01.07.08 -- Silence

Hubble Space Telescope Image of Supernova 1994D in Galaxy NGC 4526
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Monday, January 7, 2008

Click here for LARGE PRINT.

Puzzle by Lynn Lempel, edited by Will Shortz
It might be noted that today’s crossword is by the same author who "created" yesterday’s Sunday puzzle entitled "The Inside Dope" -- Constructor Lynn Lempel is on a roll.
Today’s concoction includes six inter-related entries which integrate and contain words that are usually associated with sound; however, in this instance, the words, to wit, POP, BOOM, CRASH, CRACK, CLAP and BANG, are not particularly associated with sound in the context in which they are used. BIGBANG (64A. Theory of the universe, or a hint to the starts of 17-Across and 7-, 10-, 35- and 40-Down); POPFOUL (17A. High hit behind the catcher, say); BOOMTOWN (7D. Prosperous place); CRASHDIET (10D. Extreme effort at weight loss); CRACKSHOT (35D. Skilled marksman); and CLAPTRAP (40D. Baloney).

If one could personify a crossword, this would be a graceful critter -- full of fresh entries, and imaginative clues which are still solver-friendly.

Entries of note, outside of the inter-related ones mentioned above, include PAPERS and PARERS, ABILENE and APLOMB, DIORAMA and DOCTOR, LAOTIAN and BALMS, NESTEGG, and somehow, SWAN (36A. Graceful swimmer); along with such conversational ones as SAIDNO, IDO, “My life ISAN open book”, “Como ESTA usted?”, YAPS, and RAH; descriptions of emotions and activities related to same, ERRATIC, RIPUP, SEEN, SEEMS, RANSOM, EVADE, SPIEDON, SNUB, SNEERS, ACHEFOR, REPEL, etc. The pleasant clues include III + IV, + and -, Miss terribly, Vegetable that rolls, Neurologist or orthopedist, Symbol of sturdiness, Twisty-horned antelope, Lady and the Tramp, e.g. (32D. DOGS); Inside of a paper towel roll, Symbols of meekness, and the Shortzesque twin clues for LENS (21D. Eye part) and IRIS (29D. Eye part).

As is usual for a Monday (supposedly the easy puzzle of the week), there are more than a few standard entries, but their juxtaposition and use are of such that it seems like a challenge and yet the puzzle is a breeze! With that, I’m headed in -- tomorrow I want to be an early RISER (48D. One heeding the alarm clock).

BYE (7A. “See ya”)!
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Puzzle available on the internet at
THE NEW YORK TIMES -- Crossword Puzzles and Games
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Across: 1. Peeling knives; 7. "See ya"; 10. Katie Couric's network; 13. Kansas city where Dwight Eisenhower grew up; 15. Symbol of sturdiness; 18. Do surgery (on); 19. End of a school Web address; 20. Salves; 22. "My life ___ open book"; 23. Ward off; 26. Safety item for a tightrope walker; 27. Pep rally shout; 28. Refused; 30. Tallied up; 33. Neurologist or orthopedist; 36. Graceful swimmer; 38. Nuptial agreement; 39. Spotty; 41. Tidy savings; 43. Miss. neighbor; 44. ___ of Man; 46. Paths from here to there; 47. Stretchy fabric; 49. Self-assurance; 51. Family; 52. Vegetable that rolls; 53. Looks to be; 57. Treble's counterpart; 59. Thorny parts of roses; 61. III + IV; 62. Miss terribly; 67. Scene at a natural history museum; 68. Observed secretly; 69. Summer hrs. in D.C.; 70. One doing leg. work; 71. Derisive looks. Down: 1. Post or Trib; 2. Residence; 3. Shred; 4. Aide to Santa; 5. Old auto inits.; 6. Rebuff; 8. Kennel cries; 9. ___ out (barely make); 11. Alpha, ___, gamma ...; 12. Glimpsed; 14. Twisty-horned antelope; 16. Musical chord; 21. Eye part; 24. "Como ___ usted?"; 25. Vientiane native; 27. Abductors' demands; 29. Eye part; 31. Periphery; 32. Lady and the Tramp, e.g.; 33. Start a card game; 34. Air France destination; 37. Aviation-related prefix; 42. Inside of a paper towel roll; 45. Sporting sword; 48. One heeding the alarm clock; 50. Symbols of meekness; 54. Dodge; 55. Petty; 56 + and -; 57. Ordered; 58. Carbolic ___; 59. A few; 60. Nurses a drink; 63. Lead-in to fetched or sighted; 65. Card game with knocking; 66. Spelling competition.

2 comments:

  1. Hello. The image of the Big Bang at the top of this page:

    http://donaldsweblog.blogspot.com/2008/01/silence.html

    has been illegally used. Worse, my own name and URL have been erased from it -- I can still see the space at the bottom where it has been removed.

    I am willing to entertain the notion that perhaps you did not remove the name. Perhaps you merely found the image elsewhere (in which case I might wonder how you knew it was mine to link back to me.) In any case, your usage of the image without permission is unlawful. It clearly says at the bottom of every page on my site, space-art.co.uk (except the front page) that ALL image usages must be cleared in advanced.

    If you wish to continue to use this image, go to this page and use the image that is there, complete with my name still on it:

    http://www.space-art.co.uk/pages-en/formations/Big-Bang.htm

    You are also required to add a note underneath the image that it is copyrighted and that nobody may use it without contacting me. FIRST.

    I do not take kindly to this sort of behavior. If you do not comply I will notify blogger.com of the infringement as per the instructions on their site. If they find in my favour your Blog may be removed, or they may force you to remove the image in question.

    Mark A. Garlick
    magarlick@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Mark A. Garlick

    The image has been removed.

    Thank you, our apologies -- credits are important to us here -- we take them seriously.

    This is a non-profit blog with no advertising and exists solely for educational and informational purposes.

    Your artwork is much admired; however, no further use will occur in the future.

    Thank you.

    Donald

    ReplyDelete