Constructor: Brendan Emmett Quigley
Relative issue:Â Medium (my time was somewhat sluggish for a Friday, however I wasn’t actually dashing).
THEME: NONE — Welcome to Friday
Word of the Day: ANNATTO (16A: Peppery orange-red condiment) —
Annatto ( or ) is an orange-red condiment and meals coloring derived from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), native to tropical America.[1] It is usually used to impart a yellow or orange coloration to meals, however typically additionally for its taste and aroma. Its scent is described as “barely peppery with a touch of nutmeg” and taste as “barely nutty, candy and peppery”. (wikipedia)
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Happy Friday! It’s Eli again once more after a in the future hiatus. I’m scripting this on Thursday evening, which implies I’m sipping on a powerful rum drink from a elaborate carved mug. At the start of dwelling isolation throughout the pandemic, my spouse and I setup a weekly Thursday completely satisfied hour over Zoom with some mates who had moved to Maryland. Those mates have now moved again to Los Angeles, however the completely satisfied hour custom has carried on. Tiki is the order of the night this week, so I’m in an exceptionally good temper. Oh, proper, the puzzle. Let’s get into it!
Today’s puzzle is by the person, the parable, the legend: Brendan Emmett Quigley. BEQ was the primary indie crossword weblog I found, and it actually opened up the puzzle world to me. I nonetheless remedy his puzzles twice per week, and he is one of many first constructors I like to recommend if folks ask me for NYT alternate options. This wasn’t my favourite puzzle of his that I’ve solved, however I did not actually have many points with it. Maybe it is the rum. I’m additionally blaming the rum for my slower than common remedy time. The cocktail known as the Spirit of Aloha, and I suppose I’m feeling that spirit tonight.
I like a themeless, and I felt like this performed appropriately for a Friday. Starting off with SOFA LEG at 1A wasn’t an auspicious starting. It took me a very long time to see and one thing about it simply appears off to me. Don’t know why. It’s not fairly Green Paint, and appears legit sufficient, it simply feels somewhat arbitrary in some way. Maybe it is simply me. DOG SHOW JUDGE has an identical vibe to me, although the clue is prime notch (18A: Toy inspector?). A OR B (33A: Simplest selection) jumps out as lower than excellent, and I’ve by no means appreciated having to determine how a puzzle needs me to spell UEY (21A: Missed-the-turn manuever). Other than that, I’m not seeing something to actually carp on.Â
Overall, it was a fairly straight-forward themeless. The grid-spanning solutions are effective and within the language however not the flashiest phrases. Maybe I’ll simply throw out a number of of the issues that crossed my thoughts whereas I solved.Â
- ELTON JOHN (6D: His “Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy” was the primary album to debut at #1 on Billboard) — Fun trivia, however I principally wished to brag that I used to be on the sector for his last live performance at Dodger Stadium (the one which was streamed on Disney+). It was a tremendous evening. Here’s an image of the hoodie I purchased there with my tiki drink setup for the night:
- SCROOGE (54A: One who’s imply because the Dickens?) — I appreciated the clue and the seasonality, however I’ve used weaker excuses to share Muppet Christmas Carol clips:
- JOE D (39A: M.L.B. nice with a well-known “unbreakable” streak, familiarly) — I knew this was Joe DiMaggio instantly, however I do not assume I’ve ever heard him known as Joe D. Joltin’ Joe is the nickname I all the time consider.
- BAT (45A: Mexican free-tailed ___ (world’s quickest horizontal flier) — BAT!
- ANNATTO (16A: Peppery orange-red condiment) — I cook dinner loads, however that is totally new to me. I’ll must attempt it!
That’s about all I’ve bought for at present. Wishing you all a cheerful finish to the vacation season. Whether you are celebrating Kwanzaa (I consider tonight the main focus is Nia or “Purpose,” however I’m no professional; I simply assume it is good) or trying ahead to New Year Celebrations, keep protected and revel in your festivities. Thanks to Rex for letting me crash right here once more, and benefit from the weekend forward!
Signed, Eli Selzer, False Dauphin of CrossWorld
[Follow Eli Selzer on Twitter]
