PUZZLE #56 & contest

ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ SIZE DOES MATTER] 
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]

PROGRAM: [Java]

PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ SIZE DOES MATTER]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]

Whenever I get potential clients who ask me to make them a specialty crossword for their ad campaign/periodical/skywriting service/etc., I almost always have to gently explain to them that not every entry will be dedicated to whatever they do. I mean, I guess I could make all the across entries be about whatever they do, just chances are all the down entries will read something like GFESDES. It just isn't possible. Inevitably OREOs and AREAs (the glue that holds a crossword together) are going to make their way in the grid, and unless you're doing an installation art project wherein you're covering a room with Oreos, it might be tough to clue it to whatever you're working on.

Sometimes I make a British-style grid that's probably entirely about their product. Chances are a couple two-three entries are fudged/forced to make it 100% thematical, but then again, no OREOs and AREAs. But it's generally not what people have in mind when they see all those black squares. The thing is, a lot of people like the idea of a crossword for their ad campaign/periodical/ skywriting service/etc. without really understanding the science of the puzzle world. The easiest way around it is when I propose that I make a Times-style American crossword with maybe 30% of the puzzle about whatever it is they do and tie in a contest somehow, they love the idea.

Anyway, I'm keeping this post brief as my piece of shit laptop has declared a fatwa against me and now my wireless modem is no longer working. (Since you were asking, I am doing this from my phone! Two things: yay technology! And thank Christ I exported the files last night.) The theme of today's puzzle is a riddle and it marks my first contest with the site. I'll be giving away either any book I have written of the winner's choosing or any thing in my apartment I don't want any more and don't plan to move into the new condo. Either one's fine with me.

Since my computer is being dodgy, the only way I can accept entries is from direct messages through my Twitter account. (They go right to my phone!) I will be giving away prizes to the first three contestants who answered the riddle correctly. Good luck, and new puzzle on Friday.

Update: We have our winners. Had them less than an hour after the post went live. Round of applause to Amy Reynaldo, T Campbell and John Flavin. I'll do other contests in the future. Might not do the first come first serve kind. Thanks all for playing.

Also, my laptop is working again now, thanks for asking. Diagnosis? Beats me. Oh, and to all the folks who were chanting the Mac doctrine: I'm not sold on those computers either. We used one in an old band of mine and that thing was dodgy all the time too.