xwordswithbabka

Hello! One of my least favorite phrases is "it is what it is." I don't know why I don't like it, I guess it's just cliche? But the cliche is about trying to cope with things in your life and the world? Maybe it's okay, I've talked myself back into it. Well anyway today's puzzle is what it is - pretty dumb jokes about bands. I think it's fun, and I hope you do too. Norah tested it! Let me know what you think, and thank you. [ .puz ][ Direct Crosshare link ]

Hello! It has been a busy couple of weeks for me, coming back from ACPT and then to visit my family for Passover. (Quick note about ACPT: it was so much fun, I met so many amazing people, and performed better than I thought possible! Hello if I met you there! You are great!) Today's puzzle is not the one I thought I was going to make! I try to keep to a schedule of posting every two weeks, but I had absolutely nothing planned for today. I came up with a very quick sort-of theme that didn't quite work, and decided to livestream the construction on Twitch , hoping to finish within a few hours so that I could post it tonight. But when i began using Ingrid (a fantastic program by the way!! This was my first time using it!), I was encouraged by chat to turn that theme into a cryptic crossword instead of an American-style one. This was very unexpected!! I do not recommend doing this!! With the help of the people in chat, we were able to create and clue a whole cryptic crossword...

Hello, special bonus post! None other than Alex Boisvert and I collaborated on a puzzle in his Marx Brothers series. Once I learned that this series was a thing, I knew I needed to be a part of it. I guess I am that kind of person! Working with Alex was amazing, and my favorite clues of his are 24d and 57d. This puzzle would go well along with some Tutsi Frutsi ice cream. Enjoy the solve!! https://crosswordnexus.com/blog/2023/04/07/puzzle-88-a-day-at-the-races-with-dan-schwartz/

Hello! If all has gone well, then this should be posted on April 2nd, 2023, which is the end of ACPT. I will probably update this paragraph later with highlights! I wanted to try to make another themeless in a strange attempt to be "taken seriously." (WTF is with that?) I find making themelesses pretty hard at the moment, especially to me one of the most difficult parts of constructing is figuring out which words I want to go in the grid. I don't have much of a word list right now and I keep forgetting to write things down. Still, the only way to get better at it, I think, is by doing it, and so here we go! Thanks Alex Boisvert for the test solve! Are you subscribed to his Patreon and/or have you supported him in the Malibu triathlon in exchange for puzzles ? You should! [ .puz ][ Direct Crosshare link ]