google.com, pub-2774194725043577, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 L.A.Times Crossword Corner: D-Otto Birthday Puzzle

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Sep 16, 2013

D-Otto Birthday Puzzle

Happy Birthday to dear D-Otto!

He is one of the very few who read every word my blogging team write. He's also been unfailingly kind and caring to our blog posters, always responsive to those who need help or post a great link/comment.

I made this crossword to celebrate his birthday. The clues are about mid-week difficulty. You don't need to know him to solve this grid.

This puzzle comes in two versions (same Answer Grid, but a handful clues differ):

1) If you are a blog regular, please click here  for PDF file (click on Download at the top right), here for puz file; (Thanks, Erik Agard for teaching me how!)

2) If you are just a blog reader & not familiar with some blog insider talk, please click here  for PDF, and here for puz file.

Spoiler alert: Here is the Answer Grid.
 
Thanks to Marti & Argyle for editing my clues & catching my various goofs. Thanks also to Splynter for test-solving Version 2 and giving me great feedback.

I hope you enjoy the puzzle and I look forward to your comments.

Now, Dave,  please find the perfect cake!


Sheng Ri Kuai Le, D-Otto!

C.C.


19 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday, Desper-Otto. Hope you have a great day, and how special to have your very own puzzle. I will solve the puzzle later today.

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  2. Happy birthday D-Otto. Have a great day.

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  3. A very Happy Birthday, D-Otto, and congratulations on the puzzle. I acutally framed mine when it was done and have it hanging in my office; makes a good conversation piece.

    Hope you have a fun day.

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  4. Happy Birthday D-Otto. I solved your puzzle first and had fun with it. Got every thing ok but needed spelling help w/ Mood Indigo. Very well done by C.C. and the check solver's work was generous as well. Hope you have a great day.

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  5. Happy Birthday Desper-otto. I was going to suggest you frame both versions. Make sure you take a copy to give to Harold on your march.

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  6. Happy Birthday, D-Otto. Will do the puzzle later. Hope you have a great day.

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  7. Happy Birthday D-Otto.
    My first "toast" at Sunset is to you!
    Cheers!!!

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  8. Happy birthday , Desper-Otto, and many more ahead. Hope you have memorable couple of days ahead.

    I will solve " your ". Puzzle next.

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  9. Happy Birthday D-Otto.

    I always enjoy your posts..

    I rember Roy G Biv from high school science.

    Loved the Esau song.. I had never heard it before.
    It was a great day yesterday.. The two teams I root for won yesterday in the last seconds.. Buffalo and Houston.. Yea

    Kathryn

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  10. 6ACROSS clue is neat.

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  11. HBDTY< HNDTY HBBDDO< HBDTY and many more

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  12. Anyone else go for DISTROPHIES on 60A? That and PRE-pass kept me from getting this MONDAY puzzle done in a single pass.

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  13. I had trouble with this tribute, as the phrase we learned in school was OMNIA VINCIT AMOR, which led to lots of do overs.

    I also think it is cute how you think knowing the old Detroit Tiger shortstop with the weird batting style would be known by many. He was from Hartford Connecticut, so I did follow his career which overlapped my pre-teen to early 20's when I was very much a baseball fan. The 1968 wor;d series team with Denny McClain and Mickey Lolich was special. I believe he was one the few major leaguers who played an entire season without grounding into a double play.

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  14. C.C., nice TRIBUTE puzzle! I made a feeble attempt at a crossword for my family one Christmas with clues and answers only they would know (name of first family pet, etc) but there was no fill whatsoever - loads of black. Still don't know how you constructors do it....

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  15. Wow, that was a tough puzzle for me!

    Fav=28D Silver wear=Saddle

    51A Abes? I always thought slang for $5 was a fin, which really messed up my batting stance & at bats...

    Never saw a SMEW before.

    & I never heard Mood Indigo.

    13D driving need,,, I had car. When I finally found "rods," I forgot to change the "C" so 10A Beijing woe is still "smoc."

    D-Otto. hope you did better...

    :)

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  16. Well, I finally finished ~ better late than never! This wasn't easy for me, but I really enjoyed figuring it all out.

    Loved the clues about "Corner people," C.C. And I also liked the baseball related clues. How wonderful to be able to construct something like this!

    Happy Birthday, D-Otto! I'm sure you enjoyed this present!

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  17. Dennis,
    That's sweet!

    Dave,
    You better remember those two "never" entries.

    Lucina et al,
    Please click on the Download button on top right of the PDF link.

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  18. Thank you, C.C. I finally discovered my error and printed the puzzle.

    What fun to have a special puzzle, desper-otto! I do hope your birthday was very special. How nice to be 39, I remember it well. LOL!

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For custom-made birthday, anniversary or special occasion puzzles from C.C., please email crosswordc@gmail.com

Her book "Sip & Solve Easy Mini Crosswords" is available on Amazon.

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