PUZZLE #99: Unleash the Beast! (by Chandi Deitmer!)

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SOLUTION to the last puzzle

If anything was going to wake this site up from its long-dormant state, it would be a tweet like this:

Anyone feel like hosting a very silly puz I wrote ages ago? Will make zero sense unless obsessed with arrested development

— chandzzz (@CDeitmer) April 15, 2022

So, I'm excited to bring you a guest puzzle by Chandi Deitmer, who you may recognize from her bylines in all types of outlets that sell good puzzles. She's one of the best in the business right now IMO (this from Crucinova, this from the NYT, and her Boswords joint are all what I would call "absolute heaters"), so it's an honor to be hosting the puzzle. Arrested Development-heads... this is our time.

And, some words from Chandi!

I have been a fan of paolo's work since basically knowing crosswords are in the world, so it is very very special to be hosted on GTD today! this is also a helpful way to cope with the fact that he moved away from cambridge and I no longer have the chance of randomly running into him. (did I run into him ever? no I did not, but there was always the POSSIBILITY.) a hearty congratulations to the new grad, and a big thanks for his kindness in hosting this very silly puzz and offering his keen editing eye 👀👀. 

on a very personal, soul-bearing note, my favorite moment in all of culture is when Michael says to Gob, "Forgot you were married? Quick, Gob, what's her name?!?!?" and he responds with ... "Crindy!" 

happy solve, ya nice nerds!

PUZZLE #63: Write-Offs (by Ria Dhull)

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SOLUTION to the last puzzle

Guest puzzle today! Very excited to run this one—Ria Dhull's an up-and-coming constructor, a fellow Harvard student, and also my girlfriend. She has the same voice/spirit/eye for quality as a constructor as she does as a person in general—a comparison that only makes sense if you know her I guess, but trust me when I say it means "very fun and good and I'm a huge fan." I'm very, very lucky in many senses, least of which is that I get to run this puzzle.

Some words from Ria!
let me just start off by saying that this is super exciting for me because paolo is one of the best crossword constructors out there. being on his blog is a really big honor and i still don’t think im worthy but hi! im sure you guys were expecting a pasco puzzle today and i can’t really make up for it but here is something! don’t know how i managed to convince paolo to post it, but he’s the nicest person ive ever met so maybe that’s why. like, for example, i made him edit this puzzle at least ten times, and he was really really sweet and helpful every one of those times. on that note, i genuinely think this puzzle would be nothing without him. as a very very new crossword constructor, i would also be nothing without him.

She's lying, this puzzle absolutely is 100% worthy and I'm the one who should be honored. Hope you enjoy!

(P.S. Follow Ria on Twitter @ria_dhull)

(P.P.S. The offer here is still on the table—if you haven't donated, it's never too late)