puzzle #102: good luck, babe! (midi)

no-skips november day 12

In 2021, I attempted to post a new crossword everyday in an event I dubbed “NaCroWriMo.” Unfortunately, I was not able to complete this event and, as a result, I have carried that shame ever since. That is until this month.

For every day in November this year, I’m posting a new crossword puzzle in an endeavour I’m now calling “No-Skips November.” Some of these puzzles are themeless, some are themed, some were even constructed before November, but it doesn’t matter: I’m not skipping a single day on this blog. I’m posting a new crossword. Every day. For a month.

This is also an effort to drive subscriptions to my Patreon, which is the best way to support me directly! My Patreon ensures that I’m able to sustain myself financially during months with less puzzle work, so I can spend more time making the puzzles you enjoy. Subscribers get a new themeless puzzle every week, and Inner Circle members typically get an extra 3-4 puzzles per month.

I held a Stan Party last night.

That’s right. After receiving a bottle of rosé from Stan’s owner for returning him, I didn’t really know who to share it with, so I ended up inviting over some of the friends who helped me take care of Stan. It was nice! I got a red velvet cake with the name “Stan” on it, my friends brought card games for us to play, and we spent the night regaling and waiting for Stan to show up at my window again, figuring he would.

Stan did not show up to his own party. It’s a shame! I wrote an ode called “O, Stan” (unrelated to OS-tan) and kept the window open waiting for him all night. After a bit, I realized I had to accept that this could have only been a brief thing. Maybe the owners were going to be stricter about where their cat goes after briefly getting stolen by a stranger. Maybe this was the end of Stan coming in through the window.

And then guess what diva showed up 17 hours late to his own party:

This morning, he walked in like he owned the place.

I love this dude. I’m going to start calling him “Ricky” now as short for “Maverick.” But he’s also still Stan. Much like the Stan he was named after, he has assumed many identities.

Today’s music recommendation, obviously: