Monthly Archives: February 2012

Talking About Cryptics

Megan Garrett-Jones has asked for an experienced cruciverbalist, which I would say everyone here could be counted as, to make a presentation in Sydney on cryptics.

In her own words:

I am urgently looking for a Sydney-based ‘expert’ (self-confessed of otherwise) to lead a short presentation on cryptic crossword solving at the Surry Hills Library this Thursday (1st March). Format is open – can be the practical basics, or about their personal passion.

It is for the final installation in a series called ‘Your Better Life’, organised by a group of artists called ‘Bake Sale’ in associated with the City of Sydney and the Surry Hills Library’s ‘Late Night at the Library’ program. Past events have been courses on LOVE, CULTURE, ENTERTAINING, and this one will be SMARTS. It is a 20 minute presentation at 9pm preceding a demonstration from some dapper fashion aficionados. The remuneration is $200 and an extreme amount of gratitude for the presenter’s time and wisdom.

Anyone interested should contact Megan megan.garrett.jones[at]gmail.com

If you’re willing to join in on what looks to be a lot of fun, contact her directly.

DA Confusion for the 25/26th of February, 2012

Here we deal with confusion.

Ask away and have your confusion resolved.

DA for the 24/25th of February, 2012

Happy days for another DA this week.

Talk about it here.

Update: Ridiculously tough:

I don’t think I’ve ever worked harder to get DA clues out, but I just had to figure out the theme even if I didn’t finish the crossword. I don’t think the theme necessarily made the crossword hard; some of the clues on their own were ridiculously tough.

AMPOL, for instance, featured a strange definition, a very difficult but very amusing synonym and the theme. In combination, a very tough one to crack, as were many others.

DA Confusion for the 17/18th of February, 2012

Confused? Bewildered?

Have your DA questions answered here.

DA for the 17/18th of February, 2012

DA is just about ready to make your weekend with a thrilling crossword.

Talk about it here.

Update: A tale of two crosswords:

First half of this was a breeze, and then things took a turn for the difficult. OWNED and TOODLES were gold, but goddamn FORMULAIC and CELADON were near impossible.

DA Confusion for 10/11th of February, 2012

Deal with your DA confusions right here.

DA for 10/11th of February, 2012

Do you reckon those with the initials DA are more likely than others to become district attorneys? Or be devotees of dadaism?

Report on your DA experience here (no spoilers until Monday).

Update: Jolly fun:

RC and I smashed through this one before resorting to hints and tips on this blog WHACKO, OAKUM and, embarrassingly, PHANTOM.

Much fun.

DA Confusion for the 3rd/4th of February, 2012

Have your DA perplexities sorted out here.

DA for the 3rd/4th of February, 2012

February 2012 comes and DA is still serving up the goods.

Here’s where you talk about the goods (but without spoilers until Monday)

Update: A tough one:

RC and I ended up doing this while at a trivia night. We didn’t get too far, and found some difficulty here and there.