Colin Ernst author page
3 puzzles by Colin Ernst
with Jeff Chen comments
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| A | S | S | A | M | S | E | L | L | S | K | T | S |
Real estate agents are such an easy target. Thankfully, I've had a couple of great ones in my life, especially the pair that sold my house ten years ago. I had been working 24/7 at my startup and neglected any semblance of upkeep. Peeling paint? Check! Broken tiles? Check! Weird dead animal smell? Check please!
This duo came in and amazingly disguised their disgust, saying things like "It's a bit of a fixer-upper" and "What a deal for someone with dulled senses." Instead of slapping a coat of paint on the cobwebs (which I unsuccessfully tried to do), they coordinated a four-week remodel and worked up a frenzied bidding war.
I enjoyed today's puzzle, getting a grinace (grin / grimace) from the stereotypical realtor-speak. The STUDIO APARTMENT clue reminded me of a friend in business school who hooked up a wireless modem … for his 500 square foot studio. Not the best business mind, but Lennox has many other fantastic qualities.
I appreciated all the bonuses, so important to keep solvers' interest if they don't connect to the theme. Usually I don't like the trade-offs that adjacent Downs bring — most editors will ding CIV KTS — but with an otherwise spotless grid, enabling SCOOP NECK and SHAKE ON IT is absolutely worthwhile.
ASSAM, MORIA, and AVONLEA are fine entries in themselves, at least to some people — this LotR junkie shall let them pass! Crossing them is iffy, though it's more fair to do on an intermediate Wednesday as opposed to a Monday that needs to be accessible to newer solvers.
I would have liked more humor in the theme, as with a garage sale puzzle from a while back. A lot to love in the rest of the grid and clues, though, especially like a PETRI DISH being a place for "cultural studies." I bet that clue goes viral!
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| K | E | E | P | Y | O | U | R | S | H | I | R | T | O | N |
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| H | A | N | G | O | N | T | O | Y | O | U | R | H | A | T |
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| T | A | B | O | O | P | A | Y | S | B | O | T | |||
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| C | I | T | I | N | G | P | A | R | E | S | ||||
| T | I | G | H | T | E | N | Y | O | U | R | B | E | L | T |
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| B | E | N | D | S | S | O | R | E | R | U | E | D |
I enjoy this theme type, figures of speech tied together unexpectedly. There's something entertaining about this triad, all suggesting that you stay dressed. What a prude, Colin! It's also neat that I couldn't think of any others that would fit — the "tightness" makes for an elegant package. Because of that, I don't mind that there are only three themers.
What else could work? Is there such a thing as "Don't take off your sweatpants?"
Ooh! "Leave your socks on!" That's something my wife tells me when—
Never mind.
Solid early-week gridwork, a friendly product for newer solvers. Some won't have heard of Laura NYRO — nor the old world blackbird, MERL — but the crossings make those unambiguous. Along with some fun and accessible bonuses like FRIVOLOUS, MONOLITHS, NOGGIN, and OR ELSE, I'd be fine handing this one to my less experienced crosswording friends.
I would have liked more bonuses, though, given the low theme density. Experiment with taking away the black square between ONEIDA and NIBS, or PEPSI and EGGO. Maybe even ONUS and FIT. All of those options would help enhance the grid flow, reducing the feeling that the grid is diagonally divided in half.
All in all, though, the theme pleased me, three metaphors making for an interesting set, limited in an elegant way. Nice debut.