July 25, 2023

Title: CUDDLE BUDDIES (FREESTYLE)

Constructor: Rafael Musa

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Freestyle: This is a themeless puzzle. CUDDLE BUDDIES is a nod to CUFFING SEASON (24A: Time of year during which many people look for relationships).

Things I learned:

• RAE (22A: "Selling Sunset" star Heather ___ El Moussa) Selling Sunset is a reality TV show that focuses on the Oppenheim Group, a high-end real estate brokerage firm in the Los Angeles, California area. I learned about SELLING SUNSET when we saw it as a theme answer on September 27, 2021. Heather RAE El Moussa (nee Young) was one of the real estate agents featured in the first six seasons of the show. Heather RAE El Moussa currently costars with her husband Tarek El Moussa on the HGTV show, The Flipping El Moussas.
• CUFFING SEASON (24A: Time of year during which many people look for relationships) CUFFING SEASON refers to the time in late fall and early winter when single people look for a partner to spend time with during the colder portion of the year. Psychological factors such as mood changes affected by decreased sunlight and a desire to have companionship during the winter holiday season may contribute to the desire for a relationship during CUFFING SEASON. The term CUFF references handcuffs, but it doesn't have to be a kinky reference unless you want it to be - it's a term from AAVE (African American Vernacular English) used to mean "hook up" or "get hitched." The term CUFFING SEASON was entirely new to me! I'm feeling my age on this one, or perhaps simply feeling 34-years-of-marriage-removed from dating.
• BAIO (44A: Vampire weekend bassist Chris) Vampire Weekend is an indie rock band from New York City. In addition to being the bassist for Vampire Weekend, Chris BAIO produces records using the mononym BAIO. An interesting piece of trivia I learned while reading about Chris BAIO, is that he is a cousin of New York Yankee's outfielder Harrison Bader (who used to play for the St. Louis Cardinals, which is why I know of him).

Random thoughts and interesting things:

• CERA (16A: "Superbad" actor Michael) Superbad is a 2007 coming-of-age movie. Michael CERA and Jonah Hill star as teenagers wanting to party and lose their virginity prior to graduating from high school.
• I DON'T SEE IT (17A: Potential response to "They look alike!") When I read the clue I was expecting an answer such as "You're right!" or "OMG, yes!" Fun to have my expectations turned upside down. Also, it's so interesting how perceptions vary. It's not uncommon for one person to think two people look alike, and another to say, "I DON'T SEE IT..."
• FRI (42A: Day for Shabbat dinner (Abbr.)) Shabbat, or Sabbath, is a day of rest observed in Judaism. Shabbat begins at sunset on Friday (FRI.) and continues until sunset on Saturday. The Shabbat dinner on Friday evening is often shared with family and/or friends, and involves specific foods and rituals.
• UTE (57A: Colorado people) The UTE are an indigenous people that lived in the regions that are now Utah and Colorado. The state of Utah is named after the UTE.
• TARO CAKES (3D: Pan-fried dim sum items made from root vegetables) TARO CAKES are made using rice flour and TARO. Slices of the TARO CAKES are pan-fried before serving.
• RHINO (11D: Horned herbivorous animal) There are five species of RHINO, two native to Africa, and three native to Asia. RHINOs are large animals that weigh over a ton, with some species weighing over three tons. The name rhinoceros means "nose horn," a reference to the RHINO's distinctive feature.
• AFRO-CUBAN (33D: Like Santeria) Santería is an AFRO-CUBAN religion that arose in Cuba during the late 19th century. Santería developed among Cubans from the African region that is now Nigeria and Benin, and combines elements of Yoruba and Catholicism. Santería is a polytheistic religion, and is also known as Regla de Ocha or Lucumí.
• BEREAL (44D: Social media app that encourages authenticity) The BEREAL app notifies users at a random time each day. When the notification is received, users snap a photo of whatever they're doing at the time - the app simultaneously captures images from both the front facing and rear-facing cameras. Users can view BEREAL pics from their friends, but only after they've uploaded their own photo. You won't find me on BEREAL, but I do know about it from my daughter. 
• TWINS (47D: Mario and Luigi, for example) Mario and Luigi are the characters from the Mario Bros. video games. I knew Mario and Luigi were brothers, but somehow it escaped my attention that they are TWINS. Mario, who wears a red shirt, is the oldest of the TWINS. Luigi wears a green shirt.
• EYES (58D: "Their ___ Were Watching God") Their EYES Were Watching God is a 1937 novel by Zora Neale Hurston. It was adapted into a 2005 movie of the same name.
• CAT (60D: Gato, in English) Gato means CAT in both Spanish and Portuguese.

  

  Willow

  I think Willow sensed that the word CAT was in the puzzle, as she settled in where she could supervise the writing of today's blog post.

There are so many delightful entries in today's puzzle, that I simply couldn't highlight them all. (Well, technically I could have, but the post might not have been finished until tomorrow...) Just imagine that I have also written thoughts about NOT EVEN CLOSE, VACCINATED, TRASH TALK, EROTIC, and THAT'S LIFE. This puzzle is the complete opposite of an EPIC FAIL! Thank you, Rafa, for this puzzle that was a fantastic way to start my Tuesday.