Friday 29 July 2022

No 13621, Friday 29 Jul 2022, Hypatia

RULES FOR POSTING COMMENTS ON FRIDAYS ONLY

All those who are not regular commenters but who are rookie commenters or silent followers of the blog are requested to post answers with annotations in the comments section. In your own interest please avoid looking up the answers from the interactive version. Don't hesitate to post your annotations, in case you make a mistake in the annotation someone will correct it with the right annotation.

PLEASE NOTE, SOLUTIONS WITHOUT ATTEMPTING THE ANNOTATIONS WILL BE DELETED

Each commenter is requested to post only 5 answers thereby giving others also a chance to participate. Please provide all your answers in one comment.

Regular solvers/Veterans can post 1 answer each, but after 11 AM only.

Thanks for the response, here's the regular blog.

ACROSS
9   Track him struggling with a host of characters in Indian comics (4,6,5) AMAR CHITRA KATHA {TRACK+HIM} Letter Bank
10 Hysterical members ER keeps shackled (7) BERSERK [T]
11 One safeguarding kisser from rough chaps! (3-4) LIP-BALM [CD]
12 Easy-going supporter, per Rev., is a person like you (6,3) FELLOW MAN (~mellow fan to fellow man) 
14 Party vessel contains American breakfast items for Chennaiites (5) DOSAS {DO}{S{A}S}
17 Mature crowd laid-back about defeat (7) BLOSSOM {B{LOSS}OM<=}
19 Sportsman permitted to wear two articles (7) ATHLETE {A}{TH{LET}E}
21 Episode in first lady's book (5) EVENT {EVE}{NT}
23 Crawling quietly a spider swallows a fly (9) DISSAPEAR {P+A+SPIDER}* over {A}
25 Bet soft drink's returned to bar (7) PREDICT {P}{CIDER<=}{T}
27 Healthy way of cooking problem animal (7) OPOSSUM {OPOS}{SUM}
30 Largest in geometrical shapes (6,9) OBTUSE TRIANGLES {LARGEST+IN}* [RA]
DOWN
1   Insult local boy (4) BARB {BAR}{B}
2   Shock in husband's voice (4) HAIR {H}{AIR}
3   Grades student chosen randomly after start of exams (8) ECHELONS {L+CHOSEN}*<=>{Ex..s}
4   State of Kardashian, perhaps unwell in broadcast earlier (6) SIKKIM {KIM}<=>{SIK(~sick)}
5   Indian address vacant with acting Bishop leaving for neighbouring country (3,5) SRI LANKA {SRI}{bLANK}{A}
6   Pesky daughter abroad called on VOIP (6) SKYPED {PESKY+D}*
7   Finally Amma bought that maida flour to make chappatis (4) ATTA Tail Acrostic
8   Kind of hot (4) WARM [DD]
12 Note line going through Engineer's legend (5) FABLE {FA}{B{L}E}
13 Forget to keep nothing free (5) LOOSE {LO{0}SE}
15 Attack Japanese geisha houses in revolution (5) SIEGE [T<=]
16 Basically speak wilfully expressing abusive remarks (5) SWEAR Acrostic &lit
18 Think of couple embracing change (8) MEDITATE {M{EDIT}ATE}
20 It's necessary to remain balanced in trendy hangout (3,5) HIP JOINT {HIP}{JOINT}
22 Long shirt crumpled after time (6) THIRST {SHIRT}*<=>{T}
24 Heavy idols fixed over top of temple (6) STOLID {IDOLS*} over {Te...e}
25 Frequently pull old stump (4) PLOD {PuLl+OlD}
26 Consumes beef, pork etc. covering head (4) EATS mEATS
28 Only uniform (4) SOLE [DD]
29 Start to socialize in boring network (4) MESH {ME{So...e}H}

Reference List
Party = DO, Vessel = SS, American = A, Book = NT(New Testament), Quietly = P, Soft = P, Bar = T, Healthy way of cooking = OPOS(OnePot One Shot), Local = BAR, Boy = B, Husband = H, Student = L, Acting = A, Bishop = B, Daughter = D, Note = FA, Line = L, Engineer = BE, Time = T, Boring = MEH


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79 comments:

  1. Gowri29 July 2022 at 07:00

    A LIFE LESSON

    When I boarded the bus to reach my suburban home, I was in a foul mood. By habit, I headed for the window seat, without realising that I could hardly enjoy the view outside.

    I had just been diagnosed with LEUCOMA & with a large pirate's patch on my eye, I didn't know whom to UNLEASH my WRATH on.

    We had moved into this new RESIDENTIAL colony, only 3 months back. As I went for my evening walks, I would casually stand around and watch the children playing cricket. Last week, suddenly the ball from the SECOND SLIP came tearing at me & WHOP! hit me on my right eye. I collapsed in pain. The INSOLENT teenagers were taken aback & their leader, who I secretly thought looked like an ORANG, helped me up & took me home.

    When no amount of ice packs helped, my wife sent for the local doctor, who made a prompt HOME VISIT. Since it was already dinner time, he gave me a pain killer, patched up my eye & asked me to visit a Eye Hospital at the earliest.

    It was an accident, but I felt overwhelmed & scared. I was a freelance writer, who did my own PROOF READING. My hobbies included drawing with CRAYONS & playing the MANDOLIN. Will I lose my sight in my right eye? How will this affect my life? I felt LOST AT SEA & my dinner of MUFFINS remained UNEATEN. I called my son at NAIROBI & at the cost of sounding BARMY, almost wept.

    One week of regular trips & innumerable tests later, my diagnosis came today. I needed a Corneal transplant & had to wait for a donor. The Eye Surgeon estimated 3 months. I had always been IN GOOD CONDITION & a regular BLOOD DONOR. So the Doctor felt, the surgery should be smooth. Still, I could not shake off my gloom & my future appeared BLEAK. From someone, who could laugh like a HYENA, I had become AGELASTIC, in less than a week.

    I noticed the father - son duo. The son, in his early teens was sitting near the window & peering out. His father was constantly pointing out things & colours to him. Their conversation was like
    Dad - "That is a tree!"
    Son - "Green!"
    Dad - "See the sky!"
    Son - "Deep Blue!"
    Dad - "Kudos!!"

    After sometime, I could not bear it & asked the Dad, "Your son can see for himself. Why are you pointing out the obvious to him?" Smiling gleefully, he turned to me & said "Yes, he can. He really can. With his eyes. Not his mind!"

    When I looked puzzled, he explained, his son had been born blind & had lived the first 14 years of his life in total darkness. After several surgeries, the vision in his right eye had been restored & this was his first bus ride after removing the bandage. The father was pointing out to his son, all the simple colours, forms & life that he had only imagined & which we take for granted.

    I was mortified. All the more when I realised, I still had full vision in one eye & in all probability, both eyes in 3 months. How SELF CENTERED, I had been, not realising my blessings.

    As I alighted from the bus, I felt INDEBTED to God and paused to take in all the sights around, as I slowly made my way home.

    Yes, Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder & even one eye is enough to behold it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kolluru Koteswara Rao29 July 2022 at 08:08

      Thanks Gowri for creating such a wonderful story.. Your story truly presented the value of life. How blind we are to ignore beautiful things!

      Delete
    2. Padmanabhan29 July 2022 at 09:14

      What is the yardstick for comparison? Looks like nothing is absolute. I am reminded of the puzzle-
      How can you shorten a line dawn without erasing a part of it?

      Delete
    3. Ramesh Kosaraju 29 July 2022 at 10:54

      Good to read your story Gowri ma'am. Keep them coming as often as possible.

      Delete
  2. TheBoss29 July 2022 at 07:26

    10a BERSERK [T]
    14a DOSAS {Do}{SS}{a}
    19a ATHLETE {A}{The}{Let}
    21a EVENT {Eve}{NT}
    1d BARB {BAR}{B}

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. D.Chandrasekhar29 July 2022 at 08:05

      Parts are ok. Presentation needs to checked for all. That is the fun in Cryptic clues

      Delete
    2. Col_Gopinath29 July 2022 at 08:14

      As per your annotation
      14A is DOSSA
      19A is ATHELET

      Delete
    3. TheBoss29 July 2022 at 08:48

      Thanks. Is this better?

      14a DOSAS {Do}{SS}contains{a}*
      19a ATHLETE {Let}to wear {A}{The}*

      Delete
    4. Sreelakshmi29 July 2022 at 12:23

      I'm very, very much a beginner, but based on my understanding:
      {DO} {S {A} S}
      Let the way you present the anno be a direct reflection of the wording of the clue, and let it read naturally as the answer as much as possible. You can show A to be 'contained' by SS. Using asterix feels a little...questionable I think?
      Similarly:
      {A} {TH {LET} E}

      Delete
    5. D.Chandrasekhar29 July 2022 at 12:48

      Well done Sreelakshmi . You are on the right track

      Delete
    6. Sreelakshmi29 July 2022 at 13:31

      Ahh, thank you so much

      Delete
  3. Orthopaul29 July 2022 at 07:34

    25d..PLOD..P(u)L(l) O(l)D
    19ac.. ATHLETE.. A &THE are the 2 articles
    Let is allowed..A TH(LET) E ( Sportsman)
    21ac.. EVENT.. EVE NT...EVE is first Lady NT is book... event is episode
    7d..ATTA.. Tail acrostic
    8d.. WARM.. DD KIND and Hot

    ReplyDelete
  4. Orthopaul29 July 2022 at 07:41

    Replacements
    4d.SIKKIM .. SIK KIM.. sik sounds like Sick
    Kim .. is Kardashian
    26d.. EATS.. (M)EATS

    ReplyDelete
  5. TheBoss29 July 2022 at 07:59

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AJ29 July 2022 at 08:26

    A beautiful story indeed, Gowri!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kiran29 July 2022 at 08:58

    9A AMAR CHITRA KATHA (letter bank from "track him")
    23A DISAPPEAR (p+a+spider)* swallows (a) {quietly = p}
    3D ECHELONS (e) + (l + chosen)* {student = l, start of exam = e}
    15D SIEGE (...japanesE GEISha...) [T <=]
    29D MESH (boring = meh, start to socialize = s).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sree_sree29 July 2022 at 09:05

      Learner to L comes from specific usage of L-board they (learner driver) display. Don't think it can be extended to student.

      Delete
    2. Kiran29 July 2022 at 09:11

      I have seen "L" being used for Student many times in these puzzles. I thought student is synonymous to learner. So, "L" can be used.

      Delete
    3. sree_sree29 July 2022 at 09:49

      Student may be synonymous to learner. But the learner(noun) clues for l is learner driver(n).

      Delete
    4. Kolluru Koteswara Rao29 July 2022 at 10:23

      Prasad, student for learner was used in several grids. Why this point raised now? Curious to know

      Delete
    5. sree_sree29 July 2022 at 12:20

      Agree it's been used before by multiple setters.
      But that's not the real answer, right!
      There is no real logical reason for why now? Except may be that after starting to try and set grids i rely more on OED rather than my knowledge.

      Would you accept single/unmarried for BA!
      Ofcourse as std, if someone could point a chambers ref, i will accept even if I still disagree.

      Delete
    6. Hypatia29 July 2022 at 14:35

      The BRB shows L as Learner (driver) rather than learner driver. I have student (for L) widely used in published clues in the Times, Guardian and The Hindu crosswords - you can correct me if I am wrong. At the end of the day it is something most solvers are familiar with when compared to some really obscure abbreviations that are validated only in dictionaries.

      Here are some I found in a cursory search..

      Customary to see no Royal Marine with a student (6) (Times, Quick Cryptic 215)
      Rather smelly student admitted making valiant effort (6) (Times Cryptic 26900)

      Delete
  8. Badri29 July 2022 at 08:58

    Nice grid, 11a and 20d are favorites. Missed the spooner.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Brajesh29 July 2022 at 09:16

    5d Sri Lanka from Sri is Indian address and blank-b +a from Acting

    ReplyDelete
  10. Brajesh29 July 2022 at 09:20

    6d skyped from pesky and D from daughter
    VOIP IS call system on internet

    ReplyDelete
  11. Brajesh29 July 2022 at 09:29

    16d swear from first letters of Speak Willfully Expressing A busive Remark

    ReplyDelete
  12. Brajesh29 July 2022 at 09:31

    22d Thirst from T from time and shirt

    ReplyDelete
  13. Padmanabhan29 July 2022 at 09:53

    Good solving and neatly presented.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hanumantha Rao29 July 2022 at 10:08

    12d is FABLE FA is note (electronic message ) line L in engineer BE

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. D.Chandrasekhar29 July 2022 at 12:50

      Doe, re, me, fa , so, la , ti are the sa, re ga, ma of western music

      Delete
  15. Kripa singan29 July 2022 at 10:13

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Sreelakshmi29 July 2022 at 10:13

    25A - PREDICT - {P} {REDIC} <= {T}
    Definition = Bet
    Soft = P
    Drink is returned = CIDER returned
    Bar = T (as in T-Bar, perhaps?)

    12A - FELLOW MAN  (Spooner of mellow fan)
    Definition = person like you
    Laid-back = MELLOW
    Supporter = FAN

    13D - LOOSE - {LO {O} SE}
    Definition = Free
    Forget = LOSE
    Keeping nothing = Keeping O

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ramesh Kosaraju 29 July 2022 at 10:40

    My CoD is 9a!
    Coincidentally, only three days back
    22d THIRST was clued in a different way as:
    Long, loose T-shirt (6)

    ReplyDelete
  18. Hanumantha Rao29 July 2022 at 10:42

    27a OPOSSUM a technic of cooking is OPOS. Problem is SUM

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Padmanabhan29 July 2022 at 11:55

      Good one. Thank you. Did not know about OPOS cooking. Googled it after seeing your solution.

      Delete
  19. AJ29 July 2022 at 10:59

    30 ac OBTUSE TRIANGLES: reverse anagram
    OBTUSE is anagram indicator
    indicator. (triangle)* : largest in

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jacob Brahmakulam29 July 2022 at 10:59

    30A OBTUSE TRIANBGLES; Geometrical shapes; reverse anagram of LARGESTIN

    ReplyDelete
  21. AJ29 July 2022 at 11:00

    30ac: defn: geometrical shapes

    ReplyDelete
  22. Jacob Brahmakulam29 July 2022 at 11:01

    substitute
    25A PREDICT; Bet; P CIDER<= T

    ReplyDelete
  23. Hanumantha Rao29 July 2022 at 11:04

    30ac :- OBTUSE TRIANGLES . OBTUSE is longest because angle is more than 90 degrees in obtuse triangle , the other two angles together 90 degrees .TRIANGLES includes geometrical shapes as well as shapes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ramesh Kosaraju 29 July 2022 at 11:22

      Rao garu
      See above by AJ and JB

      Delete
    2. Hanumantha Rao29 July 2022 at 11:41

      What about OBTUSE ?

      Delete
    3. Ramesh Kosaraju 29 July 2022 at 12:05

      With OBTUSE as Anagram Indicator, "largest in" translates to TRIANGLES.
      So OBTUSE TRIANGLES is the Solution for the Definition "geometrical shapes"

      Delete
    4. Ramesh Kosaraju 29 July 2022 at 12:07

      In a reverse anagram clue, you are given the anagrammed word. You work out the answer backwards – the answer consists of the anagram indicator and anagram fodder.

      Delete
    5. Murali29 July 2022 at 14:19

      @Hanumantha Rao garu, How is that the other two angles (in a obtuse triangle) together 90 degrees.
      I need to refresh my maths if that is so!😀

      Delete
    6. Ramesh Kosaraju 29 July 2022 at 21:32

      Good catch by KRM!

      Delete
  24. Mukundala Balasubramanyam29 July 2022 at 11:05

    20d HIP JOINT (Trendy = Hip)(Hangout = JOINT)

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hanumantha Rao29 July 2022 at 11:08

    30 a correction Largest not longest

    ReplyDelete
  26. Veena29 July 2022 at 11:08

    2d {H}{AIR}
    Definition: Shock
    Husband: H, voice: air

    16d: SWEAR
    Acrostic, semi &lit

    ReplyDelete
  27. Ramesh Kosaraju 29 July 2022 at 11:24

    30A See above by AJ and JB

    ReplyDelete
  28. Hanumantha Rao29 July 2022 at 11:54

    28d SOLE is only and it is also synonym of uniform

    ReplyDelete
  29. Deepak Gopinath29 July 2022 at 12:39

    11A yet to be solved
    Correct annotation for 6D and 22D to be given

    ReplyDelete
  30. sree_sree29 July 2022 at 12:56

    11a LIP BALM Cd. kisser:lip and Chaps are cracks on lips due to winter. One protecting lips from rough cracks due to winter:lip balm.

    ReplyDelete
  31. N Sridhar29 July 2022 at 13:06

    whether lip is a synonym for kisser? was rough necessary in the clue?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. sree_sree29 July 2022 at 13:29

      Kisser, not synonym for lip but mouth is. (I took cryptic ref to lips but mouth would work too). Rough may not be necessary but nothing wrong as a qualifier.

      Delete
    2. N Sridhar29 July 2022 at 13:38

      most dictionaries cite face as the synonym for kisser.

      Delete
  32. Padmanabhan29 July 2022 at 13:32

    Lip is as much a kisser as the person! (If I may say so)
    Rough cracks as explained above by Prasad.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Padmanabhan29 July 2022 at 13:33

    22D- T (SHIRT)*- Thirst- Long

    ReplyDelete
  34. Ramesh Kosaraju 29 July 2022 at 14:11

    6d SKYPED - called on VOIP
    abroad - Anind
    {pesky d}*

    ReplyDelete
  35. Hypatia29 July 2022 at 14:18

    Thanks to Colonel for the blog to all the solvers who joined the solving session at the blog. Hope you enjoyed the puzzle. For first timers, I would suggest that you can check the annotations that are provided by Colonel at the end of the day to learn the nuances of how to annotate the solutions.

    I had fun creating this puzzle - wanted to pay a tribute to the iconic Amar Chitra Katha in one of the lights, since it was an integral part of my growing years. Nice to see the acknowledgement for that clue from solvers on social media as well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sreelakshmi29 July 2022 at 15:49

      Thank yooou, Hypatia.... I can see so much thought and cleverness and tight surfaces behind a lot of the clues, it was a delight! Amar Chitra Katha was well-clued - and I came to know of letter bank clues because of you!

      Delete
    2. Hypatia29 July 2022 at 16:13

      Thanks Sreelakshmi. Good to know that you enjoyed the grid and the clues.

      Delete
  36. Amita Baviskar29 July 2022 at 15:16

    Enjoyable puzzle, Hypatia. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  37. R Nagendra Prasad29 July 2022 at 16:12

    Lovely crossword from Hypatia. Enjoyed solving. One doubt though!
    Can somebody please explain how to annotate 9A: aMar-CHITRA-Katha..this is new to me. other than TRACK+HIM (capital letters), how do we get the other letters..aaratha?

    ReplyDelete
  38. Padmanabhan29 July 2022 at 16:23

    Read comments above. This is called a letter bank clue. The letters in the solution word Amar Chitra Katha' are from the letter bank- TRACK HIM ( repeat of the letters in this) We will have to use our imagination with help from the other part of the clue. All your missing letters are repeats.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Padmanabhan29 July 2022 at 16:24

    Col.,
    Typo in solution word in 23A- Disappear

    ReplyDelete
  40. Gowri29 July 2022 at 16:52

    Thanx Hypatia. Took some time, but finished 100%. I too learnt about Letter Bank Clues from one of your past outings, but for some reason, i was calling it a Library clue. 🙄. Till recently corrected by Prasad.
    My COD - Lip balm.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Vasant29 July 2022 at 17:45

    Absolutely wonderful puzzle. My COD Amar Chithra Katha.

    ReplyDelete
  42. Ramesh Kosaraju 29 July 2022 at 22:03

    In addition to the standard mix of Anagram, Charade, DD, Deletion, Homophone, Reversal & Container clues, this CROSSWORD also had these types of clues to make it a perfect grid:
    Letter bank
    Reverse Anagram
    Reverse Telescopic
    Cryptic Definition
    Spoonerism
    & lit
    Tail Acrostic
    👏👏👏
    Good night!

    ReplyDelete
  43. Padmanabhan30 July 2022 at 08:57

    Very difficult to spot these letter bank clues. We have to depend on crossings and then work back.

    ReplyDelete

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