P.S. It looks like I posted the above onto the wrong thread.
1
Enjoyed puzzle, and got sala pretty quick but definition is wrong- salas are usually large multipurpose rooms, like a living room or ballroom, or emergency room, and kitchen or bathroom would be cuarto. Surely could have been a tricky clue that was more accurate?
Did I just have a good day or was this an easy Friday? Timed out to between a T-W average for me.
A couple of the long ones were gimmees (Billy Joel and the "where are they now" gang), so maybe that helped.
I still don't get 34D.
A couple of the long ones were gimmees (Billy Joel and the "where are they now" gang), so maybe that helped.
I still don't get 34D.
Great puzzle, but thought the "car keys" clue was odd. Why Dad and not Mom? Is it a reference to the Harry Chapin song?
Lots of interesting clues made this a great Friday puzzle. Especially liked 18A, 26A, 13D, 32D.
Very enjoyable puzzle.
I'm wondering, though . . . Today's mini had the word SHALE, clued "Rock targeted in fracking," while the full puzzle also had SHALE, clued "Fracking target."
A mere coincidence, or . . . something else?
Cue the Twilight Zone music.
I'm wondering, though . . . Today's mini had the word SHALE, clued "Rock targeted in fracking," while the full puzzle also had SHALE, clued "Fracking target."
A mere coincidence, or . . . something else?
Cue the Twilight Zone music.
1
I don't like the implication in the clue
"Look at on the beach, say. " It implies that so many people do it, it is a thing, which I don't think it is.
"Look at on the beach, say. " It implies that so many people do it, it is a thing, which I don't think it is.
1
"Jobs in tech" tripped me up. Seeing the plural, jobs, I guessed the answer was STEMS, but it didn't match up with PERCALE, which required an E at the end, not at S. My sister suggested I rethink the clue ("think different") and mentioned that there was no plural in that clue.
Like one of the commenters below, I, too, wanted to enter CARRY ME instead of CAR KEYS. :-)
Like one of the commenters below, I, too, wanted to enter CARRY ME instead of CAR KEYS. :-)
2
Was I the only one who found the clue for COVE completely baffling?
Other than that, I enjoyed this puzzle very much. And in the never-ending pop culture clues war, I have to say: I've never heard of SLUGGO.
Other than that, I enjoyed this puzzle very much. And in the never-ending pop culture clues war, I have to say: I've never heard of SLUGGO.
1
"...the clue for COVE..."
"Arm" of the sea.
"Arm" of the sea.
OT for Deadline --
Early next week looks like good weather for a field trip to the Village, and I can be available any time on Monday or Wednesday (I'm assuming you're favoring mornings for lower temps). Let me know.
Barry
Early next week looks like good weather for a field trip to the Village, and I can be available any time on Monday or Wednesday (I'm assuming you're favoring mornings for lower temps). Let me know.
Barry
Did anyone else notice the problem with the clue for 39 Down in
Wednesday's puzzle? PRO BONO (literally "for the good") services are generally not provided by legal aid attorneys. Legal aid and legal services lawyers are paid for their work by government and philanthropic sources. Sometimes legal aid offices recruit private firms to do pro bono work to assist clients that legal aid either cannot serve or for whom a partnership with a private firm is preferred. PRO BONO services are those provided by attorneys without remuneration. Perhaps the the puzzle creators confused non-paying indigent clients with non-remunerated attorneys.
Wednesday's puzzle? PRO BONO (literally "for the good") services are generally not provided by legal aid attorneys. Legal aid and legal services lawyers are paid for their work by government and philanthropic sources. Sometimes legal aid offices recruit private firms to do pro bono work to assist clients that legal aid either cannot serve or for whom a partnership with a private firm is preferred. PRO BONO services are those provided by attorneys without remuneration. Perhaps the the puzzle creators confused non-paying indigent clients with non-remunerated attorneys.
2
I noticed it, Seth, and my understanding of how the term PRO BONO is used coincides with yours, but I did look it up, and the dictionary does not see to make the distinction you or I do.
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pro-bono
http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pro-bono
Just a note that, technically, 47 across is incorrect. We use DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) at our embassies now, with a few exceptions.
1
Quick solve for a Friday. I'll chalk it up to a bunch of pop culture clues, especially music-oriented: DAVY, UPTOWNGIRL, GARTH, THEROOTS, SPINALTAP, NORMARAE. I admit that last one needed a second look, as my first inclination for the Dad request @35A was CARRYME. Throw in some movie/TV/sports clues (ARNESS, SUPERDOME, BATCAVE, CAAN) and I was halfway done in no time. Wrapped in the NE, where the unfamiliar EWELAMB held me up for a short while.
Folk-rocker Harry Chapin with the father-son classic "Cat's in the Cradle" ("what I'd really like Dad is to borrow the CARKEYS/see you later, can I have them please?"):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUwjNBjqR-c
Folk-rocker Harry Chapin with the father-son classic "Cat's in the Cradle" ("what I'd really like Dad is to borrow the CARKEYS/see you later, can I have them please?"):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUwjNBjqR-c
3
I really wanted carry me for the Dad request.
3
Some of the puzzles lately certainly suggest a Pact with the Devil ( and I not that Will, Joel, and the NYT capitalize that name.)
Hardest clue was 'Jobs in tech,' which of course made me try things suggesting Computer Engineer (our son) or Computer Modeling (our daughter's big thing in her research work), so when I got STE?E it took me forever to take COSH out at 34D (I would certainly keep my blackjack tucked away in a pocket.)
The Mini (27 seconds) also had 23A in it today.
Despite dire predictions, we appear to have dodged the bullet-- only 0.33" in my scientific rain gauge, and though it was an icky day, nothing serious for our part of the state. Thoughts going out to LA and AL...
Hardest clue was 'Jobs in tech,' which of course made me try things suggesting Computer Engineer (our son) or Computer Modeling (our daughter's big thing in her research work), so when I got STE?E it took me forever to take COSH out at 34D (I would certainly keep my blackjack tucked away in a pocket.)
The Mini (27 seconds) also had 23A in it today.
Despite dire predictions, we appear to have dodged the bullet-- only 0.33" in my scientific rain gauge, and though it was an icky day, nothing serious for our part of the state. Thoughts going out to LA and AL...
1
Over at Crossword Fiend, Amy made an "IT GUY" joke about the Steve Jobs clue and was immediately mansplained about Apple history. Kind of funny.
When Alex was in elementary school, a teacher asked him what his father did. He said I was an "IT liaison." Barely out of kindergarten, he had his mother's organic inability to admit he didn't know something and his father's flair for BS. (I was actually a VP of Software Development at the time.)
Ever since, we use the title "IT Liaison" every chance we get.
When Alex was in elementary school, a teacher asked him what his father did. He said I was an "IT liaison." Barely out of kindergarten, he had his mother's organic inability to admit he didn't know something and his father's flair for BS. (I was actually a VP of Software Development at the time.)
Ever since, we use the title "IT Liaison" every chance we get.
3
Oh dear. Just when I was beginning to think that Fridays just require a bit more slogging than Thursdays, this puzzle came along. While SWEATPANTS fell into place immediately, not much else did. I could see SLUGGO clear as day bur his name was lost amongst the stars in the SKYATLAS. I had STARCHART in my head instead.
The puzzle was completed by reading the comments and whenever a new answer popped up, back to the grid and a few more words would fall into place. Would a EWELAMB's brother be a RAMLAMB? I rather like that. And Rich, the detour to the Marseillaise was lump-in-the-throat good as always!
Hope all works out well, Deb.
The puzzle was completed by reading the comments and whenever a new answer popped up, back to the grid and a few more words would fall into place. Would a EWELAMB's brother be a RAMLAMB? I rather like that. And Rich, the detour to the Marseillaise was lump-in-the-throat good as always!
Hope all works out well, Deb.
2
Hi Meg,
Your RAMLAMB triggered an earworm.
Be warned before clicking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXmsLe8t_gg
Your RAMLAMB triggered an earworm.
Be warned before clicking:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lXmsLe8t_gg
2
"Would a EWELAMB's brother be a RAMLAMB? I rather like that. "
Then you'll really like the lyrics to the Edsel's 1958 hit:
"Rama Lama Ding Dong"
"Oh oh oh oh
I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
She's everything to me
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
I'll never set her free
For she's mine, all mine
Oh oh oh oh
I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong,
She's fine to me,
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
You don't believe that she's mine, all mine
I love her,
Love her, love her so.
That I'll never, never let her go.
You may be certain she's mine, all mine,
She's mine all of the time.
Oh I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
She's everything to me
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
I'll never set her free
For she's mine, all mine"
Even as an adolescent this song raised many questions for me. What parents would give their daughter such a name? How would Ms. Ding Dong feel about the singer's determination to never set her free? In today's world she would no doubt seek a restraining order.
Then you'll really like the lyrics to the Edsel's 1958 hit:
"Rama Lama Ding Dong"
"Oh oh oh oh
I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
She's everything to me
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
I'll never set her free
For she's mine, all mine
Oh oh oh oh
I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong,
She's fine to me,
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
You don't believe that she's mine, all mine
I love her,
Love her, love her so.
That I'll never, never let her go.
You may be certain she's mine, all mine,
She's mine all of the time.
Oh I got a girl named Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
She's everything to me
Rama Lama, Rama Lama Ding Dong
I'll never set her free
For she's mine, all mine"
Even as an adolescent this song raised many questions for me. What parents would give their daughter such a name? How would Ms. Ding Dong feel about the singer's determination to never set her free? In today's world she would no doubt seek a restraining order.
2
Mooshu Pork is a recipe, a way of serving pork.. it's not a type of pork.
"Kind of" is a special signal in a crossword clue. It does necessarily not mean "type." It means "word that precedes in a common phrase."
Earlier this year we had "Kind of threat" (IDLE) and "Kind of chance" (FAT), for instance. Think of "Kind of" almost as an implicit "?."
Earlier this year we had "Kind of threat" (IDLE) and "Kind of chance" (FAT), for instance. Think of "Kind of" almost as an implicit "?."
2
Bleecker,
Those are clues, not definitions, but even so, if I asked you "When you order pork from the Chinese restaurant on the corner, what kind do you like?" I think you would get my drift. Most people (and much of Google) think that "Kind of pork" is a cut, but that's really not right either, is it? Shouldn't it be limited to the breed of pig? But seriously, I wanted ACT OF CONGRESS.
--West 12th
Those are clues, not definitions, but even so, if I asked you "When you order pork from the Chinese restaurant on the corner, what kind do you like?" I think you would get my drift. Most people (and much of Google) think that "Kind of pork" is a cut, but that's really not right either, is it? Shouldn't it be limited to the breed of pig? But seriously, I wanted ACT OF CONGRESS.
--West 12th
1
I was definitely trying to come up with breeds of pig, of which I know zero. Was very surprised when the answer filled in from the crosses.
1
Re..47a: Embassy mail is sent to a Diplomatic Post Office (DPO). An Army/Air Post Office (APO) or Fleet Post Office (FPO) is used for overseas military mail.
https://www.usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-dpo.htm
https://www.usps.com/ship/apo-fpo-dpo.htm
USPS added Diplomatic Post Office (DPO) as a valid overseas address effective January 18, 2009. The city abbreviation is DPO. As of March 2009 there are sixteen U.S. embassy locations known as DPOs. The other approximately ninety overseas U.S. embassy post offices fall under the management oversight of the Services and so are known as either APOs or FPOs.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_mail
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_mail
3
I noted this upthread, but I was a US diplomat until a few months ago. DPO is in place at most of our embassies overseas- way more than 16. So I agree that 47 across is misleading/incorrect.
I was wary of the "2009" in the wiki quote, so I checked some State web sites and found current locations still using APO's before posting my comment and the link. I'm sure it will soon require "quaint" in the clue.
1
There is actually a town named BAT_CAVE near where I live...
Excellent overall puzzle, with some terrific cluing (SHOE, STEVE) and answers (LAPDOG, ONE_MAN_ARMY, GOOGOOGAGA, HOW_DO_I_LOOK). And answers from so many fields: Sports, history, arts, tech, food. It ran the gamut from basic (GOOGOOGAGA) to refined (ATTILA the opera). There's a nice cross of CAVE and COVE, and there's even a Boggle-style LADY (starting with the L in SKYATLAS) to go with that GAGA.
It seemed to scratch all my Friday itches, and sent me into the day with a glorious AAAH.
Excellent overall puzzle, with some terrific cluing (SHOE, STEVE) and answers (LAPDOG, ONE_MAN_ARMY, GOOGOOGAGA, HOW_DO_I_LOOK). And answers from so many fields: Sports, history, arts, tech, food. It ran the gamut from basic (GOOGOOGAGA) to refined (ATTILA the opera). There's a nice cross of CAVE and COVE, and there's even a Boggle-style LADY (starting with the L in SKYATLAS) to go with that GAGA.
It seemed to scratch all my Friday itches, and sent me into the day with a glorious AAAH.
1
Lewis, I have an old picture postcard--the ones that look like old photos tinted by hand--of BAT CAVE, NC. It's actually a picture of the two-lane road leading to Bat Cave, and it's captioned something like "Hwy 74 near Bat Cave by night." It's remarkable for being a picture postcard of Absolutely Nothing--a two-lane road in the middle of the forest by night. I have a companion postcard called "Parking place at Clingman's Dome" and yes, it's a photo of the parking lot, with late-1930s-era cars.
I remember when the Batman show was on TV, there was some sort of contest, and entries were to be mailed to a PO box in Bat Cave, NC.
I remember when the Batman show was on TV, there was some sort of contest, and entries were to be mailed to a PO box in Bat Cave, NC.
2
Takes a little more than two hours to drive from Bat Cave to Clingman's Dome.
9 years ago, I went to Malaysia and visited a place called Batu Caves, and needless to say, I associated that immediately with Bat Cave. But the name had nothing to do with Bats. What they did have an abundance of, were macaques.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Caves
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batu_Caves
1
Like you Caitlin I was certain 25D was BONK, which left me wondering for the rest of the puzzle how BART was an "Amazon icon." I was sure I would find out in the blog, until the dreaded pop-up informed me there was an error. Fortunately that was still in my head and I went back immediately to that square.
Smooth solve today with a few moments of satisfaction. Getting "NORMA RAE" with that obscure clue and only a couple of crosses being the standout.
Today I am celebrating the last day of my 53rd year on the planet. As with every year I reflect and hope I have been less an oxygen thief and more a bringer of fresh air to others. I humbly admit I have been more the former and as always, vow to try harder this year.
May today be awesome for one and all.
Smooth solve today with a few moments of satisfaction. Getting "NORMA RAE" with that obscure clue and only a couple of crosses being the standout.
Today I am celebrating the last day of my 53rd year on the planet. As with every year I reflect and hope I have been less an oxygen thief and more a bringer of fresh air to others. I humbly admit I have been more the former and as always, vow to try harder this year.
May today be awesome for one and all.
8
UN-HOLY BAT CAVE, Robin! Nice to bring Adam West to mind. I had dONK for CONK, because I thought the Amazon symbol was a dART. Well, an arrow really, but I was willing to call it a dART. Perfect Friday for me.
1
Tricky clues abound. I fell for this one too, but thankfully, I let the crossings do the thinking for me. The clue was Amazon icon, not Amazon logo. I think the logo is a smile or a smirk, not an arrow or dart. Many years ago, when Amazon first started, the logo was supposed to look like the river, I think.
Anyway, given that it's an icon, it could be any graphic on the Amazon web site or app. The app icon is definitely a CART. On the Amazon shopping website there is definitely an icon of a CART. But icon does not have to be the logo.
Anyway, given that it's an icon, it could be any graphic on the Amazon web site or app. The app icon is definitely a CART. On the Amazon shopping website there is definitely an icon of a CART. But icon does not have to be the logo.
The curved line is indeed an arrow. From the A to the Z.
Oooh...that's certainly a #TIL. It didn't help that my link to Amazon is smile.amazon.com and the logo that is there says AmazonSmile. Well, I'd like to blame that rather than admit I never noticed the curved arrow was going from A to Z...
When I lived in Pasadena I often caught sight of Wayne Manor (TV Show version) perched on the Arroyo as I drove into LA. Always brought a smile.
When the show ended the Monkees did a TV special with Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll. The objective was to play music they (Monkees) liked rather than the bubble gum that made them famous. Link below is some ethereal cereal from Brian and Julie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLDNNqDhp8w
Jammed myself up by wanting "are you dizzy" for 16A and Reeba for 46A. But figured it out. Oddly I solved this one from left to right.
Thanks A & J. Great Friday offering
When the show ended the Monkees did a TV special with Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll. The objective was to play music they (Monkees) liked rather than the bubble gum that made them famous. Link below is some ethereal cereal from Brian and Julie.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLDNNqDhp8w
Jammed myself up by wanting "are you dizzy" for 16A and Reeba for 46A. But figured it out. Oddly I solved this one from left to right.
Thanks A & J. Great Friday offering
3
Of course, it's REBA, not REEBA, and I was amazed when I saw that the entry was five letters. There are a lot of first names in country, but the answer's always REBA. (Unless it's GARTH.)
1
A fair enough fun Friday puzzle. My only solving delays -- speaking of "Like a Pact With the Devil" -- came with the two entries clued as "Sycophant:" i could not get CABINET MEMBER to fit in either space.
(I'm not sure what Jeff Chen would consider a better [more PC?] clue for OGLE, and I'm shocked that he found APO obscure.)
(I'm not sure what Jeff Chen would consider a better [more PC?] clue for OGLE, and I'm shocked that he found APO obscure.)
5
Cabinet member -- Hah! Good one!
The North solved fairly quickly for me. I did want TOMBROWN before TOMBRADY. Once I made that correction CANADA became obvious. In the south, IPADAIR and THEROOTS were unknowns to me, so I had to get them from the crosses. Sometimes I surprise myself when just a few letters are enough to remind me of song and movie titles like UPTOWNGIRL (that will be my earworm for today) and SPINALTAP. This was a Friday that has left me feeling sort of smart.
1
Fun friday, enjoyed the long answers esp. Googoogaga, Uptown Girl, and the unforgettable Spinal Tap.
My favorite clip: These go to Eleven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOO5S4vxi0o
My favorite clip: These go to Eleven
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOO5S4vxi0o
1
Does neatness count? A reach to try mucho macho for 18a, it made a shambles of the NE. The CARNAGE, thanks to a ton of write-overs turned the entire section into a Rorschach visual. I soldiered on and gained some confidence when I struck 'can we go' and inserted dad's CAR KEYS in the ignition. That led me to the Army of 1 Rambo answer. The rest was a pleasure cruise...The Jobs in tech clue bordered on the UNHOLY; nice to pair IPAD AIR with STEVE today...Engine before ESCAPE was a speed bump...The 24 square's big W was the grand finale. Still on my feet with a solve (a rare Friday feat) I savored the illusion of MHP dancing in my head...Joni Mitchell strums the dulcimer on "A Case Of You."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=020l9ZLFrck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=020l9ZLFrck
1
Very nice puzzle. I wondered if Jeff Chen was going to make it his POW and he said he considered it. A lot of good/interesting medium to long entries (twenty of 8 to 10 letters). And most of the shorter answers were pretty good too. The junk was in the 3's, but there are only 6 of them and they weren't obtrusive. Most of the 'fill' was four letter answers (24 of them) and they were all actually pretty decent.
No memory problems today. I remembered the things that I 'knew' right away, with the exception of UPTOWNGIRL and that came to me with a couple of crosses. Also managed to tumble to most of the mis-directions with a little patience.
Left side came fairly smoothly; right side was harder. I was thinking of twirling a baton when I read the clue for 16a. When I finally got the right visual that answer came immediately and was a key to opening up that section.
In the bottom right I had SPINA at 39a and still wasn't getting it. Finally taking a stab at PHASER finally did it and again opened up that whole section. Don't quite get how the clue for 1a works for AMMO; I mean I see the rounds/AMMO thing - I just don't get the wording of the clue.
A couple of failed checks and I looked up WON. Close enough for a Friday.
No memory problems today. I remembered the things that I 'knew' right away, with the exception of UPTOWNGIRL and that came to me with a couple of crosses. Also managed to tumble to most of the mis-directions with a little patience.
Left side came fairly smoothly; right side was harder. I was thinking of twirling a baton when I read the clue for 16a. When I finally got the right visual that answer came immediately and was a key to opening up that section.
In the bottom right I had SPINA at 39a and still wasn't getting it. Finally taking a stab at PHASER finally did it and again opened up that whole section. Don't quite get how the clue for 1a works for AMMO; I mean I see the rounds/AMMO thing - I just don't get the wording of the clue.
A couple of failed checks and I looked up WON. Close enough for a Friday.
2
Hi Rich,
I hope the red I saw on the radar weather radar last night left you unscathed. Funny that you were puzzled by AMMO; I, too, had never so referred to it. A round can (apparently) mean both the bullet per se and the fired bullet, so you would need AMMO to make a round (in the second meaning).
(All I can do is heave a ho (hum) SIGH.)
I hope the red I saw on the radar weather radar last night left you unscathed. Funny that you were puzzled by AMMO; I, too, had never so referred to it. A round can (apparently) mean both the bullet per se and the fired bullet, so you would need AMMO to make a round (in the second meaning).
(All I can do is heave a ho (hum) SIGH.)
2
Barry, all the bad stuff missed us.
We had one good downpour but other than just some light rain and drizzle. Not even any high winds here.
We had one good downpour but other than just some light rain and drizzle. Not even any high winds here.
2
Lots to like in this Friday puzzle. When HOW DO I LOOK came to me I was delighted. As for the SWEAT PANTS, like Liz I was thinking along more glamorous lines. Here pants only means under pants.
I got O CANADA straight away, my second favorite anthem. I learned PEPITA; I have always called the seeds of a pumpkin pumpkin seeds.
I find this more fun than the usual themeless puzzles.
I got O CANADA straight away, my second favorite anthem. I learned PEPITA; I have always called the seeds of a pumpkin pumpkin seeds.
I find this more fun than the usual themeless puzzles.
1
1
Absolutely, Rich. Thanks for that. Also one of best ever renditions, or al least the most moving.
"Here pants only means under pants. "
You know how embarrassment is the kind of memory the brain loves to retain forever? Many years ago I returned from a business trip to the U.K. and discovered while (whilst?) unpacking that the bottom part of a suit was missing. I called (rang up?) the secretary in my London office and asked her to check with my hotel to see if I had left a pair of pants there. The resulting girlish giggling I heard as she repeated my question to her office mates still echoes through the years.
It was at a meeting during that same trip that I first heard someone say, "At the end of the day we will know if the project succeeded." and was disappointed when night fell and nothing had been revealed.
These days a thousand hours of watching Inspector xxxxxx murder mysteries has transatlanticized my vocabulary, and I keep my pants on with both suspenders and braces.
You know how embarrassment is the kind of memory the brain loves to retain forever? Many years ago I returned from a business trip to the U.K. and discovered while (whilst?) unpacking that the bottom part of a suit was missing. I called (rang up?) the secretary in my London office and asked her to check with my hotel to see if I had left a pair of pants there. The resulting girlish giggling I heard as she repeated my question to her office mates still echoes through the years.
It was at a meeting during that same trip that I first heard someone say, "At the end of the day we will know if the project succeeded." and was disappointed when night fell and nothing had been revealed.
These days a thousand hours of watching Inspector xxxxxx murder mysteries has transatlanticized my vocabulary, and I keep my pants on with both suspenders and braces.
4
I had the NW corner filled right off the bat and had little resistance elsewhere. It's nice to have a Friday start so smoothly.
All all the Es and Cs along either side of the long central diagonal line of black squares has me looking for something tricky, to no avail.
1
I think an ESCAPE room refers to a relatively new entertainment form, often seen in malls, where a group is 'locked' (while being monitored and guided by remote camera) in a theme-related room of varying difficulties, with clues on how to get various locks and codes and map coordinates and other essentials needed to get out of the room before a timer runs down. They're a hit at tweeners' birthday parties and corporate team building outings alike. And. They. Are. So. Frustrating. At. Times.
3
Thank you, Calvin. New to me too. My children got through their tweens with only laser tag for "active" birthday parties, and the ESCAPE room fad may be over before (or if) they engage in corporate team building.
1
Had ESTEEM for 8D before ADMIRE but otherwise pretty straightforward Friday
Oops, K - Esteem was the clue.
1
Nifty themeless with good interlocks and well-placed as a Friday. I liked ONEMANARMY, HOWDOILOOK, UNHOLY crossed with ANTIPOPE. GOOGOOGAGA and UPTOWNGIRL are nice too. Couldn't think of UPTOWNGIRL for the longest, but after enough crossings...well, it's obvious.
I was sweating after two passes yielding a mostly empty grid. But in the end, once I had DAVY, PERCALE, BATCAVE and STEVE, everything fell into place like...dominoes? Maybe that's a bad analogy, but they start coming thick and fast.
Trebek-Shortz collusion/conspiracy - wasn't there one on Jeopardy this week where the answer was Christie Brinkley? IIRC, isn't she the UPTOWNGIRL?
I was sweating after two passes yielding a mostly empty grid. But in the end, once I had DAVY, PERCALE, BATCAVE and STEVE, everything fell into place like...dominoes? Maybe that's a bad analogy, but they start coming thick and fast.
Trebek-Shortz collusion/conspiracy - wasn't there one on Jeopardy this week where the answer was Christie Brinkley? IIRC, isn't she the UPTOWNGIRL?
2
Enjoyed your (intentional?) "Couldn't think of UPTOWNGIRL for the longest..." as 'The Longest Time' is on the same Billy Joel album as 'Uptown Girl'...which is indeed one of two homages to Christie Brinkley on that 1983 album (An Innocent Man).
6
Oh, I wish I was that clever to do that intentionally. Though I am certainly familiar with The Longest Time, I didn't think about that (but um, maybe my subconscious did)
1
Got to the SW and once I got Uptown Girl I just had to pull up iTunes and finish the puzzle listening to Billy Joel. Arness, Sluggo fell right in, as did Garth, so I guess I'm showing my age as well. It actually did fill in fairly quickly, although I had some missteps along the way.
1
A perfect Friday. Just the right mix of tough and doable.
Many thanks to J and A.
Many thanks to J and A.
1
liked this puzzle a lot! As an opera lover, especially liked one of Verdi's early operas -- Attila! Saw it about five times when it was at the Met Opera a few years ago. Did it pretty much corner by corner. long answers like Uptown girl and GooGooGaGa helped. Thought of Antipope right away, but waited to make sure. Good Friday!
1
No time to tot them up - but it struck me how certain state postal abbreviations are repeated (GA, CO, CA, MO, MA...all over). Lewis is having an effect on me when I consider the entire solved puzzle.
2
Don't know whether to beam with pride or apologize.
2
I thought this was one of the best, most balanced, Friday puzzles in some time.
Go figure.
Go figure.
2
Icon cur.
4
A typical Friday in a lot of ways. I didn’t have much after the first pass through the Acrosses—MBA, CARB, BATCAVE, SPINAL TAP, DAIS. More came with the Downs, and put me in pretty good shape. I wanted some kind of pajamas for dressy loungewear, not SWEATPANTS—my mental image here was more of a 1930s movie that current day reality. Knowing ARNESS and SLUGGO from actual experience rather than just reading about them made me feel old! I was kind of hoping that it would take me a little longer than it did—I was working on Friday and Saturday puzzles from 1997 earlier today, and I couldn’t finish either of them. Perhaps I should say that I haven’t finished either of them yet—maybe letting them sit for a while will help.
Hope everything's okay, Deb!
Hope everything's okay, Deb!
3
Talking about the '30s, I had "tweed suit" at first!!
2
What Liz said , Deb.
4
I've always assumed that the column is written ahead of time, though I've always wondered how far ahead. Deb commented a few times yesterday - most recently 15 hours ago. I really doubt that the columns are written that close to the puzzle publication.
On the other hand, she didn't comment at all on Wednesday. So maybe that's when she had an unexpected interruption. In any case, I also hope that all is well now and that we may hear from her again today.
On the other hand, she didn't comment at all on Wednesday. So maybe that's when she had an unexpected interruption. In any case, I also hope that all is well now and that we may hear from her again today.
3
Patriot leader: With the M and the A in place, I plunked down SAM ADAMS. Right city, off by about 240 years.
9
I kind of dispute TOM BRADY as "Patriot leader" even if in practice he actually is. I did think Tom Brady immediately when I saw the clue and saw it fits. I also happen to live in the same town as him, and am a fan. But he's not the team captain nor the coach. To the extent that QBs are generally seen as the leader of a football team, I can expect it. I just don't understand why there's a separate team captain - I mean, what does the captain do, if not lead? On the other hand, it's "Patriot leader" not "Patriots leader". So in a general terms, he's a leader who happens to be a Patriot (a member of the Patriots team). Tricky, tricky....
1
Some people have different words to describe Tom Brady, jus' sayin'.
14
lol, I came from NYC so wasn't a Tom Brady fan, but his performance (deflategate notwithstanding) had been stellar. And then, there was Superbowl LI. It's a team sport and all of the members in the team supported him and made it possible to come back from the 28-3 deficit, but regardless of what words you may have to describe Brady, you have to give him some credit. But yeah...I can only imagine what some of those words are.
1
[SPOILER ALERT]
At first it seemed too easy.
But then, being anything but a sports expert, I was not able to get the bowling question and the basketball question.
I finally did figure out PINHEAD/HEAD PIN.
Could somebody please tell me the basketball answer?