January 2, 2023

Title: THREE-POINT PLAY

Constructor: Brooke Husic

Editor: Anna Gundlach

Theme Answers:

JUMP-STARTING (19A: Setting off with a boost of energy)

NOW WE'RE TALKING (35A: "That's more like it")

GROUND BREAKING (50A: Highly innovative)

Theme synopsis: The last word of each of the THREE theme answers can precede the word POINT. Today's THREE-POINT PLAY: STARTING POINT, TALKING POINT, BREAKING POINT.

And now a word from our constructor:

Brooke: my favorite clues are 60a and 47d! i love putting POET(S) or POETRY in puzzles because i love so many poets and poems.

Things I learned:

• THAI (4A: Tom kha gai cuisine) Tom kha gai is also known as THAI coconut soup, a spicy and sour soup made with coconut milk.
• PAOLO (15A: "The Windup Girl" author Bacigalupi) The 2009 novel, The Windup Girl, was the debut novel for PAOLO Bacigalupi. The science fiction book, which won Hugo and Nebula Awards, examines the role of bioengineering in a future without fossil fuels. PAOLO Bacigalupi has published a number of books since The Windup Girl, including a middle-grade novel with the intriguing title, Zombie Baseball Beatdown. 

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• HAN (27A: Largest Chinese ethnic group) In Saturday's blog post, I mentioned that "The largest ethnic group in China - and in the world - are the HAN." You see, reading Sally's Take regularly can make you a better crossword solver! (For the record, this was a coincidence. I have no official ties to USA Today, and don't receive the puzzles in advance.)
• VANS (34A: Skate shoe brand) VANS began business in 1966 as the Van Doren Rubber Company, started by brothers Paul and James Van Doren and Gordon C. Lee. In the 1970s, the company began manufacturing skateboarding shoes, prompted by James Van Doren's son's interest in skateboarding. 
• GOD (41A: Poseidon or Papatuanuku) In Greek mythology, Poseidon is the GOD of the sea, storms, earthquakes, and horses. Papatūānuku is a GOD in Māori mythology, and appears in a creation myth as half of the primal couple, Rangi and Papa (Ranginui and Papatūānuku). This is a nice example of providing two examples in a clue, enabling a solver to be successful even if they are only familiar with one of them.
• POE (47A: Filipino actor Fernando ___ Jr.) I learned about Fernando POE, Jr. from the May 18, 2021 puzzle. 

  

  Introvert mug

• TRUE STORY (55A: "It really happened!") This morning, my sister sent me a message to let me know that - TRUE STORY - today is World Introvert Day. Specifically, she sent me this video, which I laughed at and related to at the same time. My sister also gave me a mug a couple of years ago that says, "Introverts Unite / We're here / We're uncomfortable / And we want to / Go home." My sister gets me!
• EYES (60A: Googly ___ ("Everything Everywhere All At Once" motif)) Everything Everywhere All At Once is a 2022 movie in which the main character - Evelyn (played by Michelle Yeoh) - experiences versions of herself in multiple universes. I haven't seen the movie, but I've written about it a couple of times. In the movie, Evelyn's husband, Waymond puts googly EYES on everything as a way to add humor and happiness to life. Evelyn (initially, anyway) is not amused. You can learn more about the symbolism of the googly EYES from this article or this video. Six years ago (before this movie came out), my husband and I awoke on April Fools' Day to discover that our daughter had put googly EYES on objects all over the house! This photo shows a sampling of her work...there were many more. We, unlike Evelyn, were quite amused!

  

  Googly EYES!
  

• DOLMA (2D: Stuffed grape leaf dish) DOLMA, or stuffed vegetables, can be made using grape, cabbage, or other leaves. The leaves are wrapped around rice, vegetables, and other fillings.
• POETS (47A: Angelou, Brooks and Clifton) Three great POETS used as examples here: Maya Angelou (1928-2014), Gwendolyn Brooks (1917-2000), and Lucille Clifton (1936-2010).
• IBRAM (48D: "The Black Campus Movement" author ___ X. Kendi) The Black Campus Movement: Black Students and the Racial Reconstitution of Higher Education, 1965-1972 by IBRAM X. Kendi was published in 2012. The book's topic was the topic of IBRAM X. Kendi's doctoral dissertation; he received a PhD from Temple University in 2010. IBRAM X. Kendi, whom I have written about previously, is also the author of How to Be an Antiracist. 
• KERI (54D: "The Americans" star Russell) KERI Russell's multiple film and TV credits include playing the role of KGB intelligence officer, Elizabeth Jennings on the TV series, The Americans.

It took me a bit to see the theme today, because I got distracted by the word JUMP at the beginning of JUMP-STARTING, and wondered if there was going to be something about shooting baskets. A nice "Aha!" moment when I realized I was looking at the wrong end of the theme answers to find the theme. Thank you, Brooke, for this puzzle that was a marvelous way to begin my Monday.