I love this puzzle.
The last time we heard from Joe Krozel he deceived us all with his grid full of lies. He also confounded us in back on August 23, 2007 with a single list of clues not separated nicely into Across and Down. Neither the Across Lite version nor my database page do that one justice but the notepad explains the trick. Try the Across Lite without looking at the Notepad for the best experience. Mr. Krozel is clearly a constructor to watch.
Today’s Wednesday, July 16 puzzle (answers) has another unusual and, I have to say, pretty grid with it’s two-deep layer of white icing all around the outside. The eight double-stacked 15-letter answers that wrap up this puzzle present are all smooth and natural too.
The most unusual feature of the grid is the eight two-letter answers scattered symmetrically around the edges. Only one other puzzle in my database had answers that short — the famous Patrick Merrell mistake puzzle I’ve blogged about earlier. The theme of these shorties would be gettable since the puzzle itself is fairly straightforward but since it’s Wednesday, the included note makes it explicit. The ordering seems to be random but perhaps there’s a method to the distribution that escapes me. Any theories?
Speaking of explicit, “Delta of Venus” caught your eye, didn’t it? I’m a musician and it still took me a few moments to get the right sense for “swing alternative.” It’s BEBOP. For fun at your next party, ask the jazz musician looking cool in the corner to define bebop. Schubert’s ERL King is another nice musical clue. Even if you don’t think you like German Lieder, I bet you’ll find that one catchy.
Here’s your chance to prove you’re smarter than I am. I don’t get 3 Down. The clue is “purview of the I.C.C.” and the answer seems to be RRS. Does the International Chess Club deal with Railroads now? Go ahead. Make me feel dumb.
Things to look forward to:
- Ryan and Bryan are hosting Lollapuzzoola '08 on August 23 in The Big Apple. I'm on the wrong coast so I won't be there this year but Mike and Doug and Ellen and other crossword luminaries will gather for fun and frolic and presumably puzzles too. R&B have a terrific blog as well so check that out whether or not you lollapuzzool.
- Some puzzles are fresh as a daisy and some are, uh, not. I'm starting to incorporate the XWord Info Freshness Factor™ calculations into my stats site. The rarer the answer words the higher the score so lay off the OREOs if you want to lead the list. Which puzzles are the freshest? Who has constructed 4 of the freshest dozen? (Take a guess.) Stay tuned to this blog for news that's never stale.
