When it comes to making errors in solving a puzzle, IBLAMEMYSELF. Not many other people I can blame, I guess, when it comes down to it. Today's mistake was definitely avoidable. I had put EQUAlLY in at 24D: In an even manner (EQUABLY), which is certainly a reasonable guess. But the last word I had to fill in was 40A: Sty occupants (SLOBS). That's a fine clue, by the way. So I was looking at possibly having "SLOlS" in that place, and I hesitated not once but twice before putting the last letter in.
So, a good rule of thumb should be that when you see something that just can not be correct in any way, shape, or form, don't put that last letter in. And I really questioned every crossing letter of that answer but the mistake. So another good rule of thumb is don't fall in love with your own assumptions.
But enough self-flagellation. Let's focus on all the great stuff, shall we?
So many great long answers today. I'm fond of a good colloquial phrase, like WEREALLSET. Also, PADMALAKSHMI is an outstanding answer, a full name, and a celebrity minority woman, so many nice things there.
9D: Case opener (EXHIBITA) is a great example of a tough clue, and a really difficult answer to figure out. I had E_H_BITA and was certain I'd done something wrong. TREX was a tough get as well, but such a great aha moment in a puzzle full of AHAS!
Speaking of which, how about 1D: Tanning agent (SUN)? Oh, that's brilliant. And a non-QMC to boot! What a way to elevate a simple answer. For an excellent example of a QMC, see 63A: Defaults? (EDITS). So good.
We just finished watching a movie featuring a STUNT double, namely "Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood." It was... good? I think? We loved everything up until the last half hour, which I will not spoil. We also saw Ford v. Ferrari, which was a lot of fun. My pick for best picture? Little Women, which will not win.
Great first two parts of the turn this week. Here's looking forward to tomorrow's!
- Colum
21:07 (FWTE)
ReplyDeleteWell, at least Colum had only one error; I had two. I don't know this PADMALAKSHMI, and I, too, fell in complete love with EQUAlLY and didn't even consider - not once - changing it to the much nicer EQUABLY, so I tried the letter "a" in the first square of 40A, convincing myself that aLOlS were things that could be in a sty. I didn't have any trouble at all with the remainder of the puzzle, which I finished quickly in around fifteen minutes. Even KATANAS, QUIERO and the SANDP (where I wanted some variant of "Indy" at first) didn't cause me any major problems. I dropped TREX right in since I have two t-shirts featuring the dinosaur in question. RASHER, EFFACED, APPALACHIA (excellent) and PRUNE took a few crosses each, and I tried Sailor at first where SEAMAN goes, but on balance it is a smooth and enjoyable Friday offering, but not too EASY. Go PATS!
I did not finish this crossword. My start was great; it had me thinking that I might finish a Friday crossword. Alas, "Top Chef" (never heard of it) proved to be a stumbling block. It lead to _ATANAS, AVED_, and _LOLS. The second L was actually a B. Double whammy. I wrote in EQUALLY in place of EQUABLY. According to my American Heritage College Dictionary 4th Edition, it is a real word. NAKED LUNCH was interesting; my favorite band, Steely Dan, got its name from that book. Yes, I know what the term means. High points: CALVIN and two-thirds of my favorite beers triad, Coors and Pabst (Blue Ribbon). Only Miller (High Life) was missing. Nowadays, my beer consumption has dropped to almost nothing.
ReplyDeleteIAN
DNF
ReplyDeleteI finished everything but the middle in about ten minutes, but fell EQUAlLY for the 24D alternative, and with that in place, and me not knowing PADMALAKSHMI, I could not see SLOBS. I was also not 100% sure of KATANAS... ah well. I had lots going on in my non-puzzle life today, too. Sometimes it's like that.