PUZZLE #53: Themeless 13

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PUZ
SOLUTION to the last puzzle

Scattershot announcements today:

• The PDFs have a hot new look! Many thanks to Crossword Nexus for providing the service, and to Chris King for recommending it.
• Late to the game on this, but this thread by Rebecca Falcon is relevant today and forever. Give it a read if you haven't already.
• Tournaments! Boswords is open for registration, Lollapuzzoola is right around the corner, and The Indie 500 is still letting people order the tournament puzzles. Guaranteed great puzzles all around—I hear if you do all three, they call that "the gauntlet."
• Watch this New Yorker video if you want to see crossword lovers talkin' crosswords. Natan Last does some off-the-dome cluing, and it's a joy to watch.

Themeless puzzle again, this one with a weird size; hope you enjoy!

-Paolo

PUZZLE #9: Dab On 'Em

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PUZ

SOLUTION to last week's puzzle

Welcome back, solvers!

Back to themed puzzle territory with this one. You might be asking yourself, was this puzzle just made as an excuse to post the gif below? The answer is yes, it absolutely was. Inspiration can come from the weirdest places. 

Also, in Crossword Sightings in Media: linguistic podcast The Allusionist just released an episode about the crossword world, framed around live reporting from last month's Lollapuzzoola. It's intensely well-done, featuring interviews with some incredible people (the segment with Neville and C. Fogarty is a must-listen). Above all, though, I enjoy how well it captured that fun/nerdy/semi-chaotic Lollapuzzoola feeling. Plus, I'm mentioned at around the 10:30 mark, and you know how much we millennials love hearing our own names. Definitely worth a listen, for whenever you have a 30-minute-or-so block of free time.

Hope you enjoy, and until next week!

-Paolo