Hello Cornerites!
sumdaze here. Today's theme is Hot Stuff
Donna Summer sang about Hot Stuff in 1979. Today constructor Steve Faiella takes a different approach. He gave us five starred clues (three horizontal and two vertical). Each is composed of two words such that the first word can follow the word "hot" to make an in-the-language phrase.
17 Across. *Holders of small liquor servings: SHOT GLASSES. HOT SHOT has a few different meanings, including this one from the American Heritage Dictionary: a person of impressive skill and daring, especially one who is highly successful and self-assured.
29 Across. *Facial feature of Frosty the Snowman: BUTTON NOSE. A HOT BUTTON is a topic or issue that is highly charged emotionally or politically.
48 Across. *Theater buff's memento: TICKET STUB. A HOT TICKET is someone or something that is very popular, the current rage.
11 Down. *Top dog: HEAD HONCHO. A HOT HEAD is quick to anger.
28 Down. *Upholstery protectors: SEAT COVERS. The person in the HOT SEAT carries full responsibility for something, including facing criticism or being answerable for decisions or actions.
The reveal is at 62A:
62. Arriving with great speed, and what the first words of the answers to the starred clues are doing?: COMING IN HOT.
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| Shadow the Hedgehog |
Most of the sources I looked at say this phrase has military origins but is now also used metaphorically in business and entertainment promotions. We hear it often in films to mean approaching (too) fast or about to arrive and prepared to begin immediately firing one's weapons. You can probably think of other examples.
For this puzzle, "COMING IN HOT" means that HOT will be the intro to the first word of the starred clue. You might not want to overthink it.
1. Circle dance at a Jewish wedding: HORA.
5. Asparagus units: SPEARS.
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| Advice from Bonnie Plants: Plant asparagus in Spring or Fall in a sunny spot with nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Asparagus takes a few seasons to mature but will reap a harvest for 15 to 30 years, so choose a planting location that will go undisturbed for a long time. |
11. Over-the-top actor: HAM.
Actor Jon Hamm's John Ham SNL skit (2 min.)
15. "That may be true. However ... ": YES, BUT. Good one!
16. CNN's "__ Longoria: Searching for Mexico": EVA. Her mother's name is Ella, her father's name is Enrique, and her sisters' names are Esmeralda, Elizabeth, and Emily.
19. Put on TV: AIR. An 'anachronym' is a word or phrase that remains in usage even as behaviors change. One example is "hang up the phone". I suspect "AIR" is an anachronym from the days when the three major networks broadcast television shows to rooftop antennas.
20. Protective feature of a work boot: STEEL TOE.
21. Tosses in: ADDS.
22. Large body of water: SEA. Did you read about the discovery of a deep-SEA Octopus Garden off the coast of California?
23. Filly sound: NEIGH. Generally speaking, a filly is a female horse who has not yet been bred.
26. Sit a spell: REST.
34. Suffix with prop-: -ANE. PropANE is a three-carbon alkane with the molecular formula C3H8. It is a gas at standard temperature and pressure, but compressible to a transportable liquid. Perhaps that is why these containers are sometimes called "bottles".
36. Play divisions: SCENES. theater clue
37. Ill-suited: INAPT.
42. Natty necktie: ASCOT. The Cambridge Dictionary defines "natty" as "stylish and tidy in every detail".
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| Princess Kate always appears "stylish and tidy in every detail" -- especially when she wears royal jewels. |
43. Private pupils: TUTEES. One being tutored is a TUTEE.
45. Singer Yoko: ONO.
47. Tint: HUE.
50. Shoe bottom: SOLE. intersects with 32 Down. South Korean capital: SEOUL.
52. "To Kill a Mockingbird" novelist Harper: LEE.
54. Gaga review: RAVE. Not "Lady GAGA", although I am sure she gets many RAVE reviews.
56. Pop star Christina known as the "Voice of a Generation": AGUILERA.
61. Valuable rock: ORE.
65. Respectful title: SIR. and 69 Down. Polite titles: MADAMS.
66. Street crosser: AVENUE. Where I live now, avenues run north-south and streets run east-west, but I have also lived in cities where it is the opposite. Which direction do they run in your city?
67. Tot: TYKE. Def.: a small child.
68. Billboards, e.g.: ADS.
70. Mount of Greek myth: OSSA. If you have not done so already, I recommend memorizing this one, as well as 53D, for future solves.
Down:
1. Letters on a British ocean liner: HMS. His (or Her) Majesty's Ship
2. __ and aahs: OOHS.
3. Tooth anchor: ROOT. I've often thought it would be good if humans got a third set of new teeth when they turn 45 years old. If it happened to everyone, it would not seem weird.
4. Bear witness (to): ATTEST.
5. College course outlines: SYLLABI. A syllabus is a document that communicates information about an academic course and defines expectations and responsibilities. Its plural form is not "silly busses".
6. __ moss: gardening material: PEAT. Most gardening gurus now recommend a "PEAT-free" approach. Monty Don's recommendations
7. Canadian fuel giant: ESSO.
8. Not in class: ABSENT.
9. Deeply regret: RUE.
10. MN and NM: STS. Minnesota and New Mexico are STateS. Great clue!
13. "The War of the Worlds" planet: MARS. H.G. Wells authored this book in 1898. Prior to that, he had already published The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor Moreau, and The Invisible Man. goodreads link
18. "Gosh!": GEE.
21. Choreographer de Mille: AGNES. A CSO to a sweet & savvy Cornerite.
24. Dawn goddess: EOS. Greek mythology
25. Native of ancient Peru: INCA.
26. "Something To Talk About" singer Bonnie: RAITT. I like her music but I always forget how to spell her name. Here's the song:
27. Listless feeling: ENNUI.
30. Card game with an edition for colorblind players: UNO. According to Mattel, each colorful card also has a symbol (see below) designed to represent that color so color blind and color sighted players can "compete on equal footing". Does Twister do this, too? ("Footing", get it?)
31. Fortuneteller's card: TAROT.
33. Lauder of makeup: ESTÉE.
38. Grade of black 64-Down: PEKOE. and 64 Down. Steeped beverage: TEA.
39. Overflow (with): TEEM.
41. Stocky antelope: GNU. Apparently there is a GNU Muppet. Who GNU?
44. Fuel additive brand: STP. Yesterday it was 99A. Gas additive brand.
46. Does a favor for: OBLIGES.
49. Disgraced: SHAMED.
50. Taken care of: SEEN TO.
53. Yalie: ELI. Yale University was founded in 1701 in Saybrook, CT as the Collegiate School. In 1718 it was renamed after the Welsh merchant Elihu Yale as a gesture of gratitude for a donation. Henceforth, "ELI" and "Yalie" became nicknames for Yale students.
54. "Alita: Battle Angel" star Salazar: ROSA. IMDb page
55. Extremely dry: ARID. To make an 'extremely dry' martini, pick up the vermouth bottle, consider it, then set the bottle back down.
57. Actress Gershon: GINA. IMDb page
58. E pluribus __: UNUM. "out of many, one"; the motto of the United States of America
59. "The Americans" actor Matthew: RHYS. Matthew Rhys Evans is a Welsh actor. He is also the new Perry Mason.
60. NASA go-aheads: A-OKS.
62. Pic taker: CAM. "Picture" is shortened, so is "CAMera". "Smart phone" does not fit.
63. Reproductive cells: OVA. plural for "ovum"
45. Singer Yoko: ONO.
47. Tint: HUE.
50. Shoe bottom: SOLE. intersects with 32 Down. South Korean capital: SEOUL.
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| When I was in SEOUL, every public bathroom I used had these blue bars of soap. They are attached to metal rods so you just rub your wet hands on them to lather up. |
51. Vim and vigor: OOMPH. I thought for sure I had an error when I saw the two O's.
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| Yesterday we learned that Yorkshire Terriers weigh less than seven pounds (3.18 kgs). |
52. "To Kill a Mockingbird" novelist Harper: LEE.
54. Gaga review: RAVE. Not "Lady GAGA", although I am sure she gets many RAVE reviews.
56. Pop star Christina known as the "Voice of a Generation": AGUILERA.
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| She was born on Dec. 18, 1980, is 5'2", and was a coach on The Voice for seasons 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, & 10. |
61. Valuable rock: ORE.
Identifying Valuable Rocks (1 min.)
65. Respectful title: SIR. and 69 Down. Polite titles: MADAMS.
66. Street crosser: AVENUE. Where I live now, avenues run north-south and streets run east-west, but I have also lived in cities where it is the opposite. Which direction do they run in your city?
67. Tot: TYKE. Def.: a small child.
68. Billboards, e.g.: ADS.
70. Mount of Greek myth: OSSA. If you have not done so already, I recommend memorizing this one, as well as 53D, for future solves.
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| Mount OSSA (a.k.a. Kissavos) It is 6,490 ft. (1,978 meters) high. |
Down:
1. Letters on a British ocean liner: HMS. His (or Her) Majesty's Ship
2. __ and aahs: OOHS.
3. Tooth anchor: ROOT. I've often thought it would be good if humans got a third set of new teeth when they turn 45 years old. If it happened to everyone, it would not seem weird.
5. College course outlines: SYLLABI. A syllabus is a document that communicates information about an academic course and defines expectations and responsibilities. Its plural form is not "silly busses".
6. __ moss: gardening material: PEAT. Most gardening gurus now recommend a "PEAT-free" approach. Monty Don's recommendations
7. Canadian fuel giant: ESSO.
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| I took this pic in Nakusp, BC, Canada while on my cycling trip this past summer. I have been waiting for ESSO to pop up on a Monday ever since! Note: The price is cents per litre. |
8. Not in class: ABSENT.
9. Deeply regret: RUE.
10. MN and NM: STS. Minnesota and New Mexico are STateS. Great clue!
12. Enthusiastic: AVID.
13. "The War of the Worlds" planet: MARS. H.G. Wells authored this book in 1898. Prior to that, he had already published The Time Machine, The Island of Doctor Moreau, and The Invisible Man. goodreads link
18. "Gosh!": GEE.
21. Choreographer de Mille: AGNES. A CSO to a sweet & savvy Cornerite.
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| Agnes George de Mille (September 18, 1905 - October 7, 1993) |
24. Dawn goddess: EOS. Greek mythology
25. Native of ancient Peru: INCA.
26. "Something To Talk About" singer Bonnie: RAITT. I like her music but I always forget how to spell her name. Here's the song:
27. Listless feeling: ENNUI.
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| "Ennui" by Walter Richard Sickert (c.1914) learn more about this painting |
30. Card game with an edition for colorblind players: UNO. According to Mattel, each colorful card also has a symbol (see below) designed to represent that color so color blind and color sighted players can "compete on equal footing". Does Twister do this, too? ("Footing", get it?)
33. Lauder of makeup: ESTÉE.
38. Grade of black 64-Down: PEKOE. and 64 Down. Steeped beverage: TEA.
39. Overflow (with): TEEM.
41. Stocky antelope: GNU. Apparently there is a GNU Muppet. Who GNU?
44. Fuel additive brand: STP. Yesterday it was 99A. Gas additive brand.
46. Does a favor for: OBLIGES.
49. Disgraced: SHAMED.
50. Taken care of: SEEN TO.
53. Yalie: ELI. Yale University was founded in 1701 in Saybrook, CT as the Collegiate School. In 1718 it was renamed after the Welsh merchant Elihu Yale as a gesture of gratitude for a donation. Henceforth, "ELI" and "Yalie" became nicknames for Yale students.
54. "Alita: Battle Angel" star Salazar: ROSA. IMDb page
55. Extremely dry: ARID. To make an 'extremely dry' martini, pick up the vermouth bottle, consider it, then set the bottle back down.
57. Actress Gershon: GINA. IMDb page
58. E pluribus __: UNUM. "out of many, one"; the motto of the United States of America
59. "The Americans" actor Matthew: RHYS. Matthew Rhys Evans is a Welsh actor. He is also the new Perry Mason.
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| His partner on The Americans, Keri Russel, is his partner in real life, too. |
60. NASA go-aheads: A-OKS.
62. Pic taker: CAM. "Picture" is shortened, so is "CAMera". "Smart phone" does not fit.
63. Reproductive cells: OVA. plural for "ovum"
Here's the grid, HOT off the presses:
I liked Steve's HOT idea; however, I wish there was more of a transformation for SEAT and TICKET. I also liked that we had both vertical and horizontal themers today. What do you think? It is difficult to please everyone -- only Some Like it Hot.
"Nobody's Perfect", the final scene from Some Like it Hot (1959)
starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon (2 min.)
40 comments:
Was it my imagination, or did this puzzle have considerably more “crunch” than the “usual” Monday puzzle? (If there is such a thing any more). Take the “ane” of “propane,” for example. (I was going to say, “take the ‘ane” of propane, PLEASE” but am not sure how many people would get the “Henny Youngman” reference.) Anyway, FIR, so I’m happy.
Good morning!
Zip, zip. Gotta love a themeless Monday. Oops. No problems navigating the grid this morning. Noticed the SO to IM. Prince whats-his-name may be NATTY, but he isn't wearing an ASCOT. Excellent effort, Steve, nicely explained sumdaze. (Our little town has streets, circles, places, a way, and a boulevard, but no avenues.)
EVA: We saw several episodes of Longoria's Searching for Mexico. It was all about Mexican cuisine, and for several dishes her eyes denied her GAGA reviews.
SPEARS: My grandfather planted an asparagus bed before I was born, and when I was growing up, we had fresh asparagus every spring.
FIR without erasure. Only unknowns were ROSA, RHYS, and EVA's CNN show (I only know her from Desperate Housewives. Unlike Sub, I found this one old-school Monday easy. Funny how perceptions vary.
Today is
NATIONAL HORROR MOVIE DAY (I used to like them – now they don’t make the cut)
SWALLOWS DEPART FROM SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO DAY (beautiful mission on a beautiful coast)
NATIONAL TV TALK SHOW HOST DAY (every news junkie has a favorite)
NATIONAL BOSTON CREAM PIE DAY (another item for my culinary bucket list)
NATIONAL MOLE DAY (Won’t happen again for 100 years. Any guesses why? (Hint #1: – it isn’t the lawn-destroying animal. Hint #2: - celebrate at two minutes past six AM and at two minutes past six PM.)
YES BUT is a project manager's standard reply to a project change request. "You want a wet bar instead of a coat closet? YES, BUT it will delay the project by 3 days and cost $2,375."
ORG: "This domain is intended as the miscellaneous Top Level Domain for organizations that didn't fit anywhere else. Some non-government organizations may fit here. While mainly non-profits have used this domain, it was never restricted from miscellaneous use." Must be true; it's from Wikipedia.
I had the leather replaced on the seats of my RAV4 at around 100,000 miles. Big bucks. At 200,000 miles, I put SEAT COVERS on for less than $100. Guess what? I like the seat covers better.
Remember Click and Clack's Wardrobe Consultant Ms. Natalie Attired? She was assisted by Joaquin Closet.
Thanks to Steve for the fun Monday grid, and to sumdaze for another terrific review. Sounds like a great bike tour.
Jinx
I think that 6.02x10-23 occurs every year at 6:02 am and 6:02pm. Not every hundred years.
Fast and fun puzzle. I always appreciate the extra layer of challenge for the constructor when there are horizontal and vertical themers - and this one contains a favorite of CC when they cross!
I think Monday cluing for EVA Longoria would have been actor from "Desperate Housewives" but that has been off the air for awhile now, even though it made stars of the main 4 actors
Time to start the day!
Thanks SD for the fun blog and Steve for the puzzle
FIR. Sheesh, more proper names then is reasonable. I count at least nine. This makes this Monday puzzle more crunchy than it has to be. Thank heavens for perps.
The theme was clever, but it wasn't needed for the solve. In fact I didn't even notice the two down answers, hot head and hot seat.
Tony, YES BUT but it won't be 10^23 until October 2123.
Tony, I take it back. The intent by the creators was the every year variety.
And the lesson is "look before you leap, cause I might jump to conclusions."
Took 3:42 today for me to get hot.
I didn't know today's actresses Rosa & Eva (as clued), nor did I know today's actor (Rhys).
I knew today's author (Lee).
There was a theme?
HMS is a designation of ships of the Royal Navy (His Majesty's Ship)
Ocean liners like the Lusitania, Titanic, and Queen Mary were prefixed RMS (Royal Mail Ship) when carrying mail. SS, MV or other prefixes are used when not
Good Morning:
I'm always amused by the different experiences of solvers of each day's puzzle. SubG found today's crunchy, Jinx found it easy (I'm with Jinx). KS thinks 9 proper names is too many, whereas I didn't even notice them. (Many puzzles have 20 or more). Eva, as clued, was a gimme for some, an unknown for others. I'm averse to three letter words (25 today) but many like them as aids to the solve. The only unknown to me today was Rosa, as clued. And, as Inanehiker pointed out about the Monday cluing for Eva, the same standard would dictate Rosa be clued as Parks. I know Matthew Rhys more from Brothers and Sisters but I think he's better known to more people from The Americans because it's a more current show. I liked the theme and I also liked the mixture of vertical and horizontal clues.
Thanks, Steve, for a smooth start to the week and thanks, sumdaze, for the usual fun and fact-filled review. I like Jon Hamm as an actor (Mad Men) but that SNL skit was beyond tasteless. Then again, my opinion of him went down a notch or two upon seeing him in so many ridiculous commercials. Loved the Asparagus and Moot cartoons and the lovely photo of Kate and William. Thanks for the very complimentary CSO.
Have a great day.
Musings
-Shot glaSSeS – I thought of yesterday’s 4 R’s gimmick
-HOT BUTTON issues. I exit conversations where a HOT HEAD is way more fervent than I am
-HOT TICKET: SRO tix for Husker VB last Saturday were $250
-Donating to any .org opens the floodgates for other solicitations
-I tried listening to Yoko ONO’s Why and I lasted about 30 seconds before I asked myself, “Why am I listening and WHY does anyone consider this worth listening to?”
-Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch was great! As Ahab, uh, not so much.
-The only choreography work I remember/admire is what AGNES did for Oklahoma
-Fun and informative write-up Renee!
IM☘️. I too find the variety of responses to our CW puzzles interesting that’s why this corner is so precious. Thank you C.C. for starting it.
I found it fairly easy though the theme eluded me. Thank you Sumdaze for the nice recap.
Before ORE I had gem. I thought COVER somehow too easy. But I finally straightened it all out. So FIR.
I use an expanded definition of “names”, and by my count there are 20 in today’s CW, which normally I would hate, but I knew most of today’s names, so not so bad. Although it took perps for EVA, as I couldn’t remember EVA or AVA, and took several perps for AGUILERA, as I couldn’t recall the spelling. I did FIR quickly, though, with no W/Os. Once again, I did not notice or go back and find the theme. All-in-all, a fun Monday level CW on a Monday, for a change. Thanx SF, for the fun, and thanx too to Sumdaze for the terrific write-up. Sumdaze, your illustration of a tooth has “NERE and blood supply”; I wonder why nobody caught that error. I’m sure it is supposed to say “NERVE and blood supply”. I find it interesting how often something can get published with what should be an obvious typo.
Good Morning! What a nice Monday puzzle. Thanks, Steve, great theme and I enjoyed there were horizontals & verticals.
The SE finished with some lucky WAGs. AGUILERA (spelling??) crossing the unknown GINA and RHYS.
WO: “I” -> Y in syllabi and the final “I” was easy from the much-enjoyed INA Garten.
Thanks, sumdaze for your always lively recap.
IM @ 9:01 - IM, because I’m often the first one (or close) to post, I often find myself “out of step” with other posters here, either thinking the puzzle “easy” when others find it “challenging” or finding it “more difficult” when others find it “easier.” But I don’t generally mind. After all, there’s no penalty here for being a “square peg in a round hole” is there ? I just “keep on keeping on!”
For me, this one seemed easy. FIR, and even got the theme today! Only nits were HMS (as Billocohos said) and AOKS as clued. Companies like Cunard and White Star received construction subsidies for Royal Mail Ships from the British Government. Other merchantmen were referred to as Steam Ships, or later, as Motor Vessels. I always thought of "A-OK" as more of a condition report. Go ahead was, well. "GO", as in "You are GO for liftoff!". Sumdaze, I really.liked the "Age of asparagus" and the "Mute point".
Alita Battle Angel is a must see movie for SciFi fans, there is word of a sequel in the works.
Hmm, coming in hot...
Reminds me of my flight sim game, Battle of Britain. Coming in hot was doubly troublesome before the tricycle landing gear.
Planes of that era were know as tail draggers, because of two main landing gear in front, and a smaller wheel in the tail. If you came in too fast, even a slight tap on the brakes would flip you nose first into the ground. this clip might give you an idea. but I wasn't landing, I was trying to take off. I got a little wiggle picking up speed on the grass that blew my tires...
I think I used this link once before...
Sumdaze says: 14. Not worth debating: MOOT. A MOOT point is a topic where there is no practical reason to continue discussing it because it no longer matters or you will not reach a satisfactory resolution... however there seems to be conflicting definitions. I realize that Ents, and LOTR were fictional, but the word "moot" does have a contradictory meaning...
Hola!
I recall visiting someone whose sofa had clear plastic SEAT COVERS.
Thank you, Steve and sumdaze for the Monday fun.
In Phoenix the AVENUES run north and south and the STREETS go east and west but many are ROADS. In Scottsdale, the designation is ROADS. I live on Thomas Road not too far from Scottsdale ROAD. Most are named after famous persons, and some are Drives. We have Hayden Road, Osborn Road, McDowell Road, McDonald Road (named way before the restaurants), etc. The HAYDENS were early pioneers who operated a ferry on the Salt River.
Have a wonderful day, everyone!
Quick “polite” puzzle, MADAMS and SIRS, pinkies up drinking your PEKOE TEA(S), while we sail on His Majesty’s Steamship.
Then hit an iceberg 🧊in the SE …was looking for a first name for “Matthew” then realized it hadda be TYKE and everything fell into place with RHYS, one of the perped unknown Proper Names saved for the end (bottom) of the puzzle along with ROSA and GUIA
TUTTEES and INAPT, legal but klunky
“Street crosser” chicken wouldn’t fit. (Or was that “road”)
In our town an AVENUE is just a short street in any direction.
Kimchi …._____ food ….. SEOUL
The second part of an act….. SEENTO
Study the SYLLABI cuz there’s gonna be……ATTEST
Off this week, we are busy emptying out our offices…both local hospitals close on Sunday.
HG @ 9:15 ~ They said that curiosity killed the cat and it almost killed my senses and sensibility after a few seconds of hearing whatever that's called emanating from Yoko Ono's body. 😬
SubG @ 11:11 ~ IMO, Life would be boring without square pegs in round holes! Just keep keeping on-your comments are always honest, honorable, and welcome! 😉
Husker Gary, RE: Agnes & Oklahoma. If I remember correctly, the dream sequence ballet in Oklahoma was very bizarre and off-putting. I think ADM may have been using some no-no's to create it. But I was very young at the time, so maybe it was more interpretive than I was ready for. Still, first impressions....🤔😉
Thanks you Steve for a HOT start to the week.
And thank you sumdaze for an entertaining and informative review.
Some favs:
15A YES, BUT. One of those "Games People Play" -- "Why don't you" ... "Yes But ...". This one can go on for quite a while!.
22A SEA. Very cool link. I bet this is ONE thing my grandson doesn't know yet!
34A -ANE. I used to fire my gas kiln with two 100 gallon tanks of PROPANE. As liquid propane evaporates, it cools, and you can see frost forming on the outside of the tank. As the propane level lowers eventually it will become too cold to evaporate and the firing progress will be halted. The solution is to have the tanks refilled well before they are empty.
66A AVENUE. In Baltimore the STREETS generally run N/S and the AVENUES run E/W, but there are some exceptions. In our neighbor D.C., all bets are off!
Cheers,
Bill
Bill, how timely you would mention “Games People Play” the transactional analysis book I first read in its original publication. It made a lasting impression on me, so much so that I just received the E-book version to re-read. I haven’t gotten into it yet, but the one “game” that stands out in my memory is “Ain’t it Awful.” Alas, I’ve seen it many times in life. I’m basically an optimistic person, so I usually don’t go there.
Lucina, am I misremembering the street / avenue layout in Phoenix? As I remember it, both run north/south. The middle of town is dissected by Main, Central or some similar name. Then comes 1st Ave to the west and 1st Street to the east, with the roadway numbers incrementing as you look east or west. I lived on the 5500 block of Parkview Lane, which was between 55th and 56th Aves.
Hi All!
I'm mostly caught up at work and had a Dr apt so,... I've time to puzzle-play today...
Thanks Steve for a fun grid and you Sumdaze for a fantastic review. Love'd the color commentary and comics [I haven't chased the side-links yet].
WOs: stalks -> SPEARS, etna -> OSSA, wAiT -> REST.
EPS: AGNES, ANE, OSSA
Fav: crossing of SEOUL & SOLE (I'm easily amused)
YES, BUT... would kill and improv SCENE. //Improv is "yes, and..."
D-O: on our way back from NOLA, I decided to take 99 from I-10 to I-45 and passed near your neck of the woods at I-69. You see me wave "Hi!"?
SubG - I got the reference at Henny Youngman and yet I'm still a young man.
Jinx - is it Avogadro's day? (TonyExpress gets it too - and then you repented. A MOOT point at this point). FWIW, WikiP is mostly right on .org.
CED - If you used that link before, I don't remember it... LOL COMIN' IN HOT.
CharrlieEcho - I kinda agree re: A-OK. I was thinking "nominal" at 60d ("All systems are nominal, we are GO for launch."). HG - back me up or shoot me down.
Are the Astros capable of winning on their home field in the play-offs (Home-field disadvantage?)? I'll be riveted to Game 7 tonight. I'm hoping for an early blow-out 'cuz I gotta be up at 5:30a for the commute.
Cheers, -T
Dash-T, I must've blinked -- I missed your wave. You were actually closer to us at the Galaxy Blvd exit on 99, only 5 minutes away. I don't envy your commute. We moved up this way, creating a 100-mile daily commute, in hopes it would force me to retire. It took three years, but it worked. Still get up at 5AM, though. Tough habit to break.
Thank You Steve Faiella for a relatively easy Monday Puzzle. I really enjoyed it.
The puzzle completed very fast,, even before I knew I was at the end of the game.
Thank You Sumdaze, for your informative summary in your commentary blog. I was somewhat aware of the theme after I had solved the lower clues... although I am not familiar with the phrase,'Coming in hot'.
It was interesting to note that Asparagus has such a long lived existence that it lasts for 15 to 20 years, ... just like an Apple or a Mango tree. In India, ( I've been told ...) the Asparagus vegetable is called an 'American' vegetable, and commands a hefty premium.
I am familiar with the meaning of the word 'moot', yet Moot Court is the common debating method, for law students, in most Law schools, across the nation ...
In fact, I think, Moot Court is a requirement for law students, as a part of their academic degree program. Maybe somebody else can correct me on this.
Have a great Monday, and a wonderful rest of the week, all you folks,
Puzzling thoughts:
I will take the side of those who found today's puzzle easy - I solved it in about 5 minutes shorter time than my average for solving LAT puzzles
Nevertheless, the puzzle was totally enjoyable, as nearly every word/name was one with which I was familiar; great work Steve F!
Renee, you are quite the blogger! I enjoy all the recaps here but you are doing a fantastic job! Kudos!!
AGNES - aka Irish Miss - I too did not get bogged down by the number of 3-letter words. Whenever a constructor uses the large number of themer letters, it often leads to a glut of 3's. Today, Steve squeezed 6 themer entries into a grid. Total letter count for the entries was 62, or 33% of the puzzle's total letter count. That's pretty unusual and that he kept it with only two entry crossings speaks to how well this puzzle was made. I'd be interested in knowing how many iterations there were before the final grid was accepted
Enjoy the week ahead! I think we are finally over the +100 degree days for 2023 (hope so)
Lucina, I don't often frequent it, but PITCH Pizza on Thomas Rd is a place I visit. You know it?
Hi Y'all! Thank you, Steve, for a fun puzzle that took me over 2 minutes less than anything else I'd filled in a month. Couldn't dredge up what the theme meant until Sumdaze 'splained it. Great expo, Sumdaze.
I think asparagus will last longer than 10-15 years if it isn't bothered. My mother had asparagus along a back fence that had been producing before we moved there in 1945. When she moved out in 1977, I dug it all up and moved it to the farm where it promptly died. I was told I buried it too deep. I didn't think I buried it any deeper than it had been, but something didn't agree with the move.
Marvellous Monday. Thanks for the fun, Steve and sumdaze.
I FIRed in good time, and saw the HOT theme.
Actually at first I saw HOT in SHOT GLASSES.
I also thought we might have a vowel progression - OT, UT, ET, AT but not in 11D. The reveal straightened me out.
No inkblots today.
Perps gave the unknown GINA and RHYS (I think we have had him before).
I noted UNO/ONO and INA/EVA.
THIS Canadian did not recognize MN and NM at first. STS means streets to me (to go with AVENUE). I don’t think ours have any directional rhyme or reason. But I know they do in the west (Edmonton).
Yes sumdaze, I recognize that ESSO photo. The gas prices were higher in B.C.in the summer. We were about $1.60 per litre.
Wishing you all a great day.
Sumdaze takes us through this Faiella PZL...
I always thought Frosty sported a carrot for a nose,
but I confess I haven't been watching the latest animations.
I know AVENUEs cross streets in Manhattan, but don't know if that is a general practice. Anybody know the answer?
~ OMK
____________
DR: One diagonal, near side.
Its anagram (14 of 15) is a call for the attention of a homeless tramp, who also happens to be a honey-making insect.
"HEARKEN, HOBO BEE!"
I liked this puzzle and all your comments.
OMK- in the song, Frosty The Snowman, Frosty has “a BUTTON NOSE and two eyes of coal”. But IRL, I agree that a carrot nose is more common.
In Phoenix AVENUES cross streets
Chairman Moe
Yes I do know PITCH though I did not know it was Pizza specifically. I pass it quite often and when my nephew's girlfriend worked there we would go to eat lunch. There is another PITCH restaurant on Miller and Indian School Road near the Fry's grocery store.
It's been a busy day but I enjoyed finally getting a chance to sit down and read everyone's comments.
DH is a space guy and was not keen on the A-OK either. Personally, I always like the challenge of figuring out which version of "OK" will be used in a given puzzle.
Jinx@6:24. "Sounds like a great bike tour." Not sure if that was snark but I kind of hope it was because it would be very funny LOL if it was. A highlight pic of a gas station is pretty lame (and does not compare to Picard's collection) but it just shows my excitement over XWD puzzles and this blog.
waseeley@12:17. It's great that you can share the Octopus Garden link with your grandson. I bet he loves going with you to the National Aquarium!
C-Moe@2:10. Thanks so much for your kind words and encouragement! They mean a lot coming from you.
Jinx
Central Avenue is the dividing line between streets and avenues. The avenues go to 133rd Avenue at this time but I don't know how far the streets reach. I should pay attention the next time I drive that far. Phoenix is a sprawling metropolis and is bisected by shopping centers, the railroad and other structures.
I usually go to PITCH to buy Scotch or Bourbon
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