ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ NATIONAL LEAGUE]
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]
PROGRAM: [Java]
PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ NATIONAL LEAGUE]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]
Random musings:
- So long-time followers of the blog know I worship at the altar of Patrick Berry. For crying out loud, I know his work is so good, and I’m telling y’all it’s that good, I feel at times this site has become the Patrick Berry fan club. Well, he’s just about outdone himself with his latest book Puzzle Masterpieces. I don’t even know where to begin.
Okay, I do. For starters this book is handsome, almost too handsome to want to write in it. Patrick used to do graphic design, and it shows. Every one of these puzzles unique shapes is bold and striking. Even the hard cover, jacket and flyleaf designs are gorgeous. And while I’m here, the quality of the paper is a bit higher than most puzzle books. But you simply have to do the work, there is some jaw dropping beatiful grids in there. They’re curvy, psychedlic, and yes, there’s a couple standard boxy shaped ones too. My favorite variation is “Some Assembly Required” wherein the completed grid has been taken apart as “jigsaw pieces” which are also stand alone entries.
For the most part, they’re all themeless puzzles. That is to say loads of long entries, emphasis on the colorful stuff, deemphasis of the bad stuff. And for the most part, there’s hardly any entries smaller than like six letters. So none of the tired repeaters in this one. So that means virtually every entry is some amazing wished-I-put-that-in-a-puzzle name/phrase/song title/etc.
In his introduction, Patrick writes “I should point out that these puzzles are no more difficult than middle-of-the-week crosswords.” Middle of what week, Patrick? A Martian workweek? If there’s only one complaint about the book (and it’s a minor one) is that some of these puzzles are frigging tough. Really tough. But on the whole, that shouldn’t discourage people (like the ones who are already coming to this site) to pick it up. Well recommended.
- I guess the cliche for writers is that they write what they know. All I know is that the theme for this one came about while putting the finishing touches on a trip out to Denver for next week. (Stalkers take note!) The moral is, inspiration strikes at odd times.
I entertained the notion at one point to make this blog almost a diary/puzzle page. In a way I’d hoped that the puzzles would reflect what’s going on in my life as much as the rambling.
Then I thought about it, and I think I’m doing that anyway.
- I will be doing a DJ set tomorrow, March 26, from 8-10 P.M. on WMUA in Amherst, Mass. The show is “End of Radio,” so it’s typical outsider stuff: dubstep, skronk, free jazz, grime, awkward silences. All the hallmarks of the typical college radio station. Interested parties who wish to listen in, can find the stream here.
O, man, it took me Way too long to understand the theme (many minutes after I’d finished). I will always associate UGG BOOTS with you. Bet you never thought you’d hear that.
rp
@ RP: But I’m wearing a pair right now!
Brendan, you are not wearing Uggs.
I was disheartened when I read Patrick’s intro and learned that I was in for a bunch of Wednesday-grade clues. Luckily, that is not the case. There are puzzles that have taken me two sittings to finish, and that’s not my M.O. One puzzle involved a ridiculous amount of erasing. There are a few puzzles that are pretty easy, like the Snake Charmer ones, but the bigger ones like Some Assembly Required, Crates, and Rows Gardens are gnarly beasts that probably take me five times longer than a Saturday NYT to unwind. Love it!
Off to blog your puzzle over at Crossword Fiend now…
Have to agree with “Rex”. I didn’t realize there was a theme until after I read what he wrote. D’oh.
As a native of the Mid-Atlantic area, I liked seeing UTZ CHIPS show up in the puzzle. 🙂
Loved the theme…I wonder how many will miss that little AVIS tucked into the lower right.
BUDGET DEFICIT would be a timely entry if all the other agencies didn’t end their phrases…
is there actually a patrick berry fan club? if not, we should start one. as long as i don’t have to be treasurer.
Personally, if my name were Maybyner Hilario, I would be pretty proud of it. I really wish I could by a Hilario jersey right now.
Very nice work. I liked how UTZ and UGG were nearly symmetrical.
Enjoy the session at WMUA, deep in the bowels of one of the ugliest campus buildings in the world. Ah, my dear old Alma Mater…
Most interesting ELO clue ever!
Matt M.
Hey Mr. Q., tried listening to you on WMUA this am. I don’t think it was you. There was a girl and a guy and they were talking about democracy.
@ William Reid: That’d be in the P.M. While I’m here, you aren’t in the Jesus And Mary Chain, are you?
@ Matt M: How ya doing? Have I said I like the Thick Shakes stuff?
@ Martin Allen: Remember, it’s educational.
@ Joon: Looks like you already found the Facebook group.
@ Evad: Thanks again. This theme wasn’t cooked as BUDGET and NATIONAL should have been in there. Maybe this was a 17x?
@ Craig: thanks!
@ Amy: I am most definitely wearing a pair of Uggs right now.
Never saw the theme (until coming here)…then felt very foolish. Was looking for a synonym for “grooved” for 13 Down for WAAAAAAY too long. My brain alsways assumes a musical tie-in for your clues!
I also will endorse the Patrick Berry book (not that anyone knows me). Fantastic way to tease the brain.
And as always BEQ, you got me for a while with 13D. I need to get my mind in the gutter more often.
Either Some Assembly Required or Rows Garden are among the only things that will get me to buy a new Games Magazine.
I, too, helped a friend do a WMUA show back in 94. Somewhere someone has the keys to my never getting elected to public office.
UGG, ULG, UVG. One letter. All I needed was one damned letter. And “G” didn’t make the cut.
Great puzzle, Brendan.
I agree with the Patrick Berry Fan Club idea. I’ll be the treasurer! Joon can be the Sargeant-at-Arms.
Playlist is up from Brendan’s set from 8-10 pm EST @
http://www.rideside.net/2009/03/end_of_radio_show_thursday_march_26th_2009_8001000pm#comment-42212
There’s now a PB fan club on Facebook.
I got my copy of Puzzle Masterpieces a few days ago. I’m looking forward to tackling some of my favorite puzzle types including Rows Gardens and SARs.
Patrick told me he was initially reluctant to write the book because the construction effort wouldn’t be worth the amount of money Sterling was offering. I’m very happy he changed his mind.
I fear that the difficulty level of the puzzles, mentioned in early replies, will confine interest in this book to a niche market. I want Patrick to continue constructing beautiful and challenging puzzles, but I hate that his high standards will probably hurt his sales.