PUZZLE #40: Performance Spaces

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SOLUTION to the last puzzle

Quick post today— I've been spending a lot of time around creative/artsy/performance spaces lately, so this crossword seemed fitting.

Hope you enjoy the puzzle!
-Paolo

PUZZLE #39: Moving In

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SOLUTION to last week's puzzle

Autobiographical puzzle, since I just flew out of San Diego yesterday. Feels weird, but I'm ready to start ~collegiate~ living.

Also, congrats to Stella Zawistowski, winner of Lollapuzzoola 11, as well as her co-finalists, Glen Ryan and Sam Ezersky! Solving powerhouses, the three of them. The tournament may be over, but if you missed it, you can still solve the puzzles here.

Hope you enjoy the puzzle!
-Paolo

PUZZLE #38: No Love Lost

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SOLUTION to the last puzzle

First, some sad news: McDonald's cancelled their sponsorship with me because, in their words, "why did we even spend money on brand integration with a teen's crossword blog in the first place." No matter-- sponsorship or not, I'm gonna keep making puzzles, and I defy any big-budget company to stop me.

I originally had a different puzzle slated for today, but I got inspiration yesterday that I had to follow through with. Hope you enjoy the puzzle!

-Pao

P.S. Lollapuzzoola 11 is happening in two weeks. Insanely good puzzles guaranteed, so be sure to sign up.

PUZZLE #37: "And Now, 71 Words From Our Sponsors"

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SOLUTION to the last puzzle

I don't know how to announce this, so here goes: I've agreed to do introduce brand integration to Grids These Days. Running this site has been a great and rewarding project, but I'm going off to college soon, and artistic satisfaction doesn't pay tuition bills. I know it might be a weird and confusing transition, but rest assured I'm taking pains to make it as unobtrusive HOT AND FRESH DOLLAR MENU DEALS as possible. Let me know if FREE FRIES EVERY FRIDAY WITH DOWNLOAD OF THE APP it becomes MOUTH-WATERING EXTRA VALUE MEALS distracting.

-Paolo

PUZZLE #36: Marvelous!

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SOLUTION to the last puzzle

Hello, solvers!

New puzzle this week! I have some [SPOILERY] links to check out after you finish:

1.) This Will Nediger puzzle, which I like to think of as this puzzle's spiritual twin. I've had this puzzle idea kicking around for a while, though, so think of it more as cool parallelism than me Timothy Parker-ing.

2.) And this video, which I consider to be one of the best movie promos of all time.

3.) This one isn't a spoiler, but check out Peter Broda's latest vowelless crossword pack, Made Without AEIOU. I've solved the first two, and they're *chef's kiss*

Enjoy!
-Paolo

PUZZLE #35: Bank Statement

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SOLUTION to the last puzzle

Easier puzzle this week, with a pretty open grid. Also, this isn't theme related, but this is just to say that I'm doubling down on the opinion expressed in 9-Down.

In other puzzle news: These Glutton for Pun puzzles and this arctan(x)word puzzle are excellent, and you should check them out immediately.

Hope you enjoy!
-Paolo

PUZZLE #34: Many Happy Returns

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SOLUTION to the last puzzle

Hello again!

It's been a minute since the last puzzle. Sorry for the inactivity— I was busy with boring things like graduating high school. That whole deal is over now, though, so I have some time to spare for crosswords. So, without further ado: here’s a hard puzzle with a theme I like, and a revealer that I think is pretty fitting.

As always, enjoy!
-Paolo

P.S. There's still time to grab the Indie 500 solve-at-home set -- all of the puzzles are great (as is expected), including the meta suite. Check it out if you can!