CROSSWORD #329: Taking Direction

ACROSS LITE PUZZLE: [ TAKING DIRECTION] 
PROGRAM: [Across Lite]

PROGRAM: [Java]

PRINTOUT PUZZLE: [ TAKING DIRECTION]
PROGRAM: [Adobe Acrobat]

So for the latest contest puzzle ("Where There's A Will") solvers were asked what name in the news was referenced in the following theme answers: MOSQUITO NET, CAT 'O NINE TAILS, REINVENT ONESELF, PHOTO NEGATIVE and SWEET ONIONS. Most of the 124 contestants came up with the correct answer: Tyler, the Creator Kate Middleton. You see the letters T-O-N are in the middle of each theme entry. Middle + TON = your answer. Fun fact: I had never heard of her before I made the puzzle. Apparently, she's some British bird who is sleeping her way into a monarchy. Good for her.

So why the Tyler, the Creator picture, BEQ? Couple reasons: Tyler's rap outfit Odd Future was referenced at 62-Across, and he pretty much sums up how I felt about the event of 4/29/11 ('nuff said).

A few people mentioned that they saw TONE and TONI and were looking for TONY in the grid somewhere. Needless to say, Tony! Toni! Toné! is not a name in the news. I mean, I guess Raphael Saadiq is sort of in the news, but that TONY omission pretty much kills this argument.

The current and two-time defending American Crossword Puzzle Tournament champion Dan Feyer chimed in with Middleton, before solving the puzzle. He told me he got it just by reading the title of the puzzle and the instructions. Folks, let me tell you, if this is where "Steely" Dan is now in terms of his solving-prowess, it's over. Will Shortz is going to have to title all the ACPT puzzles "Themed Puzzle" and give clues like {Noun}, {Location}, {Gerund} just to stop Dan's newly adopted prescient gifts.

Dan Seidman of Parts Unknown felt pretty confident he got it right because supposedly my name anagrams to "QUEEN BRIDGE, MELT MY TANG." Make of that what you will. Me? I've always told people, that is the small handful who care about this stuff, "BRENDAN E. QUIGLEY" anagrams to "DRAG QUEEN BY-LINE."

Thanks to all who sent in some doctored photos for the creative entry this time around. None really tickled my fancy, though. The winner this go around is Kurt Krauss of Naples, FL. This time last year, he tried to butter my wife up with flowers. Alas, he sent in the wrong answer. However for this time, he got the answer right this time, as well as sent it via a teddy bear for our daughter. Thanks, Kurt. He knows the way to an expecting father's heart is through gifts for his daughter.

Our other randomly selected winner is John LaFianza of Glen Rock, NJ. Congrats to both. And thanks to all who competed.

Heads up: this puzzle is a rerun from the old Paste days. Share the puzzle. New one tomorrow.