Saturday, Mar 30th, 2013, Barry C. Silk

Theme: Saturday Silkie

Words: 68 (missing F,J,Z)

Blocks: 28

  This one was a fun romp for yours truly today, as I was done well within my personal allotted time.  With the exception of one,  I found the answers dwelling deep inside my crossword cranium.  Triple 9- and 10-letter triple stacks in a pinwheel grid, with some notables:

31. Ambergris source : SPERM WHALE - ambergris is essentially "poop"; a substance found in the digestive system- the Wiki

42. Relatives of penny dreadfuls : DIME NOVELS - I got the "DIME" part, and novels seemed to make sense; some interesting reading; made me think of "pulp fiction" - but I'll refrain from a movie clip

57. Instigator of '70s-'80s wars : BURGER KING - I half expected this to be so variation of Coca-Cola or Pepsi; once the perps filled in, I recalled the 'other' war of the same time period - that between the answer and McDonald's.  I am a BK fan myself; they have sweet potato fries now~!

Onward~!

ACROSS:

1. Its goal is to include "all words in all languages" : WIKTIONARY - I don't usually visit this part of Wikipedia

11. Walker of the 1960s 76ers : CHET - all from the perps; not a basketball fan

15. Approaching the hour : A QUARTER TO - First line of a Blue Öyster Cult song (a quarter to 'five')

16. Bar mitzvah staple : HORA - feeling better, Lemon?

17. Retreats : RUNS SCARED

18. Without restraint : AMOK - not FREE

19. The Panthers of the Big East : PITT - from Pittsburgh

20. Bond first bought by FDR in 1941 : SERIES E - hey, I found a clip of the president pitching the idea~!

22. Heavenly approach? : STAIRWAY - No Stairway, denied~! (to Heaven, a la Led Zeppelin)

27. Open living rooms : LANAIs - why do I think this is called a "patio"?

28. Schools overseas : ECOLES - Frawnch for "school"

30. Spartan toiler : HELOT - I dug this one out from deep within my skull

35. Wiped out, with "in" : DONE

36. Texting nicety : THX - 'Thanks', and I am guilty of using it

37. Birds with colorful mates : PEAHENS - it's the male peaCOCKs (easy there) that have the plumage

39. Little break : NAP

40. Tim of "WKRP in Cincinnati" : REID

44. Dramatist Chekhov : ANTON - crossword staple, so I got it

46. Caved : GAVE IN

47. Ancient Mexican : TOLTEC - because AZTECS is more than one Mexican

49. Fertile Crescent area : NEAR EAST

53. Musical name that means "Love God" : AMADEUS - huh, well, that makes sense AMA, DEUS

55. Mid-second-century date : CLII - Roman 152; the second century was 101-200

56. Actress Rowlands : GENA - another crossword staple

62. Hydrocarbon endings : ENEs - propene, octene, etc.

63. Sign of a bad waiter : IMPATIENCE - went to a Japanese Hibachi restaurant last night - I dig the "stunt cooking" - the chef pitched broccoli florets to us to catch in our mouths

64. British side : MASH - bangers (hey now) and mash - sausage and potatoes

65. Take over : COMMANDEER

DOWN:

1. They may be found in board examinations : WARPS - HA~!!! I put in KNOTS first - carpenter's clue

2. Resigning words : I QUIT - felt like walking out at UPS today - not enough vans running for a holiday weekend

3. Kinte in "Roots" : KUNTA

4. More palatable : TASTIER

5. E-file org. : IRS

6. Nasdaq predecessor : OTC - just like the "Monday" cluing, this is Over-The-Counter finance

7. PBS benefactor : NEA

8. LAX datum : ARRival

9. They usually involve turns: Abbr. : RTEs

10. Singing cowboy's refrain : YODEL

11. Bound, in a way : CHAINED

12. Film in which Marv says, "He's only a kid, Harry. We can take him." : HOME ALONE

13. Caused by weathering : EROSIONAL

14. Act : TAKE STEPS

21. Fan sound : RAH

23. Ottawa-based enforcement gp. : RCMP - Royal Canadian Mounted Police - another Blue Öyster Cult song, also in the first line

24. Amazed : WOWED

25. Ron Reagan's first secretary of state : AL HAIG - full name, nice

26. Cat's assent : "YEAH MAN~!"

29. Record holder : SLEEVE

31. Gambit : STRATAGEM

32. Events : PHENOMENA

33. Turnoffs : EXIT LANES - good misdirection; not 'bad breath', e.g.

34. Octa- plus one : ENNEA - I study the Personality Types of the Enneagram; I know Yellowrocks does, too - I am a Five with a Four-wing

38. Liszt's "Harmonies du __" : SOIR - this was the one that was totally out of my wheelhouse

41. A, to Morse : DOT DASH

43. Unlike crews : V-NECKED - The VN--- was there, and I thought "no....oh wait~!" - we're talking T-shirts here

45. Formerly : NEE

48. __ yard : CUBIC

50. Dress with a flare : A-LINE

51. Subsequently : SINCE

52. Clemson player : TIGER

54. Sport for heavyweights : SUMO

58. Dash letters : RPM

59. Pinup highlight : GAM - can't get out without linking some GAMS, you know me~!

60. Frat vowel : ETA

61. Film dog's first name? : RIN - tin-tin, that is; not ASTA

Splynter

Friday March 29, 2013 Jack McInturff

(Note from C.C.: Today's blog is a collaborative effort between Lemonade & Boomer, who had another 300 on Monday. Five perfect games this season! Lemonade had set up the whole clue/answer list, analyzed the theme & wrote a few comments, but did not feel well enough to continue. He was sick the week before, then last week's trip to Colorado and cold weather did not help. Get well soon, Lemonade!)

Theme: What the H?

Jack is back and he has given a tricky letter(s) substitution, where the letters "TR" are removed from the start of the final word of four common phrases and replaced with "H" to create a new and humorous answer. There is also a unifier, of sorts.

16A. Hide cyberspace crimes? : COVER ONE'S (TR)HACKS. (13). I have no idea how hackers hack, but I know how trackers track.

27A. Amsterdam cops? : DUTCH (TR)HEAT (9). I am not one for going Dutch on a date; if she can afford it I am man enough to let her pay.

35A. Objects of poolside ogling? : SWIMMING (TR)HUNKS.(13).

47A. Hayseed that doesn't tip? : CHEAP (TR)HICK.

57A. NBA military appreciation initiative, and a hint to this puzzle's theme : HOOPS FOR TROOPS.

Across:

1. Beginning to bat? : ACRO.  A tricky beginning  ACROBAT, not a baseball reference.                       

5. Styptic stuff : ALUM. Since they made the razors better, I have not seen one in years but they still work, I imagine. LINK.

9. Leapfrog : FLIT. Jack will have to explain this one, as I do not see the connection, and I do not want to start a war of unPC definitions.

13. Cleaver kid : BEAV. Wally always called his little brother this. Another answer, I must skate around and hope we get some of Lois' perfect edgy style.

14. Collaborative website : WIKI.

15. Actress Anderson : LONI. Poor Burt is going down the tubes. (Starting Boomer... Beautiful Loni was from Highland Park Minnesota.

19. Macbeth or Hamlet : ROLE. Did any of our band ever play one of these?

20. Most cozy : HOMIEST.  Where Joe Mauer and Buster Posey play.

22. "Where ___": 1996 Beck hit : IT'S AT.

25. Mr. ___: Dr Pepper rival : PIBB.

26. Bemoan : RUE.  Also one of the Golden Girls.

30. "Barnaby Jones" star : EBSEN.  Buddy was originally cast as the tin man in "Wizard of Oz", but was allergic to the silver makeup.

32. Editor's mark : STET.  Add a "SON" and you have cologne.

33. Strong-legged bird : EMU.

34. Pendleton Act pres. : CAA. Chester A. Arthur.

40. Writer Marilyn ___ Savant : VOS ?!

41. Chambéry shout : CRI.  That's four three letter "words" in a row that are a bit vague.

42. Olive, for one : TREE.  If this were three letters, I would guess OYL.

44. Parting word : ADIEU.  "My best of friends ADIEU.  I can no longer stay with you.  I'll hang my heart on the weeping willow tree, and may the world go well with thee!"

49. Push for payment : DUN. 

50. Peppy : SPRY.

52. Malága to Cádiz dirección : OESTE (West).  One language is tough enough.

53. Like the L.A. Times Building : ART DECO.  I have never seen the building.  I thought Art Deco was the guy who played Santa Claus at the office Christmas party.  Or maybe that was Art VanDelay.

55. Nitwit : BOOB. I know a different clue for this word.

62. Broadway governess : ANNA."The King and I"?

63. The Supremes or Cream : TRIO.  Kingston and Chad Mitchell are my favorites.

64. Remote button : MUTE.  I use this frequently on Bert Blyleven Twins telecasts.

65. Honey drink : MEAD.

66. Realizes : SEES.

67. Victim of spoilage? : BRAT.  My son's name is Bret.  I named him correctly but I spelled it wrong. 

Down:

1. "Shark Tank" airer : ABC

2. Corp. leader : CEO

3. ___ 4: Toyota SUV : RAV

4. Like some imaginations : OVER-ACTIVE.  I'll never admit it though.

5. MP's concern : AWOL.  "Where to get donuts" didn't fit.

6. Pickup opener : LINE.  Joey on Friends used "How you doin'",  But I think you also need to be rich and look like him.

7. Ho's instrument : UKE.  The Uke was invented in Portugal, not Hawaii. But the Hawaiians figured out what to do with it.

8. Cause of a big slice : MISHIT.  I can slice even when I hit it well. Careful how you say this word.

9. Mardi Gras torch : FLAMBEAU.  Never heard of this.  What do they call the shiny beads?

10. Focal points : LOCI

11. Cartoonists, at times : INKERS.  Okay, and other times as an ST on the front.

12. Offer to one who's been recently blessed? : TISSUE.  Or peeled an onion.

17. "Goodbye, Columbus" author : ROTH (Philip). My clue would be Hall of Fame PBA bowler Mark.  Now recovering from a stroke at a young age. 

18. Fireside shelf : HOB

21. Common base : TEN.  OR - the pin that's most common to leave.

22. Points a finger at : IDS.  The IDS Tower is still the tallest building in Minneapolis.

23. Sounds of disdain : TUTS.

24. Difficult spot : STEW.  The beef kind tastes the best.

25. Potbellied : PAUNCHY.  Middle age dilemma.  Eat your vegetables.

28. Clothes lines : HEMS

29. Brt. recording heavyweight : EMI

31. Peace rally slogan : BAN THE BOMB.  In the 60s, folks were building shelters.  Thank God we never had to use them.  But I often wondered why someone would stay underground and eat thirty days worth of food, only to return above ground to find that all of the Target stores and bowling centers were gone. 

34. Hairy "pet" : CHIA.  This replaced the pet rock as a Christmas present for in-laws.

36. Clicking site : MOUSE PAD.  Also the place where the mouse lives.  My garage was a mouse pad this winter.  I got them though.  They should have built a shelter.

37. Ph.D. seeker's exam : GRE

38. Brooklyn Nets forward Humphries : KRIS.  Originally from my home town, Hopkins, Minnesota.  55343

39. Dissenting group : SECT. 

43. Barely earn, with "out" : EKE

44. Oklahoma city : ADA.  Also a city in Northern MN.

45. Duke's home : DURHAM.  Also home of the minor league Bulls. Great Movie, remember Crash Davis?

46. Chant : INTONE

47. Seals's partner : CROFTS.  Originally Darrell, aka Dash.  Summer Breeze makes me feel fine.  Still waiting this year.

48. In need : POOR

51. Mac alternatives : PCs

54. Spanish address : DONA.  On a wagon, Bound for market, There's a calf with a mournful eye.

55. Creamy spread : BRIE

56. Early Nebraskans : OTOS - This is a great Band of Native Americans.  They were known as Southern Sioux, and settled near what is now the SD / NE border on the Missouri River.  Brule, South Dakota is the small town there, with a nine hole golf course and some of the best fishing in the Midwest. 

58. Pay dirt : ORE

59. Word of sharing : OUR

60. Class-conscious org.? : PTA - Harper Valley had an issue with theirs.

61. Prepared : SET - Three games of bowling is now called a set. We used to call it series. I guess either works for me.

Lemonade & Boomer 

Interview with Jeff Hyson and Victor Barocas

Some of you might remember Victor Barocas from the Minnesota Crossword Tournament recap I put on the blog in early Feb, or this fantastic "Latin Square" rebus puzzle he made for the Chronicle of Higher Education puzzle in 2011, or this Blind Carbon Copy puzzle where CC is hidden inside the black squares, or this "Three Musketeers" puzzle we solved in 2012. His puzzles are always inventive and original. 

Jeff Hyson finished 36th in this year's ACPT. He beat Peter Gordon and Rich Norris :-) Jeff also test-solved all the MN tournament puzzles for Victor and provided very valuable  feedback to constructors. Congrats on the debut, Jeff!

How did you start collaborating on this puzzle? I presume Jeff came up with the FLOAT idea?

Jeff:  Victor and I met at the 2012 ACPT in Brooklyn by sheer chance. It was my first ACPT and I just happened to sit near him; we discovered we were both academics and spent the rest of the weekend chatting between rounds and over lunch. After the tournament, Victor asked if I wanted to test-solve some of his puzzles, which I happily did -- his grids are really creative and very smooth, and it was fascinating to get an inside look at the construction process. After a while, Victor asked if I'd be interested in co-constructing a puzzle, and I leaped at the chance. He already had the FLOAT theme and the grid all in place; I took responsibility for the clues.

Victor: Jeff pretty much said it all.  We got along well, and I like working with other people, so it seemed like something worth trying.

Did you each fill and clue half the grid? What did the collaborative process look like?

Jeff:  Victor came up with the FLOAT theme and filled the grid. Once he sent that to me, I came up with the clues. Since this was my first-ever shot at crossword construction, I wasn't always sure how to pitch the clues' difficulty, but I looked back at some previous LAT crosswords to get a sense of the proper style and challenge. After I'd drafted a full batch of clues, Victor offered some suggested edits, and after a couple of further back-and-forths, he sent everything off to Rich Norris. Rich then gave his own very helpful suggestions, including a requested revision of one corner to eliminate an unacceptable entry (IED, if I recall?). Victor redid that part of the grid, the last few clues got written (mostly by Victor and Rich, I believe), and that was that.

Victor: Again, not much to add.  I have never split a grid in half - is that how you and Don do it? (From C.C.: Yes, Don and I split up grids most of the time.)
 

What's your background and how did you get into crossword construction?

Jeff: I'm a history professor at Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia, specializing in American cultural, intellectual, and environmental history. I've long had enormous admiration for constructors but had never attempted making a puzzle myself. As I got more deeply into solving over the past few years, I did try to make a couple of grids but soon gave up in frustration. Victor's offer of co-constructing and starting with the clues was a great opportunity to test the waters. Now I think I'm ready to swim a little deeper and give solo constructing another shot.

Victor: I am in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Minnesota (Go Gophers!), specializing in soft-tissue mechanics.  I have been doing crosswords for as long as I can remember, and after getting a little more into them in the last few years, I decided to take a shot at constructing. I like trying to fit the words together.
 

What kind of themes and fill thrill you and what kind do you try to avoid in your grids?

Jeff: I'll let Victor talk about his constructing strategies and preferences. As a solver, I truly do enjoy themes like this one for FLOAT: several seemingly unrelated theme entries linked through a surprising revealer. I'm also a sucker for good puns and wordplay, provided that the entries/clues aren't so "wacky" that they feel totally forced. For fill, I'm especially strong at pop culture (I teach a course on the history of US pop culture, and I have two middle-school kids, so I'm up on current fads), so I enjoy the satisfaction of picking up on a relatively obscure movie or TV reference. Not surprisingly, then, I often click with Brendan Emmett Quigley's puzzles; his ACPT #3 this year was where I really hit my stride.

Victor: Fundamentally, the puzzle should be about the solver, not the constructor, so I want to make puzzles in which the solver gets to have the aha moment (either with or without a revealer's help).  I will generally sacrifice a theme entry to get better fill - bad fill almost guarantees a bad solving experience. I'll sometimes try to do weird things with the puzzle, but that runs the danger of making it about me rather than the solver, so sometimes it doesn't work out.


Both of you are fast solvers, how many puzzles do you solve every day and who are your favorite constructors?

Jeff:  I get in to the office pretty early every day, so I try to run through the usual daily puzzles on Amy Reynaldo's Crossword Fiend site (NYT, LAT, CrossSynergy, Newsday) before buckling down to work. If you add in the various weekly puzzles (BEQ, AV Club, WSJ, Reagle, Fireball, etc.), I probably do 5-6 puzzles a day on average. I'll also sometimes solve a couple more from books at bedtime. Before each ACPT, I bought a couple of additional puzzle books to get my paper-solving skills up to speed, so I was probably up to 10 a day in those last couple of weeks. As I said above, I'm a huge fan of Brendan Emmett Quigley's puzzles for their creativity and currency. Matt Gaffney's metas are often astonishing in their ingenuity; I've probably had more "how-did-he-do-that" moments with his puzzles than with anyone else's. And for sheer, smooth, consistent brilliance, I don't think anyone can touch Patrick Berry. (Oh, and Victor's not bad, either!)

Victor:  I do 2-3 puzzles most days.  Five would be a lot.  Patrick Berry is the best, and I especially like that he uses Greek and Roman history or mythology, which is both a strength for me and a nostalgic pleasure because I spent a lot of time with the classics in high school. I have never seen a Mike Nothnagel puzzle that I didn't like, and I also like  Peter Gordon and Patrick Blindauer. I thought that Andrew Ries's recent contest was superb.  Finally, I always struggle with Joon Pahk's puzzles because his cluing doesn't jibe with my thinking somehow, but it's a good struggle and never feels unfair, so I am always excited when I see his byline.

Besides crosswords, what else do you do for fun?

Jeff: I'm a big sports fan, though the Philadelphia teams are testing my loyalties even more than usual these days. My son and I attended second and third round NCAA tournament games in Philly this weekend; seeing #15 seed Florida Gulf Coast University upset #2 Georgetown was one of my all-time greatest sports-spectator experiences. I also play piano and sing (my wife and I met in the Yale Glee Club), though not as much as I used to Before Kids. And I enjoy playing board games with my son and daughter, who are the funniest people I know. 

Victor: I like to do stuff with my family, I read a fair amount, and I play racquetball a couple of times a week.  I share Jeff's affection for sports and pain at being shackled with lousy teams (but, boy, can that Adrian Peterson run!). I also have a great job, and I enjoy all aspects of it: doing research, teaching classes, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, and even some of the administrative work.