August 16, 2023

Title: R2-D2

Constructors: Tooky Kavanagh & Amanda Rafkin

Editor: Amanda Rafkin

Theme Answers:

OVERRIDDEN (20A: Like a vetoed vote)

CARROT PUDDING (38A: Veggie-based dessert similar to gajar ka halwa)

NARROWED DOWN (54A: Reduced, like a list of possibilities)

Theme synopsis: Each theme answer follows an R2-D2 pattern, containing two Rs, and two Ds.

Things I learned:

• CARROT PUDDING (38A: Veggie-based dessert similar to gajar ka halwa) Gajar ka halwa is a CARROT PUDDING associated with the cuisines of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Nepal. It is made using grated CARROTs, milk, sugar, khoya, ghee, and cardamom, and garnished with almonds and pistachios. Variations of CARROT PUDDING are also found in other cuisines.

Random thoughts and interesting things:

•  DOGS (1A: Service animals that attended a relaxed performance of "Billy Elliot" to learn proper theater behavior) In 2019, a picture of some DOGS attending a performance of Billy Elliot in Ontario, Canada, went viral on the internet. The service DOGS were being trained by K-9 Country Inn Service DOGS, an organization that trains DOGS for PTSD, Mobility Assistance, Medical Alert, and Autism Assistance. Theater attendance is used to help the DOGS learn proper theater behavior, which involves a lot of sitting quietly.
• IDINA (9A: Menzel who voiced Elsa in "Frozen") IDINA Menzel is the voice of Elsa in Disney's 2013 animated movie, Frozen. And, of course, the voice behind Elsa's song, "Let It Go." IDINA Menzel also voiced Elsa in several Frozen short films, and in Frozen II (2019). In 2022, IDINA Menzel was named a Disney Legend (Disney's Hall of Fame program).
• DEUS (15A: ___ ex machina) "DEUS ex machina" is a Latin translation of a Greek phrase that means "god from a machine." This phrase originally referred to an actual machine that held a god over the stage in Greek and Roman plays. The phrase, "DEUS ex machina," has come to be used to refer to outcomes resulting from improbable and unlikely mechanisms.
• TEA SET (24A: Cups, saucers, kettle, etc.) Here's a nice throwback to Monday's puzzle, which was titled TEA SET. 
• TOM (25A: Jerry's cartoon nemesis) TOM (a cat) and Jerry (a mouse) are animated characters created by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera that have appeared in short films, TV shows, and movies since their first appearance in 1940. The plot of TOM and Jerry short films usually focus on TOM's largely unsuccessful attempts to capture Jerry.
• MEMOIR (33A: "Hijab Butch Blues" or "Becoming") Hijab Butch Blues is a MEMOIR by Lamya H, a queer Muslim writer and organizer. I have not read Hijab Butch Blues, but this NPR review made me want to check it out. Becoming is Michelle Obama's 2018 MEMOIR. As I have previously written, I have some special memories associated with Becoming, and I highly recommend this book. As I am fond of mentioning, I'm a fan of clues that give two examples, thus doubling a solver's chances of being successful. Today I was able to fill in the answer based on my knowledge of Becoming, and I was happy to learn about Hijab Butch Blues.
• COOLIO (35A: "Gangsta's Paradise" rapper) "Gangsta's Paradise" by COOLIO was Billboard's number one song of 1995. 
• EVOO (53A: Shorthand for a culinary staple) EVOO is short for extra virgin olive oil, a grade of olive oil that is required to have no more than 0.8% free acidity.
• OLIVER (2D: Musical with the song "I'd Do Anything") The musical OLIVER! opened in London in 1960. It is based on Charles Dickens' 1838 novel, Oliver Twist. "I'd Do Anything" is sung by The Artful Dodger, Nancy, OLIVER, Fagin, and Bet in Act I, and is also part of the Finale at the end of Act II.
• A-ROD (39D: Yankee until '16) A-ROD is the nickname of Alex Rodriguez, who played baseball for the New York Yankees from 2004 until his retirement in 2016. A-ROD also played for the Seattle Mariners (1994-2000) and the Texas Rangers (2001-2003).
• ERR (44D: Step on your pet's perfect little foot, say) Willow kindly put forth two

  

  Willow

  
  of her perfect little feet for a photo op this morning. I admit to having made this error! It happens ... pets tend to want to be near us, and sometimes we zig and they zag. I did ERR once, not by stepping on Willow's feet, but on her tail. She actually ended up losing the tip of her tail, which is now three inches shorter than it used to be. As you can imagine, I felt awful!

Geography review:

• INCA (5A: Resident of old Peru) From 1438 until 1533, the land that is now the country of Peru, was part of the INCA Empire. The administrative center of the INCA Empire was in the city of Cusco, which is now located in southeastern Peru.
• DAKOTA (1D: People for whom two U.S. states are named) The DAKOTA people include four bands of Eastern DAKOTA (Bdewakantunwan, Wahpetunwan, Wahpekute, and Sussitunwan), and two bands of Western DAKOTA (Yanktonai and Yankton). Many DAKOTA currently live in the eastern portion of North and South DAKOTA (the two states that bear their name), central Minnesota, and northern Iowa.

I felt so smart today being able to guess what the theme would be from the title! In addition to the answers I've already highlighted, I enjoyed I'M SO DOWN, NOSE RING, I DO IT TOO, CROW'S NEST, and GO TEAM. Congratulations to Tooky Kavanagh making their USA Today debut today! Thank you, Tooky and Amanda, for this puzzle that was a great way to start my Wednesday.