If you follow geek news, you probably heard about young whippersnapper Tyler Hinman's dramatic win at American Crossword Puzzle Tournament yesterday, in the division A finals. What didn't show up in most of the media coverage was the dramatic, come-from-behind, dark-horse, sneak-attack win in the lesser division B finals—by none other than yours truly. I won a whopping three trophies (pretty awesome, considering that I've won one other trophy in my life, and that was at a spelling bee 'cause I'm such a jock), capturing the Midwest region, top rookie, and B division finals titles. Plus a check for $200, signed by NYT crossword editor Will Shortz. I had to solve the final puzzle on a big board on stage before 500 people, with play-by-play commentary. (Thank god I lost that 8 pounds so I didn't have to wear fat jeans up there.)
A budding documentary filmmaker was there, hoping to spin the weekend's events into a movie along the lines of "Spellbound," the spelling-bee documentary from a couple years back. Man, I hope he edits the footage into a compelling movie (without placing me firmly on the cutting room floor) and lands a distribution deal so I can be in a movie.
A Chicago Tribune freelancer was also tailing the locals at the tournament and will be writing an article for an upcoming Sunday Trib magazine.
The weekend was really fun, if you consider meeting noted crossword constructors to be fun. (Hey! They're like rock stars in that microcosm. I'm totally serious.) I could have done without the tension headache, the broken-out complexion, and the scaly eyelid (brow-waxing mishap), but the puzzles were great, and the uninterrupted time for grown-up conversation—just imagine: no "Mom! Mom! Look how fast this car is going! Mom! Lookit!"—was welcome. Next year, I'll bring my dermatologist along. And buy a really cute jacket for chic layering.
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8 comments:
Wow! Congratulations! I'm in awe, I can only ever get half way through crossword puzzles.
And I'm sorry to hear about your issues with the AP. Leaving you out? What, don't they know a real story when they see one?
And that AP article was picked up by papers all the way in Malaysia. So worldwide fame eludes me still...
Congrats! Did you talk much trash? Did you throw the elbow? Sorry - I miss hockey and I'm projecting a bit.
Sergei, I did talk some trash. There was this one windbag I was gunning for, and I erased him like an incorrect letter. No elbow throwing—but next year, it could get ugly. There was some hockey, but I didn't make the connection between the clue "ice feints" and hockey (I was thinking it must be some type of Scandinavian glacier formation). But what the hell—I won my division anyway.
It's fun to be considered up and coming at my advanced age...
My fondest crossword memory has to do with the actress Miriam Schor, who was in the off-Broadway and movie versions of Hedwig and the Angry Inch (she played the husband). She and I had crappy "extra" parts in a production of Three Sisters, and used to kill time by doing crossword puzzles together. She always smelled of waffles because her day job was in an ice-cream shop making wafflecones. So now I associate crossword puzzles with transgendered dairy products, but it's a positive association.
Good for you! Boy I found your blog just in time to say "I read her stuff before she got famous!" Or almost famous...
wow! congratulations!:)
Ooh, you go!
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