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Thursday Puzzle — The crossword theme development technique is similar, at least in my opinion, to the theme of Rebecca Goldstein’s Magical Puzzle. You start with just a tiny spark of an idea, then add and remove elements until you’re exhausted and your brain hurts and you’re reconsidering your decision to make the puzzle in the first place. Then, once you’ve spent hours working on the topic and you’ve nailed it to the limit, voila! Now you’re ready to start building your puzzle.
What I’m saying is that by working on this theme, you’ve begun the process of turning its original brilliance into something worthwhile. It’s valuable not only because you created it, but also because it has the potential to be published and enjoyed by people outside your family.
I thought Ms. Goldstein’s theme was very clever and I’m glad she was able to develop it into something that we could all enjoy.
Mr. Reidstein’s (sorry, Goldstein’s) grid has four double rebus squares. Across-themed entries require a PB (chemical symbol for lead) rebus, and down-themed entries require an AU (gold) rebus.
For example, in the case of 23A, the answer to the hint “A freestyle competition” is RA.[P B]ATTLE, P and B are entered in the same square.3D (“alternative to lattes and flat whites”), the entrance to that intersection, is CAFE [AU] Late. This is probably his first experience with ALCHEMY, so congratulations!
I really enjoyed Ms. Goldstein’s puzzles, but there was one square in her grid that annoyed me and refused to cooperate until the end when I resorted to the “Publish” feature. did. I wanted her LUX (I wanted it to be “Lum” which I thought might be an abbreviation for lumens) as the “lighting unit” on 42A and the code for Phoenix “Sky Harbor Airport” (PHX) on 30D. I did not know.
This left one unsolvable square near the center of the puzzle. Running the alphabet didn’t help, so I published it. Live and learn. You’ll know next time.
tricky clues
20A. “Seer?” These are people who claim to be clairvoyants, but when you see that question mark, you know the word must mean something else. These “seers”? It’s the eyes.
60A. What if something is “looming”? Floating above you, the clue can also mean someone used a loom, so the answer is “WOVE.”
19D. “Playgroup?” is a great clue for the team. This will also be a good clue later in the week about the word “cast”.
50D. This “pet problem?” It’s not fleas or shedding, it’s just an annoyance. Please have your pet Peeves spayed/neutered.
Constructor notes
This puzzle took some time to reach its final form. The editorial team regretted his LEAD BALLOON post in August 2021 with his PB rebus circled due to its similarity to his LEADBELLY puzzle run several years ago. I expressed my intention. This puzzle has found a cozy home on Matthew Stock’s blog.
For some reason, I couldn’t let go of the idea, and over time I transformed into an alchemical debunker. I didn’t understand the proper mechanics until Adrian Johnson performed his amazing “Eyes on the award” at AVCX. From there, the puzzle was quickly solved. The symmetrical rebus squares were the best cherry blossoms.
Some of my favorite tips that didn’t work were probably ones that were removed to make the more difficult puzzle theme entries easier. 18A’s “Spot with an upscale cocktail menu?” 50A “Bust Sculptor?”, 32D “Spin the Wheel?”
This puzzle was approved about a year ago. I’m happy to share it with you today. Especially since it gave me great ideas for the next round of the online music league I’m a part of.
I hope you enjoy it. And to all of you celebrating, have a Happy Hanukkah tonight.
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