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Puzzle 131 - Themeless #95 (Honk Honk)

Realizing this is my first puzzle since Westwords Bestwords, which was just absolutely incredible! I got to meet so many people, both friends I've talked to for years online and new wonderful folks! It was awesome! Also have never been to the Bay Area before and got to spend a few hours exploring, which was also lovely! Highlights:

  • Spokane has like...two ramen joints, so Saturday night I found the closest ramen place to my hotel. Walked there & it had a couple folks waiting in line outside, good sign, few minutes go by, I go into this adorable shop, sit down, order. Looking around and...everyone is using chopsticks. Uhoh. I've never successfully used chopsticks before, but am not about to be the only white person in here asking for a fork. Frantically googling "how to eat with chopsticks for dummies" and before I know it my food is here. It's absolutely incredible. So good. And I successfully ate the bowl without asking for a fork! More proud of that than I should be but whatever. Shoutout to the ramen ladle, as well as slurping being an acceptable behavior. Couldn't have done it without you.
  • BART is so loud. Apparently it used to be even LOUDER?!?!
  • During Westwords, I had three different people apologize for taking a c*r to the tournament. I'm like...half proud of this, but also half-apologetic as well. Like...I truly despise automobiles and the general suburban-industrial complex that's codified and subsidized throughout the U.S. - but nobody* should feel bad for their perfectly reasonable individual choices in a c*r-centric world. My beef is with the c*r companies, governments, all the powerful folks that built this situation etc. Plus I have fun playing up the persona a smidge in puzzles - I do have other interests (e.g. board games, anything my kids wanna do, fart jokes, watching the Mariners lose 1-0 over and over again).
    • *if you buy a ludicrously oversized truck/street-legal tank to cosplay as a cowboy, the above doesn't apply. Fuck you.
  • I was feeling real good after Puzzle 1, when I finished just 1 or 2 minutes after Paolo (who was sitting at my table. Or rather, I was sitting at his table). Even by lunchtime, I was in ... 30th or so? Then Puzzle 5 came, which was an absolute doozy. Absolutely incredible puzzle and I got about 80% of the gimmick, but couldn't quite finish. And then my tumble down the standings continued as I chose the hard version of the final puzzle, solely because I wanted to see all of Mollie's clues. Couldn't quite finish that one either in time, but it's all good. I truly was just delighted to be there.
  • However, my very very favorite puzzle (they were all wonderful) was Enrique Henestroza Anguiano's, because (spoilers behind the link) it was themed after my younger son's very favorite song. Absolutely delighted to see that one.
  • I have long dreamed of going to a crossword tournament, but the logistics of getting from Spokane to the East Coast are just a lot. So a huge thank you to Kate, Rebecca, and everyone involved for making a dream of mine come true. Hoping to make it out next year as well!
  • Shout out to the bartender at whatever whiskey bar some of us ended up at post-tournament - despite having 900 whiskies on the wall, they didn't have one of my very favorites (Ardbeg Corryvreckan) - but she did recommend Ardbeg's An Oa which I have somehow never had (also ANOA). Still had the trademark Ardbeg brininess, but with a smidge of sweetness, coffee, maybe some butterscotch (?) in there. Quite delicious and I'm glad I tried it.

PUZ - PDF - Solution


Puzzle 130 - Themeless #94 (let's ride)

Wanted to get a puzzle out before Westwords...then decided that I loved it so much so I submitted it to our pals at AVCX+ (fingers crossed). So, back to the drawing board and you know what I love this bad boy too! Also if you are at Westwords come say hi! I've never been to a tournament before and am beyond excited to meet so many wonderful folks! See you Sunday!

PUZ - PDF - Solution


Puzzle 129 - Themeless #93 (little green circle marks the spot)

What to do when your kids wake up at 2:30, you finally get them back to sleep around 3, and then you can't get yourself back to sleep? Welp, for me I chose "finish cluing this bad boy" and I'm happy I did. Hope you are too!

PUZ - PDF - Solution


Puzzle 128 (one month)

That time of year again, when soon I will spend a few days sitting by the water, beer in hand, cheekful of sunflower seeds, puzzle clipboard on my lap, and no phone or Internet or any connection to the outside world. Perfection. Oh - and we now have a full family of four bicycle riders as our youngest is now a little cyclist too <3. Things are pretty good over here :)

PUZ - PDF - Solution


Puzzle 127 - Themeless #92 (the goodest dog)

Been a while! Kinda just ended up taking a crossword break for a bit but things are good, lots of family time, biking, soccer, working on myself, all that good stuff. Anyways, I made a not that funny joke last night and decided that it was perfect for a crossword. Cheers!

PUZ - PDF - Solution