Friday, December 26, 2008

Title: Weekend Warrior
Author: Karen M. Tracey
Theme: None

Sunny Spots:

• 17a: Luau fare (ROAST PORK). Mmmmm... now that sounds good.


• 40a: Brand of cream liqueur (BAILEYS). Booze tag.


• 40d: It's under Wayne Manor (BAT CAVE). Easy, but I like it.

Sundries:

• 1a: The IJsselmeer was part of it before construction of the Afsluitdijk (ZUIDER ZEE). This felt ever-so-vaguely familiar, but not enough to get it without using all of the crossings. And let's face it, the clue was insane.


• 15a: Pushy, perhaps (OBNOXIOUS). I've run into a lot of these people this past week. Funny how Christmas, a season that should bring out the best in people, often does just the opposite.


• 18a: River landing place (LEVEE). Can't think levee without my head going here.


• 22a: Fusion predecessor (ATRA). Shaver names.



• 23a: Mr. Spacely's first name on "The Jetsons" (COSMO).


• 27a: Sitcom alien's home (ORK). "Mork and Mindy" here.


• 30a: With a slight slur, perhaps (TIPSILY). Funny, I don't usually consider tipsiness an attribute of one's speech, but rather of one's ability to walk straight.


• 36a: Title Pixar robot (WALL-E). I finally saw this recently. It was pretty cute.


• 42a: 2008 N.L. Cy Young Award winner Lincecum (TIM). Two baseball first names in the same puzzle? Can't find anyone else named Tim?


• 44a: Lady chapel locale (APSE). I'm not sure what the "Lady" part is for.


• 47a: Half of catorce (SIETE).


• 53a: Shop cleaner (WET/DRY VAC). I've always heard it called a Wet Vac, whether it does both or not.


• 57a: Stress, in a way (ITALICIZE). I've seen this style of clue often enough that it fell right away.


• 59a: Fancy fabrics (LAMÉS).


• 61a: Pet for Hamlet (SNERT). From Hägar the Horrible.



• 62a: Marmaduke, e.g. (GREAT DANE). Continuing the comic theme.


• 1d: 1969 Tony nominee for Best Musical (ZORBA).


• 4d: "Three Soldiers" novelist (DOS PASSOS). I think the last time I saw this name was in another KMT puzzle, though I could be wrong.


• 9d: Some kayakers (ESKIMOS).


• 12d: Old name for a tomato (LOVE APPLE).


• 14d: Alternative to cat's pajamas? (BEE'S KNEES). A quick gimme, which helped drop this section.


• 30d: Dish rack accessories (TEA TOWELS). We never called these tea towels, always dish towels. But it's funny, we had this discussion with some Canadian friends just a couple of weeks ago.


• 31d: 2006 Spike Lee caper film (INSIDE MAN). I haven't seen this yet, but I think it's on my Netflix list.




• 32d: What "Saturday Night Live" players are not ready for, supposedly (PRIME TIME). Gimme.


• 46d: Grace's last name on "Will & Grace" (ADLER). No idea. Got it from crossings.


• 50d: The Minnesota Twins retired his #6 (OLIVA).


• 51d: Hoodwink (COZEN). Cool word.


• 54d: Bar in a bar (REST). Sheet music, not pubs.

Suns of Bitches:

• 16a: Amin overthrew him (OBOTE) crossing 10d: 2008 World Series MVP Hamels (COLE) is the tough name crossing of the day. I guessed ABATE/CALE.

I found the NW to be the toughest, except for the above-mentioned guess-the-vowel name crossing. But overall it felt just about right for a Weekend Warrior.

Hope you all had a nice Christmas.

Thanks for listening.

- Pete M.