Saturday Themeless by Jamey Smith
Today we hear from Jamey Smith and his puzzle was a real challenge for this word cowboy. I told Jamey it was a "delightful struggle" and he replied that was exactly what he was going for! Here is a nice note from him that includes some fun references to his contemporary fills:
Hi Gary,
Many thanks for your fun illustrated write-ups and for giving those of us who make puzzles an opportunity to talk about them. I appreciate all the Crossword Corner bloggers and the solvers who take the time to weigh in.
I’m a native Texan and worked at the University of Texas at Austin, my alma mater, for many years. While there, I moonlighted as a freelance writer for local nonprofits. Now semi-retired, I can devote more time to my real passion: taking it easy. :-) A few years ago, in the mood for a new hobby, I blithely plunged into crossword construction. How hard can it be, I remember thinking. Well, dozens of humbling rejections later, it somehow continues to be an enjoyable and stimulating diversion. That’s been especially true this past year.
I’m finding the LA Times and I are a pretty good editorial match. That’s not to say by any stretch that Rich keeps all my clues. I probably go overboard on pop culture. My clue for CLOUD ATLAS referenced the novel/film by that name (author David Mitchell is a favorite of mine), while GUANTANAMO alluded to a Harold & Kumar movie.
Those who appreciate 80s nostalgia may be glad that my “Dynasty” clue for FOES survived. But [80s brand touted as “The world’s best-fitting jeans”] was evidently a bridge too far for CHIC. Or maybe just too long.
Until next time!
Jamey
1. Arrest: HALT.
5. Dwarf planet named for a goddess: ERIS - Hey,Pluto, you're on our team now!
9. Places to relax: BATHS.
14. Prefix meaning "personal": IDIO - We all have our IDIOsyncracies
15. Caribbean isle seriously damaged by a 1995 volcanic eruption: MONTSERRAT - A minor eruption as seen from the International Space Station in 2009
17. Threshold adjoiner: JAMB - Door JAMB
18. Law enforcement tool that may be triggered by a siren: BODY CAMERA
19. Natural healer: ALOE.
20. First-class freebie on long-haul flights: AMENITY KIT - I never saw one back in seat 43D
20. First-class freebie on long-haul flights: AMENITY KIT - I never saw one back in seat 43D
21. 1959 winner of 11 Oscars: BEN HUR - Charlton Heston did drive the chariot for some closeups
23. Alfred of coffee fame: PEET
24. Mollycoddle: COSSET - The verb COSSET “to treat as a pet, pamper, coddle” is a derivative verb use of the noun COSSET “a lamb raised as a pet.
26. Jocular headlock accompaniment: NOOGIE - My uncles called these "dutch rubs" and they bordered on abuse
26. Jocular headlock accompaniment: NOOGIE - My uncles called these "dutch rubs" and they bordered on abuse
31. Yani __, youngest golfer to win five majors: TSENG - She was #1 in the world for 109 weeks starting in 2008. Now she has fallen to #387 but has earned $10,550,000.
32. Flip out: SNAP
35. Head makeup: SUDS - Beer talk
36. Loose: UNLEASH - Seen more often as an adjective, here it is a verb. as in "He has LOOSED the fateful lightning of his terrible swift sword"
38. Some holy city dwellers: MECCANS - MECCA, Saudi Arabia is Islam's holiest city. A hajj to MECCA by an 11-yr-old girl
40. They go with guys: GALS - not
41. Ithaca opening: IOTA - Ιθάκη - Ithaca in Greek letters
43. Pirogue, e.g.: CANOE - Great for huntin' gators
44. Campaign buy: SPOT AD - Some broadcasts are now showing them in split screen mode while there is a break in the action
46. Reply card, say: INSERT.
48. Viral internet item: MEME - You can generate your own at this site
50. NFL highlight reel clip: TD PASS.
53. Barista's concoction: CAFFE MOCHA - CAFE AU LAIT fit beautifully but...
58. Get in the game: ANTE - Ya gotta pay to play!
59. Reference for budding meteorologists: CLOUD ATLAS - The cover of the 1956 edition with a page. Not the movie Jamey was thinking of
62. Capone capturers: T MEN - Eliot Ness worked for the treasury department and was not a g-man (FBI)
64. Stone massage sites: SPAS.
65. Class with poses: YOGA - Here's a bunch of 'em
Down:
1. Muslim veil: HIJAB - Generally, they can't be worn for passport or driver's license pictures
3. Citrus liqueur: LIMONCELLO - Ubiquitous in southern Italy. We sampled some at a concession stand near Pompeii.
7. Thorough: IN DEPTH
8. Composer Jule: STYNE - His song (lyrics by Bob Merrill) People, was almost cut from Funny Girl
9. Reach ahead of: BEAT TO.
10. Private employer: ARMY - Also a general employer
11. Wisconsin-based bike brand: TREK - Headquarters in Waterloo, WI
8. Composer Jule: STYNE - His song (lyrics by Bob Merrill) People, was almost cut from Funny Girl
9. Reach ahead of: BEAT TO.
10. Private employer: ARMY - Also a general employer
11. Wisconsin-based bike brand: TREK - Headquarters in Waterloo, WI
12. Spydom name: HARI - Myth?
Buzz Aldrin |
22. Bob Jones Award org.: USGA - He never turned pro and so Yani Tseng a lot more money
25. Parrot: ECHO.
27. Prime spot for stargazing?: OSCAR PARTY - Hey, this meme generator stuff is fun!
28. Cuban city with a U.S. Navy base: GUANTANAMO - Not the movie Jamey wanted
29. SSN, e.g.: ID NO.
30. To be, in Latin: ESSE - You don't have to be a rocket scientist to translate this: "ESSE aut non ESSE"
31. Harbor sights: TUGS.
32. Flip out: SNAP.
34. Mononymous supermodel: IMAN - She walks our cwd runway frequently
37. Jazz group guy: SIDEMAN - Backup players for featured artists like Louis Armstrong
39. In the loop: CCED.
42. Accessory with a suit: TIE CLIP - I don't see TIES or TIE CLIPS much anymore
45. Artist Modigliani: AMEDEO - Painter, sculptor noted for elongation. Yeah, I knew that 😏
49. Big name in apple products: MOTTS - Small "a"
51. "The Girl Who Played With Fire" author Larsson: STIEG - Flickan Som Lekte Med Elden in his native Swedish. More
52. Medicinal shrub: SENNA - This plant produces sennosides which are the active ingredients in many laxatives. I wonder who first discovered this?
52. Medicinal shrub: SENNA - This plant produces sennosides which are the active ingredients in many laxatives. I wonder who first discovered this?
54. Spaghetti __ puttanesca: ALLA.
55. Krystle and Alexis on the 1980s "Dynasty," e.g.: FOES - Yeah, I'd say...
56. Stew: FUME - Krystle appears to be FUMING above
57. Maui's famously twisty Road to __: HANA - One of the stops on this twisty highway is Charles Lindberg's gravesite.