December 19, 2020

Title: SURROUND SOUND

Constructor: Erik Agard

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

DOWN THE DRAIN (25A: Squandered)

DIRECT ACTION (41A: General strikes and such)

DOLLAR COIN (9D: Equivalent of a single)

DIGRESSION (25D: Tangent)

Theme synopsis: Each theme answer either begins with D- and ends with -IN, or begins with DI- and ends with -N. Therefore DIN (SOUND) SURROUNDS each theme answer.

Things I learned:

• ODE (12D: "___ to Phantoms" (Khaty Xiong poem)) Khaty Xiong is a Hmong poet whose debut poetry collection, Poor Anima, was published in 2015. "ODE to Phantoms" was published by Lantern Review. I enjoy when a clue for the word ODE introduces me to a new-to-me piece of writing. Since the word ODE makes frequent crossword appearances, and because there are ODEs written to so many things, it is easily inferable in a clue such as this one.
• HOOPTY (27D: Car in bad condition) There are many terms used to refer to a car in bad condition, including jalopy, clunker, beater, wreck, lemon, rust bucket, rattletrap, and HOOPTY. The word HOOPTY (which can also be spelled hooptie) was completely new to me. Even after I had it filled in from crosses I wondered if it could be right. You learn something new every day!

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• DOJO (9A: Place to practice aikido) Aikido is a martial art, originating in Japan, that was developed by Morihel Ueshiba in the late 1920s. Aikido places an emphasis on defending against and harmlessly redirecting attacks. 
• PEKOE (58A: Black tea type) In the tea industry, PEKOE is a term used in grading black teas based on the size of the tea leaves. The term "orange PEKOE" is sometimes used as a generic term for black tea (which, interestingly, is not orange in color or flavor). 
• TERRY (2D: "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" author McMillan) TERRY McMillan's book, How Stella Got Her Groove Back was adapted into a movie of the same name. In a nice tie-in with 23-Down, the movie starred ANGELA Bassett in the role of Stella Payne.
• DOLLAR COIN (9D: Equivalent of a single) This was a nicely misleading clue. My mind immediately went to music singles (as was likely intended). The DOLLAR COIN has never really caught on in the United States, although it has been minted in various iterations since 1794. There was a time when the government promoted the use of the DOLLAR COIN in an attempt to save on the cost of printing one dollar bills (singles!) Since 2011, the U.S. Mint no longer produces DOLLAR COINs for general circulation, though they are still produced for collectors. 
• ANGELA (23D: Hollywood icon Bassett) In addition to appearing in How Stella Got Her Groove Back, ANGELA Bassett also appeared in the movie, Waiting to Exhale, based on another of Terry McMillan's novels. Bassett has also appeared in many other movies and TV shows, of course, including playing Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do With It. 
• TOXIC (26D: "Don't you know that you're ___?" (Britney Spears lyric)) "TOXIC" is also the name of the song containing this lyric. The song is from the 2003 Britney Spears album, In the Zone. I'm glad the decision was made to use the lyric in the clue rather than just the song title, as it makes the answer more inferable for those unfamiliar with the song.
• TESSA (48D: Valkyrie portrayer Thompson) TESSA Thompson played the role of Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Endgame.

Geography review:

• LION (40A: Animal holding a sword on Sri Lanka's flag) Sri Lanka is an island country located in the Indian Ocean. Its flag is called the LION flag and features a golden LION holding a sword in its right paw. The LION is on a maroon background surrounded by a gold border. The flag also has an orange stripe and a green stripe to the left. When Vijaya, the first king of Sri Lanka, arrived on the island from India in 486 B.C., his royal standard depicted a LION. The LION has endured as a symbol of Sri Lanka since that time. 
• IRAN (29D: Country where tahdig is eaten) Tahdig is a dish of caramelized rice taken from the bottom of the pot in which the rice is cooked. 
• IOWANS (43D: People with 319 area codes, perhaps) Well, yes, I do, in fact, have a 319 area code.

I described the puzzle's theme rather simply above - each theme answer is surrounded by the word DIN. But wait... there's more! If you look at the placement of the four theme answers in the grid, you'll find that they interlock in such a way that they essentially SURROUND the center of the puzzle. It's quite the constructing feat to find themers that interlock. In addition to adding to the SURROUND effect, this theme answer arrangement also allowed for some nice, long bonus answers in the top-left and bottom-right corners where we find MEDICINAL, PROVOLONE, GERANIUMS, and ELONGATES. Overall I found the puzzle slightly more challenging than usual, which is not a bad thing, as I appreciate an occasional challenge! It also took me a bit to discover the theme, and when that happens I feel like it's a major accomplishment when I do discover it. This puzzle was an enjoyable way to begin my Saturday.