June 6, 2021

Title: RECIPROCATED FEELINGS

Constructors: Ria Dhull & Brooke Husic

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

******This puzzle is part of the USA Today Pride Puzzle Series******

Theme Answers:

SLOVENIA (18A: Ljubljana's country)

SPOKE VOLUMES (34A: Said a lot)

BOXING GLOVES (42A: Some muay thai gear)

EVOLVING (60A: Gradually changing) 

Theme synopsis: The theme answers SLOVENIA and BOXING GLOVES contain the word LOVE. The LOVE is RECIPROCATED (given back) in the theme answers SPOKE VOLUMES and EVOLVING.

Things I learned:

• RAYA (53A: Title character voiced by Kelly Marie Tran) RAYA and the Last Dragon is an animated Disney movie released in March of this year. Kelly Marie Tran voices the character of RAYA, a warrior princess training to become a Guardian of the Dragon Gem. Awkwafina voices the character of Sisu, the last dragon in existence. As the title suggests, during the movie RAYA embarks on a search for the last dragon. 
• PEN (64A: "___ 15" (Erskine and Konkle comedy)) PEN15 is a TV series starring Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle. PEN15 describes itself as "middle school as it really happened." Erskine and Konkle play "versions of themselves as thirteen-year-old outcasts in the year 2000, surrounded by actual thirteen-year-olds." PEN15 is classified as cringe comedy, a genre whose humor derives from social awkwardness.
• JADE (58D: With 1-Down, Liz Gillies' "Victorious" character) and WEST (See 58-Down) Victorious is a TV series that originally aired from 2010 to 2013 on Nickelodeon. The show centers on aspiring singer Tori Vega, played by Victoria Justice, and is set at a performing arts high school. Tori's friends included JADE WEST, the sarcastic and sometimes mean character played by Elizabeth (Liz) Gillies, and Cat Valentine, played by Ariana Grande.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• WOMEN (1A: This puzzle's authors, e.g.) Nice! I appreciated this clue for its reference to today's constructors, and I also appreciate that it's not unusual for USA Today crosswords to be authored by WOMEN. 
• CYAN (6A: Color on the pansexual pride flag) The pansexual pride flag has three horizontal stripes, colored magenta, yellow, and CYAN.
• AERO (Prefix with "dynamic" or "postale") AÉROpostale is a retailer of apparel and accessories for young adults. It's name is from the French word for airmail. I do not like to shop, and therefore didn't spend a lot of time in malls even before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, my daughter went through an AÉROpostale phase, so I'm familiar with their store. (What I remember most about that phase is that, according to my daughter, I never pronounced the name of the store correctly.)
• KEGELS (21A: Pelvic floor-strengthening exercises) KEGELS involve repeatedly contracting and relaxing the pelvic-floor muscles. The exercises are named after gynecologist Arnold KEGEL, who published a description of the exercises in 1948. 
• RETRO (24A: Like cottagecore fashion) Cottagecore has been described as a "soothing, escapist, aesthetic dominated by meadows, teacups, and baby goats." Cottagecore fashion has a RETRO vibe with its billowy dresses in floral patterns with puffy sleeves and ruffles. 
• LOS (33A: "Por que no ___ dos?") "Por que no LOS dos?" "Why not both?" This phrase, featured in memes, became popular following a 2011 Old El Paso commercial. 
• HAM (37A: It might be swapped for seitan) Seitan is made from gluten, and is used in some vegetarian and vegan recipes. If you do not follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, you might substitute HAM in a recipe calling for seitan.
• BOXING GLOVES (42A: Some muay thai gear) Muay thai is sometimes referred to as Thai BOXING. I first learned about muay thai from the August 30, 2020 puzzle. 
• EDU (4D: Spelman homepage ending) Spelman College is a private HBCU (historically Black colleges and universities) in Atlanta, Georgia. Alice Walker is an ALUM (52D: Grad) of Spelman College, as is Stacey Abrams.
• NECKTIE (5D: Janelle Monae accessory, sometimes) Janelle Monáe's signature style is her tuxedo wardrobe in a black and white palette. Her look often includes a NECKTIE.
• EGGOS (19D: Waffles that become 56-Down if a letter is removed) and EGOS (56D: Teamwork obstacles) When I encountered the clue for 19-Down, I filled in EGGOS right away, because what other waffle is frequently featured in crosswords? As I did so, I thought, "56-Down must be "eggs." When I was reviewing the puzzle I thought, "I don't remember seeing "eggs" in the puzzle." Oh - EGOS! Yes, also true, and the thought of EGGOS morphing into EGOS (or vice versa) is a humorous visual.
• EVERDEEN (39D: Katniss of "The Hunger Games") Katniss EVERDEEN is the protagonist of The Hunger Games trilogy written by Suzanne Collins. Jennifer Lawrence played the role of Katniss EVERDEEN in the movie adaptation.

Geography review:

• SLOVENIA (18A: Ljubljana's country) Ljubljana is the capital and largest city of SLOVENIA.
• YEN (40D: Money in Kyoto) Kyoto is a city in Japan. The Japanese YEN is the official currency of Japan.
• ORE (45D: State south of Wash.) OREgon is south of Washington, west of Idaho, north of Nevada and California, and east of the Pacific Ocean.

It's nice when LOVE is RECIPROCATED, isn't it? That was certainly true in this puzzle, with its clever theme. SPOKE VOLUMES was my favorite theme answer. Nice gridwork MADE ROOM for other enjoyable entries such as Janelle Monáe's NECKTIE and Katniss EVERDEEN. This puzzle was a delightful way to begin my Sunday.