Brian Callahan author page
1 puzzle by Brian Callahan
with Jeff Chen comments
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I've been commenting on NYT crosswords for over ten years, and I've decided it's time to UNCOUPLE myself from the blogosphere. There have been invigorating ups and a few profoundly painful downs, and I'm thankful for both sides of it — this process has helped me grow in ways I never expected. I will use the next seven days to express my appreciation for all that crosswords, constructors, editors, haters, and, most importantly, solvers have done for me.
Day one of "Gotta JET!" (Jeff's Expressions of Thanks): I'm thankful for being pleasantly baffled by so many Mondays in "Name That Theme." I can usually sniff out what's happening in two themers, but today, I FLOUNDERED AROUND. Even if offered FUNYUNS, CRUNCH N MUNCH, CHUNK LIGHT TUNA in an UNDERGROUND BUNKER, I doubt I would have guessed the UNCOUPLES revealer. Great disguise, those pairs of UN + UN so difficult to see.
Let's hear it for the YOUNG GUN constructor!
On that note, I've appreciated the opportunity to see so many new faces come through the ranks over the past decade, each one bringing new ideas and perspectives. Although I have fondness for some of the old guard, almost all of my favorite constructors — Erik Agard, Ryan McCarty, Tom McCoy, Robyn Weintraub, Nam Jin Yoon, Yacob Yonas, to name a few — had their debuts in the past decade or so.
It's been a treat to hear a wider variety of voices recently, too — yet more thanks go out to the NYT's Diverse Constructor program! I admire this proactive approach.