51D: Hot stuff (SALSA); 53D: Old (STALE); 56D: CBS maritime drama (NCIS); 57D: Hair treatments (DYES); 60D: J et al. (DRS.).

08.13 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
August 13, 2011
Barry C. Silk
 

Theme: None

Tough Saturday, right? We've got interesting entries, tough cluing, not much crosswordese …what more could we ask for in a late-week puzzle? There weren't too many things today that I just flat-out didn't know:

• 65A: Goalie Dominik who won the Vezina Trophy six times (HASEK). I'm not much of a hockey fan (nothing against it, just never got into it). So if it's not ORR or ESPO it's pretty much beyond my knowledge base.
• 66A: He came out of retirement to play Winston Churchill in "Inglorious Basterds" (ROD TAYLOR). From the clue, I thought for sure this would be someone I've heard of. But no.
• 39D: Singer with the 1965 hit "1-2-3" (LEN BARRY). This entry has Barry Silk written all over it. He's a big fan of 1950s-60s music and LEN BARRY is from Philadelphia. (You can pretty much bet on something from Philly in Barry's puzzles.) The name didn't ring any bells for me at all, but I'm pretty sure I've heard this song before.
Bullets:
• 10A: Group whose name contains a deliberate misspelling inspired by the Beatles, whom they ardently admired (BYRDS). Awesome trivia.
• 16A: Web search option (YAHOO). Most of the time I forget that alternatives to Google even exist.

• 17A: Augustine St. Clare's daughter, in an 1852 novel (LITTLE EVA). Okay, this is funny. This clue refers to Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin. But the woman who sang "Locomotion" is also called LITTLE EVA. So when I was trying to think of a good guess for the "1-2-3" singer, with the L in place I thought it might be LITTLE EVA. It wasn't. But here she is! Andrea Carla Michael's calls that a "malapop." Love it when that happens.
• 22A: Strategic math game (NIM). I hope you were paying attention to Crosswordese 101 this week!!
• 53A: Windows icon (MY COMPUTER). This is a great entry, and I don't see it in the Cruciverb.com data base as having been used before. Awesome.
• 61A: Place for pitchers? (SALESROOM). Okay, I knew this clue couldn't be about baseball — that would be too obvious and wouldn't require a question mark. My first thought was that "pitchers" must mean, like, "ewers" (ha!), but when nothing came to me I did eventually figured it must be referring to a sales pitch.

• 29D: Keyboardist's support (PIANO STOOL). This entry caused my only real problem in the puzzle. I started with PIANO BENCH. Then when the ST became clear, I thought PIANO STAND(?) which, well, sure I've played piano since I was four and never heard of this but, hey, it's Saturday. It eventually worked itself out.
• 34D: High air? (YODEL). "Air" in this clue means "tune" or "melody."
• 43D: Beefy hybrid (CATTALO). Never heard of it but okay.
• 47D: __ Brothers, who sang "Black Water" (DOOBIE).
• 53D: Speed-of-sound name (MACH). Yep, the measure of speed known as the MACH is named for a person. Ernst Mach to be exact. I learned this fun fact from crossword puzzles.
Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 22A: Strategic math game (NIM).
• 48A: "My Country" author (EBAN).
• 57A: "__ girl!" (ATTA).
• 12D: Three-toed bird (RHEA).
• 62D: Place to get a tkt. (STA.).
Everything — 1A: Way to measure brightness (I.Q. TESTING); 10A: Group whose name contains a deliberate misspelling inspired by the Beatles, whom they ardently admired (BYRDS); 15A: Pressing need (STEAM IRON); 16A: Web search option (YAHOO); 17A: Augustine St. Clare's daughter, in an 1852 novel (LITTLE EVA); 18A: Immune system component (T-CELL); 19A: Grand-scale poetry (EPOS); 20A: Largest living toothed animal (SPERM WHALE); 22A: Strategic math game (NIM); 24A: Nixon attorney general Richardson (ELLIOT); 25A: __ asada (CARNE); 27A: Black-and-tan tans (ALES); 28A: Tuber with eyes (SPUD); 32A: Schedule (SLATE); 33A: Tot's tea party guest (TEDDY); 35A: Like Brahms's Piano Trio No. 1 (IN B); 36A: Some reds (PINOTS); 38A: "Hubba hubba!" ("OO LA LA!"); 40A: Fielder's fig. (AVG.); 41A: Render speechless (SHOCK); 45A: Thinker Diderot (DENIS); 46A: Aid criterion (NEED); 48A: "My Country" author (EBAN); 49A: Cybermemo (-NOTE); 50A: "Swan Lake" princess (ODETTE); 52A: Abbr. for dumbbells (LBS.); 53A: Windows icon (MY COMPUTER); 57A: "__ girl!" (ATTA); 60A: Slide presentation (AMEBA); 61A: Place for pitchers? (SALESROOM); 63A: Mormon Tabernacle feature (CHOIR); 64A: Conductor in a circuit (ELECTRODE); 65A: Goalie Dominik who won the Vezina Trophy six times (HASEK); 66A: He came out of retirement to play Winston Churchill in "Inglorious Basterds" (ROD TAYLOR); 1D: Archipelago part (ISLE); 2D: Stick in a medicine cabinet (Q-TIP); 3D: Mountains containing the Cathedral Group (TETON RANGE); 4D: Erodes (EATS INTO); 5D: T selection (SML.); 6D: Pairs of even numbers? (TIES); 7D: "Once more ..." ("I REPEAT …"); 8D: It's longer than a Kurzgeschichte (short story) (NOVELLE); 9D: Knotted up (GNARLED); 10D: How one must sometimes win (BY TWO); 11D: Blue blood vessels? (YACHTS); 12D: Three-toed bird (RHEA); 13D: Tot's tea party guest (DOLL); 14D: Seafood selection (SOLE); 21D: Bungle (MISDO); 23D: Sits (MEETS); 25D: Political junkies watch it (C-SPAN); 26D: Breathing (ALIVE); 29D: Keyboardist's support (PIANO STOOL); 30D: Off (UNLIT); 31D: Early statistical software (DBASE); 34D: High air? (YODEL); 37D: They may be counted (SHEEP); 39D: Singer with the 1965 hit "1-2-3" (LEN BARRY); 42D: Not as quick on the uptake (OBTUSER); 43D: Beefy hybrid (CATTALO); 44D: Used a prayer rug (KNEELED); 47D: __ Brothers, who sang "Black Water" (DOOBIE); 51D: 100 pfennigs, briefly (D-MARK); 53D: Speed-of-sound name (MACH); 54D: Jewish youth org. (YMHA); 55D: Corp. bigwigs (CEO'S); 56D: A sq. is one (RECT.); 58D: List heading (TO DO); 59D: NAFTA part: Abbr. (AMER.); 62D: Place to get a tkt. (STA.).

07.23 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
July 23, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None

I was really afraid this was going to be a DNF for me today. That southeast corner gave me fits. But it eventually came together. I really enjoyed this challenge today. I'm late posting because I'm really not feeling very well today. So I'm going to go back to bed and you all can chat it up in the comments.

Everything Else — 1A: __ Cup: Canadian football trophy (GREY); 5A: They're waved (MAGIC WANDS); 15A: Sound detected with a stethoscope (RALE); 16A: Much of it is shipped via the Strait of Hormuz (IRANIAN OIL); 17A: What injured parties may try to get (EVEN); 18A: Critical period (CRUNCH TIME); 19A: Gumshoe (TEC); 20A: Walked (TROD); 21A: "It will be fair weather: for the sky __": Matthew (IS RED); 22A: Gallery event (ART SHOW); 24A: Like some candle scents (PINY); 26A: Bach, e.g. (GERMAN); 27A: Reasonable (SANE); 28A: Dave Matthews Band label (RCA); 31A: Lander at Orly (AVION); 32A: Library supporter? (BOOKSHELF); 34A: "Little Caesar" gangster (RICO); 35A: They extract oxygen from water (GILLS); 36A: With 40-Across, nocturnal noisemaker (HOOT); 37A: "Help!" predecessor (BEATLES VI); 39A: Viking language (NORSE); 40A: See 36-Across (OWL); 41A: Fleshy-leaved plant (ALOE); 42A: Blackmailer (GOUGER); 43A: Part of NBA: Abbr. (ASSN.); 44A: Bridge units (TETRADS); 45A: Unalaska denizen (ALEUT); 48A: See (DATE); 49A: Govt.'s Laboratory of Hygiene, now (NIH); 50A: Ancient rock engraving (PETROGLYPH); 53A: Gershon of film (GINA); 54A: City near Randolph Air Force Base (SAN ANTONIO); 55A: Sea of __, shallowest in the world (AZOV); 56A: Colorful (OPALESCENT); 57A: Pool member (GENE); 1D: "Ninotchka" star (GRETA GARBO); 2D: Pan's opposite (RAVE REVIEW); 3D: Outlet type (ELECTRICAL); 4D: Itch (YEN); 5D: .000001 meters (MICRON); 6D: Mall map symbol (ARROW); 7D: Showy trinket (GAUD); 8D: Place to retire (INN); 9D: Title spelled out in Art. 2 of the U.S. Constitution (CIC); 10D: Surfer girls (WAHINES); 11D: Restless (ANTSY); 12D: Film __ (NOIR); 13D: Olive branch site (DIME); 14D: Winter scene staple (SLED); 20D: Comparison word (THAN); 23D: 1930 tariff act co-sponsor (SMOOT); 24D: Philadelphia suburb (PAOLI); 25D: Pens' contents (INKS); 27D: Unravel (SOLVE); 28D: Overhaul (REORGANIZE); 29D: Got ready to trap (CLOSED IN ON); 30D: Occasional stinger (AFTERSHAVE); 32D: Nomadic grazers (BISON); 33D: Time to attack (H-HOUR); 35D: Stylist's stock (GELS); 38D: Warning to an overindulgent bar customer (LAST ONE); 39D: Bank robber's aid (NOTE); 42D: Break 90, say (GET HOT); 43D: Acoustic (AURAL); 44D: Green stroke (TAP-IN); 45D: Lhasa __ (APSO); 46D: Spring (LEAP); 47D: 1928 destroyer of the village of Mascali (ETNA); 48D: Physics unit (DYNE); 51D: Sporty cars (GT'S); 52D: __ cit. (LOC.); 53D: __ order (GAG).

07.02 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
July 2, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None

Holy Z-Fest, Batman! Did you get a load of all those Zs? Near the end of my solve, it actually started to help. I'd read a clue and go, "Hmm. Let's pretend it's a word with a Z in it — now can I think of anything?" I admit I've never heard the phrase ZOMBIE BANK (56A: Insolvent bailout beneficiary), but I'm glad I know it now. YOWZAH! (32A: Cry of delight.)

Bullets:

• 1A: Extraterrestrial factor in creating much of Earth's carbon-14 (COSMIC RAYS). I tried COSMIC RAIN first because I was flailing around with those two three-letter downs at the end and I didn't have 15A in place yet. Is there such a thing as COSMIC RAIN? Have I mentioned that science isn't exactly my strong suit?

• 15A: "The Defense Never Rests" co-author (F. LEE BAILEY). It's kind of sad that I could come up with about six "celebrity lawyer" names before I finally got this answer. Also, I filled it in from the front and I wasn't sure about the cross on that second E, so I had FLEA for a while and thought "The Red Hot Chili Peppers guy wrote a book?"
• 18A: Five-time Wimbledon winner (BORG). Ah, the good old days.
• 20A: Firenze field (CAMPO). (!!!)
• 21A: "__ to Canaan": Carole King hit (BEEN). I've always thought of myself as a big Carole King fan but, as it turns out, I really only know the "Tapestry" album. And this song's not on it. So I had a little trouble here is what I'm saying.



• 47A: Miss Hungary of 1936, familiarly (ZSA ZSA). I had no idea.
• 61A: Michelle Phillips was one in the '60s (MAMA). Lots of "oldies" music in today's puzzle. You know that's one of the hallmarks of Barry's puzzles, right? (See also, 33D: 1962 chart topper whose title subject "doesn't do what everybody else does" (HE'S A REBEL)).



• 64A: Coconut-flavored cocktail (PIÑA COLADA). I'm including other music in the post today so that you won't get this song stuck in your head. I'm not even going to say what song I mean. But you can already hear it in your head, right? Quick! Go listen to something else. (And, for God's sake, do not — I repeat NOT — listen to "Copacabana.")
• 11D: Word from the Turkish for "roasted meat" (KEBAB). Again with the learning!
• 21D: Coach of Nadia and Mary Lou (BELA). More good old days of sports. BELA Karolyi coached gymastics Olympians Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton.

• 25D: Martin's partner (ROWAN). Laugh-in!
• 37D: "__ With a 'Z'": 1972 TV special (LIZA). We had this album when I was a kid and I'm pretty sure I could sing you every single song it. If you wanted me to. Which you don't.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up: We haven't had a real honest-to-goodness CW101 lesson in a while, but there are two great examples of crosswordese in this grid that we haven't covered yet. ORYX is almost always clued as it is today — 55A: Desert antelope. You might see the qualifiers, African, large, straight-horned or endangered, but you'll pretty much always get tipped off by antelope. And today's clue for AJA — 58D: Grammy-winning Steely Dan album — tells you everything you need to know about this album. I think it's interesting that there's actually a song called AJA, but clues always cite the album and not the song itself. Other tidbits that might come in handy: the album came out in 1977 and includes the hit "Deacon Blues."

Other crosswordese in the puzzle that we've already covered:

• 63A: Hot times in 48-Across (ÉTÉS).
• 5D: Spoonbill's cousin (IBIS).
• 32D: Busybody (YENTA).
• 60D: Mauna __ (KEA).

Everything Else — 11A: '90s TV toon therapist (KATZ); 16A: You may bid on it (EBAY); 17A: Circulation aid (CEILING FAN); 19A: American Fur Company founder (ASTOR); 24A: Harris trickster (BR'ER RABBIT); 27A: Sin tax, e.g. (EXCISE); 29A: Take-charge type (DOER); 30A: __ Genevieve: Missouri county or its seat (STE.); 31A: __-ovo-vegetarian (LACTO); 34A: Low life? (AMOEBAE); 36A: Remote drivers? (AA CELLS); 40A: Attached, as some decals (SEWN ON); 42A: Certain elephant (ASIAN); 43A: Dander (IRE); 46A: Pro __ (RATA); 48A: Where Massenet's "Don Quichotte" premiered (MONTE CARLO); 51A: Grate (RASP); 52A: Obscured (HAZED); 53A: Edge (SIDLE); 1D: Ozone-threatening compound (CFC); 2D: Word of support (OLÉ); 3D: Half of dodici (SEI); 4D: Black garnets (MELANITES); 6D: "No way!" ("CAN'T BE!"); 7D: Inflexibility (RIGOR); 8D: Served with a creamy cheese sauce (ALFREDO); 9D: Word of support (YEA); 10D: Lexicon abbr. (SYN.); 12D: Subj. of Cold War tests (A-BOMBS); 13D: Asphalt trap (TAR PIT); 14D: Fallopian tube traveler (ZYGOTE); 20D: Bolívar's birthplace (CARACAS); 22D: Physical, e.g. (EXAM); 23D: Danish shoe brand (ECCO); 26D: Iran's Mohammad Shah __ Pahlavi (REZA); 28D: Dried out, with "up" (SOBERED); 35D: "Never Wave at __": 1952 film (A WAC); 38D: Miss (LASS); 39D: Breeze (SNAP); 41D: Crew members (OARSMEN); 43D: Arrival announcement (I'M HOME); 44D: Find very funny (ROAR AT); 45D: Catalytic protein (ENZYME); 47D: Group of signs (ZODIAC); 49D: Gulf state (TEXAS); 50D: 47-Down member (LIBRA); 54D: Block brand (LEGO); 56D: Reheat, in a way (ZAP); 57D: Duct opening? (OVI-); 59D: Doze (NOD).

06.11 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
June 11, 2011
Doug Peterson & Barry C. Silk

Theme: None — Saturdays are traditionally themeless.

This one fell together for me exactly the way I like it to on a Saturday. (Except I kinda wish it was a little harder. Sorry!) I started reading through the across clues and didn't seem to know anything, but I picked away at it here and there until it was all filled in. Surprisingly, my first break came with what I think has to be the worst clue in the whole puzzle — 26A: Non-coml. interruption (PSA). For some reason, I didn't just breeze right past it like I usually do when it doesn't come to me right away. Instead, I sat there for a few seconds trying to figure out what the heck "coml." could possibly mean. I was actually making words up in my head: "Non-comeril? Non-comestible? Non-comlition?" Oh, "non-commercial." Big ugh to that. But it did give me some traction in a tough puzzle, so I guess I can't be too hard on it.

I had the most trouble in the northeast corner. Had I only known that OPHELIA was the 16A: Daughter of Polonius, I'm sure it all would have fallen into place easily but … I didn't. I also tried GET BACK for BACK OFF (8A: "That's too close!") and AMT for APR (9D: Loan letters). Who knew KEVIN Bacon was from Philly? (Oh yeah, Barry Silk did. Duh.) I put him in, took him out, put him back in. I thought, "No it couldn't be KEVIN Bacon. There must be some Founding Father named Bacon that I'm just not remembering…." Once I got BACK OFF into place, I tried OWEN for OLEN (12D: Author Robert __ Butler), so yeah, it was just a big mess up there for quite a while.

There wasn't much that I just flat-out didn't know: Both TRU and SUE were mysteries to me (41A: "__ Calling": 2003-'05 supernatural drama / 42A: Will's "Glee" adversary), but everything else was gettable. Other missteps for me included PULLS ON for YANKS ON (61A: Jerks, as a bell rope) and … I think that was about it. Oh wait, I misspelled MAGUIRE (22D: 1996 Cruise title role) at first, giving me TCT where TAT was supposed to be (29A: Body image, briefly). Awesome clue, by the way, and I don't think people will try to argue that TAT refers to making lace in this instance, although you never really know.

Bullets:

• 1A: Chia Pet, perhaps (GAG GIFT). I don't think I've ever seen an actual Chia Pet in real life. I guess maybe that's not a bad thing.
• 21A: Handles abroad (NOMS). NOMS is French (French!) for "names." Speaking of French (French!), we don't only have Normal French (Normal French!) in today's puzzle, we also have Science French (Science French!): 6D: Tableau Périodique #26 (FER).
• 38A: "Right on!" ("NOW YOU'RE TALKING!"). I say this all the time. You: "We have time to take a nap before dinner." Me: "Now you're talking!" You: "Let add some more butter to that." Me: "Now you're talking!"
• 44A: Word in some school names (PREP). This answer reminded me to check on the fate of a kids' show I like: "Tower PREP." Turns out it's not coming back. Suck.
• 5D: Song sung by Pinocchio (I'VE GOT NO STRINGS). Fun, fresh entry.

• 8D: Dizzy music? (BOP). I knew this clue was referring to Dizzy Gillespie but it was hard for me to go from the general JAZZ to the specific BOP.
• 10D: Lab synthesis substance (CHEMICAL REAGENT). This could have been anything and I wouldn't have gotten it. Anything.
• 11D: Bacon from Philadelphia (KEVIN). He was on "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" last weekend. Pretty funny. I met Paul Newman once. And he was in "Mr. and Mrs. Bridge" with Kyra Sedgwick. And she's married to KEVIN Bacon. So there: three degrees.
• 25D: Decorator's suggestion (AREA RUG). This tripped me up a little bit. I had the second AR in place so I thought the answer was going to be something-AREA. Took me a minute to flip that back around.

• 53D: Netherworld flower (STYX). I am so embarrassed to admit this to you, but this clue totally tricked me. Argh! I've seen this so many times! Damn you Doug and Barry! (For the uninitiated, you have to pronounce "flower" as in "something that flows.")

I'm off to New York to see StepPuzzleNiece in a play. Very excited to finally see her on stage. I hear she's spectacular. Of course, I hear that from her dad, but I'm pretty sure it's still true. And so I will leave you with my favorite row in this grid:

LYING TO HANNITY

(59A: Deceiving / 60A: Conservative commentator who wrote "Let Freedom Ring").

Doug will be with you tomorrow. I'll see you back here Monday.

[Follow PuzzleGirl on Twitter.]

Everything Else — 15A: Stop flowing, in a way (ICE OVER); 17A: Drawing room? (GALLERY); 18A: Foil (PREVENT); 19A: Security item (I.D. TAG); 20A: Fancy wraps (MINKS); 24A: Key (MAIN); 30A: __ lamp (ARC); 31A: American leader? (ALL-); 34A: Copyright, e.g. (INTANGIBLE ASSET); 39A: It can help you carry a tune (TRANSISTOR RADIO); 40A: Anthem elision (O'ER); 43A: Bill holder: Abbr. (ENV.); 45A: Quaint interjection (EGAD); 47A: "Romeo Must Die" star (JET LI); 50A: Power systems (GRIDS); 54A: Shake up (UNHINGE); 57A: Curse (SWEAR AT); 62A: Wind in a combo (ALTO SAX); 1D: 1958 film with the song "The Parisians" (GIGI); 2D: Sch. (ACAD.); 3D: Yiddish dough (GELT); 4D: __ Heights: disputed Mideast territory (GOLAN); 7D: Effort (TRY); 13D: Rat (FINK); 14D: Nuts are rich in them (FATS); 23D: Provokes (STIRS UP); 24D: Brewery sugar (MALTOSE); 26D: Mottled horse (PINTO); 27D: "Boring" (SNORE); 28D: Not just squabbling (AT WAR); 31D: Out of the way (ASIDE); 32D: Red head (LENIN); 33D: Statehouse official: Abbr. (LT. GOV.); 35D: First name in objectivism (AYN); 36D: It's made by one who doesn't go out (BET); 37D: Jamaican genre (SKA); 44D: Xylophone sound (PLINK); 46D: Liquid lye brand (DRANO); 47D: Pioneer Day month, in Utah (JULY); 48D: "Watermark" musician (ENYA); 49D: Watery (THIN); 51D: Romance novelist Johansen (IRIS); 52D: Excel fodder (DATA); 55D: Song from the same era as "Little Deuce Coupe" (GTO); 56D: Quite a stretch (EON); 57D: Oldie syllable (SHA); 58D: Retail store opening? (WAL-).

05.21 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
May 21, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None

Fun, tough puzzle to start off our weekend. Or does the weekend start on Friday? Whatever, this one is good. And if you just can't get enough of Barry Silk (and really, who can?), he also has the New York Times puzzle today. I haven't solved it yet. I'm guessing it's hard. But there's a lot to talk about, so let's go straight to the bullets.

Bullets:

• 1A: Unhappy fans, in slang (BOOBIRDS). I don't believe I've ever heard this term before, but it was easy to infer with a couple of the crosses in place.

• 15A: Encroachment (INVASION). PuzzleHusband accused me of encroaching on his half of the bathroom shelf the other day. I told him I was going to need a temporary easement. This is what happens when someone goes to work in a real estate law firm.
• 18A: Cheerios' cousins (ADIEUX). Two ways to say "good-bye." ADIEUX is, of course, the plural of ADIEU. (French!)
• 22A: "The Little Mermaid" prince (ERIC). Isn't the prince in the Nutcracker Suite also named ERIC? ERIC is also the name of the coach on "Friday Night Lights" and my cousin in Chicago. Coincidence? Most assuredly.

• 32A: Dating letters (BCE). Before the Common Era.
• 36A: Centennial debut of 1909 (LINCOLN HEAD CENT). I just learned that Abe Lincoln actually invented the emoticon. Can that possibly be true?
• 43A: Bird suborder that includes gulls and terns (LARI). Needed every single cross for this one.
• 48A: Divine, in a way (DOWSE). This has to do with finding water, right?
• 57A: Rubble creator (TNT). Oh that rubble.
• 62A: Jason, for one (SEAFARER). Oh that Jason.
• 64A: One of only three golfers who briefly kept Tiger Woods out of the World #1 spot between 1/11/1998 and 10/30/2010 (ERNIE ELS). Fun to see ERNIE's whole name in the grid, but this clue is just flat-out ridiculous. I guess January through October is golf season? Is that right? Those dates seem really random, but I'm sure they're not.

• 2D: Available, in a way (ON HIRE). Not a fan of this answer. Would like FOR HIRE much better.
• 8D: Oct. 1975 TV debut (SNL). I remember it like it was yesterday. I guess some people still watch the show. Every once in a while PuzzleSister will say to me, "Did you see on Saturday Night Live last week …?" And I'm all, "Um, I haven't watched SNL for like 25 years."
• 23D: "I Got a Name" singer (CROCE).
• 31D: One concerned with clemency (WEATHERMAN). I thought maybe this was referring to the Weather Underground and its members' concerns for their legal treatment. But no. "Clemency" here is just a meteorological term.
• 39D: Traffic controller, briefly (DEA). Drug traffic, that is. But you knew that.

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Everything Else — 9A: Dinar spenders (IRAQIS); 16A: Scraps (REFUSE); 17A: Cruel woman (SHE-DEVIL); 19A: Poitier title role (SIR); 20A: Sargasso Sea spawner (EEL); 21A: Hunter, at times (SNARER); 24A: Clancy hero (RYAN); 26A: Principle (TENET); 28A: Four-note chord (TETRAD); 30A: Investment company T. __ Price (ROWE); 33A: 160 square rods (ONE ACRE); 35A: Ugly (MEAN); 40A: Downwind (ALEE); 41A: Sunbeam product (TOASTER); 42A: Nth: Abbr. (ULT.); 44A: Prom queen's concern (HAIRDO); 50A: Summit (ACME); 52A: Shade of red (BEET); 53A: High-profile 44-Across (MOHAWK); 55A: Title object of a 1981 film quest (ARK); 58A: Fine wool (MERINO); 59A: Polish (SIMONIZE); 61A: Observation while passing the buck (ANTLER); 63A: On the beach (ASHORE); 1D: "The Deep" co-star (BISSET); 3D: Ready to move on (OVER IT); 4D: Sinister (BAD); 5D: "Of course" ("I SEE"); 6D: Mouth formation (RIVER DELTA); 7D: Decoration under a bowl (DOILY); 9D: Modern-day theocracy (IRAN); 10D: Make an archaeological adjustment to (REDATE); 11D: Hot (AFIRE); 12D: Colonial leader (QUEEN BEE); 13D: "Glad to do it!" ("I SURE CAN!"); 14D: Word with appeal or change (SEX); 21D: They may wake you up (SNORES); 25D: Very old (ARCHAIC); 27D: Big top, e.g. (TENT); 29D: Year in Mexico (AÑO); 34D: Arctic jacket (ANORAK); 35D: Fast-food pork sandwich (MCRIB); 36D: Glorify (LAUD); 37D: Dark clouds, to some (ILL OMENS); 38D: Financial planning yardstick (NET WORTH); 43D: One resting against a stake (LEANER); 45D: Turn in (RETIRE); 46D: Washington of "Glory" (DENZEL); 47D: River rompers (OTTERS); 49D: 1970 Neil Diamond hit (SHILO); 51D: Gold medalist skier Hermann (MAIER); 54D: Passed slowly, with "on" (WORE); 56D: First name in diplomacy (KOFI); 58D: Barnyard bleat (MAA); 59D: Vane dir. (SSE); 60D: Clydebank contradiction (NAE).

04.30 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
April 30, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None.

Wow. Really enjoyed this puzzle. Between the awesome clue for MATH MAJOR right at 1A (Michael Jordan began college as one) to RIN TIN TIN atop TÊTE-À-TÊTE in the southeast corner (58A: Shepherd of old radio / 60A: Where three's a crowd), I found this puzzle a lot of fun. Unfortunately, I promised Rex I'd cover his blog for him today, so I'm gonna have to cut this short. I know you all are like, "Wait, you're covering for Rex? What is wrong with you? Don't you know you just moved into a new house and you're a mess?!" I assure you, those are legitimate questions. But not questions I am prepared to answer at this time. Let me just say Barry, you're awesome, thanks to everybody else for stopping by, and I hope you'll get some gabbing done in the comments. Doug will be here with tomorrow's puzzle and I'll see you back here Monday.

[Follow PuzzleGirl on Twitter.]

Everything Else — 10A: Leather leggings (CHAPS); 15A: Plants (SHRUBBERY); 16A: "Casbah" actor, 1948 (LORRE); 17A: Sex symbol of the silents (THEDA BARA); 18A: Very funny (ARIOT); 19A: Accessory (ADD-ON); 20A: Titans, e.g. (NISSANS); 22A: Current source (OUTLET); 24A: Negative sentiment (I HOPE NOT); 25A: "Wedding Day at Troldhaugen" composer (GRIEG); 26A: He got his only World Series ring in 2009 (A-ROD); 27A: Staff note (MEMO); 28A: "Viva-Vegas" link (LAS); 29A: Eastern quaff that's typically 18-25% alcohol (RICE WINE); 32A: 21-Down, e.g. (ELEMENT); 34A: They're assumed (ANONYMS); 38A: Motions (GESTURES); 40A: Want ad abbr. (EEO); 41A: Mosque leader (IMAM); 44A: "__ a hunch ..." (I HAD); 45A: Far from assertive (TIMID); 47A: Ariadne, to Minos (DAUGHTER); 49A: Archaeologists, at times (DATERS); 50A: Clique (IN-GROUP); 51A: "Going Rogue" author (PALIN); 52A: Three-time Clooney role (OCEAN); 53A: Adjacent to (ALONGSIDE); 57A: Old Scottish landholder (THANE); 59A: Like some bars (SANDY); 1D: Colorado hrs. (MST); 2D: Sound of recognition (AHH); 3D: Mill's "On Liberty," for one (TREATISE); 4D: Where plays may be discussed (HUDDLE); 5D: GMAT taker's goal (MBA DEGREE); 6D: Brother's keeper? (ABBOT); 7D: Name often seen before a hyphen (JEAN); 8D: #4 at Boston Garden (ORR); 9D: 2006 N.L. MVP (RYAN HOWARD); 10D: Necklace feature (CLASP); 11D: Jockeys (HORSEMEN); 12D: European satellite launcher (ARIANE); 13D: Nous or vous (PRONOM); 14D: Begins (SETS TO); 21D: Kelp nutrient (IODINE); 22D: Eye up and down (OGLE); 23D: River through Orsk (URAL); 24D: Fight cause, often (IRE); 26D: Behave suitably (ACT THE PART); 30D: As found (IN SITU); 31D: What oldies evoke (NOSTALGIA); 33D: Hollywood-themed Vegas hotel (MGM GRAND); 35D: Rial spender (YEMENITE); 36D: Rabin's '70s predecessor (MEIR); 37D: Fixes bare spots, in a way (SODS); 39D: Former Mideast gp. (UAR); 41D: Certain how-to book targets? (IDIOTS); 42D: La __: region of central Spain (MANCHA); 43D: Like the stables cleaned by Hercules in a single day (AUGEAN); 46D: "I disagree" ("IT ISN'T"); 48D: Love (HONEY); 49D: "Purgatorio" writer (DANTE); 51D: Bridge in Paris (PONT); 54D: Rest (LIE); 55D: Morse character (DIT); 56D: Wind dir. (ENE).

04.09 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
April 9, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None — It's Saturday, remember?

Well, this puzzle was sure a nice way to wrap up the week. A little on the easy side for a Saturday, but lots of sparkle and, for the most part, a smooth solve. I'm not entirely convinced this is really a Barry Silk puzzle though. Sure, there's the 15A: 1962 Brenda Lee hit (ALL ALONE AM I), which you would expect. And there are a couple of baseball players in the grid, like 24A: 2003 Cy Young Award-winning reliever Eric (GAGNE) and 2D: 1953 A.L. MVP (AL ROSEN). But, you see, the baseball answers were actually the tip-off. Yes, you expect baseball in a Silk puzzle but … they're not Phillies. HA! You've been unmasked! Who are you and what have you done with Barry Silk?!

Entries worth highlighting include:

• 1A: Site of many a wet bar (BACHELOR PAD).
• 29A: There are 300 feet between them (END ZONES).
• 1D: It's under Wayne Manor (BATCAVE).

There's nothing like the feeling of throwing a long answer in with no crosses, is there? I got that feeling today with EAST LANSING (57A: Home of Spartan Stadium). Sometimes it's awesome to be a Big Ten fan. I've even been to East Lansing once for a sporting event and I must say it's a lovely, lovely town.

As usual for a late-week puzzle, there were a few things that I just flat-out didn't know:

• 16A: __ Fáil: Irish coronation stone (LIA).
• 49A: Hindu "Destroyer" (SIVA).
• 30D: Customizable online avatar (ZWINKY).
• 51D: Den __, Nederland (HAAG).

It really really really seems like ZWINKY is something I should know but … ? Nothin'. I got nothin'.

Bullets:

• 18A: Pres. Obama received an honorary one from Notre Dame (LLD). Some type of law degree.
• 25A: Flight formation (VEE). Please tell me I'm not the only one who misread the clue as "flight INformation."
• 47A: Riskily off base (AWOL). And here's where you end up feeling like a real sucker when you finally get the answer. It's a Barry Silk puzzle. You've already seen a few baseball clues so you reasonably assume this clue is about baseball too. And then BAM! Something completely different.



• 54A: Washington attraction (NATIONAL ZOO). Been there a couple times. It's, well … it's a zoo. I don't love zoos. Except the monkeys. I could watch the monkeys all day.



• 8D: Give another memory jog to (RECUE). I think this is the only thing in the grid that I really didn't like. Maybe it's legit, but it sure doesn't sound like something I would ever say.

• 10D: Double agent Aldrich (AMES). Thank you for not using that other clue for this answer.
• 13D: Chalk feature? (SILENT L). "You cannot trick me with these types of clues any longer! I am much too savvy!" (That's what I hope your reaction was to this one.)
• 14D: Gloom (SADNESS). First I had BAD NEWS, then when I figured out the W had to be an S I tried BADNESS which would be a terrible entry. Thank goodness it wasn't right.

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Everything Else — 12A: Long-eared critter (ASS); 17A: Protected company asset (TRADE SECRET); 19A: Sine's reciprocal, in trig (COSEC); 20A: Petitions (SUES); 21A: Observed (SEEN); 22A: Egyptian hazards (ASPS); 23A: Look (MIEN); 26A: It holds the line (ROD); 27A: Vacation souvenirs (T-SHIRTS); 32A: Bike power sources (PEDALS); 33A: Novelist, e.g. (WORDSMITH); 35A: Nunavut native, formerly (ESKIMO); 38A: Spanish for "little cake" (TORTILLA); 42A: Cockapoo pop, perhaps (SPANIEL); 44A: Asian "path" (TAO); 45A: 39-Down article (EIN); 46A: Early transport (TRIKE); 50A: Like some breezes (EASY); 51A: Frost (HOAR); 52A: Wide zoot suit feature (LAPEL); 53A: View (EYE); 56A: Côte d'Azur view (MER); 58A: Old leftist gp. revived in 2006 (SDS); 59A: Very long time (AGES AND AGES); 3D: Held tight (CLASPED); 4D: It's guarded by the three-headed dog Cerberus (HADES); 5D: Util. bill item (ELEC.); 6D: California's __ Gatos (LOS); 7D: Biased (ONE-SIDED); 9D: Rear (PARENT); 11D: Code sound (DIT); 12D: Hay fever treatment brand (ALLEGRA); 21D: Greeted, with "to" (SAID HI); 23D: Last president to wear a powdered wig (MONROE); 24D: Renewal target (GHETTO); 26D: College cohort (ROOMIE); 28D: Nice pass (SPIRAL); 31D: Bygone flier (SST); 34D: Droid maker (MOTOROLA); 35D: Treasures (ESTEEMS); 36D: Dealt with bugs, in a way (SPRAYED); 37D: German leaders (KAISERS); 39D: Home of the Bach-Archiv (LEIPZIG); 40D: Con man's dream (LIVE ONE); 41D: Parallels (ANALOGS); 43D: Philosopher associated with 44-Across (LAO-TSE); 48D: Serves, with "on" (WAITS); 49D: Lively Cuban dance (SALSA); 52D: Touch down (LAND); 54D: PBS supporter (NEA); 55D: Asian flatbread (NAN).

03.05 Sat

S A T U R D A Y
March 5, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None

I enjoyed this Scrabbly Saturday workout from Barry Silk QUITE A LOT (54A: Very much). Quite a few people in the grid, which is something I always like.

• 17A: Five-time All-Star second baseman (CHASE UTLEY). This was the only person in the grid that I flat-out didn't know. Knowing Barry Silk, though, I don't think I'm going out on a limb to guess that he plays for the Phillies.
• 39A: "Private Benjamin" Oscar nominee Eileen (BRENNAN).
• 41A: First African-American major-league coach Buck (O'NEIL). I had to wait and get that "I" from the cross, which is pretty much what I do every time Mr. O'NEIL is in the puzzle.
• 42A: Clinton Transportation secretary (PEÑA).
• 6D: John of England (ELTON). You thought this might be a bathroom trick clue, didn't you?
• 36D: Singer Williams (ANDY).

One-word clues are much more common late in the week because they really add difficulty to the puzzles.

• 5A: Cloud (BEFOG). My brain instantly thought it was a noun, but it turned out to be a verb.

• 20A: Salt (OLD SAILOR). I considered both noun and verb meanings, but had to stretch a little to remember this meaning of "salt."
• 38D: Rap (BLAME). Rap could mean so many different things! But here it's used as in the phrase, "take the rap."
• 46D: Ally (TEAM UP). Another noun/verb question. And again, "verb" is the correct answer.

Bullets:

• 14A: Geographical border (COUNTY LINE). Makes me think of country music, like maybe "Boot Scootin' Boogie."
• 37A: Classic diner feature (JUKEBOX). Who doesn't love a JUKEBOX? (Also, more country music.)
• 47A: Way to make it? (SNAPPY). It's like my boss says to me every morning "Get me a cup of coffee! And make it snappy!" HAha! My boss would never dare say that to me.

• 61A: Gibberish (MUMBO-JUMBO). Great word.
• 65A: Nice weapon (ARME). Did this clue trick you? Or have you been hanging out at LACC long enough to know that if the clue starts with the word "Nice," you might just need to pronounce it like "niece" and think French?
• 2D: Fish also called a blue jack (COHO). With the C in place I tried CARP first.
• 7D: Some bass pieces (FILLETS). More fish! I was thinking more along the lines of Geddy Lee at first.
• 8D: Linear, for short (ONE-D). As in ONE-Dimensional.
• 13D: Cold drafts (BEERS). I stupidly entered GUSTS here at first, even though my brain was going "Are GUSTS necessarily cold? No. No, they're not."
• 25D: Rabid dog of Castle Rock (CUJO). Stephen King? I had to look it up to confirm, but yes, Stephen King.
• 48D: Common video game fighter (NINJA). They're coming, you know. (Video courtesy of Mrs. Rex Parker's awesome students.)

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 16A: Native Nebraskan (OTOE).
• 30A: Historical Russian region (URAL).
• 31A: 1987 Costner role (NESS).

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Everything Else — 1A: Org. distributing a "Close Guantánamo" handbook (ACLU); 10A: Stupefied (NUMB); 18A: Item used in Wright Brothers experiments (KITE); 19A: Advertises (TOUTS); 22A: How writers often work (ALONE); 24A: Honeysuckle shrubs (ELDERS); 25A: Algerian quarter (CASBAH); 28A: Dragging (TIRED); 33A: Climber's observation (VISTA); 44A: Encircle (GIRD); 45A: Suppressed (SAT ON); 49A: In (AT HOME); 52A: Rhino relative (TAPIR); 56A: Land rover (NOMAD); 60A: Sphere lead-in (ATMO-); 63A: Toon modeled after Clara Bow (BOOP); 64A: One-sided (UNBALANCED); 66A: Edit menu command (PASTE); 67A: Prank (DIDO); 1D: Credit Union holding: Abbr. (ACCT.); 3D: Tiki torch setting (LUAU); 4D: It's radioactive (UNSTABLE ISOTOPE); 5D: Sch. associated with the LDS Business College (BYU); 9D: Jet creator (GEYSER); 10D: "Seriously" ("NO KIDDING AROUND"); 11D: Functional (UTILE); 12D: Drive (MOTOR); 15D: Magnetic induction unit (TESLA); 21D: Pain relief brand (ALEVE); 23D: "This can't be!" ("OH NO!"); 26D: Make __ for it (A RUN); 27D: Interest (SAKE); 29D: Amazon.com ID (ISBN); 32D: Fair (EXPO); 34D: Prune (SNIP); 35D: You might see one on a woodpile (TARP); 40D: Abrasive sound (RASP); 43D: Lays away (ENTOMBS); 49D: Jordan's only port (AQABA); 50D: Personally train (TUTOR); 51D: Bleachers sign (HI MOM); 53D: Up (AT BAT); 55D: Moon goddess (LUNA); 57D: XC years from now (MMCI); 58D: Not up (ABED); 59D: Extinct pigeon relative (DODO); 62D: "__ Buttermilk Sky": 1946 song (OLE).

02.12 Sat

S A T U R D A Y February 12, 2011
Barry C. Silk

Theme: None

Oh man, I flew through this puzzle. I was dropping in answers that were just fleeting glimpses in my brain. But they just seemed right and it turns out they were. It really is fun to have a puzzle like this once in a while that's not, ya know, a Monday. It's kinda giving my confidence a boost which is awesome with the big tournament just a little more than a month away.

Bullets:

• 1A: Breakfast-on-the-run choice for some (COLD PIZZA). This was actually the last section I filled in. And even with the C and the Zs in place, I still couldn't come up with this one. I don't know. I guess I don't think of COLD PIZZA as breakfast "on-the-run" necessarily. More like breakfast "for-the-lazy."
• 22A: Four-time Daytona 500 champ Yarborough (CALE). Learned of his existence from crosswords.
• 23A: Resident on the Arno (PISAN). European rivers have never been my strong suit but it apparently has finally sunk into my hard head that the Arno is in Italy.

• 33A: Parades (SASHAYS). I think I'm going to start SASHAYing around the PuzzleHouse more frequently.
• 39A: Designer of Dulles Airport's main terminal (SAARINEN). This is really the only place I got stuck. I was all, "It's a really, really famous architect. He's in the puzzle all the time! What the f*** is his name?? It's not Frank Lloyd Wright. It's not I.M. Pei." And from I.M. Pei, I actually took a tangent over to Ang Lee. For some reason, they inhabit the same part of my brain. So then I got disgusted with myself, "No, no, no, Ang Lee is the director, not the architect, what is wrong with you?!" I needed see the two As right next to each other before I had my D'OH moment.
• 58A: Colorado's __ Park (ESTES). You might recall that the PuzzleFamily spent their summer vacation in ESTES Park this past summer, so this one came easy.

• 1D: Will supplements (CODICILS). Is this one of those words that everybody knows, or is it just something I've picked up from working around lawyers pretty much my whole life?
• 4D: Titled rapper (DR. DRE). We don't usually see his whole name in the grid, and it looks pretty cool!
• 5D: "El Condor __": Simon & Garfunkel song (PASA).



• 11D: Album before "Help!" (BEATLES VI). It wouldn't be a Barry Silk puzzle without an oldies reference.

• 23D: Clipped style (PONYTAIL). I'm not crazy about this clue. I don't think you need clips for a PONYTAIL. The letters kept filling themselves in and I resisted the whole way.
• 39D: It means "traveling companion" in Russian (SPUTNIK). I did not know that.

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Everything Else — 10A: Put to shame (ABASH); 15A: Work on a table (OPERATION); 16A: Martinique volcano (PELEE); 17A: Driven to have (DEAD SET ON); 18A: Not as bright (PALER); 19A: Structural opening? (INFRA-); 20A: When parents may need to call their kids (MEAL TIME); 25A: Sediment (LEES); 26A: Hot feeling (IRE); 27A: Corporeal (BODILY); 28A: Fluid dynamics phenomenon (EDDY); 29A: Makes privy to (LETS IN ON); 31A: Arcade game nos. (PTS.); 34A: Croat's neighbor (SLOVENE); 38A: München-to-Wien heading (OST); 40A: Service expert (ACER); 43A: Meat garnishes (ASPICS); 45A: GPS determination (LAT.); 46A: Encircled (GIRT); 47A: Busy (IN USE); 48A: Entangle (MIRE); 49A: Knighted son of King Ban (LANCELOT); 51A: Speleologist (CAVER); 52A: Words after follow or blow (A LEAD); 53A: Sitcom array (ONE-LINERS); 56A: Like some investments (RISKY); 57A: Boarded en masse (PILED INTO); 59A: Up-and-down time? (SKI SEASON); 2D: Place to set up camp (OPEN AREA); 3D: Ads, perhaps (LEAFLETS); 6D: Mineral suffix (-ITE); 7D: ZENMED target (ZIT); 8D: Enhances the details (ZOOMS IN); 9D: Temper (ANNEAL); 10D: Range, e.g.: Abbr. (APPL.); 12D: Teamed up (ALLIED); 13D: Looked (SEEMED); 14D: Joan of Arc's crime (HERESY); 21D: Wherever (ANYPLACE); 24D: Lifetime exchange for many (I DO'S); 27D: Fairness obstacle (BIAS); 30D: Strawberry dessert (SHORTCAKE); 32D: Rocky crests (TORS); 34D: Je ne __ quoi (SAIS); 35D: Invigorates (ENLIVENS); 36D: Having a better chance of recognizing (NEARER TO); 37D: Begins (ENTERS ON); 40D: Blazing (AGLARE); 41D: Tadalafil brand (CIALIS); 42D: __ Evans, Chubby Checker's birth name (ERNEST); 44D: Peepers (SNOOPS); 48D: Crosswords in the 1920s, e.g. (MANIA); 50D: Slow Churned ice cream (EDY'S); 51D: Fungi ending (-CIDE); 54D: "The Book of __": 2010 Denzel Washington film (ELI); 55D: "__ Troyens": Berlioz opera (LES).

01.22 Sat

S A T U R D A Y

January 22, 2011
Barry C. Silk

[Note from PuzzleGirl: This is the one week out of the year where I'm going to just mention that there is a donation button over in the sidebar. Please read my pitch for donations at the beginning of Monday's write-up here. And thanks so much for being here and for all the kind notes I've received in the last couple days.]
Theme: None

I solved this puzzle while watching college wrestling on TV, so I didn't give it my full attention and can't really tell how hard it is, but I know I liked it. Lots of good sparkly fill and only a couple groaners. I'm looking at you, DARERS! You too, C-D-E! (33A: Challengers / 22A: Letter run.) I can't decide how I feel about SCRATCH AWL (28D: Point maker). I've never heard of it, but I think it might be kinda cool. With only some of the letters in place (and without looking at the clue), I thought it was going to be SCREECH OWL. Ha! Make sure never to use your SCRATCH AWL on your SCREECH OWL! They hate that! But SCRATCH AWL was an entry in one of the four triple-ten stacks in this grid. And every other entry in those sections is solid, if not awesome. The only one I don't really like is ELECTORATE (67A: Voters), but that's just because it looks too much like EXPECTORATE to me which is obviously a personal problem.

HAha! PuzzleHusband just asked if I needed help with the blog. He told me that he recently won Blogger Magazine's Blogger of the Year Award. Pretty sure he's making that up. Ya know what, though? One day I'm gonna let him write a blog post and then you all will just appreciate me that much more. Now he's watching a show about the Mexican drug trade and says he wants his new nickname to be "El Chapo." And he's going to work on a nickname for me. This is what my life is like, in case you were wondering.

Bullets:

• 15A: Like some avian plumage (IRIDESCENT). I'm sure peacocks aren't the only ones with IRIDESCENT plumage, but that was the first picture that came to my mind.
• 20A: Union requirement (DUES). I had a bad feeling for a minute that the "union" in the clue meant "wedding" and that the answer might be RING, which would be … bad. Since, ya know, a RING isn't actually required. I was ready to get all self-righteous and fire off a snippy email to Rich, but then I decided to just chill and it turned out my first instinct was wrong anyway. Funny how often that happens.

• 23A: Aid for making columns (TABS). Yes, yes, yes, Thank You! TABS are what you should use to make columns. TABS! Not spaces! If you use spaces your columns won't line up properly. And if they're not going to Line Up Properly then why the hell bother having columns? (Maybe you can tell I'm something of a word processing snob.)
• 26A: Flu treatment, at times (INHALER). Huh. I've only heard of INHALERs used for asthma, not for the flu. But hey, if it works, I'm all for it.
• 34A: Three-time Grammy Award winner for comedy (CHRIS ROCK). I can't believe I was able to find this clip. I thought for sure I'd have to send SethG out for it. (And no worries, it's clean.)
• 37A: "Same here" ("ME TOO"). Tried DITTO first.
• 44A: Michigan city where the first Domino's Pizza opened (YPSILANTI). Well, it's got that going for it.

• 57A: Holly portrayer (BUSEY). Did Natalie Wood play Holly Golightly in "Breakfast at Tiffany's"? Nope, that was Audrey Hepburn. Well, that wouldn't have helped me anyway since this clue is referring to Buddy Holly. I once saw a really funny tweet from Gary Busey, but just now when I went back to find it, it turns out it's not really Gary Busey, it's just a fake Gary Busey. Damn.
• 1D/7D: Something read during a lecture? (RIOT ACT). That's all kindsa awesome.

• 9D: Lecture reaction, perhaps (ENNUI). Again! I'm getting really bored with ENNUI showing up in the puzzle every day! (See what I did there?) Also Casey KASEM (36D: 1985 National Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame inductee). Was he just in yesterday's puzzle? Or is that some other puzzle I'm thinking of? Well, it was recently anyway.
• 29D: "That's news to me!" ("I HAD NO IDEA!"). With some of the crosses in place, I first tried "I DIDN'T KNOW." I like the real answer better.
• 51D: Silvery food fish (SMELT). Wait, does "food fish" mean it's fish that people eat or that it's fish you use to, I don't know, feed animals or something? I'm confused. In any case, SMELT doesn't sound like something a human should eat. But maybe it's not something humans eat, so it's all good.
• 64D: "Lookin' Out My Back Door" band, briefly (CCR). Yessiree.

Crosswordese 101 Round-up:

• 48A: First name in architecture (EERO).
• 61A: Court edge (AD IN).
• 2D: First name in humor (ERMA).
• 11D: Turkish bigwig (AGA).
• 40D: Former Maltese currency (LIRA).
• 60D: River of Flanders (YSER).

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Everything Else — 1A: Vacation destination (RESORT AREA); 11A: Invoice nos. (AMTS.); 16A: Sikh leader (GURU); 17A: Almighty (OMNIPOTENT); 18A: Rush order (ASAP); 19A: Café container (TASSE); 28A: Sample, in a way (SIP); 31A: Flights (LAMS); 38A: 69-Across source (RAIN); 39A: Popular toast (SKOAL); 41A: Morning or evening, e.g. (NOUN); 42A: Let in (ADMIT); 46A: One- to ten-yr. investments (T-NOTES); 49A: Org. that included the Benelux countries (EEC); 50A: Waist management items (CORSETS); 52A: Big mouths (MAWS); 54A: Covered up (HID); 55A: 19-Across prefix (DEMI-); 63A: Special treatments (RED CARPETS); 66A: Sport (WEAR); 68A: Singing syllables (LA LA); 69A: Urban runoff cause (STORM WATER); 3D: Some are deadly (SINS); 4D: Lyric poet (ODIST); 5D: Nullifies (REPEALS); 6D: General on a menu (TSO); 8D: Marsh stalk (REED); 10D: Be present (ATTEND); 12D: It helps maintain posture (MUSCLE TONE); 13D: Silk Road component (TRADE ROUTE); 14D: Like some fast planes (SUPERSONIC); 21D: Bedroom accessory (SHAM); 24D: They need tending (BARS); 25D: Like some 24-Down (SMOKY); 27D: Play area (ARENA); 30D: Existing at the beginning (PRIMORDIAL); 32D: Reach (SCOPE); 35D: FDR, HST, etc. (INITS.); 43D: Miffed, with "off" (TEED); 45D: Uncultivated (LOWBROW); 47D: Roughly 35-cubic-foot measures (STERES); 53D: Old Toyota (SUPRA); 56D: Logical beginning? (IDEO-); 58D: Pants part (SEAT); 59D: Usher ending, once (-ETTE); 60D: River of Flanders (YSER); 62D: Gp. with many pieces (NRA); 65D: Bill source (ATM).