17A: Palindromic thought about preparing to pay down massive debt (must save vast sum). I'll get to the difficulties after the theme answers.
24A: With 47-Across, palindromic Senate worker looks with amazement upon job payment inconsistency (page gawks at / task wage gap).
61A: Palindromic plan for freshening part of a lab (aerate pipet area). This was my favorite, partly because we had pipet just the other day.
I struggled with most everything in the northwest. I did know 4D: Preceders of spikes in volleyball (sets), but that was about it. Once I guessed 19A: It might set off a light (sensor) , I proceeded to 3D: A.A.A. member?: Abbr. (Assn.)...just seeing the cleverness of that clue now. My original answer for 1A: Eventful times (eras) was correct, although I must have erased it three times.
More difficulties in the northeast. I will never again forget 9A: Prince Valiant's wife (Aleta)...I think we've seen her before, and I'm quite sure we will yet again. Didn't have a clue what they wanted in 16A: Intoxicate (besot). Eventually got the aha moment and realized the answer to 9D: Like some ballots (absentee), giving me 40A: Group-mailing aid (E-list), which for many minutes was missing its first letter.
Struggled briefly with 36A: 1960s singer Terrell (Tammi) because I was putting the accent on the first syllable, and that name didn't ring a bell. Once I figured out how to pronounce it, I was set. Wasn't sure if it ended in a Y or I, though, but a quick check of 37D: "Really?" confirmed it. Is that so? Loved that it crossed at its first S with 41A: "Um...sure" (I guess).
Also liked the cross of 20A: Extra winning opportunities (side bets) and 18D: Play to __ (a draw). Don supplied those two answers...I was getting pretty sleepy.
I'm sure I'll smack myself when someone explains this one...38A: It has M.S.G. in it (NYC). I do not have a clue.
Didn't get 52A: Completely (from A to Z) until I got the Z in place from 55D: Fan's publication (zine).
My first answer for 65A: Role played in films by Chief Thundercloud (Tonto) also got erased a couple of times. I knew that Jay Silverheels played Tonto in the TV series, but it never occured to me that someone else played him in films.
And I can hardly keep my eyes open any more, so I'll wrap it up. Here's the grid...
...and I'll see you tomorrow.
Linda G
10 comments:
Haha, I'm afraid to let you in on 38A lest you abuse yourself. Here are some hints though, George Harrison held his Concert For Bangladesh at this location in 1972. In a more recent notable event, Billy Joel performed an epic four-hour millennium concert here. Yeah I'm sure you have it now.
A fun puzzle. This is the first palindrome puzzle I've ever done, and I loved it. My favorite was MUST SAVE VAST SUM. Very clever.
Thank you, le master. Though I got NYC from the crosses,I had no idea what MSG stood for, but your hint gave it to me instantly.
I had the most trouble with the NE. I read Prince Valiant fathfully as a child, but it took my old brain forever to dredge that up.
MSG stands for Madison Square Garden, which, of course, can be found in New York City (NYC). Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
if you night time solvers would get more sleep before working the puzzle you'd have no problem with NYC.
If you live in the NY, NJ, CONN, or PA area 38A is almost a gimme.
Linda, I got 68A from the downs, Tonto of my recollection is Jay Silverheels also.
I won't smack myself for that one. It's not as obvious to someone who grew up in south Florida. BOATEL (not in this puzzle, but in two past puzzles) was a gimme for me, but it stumped a lot of solvers.
btw, i work in a lab, and 61A: PIPET is actualy spelled PIPETTE
I checked the pipet/pipette spelling, and the first dictionary I looked at accepted both options, although I agree that it is probably most often given the nice French ending.
Nice French ending...I like that. I always want to put OMELETTE in the grid and often can't figure out why there isn't enough room. Well, not always, but when it's an answer...you know what I mean ; )
Linda wrote: "I won't smack myself for that one. It's not as obvious to someone who grew up in south Florida."
No self-smacking here either, Linda, and I grew up in Eastern Massachusetts. I wouldn't have seen that M.S.G. stood for Madison Square Garden, not even after two cups of coffee.
Last evening was my first visit to Madness blog. It is WONDERFUL! I shall return...
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