Thursday, January 8th, 2009

Title: Themeless Thursday
Author: Mike Nothnagel
Theme: None

When I first got interested in crosswords Mike Nothnagel was one of the first constructors whose name I learned to look for. His puzzles were always great -- tough but doable. Or maybe I was just on his wavelength. Whatever the reason I still get a smile of anticipation when I see his byline.

Sunny Spots:
41A: Ones who have too many white belts (WINOS) Recently on Brendan Emmett Quigley's blog, he was talking about how much he hates puns, and I don't think he's alone. A lot of solvers and constructors don't like them even though they are an integral part of crosswords. I love 'em, thye more groanworthy the better. This one gave me a laugh because of course I was thinking of either a 60's go-go girl or a beginning karate class.

15D: "How many of each animal did Moses take on the ark?" is one (TRICK QUESTION) It's a trick question of course because Moses didn't build an ark, Noah did. But it's still a tricky (if not trick) question when you use Noah himself. Despite what they may have taught you in Sunday School, Noah since he took two of every unclean animal and seven of every clean animal. The Bible does not explain how to tell the difference, and I'm guessing by the end of a 40-day ark ride, all the animals -- not to mention Noah and his family -- were all pretty unclean.

(Now that I think about it, though, Moses did have an ark -- the Ark of the Covenant. But you couldn't put animals in it. It was covered in pure gold, and besides it was only two two cubits long.)

52A: Colorado Avalanche, formerly (QUEBEC NORDIQUES) A perfect example of why I like Mike Nothnagel. I know next to diddly squat about hockey, certainly not where the Colorado team used to play, but once I get a few letters filled in, my brain pulls something from a dusty back corner. I have seen the name Quebec Nordiques before. Where I do not know. Nor do I know what a Nordique is, but I don't have to know what it means, do I? just how to spell it. But, judging from their logo, a Nordique is some kind of headless elephant.

Suns of Bitches:

8D: Centerpiece of a successful line (TAC) I know without a doubt that there's something simple I'm missing here and I'll be embarrassed when someone explains it, but I don't get this.

36A: 1978 role for Richard Pryor, with "The" (WIZ) Not reallly an SOB, I don't guess, but I did miss it. Three-letter Richard Pryor movie must be The TOY and that's what I put down. Speaking of missed movies, I didn't fill it in (mainly because it didn't have enough letters, but my first thought when I saw 16A: 1989 Matt Dillon Film was BEAUTIFUL GIRLS not DRUGSTORE COWBOY. I haven't seen "Drugstore Cowboy" or "The Wiz", but "Beautiful Girls" is a great movie. ("The Toy" not so much.)

Sundries:

1A: Crusty entrée (POTPIE).

7a: Seat of the Bishop of London (STPAULS).

14a: Sources of ornamental feathers (EGRETS).

15a: Pendant shape (TEARDROP).

18a: Academic year div. (SEM).

19a: Cross of "Arrested Development" (DAVID). I didn't discover this show until after it was off the air (Thanks, Hulu!) but it's hilarious. Supposedly they're making a movie. David Cross played psychiatrist slash actor slash Blue Man Group member Tobias Funke.

20a: Becomes legally guaranteed (VESTS).

21a: Pertaining to light (PHOTIC).

23a: Thou (GEE).

24a: Courage (SPINE).

25a: Literally, "divine wind" (KAMIKAZE).

30a: Sham (FALSE).

31a: Sit on one's haunches (SQUAT).

32a: Lay down the lawn? (SOD). Another pun, and a good one.

33a: Sounds of light bulbs going on? (AHAS).

34a: Slow down the growth of (STUNT).

35a: Sister company of Louis Vuitton (DKNY).

37a: Mattress cover (SHEET).

38a: Apportions (METES).

39a: Kings and others (NBATEAMS). Could have been NHL TEAMS too. In fact I think I had that at first when I thought 24d: Indian term of respect (SAHIB) might be RAJAH.

42a: Like some coll. courses (REQ).

43a: Hooks up with (TIESTO).

45a: Newsman who wrote "Flashbacks: On Returning to Vietnam" (SAFER).

48a: Racing form data (SIRES).

49a: Three-time award for A-Rod (MVP).

55a: "Wheel of Fortune" bonus (FREESPIN).

56a: Gives a seat to (ELECTS).

57a: Lectures (TALKSAT).

58a: Dog (REDHOT).

1d: Those hoofing it, for short (PEDS).

2d: Damsel maltreater (OGRE). I wouldn't put it past an ogre to mistreat a damsel, even though that's usually a dragon's job.

3d: Atlantic City landmark since 1984 (TRUMPPLAZA).

4d: Brit's clothespin (PEG).

5d: Finish line (ITSDONE).

6d: Word with tax or sale (ESTATE).

7d: "Space ___" ("Star Trek" episode featuring Khan) (SEED).

9d: "I don't believe you" follower (PROVEIT).

10d: Madison Avenue trade journal (ADWEEK).

11d: Sticks' antitheses (URBS).

12d: Proceeds from a smashing success? (LOOT).

13d: 1974 spoof with the tagline "Would you buy a used secret from these men?" (SPYS). Starred Elliot Gould and Donald Sutherland -- both fresh off the movie "M*A*S*H" -- but this film was not nearly as successful. Maybe they should have spelled it "S*P*Y*S."

17d: Prefix with sac (OVI).

22d: Sound of disapproval (HISS).

23d: Wharton applicant's exam: Abbr. (GMAT).

26d: Clara on "Bewitched," for one (AUNT). Clara on "Bewitched" for one (AUNT) This one just jumped out at me. Isn't it odd how so much of the bad television you watched as a kid stays with you forever?

27d: Push it, in a way (ASKTOOMUCH).

28d: Regions (ZONES).

29d: Maker of Mint Karaoke Cookie ice cream (EDYS). I don't eat much ice cream -- or sweets at all. I have no idea what a karaoke cookie is.

30d: Hall of fame (FAWN). Fawn Hall was secretary to Colonel Oliver North, who evidently kept her busy shredding evidence.

31d: Originate (STEM).

34d: ___ Fu (1994 fighting video game) (SHAQ).

35d: Bit of progress (DENT).

37d: Divine miss? (SEERESS).

38d: Silo contents (MISSILE).

40d: Frequent Ferrell "SNL" role (TREBEK).

41d: Gardening tool (WEEDER).

44d: Like seconds: Abbr. (IRR).

45d: House painter's meas. (SQFT).

46d: Vibe (AURA).

47d: Vibe (FEEL).

48d: Foul mood (SNIT).

50d: Bill kill (VETO).

51d: "Over here!" (PSST).

53d: One for the books? (CPA).

54d: Calculus class letters (QED). Never got to calculus class. Does it mean "quod erat demonstrandum" there too?

Have a nice Thursday. Norrin.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Title: Themeless Thursday
Author: Mike Nothnagel
Theme: None

Sunny Spots:

• 6a: They can be denoted by a number and a letter (BRA SIZES). Say what you want about where my mind is at, but this did not come readily to it. I needed a few crossings to see it, at which point it made me smile (again).


• 17a: Utmost (DAMNEDEST). I had DARNEDEST at first, which unintuitively is only one-letter off from the correct answer.


• 34a: Practice of some Ashkenazim (ORTHODOX JUDAISM). This is the centerpiece of the puzzle. Long and Scrabbley, along with 6d: Unadorned performance space (BLACKBOX THEATER).


• 2d: Longtime backup band for Neil Young (CRAZY HORSE). Gimme for me. I still have some on vinyl.


• 22d: Common dorm room fixture (HALOGEN LAMP).


• 27d: Haunted house figure (GRIM REAPER). Which might cause a 42a: Cry of dismay (HORRORS). Or perhaps a laugh, in the case of "Monty Python's The Meaning of Life"...




• 28d: Fat City thoroughfare? (EASY STREET). Beautiful.



• 32d: 1980s title role for William Shatner (TJ HOOKER). Shatner has absolutely no shame when it comes to roles he'll take. Kind of like Tim Curry. But I love them both. "Boston Legal", one of many shows by 40a: "Ally McBeal" creator David E. KELLEY, verges on brilliant at times.

Sundries:

• 1a: Response to getting one's dander up? (ACHOO). Clever use of dander, the allergen. There's nothing quite like a smile at 1a to prime you for the rest of the puzzle.


• 14a: Overdress (DROWN). I suppose this means like to drown (food) in spices. It felt a little like jamming a square peg into a round hole.


• 15a: Noted member of the Bureau of Prohibition (ELIOT NESS).


• 16a: Grammy winner Steve (EARLE). I probably should have gotten this one sooner, but I needed the starting EA before it clicked.


• 18a: Gaza guns (UZIS). Gimme, especially with the Z of CRAZY HORSE already in place.


• 19a: Color similar to cranberry (PUCE). Guessed PLUM first.


• 21a: ___ Affair (XYZ). This was an 18th century incident with France. I'm not that up on my early U.S. history, but you can read about it here, if you're interested.



• 22a: Provincial (HICK). This one brought to mind "The Red Green Show".


• 23a: Rain-___ (bubble gum brand) (BLO). This is not one I'm familiar with, but it's an easy guess.


• 24a: Don't leg it, maybe (HOP A CAB). Good one. Perhaps something to do when you 52a: See someone (GO ON A DATE).


• 38a: Jennie of "Beverly Hills 90210" (GARTH). I never watched the show, but the name is vaguely familiar.


• 48a: Fox juggernaut since 2002, familiarly (IDOL). I'm not embarrassed to admit that I caught the Idol Tour show this past weekend. My God, can pre-teen girls scream. It was actually louder when the music wasn't playing than when it was. But it was a good show. David Cook rocks.




• 54a: Flag pin's spot (LAPEL). Mental block. I had golf on the brain and just couldn't shake the cobwebs out. Doh!


• 55a: Parachutist's device (ALTIMETER).


• 57a: Fundamental unit of DNA (BASE PAIR).


• 58a: Cricket player's game (DARTS). Wonderful clue. Cricket is... no, forget it, it's too hard to explain. Check it out here.


• 1d: For just two people (A DEUX).


• 3d: Level (HORIZONTAL).


• 4d: Temple attendees cheer for them (OWLS). I don't know that many college mascots, but I remember this one. I think it must show up regularly in puzzles.



• 5d: It's at the top of Pascal's triangle (ONE). Gimme for me. Pascal's triangle is great for estimating probable suit distributions in bridge. For example, when you are missing four cards of a suit, the probability distribution is 1 4 6 4 1, which means 1 time in 16 all four will be on your left, 4 times they will break 3-1 with 3 on your left, 6 times they will break 2-2, 4 times they will break 1-3 with 3 on your right, and 1 time they will all be on your right. It's not exactly thus, but it's close enough.


• 9d: What people who need to get high might use? (STEPLADDERS). More drug innuendo. Funny clue.


• 11d: Jazzy duo? (ZEES). Cryptic letter clue.


• 12d: "___ quam videri" (North Carolina's motto) (ESSE). My new strategy is that if it's part of a motto, it's ESSE.


• 15d: Maria Montessori, e.g. (EDUCATOR).


• 30d: Pass (out) (ZONK).


• 35d: First track on the 1956 album "Calypso" (DAY-O). Come, Mr. Tally Man, tally me banana...




• 41d: 11-sided Canadian coin (LOONIE). The one-dollar coin that features a picture of a loon on the back.


• 49d: Finishing touches on some letters (DOTS). I assume this refers to "dotting the 'i's and crossing the 't's".


• 50d: H.S. senior's exam, formerly (SAT I).


• 52d: Gift that keeps on giving? (GAB). Cute.


• 53d: Agcy. that publishes the monthly Microgram Bulletin (DEA). Amusingly sitting beside 54d: Psychedelic derived from ergot (LSD).

Suns of Bitches:

• 50a: "The Odd Couple" director Gene (SAKS). This was a crossings-only fill for me, even though I'm sure I've seen it before.


• 8d: ___ Center (Chicago skyscraper) (AON). I know this is a gimme for some of you, but I needed the crossings.


• 48d: Seat of Allen County, Kansas (IOLA). Huh?

This was a great puzzle. Not terribly difficult, but chock full of fresh words and phrases. Just as you expect when you see Mike Nothnagel's name at the top. Very nice.

Thanks for listening.

- Pete M.

Tuesday, May 5, 2008

Title: Sports Trades
Author: Mike Nothnagel

Theme: Take non-sports-related phrase that begins with the name of a sports team (in singular) and swap that name to the end to make a new phrase that seemingly relates to a player on that team. So, for example:

• Celtic cross => CROSS CELTIC (20a: Betray a basketball player?);


• Maple Leaf Rag => RAG MAPLE LEAF (27a: Tease a hockey player?);


• Cardinal rule => RULE CARDINAL (48a: Exercise power over a baseball player?)


• Bear witness => WITNESS BEAR (58a: Observe a football player?)

I like this theme idea, and the fact that it covers the four major U.S. professional sports (sorry, soccer, you still don't make the cut around here). I wish the phrases didn't sound so awkward due to the removal of
the indefinite article (i.e. CROSS CELTIC instead of CROSS A CELTIC, but that's just inherent in the way the theme plays out.

I also love that one of the base phrases is Maple Leaf Rag, one of my favorite non-classical piano pieces, by Scott Joplin. Here's a guitar version that you really have to see (and hear) to believe. I wouldn't have thought it was possible.

Kudos, also, for having the Celtics clue sitting right below PATS (17a: Back stroke?). Go New England sports!

Sunny Spots:

• 5a: Danica Patrick, for one (RACER). Now, trust me, I'm no NASCAR fan, -- idle thought: I wonder how big a set the intersection of crossword fans and NASCAR fans would be... I'm guessing not very -- but Danica Patrick deserves major props for being a successful woman in a virtually completely male-dominated "sport" (quotation marks intentional).


• 24a: Where to go to go to Togo (AFRICA). Very nice.
  
  
• 18a: Prepare for baking, as challah dough (BRAID). Hey, we love food clues here.


• 42a: Transportation for some seniors (LIMO). A shout-out to prom season.



• 13d: Roulette number that loses on bets of both even and odd (ZERO). Zero is an even number, but not in Vegas!


• Fats, e.g. (POOL SHARK). Referring, of course, to Minnesota Fats, one of the most famous pool players of all time. I got this right away (and then erased it a couple of times during my struggle in the SW -- more on this later), but I'm wondering if people thought this was a tough clue for a Tuesday?


• 14a: Brake shoe replacement part (SHOE).


• 40a: Excalibur, e.g. (SWORD). "Sting, e.g." would be a great late-week clue, wouldn't it?


• 43a: Paparazzi's lenses (ZOOMS). Topical and evocative.


• 45a: Tony winner John (ELTON). I always think of John as a first name first, before realizing that it is (again) Elton John. My first-ever vinyl album purchase was Elton John. Then Aerosmith.


• 52a: View from the London Eye (THAMES).


• 59d: Make fun of (TWIT). I was not familiar with the verb form of this word, but I still love that it reminds of this Monty Python sketch.


• 33d: Slim Motorola phone (RAZR). Nice, current fill.

Sundries:

This puzzle had a noticable number of crosswordy-vowelly clues:

• AUEL (25a: Author of "The Mammoth Hunters"). And more famously, author of "The Clan of the Cave Bear"


• EIEIO (67a: Refrain from a pre-school song)


• EASY A (54d: Class that's a cakewalk)


• ELIE (61d: French mathematician ___ Cartan). Have I mentioned I was a math major? No clue on this one.


• ALOU (34d: Bochy replaced him as manager of the San Francisco Giants). If all you knew about baseball was from crossword puzzles, you'd think half the league was named ALOU or SOSA.


• IKEA (12d: Its first store opened in 1958 in Älmhult, Sweden)
Blah blah store blah blah Sweden = IKEA.

And, for good measure, let's throw in:

• EL AL (26d: Company with a Magen David in its logo)


• ENYA (68a: Best New Age Album Grammy winner for "Amarantine"). If someone paid me $1000 dollars for every New Age artist I could name, I'd be $1000 dollars richer. Is ENYA the only one out there, or is she just the ALOU of New Age music?

You know, that gets me thinking... I bet someone out there who is way more artistic than I am could do a parody of that classic New Yorker cover to show the world as viewed by crossword solvers. It would have to be dominated by places like ERIE and EIRE and STLO, with the YSER, AARE, and OISE rivers figuring prominently. Definite bonus points for someone who could come up with something like that... :)

• ETAS (71a: Greek vowels)


• YAO (23a: Runner-up to Stoudemire for 2002-03 Rookie of the Year ). And shouldn't this be "Runner-up to Amare..."? Runner-up to Stoudemire should be MING. Not that I didn't get the answer, but still... just doesn't seem quite right to me.

And, while we're quibbling, 4d: Possible reply to a general question? (YES, SIR): Does the question mark excuse the lack of capitalization in "General"? Just asking.

Other miscellaneous clues of note:

• 6d: "Hell's Half ___" (1954 Elsa Lanchester film) (ACRE). I've never seen this film, but the name is at least familiar.


• 62a: Name on the big screen (IMAX)



• 56a: Castellaneta cry upon seeing "(annoyed grunt)" in scripts If I'd recognized the name on the first pass, I wouldn't have had so much trouble in the SW... D'OH!


• 5d: Organs can be found in them (RIB CAGES). I can't decide whether this clue is cute or gross. Maybe a little of each, like -- nah, I'll spare you the analogy.


• 11d: "Hip to Be Square" singer (HUEY LEWIS).


• 28d: Hungry kitten, often (MEWER). Hmph. Yeah, that about sums it up: I'm a Hmpher upon encountering this clue.


• 50d: Tuition add-on (LAB FEE). Come September, I will have two kids in college. Any clue that mentions tuition is a bit more painful than it otherwise might be.

Suns of Bitches:

There were a few tough clues here for a Tuesday, but it was the SW corner that really threw me, starting with 56d: Brazilian midfielder on back-to-back World Cup winners in '56 and '62. Like many Americans, I can only name one soccer player, and that's PELÉ (Well, no that's not entirely true. I know of David Beckham, and also Zinedine Zidane, but only because it's such a cool name). And it crossed perfectly with 66a: Impetus for some foolish behavior, for which I had LOVE (which I loved because it reminded me of one my all-time favorite Motown songs, from Martha Reeves and the Vandellas). Needless to say, this resulted in a major clusterf$^# in that corner until I figured out the answers were DIDI and DARE, respectively. It didn't help that in our area we play candlepin bowling, where an 'X' denotes a ten, not a strike (63d: Perfect game dozen = XES).


Besides that (and ELIE, above), then only one I had to totally resort to crossings on (and I've seen the movie) was: 36a: Brandon ___ (Hilary Swank's "Boys Don't Cry" role) (TEENA). And even if I had remembered it, I wouldn't have known it was spelled that way.

Well, that turned out to be quite a lot to talk about for a Tuesday.

Thanks for listening.

- Pete M.