Theme: "Pocket change"
And here is a YouTube clip of one of the songs from this album
The reason I chose "Pocket Change" as the theme title is because, well, I found that cool album cover photo and an equally cool song from that album. So there! But if we use it to describe today's puzzle, it fits; we see four entries that are all created from the letters in the word "pocket", so in a sense, we have (a) pocket "change"
In the grid image below, I highlighted the word P-O-C-K-E-T in each of the entries. I was hoping that the remaining letters in each entry would have some added meaning, so I reached out to Taylor Johnson (one of the co-constructors) to further define what this puzzle's all about:
Taylor replied, "It's essentially a letter-bank theme! Basically, the reveal is saying that each of those entries is "made OUT OF POCKET," meaning that the only letters used to make those entries are the letters in (the word) POCKET. Some letters are repeated in some entries, but overall, the only letters that appear are P-O-C-K-E-T. I hope this clears things up! Thanks!"
Across:Taylor said nothing more about whose idea this was, his or Brian's. Both of these gentlemen have scores of published crossword puzzles between them; not sure if this was their first collaboration though
Entries:
17-across. *Odist with a passion for the culinary arts?: COOKTOP POET. Might this inspire the Chairman to embrace this entry? Why not! How about a Moe-l'ick for a change?
Former chef just decides to embark
Doing stir-fry. He went on a lark
Opened restaurant in town
Near the green; what a clown!
'Cause he calls it: "A Wok in the Park"
24-across. *Eight-member band from Seoul, perhaps?: K-POP OCTET. How about another Moe-l'ick?
K-Pop octet conducted a poll
And the question was painfully droll:
"Just because that we lack
Any singer who's black
Do you think that we ain't got no Seoul?"
37-across. *Social media community obsessed with quick kisses?: PECK TOK. Sorry, nothing in this one inspired the Chairman, poetically ... and to be honest, I thought this entry could have been left out
However, after I wrote today's blog, I got an email from the constructors and explained (to this old Boomer) what this meant. Apparently, people who love reading (for example) might have a "community" on Tik Tok that refers to all the people who make videos about books; and they are then known as "Book Tok". I suppose that those who do kissing videos might resemble this one:
48-across. *Beverage sold at a Florida theme park?: EPCOT COKE. I dunno if Brian and Taylor checked first, to see if Disney World features Coca-Cola products, but they do. So, I guess I can let this one slide. And because Disney serves Coca-Cola products, this one inspired a Moe-ku:
Disney hired Coke
To build a new attraction
Called: Fanta - Sea Land
Reveal:
59-across. Like some expenses, and how the answers to the starred clues are made?: OUT OF POCKET. (Described above)
Here's the grid, and then off to the rest of the clues and answers:
1. Casual top?: CAMI.
5. __ page: website introduction: SPLASH. Would've preferred ___ pool for this one; fun!
11. Spanish infinitive: SER. To be in Espanol
14. Stratford-upon-__: AVON. Birthplace of Shakespeare
15. Cause: LEAD TO.
16. Hullabaloo: ADO. Does anyone remember this Hullabaloo?
[theme entry]
19. "Snowden" org.: NSA. Snowden
20. Morsel: TIDBIT.
21. Flavor of some purple ice cream: UBE. I would not want ice cream to taste like this
22. Condition that affects one's ability to focus, briefly: AD/HD.
23. Pastoral: IDYLL.
[theme entry]
26. Word on a shoppe sign: OLDE. Here is a shoppe where you can buy olde signs
28. "Yes __!": SIRREE.
29. Soft "Hey, you": PSST.
32. Great Basin people: UTES.
35. Gets warmer, in a way: NEARS.
36. Prefix in some genre names: ALT.
[theme entry]
39. Jazz guitarist Metheny: PAT.
40. Paris river: SEINE.
42. Catch: HEAR.
43. IDs on tax forms: SSNS. Mine is 123-45-6789. Yours? [don't reply!]
44. Star associated with Venus: SERENA. Her sister; former tennis stars, Venus and Serena Williams. The movie, King Richard, talks about their rise from Compton, CA to being the best sister act in sports
46. Expand: GROW.
[them entry]
51. Catch: HITCH.
55. Infielder played by Bernsen in the "Major League" films: DORN. An interview with Roger Dorn
56. Weep: CRY.
57. Eritrea's capital: ASMARA.
58. Egg cells: OVA.
[theme reveal]
61. Hat similar to a songkok: FEZ. Songkok? What the *?!# is that? Oh, this:
62. "The way things stand ... ": AS IT IS.
63. "Je t'__": French "I love you": AIME.
64. Get too much sun: FRY.
65. Change from residential to commercial, say: REZONE.
66. Educational spots, briefly: PSAS.
Down:
1. Arizona flora: CACTI. CSO to Lucina, Yuman, and yours truly - any other Arizonans I've missed? Here is a picture of a very rare cactus
 |
| Crested Saguaro |
2. Steer clear of: AVOID.
3. Mercurial: MOODY.
4. Image that's subject to interpretation: INK BLOT.
5. Opening: SLOT.
6. Verve: PEP.
7. Relish: LAP UP. "Condiment" did not fit
8. Vinegary sauce: ADOBO. Maybe one of our posters can share a recipe?
9. Brews: STEEPS. As in tea
10. Word with tip or take: HOT. Hot tip; Hot take
11. Driving challenges?: SANDTRAPS. The ones in the photo below are known as "The Church Pews" and were last seen in this past June's U.S.Open Championship held at Oakmont CC outside of Pittsburgh
12. "Thinking Out Loud" singer: ED SHEERAN. Ed and I share the same birthday. Here are some others who were born on this date. And below you can listen to a seasonal song from Mr. Sheeran
13. Driving challenges?: ROAD TESTS. If I recall, I passed on the first go around. Had to parallel park; serpentine through cones; and do it all in a car with a manual gear box. Apparently this is what the PA test involves nowadays
18. Register: TILL. This:
22. Lot unit: ACRE.
24. Fore-and-aft rigged boat: KETCH.
25. [I'm a pig!]: OINK.
27. Outstanding: DUE.
29. Sent along (to): PASSED OFF.
30. Pajama party: SLEEPOVER. Is this a song video you'd play at a sleepover? [contains a few nasty words so beware]
31. Suffering from cabin fever: STIR CRAZY.
33. Pull (out): EKE.
34. Play area: STAGE.
37. Cooped (up): PENT.
38. Bobby of the Bruins: ORR. The best NHL player to wear the #4 sweater?
41. Quite bright: NEON.
43. Pool wear: SWIM CAP. What do you think of this one?
45. Point the finger at: ACCUSE.
47. Very, very: OH SO.
49. Ana of "Love, Victor": ORTIZ. This person:
50. Onetime capital of Japan: KYOTO. Maybe my co-blogger MalMan can comment about Kyoto?
52. Brand of rolled tortilla chips: TAKIS. Total unknown to me. Don't think that I have ever tried them. To those who have, are they any good?
53. Taco topping: CREMA. It's the Mexican version of cream cheese
54. Abhors: HATES.
57. Cathedral area: APSE. Crosswordese
59. Dory propeller: OAR. and 60-across. Dory propeller: FIN. Are clechos.
 |
| 59 across DORY |
 |
| 60 across DORY |
Since I don't have deep pockets, this is all you get for today! Have fun with your comments and/or questions. See you in two weeks
