Constructor: Kevin Der
Relative difficulty: Tough enough
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THEME: None
Word of the Day: NEPAL (43D: Traditional birthplace of Buddhism)—
I never introduced myself, so what more awkward time than now that I'm done here: I'm Matt Gaffney dammit, a professional crossword puzzle writer for the past 17 years. I write a weekly contest crossword here ($26 per year, close to being worth it), a daily mini-puzzle here (free for another week, then it costs $25 per year; definitely worth it now), a weekly current events crossword for The Week which is here, and a monthly 21x21 for Washingtonian Magazine which is here. My favorite of my books is here. Second favorite is here. Third favorite is here. Best article I've written about crosswords is here.
*****
The kids know how to make themelesses now, don't they? Had the pleasure of lunch with this puzzle's author (and Shortz protege Joel Fagliano) at the Shake Shack while attending Lollapuzzoola a couple of years ago in Manhattan. Highly recommended tournament which is only a couple of weeks away now -- go if you're in the NYC area.
Liked TIME BOMB, ON SALE NOW!, POWER NAP, BOX SCORE, WIN THE WAR, WET ONE, LIBRARIAN, COURT VISION, ON AVERAGE, VIOLA SOLO, and SNEEZE.
Letter grade of A. Thanks, Rex! The Ders (and Faglianos) know what they're doing, do they not?
Signed, Matt Gaffney, Regent of CrossWorld for 24 more hours
Relative difficulty: Tough enough
THEME: None
Word of the Day: NEPAL (43D: Traditional birthplace of Buddhism)—
Wedged between the high wall of the Himalaya and the steamy jungles of the Indian plains, Nepal is a land of snow peaks and Sherpas, yaks and yetis, monasteries and mantras.--Lonely Planet
• • •
Thanks to Rex for letting me guest-blog this week, and to his commenters for keeping things more or less under control. There were exceptions, but they know who they are and will do better in the future.I never introduced myself, so what more awkward time than now that I'm done here: I'm Matt Gaffney dammit, a professional crossword puzzle writer for the past 17 years. I write a weekly contest crossword here ($26 per year, close to being worth it), a daily mini-puzzle here (free for another week, then it costs $25 per year; definitely worth it now), a weekly current events crossword for The Week which is here, and a monthly 21x21 for Washingtonian Magazine which is here. My favorite of my books is here. Second favorite is here. Third favorite is here. Best article I've written about crosswords is here.
*****
The kids know how to make themelesses now, don't they? Had the pleasure of lunch with this puzzle's author (and Shortz protege Joel Fagliano) at the Shake Shack while attending Lollapuzzoola a couple of years ago in Manhattan. Highly recommended tournament which is only a couple of weeks away now -- go if you're in the NYC area.
Liked TIME BOMB, ON SALE NOW!, POWER NAP, BOX SCORE, WIN THE WAR, WET ONE, LIBRARIAN, COURT VISION, ON AVERAGE, VIOLA SOLO, and SNEEZE.
Letter grade of A. Thanks, Rex! The Ders (and Faglianos) know what they're doing, do they not?
Signed, Matt Gaffney, Regent of CrossWorld for 24 more hours