015: Themeless Puzzle 2; Laughs, Cheers, & Celebrations

[ Online | PUZ | PDF | Solution ]

Word Count: 72, Mean Word Length: 5.33

What can I say? I've caught the themeless bug! Not only that, but I've caught the word stack bug as well, seen earlier this week with my Teeny Tuesday puzzle. Instead of rambling on about the grid statistics here, I've given them their own section below. Thank you Chris Piuma for the editorial recommendation for 46D!

If you don't know your pop culture, I'm sorry. This puzzle isn't as geeky as last week's 15x15 themeless, but it still has a bit in it. *looks at my grid* Okay, it's still super geeky, but I wanted to embrace my interests more in 2021.

Non NYT Words: 13A, 14A, 24A, 35D, 51A, 62A

Non Shortz-Era Words: 1A, 16A, 40D

Title Words: 12D, 14D, 50A

Music Word: 51A

Cheers,
Jac

Thursday Edit: The attempted insurrection at the US Capitol yesterday was deplorable and disgusting. My US Representative is currently writing up new Articles of Impeachment to hopefully put an end to this nightmare of a US President. I hope that I can be a little glimmer of light in this corner of the internet, for I wish to spread joy and cheer, not bigotry and hate. Everyone, please stay healthy and safe. We'll get through this together. 

Now Playing: Kirby's Adventure Medley by the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra

YouTube Link

013: Themeless Puzzle 1, Take Flight

 

[ Online | PUZ | PDF | Solution ]

Word Count: 72, Mean Word Length: 5.33

Happy New Year! Phewy, we made it through a year we're not going to forget anytime soon. I for one am looking forward to 2021 with a renewed sense of optimism and excitement. I want this year to be bigger, bolder, and better! That being said, why not kick things off with my first published themeless puzzle?

This puzzle contains 8 words that have never shown up in the NY Times crosswords and another 2 words that have not seen the light of day during the Shortz era. Of the 8 new words, 4 of them are from my personal word list and 1 is from my Pokemon word list. Hopefully these will be fun to solve!

UPDATE: 45-Down has been removed from my word list. Thanks for the input from folks.

Cheers,

Jac

Now Playing: Revali, Ace Archer & Aviator by Kumi Tanioka

009: Themed Puzzle 5, Sole Searching

 

It seems to be the week of complete puzzle overhauls. Just like how Teeny Tuesday 4 was re-written a few times, so to was this puzzle. I compiled 514 different words to use in this theme and changed which theme words I used with each rewrite. Every time I started building the puzzle, I didn't like how the words were fitting together. Finally on the *looks at my notes* 5th attempt at this theme did I find words that clicked well together. After that, I was able to fill the grid without much issue.

I have three clues in this puzzle that are representing my home state, Minnesota. They can be found at 24/42-Across, and 29-Down. Regarding my favorites in this puzzle, 43-Across is my favorite clue and 17-Across is my favorite word.

EDIT: Oh boy did I goof on a section of this puzzle. Thanks to @Will Nediger, @arctan, and @romkd on the crossword Discord for the feedback. I have updated this puzzle fixing the word that didn't quite fit and wrote 6 new clues! This folks is why it's important to have test solving and an editor.

Enjoy!

Jac

PUZ | PDF | Mobile | Solution

Currently Playing: PSYCHO-PASS by Yugo Kanno

007: Themed Puzzle 4, The Fare at the Fair Is Fair

This song has been stuck in my head on and off for over 15 years, so it should come as no surprise that it influenced today's puzzle. I have a particular fondness for homophones because they help in coming up with some truly amazing puns and wordplay. Do not fear my dearest reader, I did not include puns in today's puzzle, but there are homophones in the clues.

A special thank you to my friends Charles, Paul, Kevin, Chris, and Stephen who all test solved this puzzle together. Paul gets the credit for revising my clue for 41-Across as while my original clue was almost right, he helped me write one that's more appropriate.

Cheers,

Jac

005: Themed Puzzle 3, Tunes of December

It's amazing to think that we're already in December. This year has felt like an eternity and an instant at the same time. Now that we're in the holiday season, I've pulled out my Christmas tree, strung the lights, and switched out my Spotify playlists for something a bit more festive. In addition, I have a new Christmas tree topper this year, a mini Death Star. My wonderfully adorable cat Milo hasn't attacked the tree so that's a Christmas miracle!

Given that the holiday season is upon us, I have whipped up a festive crossword for everyone to play!

Enjoy,

Jac

003: Themed Puzzle 2, Feline Fever

Throughout most of my life, I've had pets of some sort at home that have brought endless amounts of joy. There have been guinea pigs, gerbils, mice, cats, and a dog. (Okay, it's my mother's dog after I moved out, but the black lab is adorable and still counts.) It should come as no surprise that animals have been a major influence in my life and have led to many possibilities. I never thought it possible that things like friendship, community volunteering, and even my career would stem from the creatures I adore.

For this crossword, I had my seed word which is found in words across the entire puzzle. Once you're done with the crossword, I recommend checking out my solution .pdf if you haven't figured out the complete answer to 20-Across.

Cheers,
Jac

001: Themed Puzzle 1, A Fruity Arrangement

Here we are, the first crossword on this new blog, Trash Panda Puzzles! Why call this place Trash Panda Puzzles? I have an adoration for raccoons and I think they are adorable little buggers that don't get enough love. Trash Panda Puzzles rolled off my tongue quite well and I stuck with it.

So, what's the theme for this momentous crossword? Well, I had a seed word that ironically, through editing, didn't make the cut. I still ended up with something fruity in the puzzle, so the spirit of the theme lives on!

Cheers,

Jac