I'm not a big crossword puzzle guy. I think they're an okay way to kill time, but I rarely play them. Occasionally while I'm waiting for my Western Omelet at Jimmy's Egg, I'll take a look at New York Times puzzle that's reprinted in the Gazette. When I do, I usually just skim through the clues for the obvious answers. I don't know if that makes me a "fair weather" crossword puzzler or if it just means I'm normal, but I thought it would be a fun little segue to 116 Across:
Yes, that's right. Enid, an Oklahoma city (and the home of emptiness, a schoolyard ninja and a really angry bar owner) made the New York Times Sunday Crossword Puzzle. That's the biggest thing to happen to Enid since, uhm, I guess the wheat harvest or something. I don't know. Enid is to me like Tulsa was to Chandler in that Friends episode. It seems like a scary lonely place.
Anyway, to celebrate Enid's accomplishment, I decided to make our own crossword puzzle. I can't guarantee it's good or fun, but I can guarantee it will kill time on your Monday morning. The puzzle's theme are the people, places and topics you may occasionally read about on our little website. If you like it, good. If you don't, I hope your employer transfers you to Enid.
Here it is:
ACROSS
1. Sweet Brown Drink 3. Stomach Stapler / Scooter Rider 4. Chronic User of Hair Gel 7. Wealthy Suburb 10. "Insurance Commissioner Award" 15. Traffic 18. Fishing for compliments 21. Parasite Factory 22. Coyne 23. Neeson look-a-like 25. Boring City 26. Enjoys tickling 29. Switzer and Elvis 30. John Paul Merritt 31. Cool MOFO 34. Tall Paul, Credit Jewelry Guy, Annoying Sports Fans 35. "Faith, Family, _______" 37. 3434 38. Berry's Boomers
DOWN
2. Gary's new apprentice 3. Wrong Order 5. Almost Famous Band 6. 1889 8. Dangerous Suburb 9. Chopper Pilot 11. Oklahoma town everyone should visit 12. Tulsa Cyclist 13. "Stormy." 14. God 16. Mike Morgan's Red Bedazzled Severe Weather _____. 17. Hillbilly Crooner 19. Old Downtown Arena 20. Trivia Location 24. Irrelevant 27. Regular Jim Traber 28. Hot Watermelon Eater 32. Informant 33. Third Ogle 34. Low stock 36. Pure, Clean, Abundant
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Yeah, I really made that thing...at one in the morning. So expect many typos. Maybe they'll make it more challenging. The first person to email to us a correctly completed puzzle will win a high-five, three TLO trivia ink pens and a date with Chelsea.