November 13, 2022

Title: IT'S A START

Constructor: Zhouqin Burnikel

Editor: Erik Agard

Theme Answers:

I THOUGHT SO (17A: "That was my suspicion")

ICED TEA SPOON (23A: Utensil with a long handle)

IN THE SPOTLIGHT (62A: Receiving a lot of attention)

Theme synopsis: The STARTing letters of the words in each theme answer are ITS.

Things I learned:

• HOYA (39A: Georgetown University athlete) "What's a HOYA?" one might ask punnily, as "HOYA" is a Greek word meaning "what." The origin of the use of HOYAs to refer to the name of Georgetown University athletes is unknown. The Georgetown University's mascot is Jack the Bulldog. Have I heard Georgetown University athletes referred to as HOYAs? Probably. Could I remember that when I read this clue? Not at all.
• PAT (56A: "The Ms. ___ Show") The Ms. PAT Show is a TV series that premiered on BET+ in August 2021. The show is based on the life of comedian Ms. PAT. The bio on Ms. PAT's website begins with, "Let's start with Ms. PAT hasn't lived the life of your typical comedian..." In her teens, Ms. PAT was a drug dealer whose street name was Rabbit. Ms. PAT's 2017 memoir is titled, Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. PAT. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• EPCOT (30A: Theme park with a World Discovery section) Since the late 2010s, EPCOT has been divided into four areas: World Celebration, World Discovery, World Nature, and World Showcase. The World Discovery section contains attraction focusing on stories about space, science, and technology. While visiting the World Discovery area of EPCOT, you can eat at Space 220, a restaurant that simulates dining aboard a space station 220 miles above Earth.
• EGG (32A: Challah ingredient) Challah is a braided bread eaten on Shabbat (Judaism's day of Sabbath rest) and other Jewish holidays (except Passover). Challah is made from a yeasted dough containing EGG.
• ETSY (44A: Website whose shopowners might be Indie Sellers Guild members) The Indie Sellers Guild is a grassroots, nonprofit labor organization that promotes the interests of makers of handmade, unique crafts who sell their goods online, on sites such as ETSY.
• SKIT (50A: "It's a sketch, not a ___!" (comedian's correction)) Here's a video reminder that, "It's a sketch, not a SKIT!" Sketch comedy, which may be improvised or rehearsed, refers to vignettes performed by a company of comedians. Here's a longer written explanation of the difference between the two. This clue was timely, as last night my husband and I went with our daughter and her boyfriend to see a Second City show. 
• TUNA (51A: Fish in some onigiri) Onigiri, popular in Japanese cuisine is white rice formed into triangular or cylindrical shapes and wrapped with nori. As this clue/answer informs us, some onigiri contain TUNA. 
• YAKITORI (40D: Skewer often glazed with tare sauce) Yakitori is skewered chicken grilled over a charcoal fire. During or after cooking the skewers are typically glazed with tare sauce (a sweetened, thickened soy sauce).

Geography review:

• LIMA (14A: Capital of Peru) LIMA is located on the western coast of Peru, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Fun fact: Wikipedia's page of notable people from LIMA includes Paddington Bear. 
• EAST (58A: Xi'an -to-Tokyo direction) Xi'an is a city in northwest China. It is the home of the Terracotta Army, a collection of terracotta sculptures depicting the armies of Qin Chi Huang, the first emperor of China. Tokyo, which is EAST of Xi'an, is the capital and largest city of Japan.
• CARLO (11D: Monte ___, Monaco) Monaco is a city-state on the French Riviera. It is the second smallest sovereign state in the world (after Vatican City). Monte CARLO is an administrative state of Monaco, and home to the Monte CARLO Casino. 
• SOHO (26D: NYC neighborhood) The SOHO neighborhood in New York City is home to art galleries, artists' lofts, and shops.

Uncovering the first theme answer, I THOUGHT SO, I wondered if the theme was simply phrases beginning with the letters IT. ICED TEA SPOON dashed that theory, but also helped me spot the initials of the phrases. Enjoyable entries: SLEEP TIGHT, MAORIS, and GROUP CHAT. Thank you, Zhouqin, for this puzzle that was a great way to start my Sunday.