Monday, October 27, 2008

Note: I'm on vacation (DisneyWorld) this week with little to no access. I wrote this post last week before I left, and it is going to be briefer than usual. Also, don't be offended if I don't respond to comments. See you next week.

Title: The Old College Try
Author: Joon Pahk
Theme: Ivy League team names

• 20a: Prog rock band with guitarist Robert Fripp (KING CRIMSON). Harvard.


• 11d: Song on the Beatles' "Yellow Submarine" album (HEY BULLDOG). Yale. According to Wikipedia, Bulldogs are the third most common college mascot, after Eagles and Tigers. Who knew?




• 29d: Outwardly powerful but inwardly weak person (PAPER TIGER). Princeton.


• 58a: They're found at the ends of 20-Across and 11- and 29-Down (IVY LEAGUERS).

Some people might consider this theme vaguely arbitrary, since there are eight Ivy League schools of which only three are represented. While it is true that "complete set" themes are really nice, consider that:

1. Jamming eight entries into a 15x15 puzzle is insane.


2. Finding an unrelated phrase that includes BIG RED and BIG GREEN is likely impossible.


3. Few that didn't go to one of the snubbed schools would argue that Harvard, Princeton, and Yale are the crown jewels of the Ivy League.

So, I've got no problem here at all.

Answers with few comments and no pictures:

• 5a: D-Day beach (OMAHA). Also a poker varient.


• 10a: Counterfeit (SHAM).


• 14a: "___, I'm a Big Girl Now" ("Hairspray" song) (MAMA). Didn't know, but easy to figure. Here it is.


• 15a: Bravery in battle (VALOR). Goes nicely with 16a: Statue subject, perhaps (HERO).


• 17a: Farm team members (OXEN). Baseball misdirection.


• 18a: Prosperous outlying community (EXURB).


• 19a: Church choir song (HYMN).


• 23a: Android, for short (BOT).


• 24a: Fraternal order member (ELK).


• 25a: "Chains of Love" pop duo (ERASURE). Didn't know this.


• 27a: Determine the worth of (APPRAISE).


• 32a: Flowerpot spot (SILL).


• 33a: "___ of Love" (1989 Al Pacino film) (SEA). Also with Ellen Barkin and John Goodman. Tense film. I recommend it.


• 34a: Skirt fold (PLEAT).


• 36a: Does nothing (LOLLS). Like me, right now perhaps, next to a pool at the Caribbean Beach Resort... Mmmmmm....


• 39a: Nile biters (ASPS).


• 41a: Big name in jeans (LEVIS).


• 43a: Menu next to File (EDIT).


• 44a: Whittier College's team nickname (POETS).


• 46a: Fender bender reminders (DENTS).


• 48a: Female reproductive cells (OVA).


• 49a: Heinie (REAR).


• 51a: 1942 Albert Camus novel, with "The" (STRANGER).


• 53a: Dilapidated place (RAT TRAP). Love it.


• 56a: Dir. from Staten Island to Shelter Island (ENE).


• 57a: Bush's nickname for senator Barbara Boxer (ALI).


• 64a: Scrubbed, as a space mission (NO GO).


• 66a: Cause to panic (ALARM).


• 67a: One of two answers on a simple test (TRUE).


• 68a: Reprimand, with "out" (CHEW).


• 69a: Olduvai ___ (archaeological site in Tanzania) (GORGE).


• 70a: End of a vague threat (ELSE).


• 71a: Fabled race runner-up (HARE).


• 72a: Forest moon inhabited by Ewoks (ENDOR).


• 73a: Make a big stink? (REEK).


• 1d: Out of control (AMOK).


• 2d: Metered vehicle (TAXI).


• 3d: Sign of what's to come (OMEN).


• 4d: Nativity scene item (MANGER).


• 5d: Much more than what is required (OVERKILL).


• 6d: Full-length skirt (MAXI).


• 7d: Grad (ALUM).


• 8d: Clydesdale, e.g. (HORSE).


• 9d: Bowers (ARBORS).


• 10d: Librarian's admonishment (SHH).


• 12d: Strong suit? (ARMOR).


• 13d: "The Count of ___ Cristo" (MONTE).


• 21d: Applaud (CLAP).


• 22d: Get exactly right (NAIL).


• 26d: Plum relative used to flavor gin (SLOE).


• 27d: "Stat!" (ASAP).


• 28d: Coin of Cuba (PESO).


• 30d: Likely tournament finalist (SEED).


• 31d: Roof overhangs (EAVES).


• 35d: Slight coloration (TINT).


• 37d: Like many sports broadcasts (LIVE).


• 38d: Capital indicator on a map (STAR).


• 40d: Put back in after striking out (STET).


• 42d: Flowing ribbon, as at a party (STREAMER).


• 45d: Wraparound garment (SARI).


• 47d: Performed in an a cappella group (SANG).


• 50d: Lay waste to (RAVAGE).


• 52d: Like some German nouns (NEUTER).


• 53d: Dressing option (RANCH).


• 54d: Hello, in Hilo (ALOHA).


• 55d: End zone marker (PYLON).


• 59d: Rendered fat used in cooking (LARD).


• 60d: Hence (ERGO).


• 61d: First name in courtroom fiction (ERLE). Also, the first name of Halliburton. Maybe I will remember that...


• 62d: Bit of skulduggery (RUSE).


• 63d: Search out (SEEK).


• 65d: Be in the red (OWE).

Note to all you constructors out there. Easy doesn't have to be boring. And this puzzle is an example of a well-executed Monday. Interesting fill and clues, all easily gettable, make for a pleasant solve. Nice job.

Thanks for listening.

- Pete M.