I really should take the words of advice at 19A: Reprimand to the overly speedy (ITSNOTARACE) more to heart in my solving experience. I get very easily frustrated when an area refuses to fall into place.
In fact, today, I solved the upper and central portion in under a third of my total solving time, and the remaining section in the lower area took the remainder. A few errors made life difficult for me. I entered an A for the last O in DIADELOSMUERTOS. I've never taken Spanish, but my knowledge of other Romance languages should have made it clear that that couldn't be possible. But to be honest, these were the kinds of mistakes I routinely made on French tests, so it was in good keeping with my nature.
Two other incorrect entries made the SW corner nigh impossible. I put RoutE in place at 45D: R, in a postal abbreviation (RHODE), those two correct letters making it difficult to give it up. And I put in aleS for KEGS.
Eventually, I did what you should always do: remove all and look at it afresh. I was sure that MATHLETES was correct (nice QMC there), because IDONTGETIT was definitely right, as was DOH. Odd to have that and DUH in the same puzzle. Then when I managed CHECKPLEASE, it all came together.
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| AMERICANO |
Also great were some of the small bits. I liked 46A: Red states, once (USSR) crossing 47D: Makes red in the face? (SLAPS). Also, 9D: Bring into existence (ERECT) and 10D: Brought into existence (SIRED). That shows an attention to detail, having these related clues so close to each other.
Finally, I'll note the insane 31D: Shortened again (OER). That is such a great bit of misdirection.
Not a race. Right. ROGERTHAT.
- Colum
Thoroughly enjoyed this one -- everything really seemed to sing! And I'm grateful that the constructors and editors acknowledged the all-important distinction between "DUH" and "DOH" -- two entirely different...um...words. :-)
ReplyDelete15:32
ReplyDeleteOh sure, the one day I beat you and it's suddenly not a race! :)
Seriously, though, I enjoyed this one too, for all the reasons you mentioned. Everything over 8 letters was very good, and even the shorter stuff was mostly strong. Never heard of Timor-Leste, or "AMOR Gitano," but those are only WEE things, and really, they're on me.
27:13
ReplyDeleteI don't remember that particular clue for OBOE, nor did I know that was part of any phonetic alphabet. This was a good, solid Saturday. I had no slowdowns, but my pace isn't particularly impressive. Nice to see SUE in the grid, as well as ASS. Also, OCTAL and CONE crossing MATHLETES was pleasing.